초
cho[t͡ɕʰo̞]
The Korean word for 'seconds' (in the sense of a second serving) is 초 (cho).
Meaning: second serving (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
cho
Did you know?
- The word 초 is also used to refer to a 'candle'. This is because the word was nativised from the Sino-Korean 촉, which refers to wax candles.
- In some contexts, the syllable 초 can also mean 'the beginning' or 'the first' of something, rather than a measurement of time.
Examples in context
- 10초 (sip cho)10 seconds
- 그녀는 퍼즐을 푸는 데 40초가 걸렸어요. (geu-nyeo-neun peojeureul puneun de shisip choga geollyeosseoyo.)It took her 40 seconds to solve the puzzle.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are eating at a buffet.
- 민준 Min-jun음식이 정말 맛있네요.eumsigi jeongmal masitneyo.The food is really delicious.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요. 저도 초 먹으러 가요.majayo. jeodo cho meogeureo gayo.I agree. I'm going to get seconds too.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 같이 가요.Seoyeon ssi, gati gayo.Seoyeon, let's go together.
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 더 많이 가져와요.ne, deo mani gajyeowayo.Yes, let's bring back more.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 초, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 초, CC BY-SA 4.0.
