오렌지
orenji[o̞ɾe̞ɲd͡ʑi]
The fruit orange in Korean is 오렌지 (orenji).
The term 오렌지 is used to refer to the fruit orange.
Which one should you use?
While 오렌지 refers to the large Western-style orange, 귤 is the more common term used for the small, easy-to-peel citrus fruits (mandarins/tangerines) widely consumed in Korea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Jeju Island, the term 감귤 is commonly used to refer to oranges.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is orenji.
Did you know?
- The term 오렌지 is a loanword that entered the Korean language through Japanese pronunciation, making it a linguistic 'round trip' from English to Japanese to Korean.
- While English uses 'orange' for both the fruit and the color, Korean speakers rarely use 오렌지 to describe the color, preferring 주황색 instead.
- The fruit 귤 is so iconic to Jeju Island that it is often used as a symbol of the region in tourism and art, whereas 오렌지 is seen as a foreign import.
Examples in context
- 나 귤 좋아해요.I like oranges.
- 귤 주세요.Please give me an orange.
- 오렌지 한 개 주세요.Please give me one orange.
- 감귤 맛있어요!Oranges are delicious!
- 오렌지를 먹고 싶어요.orenjireul meokgo sipeoyo.I want to eat an orange.
- 이 오렌지는 정말 달아요.i orenjineun jeongmal darayo.This orange is really sweet.
- 마트에서 오렌지를 샀어요.mateseo orenjireul sasseoyo.I bought oranges at the mart.
Example conversation
Subin and Minjun are discussing what to eat for a snack.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 간식으로 뭐 먹을까요?Minjun ssi, gansigeuro mwo meogeulkkayo?Minjun, what should we eat for a snack?
- 민준 Min-jun오렌지 있어요?orenji isseoyo?Do you have any oranges?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 여기 오렌지 있어요.ne, yeogi orenji isseoyo.Yes, here are some oranges.
- 민준 Min-jun와, 맛있겠다!wa, masitgetda!Wow, that looks delicious!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 오렌지, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 오렌지, CC BY-SA 4.0.
