Korean Dictionary
How to say "Chestnut" in Korean
“Chestnut” in Korean is 밤 (pronounced "Bam").
밤
Bam
Usage & Context
A nut that is also the Korean word for 'night' (context-dependent). Chestnuts (밤) are roasted and sold as popular street food in autumn and winter — 군밤 (roasted chestnuts) are a classic cold-weather snack. Used in traditional desserts, 약밥 (sweet rice), and as banchan. Chestnut trees (밤나무) dot Korean hillsides.
Example Sentence
겨울에 길거리에서 파는 군밤이 너무 맛있어요.
Roasted chestnuts sold on the street in winter are so delicious.
How to use 밤 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Chestnut” is 밤, romanized as Bam.
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 밤.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '밤' (bam) like the English word 'bomb', but with a clear 'b' sound at the beginning. Be aware that '밤' also means 'night', so context is key.
More Example Sentences
Describing an autumn outdoor activity.
가을에는 밤을 따러 산에 가는 사람들이 많아요.
In autumn, many people go to the mountains to pick chestnuts.
Recommending a seasonal snack.
군밤은 겨울철 길거리 음식으로 최고예요.
Roasted chestnuts are the best street food in winter.
Talking about ingredients in a traditional dish.
약밥에 들어가는 밤이 달콤하고 맛있어요.
The chestnuts in yakbap (sweet rice) are sweet and delicious.
Cultural Context
밤 (bam) is a beloved autumn and winter snack in Korea. 군밤 (gunbam), or roasted chestnuts, are a classic street food, especially popular during colder months. You'll often see vendors roasting them over open flames, filling the air with a sweet, smoky aroma. Chestnuts are also used in various traditional dishes like 약밥 (yakbap, sweet rice) and as a side dish. Interestingly, '밤' also means 'night' in Korean, making it a homonym where context is crucial for understanding.
Editorial note
We review entries like 밤 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
밤을 먹다
To eat chestnuts
군밤 사 먹을까?
Shall we buy and eat roasted chestnuts?
밤이 제철이다
Chestnuts are in season
Related Expressions
군밤
Gunbam
Roasted chestnut
밤나무
Bamnamu
Chestnut tree
밤 (시간)
Bam (sigan)
Night (time)
가을
Gaeul
Autumn
More Nature Words
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