Korean word

간장

Pronunciation

Romanizationkanjang

Meaning

  • nounsoy sauce

Example

반찬이 싱거우면 간장을 더 넣어 보세요.pan cha ni sing geo u myeon kan jang eul teo neo eo po se yo

If the side dish tastes bland, try adding more soy sauce.

Illustration for 간장 (soy sauce)

More examples

간장에 찍어 먹으면 맛있어요.kan jang e jji geo meo geu myeon ma si sseo yo

It tastes good when dipped in soy sauce.

Core concept

A dark, salty liquid seasoning made from fermented soybeans that deepens the flavor of food.

Common phrases

  • 간장에 찍다kan jang e jjik tta

    dip in soy sauce

  • 간장을 넣다kan jang eul neo ta

    add soy sauce

  • 간장 맛kan jang mat

    soy sauce flavor

Similar words

간kan: The level and balance of seasoning in a dish, especially its saltiness.
소금sogeum: White crystals added to food to give it a salty taste.
된장toenjang: A thick, salt-fermented soybean paste used to add deep flavor to Korean dishes.
고추장kochujang: A thick fermented chili paste that adds heat, sweetness, and rich flavor to Korean food.

Definition in Korean

발효된 콩액으로 만든 짠맛의 액체 양념으로 반찬을 찍거나 요리의 간을 맞출 때 사용한다.pal hyo doen kong ae geu ro man deun jjan ma sui aek che yang nyeo meu ro pan cha neul jjik kkeo na yo ri ui ka neul mat chul ttae sa yong han da

Word origin

간 (gan, "seasoning or taste") joins 장 (jang, "traditional fermented sauce or paste") to form the word for this fermented seasoning.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often think of soy sauce mainly as a dipping sauce, but Korean cooking also uses it to season food while it cooks.

Related words

  • 간장게장kanjanggejangsoy sauce marinated crabnoun
  • 간장양념kanjangyangnyeomsoy sauce seasoningnoun
  • 간장종지kanjangjongjisoy sauce saucernoun

Word lists with this word