야채
yachae[ˈja̠(ː)t͡ɕʰɛ]
The English word "vegetable" is translated into Korean as 야채 (yachae) or 채소.
Meaning: a plant raised for some edible part of it (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 야채 | yachae | [ˈja̠(ː)t͡ɕʰɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈja̠(ː)t͡ɕʰe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 채소 | chaeso | [ˈt͡ɕʰɛ(ː)sʰo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈt͡ɕʰe̞(ː)sʰo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both 야채 and 채소 refer to a plant raised for some edible part of it. Related to these terms, the word 채식 is used to mean "vegetarianism".
Which one should you use?
While both words mean vegetable, 채소 is the more formal and standard term used in academic or official contexts, whereas 야채 is more common in everyday speech.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
yachae
Did you know?
- Some Korean language purists argue that 야채 is a Japanese loanword and strongly encourage the use of 채소 instead.
- The word 야채 contains a character that means 'wild', which implies that the word historically referred to 'wild vegetables' found in nature rather than crops grown by humans.
- In traditional Korean medicine, certain 야채 are classified as 'cold' or 'hot' foods regardless of their physical temperature.
Examples in context
- 가스파초는 스페인의 식혀먹는 토마토 채소 수프입니다.Gazpacho is a cold tomato and vegetable soup from Spain.This sentence uses 채소 to describe a tomato and vegetable soup.Tatoeba #13008051 by Uwe, translation #2214194 by Hybrid
- 시장에는 신선한 야채가 많아요.sijang-eneun sinseon-han yachae-ga manhayo.There are many fresh vegetables at the market.
- 저는 매일 야채를 먹으려고 노력해요.jeoneun mae-il yachae-reul meogeuryeogo noryeokhaeyo.I try to eat vegetables every day.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are at a grocery store together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 씨, 어떤 야채를 살까요?Minji ssi, eotteon yachae-reul salkkayo?Minji, what kind of vegetables shall we buy?
- 민지 Min-ji상추랑 오이를 사고 싶어요.sangchu-rang o-i-reul sago sipeoyo.I want to buy lettuce and cucumbers.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저기 있는 야채가 정말 싱싱해 보이네요.jeogi inneun yachae-ga jeongmal singsinghae bo-ineyo.The vegetables over there look really fresh.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요, 저걸로 골라요.majayo, jeogeollo gollayo.You're right, let's pick those.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vegetable” translations and entries 야채, 채소, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 야채, 채소, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
