πŸ§‚

Condiments: Spicy, Salty, Sweet, Sour

Keywords
양념 / μ†ŒμŠ€
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Vocabulary
🎯
TL;DR
  1. 양념 = seasoning / sauce mixture (noun) πŸ§‚
  1. μ†ŒμŠ€ = sauce (noun) πŸ₯«
  1. κ³ μΆ”μž₯ = red chili paste (noun) 🌢️
  1. κ°„μž₯ = soy sauce (noun) 🍢
  1. μ‹μ΄ˆ = vinegar (noun) πŸ‹
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note
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Try this: κ³ μΆ”μž₯은 맡고 κ°„μž₯은 짜고 μ‹μ΄ˆλŠ” μ…”μš”. 이 μ†ŒμŠ€μ—λŠ” 양념이 많이 λ“€μ–΄κ°€μš”.
(Gochujang is spicy, soy sauce is salty, and vinegar is sour. This sauce has a lot of seasoning in it.)
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🌈 The Big Picture

Korean cooking and dining revolve around a handful of key condiments: 양념 (seasoning mixtures), μ†ŒμŠ€ (general sauces), κ³ μΆ”μž₯ (spicy chili paste), κ°„μž₯ (salty soy sauce), and μ‹μ΄ˆ (sour vinegar). Together they cover the core flavor profiles β€” spicy, salty, and sour β€” that shape almost every dish. πŸ§‚πŸŒΆοΈπŸΆ

🎨 The Core Condiments Family

1. 양념 β€” seasoning / sauce mixture πŸ§‚
A general term for a seasoned sauce or marinade, often Korean-style.
  • μ–‘λ…μΉ˜ν‚¨μ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (I like seasoned chicken.)
  • 양념이 λ§€μ½€ν•΄μš”. (The seasoning is spicy.)
β€” Grammar note: μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€ = "to season"; 양념 is the noun for the mixture itself.
2. μ†ŒμŠ€ β€” sauce πŸ₯«
A loanword from English "sauce," used for general or Western-style sauces.
  • μ†ŒμŠ€λ₯Ό 더 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Please give me more sauce.)
  • 이 μ†ŒμŠ€λŠ” λ‹¬μ•„μš”. (This sauce is sweet.)
β€” Grammar note: μ†ŒμŠ€ is broader/more generic than 양념, which implies a Korean seasoned mix.
3. κ³ μΆ”μž₯ β€” red chili paste 🌢️
From κ³ μΆ” (chili) + μž₯ (fermented paste/sauce).
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯은 λ§€μ›Œμš”. (Gochujang is spicy.)
  • λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯에 κ³ μΆ”μž₯을 λ„£μ–΄μš”. (You put gochujang in bibimbap.)
β€” Grammar note: κ³ μΆ”μž₯ is thick and fermented β€” different from dry 고좧가루 (chili powder).
4. κ°„μž₯ β€” soy sauce 🍢
From κ°„ (seasoning/salt) + μž₯ (sauce).
  • κ°„μž₯은 μ§œμš”. (Soy sauce is salty.)
  • λ§Œλ‘λ₯Ό κ°„μž₯에 찍어 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. (You dip dumplings in soy sauce.)
β€” Grammar note: ~에 찍어 λ¨Ήλ‹€ = "to eat dipped in ~" β€” a very common pattern with sauces.
5. μ‹μ΄ˆ β€” vinegar πŸ‹
From 식 (food) + 초 (vinegar).
  • μ‹μ΄ˆλŠ” μ…”μš”. (Vinegar is sour.)
  • 초λ°₯에 μ‹μ΄ˆλ₯Ό λ„£μ–΄μš”. (You put vinegar in sushi rice.)
β€” Grammar note: μ‹μ΄ˆ pairs naturally with the adjective μ‹œλ‹€ (to be sour) β€” μ…”μš” is its polite form.

πŸ› οΈ How They Work in a Sentence

  1. κ³ μΆ”μž₯은 맡고 κ°„μž₯은 짜고 μ‹μ΄ˆλŠ” μ…”μš”.
      2. (Gochujang is spicy, soy sauce is salty, and vinegar is sour.)
      β€” ~κ³  ~κ³  ~ = listing multiple traits in sequence.
  1. 이 μ†ŒμŠ€μ—λŠ” 양념이 많이 λ“€μ–΄κ°€μš”.
      2. (This sauce has a lot of seasoning in it.)
      β€” ~μ—λŠ” ~이 λ“€μ–΄κ°€μš” = "~ contains/has ~ in it."
  1. κ°„μž₯에 μ‹μ΄ˆλ₯Ό 쑰금 μ„žμœΌλ©΄ μƒˆλ‘œμš΄ μ†ŒμŠ€κ°€ λΌμš”.
      2. (If you mix a little vinegar into soy sauce, it becomes a new sauce.)
      β€” ~(으)λ©΄ ~κ°€ λΌμš” = "if you do ~, it becomes ~."

