Understanding the concept of “local production” is increasingly important, especially when discussing food, agriculture, and regional economies in Korea. This guide covers the essential Korean term for “local production” and related vocabulary, helping you discuss locally sourced goods and support local communities.
Table Of Content
Core Expression: Local Production
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Expression: 지역생산
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-san
Meaning: Local Production (refers to goods produced within a specific region)
Basic Related Terms
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Expression: 로컬푸드
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu
Meaning: Local Food (Konglish term, widely used) -
Expression: 농산물
Pronunciation: nong-san-mul
Meaning: Agricultural products -
Expression: 수산물
Pronunciation: su-san-mul
Meaning: Marine products / Seafood -
Expression: 특산물
Pronunciation: teuk-san-mul
Meaning: Regional specialty product -
Expression: 생산자
Pronunciation: saeng-san-ja
Meaning: Producer -
Expression: 소비자
Pronunciation: so-bi-ja
Meaning: Consumer -
Expression: 직거래 장터
Pronunciation: jik-geo-rae jang-teo
Meaning: Direct transaction market / Farmer’s market -
Expression: 신선하다
Pronunciation: sin-seon-ha-da
Meaning: To be fresh -
Expression: 유기농
Pronunciation: yu-gi-nong
Meaning: Organic farming / Organic -
Expression: 원산지
Pronunciation: won-san-ji
Meaning: Place of origin -
Expression: 국내산
Pronunciation: guk-nae-san
Meaning: Domestically produced (within Korea) -
Expression: 지역 경제
Pronunciation: ji-yeok gyeong-je
Meaning: Local economy
Useful Phrases for Discussing Local Products
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Expression: 지역생산 농산물을 선호해요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-san nong-san-mu-reul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer locally produced agricultural products. -
Expression: 이것은 지역생산 제품인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun ji-yeok-saeng-san je-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a locally produced product? -
Expression: 지역생산을 지원하는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-sa-neul ji-won-ha-neun geo-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s important to support local production. -
Expression: 로컬푸드 매장은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: ro-keol-pu-deu mae-jang-eun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the local food store? -
Expression: 이 지역 특산물은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok teuk-san-mu-reun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is this region’s specialty product? -
Expression: 지역생산품은 더 신선한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-san-pu-meun deo sin-seon-han geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Locally produced goods seem fresher. -
Expression: 생산자로부터 직접 구매할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: saeng-san-ja-ro-bu-teo jik-jeop gu-mae-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I buy directly from the producer? -
Expression: 지역생산 운동에 참여하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-san un-dong-e cham-yeo-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to participate in the local production movement. -
Expression: 이 사과는 우리 지역에서 생산되었어요.
Pronunciation: i sa-gwa-neun u-ri ji-yeo-ge-seo saeng-san-doe-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: These apples were produced in our region. -
Expression: 지역생산품 소비는 지역 경제에 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-san-pum so-bi-neun ji-yeok gyeong-je-e do-u-mi dwae-yo.
Meaning: Consuming local products helps the local economy.
Phrases for Shopping Local
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Expression: 이거 어디서 생산된 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-di-seo saeng-san-doen geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where was this produced? -
Expression: 이 근처에서 재배한 채소 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e-seo jae-bae-han chae-so in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any vegetables grown nearby? -
Expression: 이 지역에서 만든 치즈예요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeo-ge-seo man-deun chi-jeu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is this cheese made in this region? -
Expression: 오늘 들어온 신선한 지역생산품 있어요?
Pronunciation: o-neul deu-reo-on sin-seon-han ji-yeok-saeng-san-pum i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any fresh local products that came in today? -
Expression: 생산자 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: saeng-san-ja i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the producer’s name? -
Expression: 이건 유기농으로 재배된 건가요?
Pronunciation: i-geon yu-gi-nong-eu-ro jae-bae-doen geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Was this grown organically? -
Expression: 지역생산품 코너는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-san-pum ko-neo-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the local products section/corner? -
Expression: 이 꿀은 이 지역 양봉 농가에서 나온 건가요?
Pronunciation: i kku-reun i ji-yeok yang-bong nong-ga-e-seo na-on geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this honey from a local beekeeper in this area? -
Expression: 지역생산품을 사면 생산자에게 도움이 되죠?
