Korean word

맵다

Pronunciation

Romanizationmaeptta

Meaning

  • adjectivespicy

Example

이 김치는 맵다.i kim chi neun maep tta

This kimchi is spicy.

Illustration for 맵다 (spicy)

More examples

고추를 넣었더니 국물이 너무 맵다.ko chu reul neo eot tteo ni kung mu ri neo mu maep tta

When I added chili peppers, the soup became too spicy.

Core concept

A sharp, hot feeling on the tongue caused by spicy food.

Common phrases

  • 눈이 맵다nu ni maep tta

    stinging eyes

  • 코가 맵다ko ga maep tta

    stinging nose

  • 라면 국물이 맵다ra myeon kung mu ri maep tta

    spicy ramen broth

Similar words

매콤하다maekomhada: A gentle, savory spicy taste that is easy to enjoy.
얼얼하다eoreolhada: A lasting spicy feeling that makes the tongue or lips tingle and feel numb.
칼칼하다kalkalhada: A clean, sharp spicy taste that lingers in the throat.
뜨겁다tteugeoptta: Being hot because of a high temperature in food or drinks.

Definition in Korean

음식의 맛이 혀에 자극을 주어 눈에 띄게 따끔하거나 뜨거운 느낌을 주는 형용사eum si gui ma si hyeo e cha geu geul chu eo nu ne tti ge tta kkeum ha geo na tteu geo un neu kki meul chu neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

This native Korean adjective comes from a long-standing stem used to describe a sharp, hot taste.

Usage tips

  • English uses hot for both temperature and spicy flavor, but this word describes the spicy kind when talking about food.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word