Gimjang (김장), the traditional process of making large quantities of kimchi for the winter, is a significant cultural event in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases for anyone interested in learning about or participating in Gimjang, covering everything from basic terms to conversational expressions used during the kimchi-making process.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 김장하기 배우기
Pronunciation: gim-jang-ha-gi bae-u-gi
Meaning: Learning how to make kimchi for winter (Gimjang)
Essential Vocabulary for Gimjang
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Expression: 김장
Pronunciation: gim-jang
Meaning: The traditional process of making kimchi for winter -
Expression: 배추
Pronunciation: bae-chu
Meaning: Napa cabbage -
Expression: 무
Pronunciation: mu
Meaning: Radish -
Expression: 고춧가루
Pronunciation: go-chut-ga-ru
Meaning: Red pepper powder -
Expression: 마늘
Pronunciation: ma-neul
Meaning: Garlic -
Expression: 생강
Pronunciation: saeng-gang
Meaning: Ginger -
Expression: 파
Pronunciation: pa
Meaning: Green onion / Scallion -
Expression: 젓갈
Pronunciation: jeot-gal
Meaning: Salted fermented seafood -
Expression: 소금
Pronunciation: so-geum
Meaning: Salt -
Expression: 김칫소
Pronunciation: gim-chit-so
Meaning: Kimchi stuffing/filling -
Expression: 버무리다
Pronunciation: beo-mu-ri-da
Meaning: To mix (ingredients, especially for kimchi) -
Expression: 절이다
Pronunciation: jeo-ri-da
Meaning: To salt / To pickle (cabbage)
Phrases for Learning Gimjang
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Expression: 김장하는 것 좀 가르쳐 주세요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang-ha-neun geot jom ga-reu-chyeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please teach me how to do Gimjang. -
Expression: 김장할 때 저도 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: gim-jang-hal ttae jeo-do do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I help you when you do Gimjang? -
Expression: 김장하는 법을 배우고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang-ha-neun beo-beul bae-u-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to learn how to make Gimjang kimchi. -
Expression: 이건 어떻게 하는 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: How do you do this? -
Expression: 배추는 얼마나 절여야 해요?
Pronunciation: bae-chu-neun eol-ma-na jeo-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How long should the cabbage be salted? -
Expression: 김칫소는 어떻게 만들어요?
Pronunciation: gim-chit-so-neun eo-tteo-ke man-deu-reo-yo?
Meaning: How do you make the kimchi filling? -
Expression: 제가 한번 해봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga han-beon hae-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I try doing it once? -
Expression: 어떤 재료가 들어가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jae-ryo-ga deu-reo-ga-yo?
Meaning: What ingredients go in? -
Expression: 김장할 때 뭐가 제일 중요해요?
Pronunciation: gim-jang-hal ttae mwo-ga je-il jung-yo-hae-yo?
Meaning: What is the most important thing when doing Gimjang? -
Expression: 이렇게 하는 거 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i-reo-ke ha-neun geo ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Am I doing this correctly?
Phrases for Discussing Gimjang
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Expression: 올해 김장은 언제 하세요?
Pronunciation: ol-hae gim-jang-eun eon-je ha-se-yo?
Meaning: When are you doing Gimjang this year? -
Expression: 김장철이 다가오네요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang-cheo-ri da-ga-o-ne-yo.
Meaning: The Gimjang season is approaching. -
Expression: 김장 김치 좀 나눠 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: gim-jang gim-chi jom na-nwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I share some Gimjang kimchi with you? -
Expression: 김장하는 날은 온 가족이 모여요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang-ha-neun na-reun on ga-jo-gi mo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The whole family gathers on Gimjang day. -
Expression: 김장 덕분에 겨울 동안 김치 걱정 없어요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang deok-bu-ne gyeo-ul dong-an gim-chi geok-jeong eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to Gimjang, we don’t have to worry about kimchi during the winter. -
Expression: 김장은 정말 큰일이에요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang-eun jeong-mal keu-ni-ri-e-yo.
Meaning: Gimjang is really a big task. -
Expression: 갓 담근 김치 맛 좀 보세요.
Pronunciation: gat dam-geun gim-chi mat jom bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please try some freshly made kimchi. -
Expression: 김장할 때 수육도 같이 먹어요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang-hal ttae su-yuk-do ga-chi meo-geo-yo.
