Learning to make Kimchi is a rewarding cultural experience. This guide provides the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases you need to understand recipes, follow instructions in a cooking class, or discuss the Kimchi-making process (김장 – Kimjang) in Korean. Master these expressions to deepen your connection with Korean cuisine and culture.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for expressing the act of learning how to make Kimchi.
- Expression: 김치 만들기 배우기
Pronunciation: Kim-chi man-deul-gi bae-u-gi
Meaning: Learning how to make Kimchi (lit. Kimchi making learning)
Essential Vocabulary for Kimchi Making
Knowing the names of ingredients and tools is crucial for following Kimchi recipes.
- Expression: 배추
Pronunciation: Bae-chu
Meaning: Napa cabbage - Expression: 무
Pronunciation: Mu
Meaning: Radish (Korean radish, daikon) - Expression: 파
Pronunciation: Pa
Meaning: Green onion / Scallion - Expression: 마늘
Pronunciation: Ma-neul
Meaning: Garlic - Expression: 생강
Pronunciation: Saeng-gang
Meaning: Ginger - Expression: 고춧가루
Pronunciation: Go-chut-ga-ru
Meaning: Red pepper powder (Gochugaru) - Expression: 젓갈
Pronunciation: Jeot-gal
Meaning: Salted fermented seafood (e.g., shrimp, anchovy) - Expression: 소금
Pronunciation: So-geum
Meaning: Salt - Expression: 설탕
Pronunciation: Seol-tang
Meaning: Sugar - Expression: 양념
Pronunciation: Yang-nyeom
Meaning: Seasoning paste / Marinade - Expression: 칼
Pronunciation: Kal
Meaning: Knife - Expression: 도마
Pronunciation: Do-ma
Meaning: Cutting board - Expression: 큰 그릇 / 대야
Pronunciation: Keun geu-reut / Dae-ya
Meaning: Large bowl / Basin
Key Phrases for the Kimchi Making Process
These verbs and phrases describe the actions involved in making Kimchi.
- Expression: 배추를 절이다
Pronunciation: Bae-chu-reul jeo-ri-da
Meaning: To salt the cabbage - Expression: 배추를 씻다
Pronunciation: Bae-chu-reul ssit-da
Meaning: To wash the cabbage - Expression: 물기를 빼다
Pronunciation: Mul-gi-reul ppae-da
Meaning: To drain the water - Expression: 채소를 썰다
Pronunciation: Chae-so-reul sseol-da
Meaning: To chop/slice the vegetables - Expression: 양념을 만들다
Pronunciation: Yang-nyeom-eul man-deul-da
Meaning: To make the seasoning paste - Expression: 재료를 섞다
Pronunciation: Jae-ryo-reul seok-da
Meaning: To mix the ingredients - Expression: 양념을 버무리다
Pronunciation: Yang-nyeom-eul beo-mu-ri-da
Meaning: To mix/coat with seasoning (often by hand) - Expression: 김치 속을 넣다
Pronunciation: Kim-chi sok-eul neo-ta
Meaning: To stuff the Kimchi filling (between cabbage leaves) - Expression: 김치를 통에 담다
Pronunciation: Kim-chi-reul tong-e dam-da
Meaning: To put the Kimchi into a container - Expression: 김치를 숙성시키다
Pronunciation: Kim-chi-reul suk-seong-si-ki-da
Meaning: To ferment/age the Kimchi - Expression: 맛을 보다
Pronunciation: Mas-eul bo-da
Meaning: To taste (it) - Expression: 장갑을 끼다
Pronunciation: Jang-gap-eul kki-da
Meaning: To put on gloves
Asking Questions About Kimchi Making
Use these phrases to ask for clarification or details during the process.
- Expression: 이건 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: I-geon mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this? - Expression: 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: Eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do you do it? / What should I do? - Expression: 얼마나 넣어요?
Pronunciation: Eol-ma-na neo-eo-yo?
Meaning: How much should I put in? - Expression: 얼마나 오래 절여요?
Pronunciation: Eol-ma-na o-rae jeo-ryeo-yo?
Meaning: How long do you salt it for? - Expression: 다음은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: Da-eum-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s next? - Expression: 이렇게 하는 거 맞아요?
Pronunciation: I-reo-ke ha-neun geo ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Am I doing this correctly? - Expression: 좀 더 넣어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: Jom deo neo-eo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I add a little more? - Expression: 젓갈 대신 다른 것을 넣어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: Jeot-gal dae-sin da-reun geos-eul neo-eo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I put something else instead of fermented seafood? - Expression: 언제 먹을 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: Eon-je meog-eul su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: When can I eat it? - Expression: 어디에 보관해야 돼요?
Pronunciation: Eo-di-e bo-gwan-hae-ya dwae-yo?
