Learning about Korea’s drinking culture, known as sul munhwa (술 문화), is essential for understanding social interactions in Korea. This guide covers key vocabulary, phrases, etiquette, and cultural insights to help you navigate social drinking situations confidently and respectfully.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental term for understanding the topic.
- Expression: 한국 술 문화 (Hanguk sul munhwa)
Pronunciation: han-guk sool moon-hwa
Meaning: Korean drinking culture (한국 – Korea, 술 – alcohol, 문화 – culture)
Basic Drinking Vocabulary
Familiarize yourself with these common terms related to drinking in Korea.
- Expression: 술 (sul)
Pronunciation: sool
Meaning: Alcohol, liquor - Expression: 맥주 (maekju)
Pronunciation: maek-joo
Meaning: Beer - Expression: 소주 (soju)
Pronunciation: so-joo
Meaning: Soju (Korean distilled spirit) - Expression: 막걸리 (makgeolli)
Pronunciation: mak-gol-lee
Meaning: Makgeolli (Korean rice wine) - Expression: 술집 (suljip)
Pronunciation: sool-jeep
Meaning: Bar, pub (lit. alcohol house) - Expression: 안주 (anju)
Pronunciation: an-joo
Meaning: Food consumed with alcohol - Expression: 건배 (geonbae)
Pronunciation: geon-bae
Meaning: Cheers! - Expression: 원샷 (wonshot)
Pronunciation: won-shat
Meaning: Bottoms up! (From English “one shot”) - Expression: 취하다 (chwihada)
Pronunciation: chwee-ha-da
Meaning: To be drunk, to get drunk - Expression: 술고래 (sulgorae)
Pronunciation: sool-go-rae
Meaning: Heavy drinker (lit. alcohol whale) - Expression: 술버릇 (sulbeoreut)
Pronunciation: sool-beo-reut
Meaning: Drinking habits (often referring to bad habits when drunk) - Expression: 해장 (haejang)
Pronunciation: hae-jang
Meaning: Hangover cure (often refers to soup eaten the next day)
Essential Phrases for Drinking Sessions
Use these phrases during social drinking gatherings.
- Expression: 한잔 할래요? (hanjan hallaeyo?)
Pronunciation: han-jan hal-lae-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to have a drink? (lit. Do you want to do one glass?) - Expression: 술 한잔 합시다! (sul hanjan hapsida!)
Pronunciation: sool han-jan hap-shee-da!
Meaning: Let’s have a drink! - Expression: 뭐 마실래요? (mwo masillaeyo?)
Pronunciation: mwo ma-shil-lae-yo?
Meaning: What would you like to drink? - Expression: 저는 맥주 주세요. (jeoneun maekju juseyo.)
Pronunciation: jeo-neun maek-joo joo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a beer. - Expression: 건배! (geonbae!)
Pronunciation: geon-bae!
Meaning: Cheers! - Expression: 위하여! (wihayeo!)
Pronunciation: wee-ha-yeo!
Meaning: For…! (Used during toasts, e.g., ‘우정을 위하여!’ – For friendship!) - Expression: 술 잘 못 마셔요. (sul jal mot masyeoyo.)
Pronunciation: sool jal mot ma-shyeo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t drink well. / I’m not a good drinker. - Expression: 술이 약해요. (suri yakhaeyo.)
Pronunciation: soo-ree yak-hae-yo.
Meaning: I have low alcohol tolerance. (lit. Alcohol is weak for me.) - Expression: 괜찮아요, 사양할게요. (gwaenchanayo, sayanghalgeyo.)
Pronunciation: gwen-cha-na-yo, sa-yang-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay, I’ll pass (on this drink). - Expression: 이 안주 맛있네요! (i anju masinneyo!)
Pronunciation: ee an-joo ma-shin-ne-yo!
Meaning: This anju (drinking food) is delicious! - Expression: 한 병 더 시킬까요? (han byeong deo sikilkkayo?)
Pronunciation: han byeong deo shi-kil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we order one more bottle? - Expression: 화장실 좀 다녀올게요. (hwajangsil jom danyeoolgeyo.)
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-shil jom da-nyeo-ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll go to the restroom quickly.
Offering and Receiving Drinks Etiquette
Understanding how to pour and receive drinks is crucial in Korean culture.
- Expression: 제가 한 잔 따라 드릴게요. (jega han jan ttara deurilgeyo.)
Pronunciation: je-ga han jan tta-ra deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Let me pour you a drink. (Formal) - Expression: 잔 받으세요. (jan badeuseyo.)
