Talking About Seasonal Foods in Korea

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Keywords
제철 μŒμ‹
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Intermediate Speaking
πŸ“
Talking About Seasonal Foods in Korea
Korea is deeply connected to its seasons β€” and so is what it eats.
πŸ”Š
Iru Helper Note
Koreans take 제철 (in-season) very seriously β€” a peach in August hits different from one in February.
μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ 제일 λ§›μžˆμž–μ•„μš”. μ œμ² μ΄λ‹ˆκΉŒμš”.
(Strawberries at this time of year are the most delicious, right? Because they're in season.)
Β 

πŸ‰ What You'll Learn Today

Koreans talk about seasonal food constantly β€” it's a natural conversation starter, a cultural touchstone, and a way to express appreciation for nature's rhythm. In this lesson you'll learn how to ask what's in season, name iconic seasonal foods, and talk about why you love them. You'll also pick up the key word 제철 (in season), which unlocks dozens of food conversations.

πŸ“Œ Seasonal Food Vocabulary

Expression
Meaning
Notes
제철 μŒμ‹
Seasonal food
제철 = "peak season"
μ œμ² μ΄λ‹€
To be in season
μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš” = It's in season
μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ
Around this time of year
Very natural filler
제철 과일
Seasonal fruit
Swap 과일 for μ±„μ†Œ (veg)
뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”?
What's in season?
Great restaurant question
λ΄„λ‚˜λ¬Ό
Spring greens/herbs
Grabbed from the mountains
λ”ΈκΈ°
Strawberry
Peak: February–April
μˆ˜λ°•
Watermelon
Peak: July–August
감
Persimmon
Peak: October–November
κ·€
Tangerine/Mandarin
Peak: November–January
냉면
Cold noodles
Classic Korean summer food
삼계탕
Ginseng chicken soup
Eaten on hottest summer days
동지νŒ₯μ£½
Red bean porridge
Winter solstice tradition
πŸ’‘ Key pattern: μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ + [food] + 이/κ°€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” β€” "[Food] is so good around this time of year." Add μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ (because it's in season) to sound like a true food lover.

πŸ’¬ Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 β€” At a market
A: μš”μ¦˜ 뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”? (What's in season these days?)
B: μ§€κΈˆμ€ λ”ΈκΈ° μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ§„μ§œ λ‹¬μ•„μš”. (Strawberries are in season now. They're really sweet at this time of year.)
A: 그럼 λ”ΈκΈ° μ’€ μ‚¬μ•Όκ² λ„€μš”. (Then I should buy some strawberries.)
Dialogue 2 β€” Planning what to eat
A: μ—¬λ¦„μ΄λ‹ˆκΉŒ 냉면 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? (It's summer, so how about cold noodles?)
B: μ’‹μ•„μš”! 삼계탕도 λ¨Ήκ³  싢은데, 이런 날씨엔 삼계탕이 λ”±μ΄μž–μ•„μš”. (Sounds good! I also want samgyetang β€” on a day like this, it's just perfect.)
A: λ§žμ•„μš”, μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄μ΄λΌκ³  ν•˜μž–μ•„μš”. (Right, like they say β€” fight heat with heat.)

