Korean Dictionary
How to say "Boil" in Korean
“Boil” in Korean is 끓인다 (pronounced "kkeulinda").
끓인다
kkeulinda
Usage & Context
A cooking method using hot water or liquid to cook food. Boiling is essential for making soups, broths, and noodles in Korean cuisine. It's a fundamental technique used in many traditional dishes.
Example Sentence
물을 끓인다.
We boil water.
How to use 끓인다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Boil” is 끓인다, romanized as kkeulinda.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 끓인다.
Pronunciation Guide
For "kkeu-lin-da," say "kuh-leen-dah." The "kk" is a tense 'k' sound, like a hard 'k' but with more tension. "Lin" sounds like 'leen' in 'lean', and "da" is like 'dah'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
끓입니다
kkeulimnida
This is the polite declarative form, used when speaking formally or to elders/superiors.
Casual (반말)
끓여
kkeullyeo
This is the informal imperative/suggestive form. The input '끓인다' is the plain declarative form, often used in casual speech or writing.
More Example Sentences
Suggesting a meal to a friend
라면을 끓여 먹자!
Let's boil ramen and eat it!
Explaining a cooking adjustment
국이 너무 짜서 물을 좀 더 끓여 넣었어요.
The soup was too salty, so I boiled more water and added it.
Describing a daily routine
아침에 커피 마시려고 물을 끓인다.
I boil water in the morning to drink coffee.
Cultural Context
Boiling (끓이다) is fundamental in Korean cuisine, especially for guk (soups), jjigae (stews), and ramyeon. The sound of water boiling or the smell of a simmering stew is very comforting in Korean homes. Many traditional dishes start with boiling a broth, which is then seasoned.
Editorial note
We review entries like 끓인다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
물 끓이다
To boil water
라면 끓이다
To boil ramen
국 끓이다
To boil/make soup
Related Expressions
끓다
kkeulta
To boil (intransitive, e.g., water boils)
끓이다
kkeulida
To boil (transitive, e.g., to boil water)
삶다
salmda
To boil (specifically for solid ingredients like eggs, potatoes)
데치다
dechida
To blanch (briefly boil)
More Food Words
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