Pronunciation: jan ba-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Please receive the glass. (Said when offering a drink) - Expression: 잔 채워 드릴게요. (jan chaewo deurilgeyo.)
Pronunciation: jan chae-wo deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Let me fill your glass. - Expression: 감사합니다. (gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. (Used when receiving a drink) - Expression: 잘 마시겠습니다. (jal masigetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: jal ma-shi-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will drink well. (Polite phrase said when receiving a drink) - Expression: 먼저 드세요. (meonjeo deuseyo.)
Pronunciation: meon-jeo deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Please drink first. (Said to elders or seniors) - Expression: 제 잔은 괜찮습니다. (je janeun gwaenchansseumnida.)
Pronunciation: je ja-neun gwen-chan-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: My glass is fine. (Used to politely refuse a refill if your glass isn’t empty) - Expression: 빈 잔은 채워야죠. (bin janeun chaewoyajyo.)
Pronunciation: bin ja-neun chae-wo-ya-jyo.
Meaning: An empty glass should be filled. (Common saying encouraging refills) - Expression: 술 따라 드릴까요? (sul ttara deurilkkayo?)
Pronunciation: sool tta-ra deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I pour you a drink? - Expression: 네, 부탁드립니다. (ne, butakdeurimnida.)
Pronunciation: ne, boo-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, please. (Formal response when accepting) - Expression: 직접 따르겠습니다. (jikjeop ttareugetsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: jik-jeop tta-reu-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will pour it myself. (Can be used, but generally, others pour for you) - Expression: 같이 마시죠. (gachi masijyo.)
Pronunciation: ga-chi ma-shi-jyo.
Meaning: Let’s drink together. (Said after pouring/receiving)
After Drinking Phrases
Expressions commonly used towards the end or after a drinking session.
- Expression: 이제 그만 마실래요. (ije geuman masillaeyo.)
Pronunciation: ee-je geu-man ma-shil-lae-yo.
Meaning: I want to stop drinking now. - Expression: 저 먼저 일어나겠습니다. (jeo meonjeo ireonagetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: jeo meon-jeo ee-reo-na-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will get up first. (Polite way to say you’re leaving) - Expression: 오늘 즐거웠습니다. (oneul jeulgeowotsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: o-neul jeul-geo-wot-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: It was fun today. / I had a good time today. - Expression: 조심히 들어가세요. (josimhi deureogaseyo.)
Pronunciation: jo-shim-hee deu-reo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Get home safely. - Expression: 다음에 또 봐요! (daeume tto bwayo!)
Pronunciation: da-eu-me tto bwa-yo!
Meaning: See you next time! - Expression: 대리운전 불렀어요? (daeriunjeon bulleosseoyo?)
Pronunciation: dae-ri-oon-jeon bool-leo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Did you call a designated driver? - Expression: 택시 잡아 드릴까요? (taeksi jaba deurilkkayo?)
Pronunciation: taek-shi ja-ba deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I get you a taxi? - Expression: 숙취 때문에 힘들어요. (sukchwi ttaemune himdeureoyo.)
Pronunciation: sook-chwee ttae-moo-ne him-deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: I’m having a hard time because of the hangover. - Expression: 해장하러 갑시다. (haejanghareo gapsida.)
Pronunciation: hae-jang-ha-reo gap-shi-da.
Meaning: Let’s go get something for our hangovers. - Expression: 어제 너무 많이 마셨어요. (eoje neomu mani masyeosseoyo.)
Pronunciation: eo-je neo-moo ma-ni ma-shyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I drank too much yesterday. - Expression: 필름 끊겼어요. (pilleum kkeunkyeosseoyo.)
Pronunciation: pil-leum kkeun-kyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I blacked out. (lit. The film got cut.) - Expression: 잘 들어갔어요? (jal deureogasseoyo?)
Pronunciation: jal deu-reo-ga-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Did you get home safely? (Often asked the next day)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points is key to navigating Korean drinking culture appropriately.
- Hierarchy Matters: Age and social status are very important. Always pour drinks for elders and seniors first. Use two hands (one supporting the pouring wrist/bottle, or one hand pouring and the other lightly supporting your pouring arm/chest) when pouring for someone older or senior. When receiving a drink from an elder/senior, hold your glass with two hands.
- Receiving Drinks: When drinking with someone older or of higher status, turn your head slightly away when you take a sip. This is a sign of respect.
- Never Pour Your Own Drink: It’s customary for others to fill your glass, and you should fill theirs. Keep an eye on others’ glasses and offer to refill them when they are empty or nearly empty.