🌏 Cultural Note β€” 제철 and the Korean Food Calendar

In Korea, eating seasonally isn't a trendy concept β€” it's deeply embedded in everyday life. Markets overflow with whatever is freshest: spring brings λ΄„λ‚˜λ¬Ό (wild mountain herbs), summer calls for cooling 냉면 or nourishing 삼계탕 on 볡날 (the hottest days of the year), autumn delivers sweet 감 (persimmons) and chestnuts, and winter is defined by κ·€ boxes piled high in living rooms. The phrase μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄ (fighting heat with heat β€” like eating hot soup on a hot day) is a genuine Korean food philosophy, not a joke. When you ask μš”μ¦˜ 뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”? at a local market or restaurant, you'll get an animated, proud answer every time.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Ask what's in season, then describe your favorite seasonal food using today's vocabulary.
A. Ask what's in season right now.
<summary>Answer
μ§€κΈˆ 뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”?
(What's in season right now?)
</summary>
B. Say strawberries are really sweet at this time of year.
<summary>Answer
μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ§„μ§œ λ‹¬μ•„μš”.
(Strawberries are really sweet at this time of year.)
</summary>
C. Say it's because they're in season.
<summary>Answer
μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œμš”.
(Because they're in season.)
</summary>
D. Say you want to eat cold noodles because it's summer.
<summary>Answer
μ—¬λ¦„μ΄λ‹ˆκΉŒ 냉면 λ¨Ήκ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
(Because it's summer, I want to eat cold noodles.)
</summary>
E. Ask what seasonal fruit is good at a Korean market.
<summary>Answer
μ§€κΈˆ 제철 과일 뭐가 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”?
(What seasonal fruit is good right now?)
</summary>
F. Say persimmons are delicious in autumn.
<summary>Answer
κ°€μ„μ—λŠ” 감이 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(Persimmons are delicious in autumn.)
</summary>
G. Say tangerines are in season in winter.
<summary>Answer
κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”.
(Tangerines are in season in winter.)
</summary>
H. Say that on the hottest days ginseng chicken soup is just right.
<summary>Answer
λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕이 λ”±μ΄μ—μš”.
(On the hottest days, samgyetang is just right.)
</summary>
I. Say this is something Koreans eat in spring.
<summary>Answer
이건 ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ 봄에 λ¨ΉλŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš”.
(This is something Koreans eat in spring.)
</summary>
J. Ask if there's seasonal food they recommend at this restaurant.
<summary>Answer
이 μ‹λ‹Ήμ—μ„œ μΆ”μ²œν•˜λŠ” 제철 μŒμ‹ μžˆμ–΄μš”?
(Is there a seasonal dish you recommend at this restaurant?)
</summary>
πŸ“š
Expression Reference
Expression
Key Nuance
μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”
It's in season
μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ
Around this time of year
μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ
Because it's in season
~κ°€ λ”±μ΄μ—μš”
~ is just right/perfect
μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄
Fight heat with heat
뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”?
What's in season?
πŸ’‘
Tip: 제철 as a Modifier
You can use 제철 before almost any food noun: 제철 λ”ΈκΈ° (in-season strawberries), 제철 과일 (seasonal fruit), 제철 μ±„μ†Œ (seasonal vegetables). It implies freshness and quality. Koreans use it the way English speakers might say "farm-fresh" β€” but shorter and more natural.
</summary>
πŸ”
Want more reps?
Pick a season and name three foods you'd eat. Say why each one is good using μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ or μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ. That's a real conversation starter in Korean food culture.
Β 