Meaning: Where should I store it? - Expression: 이 양념은 매워요?
Pronunciation: I yang-nyeom-eun mae-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is this seasoning spicy? - Expression: 천천히 다시 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: Cheon-cheon-hi da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please explain it again slowly?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the cultural context enhances the Kimchi-making experience.
- Kimjang (김장): This is the traditional process of making large quantities of Kimchi in late autumn to last through the winter. It’s often a communal activity involving family, friends, and neighbors. Kimjang culture was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- Communal Activity: Making Kimchi, especially during Kimjang, emphasizes community spirit and cooperation (품앗이 – Pumasi, sharing labor). It’s a time for bonding and sharing stories.
- Regional Variations: Kimchi recipes vary significantly by region and household. Some areas use more seafood, others prefer different levels of spiciness or specific ingredients. There isn’t one single “correct” way to make Kimchi.
- Fermentation Science: Koreans have a deep, traditional understanding of fermentation. The process of making Kimchi involves controlling temperature and ingredients to cultivate beneficial lactic acid bacteria, which give Kimchi its characteristic tangy flavor and health benefits.
- Kimchi Fridge (김치냉장고): Many Korean households have a special refrigerator designed specifically to maintain the optimal temperature for fermenting and storing Kimchi long-term.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreign student (A) is attending a Kimchi making class led by an instructor (B). Roles: A: Student, B: Instructor
- Expression: A: 선생님, 배추는 얼마나 오래 절여야 해요?
Pronunciation: Seon-saeng-nim, bae-chu-neun eol-ma-na o-rae jeo-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Instructor, how long should the cabbage be salted? - Expression: B: 보통 6시간에서 8시간 정도 절이는데, 배추 크기나 소금 양에 따라 달라요. 이렇게 휘어봤을 때 부러지지 않으면 잘 절여진 거예요.
Pronunciation: Bo-tong yeo-seot-si-gan-e-seo yeo-deol-si-gan jeong-do jeo-ri-neun-de, bae-chu keu-gi-na so-geum yang-e tta-ra dal-la-yo. I-reo-ke hwi-eo-bwass-eul ttae bu-reo-ji-ji an-eu-myeon jal jeo-ryeo-jin geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Usually, we salt it for about 6 to 8 hours, but it depends on the cabbage size and amount of salt. If it bends like this without breaking, it’s salted well. - Expression: A: 아, 네. 이제 양념을 만들 차례인가요? 이 고춧가루는 많이 매워요?
Pronunciation: A, ne. I-je yang-nyeom-eul man-deul cha-rye-in-ga-yo? I go-chut-ga-ru-neun ma-ni mae-wo-yo?
Meaning: Ah, okay. Is it time to make the seasoning paste now? Is this red pepper powder very spicy? - Expression: B: 네, 양념 만들 거예요. 이 고춧가루는 보통 매운맛이에요. 매운 것을 잘 못 드시면 조금 덜 넣으셔도 괜찮아요. 자, 마늘, 생강, 젓갈, 파를 다 넣고 섞어주세요.
Pronunciation: Ne, yang-nyeom man-deul geo-ye-yo. I go-chut-ga-ru-neun bo-tong mae-un-mas-i-e-yo. Mae-un geos-eul jal mot deu-si-myeon jo-geum deol neo-eu-syeo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo. Ja, ma-neul, saeng-gang, jeot-gal, pa-reul da neo-ko seok-keo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, we’ll make the seasoning. This pepper powder is moderately spicy. If you can’t handle spicy food well, it’s okay to add a little less. Okay, put in all the garlic, ginger, fermented seafood, and green onions, and please mix them. - Expression: A: 네! 이렇게 버무리는 거 맞아요?
Pronunciation: Ne! I-reo-ke beo-mu-ri-neun geo ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Okay! Am I mixing it like this correctly? - Expression: B: 아주 잘하시네요! 이제 절인 배추 사이사이에 양념을 골고루 넣어주시면 돼요.
Pronunciation: A-ju jal-ha-si-ne-yo! I-je jeor-in bae-chu sa-i-sa-i-e yang-nyeom-eul gol-go-ru neo-eo-ju-si-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: You’re doing very well! Now, just evenly spread the seasoning between the leaves of the salted cabbage.
Practice Tips
Now you have the basic vocabulary and phrases for learning how to make Kimchi in Korean~! Try watching Korean Kimchi-making videos (김치 만들기 영상 – Kimchi mandeulgi yeongsang) and listen for these words. If you get a chance to participate in a Kimchi-making class or event, don’t hesitate to use these expressions! The best way to learn is by doing and speaking, so find opportunities to practice. 화이팅 (Hwaiting – You can do it)!
