Korean word

인삼

Pronunciation

Romanizationinsam

Meaning

  • nounginseng

Example

시장에서는 인삼을 샀어요.si jang e seo neun in sa meul sa sseo yo

I bought ginseng at the market.

Illustration for 인삼 (ginseng)

More examples

매일 아침 인삼 캡슐을 먹고 있어요.mae il a chim in sam kaep ssyu reul meok kko i sseo yo

I take a ginseng capsule every morning.

Core concept

A medicinal root with a shape traditionally imagined as a small person.

Common phrases

  • 인삼 캡슐in sam kaep ssyul

    ginseng capsule

  • 인삼 즙in sam cheup

    ginseng juice

  • 인삼 가루in sam ka ru

    ginseng powder

Similar words

홍삼hongsam: Ginseng made into a preserved product by steaming and drying the root.
인삼차insamcha: A warm drink made by steeping or simmering ginseng root in water.
산삼sansam: A type of ginseng that grows naturally in the wild.
인삼즙insamjeup: A liquid made by crushing ginseng root and pressing out its juice.

Definition in Korean

사람 모양을 닮은 뿌리로 전통적으로 약재와 보약에 쓰이는 식물이다.sa ram mo yang eul tal meun ppu ri ro cheon tong jeo geu ro yak jjae wa po ya ge sseu i neun sing mu ri da

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean name connects the plant with the idea of a person because some roots grow in a human-like shape.

Usage tips

  • Korean gift and food conversations may mention this plant as a familiar traditional wellness product, which makes it useful cultural vocabulary.

Related words

  • 인삼캡슐insamkaepssyulginseng capsulenoun
  • 인삼가루insamgaruginseng powdernoun
  • 인삼엑기스insamekkkiseuginseng extractnoun

Word lists with this word