고기
gogi[ko̞ɡi]
The Korean word for meat is 고기 (gogi). Wiktionary also lists 살 (sal) and -육 (-yuk).
Meaning: animal flesh used as food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 고기 | gogi | [ko̞ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈko̞(ː)ɡi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 살 | sal | [sʰa̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| -육 | -yuk | in compounds |
The standard and most common way to refer to meat in a culinary context is 고기. You can use this word when talking about eating different types of meat, such as 소고기 (beef), 돼지고기 (pork) or 닭고기 (chicken).
Which one should you use?
While 고기 refers to meat used as food, 살 refers to the physical flesh or fat of a living body. Additionally, -육 is a suffix used specifically in compounds to denote meat.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is gogi. The g in 고기 is a soft, voiced sound between a k and a g in English.
Did you know?
- In a historical text from 1103, the word 고기 was used to mean both 'meat' and 'fish'.
Examples in context
- 나 고기 좀 줄이려고.I'm going to cut down on meat.This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to reduce one's consumption of 고기.Tatoeba #13993013 by Ldyhippo, translation #5136086 by honestlang
- 고기랑 생선 둘 중 뭐가 좋아?Which do you like better, meat or fish?This sentence is useful for comparing a preference between 고기 and fish.Tatoeba #8406203 by Eunhee, translation #281004 by CK
- 나는 매일같이 고기를 먹고 있어.I eat meat almost every day.This sentence is useful for describing a habit of eating 고기 daily.Tatoeba #8358162 by Eunhee, translation #1740230 by Amastan
- 오늘 저녁에 소고기를 먹으러 가자!Let's go eat beef for dinner tonight!
- 언니, 삼겹살 먹고 싶다.Sister, I want to eat pork belly.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Ji-eun are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo오늘 저녁으로 고기 먹을까?Oneul jeonyeogeuro gogi meogeulkka?Shall we eat meat for dinner tonight?
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아! 어떤 고기가 제일 좋아?Joa! Eotteon gogiga jeil joa?Sounds good! What kind of meat do you like most?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나는 돼지고기가 제일 맛있더라.Naneun dwaejigogiga jeil masitdeora.I find pork to be the most delicious.
- 지은 Ji-eun나도 좋아. 그럼 삼겹살 먹으러 가자.Nado joa. Geureom samgyeopsal meogeureo gaja.I like it too. Then let's go eat pork belly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meat” translations and entries 고기, 살, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고기, 살, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
