Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 우유 | uyu | [uju] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 젖 | jeot | [t͡ɕʌ̹t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 유즙 | yujeup | [jud͡ʑɯp̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 밀크 | milkeu | [miɭkxɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 우유 refers to the liquid milk typically purchased at a store, such as cow's milk. When ordering a drink or asking for milk in a general context, you should use 우유 instead of the other forms. To express the action of milking a mammal, use the phrase 젖을 짜다.
Which one should you use?
There are several words for milk depending on the context. 우유 is the standard term for commercial cow's milk. In contrast, 젖 refers specifically to biological milk produced by a mammal's mammary glands, such as breast milk. For medical or technical contexts involving milk secretion or a milky discharge, the term 유즙 is used. Finally, 밀크 is a transliteration of the English word 'milk' and is commonly found in brand names or specific product names like 'milk tea'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
uyu
Did you know?
- The word 우유 is often used in the phrase 우유 빛깔 to describe skin that is flawlessly white and smooth.
- While 우유 refers to the drink, the word 젖 is also the common word for a 'breast'.
- The word 젖 may have originated from the ancient Goguryeo language.
Examples in context
- 그는 컵에 우유를 부었다.She poured milk into a cup.This sentence shows how to use 우유 when describing pouring the liquid into a cup.Tatoeba #8533928 by Eunhee, translation #8533217 by sundown
- 그는 컵에 우유를 좀 부었다.She poured some milk into a cup.Tatoeba #8533927 by Eunhee, translation #8533218 by sundown
- 우리 엄마는 우유를 맛보셨다.My mother tasted the milk.This sentence shows how to use 우유 when describing someone tasting the liquid.Tatoeba #11105993 by intertime, translation #320653 by CK
- 나는 아침에 우유를 마셔.I drink milk in the morning.
- 우유는 건강에 좋아.Milk is good for health.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Minji are in a kitchen preparing breakfast.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지야, 우유 있어?Minji-ya, uyu isseo?Minji, do we have any milk?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 냉장고에 우유 있어.Eung, naengjanggo-e uyu isseo.Yes, there is milk in the fridge.
- 지훈 Ji-hun다행이다. 우유 좀 가져다줄래?Dahaeng-ida. Uyu jom gajyeoda-jullae?That's a relief. Can you bring me some milk?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 지금 가져다줄게.Eung, jigeum gajyeoda-julge.Okay, I'll bring it to you now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “milk” translations and entries 우유, 젖, 유즙, 밀크, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 밀크, 우유, 유즙, 젖, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
