샴푸
syampu[ɕʰa̠mpʰu]
The English word "shampoo" is translated into Korean as 샴푸 (syampu). Wiktionary also lists 머리물비누 (meorimulbinu).
Meaning: product for washing the hair or other fibres (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 샴푸 | syampu | [ɕʰa̠mpʰu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 머리물비누 | meorimulbinu | [mʌ̹ɾimuɭbinu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
샴푸 refers to a product used for washing hair or other fibers.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea, the term 머리물비누 is used instead of the loanword 샴푸.
How do you pronounce it?
syampu
Did you know?
- The word 비누 in 머리물비누 is the general term for 'soap' and is derived from the Portuguese word 'sabão'.
- North Korean language purists created 머리물비누 as part of a broader movement to cleanse the language of 'contaminated' foreign influences.
- Korean hair salons often provide a 'shampoo service' that includes a deep scalp massage, which is considered a distinct part of the experience.
Examples in context
- 샴푸 사러 가야 돼.I have to go buy shampoo.
- 샴푸가 다 떨어졌어요.syampu-ga da tteoreojyeosseoyo.The shampoo has run out.
- 이 샴푸 향기가 정말 좋아요.i syampu hyang-gi-ga jeongmal joayo.This shampoo smells really good.
- 새 샴푸를 하나 샀어요.sae syampu-reul hana sasseoyo.I bought a new shampoo.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are shopping at a drugstore.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 여기 샴푸 어디에 있어요?Subin ssi, yeogi syampu eodie isseoyo?Subin, where is the shampoo here?
- 수빈 Su-bin저기 오른쪽 선반에 있어요.jeogi oreunjjok seonbane isseoyo.It's over there on the right shelf.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 찾았어요. 이 샴푸 살게요.a, chajasseoyo. i syampu salgeyo.Ah, I found it. I'll buy this shampoo.
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 좋은 선택이에요.ne, joeun seontaegieyo.Yes, that's a good choice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shampoo” translations and entries 샴푸, 머리물비누, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
