미트볼
miteubol[mitʰɯbo̞ɭ]
The English word meatball can be translated into Korean as 미트볼 (miteubol) or 고기완자.
Meaning: ball of minced or ground meat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 미트볼 | miteubol | [mitʰɯbo̞ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 고기완자 | gogiwanja | [ko̞ɡiwa̠ɲd͡ʑa̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both words refer to a ball of minced or ground meat, but they are used in different culinary contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 고기완자 is composed of 고기, meaning meat and 완자, meaning ball or patty.
Which one should you use?
미트볼 is a loanword used specifically for Western-style meatballs, such as those served in pasta or spaghetti. In contrast, 고기완자 is a more descriptive, native term often used for traditional Korean-style meat patties or meatballs.
How do you pronounce it?
miteubol
Did you know?
- In Korean royal court cuisine, 완자 were often steamed rather than fried to maintain a delicate texture and pale color.
- While 미트볼 refers to Western cuisine, if you order a dish containing 완자 in a traditional Korean restaurant, you are much more likely to receive a dish flavored with sesame oil and soy sauce.
- In Korea, the English loanword 미트볼 is often used as a brand name or a specific menu item in fast-food contexts, whereas 고기완자 sounds like something from a grandmother's recipe.
Examples in context
- 미트볼이 정말 맛있어요.miteubori jeongmal masisseoyo.The meatball is really delicious.
Example conversation
Two friends are ordering food at a western-style restaurant.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 미트볼 파스타 어때요?Jihun ssi, mitebol paseuta eottaeyo?Jihun, how about the meatball pasta?
- 지훈 Ji-hun좋아요. 저는 미트볼을 좋아해요.Joayo. Jeoneun miteboreul joahaeyo.Sounds good. I like meatballs.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 미트볼 파스타로 주문할게요.Geureom mitebol paseutaro jumunhalgeyo.Then I will order the meatball pasta.
- 지훈 Ji-hun수빈 씨, 저도 그거로 할게요.Subin ssi, jeodo geugeoro halgeyo.Subin, I'll have that too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “meatball” translations and entries 미트볼, 고기완자, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
