맛
mat[ma̠t̚]
The English word "taste" can be translated into Korean as 맛 (mat) or 미각.
Meaning: one of the sensations produced by the tongue (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 맛 | mat | [ma̠t̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 미각 | migak | [miɡa̠k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word is used to describe the sensation produced by the tongue. Depending on the context, you might be referring to the actual flavor of a specific food or the biological sense of taste.
Which one should you use?
Use 미각 when you are referring to the biological sense of taste. In contrast, use 맛 when you are talking about the flavor of food.
How do you pronounce it?
mat
Did you know?
- The native word 맛 has a potential linguistic connection to the Japanese word for 'razor clam', 蟶.
- In certain poetic Korean contexts, words related to 'flavor' and 맛 can be used to describe the 'taste' of a specific color or a mood.
- While 미각 refers to the biological sense, the word 맛 can also be used metaphorically to describe the 'flavor' or 'charm' of a person's character or a piece of art.
Examples in context
- 수프 맛이 어떻습니까?How is the taste of the soup?This sentence is useful for asking about the flavor of a specific food using 맛.
- 이 음식은 맛이 좋아요.This food tastes good.
- 그 레스토랑 음식은 맛이 특별해요.The restaurant's food has a special taste.
- 이 커피는 맛이 아주 좋아요.i keopi-neun mas-i aju jo-ayo.This coffee has a very good taste.
- 음식에서 이상한 맛이 나요.eumsik-eseo isang-han mas-i nayo.There is a strange taste in the food.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are trying a new dessert at a cafe.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 이 케이크 맛이 어때요?Min-jun ssi, i ke-i-keu mas-i eo-ttae-yo?Minjun, how is the taste of this cake?
- 민준 Min-jun생각보다 맛이 아주 달콤해요.saeng-gak-bo-da mas-i a-ju dal-kom-hae-yo.The taste is sweeter than I thought.
- 수빈 Su-bin제 생각도 그래요.je saeng-gak-do geu-rae-yo.I think so too.
- 민준 Min-jun우리 하나 더 주문할까요?u-ri ha-na deo ju-mun-hal-kka-yo?Shall we order one more?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “taste” translations and entries 맛, 미각, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 맛, 미각, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
