Korean word

매콤하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationmaekomhada

Meaning

  • adjectivemildly spicy

Example

이 치킨은 매콤해서 인기 있어요.i chi ki neun mae kom hae seo in gi i sseo yo

This chicken is mildly spicy, so it is popular.

Illustration for 매콤하다 (mildly spicy)

More examples

친구가 매콤한 떡볶이를 추천했어요.chin gu ga mae kom han tteok ppo kki reul chu cheon hae sseo yo

My friend recommended mildly spicy tteokbokki.

Core concept

Spiciness with a mild, easy-to-enjoy edge instead of a burning intensity.

Common phrases

  • 매콤한 떡볶이mae kom han tteok ppo kki

    mildly spicy tteokbokki

  • 매콤한 김치찌개mae kom han kim chi jji gae

    mildly spicy kimchi stew

Similar words

맵다maeptta: Describes food with a sharp, hot taste that strongly stimulates the tongue.
얼큰하다eolkeunhada: Describes pleasantly spicy soup or food with a warming, lively taste.
칼칼하다kalkalhada: Describes a crisp, biting taste that leaves a fresh tingle in the throat or nose.

Definition in Korean

맵기는 하지만 자극이 강하지 않아 혀나 코에 가볍게 남는, 먹기 쉬운 매운 맛을 나타내는 형용사.maep kki neun ha ji man cha geu gi kang ha ji a na hyeo na ko e ka byeop kke nam neun meok kki swi un mae un ma seul na ta nae neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The exact origin of the -kom element is uncertain, while -hada forms the adjective expressing this kind of spiciness.

Usage tips

  • English spicy can describe anything from mild to fiery, so this Korean word helps signal that the heat stays comfortable.

Opposites

Related words

  • 매콤달콤maekomdalkomsweet and mildly spicyadjective
  • 매콤함maekomhammild spicinessnoun

Word lists with this word