πŸ“¦ Practice Hub β€” Seasonal Foods in Korea

Exercise 1 β€” Choose the Right Expression

Pick the most natural expression for each seasonal food situation.
A. You want to ask what's in season at a Korean market.
a) μ§€κΈˆ 뭐가 인기 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
b) μ§€κΈˆ 뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”?
c) μ§€κΈˆ 뭐가 μ‹Έμš”?
<summary>Answer
b) μ§€κΈˆ 뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”? β€” 제철 = in season. This is the natural food market question.
B. You want to say strawberries are really good around this time of year.
a) μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ§„μ§œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”
b) μ§€κΈˆ λ”ΈκΈ°λ₯Ό λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”
c) λ”ΈκΈ°λŠ” 항상 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”
<summary>Answer
a) μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ§„μ§œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” β€” μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ = around this time of year. Adds seasonal specificity.
C. You want to say watermelon is in season in summer.
a) 여름에 μˆ˜λ°•μ„ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”
b) 여름에 μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”
c) 여름에 μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ μ—†μ–΄μš”
<summary>Answer
b) 여름에 μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš” β€” μ œμ² μ΄λ‹€ = to be in season. Direct, clear, natural.
D. You want to say you love persimmons in autumn.
a) 가을에 감을 λ¨Ήμ–΄ λ³Έ 적 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
b) κ°€μ„μ—λŠ” 감이 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”
c) 감은 여름에 λ¨ΉλŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš”
<summary>Answer
b) κ°€μ„μ—λŠ” 감이 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” β€” Simple topic-comment sentence placing 가을 first for contrast.
E. You want to explain why they're so good.
a) μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”
b) μ œμ² μ΄μ§€λ§Œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”
c) μ œμ² μ΄μ–΄λ„ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”
<summary>Answer
a) μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” β€” ~λΌμ„œ = because it's ~. μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ = because it's in season.
F. You want to say ginseng chicken soup is perfect on the hottest days.
a) λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕을 λ¨Ήκ³  싢지 μ•Šμ•„μš”
b) λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕이 λ”±μ΄μ—μš”
c) λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕이 λΉ„μ‹Έμš”
<summary>Answer
b) λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕이 λ”±μ΄μ—μš” β€” 딱이닀 = just right/perfect. Classic food pairing expression.
G. You want to recommend eating cold noodles because it's summer.
a) μ—¬λ¦„μ΄λ‹ˆκΉŒ 냉면 μ–΄λ•Œμš”?
b) μ—¬λ¦„μ΄μ§€λ§Œ 냉면 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”
c) 여름에 냉면이 μ—†μ–΄μš”
<summary>Answer
a) μ—¬λ¦„μ΄λ‹ˆκΉŒ 냉면 μ–΄λ•Œμš”? β€” ~μ΄λ‹ˆκΉŒ = because it's ~; ~μ–΄λ•Œμš”? = how about ~?
H. You want to say tangerines are the seasonal fruit in winter.
a) κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 λ§Žμ•„μš”
b) κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 제철 κ³ΌμΌμ΄μ—μš”
c) κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 λΉ„μ‹Έμš”
<summary>Answer
b) κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 제철 κ³ΌμΌμ΄μ—μš” β€” 제철 과일 = seasonal fruit. Precise and natural.
I. You want to say this is something Koreans eat in spring.
a) ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ΄ 봄에 λ¨ΉλŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš”
b) ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ΄ 봄에 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”
c) ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ 봄에 이거 μžˆμ–΄μš”
<summary>Answer
a) ν•œκ΅­ μ‚¬λžŒλ“€μ΄ 봄에 λ¨ΉλŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš” β€” ~λŠ” κ±°μ˜ˆμš” = it's something that ~. Natural explanatory structure.
J. You want to ask for a seasonal dish recommendation at a restaurant.
a) 메뉴 μ£Όμ„Έμš”
b) 제철 μŒμ‹ μΆ”μ²œν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”
c) 뭐가 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”?
<summary>Answer
b) 제철 μŒμ‹ μΆ”μ²œν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš” β€” Directly asks for seasonal food recommendation. Very practical at Korean restaurants.
πŸ“š
Quick Reference
Expression
Meaning
μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”
It's in season
μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ
Around this time of year
μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ
Because it's in season
~κ°€ λ”±μ΄μ—μš”
~ is just right
제철 과일
Seasonal fruit
볡날
The hottest days (summer)
⚠️
Common Pitfall
Don't confuse 제철 with κ³„μ ˆ (season as in spring/summer/autumn/winter). κ³„μ ˆ is the season of the year; 제철 is specifically the peak season of a food β€” when it's at its best. 이 μŒμ‹μ΄ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš” means "this food is at its peak right now," not just "this is a seasonal food."