🧩 General Formation Rule

  • 양념/μ†ŒμŠ€ = general terms for seasoning mixtures/sauces
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯/κ°„μž₯/μ‹μ΄ˆ = specific named condiments
  • κ³ μΆ”(chili) + μž₯(paste) = κ³ μΆ”μž₯; κ°„(salt) + μž₯(sauce) = κ°„μž₯; 식(food) + 초(vinegar) = μ‹μ΄ˆ

πŸ“š Cross-check note

All vocabulary cross-checked against korean.go.kr βœ…

πŸͺž Synonym Alert

  • 양념 vs μ†ŒμŠ€ β€” 양념 = Korean-style seasoning mix (often spicy/savory); μ†ŒμŠ€ = general/Western-style sauce.
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯ vs 고좧가루 β€” κ³ μΆ”μž₯ = fermented chili paste (thick); 고좧가루 = chili powder/flakes (dry).
  • κ°„μž₯ vs μ†ŒκΈˆ β€” κ°„μž₯ = soy sauce (liquid, salty); μ†ŒκΈˆ = salt (dry, salty).
  • μ‹μ΄ˆ vs 레λͺ¬μ¦™ β€” μ‹μ΄ˆ = vinegar (fermented sour); 레λͺ¬μ¦™ = lemon juice (fresh sour).
  • μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€ vs λ¬΄μΉ˜λ‹€ β€” μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€ = "to season"; λ¬΄μΉ˜λ‹€ = "to dress/toss" a dish with seasoning.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ Using μ†ŒμŠ€ for traditional Korean condiments β†’ βœ… 양념 or specific names (κ³ μΆ”μž₯, κ°„μž₯) are more natural.
  • ❌ Confusing κ³ μΆ”μž₯ (paste) with 고좧가루 (powder) β†’ βœ… κ³ μΆ”μž₯ is thick and fermented; 고좧가루 is dry flakes.
  • ❌ Thinking κ°„μž₯ is just "salt" β†’ βœ… κ°„μž₯ is liquid soy sauce, different from μ†ŒκΈˆ (salt).
  • ❌ Saying μ‹μ΄ˆ when you mean something sweet β†’ βœ… μ‹μ΄ˆ = sour/vinegar, not sweet.
  • ❌ Overusing 양념 for everything β†’ βœ… 양념 specifically means a seasoned sauce/marinade.
양념, μ†ŒμŠ€, κ³ μΆ”μž₯, κ°„μž₯, μ‹μ΄ˆ β€” λ§›μ˜ 비밀을 μ•Œμ•˜μ–΄μš”! πŸ§‚πŸŒΆοΈπŸΆπŸ‹
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Try this exercise
Fill in each blank with the correct word (양념, μ†ŒμŠ€, κ³ μΆ”μž₯, κ°„μž₯, or μ‹μ΄ˆ).
A. ___μΉ˜ν‚¨μ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. (I like seasoned chicken.)
Answer
양념
B. ___λ₯Ό 더 μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (Please give me more sauce.)
Answer
μ†ŒμŠ€
C. ___은 λ§€μ›Œμš”. (Gochujang is spicy.)
Answer
κ³ μΆ”μž₯
D. ___은 μ§œμš”. (Soy sauce is salty.)
Answer
κ°„μž₯
E. ___λŠ” μ…”μš”. (Vinegar is sour.)
Answer
μ‹μ΄ˆ
F. ___이 λ§€μ½€ν•΄μš”. (The seasoning is spicy.)
Answer
양념
G. 이 ___λŠ” λ‹¬μ•„μš”. (This sauce is sweet.)
Answer
μ†ŒμŠ€
H. λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯에 ___을 λ„£μ–΄μš”. (You put gochujang in bibimbap.)
Answer
κ³ μΆ”μž₯
I. λ§Œλ‘λ₯Ό ___에 찍어 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. (You dip dumplings in soy sauce.)
Answer
κ°„μž₯
J. 초λ°₯에 ___λ₯Ό λ„£μ–΄μš”. (You put vinegar in sushi rice.)
Answer
μ‹μ΄ˆ
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Box
  • 양념 β€” seasoning mixture
  • μ†ŒμŠ€ β€” sauce
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯ β€” red chili paste
  • κ°„μž₯ β€” soy sauce
  • μ‹μ΄ˆ β€” vinegar
πŸ’‘
Pitfalls reminder
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯ β‰  고좧가루
  • κ°„μž₯ β‰  μ†ŒκΈˆ
  • 양념 = Korean-style; μ†ŒμŠ€ = general/Western
πŸ”
Want more reps? Next time you eat Korean food, try identifying which condiment is on your table!
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πŸ“¦
Practice Hub: Condiments
Five exercises to lock in 양념, μ†ŒμŠ€, κ³ μΆ”μž₯, κ°„μž₯, and μ‹μ΄ˆ. Work through each column, then check your answers.

