キムチ
kimuchi[kʲimɯ̟t͡ɕi]
キムチ (kimuchi) is the Japanese word for the Korean dish kimchi.
The term キムチ refers to various styles of fermented vegetables. In Japan, this often includes Japanese-style kimchi, which may be less spicy or use different seasonings than traditional Korean kimchi.
Meaning: Korean dish (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kimuchi.
Did you know?
- While the word is a loanword from Korean, some older Japanese texts refer to a related fermented vegetable dish using the term きみすい, which is a linguistic doublet of キムチ.
- In Japan, キムチ is frequently marketed as a health food specifically because of its lactic acid bacteria.
- キムチ is used in Japanese commercial names for a wide range of unrelated products, such as 'kimchi-flavored' ramen seasonings and snacks.
Examples in context
- キムチを食べたいですI want to eat kimchi.
- キムチは辛いですか？Kimuchi wa karai desu ka?Is the kimchi spicy?
- 冷蔵庫にキムチがあります。Reizōko ni kimuchi ga arimasu.There is kimchi in the refrigerator.
- 私はキムチが大好きです。Watashi wa kimuchi ga daisuki desu.I love kimchi.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 結衣 Yui今日の夕飯にキムチを食べませんか？Kyō no yūhan ni kimuchi o tabemasen ka?Shall we eat kimchi for dinner today?
- 蓮 Renいいですね。そうしましょう。Ii desu ne. Sō shimashō.That sounds good. Let's do that.
- 結衣 Yui冷蔵庫にキムチがありますか？Reizōko ni kimuchi ga arimasu ka?Is there any kimchi in the fridge?
- 蓮 Renいいえ、ないので買いに行きましょう。Iie, nai node kai ni ikimashō.No, we don't have any, so let's go buy some.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kimchi” translations and entries キムチ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries キムチ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