Exercise 2 β€” Korean β†’ English Translation

Translate each seasonal food sentence naturally.
A. μ§€κΈˆ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ μ§„μ§œ λ‹¬μ•„μš”.
<summary>Answer
Strawberries are in season right now, so they're really sweet.
B. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ 제일 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. 여름 제철 κ³ΌμΌμ΄κ±°λ“ μš”.
<summary>Answer
Watermelon is the most delicious at this time of year. It's the summer seasonal fruit, you see.
C. λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄λ‘œ 삼계탕을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
On the hottest summer days, we eat samgyetang β€” fighting heat with heat.
D. ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œλŠ” κ²¨μšΈμ— κ·€ ν•œ μƒμžλ₯Ό μ‚¬μ„œ 가쑱끼리 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
In Korea in winter, we buy a box of tangerines and eat them as a family.
E. 가을이 되면 감이 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”. 곢감도 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
When autumn comes, persimmons are in season. Dried persimmons are delicious too.
F. λ΄„μ—λŠ” λ΄„λ‚˜λ¬Ό λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯이 μ§„μ§œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
In spring, bibimbap with spring greens is really delicious.
G. μ—¬λ¦„μ—λŠ” λƒ‰λ©΄μ΄λ‚˜ 콩ꡭ수 같은 μ‹œμ›ν•œ μŒμ‹μ΄ μƒκ°λ‚˜μš”.
<summary>Answer
In summer, cool foods like cold noodles or kongguksu come to mind.
H. μš”μ¦˜ 뭐가 μ œμ² μΈμ§€ μ‹œμž₯에 κ°€λ©΄ μ•Œ 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
<summary>Answer
If you go to the market, you can tell what's in season these days.
I. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ 귀은 μ’€ 신데, 12월이 되면 λ‹¬μ•„μ Έμš”.
<summary>Answer
Tangerines at this time of year are a bit sour, but come December they get sweeter.
J. 제철 μŒμ‹μ„ 먹으면 더 κ±΄κ°•ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”.
<summary>Answer
I feel like eating seasonal food is healthier.
πŸ“š
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Korean
English
곢감
Dried persimmon
λ΄„λ‚˜λ¬Ό λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯
Spring herb bibimbap
콩ꡭ수
Cold soybean noodles
ν•œ μƒμž
One box
μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄
Fight heat with heat
달아지닀
To become sweet
πŸ’‘
Grammar Tip
~μ΄κ±°λ“ μš” is a natural sentence ending meaning "you see" or "because, you know" β€” it gives a reason in a casual, explanatory way: μ œμ² μ΄κ±°λ“ μš” (it's because it's in season, you know). Use it when explaining something the other person might not know.

Exercise 3 β€” Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the right seasonal food expression.
A. μ§€κΈˆ 뭐가 μ΄μ—μš”? (in season)
<summary>Answer
제철 β€” μ§€κΈˆ 뭐가 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”?
B. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ§„μ§œ μ•„μš”. (sweet)
<summary>Answer
달 β€” μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ§„μ§œ λ‹¬μ•„μš”.
C. μ—¬λ¦„μ—λŠ” μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ μ΄μ—μš”. (in season)
<summary>Answer
제철 β€” μ—¬λ¦„μ—λŠ” μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”.
D. λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕이 μ΄μ—μš”. (just right)
<summary>Answer
λ”± β€” λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕이 λ”±μ΄μ—μš”.
E. μ œμ² μ„œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. (because it's in season)
<summary>Answer
이라 β€” μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
F. κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 제철 μ΄μ—μš”. (fruit)
<summary>Answer
과일 β€” κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 제철 κ³ΌμΌμ΄μ—μš”.
G. λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. (around this time of year)
<summary>Answer
이맘 β€” μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
H. κ°€μ„μ—λŠ” 이 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”. (persimmon)
<summary>Answer
감 β€” κ°€μ„μ—λŠ” 감이 μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”.
I. λ΄„μ—λŠ” λ‚˜λ¬Ό λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯이 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. (spring)
<summary>Answer
λ΄„ β€” λ΄„μ—λŠ” λ΄„λ‚˜λ¬Ό λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯이 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
J. 제철 을 μΆ”μ²œν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (food)
<summary>Answer
μŒμ‹ β€” 제철 μŒμ‹μ„ μΆ”μ²œν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”.
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Completes With
μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ [food]이/κ°€
λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” / μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”
[season]μ—λŠ” [food]이/κ°€
μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”
μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ
λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”
[food] 제철 μŒμ‹
μΆ”μ²œν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”
[hot day/season]μ—λŠ”
[food]이/κ°€ λ”±μ΄μ—μš”
πŸ’‘
Production Tip
Build a season-by-season food sentence: λ΄„μ—λŠ” [X]κ°€ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”. μ—¬λ¦„μ—λŠ” [Y]. κ°€μ„μ—λŠ” [Z]. κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” [W]. β€” Four sentences, four seasons, eight vocab words. Then add μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ [food]κ°€ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” for the current season and you have a full conversation opener.

