국수
guksu[kuks͈u]
The English word 'noodle' is 국수 (guksu) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 누들 (nudeul).
Meaning: string or flat strip of pasta or other dough (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 국수 | guksu | [kuks͈u] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 누들 | nudeul | [nudɯɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | rare |
The term 국수 is the standard word for noodles in Korean, used for both the ingredient and the dish itself. For example, 짜장면 is a popular noodle dish in Korean-Chinese cuisine.
Which one should you use?
While 국수 is the native term, 누들 is a phonetic loanword from English used primarily in modern branding or specific Western-style dish names.
How do you pronounce it?
guksu
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, eating noodles (국수) is often associated with longevity because the long, unbroken strands symbolize a long life.
Did you know?
- In Korea, asking 언제 국수 먹여 줄 거야? ('When are you going to feed me noodles?') is a playful, indirect way of asking when someone is getting married.
- The Middle Korean form of 국수 was recorded as 국슈 in the 1517 text 'Beonyeok nogeoldae', showing how much the pronunciation has shifted over five centuries.
- While 국수 is the general term, Koreans use the specific term 면 ('myeon') when referring to the noodle as a culinary component in formal menus or recipes.
Examples in context
- 국수 한 그릇 주세요.I would like a bowl of noodle soup, please.
- 일 끝나고 냉면 먹으러 가자.Let's grab some 냉면 after work.
- 짜장면 먹어봤어? 맛있어!Have you ever tried 짜장면? It's delicious!
- 비빔 국수를 먹고 싶어요.bibim guksu-reul meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat spicy mixed noodles.
- 이 국수는 정말 맛있어요.i guksu-neun jeongmal masisseoyo.This noodle dish is really delicious.
- 시원한 잔치 국수를 만들까요?siwonhan janchi guksu-reul mandeulkkayo?Shall we make some refreshing banquet noodles?
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 지은 Ji-eun점심으로 국수 어때요?jeomsimeuro guksu eottaeyo?How about noodles for lunch?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요. 저는 국수를 아주 좋아해요.joayo. jeoneun guksu-reul aju joahaeyo.Sounds good. I like noodles very much.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 근처에 맛집이 있어요.Do-hyeon ssi, geuncheoe matjibi isseoyo.Do-hyeon, there is a good restaurant nearby.
- 도현 Do-hyeon거기로 바로 가요.geogiro baro gayo.Let's go there right away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “noodle” translations and entries 국수, 누들, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 국수, 누들, CC BY-SA 4.0.
