상추
sangchu[sʰa̠ŋt͡ɕʰu]
The Korean word for lettuce is 상추 (sangchu).
상추 refers to the leaves of the lettuce plant used as a vegetable or dish.
Meaning: the leaves of the lettuce plant, eaten as a vegetable or dish (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
sangchu
When do people say it?
This practice is often referred to as 상추쌈.
Did you know?
- In Korea, many people believe that eating 상추 (sangchu) can actually make you feel sleepy. Because of this, it is a common joke that students avoid eating too much lettuce before a big exam.
- The act of making a 쌈 (ssam) with 상추 (sangchu) is often seen as a gesture of affection, and some people will prepare a wrap and feed it to someone else as a sign of care.
- When eating 상추쌈, it is traditional to place the entire wrap into your mouth at once rather than taking small bites.
Examples in context
- 김밥에 상추를 넣어주세요.Please put lettuce in the kimbap.
- 샐러드에 좀 상추잎을 더 넣을래.I want to add more lettuce leaves to the salad.
- 상추가 아주 싱싱해요.sangchu-ga aju singsimhaeyo.The lettuce is very fresh.
- 상추를 씻어야 해요.sangchu-reul ssiseoya haeyo.I have to wash the lettuce.
- 고기 먹을 때 상추가 필요해요.gogi meogeul ttae sangchu-ga piryo-haeyo.I need lettuce when eating meat.
Example conversation
Dohyeon and Subin are preparing to make wraps for dinner.
- 도현 Do-hyeon상추가 더 필요해요?sangchu-ga deo piryo-haeyo?Do we need more lettuce?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니요, 상추는 충분해요.aniyo, sangchu-neun chungbun-haeyo.No, there is enough lettuce.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 상추를 좀 씻어 줄래요?Subin-ssi, sangchu-reul jom ssiseo jullaeyo?Subin, could you please wash the lettuce?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 제가 지금 할게요.ne, jega jigeum halgeyo.Yes, I will do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lettuce” translations and entries 상추, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