Exercise 4 β€” Dialogue Completion

Complete B's response naturally using today's vocabulary.
A. A: μš”μ¦˜ μ‹œμž₯에 뭐가 λ§Žμ•„μš”? B: (say what's in season)
<summary>Answer
μ§€κΈˆ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ μ§„μ§œ λ‹¬μ•„μš”.
(Strawberries are in season right now. They're really sweet at this time of year.)
B. A: ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ 여름에 뭐 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”? B: (mention cold noodles and samgyetang)
<summary>Answer
μ—¬λ¦„μ—λŠ” 냉면 같은 μ‹œμ›ν•œ μŒμ‹μ„ 많이 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. 그리고 λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕이 λ”±μ΄μ—μš”.
(In summer we eat a lot of cool foods like cold noodles. And on the hottest days, samgyetang is just right.)
C. A: μ™œ μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°λ₯Ό μ‚¬μš”? B: (explain it's because they're in season)
<summary>Answer
μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œμš”. 제철 λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ 훨씬 달고 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(Because they're in season. In-season strawberries are much sweeter and more delicious.)
D. A: 가을에 뭐 λ¨ΉλŠ” κ±Έ μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? B: (mention persimmon or autumn seasonal food)
<summary>Answer
κ°€μ„μ—λŠ” 감이 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. μ œμ² μ΄κ±°λ“ μš”. 곢감도 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”.
(Persimmons are delicious in autumn. Because they're in season, you know. I like dried persimmons too.)
E. A: κ²¨μšΈμ— 과일 뭐 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”? B: (say tangerines are the seasonal winter fruit)
<summary>Answer
κ²¨μšΈμ—λŠ” 귀이 제철 κ³ΌμΌμ΄μ—μš”. μ§‘μ—μ„œ κ·€ ν•œ μƒμž 사놓고 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
(In winter, tangerines are the seasonal fruit. We buy a box at home and eat them.)
F. A: 봄에 ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ 뭐 λ¨Ήμ–΄μ•Ό ν•΄μš”? B: (recommend spring greens/food)
<summary>Answer
λ΄„λ‚˜λ¬Ό κΌ­ λ“œμ…”λ³΄μ„Έμš”. λ΄„μ—λ§Œ λ‚˜μ˜€λŠ” κ±°λΌμ„œ μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ¨Ήμ–΄μ•Ό ν•΄μš”.
(Definitely try spring greens. They only come out in spring, so you have to eat them at this time of year.)
G. A: μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄μ΄ λ­μ˜ˆμš”? B: (explain the Korean hot-day food philosophy)
<summary>Answer
λ”μš΄ 날에 뜨거운 μŒμ‹μ„ λ¨Ήμ–΄μ„œ λ”μœ„λ₯Ό μ΄κΈ΄λ‹€λŠ” λœ»μ΄μ—μš”. κ·Έλž˜μ„œ 볡날에 삼계탕을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
(It means eating hot food on a hot day to overcome the heat. That's why we eat samgyetang on the hottest days.)
H. A: μ–΄λ–€ κ³„μ ˆ μŒμ‹μ„ 제일 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”? B: (give your actual seasonal food preference)
<summary>Answer
μ €λŠ” 겨울 μŒμ‹μ„ 제일 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. 귀도 λ§›μžˆκ³ , λ”°λœ»ν•œ κ΅­λ¬Ό μš”λ¦¬κ°€ μƒκ°λ‚˜λŠ” κ³„μ ˆμ΄μ—μš”.
(I like winter food the best. Tangerines are good, and it's the season where you think of warm soup dishes.)
I. A: 제철 μŒμ‹μ΄ μ™œ μ’‹μ•„μš”? B: (explain why seasonal food matters)
<summary>Answer
μ œμ² μ— λ‚˜μ˜¨ μŒμ‹μ΄ 더 μ‹ μ„ ν•˜κ³  λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. 그리고 가격도 더 μ €λ ΄ν•œ νŽΈμ΄μ—μš”.
(Food that comes out in season is fresher and tastier. And the price tends to be lower too.)
J. A: μ§€κΈˆ μ–΄λ–€ 과일 사면 μ’‹μ•„μš”? B: (recommend the current season's best fruit)
<summary>Answer
μ§€κΈˆ μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ μˆ˜λ°•μ΄ 제일 달고 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(Watermelon is in season right now. Watermelon at this time of year is the sweetest and most delicious.)
πŸ“š
Useful Phrases
Phrase
Meaning
~κΌ­ λ“œμ…”λ³΄μ„Έμš”
Definitely try ~ (polite)
훨씬 달닀
Much sweeter
가격이 μ €λ ΄ν•˜λ‹€
The price is low/affordable
더 μ‹ μ„ ν•˜λ‹€
Fresher
λ”μœ„λ₯Ό 이기닀
To overcome the heat
사놓닀
To buy and keep (stockpile)
πŸ’‘
Conversation Tip
Seasonal food is a fantastic small-talk topic in Korea β€” mentioning what you ate or bought at a market instantly feels natural. After using μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”, follow up with ν˜Ήμ‹œ [food] μ’‹μ•„ν•˜μ„Έμš”? (By any chance, do you like [food]?) to open the conversation further.

