고구마
goguma[ˈko̞(ː)ɡuma̠]
The Korean word for "sweet potato" is 고구마 (goguma).
고구마 is a noun used to refer to the sweet potato tuber.
Meaning: tuber (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is goguma.
Did you know?
- In modern Korean slang, 고구마 is used to describe a person or situation that is frustratingly slow or stifling, like the feeling of a dry sweet potato stuck in one's throat.
- The word 고구마 is actually a loanword from a Japanese dialect used on the Tsushima islands rather than being a native Korean word.
- To describe the relief of a resolution after a frustrating situation, Koreans use the word for 'cider' 사이다 (saida) as the opposite of 고구마.
Examples in context
- 다 익은 고구마의 노란 속이 정말 맛있어 보인다.The yellow inside of the steamed sweet potato looks really delicious.This sentence is useful for describing the appearance and deliciousness of the yellow inside of a cooked 고구마.
- 저는 고구마를 좋아합니다.I like sweet potatoes.
- 고구마 먹으러 가자!Let's go eat sweet potatoes!
- 겨울에는 따끈한 고구마가 최고예요.gyeoul-eneun ttakkeunhan goguma-ga choego-yeyo.In winter, hot sweet potatoes are the best.
- 시장 가서 고구마 좀 사 올게.sijang gaseo goguma jom sa olge.I will go to the market and buy some sweet potatoes.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are deciding on a snack at home.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈아, 간식으로 고구마 먹을까?Subin-a, gansik-euro goguma meogeulkka?Subin, shall we eat sweet potatoes for a snack?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아! 현우 오빠, 냉장고에 있어?Joa! Hyunwoo oppa, naengjanggo-e isseo?Great! Hyunwoo, are they in the fridge?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니, 고구마가 다 떨어졌어.Ani, goguma-ga da tteoreojyeosseo.No, we ran out of sweet potatoes.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 내가 지금 사 올게.Geureom naega jigeum sa olge.Then I will go buy some now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet potato” translations and entries 고구마, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고구마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
