Korean word

음식

Pronunciation

Romanizationeumsik

Meaning

  • nounfood

Example

시장에 가서 음식을 샀어요.si jang e ka seo eum si geul sa sseo yo

I went to the market and bought food.

Illustration for 음식 (food)

More examples

이 음식은 정말 맛있어요.i eum si geun cheong mal ma si sseo yo

This food is really delicious.

Core concept

Something prepared to be eaten, whether it is a single dish or part of a larger meal.

Common phrases

  • 음식이 맛있다eum si gi ma sit tta

    food tastes good

  • 음식이 상하다eum si gi sang ha da

    food goes bad

  • 음식을 포장하다eum si geul po jang ha da

    package food

  • 음식이 남다eum si gi nam tta

    leftover food

Similar words

식사sikssa: One complete eating occasion and the time set aside for it.
밥pap: Cooked rice that can also mean the meal served around it.
요리yori: A finished dish made by preparing and cooking ingredients.
간식kansik: Light food eaten between meals to ease hunger.

Definition in Korean

사람이 먹기 위해 준비하거나 섭취하는 모든 것sa ra mi meok kki wi hae chun bi ha geo na seop chwi ha neun mo deun keot

Word origin

The Sino-Korean word 음식 (eumsik, "food") is built from 음 (eum, "drink") and 식 (sik, "eat"), which together point to what people consume.

Usage tips

  • A useful contrast is that meal usually names the occasion or amount eaten, but this word usually highlights the edible items on the table.

Other meanings

  • mealnoun
  • dishnoun

Related words

  • 음식물eumsingmulfoodstuffnoun
  • 음식문화eumsingmunhwafood culturenoun
  • 배달음식paedareumsikdelivery foodnoun

Word lists with this word