Drinking Korean Traditional Tea

Experiencing Korean traditional tea is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the local culture. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary related to finding a teahouse, ordering tea, understanding tea etiquette, and describing your tea experience. Learning these expressions will allow you to confidently enjoy the serene atmosphere and unique flavors of Korean traditional tea culture.

Core Expression

• Expression: 한국 전통 차 마시기
  Pronunciation: han-guk jeon-tong cha ma-si-gi
  Meaning: Drinking Korean traditional tea (The act of drinking Korean traditional tea)

Basic Tea Vocabulary

• Expression: 차
  Pronunciation: cha
  Meaning: Tea
• Expression: 전통차
  Pronunciation: jeon-tong-cha
  Meaning: Traditional tea
• Expression: 찻집
  Pronunciation: chat-jip
  Meaning: Teahouse
• Expression: 다도
  Pronunciation: da-do
  Meaning: Tea ceremony (The way of tea)
• Expression: 찻잔
  Pronunciation: chat-jan
  Meaning: Teacup
• Expression: 차 주전자
  Pronunciation: cha ju-jeon-ja
  Meaning: Teapot
• Expression: 녹차
  Pronunciation: nok-cha
  Meaning: Green tea
• Expression: 유자차
  Pronunciation: yu-ja-cha
  Meaning: Citron tea
• Expression: 대추차
  Pronunciation: dae-chu-cha
  Meaning: Jujube tea
• Expression: 생강차
  Pronunciation: saeng-gang-cha
  Meaning: Ginger tea
• Expression: 다과
  Pronunciation: da-gwa
  Meaning: Tea snacks, refreshments served with tea
• Expression: 메뉴판
  Pronunciation: me-nyu-pan
  Meaning: Menu board

Ordering Tea

• Expression: 메뉴 좀 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: me-nyu jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show me the menu.
• Expression: 어떤 차가 인기가 많아요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon cha-ga in-gi-ga ma-na-yo?
  Meaning: Which tea is popular?
• Expression: 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can you recommend one?
• Expression: 녹차 한 잔 주세요.
  Pronunciation: nok-cha han jan ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please give me one cup of green tea.
• Expression: 유자차 두 잔 주세요.
  Pronunciation: yu-ja-cha du jan ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please give me two cups of citron tea.
• Expression: 이 차는 뜨겁게 나오나요, 차갑게 나오나요?
  Pronunciation: i cha-neun tteu-geop-ge na-o-na-yo, cha-gap-ge na-o-na-yo?
  Meaning: Does this tea come out hot or cold?
• Expression: 따뜻한 대추차로 주세요.
  Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan dae-chu-cha-ro ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please give me warm jujube tea.
• Expression: 차가운 생강차로 주세요.
  Pronunciation: cha-ga-un saeng-gang-cha-ro ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please give me cold ginger tea.
• Expression: 다과도 같이 주문할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: da-gwa-do ga-chi ju-mun-hal su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I order tea snacks as well?
• Expression: 여기서 마실 거예요.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ma-sil geo-ye-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll drink it here.
• Expression: 포장해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please wrap it up (for takeout).

Describing Tea

• Expression: 향이 정말 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: hyang-i jeong-mal jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: The aroma is really nice.
• Expression: 맛이 깊어요.
  Pronunciation: ma-si gi-peo-yo.
  Meaning: The taste is deep/rich.
• Expression: 맛이 부드러워요.
  Pronunciation: ma-si bu-deu-reo-wo-yo.
  Meaning: The taste is smooth.
• Expression: 달콤해요.
  Pronunciation: dal-kom-hae-yo.
  Meaning: It’s sweet.
• Expression: 쌉쌀해요.
  Pronunciation: ssap-ssal-hae-yo.
  Meaning: It’s slightly bitter (in a pleasant way).
• Expression: 상큼해요.
  Pronunciation: sang-keum-hae-yo.
  Meaning: It’s refreshing / tangy.
• Expression: 따뜻해서 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tae-seo jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: It’s nice because it’s warm.
• Expression: 건강에 좋은 맛이에요.
  Pronunciation: geon-gang-e jo-eun ma-si-e-yo.
  Meaning: It tastes healthy.
• Expression: 이 차 이름이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: i cha i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the name of this tea?
• Expression: 정말 맛있어요.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal ma-si-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s really delicious.
• Expression: 분위기가 아늑해요.
  Pronunciation: bun-wi-gi-ga a-neu-kae-yo.
  Meaning: The atmosphere is cozy.

Tea Ceremony Etiquette

• Expression: 차는 어떻게 마시는 건가요?
  Pronunciation: cha-neun eo-tteo-ke ma-si-neun geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How should I drink this tea?
• Expression: 찻잔은 두 손으로 드세요.
  Pronunciation: chat-ja-neun du son-eu-ro deu-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please hold the teacup with both hands.
• Expression: 천천히 음미하면서 드세요.
  Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi eum-mi-ha-myeon-seo deu-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please savor it slowly as you drink.
• Expression: 차를 따를 때는 조용히 하세요.
  Pronunciation: cha-reul tta-reul ttae-neun jo-yong-hi ha-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please be quiet when pouring the tea.
• Expression: 다 마신 후에는 찻잔을 내려놓으세요.
  Pronunciation: da ma-sin hu-e-neun chat-ja-neul nae-ryeo-no-eu-se-yo.
  Meaning: After finishing, please put the teacup down.
• Expression: 차를 내주셔서 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: cha-reul nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for serving the tea.
• Expression: 조용한 분위기를 즐기세요.
  Pronunciation: jo-yong-han bun-wi-gi-reul jeul-gi-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please enjoy the quiet atmosphere.
• Expression: 물을 더 주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: mu-reul deo ju-sil su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Could I have more (hot) water? (Often used for refills)
• Expression: 다과는 차와 함께 드세요.
  Pronunciation: da-gwa-neun cha-wa ham-kke deu-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please eat the tea snacks together with the tea.
• Expression: 차 향을 먼저 맡아보세요.
  Pronunciation: cha hyang-eul meon-jeo ma-ta-bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please smell the tea’s aroma first.

