찌개
jjigae[t͡ɕ͈iɡɛ]
The English word 'stew' can be translated into Korean as either 찌개 (jjigae) or 스튜.
Meaning: dish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 찌개 | jjigae | [t͡ɕ͈iɡɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [t͡ɕ͈iɡe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 스튜 | seutyu | [sʰɯtʰju] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the term for stew depends on the culinary style you are describing. 찌개 is the general term for traditional Korean-style stews, which are typically more liquid-based and savory. This term is also frequently used as a suffix to name specific dishes, such as 김치찌개 (kimchi stew) or 된장찌개 (soybean paste stew).
Which one should you use?
Use 찌개 for traditional Korean-style stews. Use 스튜 specifically when referring to Western-style stews.
How do you pronounce it?
jjigae
Did you know?
- The term 찌개 is built from a verb root that literally means 'to steam', which might seem counterintuitive for a dish served as a boiling liquid.
- The suffix in 찌개 is the same one used in the word 지우개 (eraser), which is a common object in Korean stationery.
- In many Korean homes, 찌개 is often prepared in a 뚝배기 (ttukbaegi), a porous earthenware pot that retains heat long after the stove is off.
Examples in context
- 제가 가장 좋아하는 찌개는 김치찌개입니다.My favorite stew is kimchi jjigae.
- 나 제일 좋아하는 찌개는 된장찌개야.I love doenjang jjigae the most.
- 매운 맛으로 해주세요.Please make it spicy.
- 이 찌개는 조금 매워요.i jjigaeneun jogeum maewoyo.This stew is a little spicy.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 어떤 찌개를 먹고 싶어요?hyeon-u ssi, eotteon jjigaereul meokgo sipeoyo?Hyeon-u, what kind of stew do you want to eat?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저는 매콤한 김치찌개가 좋아요.jeoneun maekomhan kimchijjiga joayo.I like spicy kimchi stew.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그럼 근처 식당으로 가요.geureom geuncheo sikdang-euro gayo.Then let's go to a nearby restaurant.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요, 서연 씨.joayo, seoyeon ssi.Sounds good, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stew” translations and entries 찌개, 스튜, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 스튜, 찌개, CC BY-SA 4.0.
