간식
gansik[ˈka̠(ː)nɕʰik̚]
The Korean word for "snack" is 간식 (gansik).
간식 is a broad term used for any food eaten between meals, encompassing light bites such as fruits and nuts. If you are specifically referring to processed snacks like cookies, crackers or chips, the word 과자 is more appropriate. For traditional Korean snacks made from ingredients like rice, honey and various nuts, use the term 한과.
Meaning: an item of food eaten between meals (noun)
Which one should you use?
간식 is a neutral term for a snack. In contrast, 군것질 refers more specifically to the act of snacking on junk food or eating things outside of regular meals, often implying an unhealthy habit.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "to eat a snack", you can use the phrase 간식을 먹다 by combining 간식 with the verb 먹다 (to eat).
How do you pronounce it?
gansik
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, snacks (anju) are often enjoyed alongside alcoholic beverages.
Did you know?
- Korean distinguishes between general snacks 간식 and the specialized category of 안주, which are snacks specifically designed to be eaten with alcohol to protect the stomach.
- Traditional snacks known as 한과 were once luxury items reserved for royal banquets and special ceremonies to symbolize wealth and health.
- While 간식 describes the food, the term 군것질 describes the act of snacking and is often used by parents as a mild scold for children eating treats before dinner.
Examples in context
- 난 보통 오후 간식은 안 먹어.I don't usually have an afternoon snack.This sentence is useful for describing the habit of having an afternoon snack using 간식.Tatoeba #13755068 by qlTmalffk, translation #8272009 by CK
- 나는 좋아하는 과자를 많이 먹습니다.I eat a lot of my favorite snacks.
- 학교에서 선생님들에게 과자를 나눠주었습니다.I shared snacks with my teachers at school.
- 오늘 집에 간식이 많이 있는데 같이 놀러 올래?I have a lot of snacks at home today, do you want to come hang out?
- 간식으로 맥주와 감자칩을 준비했어.I prepared beer and potato chips as snacks.
- 아이들을 위한 간식이에요.aideureul wihan gansig-ieyo.It is a snack for the children.
- 편의점에서 간식을 좀 샀어요.pyeon-uijeom-eseo gansig-eul jom sasseoyo.I bought some snacks at the convenience store.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are deciding what to eat in the afternoon.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준 씨, 간식 뭐 먹을까요?Minjun ssi, gansik mwo meogeulkkayo?Minjun, what snack should we eat?
- 민준 Min-jun과자가 먹고 싶어요.gwagaga meoggo sipeoyo.I want to eat some crackers.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 제가 간식을 사 올게요.geureom jega gansig-eul sa olgeyo.Then I will go buy some snacks.
- 민준 Min-jun고마워요, 서연 씨.gomawoyo, Seoyeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snack” translations and entries 간식, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
