술
sul[sʰuɭ]
Liquor in Korean is 술 (sul).
The term 술 is a general, umbrella term that covers all types of alcoholic beverages, from beer to heavy spirits.
Meaning: strong alcoholic drink derived from fermentation and distillation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 술 refers to the substance itself, the verb 마시다 (to drink) is used for the act of consuming it, whereas the verb 먹다 (to eat) is also commonly used colloquially to mean 'to drink alcohol'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 술 takes the object marker 을 when it is the direct object of a verb like 'to drink'. It takes the subject marker 이 when it is the subject of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
sul
When do people say it?
The word 건배 means 'Cheers' in Korean.
Did you know?
- The word 술 is used in the phrase 술이 깨다, which literally means the 'liquor wakes up' to describe the process of sobering up.
- If you are drinking 술 with an elder, it is polite to turn your head slightly away from them when taking a sip.
- In Korea, the phrase 술잔을 돌리다 literally means 'to rotate the glass', referring to the practice of sharing a single glass among a group.
Examples in context
- 술을 좀 마시고 싶어요.suleul jom masigo sipeoyo.I want to drink some liquor.
- 이 술은 정말 독해요.i sureun jeongmal dokhaeyo.This liquor is really strong.
- 술을 마시면 기분이 좋아요.suleul masimyeon gibuni joayo.I feel good when I drink liquor.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-woo are at a restaurant.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우 씨, 술 한 잔 하실래요?Hyeon-u ssi, sul han jan hasil래요?Hyeon-woo, would you like a glass of liquor?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 좋아요. 어떤 술이 있어요?ne, joayo. eotteon suri isseoyo?Yes, I'd love to. What kind of liquor do they have?
- 지은 Ji-eun맥주랑 소주가 있어요.maekjurang sojuga isseoyo.They have beer and soju.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 소주로 주세요.geureom sojuro juseyo.Then please give me soju.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “liquor” translations and entries 술, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
