훠궈
hwogwo[ɸwʌ̹ɡwʌ̹]
The English phrase "hot pot" can be translated into Korean as 훠궈 (hwogwo) or 핫팟.
Meaning: communal meal in China (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 훠궈 | hwogwo | [ɸwʌ̹ɡwʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 핫팟 | hatpat |
훠궈 refers specifically to the communal meal style originating from China.
Which one should you use?
훠궈 is a direct phonetic loanword from the Chinese word for hot pot and is used specifically when referring to the Chinese-style cuisine.
How do you pronounce it?
hwogwo
Did you know?
- If you want a traditional Korean version of a similar one-pot meal, you would ask for 전골 (jeongol) rather than using the word for 'hot pot'.
- The term 훠궈 is often accompanied by the phrase 무한리필 (muhan-ripil), meaning 'unlimited refills', because many Korean-Chinese hot pot places operate as buffets.
- The word 훠궈 is a phonetic adaptation of the Mandarin 'huǒguō', meaning 'fire pot'.
Examples in context
- 맵지 않게 해주실래요?Could you make it less spicy?
- 훠궈는 정말 맛있어요.Hwogwoneun jeongmal masisseoyo.Hot pot is really delicious.
- 오늘 저녁으로 훠궈 먹을까요?Oneul jeonyeogeuro hwogwo meogeulkkayo?Shall we eat hot pot for dinner tonight?
- 저는 훠궈를 아주 좋아해요.Jeoneun hwogworeul aju joahae-yo.I like hot pot very much.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨, 훠궈 먹으러 갈래요?Jieun ssi, hwogwo meogeureo gallaeyo?Jieun, do you want to go eat hot pot?
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아요! 저 훠궈 진짜 좋아해요.Joayo! Jeo hwogwo jinjja joahae-yo.Sounds good! I really love hot pot.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo근처에 맛있는 식당이 있어요.Geuncheoe masinneun sikdangi isseoyo.There is a delicious restaurant nearby.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 그럼 지금 바로 가요.Hyeon-u ssi, geureom jigeum baro gayo.Hyeon-u, let's go right now then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hot pot” translations and entries 훠궈, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 훠궈, CC BY-SA 4.0.
