포장
pojang[pʰo̞d͡ʑa̠ŋ]
In Korean, takeaway is 포장 (pojang).
포장 is used to refer to a meal bought to be eaten elsewhere. You can use it to request that an item be packed or to ask if an establishment provides takeaway service. For example, you might say 김밥 한 개 포장해 주세요 to request one pack of gimbap or 이거는 빼고 포장해 주세요 if you want something excluded from the package.
Meaning: meal bought to be eaten elsewhere (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 포장 literally means 'packaging' or 'wrapping'.
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'takeaway' refers to the meal itself, the Korean word 포장 refers to the act of wrapping or the packaging used for the meal. Additionally, the English loanword 테이크아웃 is also commonly used, particularly for coffee and drinks.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The loanword 테이크아웃 is commonly used in big cities like Seoul and Busan.
How do you pronounce it?
pojang
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the word 포장 can be used metaphorically to mean 'glossing over' or 'dressing up' a bad situation to make it look better.
- Because 포장 literally means 'packaging', using it in a department store might refer to the gift wrapping of a product rather than a meal.
- While 테이크아웃 is common for coffee, using it for a full meal like 김밥 can sometimes sound overly westernized or unnatural to older generations.
Examples in context
- 포장 주문을 하고 싶어요.pojang jumuneul hago sipeoyo.I want to place a takeaway order.
- 여기서 포장 가능한가요?yeogiseo pojang ganeunghangayo?Is takeaway available here?
- 음식 포장해 주세요.eumsik pojanghae juseyo.Please pack the food for takeaway.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a man and a woman are deciding how to eat.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 여기서 먹을까요?Jihun ssi, yeogiseo meogeulkkayo?Jihun, shall we eat here?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아니요, 오늘은 포장해요.Aniyo, oneureun pojanghaeyo.No, let's get takeaway today.
- 지은 Ji-eun그럼 제가 포장 주문할게요.Geureom jega pojang jumunhalgeyo.Then I will place the takeaway order.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요, 지은 씨.Gomawoyo, Jieun ssi.Thank you, Jieun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 포장, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
