간식
gansik[ˈka̠(ː)nɕʰik̚]
The Korean phrase for snacks is 간식 (gansik).
간식 is a broad term used to describe any food eaten between main meals, which can include anything from fresh fruit to processed snacks.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 간식 is the object of a verb, such as 'to eat', it often takes the object marker 를 to become 간식을.
How do you pronounce it?
gansik
When do people say it?
In Korean culture, it is common to offer or accept snacks using both hands as a sign of respect.
Did you know?
- In modern slang, the phrase 당 충전 meaning 'charging sugar' is often used when eating 간식 to describe the need for a mental energy boost.
- In a professional setting, offering 간식 to colleagues is often seen as a way to build 정, a unique Korean concept of emotional bonding and social attachment.
- The word 간식 is a Sino-Korean compound, where the character 間 refers to 'space' or 'interval' and 식 refers to 'food'.
Examples in context
- 저는 과자를 좋아합니다.I like snacks.
- 같이 안주 좀 먹을까?Shall we eat snacks together?
- 간식을 먹고 싶어요.gansigeul meoggo sipeoyo.I want to eat a snack.
- 아이들을 위한 간식을 준비했어요.aideureul wihan gansigeul junbihaesseoyo.I prepared snacks for the children.
- 이 간식은 정말 맛있어요.i gansigeun jeongmal masisseoyo.This snack is really delicious.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are at a cafe deciding what to eat.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 우리 간식 먹을까요?Minjun ssi, uri gansik meogeulkayo?Minjun, shall we eat a snack?
- 민준 Min-jun좋아요. 어떤 간식이 좋을까요?Joayo. eotteon gansigi joeulkayo?Sounds good. What kind of snack would be good?
- 수빈 Su-bin달콤한 과일 간식이 어때요?dalkomhan gwail gansigi eottaeyo?How about a sweet fruit snack?
- 민준 Min-jun그거 아주 좋은 생각이에요.geugeo aju joeun saenggagieyo.That is a very good idea.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 간식, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 간식, CC BY-SA 4.0.
