Understanding food and health ingredient names is crucial when exploring Korean cuisine or discussing wellness topics. This guide focuses on the Korean word for turmeric, providing essential vocabulary and phrases for cooking, shopping, and talking about its health benefits in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Word for Turmeric
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Expression: 강황
Pronunciation: gang-hwang
Meaning: Turmeric (This is the standard Korean word for turmeric, often associated with its use as a spice and health supplement.)
Basic Phrases Using Turmeric
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Expression: 이것은 강황입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun gang-hwang-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is turmeric. -
Expression: 강황이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need turmeric. -
Expression: 강황 어디서 살 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: gang-hwang eo-di-seo sal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy turmeric? -
Expression: 강황 가루를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang ga-ru-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for turmeric powder. -
Expression: 이 요리에 강황이 들어가나요?
Pronunciation: i yo-ri-e gang-hwang-i deu-reo-ga-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this dish contain turmeric? -
Expression: 강황 맛이 어때요?
Pronunciation: gang-hwang ma-si eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: What does turmeric taste like? -
Expression: 생강황도 파나요?
Pronunciation: saeng-gang-hwang-do pa-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you sell fresh turmeric root too? -
Expression: 강황은 보통 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eun bo-tong eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is turmeric usually located (in a store)? -
Expression: 이것이 강황 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-si gang-hwang ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is this turmeric? (Confirming) -
Expression: 강황 좀 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me the turmeric. -
Expression: 강황 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: gang-hwang ga-gyeok-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the turmeric? -
Expression: 유기농 강황 있나요?
Pronunciation: yu-gi-nong gang-hwang it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have organic turmeric?
Cooking with Turmeric
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Expression: 카레에 강황을 넣으세요.
Pronunciation: ka-re-e gang-hwang-eul neo-eu-se-yo.
Meaning: Add turmeric to the curry. -
Expression: 강황을 얼마나 넣어야 해요?
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eul eol-ma-na neo-eo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How much turmeric should I add? -
Expression: 강황은 색깔을 예쁘게 내줘요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eun saek-kkal-eul ye-ppeu-ge nae-jwo-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric gives a beautiful color. -
Expression: 저는 강황의 향을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun gang-hwang-ui hyang-eul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like the aroma of turmeric. -
Expression: 강황 가루를 조금만 사용하세요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang ga-ru-reul jo-geum-man sa-yong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Use only a little turmeric powder. -
Expression: 이 레시피에는 강황이 필수예요.
Pronunciation: i re-si-pi-e-neun gang-hwang-i pil-su-ye-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric is essential for this recipe. -
Expression: 강황을 넣으면 풍미가 더 좋아져요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eul neo-eu-myeon pung-mi-ga deo jo-a-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: Adding turmeric enhances the flavor. -
Expression: 볶음 요리에 강황을 써보세요.
Pronunciation: bok-kkeum yo-ri-e gang-hwang-eul sseo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try using turmeric in stir-fried dishes. -
Expression: 강황은 쓴맛이 날 수 있으니 조심하세요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eun sseun-ma-si nal su i-sseu-ni jo-sim-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Be careful as turmeric can taste bitter (if too much is used). -
Expression: 강황으로 밥 색깔을 낼 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eu-ro bap saek-kkal-eul nael su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: You can color rice with turmeric. -
Expression: 닭고기 요리에 강황이 잘 어울려요.
Pronunciation: dak-go-gi yo-ri-e gang-hwang-i jal eo-ul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric goes well with chicken dishes. -
Expression: 강황 페이스트를 만들었어요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang pe-i-seu-teu-reul man-deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I made turmeric paste.
Discussing Health Benefits
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Expression: 강황은 건강에 좋아요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eun geon-gang-e jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric is good for health. -
Expression: 강황에는 항염 효과가 있어요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-e-neun hang-yeom hyo-gwa-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects. -
Expression: 강황차를 마시는 것을 추천해요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-cha-reul ma-si-neun geo-seul chu-cheon-hae-yo.
Meaning: I recommend drinking turmeric tea. -
Expression: 강황은 소화를 도와줘요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eun so-hwa-reul do-wa-jwo-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric aids digestion. -
Expression: 강황은 전통 의학에서 사용돼요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eun jeon-tong ui-ha-ge-seo sa-yong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric is used in traditional medicine. -
Expression: 강황의 주요 성분은 커큐민이에요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-ui ju-yo seong-bun-eun keo-kyu-min-i-e-yo.
