Korean word

소화

Pronunciation

Romanizationsohwa

Meaning

  • noundigestion

Example

오늘 저녁을 많이 먹어서 소화가 잘 안 돼요.o neul cheo nyeo geul ma ni meo geo seo so hwa ga chal an twae yo

I ate a lot at dinner tonight, so I am having trouble digesting it.

Illustration for 소화 (digestion)

More examples

기름진 음식을 먹으면 소화가 더부룩해져요.ki reum jin eum si geul meo geu myeon so hwa ga teo bu ru kae jeo yo

When I eat greasy foods, I feel bloated.

Core concept

The body breaks food down, takes in its useful parts, and sends the leftovers out.

Common phrases

  • 소화가 잘 되다so hwa ga chal toe da

    digest well

  • 소화불량so hwa bul lyang

    indigestion

Similar words

소화불량sohwabullyang: A condition in which food is hard to digest, causing a heavy or uncomfortable feeling in the stomach.
소화제sohwaje: A remedy used after eating to support digestion and calm an upset stomach.

Definition in Korean

섭취한 음식물이 위와 장에서 분해되어 영양분을 흡수하고 불필요한 것을 배출하는 신체 과정.seop chwi han eum sing mu ri wi wa chang e seo pun hae doe eo yeong yang bu neul heup ssu ha go pul pi ryo han keo seul pae chul ha neun sin che kwa jeong

Word origin

The word is a Sino-Korean formation that combines the ideas of changing and removing, linking its form to the body's treatment of food.

Usage tips

  • Korean uses this noun naturally when talking about whether a meal is going well, whereas English conversation often describes the person's comfort instead.

Other meanings

  • fire extinguishingnoun
  • handleverb

Related words

Word lists with this word