Korean word

고구마

Pronunciation

Romanizationkoguma

Meaning

  • nounsweet potato

Example

어제 고구마를 샀어요.eo je ko gu ma reul sa sseo yo

I bought a sweet potato yesterday.

Illustration for 고구마 (sweet potato)

More examples

시장 길에서 군고구마 냄새가 났어요.si jang ki re seo kun go gu ma naem sae ga na sseo yo

The market street smelled of roasted sweet potatoes.

Core concept

A sweet, starchy root crop that grows underground and becomes soft when cooked.

Common phrases

  • 군고구마kun go gu ma

    roasted sweet potato

  • 고구마를 먹다ko gu ma reul meok tta

    eat a sweet potato

  • 고구마튀김ko gu ma twi gim

    sweet potato fritter

Similar words

감자kamja: A starchy root vegetable prepared by boiling, steaming, frying, or baking.
군고구마kungoguma: A whole sweet potato cooked over heat until its inside is soft and sweet.

Definition in Korean

고구마는 땅속에서 자라는 식용 뿌리작물로, 익히면 달고 전분이 많아 구이·삶음으로 먹는다.ko gu ma neun ttang so ge seo cha ra neun si gyong ppu ri jang mul lo i ki myeon tal go cheon bu ni ma na ku i sal meu meu ro meong neun da

Word origin

The origin of this Korean word is uncertain, so it is best learned as the everyday Korean name for the sweet potato.

Usage tips

  • Recognizing this everyday food word makes Korean grocery lists, market signs, and meal descriptions easier to understand.

Related words

  • 고구마밭kogumabatsweet potato fieldnoun
  • 고구마순kogumasunsweet potato stemsnoun
  • 고구마칩kogumachipsweet potato chipsnoun

Word lists with this word