잡초
japcho[t͡ɕa̠p̚t͡ɕʰo̞]
The English phrase "weed" translates to Korean as 잡초 (japcho).
잡초 refers to an unwanted plant. When you want to describe the physical act of pulling or plucking weeds, use the verb 뽑다 with it, forming the phrase 잡초를 뽑다.
Meaning: unwanted plant (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
japcho
Did you know?
- In Korean pop culture and literature, 잡초 is often used as a metaphor for a person with an indomitable spirit who survives and thrives in harsh conditions.
- The verb 뽑다 used for pulling weeds is the same verb used when 'picking' a winning lottery number or 'selecting' a new employee.
- The word 풀 (pul), meaning 'grass', is a root for many words related to weeds, but unlike the English 'weed', it can also mean 'glue' or 'to solve' a problem.
Examples in context
- 전문가: 대마초의 잠재적인 장점은 다양합니다.Expert: "The potential benefits of cannabis are diverse."
- 잡초를 뽑아야 해요.japchoreul ppobaya haeyo.I have to pull the weeds.
- 정원에 잡초가 너무 많아요.jeongwone japchoga neomu manayo.There are too many weeds in the garden.
- 이것은 잡초가 아니에요.igeoseun japchoga anieyo.This is not a weed.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihoon are working in a small backyard garden.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 잡초가 정말 많네요.Jihoon ssi, japchoga jeongmal manneyo.Jihoon, there are so many weeds.
- 지훈 Ji-hun맞아요. 잡초를 다 뽑아야 해요.majayo. japchoreul da ppobaya haeyo.That's true. We need to pull all the weeds.
- 서연 Seo-yeon제가 잡초를 좀 뽑을게요.jega japchoreul jom ppobulgeyo.I will pull some of the weeds.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨, 고마워요. 제가 도와줄게요.Seoyeon ssi, gomawoyo. jega dowajulgeyo.Seoyeon, thank you. I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “weed” translations and entries 잡초, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
