Korean word

생선

Pronunciation

Romanizationsaengseon

Meaning

  • nounfish

Example

시장에서 생선이 많아요.si jang e seo saeng seo ni ma na yo

There are lots of fish at the market.

Illustration for 생선 (fish)

More examples

저녁에 구운 생선을 반찬으로 먹었어요.cheo nyeo ge ku un saeng seo neul pan cha neu ro meo geo sseo yo

We ate grilled fish as a side dish for dinner.

Core concept

Fish in its food form, bought, cleaned, or prepared for cooking.

Common phrases

  • 구운 생선ku un saeng seon

    grilled fish

  • 생선 냄새saeng seon naem sae

    fish smell

  • 생선 찜saeng seon jjim

    steamed fish

Similar words

물고기mulgogi: An aquatic animal that breathes through gills and swims with fins.
회hoe: A dish made from raw fish or seafood cut into thin slices.
해산물haesanmul: Food obtained from the sea and used in meals.

Definition in Korean

식탁에 올리거나 요리할 목적으로 잡아서 손질한 물고기.sik ta ge ol li geo na yo ri hal mok jjeo geu ro cha ba seo son jil han mul go gi

Word origin

The word developed from a Sino-Korean expression for fresh fish and came to focus on fish intended for a meal.

Usage tips

  • Recognizing this food-focused use helps learners understand why English fish can refer to either an animal or something ready to cook.

Opposites

Related words

  • 생선튀김saengseontwigimfried fishnoun
  • 생선캔saengseonkaencanned fishnoun

Word lists with this word