Cultural Tips

Understanding Korean tea culture enhances the experience. Traditional teahouses (찻집, chat-jip) are often designed for relaxation and quiet conversation, reflecting the importance of mindfulness in tea drinking.

Korea offers a wide variety of traditional teas beyond green tea (녹차, nok-cha). Many are caffeine-free infusions made from fruits, roots, grains, or leaves, such as Jujube tea (대추차, dae-chu-cha), Ginger tea (생강차, saeng-gang-cha), or Citron tea (유자차, yu-ja-cha), each believed to have health benefits.

While formal tea ceremonies (다도, da-do) have specific rituals, general etiquette in a teahouse involves handling the teacup gently (often with two hands), drinking slowly, and appreciating the aroma and flavor. Speaking softly maintains the serene atmosphere.

Tea is often served with traditional Korean snacks (다과, da-gwa), like rice cakes (떡, tteok) or cookies (한과, hangwa), which complement the tea’s flavor.

Many traditional teahouses allow for hot water refills for your tea leaves or infusion base. Don’t hesitate to politely ask for more water (물 좀 더 주세요, mul jom deo ju-se-yo) if needed.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sarah (B), are visiting a traditional Korean teahouse in Insadong, Seoul.

Roles:
A: Minjun (Korean friend)
B: Sarah (Foreign friend learning Korean)

• Expression: A: 사라 씨, 이 찻집 분위기 정말 좋죠?
  Pronunciation: sa-ra ssi, i chat-jip bun-wi-gi jeong-mal jo-cho?
  Meaning: Sarah, the atmosphere in this teahouse is really nice, isn’t it?
• Expression: B: 네, 정말 아늑하고 조용해요. 어떤 차를 마실까요? 메뉴 좀 볼까요?
  Pronunciation: ne, jeong-mal a-neu-ka-go jo-yong-hae-yo. eo-tteon cha-reul ma-sil-kka-yo? me-nyu jom bol-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Yes, it’s really cozy and quiet. What kind of tea should we drink? Shall we look at the menu?
• Expression: A: 좋아요. 저는 대추차를 마시고 싶어요. 사라 씨는요?
  Pronunciation: jo-a-yo. jeo-neun dae-chu-cha-reul ma-si-go si-peo-yo. sa-ra ssi-neun-yo?
  Meaning: Okay. I want to drink jujube tea. How about you, Sarah?
• Expression: B: 음… 저는 유자차 마셔볼래요. 따뜻한 걸로 주세요.
  Pronunciation: eum… jeo-neun yu-ja-cha ma-syeo-bol-lae-yo. tta-tteu-tan geol-lo ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Hmm… I’ll try the citron tea. Please give it to me warm.
• Expression: A: (To the staff) 여기 따뜻한 대추차 한 잔이랑 따뜻한 유자차 한 잔 주세요.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi tta-tteu-tan dae-chu-cha han ja-ni-rang tta-tteu-tan yu-ja-cha han jan ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: (To the staff) Please give us one cup of warm jujube tea and one cup of warm citron tea here.
• Expression: B: (Tea arrives) 와, 향이 정말 좋아요! 찻잔은 두 손으로 잡는 거죠?
  Pronunciation: wa, hyang-i jeong-mal jo-a-yo! chat-ja-neun du son-eu-ro jam-neun geo-jyo?
  Meaning: (Tea arrives) Wow, the aroma is really nice! You hold the teacup with both hands, right?
• Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 천천히 맛을 음미해 보세요.
  Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. cheon-cheon-hi ma-seul eum-mi-hae bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Yes, that’s right. Savor the taste slowly.
• Expression: B: 음, 정말 맛있어요. 달콤하고 상큼해요! 한국 전통 차 마시기, 정말 좋은 경험이에요.
  Pronunciation: eum, jeong-mal ma-si-sseo-yo. dal-kom-ha-go sang-keum-hae-yo! han-guk jeon-tong cha ma-si-gi, jeong-mal jo-eun gyeong-heom-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: Mmm, it’s really delicious. It’s sweet and refreshing! Drinking Korean traditional tea is a really good experience.

Practice Tips

Ready to practice ordering and enjoying Korean tea? Try visiting a local Korean market or restaurant that might serve traditional tea! Even better, if you’re in Korea, seek out a traditional teahouse (찻집) in areas like Insadong (Seoul) or Jeonju Hanok Village~!

Practice the vocabulary for different types of tea. You can start by ordering familiar ones like 녹차 (nok-cha) or 유자차 (yu-ja-cha). Use the phrases for ordering (…주세요, …ju-se-yo) and describing the taste (맛있어요, ma-si-sseo-yo; 향이 좋아요, hyang-i jo-a-yo).

Listen to how Koreans order and talk about tea. Role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations (추천해 주세요, chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo)! Enjoying tea is a relaxing experience, so take your time and savor the moment! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)