Meaning: We also eat boiled pork (Suyuk) when doing Gimjang. -
Expression: 김장 김치는 맛이 달라요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang gim-chi-neun ma-si dal-la-yo.
Meaning: Gimjang kimchi tastes different (special). -
Expression: 김장하는 모습이 보기 좋아요.
Pronunciation: gim-jang-ha-neun mo-seu-bi bo-gi jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s nice to see people doing Gimjang.
Korean Culture Notes
Community Spirit: Gimjang is often a communal activity. Families, friends, and neighbors gather to prepare large amounts of kimchi together, strengthening social bonds. Sharing the finished kimchi is also a common practice, reflecting Korean generosity (정 – jeong).
Seasonal Importance: Traditionally done in late autumn (usually November or early December), Gimjang ensures households have enough kimchi to last through the winter months when fresh vegetables were scarce.
UNESCO Heritage: The culture of Gimjang, known as ‘Kimjang: Making and Sharing Kimchi,’ was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013, highlighting its cultural significance.
Regional Variations: Kimchi recipes and ingredients vary significantly by region and family. Southern regions might use more salted seafood (젓갈 – jeotgal) for a stronger flavor, while northern regions tend to have milder kimchi.
Gimjang Bonus: A common tradition during Gimjang is eating freshly made kimchi with boiled pork slices (수육 – suyuk). It’s considered a reward for the hard work.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minji is visiting her neighbor, Mrs. Kim, who is preparing for Gimjang.
Characters:
- A: Minji (Interested learner)
- B: Mrs. Kim (Experienced neighbor)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 김 선생님. 김장 준비하시는군요!
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, gim seon-saeng-nim. gim-jang jun-bi-ha-si-neun-gun-yo!
Meaning: Hello, Mrs. Kim. You’re preparing for Gimjang! -
Expression: B: 어머, 민지 씨 왔어요? 네, 내일 김장하려고요.
Pronunciation: eo-meo, min-ji ssi wa-sseo-yo? ne, nae-il gim-jang-ha-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: Oh, Minji, you’re here? Yes, I’m planning to do Gimjang tomorrow. -
Expression: A: 와, 대단하세요. 저도 김장하는 법을 배우고 싶은데… 혹시 내일 조금 도와드리면서 배워도 될까요?
Pronunciation: wa, dae-dan-ha-se-yo. jeo-do gim-jang-ha-neun beo-beul bae-u-go si-peun-de… hok-si nae-il jo-geum do-wa-deu-ri-myeon-seo bae-wo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Wow, that’s amazing. I also want to learn how to do Gimjang… Would it be okay if I helped a little tomorrow and learned? -
Expression: B: 그럼요! 환영이죠. 일손이 많으면 좋죠. 내일 아침 9시쯤 오세요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo! hwan-yeong-i-jyo. il-so-ni ma-neu-myeon jo-cho. nae-il a-chim a-hop-si-jjeum o-se-yo.
Meaning: Of course! You’re welcome. More hands make the work easier. Come around 9 AM tomorrow. -
Expression: A: 정말 감사합니다! 제가 뭘 준비해 가면 될까요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! je-ga mwol jun-bi-hae ga-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Thank you so much! Is there anything I should prepare and bring? -
Expression: B: 마음만으로도 고마워요. 그냥 편하게 오세요. 김칫소 버무리는 것부터 같이 해봐요.
Pronunciation: ma-eum-ma-neu-ro-do go-ma-wo-yo. geu-nyang pyeon-ha-ge o-se-yo. gim-chit-so beo-mu-ri-neun geot-bu-teo ga-chi hae-bwa-yo.
Meaning: Your thought is enough, thank you. Just come comfortably. Let’s try mixing the kimchi filling together first.
Practice Tips
Learning about Gimjang involves both language and culture! Try watching videos of Gimjang online to see the process and hear the related vocabulary used in context~ You can also try making a small batch of simple kimchi at home to familiarize yourself with the steps and ingredients. Don’t be afraid to ask Korean friends or acquaintances about their Gimjang experiences; it’s a great conversation starter! Practice the phrases for asking questions and offering help – you might even get invited to participate someday! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