Exercise 1 β€” Word Recall: Korean β†’ English πŸ§‚βž‘οΈπŸ”€

A. 양념
Answer
seasoning / sauce mixture
B. μ†ŒμŠ€
Answer
sauce
C. κ³ μΆ”μž₯
Answer
red chili paste
D. κ°„μž₯
Answer
soy sauce
E. μ‹μ΄ˆ
Answer
vinegar
F. μ–‘λ…μΉ˜ν‚¨
Answer
seasoned chicken
G. 고좧가루
Answer
chili powder
H. μ†ŒκΈˆ
Answer
salt
I. μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€
Answer
to season
J. 찍어 λ¨Ήλ‹€
Answer
to eat dipped in
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • 양념 β€” Korean-style seasoning
  • μ†ŒμŠ€ β€” general sauce
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯ β€” chili paste
  • κ°„μž₯ β€” soy sauce
  • μ‹μ΄ˆ β€” vinegar
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Exercise 2 β€” Word Recall: English β†’ Korean πŸ”€βž‘οΈπŸŒΆοΈ

A. seasoning / sauce mixture
Answer
양념
B. sauce
Answer
μ†ŒμŠ€
C. red chili paste
Answer
κ³ μΆ”μž₯
D. soy sauce
Answer
κ°„μž₯
E. vinegar
Answer
μ‹μ΄ˆ
F. seasoned chicken
Answer
μ–‘λ…μΉ˜ν‚¨
G. chili powder
Answer
고좧가루
H. salt
Answer
μ†ŒκΈˆ
I. to season
Answer
μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€
J. to eat dipped in
Answer
찍어 λ¨Ήλ‹€
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯ = paste (thick)
  • 고좧가루 = powder (dry)
  • κ°„μž₯ = liquid; μ†ŒκΈˆ = dry
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Exercise 3 β€” Pattern Practice: English β†’ Korean πŸ”€βž‘οΈπŸΆ

A. I like seasoned chicken.
Answer
μ–‘λ…μΉ˜ν‚¨μ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.
B. The seasoning is spicy.
Answer
양념이 λ§€μ½€ν•΄μš”.
C. Please give me more sauce.
Answer
μ†ŒμŠ€λ₯Ό 더 μ£Όμ„Έμš”.
D. This sauce is sweet.
Answer
이 μ†ŒμŠ€λŠ” λ‹¬μ•„μš”.
E. Gochujang is spicy.
Answer
κ³ μΆ”μž₯은 λ§€μ›Œμš”.
F. You put gochujang in bibimbap.
Answer
λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯에 κ³ μΆ”μž₯을 λ„£μ–΄μš”.
G. Soy sauce is salty.
Answer
κ°„μž₯은 μ§œμš”.
H. You dip dumplings in soy sauce.
Answer
λ§Œλ‘λ₯Ό κ°„μž₯에 찍어 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
I. Vinegar is sour.
Answer
μ‹μ΄ˆλŠ” μ…”μš”.
J. You put vinegar in sushi rice.
Answer
초λ°₯에 μ‹μ΄ˆλ₯Ό λ„£μ–΄μš”.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • ~을/λ₯Ό λ„£μ–΄μš” = "put ~ in"
  • ~에 찍어 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš” = "eat dipped in ~"
  • λ§΅λ‹€β†’λ§€μ›Œμš”, μ§œλ‹€β†’μ§œμš”, μ‹œλ‹€β†’μ…”μš”
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Exercise 4 β€” Pattern Practice: Korean β†’ English πŸŒΆοΈβž‘οΈπŸ”€