Meaning: The main component of turmeric is curcumin. -
Expression: 강황 보충제를 먹고 있어요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang bo-chung-je-reul meok-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am taking turmeric supplements. -
Expression: 강황이 면역력 강화에 도움이 될 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-i myeon-yeong-nyeok gang-hwa-e do-u-mi doel su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric can help strengthen the immune system. -
Expression: 강황은 항산화 작용을 해요.
Pronunciation: gang-hwang-eun hang-san-hwa jak-yong-eul hae-yo.
Meaning: Turmeric has antioxidant properties. -
Expression: 우유에 강황을 타서 마셔요.
Pronunciation: u-yu-e gang-hwang-eul ta-seo ma-syeo-yo.
Meaning: I drink milk mixed with turmeric (like golden milk). -
Expression: 강황 섭취 시 주의사항이 있나요?
Pronunciation: gang-hwang seop-chwi si ju-ui-sa-hang-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any precautions when consuming turmeric? -
Expression: 의사와 상담 후 강황을 드세요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa-wa sang-dam hu gang-hwang-eul deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Consult with a doctor before taking turmeric (supplements).
Korean Culture Notes
While not as central to traditional Korean cuisine as ingredients like garlic or gochujang, 강황 (gang-hwang) holds a recognized place, particularly in health contexts.
Turmeric is well-known in Korea for its health benefits, largely influenced by traditional medicine principles and modern wellness trends. It’s often consumed as a tea (강황차 – gang-hwang-cha) or supplement.
In cooking, its most common association is with curry (카레 – ka-re), which is a popular dish in Korea, though adapted to local tastes. Some modern or fusion recipes might incorporate turmeric for color or health benefits.
You might also find turmeric used to color certain foods naturally, such as some varieties of kimchi or rice dishes, although this is less common than its use in curry or health drinks.
When shopping, you’ll find 강황 가루 (gang-hwang ga-ru – turmeric powder) in the spice section of larger supermarkets or health food stores. Fresh turmeric root (생강황 – saeng-gang-hwang) might be harder to find but is sometimes available in specialty markets.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are discussing making curry at home.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 오늘 저녁에 카레 만들려고 하는데, 노란색은 뭘로 내는 거예요?
Pronunciation: So-ra ssi, o-neul jeo-nyeok-e ka-re man-deul-lyeo-go ha-neun-de, no-ran-sae-geun mwol-lo nae-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Sora, I’m planning to make curry tonight, what gives it that yellow color? -
Expression: B: 아, 그거 보통 강황 가루를 넣어서 그래요. 강황이 색깔도 내주고 건강에도 좋잖아요.
Pronunciation: A, geu-geo bo-tong gang-hwang ga-ru-reul neo-eo-seo geu-rae-yo. gang-hwang-i saek-kkal-do nae-ju-go geon-gang-e-do jo-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Ah, that’s usually from adding turmeric powder. Turmeric gives color and is also good for health, you know. -
Expression: A: 강황이요? 어디서 살 수 있어요? 마트에 가면 있나요?
Pronunciation: Gang-hwang-i-yo? eo-di-seo sal su i-sseo-yo? ma-teu-e ga-myeon it-na-yo?
Meaning: Turmeric? Where can I buy it? Can I find it at the supermarket? -
Expression: B: 네, 웬만한 마트 향신료 코너에 가면 강황 가루 팔아요. 조금만 넣어도 색이 잘 나와요.
Pronunciation: Ne, wen-man-han ma-teu hyang-sin-nyo ko-neo-e ga-myeon gang-hwang ga-ru pa-ra-yo. jo-geum-man neo-eo-do sae-gi jal na-wa-yo.
Meaning: Yes, most supermarkets sell turmeric powder in the spice section. Even a little bit gives a good color. -
Expression: A: 알겠어요. 고마워요! 강황 꼭 사서 넣어봐야겠네요.
Pronunciation: Al-ge-sseo-yo. Go-ma-wo-yo! Gang-hwang kkok sa-seo neo-eo-bwa-ya-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: Got it. Thanks! I’ll definitely buy some turmeric and try adding it.
Practice Tips
Now you know how to talk about turmeric (강황) in Korean! Try looking for it next time you’re in a Korean supermarket or Asian grocery store~ You can practice the phrases by reading recipe ingredients or discussing healthy foods with Korean friends. Using 강황 in your cooking and talking about it is a great way to make these words stick! Keep practicing! 화이팅!
