국
guk[kuk̚]
The English word "soup" can be translated into Korean as 국 (guk), 탕 or 수프 depending on the style of the dish.
Meaning: dish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 국 | guk | [kuk̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 탕 | tang | [tʰa̠(ː)ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 수프 | supeu | [sʰupʰɯ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the term you choose depends on whether the dish is a traditional Korean side soup, a hearty meat-based soup or a Western-style soup. 국 refers to traditional Korean-style soups that are typically served as a side dish alongside rice. 탕 is used for more substantial, hearty or specialized traditional soups, which often feature large amounts of meat or seafood. 수프 is a loanword from English used specifically for Western-style soups.
Which one should you use?
국 is used for standard traditional Korean soups served with rice, whereas 탕 denotes more substantial or specialized traditional soups with heavy amounts of meat or seafood. In contrast, 수프 is reserved for Western-style soups.
How do you pronounce it?
guk
Did you know?
- The word 국 is a homonym for the Korean word for 'country' or 'nation'. This means a sentence can be ambiguous depending on whether you are talking about a bowl of soup or a foreign state.
- Korean culture treats some 탕 dishes as 'soul foods' used to cure hangovers, such as 해장국. These are specifically designed to detoxify the body after drinking alcohol.
- In a traditional Korean meal, the soup is not considered a starter like in the West, but is served simultaneously with rice and various side dishes.
Examples in context
- 이 국 너무 짜요.This soup is too salty.The first sentence is useful for describing the saltiness of a 국.Tatoeba #4950397 by rainbow4us, translation #3737577 by CK
- 가스파초는 스페인의 식혀먹는 토마토 채소 수프입니다.Gazpacho is a cold tomato and vegetable soup from Spain.The second sentence shows how to use the loanword 수프 when referring to Western dishes like Gazpacho.Tatoeba #13008051 by Uwe, translation #2214194 by Hybrid
- 국 한 그릇A bowl of soupThe third sentence demonstrates how to count 국 using a bowl.
- 점심에 국을 드셨어요?Did you have soup for lunch?
- 제가 가장 좋아하는 요리는 미역국이에요.My favorite dish is seaweed soup.
- 참치 찌개 먹고 싶어.I want to eat tuna stew.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are having lunch together.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 이 국 정말 맛있어요.Jieun ssi, i guk jeongmal masisseoyo.Jieun, this soup is really delicious.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요. 국물이 아주 시원해요.Majayo. gungmul-i aju siwonhaeyo.You're right. The broth is very refreshing.
- 지훈 Ji-hun더 필요하면 국 더 드릴까요?deo piryohamyeon guk deo deurilkkayo?Shall I give you more soup if you need more?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니요, 지금 딱 좋아요.Aniyo, jigeum ttak joayo.No, it's just right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “soup” translations and entries 국, 탕, 수프, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 국, 수프, 탕, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