Exercise 5 β€” Free Speaking Practice

Talk about seasonal foods using today's vocabulary.
A. Name the fruit that's in season right now and say why it's good.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ§€κΈˆ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ λ”ΈκΈ°κ°€ 제일 달고 λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”. μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ 가격도 μ‹Ό νŽΈμ΄μ—μš”.
(Strawberries are in season right now. Strawberries at this time of year are the sweetest and most delicious. Because they're in season, the price tends to be low too.)
B. Describe what food you associate with summer in Korea.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν•œκ΅­ 여름 ν•˜λ©΄ μˆ˜λ°•μ΄λž‘ 냉면이 μƒκ°λ‚˜μš”. λ³΅λ‚ μ—λŠ” 삼계탕도 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄μ΄λΌκ³  ν•˜μž–μ•„μš”.
(When I think of Korean summer, watermelon and cold noodles come to mind. On the hottest days we eat samgyetang too. They say it's "fight heat with heat," you know.)
C. Recommend a seasonal food to a friend visiting Korea in autumn.
<summary>Sample Answer
가을에 ν•œκ΅­μ— 였면 감 κΌ­ λ“œμ…”λ³΄μ„Έμš”. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œκ°€ μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ μ§„μ§œ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(If you come to Korea in autumn, definitely try persimmons. This time of year is their peak season, so they're really delicious.)
D. Describe the Korean winter food culture using κ·€ and one other food.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œλŠ” κ²¨μšΈμ— 귀을 많이 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”. κ±°μ‹€μ—μ„œ κ·€ κΉŒλ¨ΉλŠ” 게 μ§„μ§œ 겨울 λΆ„μœ„κΈ°μ˜ˆμš”. 그리고 κ΅­λ¬Ό μš”λ¦¬λ„ 자주 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
(In Korea in winter, people eat a lot of tangerines. Peeling tangerines in the living room really has a winter vibe. And we also eat soup dishes often.)
E. Ask a Korean friend what seasonal food to try at a market today.
<summary>Sample Answer
였늘 μ‹œμž₯ κ°€λ©΄ 뭐가 μ œμ² μΈμ§€ μ•Œμ•„μš”? 뭐 μ‚¬λ¨ΉμœΌλ©΄ μ’‹μ•„μš”?
(Do you know what's in season if I go to the market today? What should I buy and eat?)
F. Explain μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄ to someone who doesn't know it.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄μ€ λ”μš΄ 걸둜 λ”μœ„λ₯Ό μ΄κΈ΄λ‹€λŠ” λœ»μ΄μ—μš”. κ·Έλž˜μ„œ ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œλŠ” 제일 λ”μš΄ 날에 뜨거운 삼계탕을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
