생선회
saengseonhoe[sʰɛŋsʰʌ̹nβwe̞]
The English phrase "raw fish" is translated into Korean as 생선회 (saengseonhoe).
생선회 refers to fresh fish that is sliced and served raw as a dish. In casual conversation, speakers often shorten this to just 회.
Which one should you use?
생선회 is the full term for raw fish, whereas 회 is a shortened version frequently used in casual settings. Additionally, 회 can act as a general term for any raw sliced meat, not just fish.
How do you pronounce it?
saengseonhoe
Did you know?
- In Korea, 회 is often served with 초고추장, a pungent mixture of red chili paste, vinegar and sugar, which differs from the soy sauce and wasabi used in Japanese sushi.
- In Korean food culture, 'hoe' is often served with 'ssam', meaning you might wrap the raw fish in a lettuce leaf with sauce, a practice less common for raw fish in Western cuisine.
- While 회 is synonymous with raw fish today, the Chinese character 膾 originally referred to raw meat in general, including beef and pork.
Examples in context
- 현지 맛집에서 최고의 회를 먹을 수 있어요.You can have the best raw fish at a local restaurant.
- 생선회가 정말 싱싱해요.saengseonhoega jeongmal singsimhaeyo.The raw fish is really fresh.
- 저는 생선회를 좋아해요.jeoneun saengseonhoereul joahaeyo.I like raw fish.
- 오늘 저녁은 생선회 어때요?oneul jeonyeogeun saengseonhoe eottaeyo?How about raw fish for dinner tonight?
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Dohyun are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 오늘 점심에 생선회 어때요?Dohyun ssi, oneul jeomsime saengseonhoe eottaeyo?Dohyun, how about raw fish for lunch today?
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요. 제가 아는 맛집이 있어요.johayo. jega aneun matjibi isseoyo.Sounds good. I know a great place.
- 서연 Seo-yeon거기는 생선회가 정말 맛있나요?geogineun saengseonhoe-ga jeongmal masinnayo?Is the raw fish there really delicious?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 정말 신선하고 맛있어요.ne, jeongmal sinseonhago masisseoyo.Yes, it is really fresh and tasty.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 생선회, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 생선회, CC BY-SA 4.0.