- Anju is Essential: Drinking alcohol without food (anju) is uncommon. Various dishes are typically ordered and shared among the group throughout the drinking session.
- Cha (차) Culture: Drinking often happens in rounds (1차, 2차, 3차 – il-cha, i-cha, sam-cha), moving to different locations (e.g., restaurant -> bar -> noraebang/karaoke). Participation is often encouraged, but it’s becoming more acceptable to leave early if needed. Politely declining further rounds is possible, especially by citing prior commitments or needing to get home.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Kim Minjun (Junior) and Park Seojun (Senior), are having drinks after work at a Korean BBQ restaurant. Roles:
- A: Kim Minjun (Junior Colleague)
- B: Park Seojun (Senior Colleague)
- Expression: B: 김 대리, 여기 소주 한 잔 받으세요. (Kim daeri, yeogi soju han jan badeuseyo.)
Pronunciation: kim dae-ri, yeo-gi so-joo han jan ba-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Assistant Manager Kim, please receive a glass of soju here. - Expression: A: 아, 네, 부장님. 감사합니다. 잘 마시겠습니다. (a, ne, bujangnim. gamsahamnida. jal masigetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: a, ne, boo-jang-nim. gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jal ma-shi-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, yes, Department Head Park. Thank you. I will drink it well. (Minjun receives the glass with two hands) - Expression: B: 그래요. 자, 우리 팀의 성공을 위하여! 건배! (geuraeyo. ja, uri tim-ui seonggongeul wihayeo! geonbae!)
Pronunciation: geu-rae-yo. ja, oo-ri tim-eui seong-gong-eul wee-ha-yeo! geon-bae!
Meaning: Okay. Now, for our team’s success! Cheers! - Expression: A: 네! 위하여! (ne! wihayeo!) (Minjun turns slightly away to drink)
Pronunciation: ne! wee-ha-yeo!
Meaning: Yes! For…! - Expression: A: 부장님, 잔 비셨네요. 제가 한 잔 따라 드리겠습니다. (bujangnim, jan bisyeotneyo. jega han jan ttara deurigetseumnida.)
Pronunciation: boo-jang-nim, jan bi-shyeot-ne-yo. je-ga han jan tta-ra deu-ri-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Department Head Park, your glass is empty. Let me pour you a drink. (Minjun pours with two hands) - Expression: B: 오, 고마워요, 김 대리. 안주도 좀 먹어요. (o, gomawoyo, Kim daeri. anjudo jom meogeoyo.)
Pronunciation: o, go-ma-wo-yo, kim dae-ri. an-joo-do jom meo-geo-yo.
Meaning: Oh, thank you, Assistant Manager Kim. Eat some anju too. - Expression: A: 네, 이 삼겹살 안주 정말 맛있네요! (ne, i samgyeopsal anju jeongmal masinneyo!)
Pronunciation: ne, ee sam-gyeop-sal an-joo jeong-mal ma-shin-ne-yo!
Meaning: Yes, this pork belly anju is really delicious! - Expression: B: 그렇죠? 술 마실 땐 잘 챙겨 먹어야 해요. 김 대리는 술 잘 마시는 편이에요? (geureochyo? sul masil ttaen jal chaenggyeo meogeoya haeyo. Kim daerineun sul jal masineun pyeonieyo?)
Pronunciation: geu-reot-chyo? sool ma-shil ttaen jal chaeng-gyeo meo-geo-ya hae-yo. kim dae-ri-neun sool jal ma-shi-neun pyeo-ni-e-yo?
Meaning: Right? You need to eat well when drinking alcohol. Are you a good drinker, Assistant Manager Kim? - Expression: A: 아, 저는 술이 좀 약해서 많이는 못 마십니다. (a, jeoneun suri jom yakhaeseo manineun mot masimnida.)
Pronunciation: a, jeo-neun soo-ree jom yak-hae-seo ma-ni-neun mot ma-shim-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, I have low alcohol tolerance, so I can’t drink a lot.
Practice Tips
Mastering Korean drinking culture involves more than just language; it requires understanding etiquette and social dynamics! Try practicing these phrases with Korean friends or language partners~ Observe how Koreans interact in drinking settings, paying attention to pouring etiquette and toasts. Don’t feel pressured to drink excessively; knowing how to politely decline or pace yourself using phrases like “술 잘 못 마셔요” is perfectly acceptable. Most importantly, enjoy the social aspect and use it as an opportunity to connect with people! 화이팅! (Fighting!)
