핫초코
hatchoko[ha̠t̚t͡ɕʰo̞kʰo̞]
The English phrase hot chocolate is translated into Korean as 핫초코 (hatchoko).
핫초코 refers to the sweet, warm drink made from cocoa and milk. It is a loanword adapted directly from the English term.
How do you pronounce it?
hatchoko
Did you know?
- The word 핫초코 sounds more like a 'specialty' item found in trendy cafes, whereas 코코아 feels more like a nostalgic, everyday drink found in homes or school cafeterias.
- If you are looking for a chocolate-flavored drink that is not hot, you would not just say 'iced hot chocolate'. Instead, you would switch the term entirely to 초코 우유 (choco milk) for a specific type of bottled or canned chocolate milk.
- Because 핫초코 is a loanword, the 't' sound in 'hot' is often pronounced with a very sharp, clipped stop, which sounds much more percussive to the ear than the softer English pronunciation.
Examples in context
- 핫초코가 정말 달아요.hat-choko-ga jeong-mal dal-a-yo.The hot chocolate is really sweet.
- 따뜻한 핫초코 한 잔 주세요.tta-tteut-han hat-choko han jan ju-se-yo.Please give me a cup of warm hot chocolate.
- 저는 커피보다 핫초코를 좋아해요.jeo-neun keo-pi-bo-da hat-choko-reul jo-a-hae-yo.I like hot chocolate more than coffee.
Example conversation
A cozy cafe on a cold winter afternoon.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 뭐 마실래요?Ji-eun ssi, mwo ma-sil-lae-yo?Ji-eun, what would you like to drink?
- 지은 Ji-eun저는 따뜻한 핫초코 마실래요.jeo-neun tta-tteut-han hat-choko ma-sil-lae-yo.I want to drink a warm hot chocolate.
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요, 그럼 핫초코 두 잔 주문할게요.jo-a-yo, geu-reom hat-choko du jan ju-mun-hal-ge-yo.Good, then I will order two hot chocolates.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요, 도현 씨.go-ma-wo-yo, Do-hyeon ssi.Thank you, Do-hyeon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 핫초코, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
