모찌
mojji[mo̞t͡ɕ͈i]
In Korean, mochi can be expressed as 모찌 (mojji) or 떡.
Meaning: rice cake made from glutinous rice (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 모찌 | mojji | [mo̞t͡ɕ͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 떡 | tteok | [t͈ʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Mochi refers to a rice cake made from glutinous rice. While 떡 is the general Korean term for all types of rice cakes, the term 찰떡 is also commonly used specifically to describe mochi made with glutinous rice.
Which one should you use?
The term 모찌 specifically refers to the Japanese-style rice cake, whereas 떡 is the broader, general Korean word used for all varieties of rice cakes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word 모찌 is a loanword from Japanese and is used colloquially to describe a specific type of soft, stretchy rice cake, but it is not considered the standard Korean word for rice cake.
How do you pronounce it?
mojji
Did you know?
- The term 찰떡 refers specifically to glutinous rice cakes, but it is also used as a metaphor to describe two people who are perfectly compatible.
- In Korea, 떡 is not just a snack but is traditionally eaten on the first full moon of the lunar year, known as Daeboreum, to wish for health.
- The Japanese word for sacrificial rice cakes, shitogi, is believed by some scholars to be a borrowing from an ancient Koreanic language.
Examples in context
- 저는 찰떡을 좋아해요.I like mochi.
- 나 떡 먹고 싶어.I want to eat mochi.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are at a dessert cafe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 여기 모찌가 유명하대요.Jieun ssi, yeogi mojji-ga yumyeong-hadaeyo.Jieun, I heard the mochi here is famous.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 그럼 모찌 하나 주문할까요?jeongmallyo? geureom mojji hana jumun-halkkayo?Really? Then shall we order one mochi?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 딸기 모찌로 시켜봐요.ne, ttalgi mojji-ro sikyeo-bwayo.Yes, let's try the strawberry mochi.
- 지은 Ji-eun좋아요, 제가 주문할게요.joayo, jega jumun-halkeyo.Great, I will order it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mochi” translations and entries 모찌, 떡, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 떡, 모찌, CC BY-SA 4.0.