A. κ³ μΆ”μž₯은 맡고 κ°„μž₯은 짜고 μ‹μ΄ˆλŠ” μ…”μš”.
Answer
Gochujang is spicy, soy sauce is salty, and vinegar is sour.
B. 이 μ†ŒμŠ€μ—λŠ” 양념이 많이 λ“€μ–΄κ°€μš”.
Answer
This sauce has a lot of seasoning in it.
C. κ°„μž₯에 μ‹μ΄ˆλ₯Ό 쑰금 μ„žμœΌλ©΄ μƒˆλ‘œμš΄ μ†ŒμŠ€κ°€ λΌμš”.
Answer
If you mix a little vinegar into soy sauce, it becomes a new sauce.
D. κ³ μΆ”μž₯은 λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯에 잘 μ–΄μšΈλ €μš”.
Answer
Gochujang goes well with bibimbap.
E. 이 κΉ€μΉ˜λŠ” 양념이 κ°•ν•΄μš”.
Answer
This kimchi has a strong seasoning.
F. μ†ŒκΈˆ λŒ€μ‹  κ°„μž₯을 λ„£μ—ˆμ–΄μš”.
Answer
I used soy sauce instead of salt.
G. 고좧가루와 κ³ μΆ”μž₯은 λ‹¬λΌμš”.
Answer
Chili powder and gochujang are different.
H. μ‹μ΄ˆλ₯Ό λ„ˆλ¬΄ 많이 넣지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš”.
Answer
Don't put in too much vinegar.
I. 이 μ†ŒμŠ€λŠ” λ§€μ½€λ‹¬μ½€ν•΄μš”.
Answer
This sauce is spicy and sweet.
J. 양념을 λ§Œλ“œλŠ” 게 μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš”.
Answer
Making seasoning is difficult.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • ~와/κ³Ό ~은 λ‹¬λΌμš” = "~ and ~ are different"
  • ~지 λ§ˆμ„Έμš” = "please don't ~"
  • ~λŠ” 게 μ–΄λ €μ›Œμš” = "~ing is difficult"
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Exercise 5 β€” Mixed Mastery: Synonyms & Dishes πŸ§‚πŸŒΆοΈπŸΆπŸ‹

A. 고좧가루 (chili powder)
Answer
Compare with κ³ μΆ”μž₯ β€” 고좧가루 is dry chili powder/flakes, κ³ μΆ”μž₯ is thick fermented chili paste.
B. μ†ŒκΈˆ (salt)
Answer
Compare with κ°„μž₯ β€” μ†ŒκΈˆ is dry salt, κ°„μž₯ is liquid soy sauce.
C. 레λͺ¬μ¦™ (lemon juice)
Answer
Compare with μ‹μ΄ˆ β€” 레λͺ¬μ¦™ is fresh citrus sourness, μ‹μ΄ˆ is fermented vinegar sourness.
D. λ¬΄μΉ˜λ‹€ (to dress/toss)
Answer
Compare with μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€ β€” λ¬΄μΉ˜λ‹€ means to toss a dish (like a salad) with seasoning; μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€ means to season generally.
E. λ§€μ½€λ‹¬μ½€ν•˜λ‹€ (spicy and sweet)
Answer
A compound descriptor combining 맡닀 (spicy) + 달닀 (sweet), often used for 양념/μ†ŒμŠ€.
F. μ–‘λ…ν•˜λ‹€ β†’ ?
Answer
to season (verb form of 양념)
G. 찍어 λ¨Ήλ‹€ β†’ ?
Answer
to eat dipped in β€” a common pattern with κ°„μž₯/μ†ŒμŠ€
H. λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯ (bibimbap)
Answer
A dish that typically uses κ³ μΆ”μž₯.
I. 초λ°₯ (sushi)
Answer
A dish that typically uses μ‹μ΄ˆ (in the rice).
J. λ§Œλ‘ (dumplings)
Answer
A dish typically eaten dipped in κ°„μž₯.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
  • κ³ μΆ”μž₯ vs 고좧가루 (paste vs powder)
  • κ°„μž₯ vs μ†ŒκΈˆ (liquid vs dry)
  • μ‹μ΄ˆ vs 레λͺ¬μ¦™ (fermented vs fresh sour)
양념, μ†ŒμŠ€, κ³ μΆ”μž₯, κ°„μž₯, μ‹μ΄ˆ β€” λ§›μ˜ 비밀을 λ§ˆμŠ€ν„°ν–ˆμ–΄μš”! πŸ§‚πŸŒΆοΈπŸΆπŸ‹