매운
maeun
In Korean, the word for spicy is 매운 (maeun).
The term is used to describe the burning sensation caused by chilies and other spices. You can also use 매운맛 to specifically refer to a spicy taste, which is suitable for formal settings.
Meaning: providing a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices (adj)
Which one should you use?
The form 매운 is an adjective used specifically to modify a noun that follows it, such as describing 'spicy food'. In contrast, if you want to state 'it is spicy' as a complete sentence, you should use a predicate form like 매워요 or 매워 instead of the attributive form 매운.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form of this adjective is 맵다. When you use it to modify a noun, you use the attributive form 매운. If you are using the word as a predicate to complete a sentence, the form changes: use 매워요 for polite sentences and 매워 for informal ones. To adjust the intensity, you can say 조금 매워 for 'a little spicy' or 아주 매워 for 'very spicy'.
How do you pronounce it?
maeun
Did you know?
- In Korea, 맵다 can be used to describe the stinging sensation of something very cold, such as an ice cube on the skin or an extremely cold wind.
- In the context of a 'spicy' life, the phrase 매운맛을 보여주다 literally means 'to show the spicy taste' but actually means 'to give someone a hard time' or 'to teach them a lesson'.
- There is a common social custom where people eat extremely spicy food together as a way to relieve stress, often called 'stress-relief spicy food'.
Examples in context
- 여기 음식이 나한테 좀 많이 매운 것 같아.I find the food here to be a little too spicy for me.This sentence is useful for expressing that you find the food to be a little too spicy using the form 매운.Tatoeba #7965160 by EstasKorea, translation #7965149 by CK
- 이 음식은 매워요.This food is spicy.
- 매운맛을 좋아하세요?Do you like spicy taste?
- 이 음식은 매콤해!This food is spicy!
- 매워요!It's spicy!
- 저는 매운 음식을 좋아해요.I like spicy food.
- 매운 음식을 정말 좋아해요.maeun eumsigeul jeongmal joahaeyo.I really love spicy food.
- 이 떡볶이는 아주 매운 맛이에요.i tteokbokkineun aju maeun masieyo.This tteokbokki has a very spicy taste.
Example conversation
Minji and Dohyun are ordering food at a Korean restaurant.
- 민지 Min-ji도현 씨, 매운 음식 잘 먹어요?Dohyun ssi, maeun eumshik jal meogeoyo?Dohyun, can you eat spicy food well?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 저는 매운 거 좋아해요.ne, jeoneun maeun geo joahae-yo.Yes, I like spicy things.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 여기 아주 매운 맛으로 시켜요.geureom yeogi 아주 maeun mas-euro sikyeoyo.Then let's order the very spicy flavor here.
- 도현 Do-hyeon좋아요. 그렇게 주문해 주세요.joayo. geureoke jumunhae juseyo.Sounds good. Please order it that way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