(Iyeolchiyeol means overcoming heat with heat. So in Korea, on the hottest days we eat hot samgyetang.)
G. Say which seasonal food you personally love most and why.
<summary>Sample Answer
μ €λŠ” 여름 μˆ˜λ°•μ„ 제일 μ’‹μ•„ν•΄μš”. μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ μˆ˜λ°•μ€ μ‹œμ›ν•˜κ³  λ‹¬μ•„μ„œ λ„ˆλ¬΄ λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(I personally love summer watermelon the most. Watermelon at this time of year is cool and sweet, so it's so delicious.)
H. Describe what you'd eat if you visited Korea in spring.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν•œκ΅­μ—μ„œ 봄에 λ΄„λ‚˜λ¬Ό λΉ„λΉ”λ°₯을 먹어보고 μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. λ΄„μ—λ§Œ 먹을 수 μžˆλŠ” 제철 μŒμ‹μ΄μž–μ•„μš”.
(I want to try spring herb bibimbap in Korea in spring. It's a seasonal food you can only eat in spring.)
I. Tell someone why buying seasonal food at a Korean market is a good idea.
<summary>Sample Answer
제철 μŒμ‹μ€ 더 μ‹ μ„ ν•˜κ³  λ§›μžˆλŠ” 데닀가 가격도 μ €λ ΄ν•΄μš”. μ‹œμž₯에 κ°€λ©΄ 뭐가 μ œμ² μΈμ§€ λ°”λ‘œ μ•Œ 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
(Seasonal food is fresher and tastier, and on top of that the price is low. If you go to the market you can immediately tell what's in season.)
J. Wrap up with your overall thought on Korean seasonal food culture.
<summary>Sample Answer
ν•œκ΅­μ€ 제철 μŒμ‹ λ¬Έν™”κ°€ κ°•ν•œ 것 κ°™μ•„μš”. κ³„μ ˆλ§ˆλ‹€ λ¨ΉλŠ” 게 μ •ν•΄μ Έ μžˆμ–΄μ„œ, κ·Έ κ³„μ ˆμ΄ 되면 μžμ—°μŠ€λŸ½κ²Œ κ·Έ μŒμ‹μ΄ μƒκ°λ‚˜μš”.
(I think Korea has a strong seasonal food culture. There's a designated food for each season, so when that season comes, that food naturally comes to mind.)
πŸ“š
Sentence Starters
Starter
Use
μ§€κΈˆ [food]이/κ°€ μ œμ² μ΄μ—μš”
It's [food] season
μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ [food]이/κ°€
λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” / λ‹¬μ•„μš”
[season]에 ν•œκ΅­μ— 였면
[food] λ“œμ…”λ³΄μ„Έμš”
μ œμ² μ΄λΌμ„œ
λ§›μžˆμ–΄μš” / μ‹Έμš”
μ΄μ—΄μΉ˜μ—΄λ‘œ
삼계탕을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”
🌟
Speaking Challenge
Pick one season and describe its food culture in 4 sentences: what's in season, why it's good, how Koreans eat it, and whether you'd try it. Use 제철, μ΄λ§˜λ•Œ, ~μ΄λΌμ„œ, and λ”±μ΄μ—μš”. That's a full cultural exchange in Korean.
이제 ν•œκ΅­μ˜ 제철 μŒμ‹ λ¬Έν™”λ₯Ό ν•œκ΅­μ–΄λ‘œ 이야기할 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”! ✨
Β