Korean word

조개

Pronunciation

Romanizationchogae

Meaning

  • nounshellfish

Example

시장에서 조개를 샀어요.si jang e seo cho gae reul sa sseo yo

I bought shellfish at the market.

Illustration for 조개 (shellfish)

More examples

해물탕에 조개가 많이 들어 있어요.hae mul tang e cho gae ga ma ni teu reo i sseo yo

There is a lot of shellfish in the seafood stew.

Core concept

A general category of shell-bearing animals found in coastal water, tidal flats, and riverbeds.

Common phrases

  • 조개구이cho gae gu i

    grilled shellfish

  • 조개탕cho gae tang

    shellfish soup

  • 조개껍질cho gae kkeop jjil

    shell

Similar words

바지락pajirak: A small clam with a thin shell that is often added to soup or steamed.
홍합honghap: A dark-shelled mussel that grows on rocks or cages and is commonly used in soups and stir-fries.
굴kul: An oyster with an irregular shell that people may eat raw and often find in winter.
전복cheonbok: A large shellfish with a round, thick shell that is eaten raw or cooked by steaming.

Definition in Korean

해안이나 갯벌, 강바닥 등에서 껍데기를 가진 동물을 통틀어 이르는 말로, 종류와 크기가 다양하다.hae a ni na kaet ppeol kang ba dak teung e seo kkeop tte gi reul ka jin tong mu reul tong teu reo i reu neun mal lo chong nyu wa keu gi ga ta yang ha da

Word origin

The word is a native Korean term whose precise historical formation is uncertain, so it is best learned as a general name for shelled aquatic animals.

Usage tips

  • In market conversations, this word names the broad category, while a species name gives more precise information about what is being sold.

Related words

  • 조개류chogaeryushellfishnoun
  • 조개젓chogaejeotsalted shellfishnoun

Word lists with this word