떡
tteok[t͈ʌ̹k̚]
The English phrase "rice cake" is 떡 (tteok) in Korean.
The term 떡 refers to a wide variety of traditional Korean rice-based snacks, ranging from steamed cakes to chewy, pounded dough. A very common dish made from sliced rice cakes in a spicy sauce is called 떡볶이. Another specific type is 송편, which is a crescent-shaped rice cake filled with sweet ingredients like honey or red bean paste.
Meaning: sticky food item made from rice flour (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the term 냉동 떡 is used to describe frozen rice cakes.
How do you pronounce it?
tteok
Did you know?
- In Korea, the word 떡 is used in a slang expression 떡졌다 to describe hair that has become greasy or stuck together.
- The word 떡 shares an ancient linguistic root with the Japanese term shitogi, which refers to sacrificial rice cakes used in Shinto rituals.
- The word 떡 can be used in the phrase 떡실신 to describe someone who has fainted or collapsed into a heap, resembling a fallen cake.
Examples in context
- 한 명분 떡 주세요.One serving of rice cakes, please.
- 떡이 정말 맛있어요.tteogi jeongmal masisseoyo.The rice cake is really delicious.
- 할머니께서 떡을 만드셨어요.halmeonikkeseo tteogeul mandeusyeosseoyo.Grandmother made some rice cakes.
- 이 떡은 아주 쫄깃해요.i tteogeun aju jjolgit-haeyo.This rice cake is very chewy.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Jieun are at a traditional market.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 이 떡 맛있어 보여요.Jieun ssi, i tteok masisseo boyeoyo.Jieun, this rice cake looks delicious.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 그렇네요. 하나 사 먹을까요?jeongmal geureonneyo. hana sa meogeulkkayo?It really does. Shall we buy one to eat?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 제가 떡을 살게요.ne, jega tteogeul salgeyo.Yes, I will buy the rice cakes.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요, 도현 씨!gomawoyo, Dohyun ssi!Thank you, Dohyun!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rice cake” translations and entries 떡, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 떡, CC BY-SA 4.0.
