팬케이크
paenkeikeu[pʰɛnkʰe̞ikxɯ]
The English word pancake can be translated into Korean as 팬케이크 (paenkeikeu). Wiktionary also lists 블리니 (beullini) and 블린 (beullin).
Meaning: thin batter cake (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 팬케이크 | paenkeikeu | [pʰɛnkʰe̞ikxɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pʰe̞nkʰe̞ikxɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 블리니 | beullini | |
| 블린 | beullin |
In Korean, the term used depends on the specific type of pancake you are referring to. The loanword 팬케이크 is used specifically for Western-style pancakes. For traditional Korean-style pancakes, the term 전 is used, which is a broad category that can include various savory or sweet pancakes. Additionally, 빈대떡 refers to a specific type of savory pancake made from ground mung beans, vegetables and meat.
Which one should you use?
Use 팬케이크 when referring to the Western pancake. If you are talking about the Russian-style pancake, use the loanword 블리니 or its variant 블린.
How do you pronounce it?
paenkeikeu
Did you know?
- Rainy days in Korea often trigger a sudden craving for 전, as the sound of frying batter in a pan is said to mimic the sound of falling rain.
- While 팬케이크 refers to a sweet breakfast, 전 are often served as 'anju', which are specific side dishes meant to be eaten exclusively with alcohol.
- The savory pancake 빈대떡 is made from ground mung beans rather than flour, giving it a much denser and heavier texture than the light, airy 'pancake' many English speakers imagine.
Examples in context
- 한국식 호떡이 어떻게 생겼나요?What does a traditional Korean pancake look like?
- 어제 엄마가 부추전을 만들었어요!Yesterday, my mom made some chive pancakes!
- 팬케이크를 먹고 싶어요.paen-ke-i-keu-reul meok-go sip-eo-yo.I want to eat pancakes.
- 이 팬케이크는 정말 달콤해요.i paen-ke-i-keu-neun jeong-mal dal-kom-hae-yo.This pancake is really sweet.
- 아침으로 팬케이크를 만들었어요.a-chim-eu-ro paen-ke-i-keu-reul man-deul-eot-seo-yo.I made pancakes for breakfast.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are deciding what to eat for brunch.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 아침으로 팬케이크 어때요?Seo-yeon ssi, a-chim-eu-ro paen-ke-i-keu eo-ttae-yo?Seoyeon, how about pancakes for breakfast?
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋아요! 팬케이크 정말 좋아해요.Jo-a-yo! paen-ke-i-keu jeong-mal jo-a-hae-yo.Sounds good! I really like pancakes.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그럼 제가 지금 만들게요.Geu-reom je-ga ji-geum man-deul-ge-yo.Then I will make them now.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 정말 고마워요!Ji-hun ssi, jeong-mal go-ma-wo-yo!Jihoon, thank you so much!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pancake” translations and entries 팬케이크, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