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-saeng-san-pu-meul sa-myeon saeng-san-ja-e-ge do-u-mi doe-jyo?
Meaning: Buying local products helps the producers, right? -
Expression: 이 생선은 근처 바다에서 잡은 건가요?
Pronunciation: i saeng-seo-neun geun-cheo ba-da-e-seo ja-beun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Was this fish caught in the nearby sea?
Korean Culture Notes
The concept of 지역생산 (ji-yeok-saeng-san) and 로컬푸드 (ro-keol-pu-deu) has gained significant traction in South Korea. Consumers are increasingly interested in the origin of their food, seeking freshness, quality, and ways to support local farmers and communities.
Many local governments actively promote their 특산물 (teuk-san-mul), or regional specialty products. Visiting different regions often involves trying these unique local goods, from fruits and vegetables to processed items like teas, liquors, or crafts.
직거래 장터 (jik-geo-rae jang-teo), or farmer’s markets, are popular venues for purchasing fresh, locally produced goods directly from the producers. These markets not only offer high-quality products but also provide a chance to interact with farmers and learn more about how the food is grown.
There’s a strong cultural connection between food and region in Korea. Supporting local production is often seen as a way to preserve regional identity, promote sustainable agriculture, and contribute to the vitality of the local economy.
Look for labels indicating 국내산 (guk-nae-san – domestically produced) and often more specific regional origins when shopping. Many stores now have dedicated sections for local or regional products.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minji and Sora, are shopping at a weekend farmer’s market (직거래 장터).
Roles:
A: Minji (enthusiastic about local food)
B: Sora (curious about the market)
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Expression: A: 와, 여기 진짜 신선한 지역생산 농산물이 많다!
Pronunciation: wa, yeo-gi jin-jja sin-seon-han ji-yeok-saeng-san nong-san-mu-ri man-ta!
Meaning: Wow, there are so many fresh, locally produced agricultural products here! -
Expression: B: 그러게. 마트보다 훨씬 좋아 보이네. 이 토마토는 어디서 온 거래?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ge. ma-teu-bo-da hwol-ssin jo-a bo-i-ne. i to-ma-to-neun eo-di-seo on geo-rae?
Meaning: I know, right? They look much better than the supermarket ones. Where are these tomatoes from? -
Expression: A: 저기 생산자분께 여쭤보자. 안녕하세요, 이 토마토 지역생산품 맞죠?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi saeng-san-ja-bun-kke yeo-jjwo-bo-ja. an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, i to-ma-to ji-yeok-saeng-san-pum mat-jyo?
Meaning: Let’s ask the producer over there. Hello, these tomatoes are locally produced, right? -
Expression: C (Producer): 네, 바로 옆 동네 농장에서 오늘 아침에 따온 거예요. 유기농이고요.
Pronunciation: ne, ba-ro yeop dong-ne nong-jang-e-seo o-neul a-chi-me tta-on geo-ye-yo. yu-gi-nong-i-go-yo.
Meaning: Yes, they were picked this morning from a farm in the next town over. They’re organic, too. -
Expression: B: 정말 신선하겠네요! 지역생산품을 사면 기분이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal sin-seon-ha-gen-ne-yo! ji-yeok-saeng-san-pu-meul sa-myeon gi-bu-ni jo-a-yo.
Meaning: They must be really fresh! It feels good to buy local products. -
Expression: A: 맞아. 지역 경제에도 도움 되고, 맛도 좋고! 우리 이 토마토 사 가자.
Pronunciation: ma-ja. ji-yeok gyeong-je-e-do do-um doe-go, mat-do jo-ko! u-ri i to-ma-to sa ga-ja.
Meaning: Exactly. It helps the local economy, and they taste great too! Let’s buy these tomatoes.
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with terms like 지역생산 is great for understanding food culture and shopping in Korea! Try visiting a local market (시장 – si-jang or 직거래 장터 – jik-geo-rae jang-teo) if you get the chance~ Ask vendors “이거 지역생산품이에요?” (i-geo ji-yeok-saeng-san-pum-i-e-yo? – Is this a local product?) to practice. Look for signs indicating 로컬푸드 or 지역 특산물 when you shop. Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll become more confident discussing and purchasing local goods in Korea!
