짠
jjan[t͡ɕ͈a̠(ː)n]
The English word "salty" is translated into Korean as 짠 (jjan).
짠 is used to describe something that has the taste of salt.
Meaning: tasting of salt (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of this adjective is 짜다. When you want to use the word in a sentence, the form changes based on how you are speaking: 짜요 is the polite, conversational way to say "it is salty", while 짠 is the form used to modify a noun (for example, 짠 음식, meaning "salty food").
How do you pronounce it?
jjan
Did you know?
- The word 짠 (jjan) is also an onomatopoeia used to mimic the sound of a sudden, dramatic musical sting or a 'ta-da!' moment in variety shows.
- In Korea, if a person says a person is 짠 (jjan), they are not talking about their taste buds, but rather implying that the person is being 'stingy' or 'cheap' with money.
- In Korean slang, the sound 짠 (jjan) is often shouted when people clink glasses together for a toast, similar to saying 'Cheers!' in English.
Examples in context
- 이 음식은 짜요.This food is salty.
- 이 요리는 소금이 많아요.This dish has a lot of salt.
- 이거 짜!This is salty!
- 이 음식은 소금 많이 들었네.This food is really salty.
- 이 과자는 좀 짠 것 같아요.i gwajaneun jom jjan geot gatayo.This snack seems a bit salty.
Example conversation
Subin and Dohyun are eating dinner at a restaurant.
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 이 찌개 좀 짠 것 같지 않아요?Dohyun-ssi, i jjige jom jjan geot gatji anayo?Dohyun, don't you think this stew is a bit salty?
- 도현 Do-hyeon음, 저는 별로 안 짠데요.Eum, jeoneun byeollo an jjan-deyo.Hmm, it's not that salty to me.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 제 입맛에는 너무 짠데요.Jeongmalyo? Je ipmat-eneun neomu jjan-deyo.Really? To my taste, it is too salty.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 물을 좀 더 마셔봐요.Geureom muleul jom deo masyeobwayo.Then try drinking some more water.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 짠, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
