Korean Dictionary
How to say "Chicken" in Korean
“Chicken” in Korean is 닭 (pronounced "dak").
닭
dak
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
A versatile poultry used in many Korean dishes. Chicken is lean and can be prepared in various ways. It's popular for stir-fries, soups, and grilling.
Example Sentence
닭은 건강해요.
Chicken is healthy.
How to use 닭 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Chicken” is 닭, romanized as dak.
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 닭.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "닭" is pronounced like "dalk," similar to 'talk' but with a 'd' sound at the beginning and a slightly softer 'l' sound that blends quickly into the 'k' at the end.
More Example Sentences
Suggesting ordering takeout with family or friends.
오늘 저녁은 치킨 시켜 먹을까?
Shall we order chicken for dinner tonight?
Recommending a traditional health food.
삼계탕은 몸보신에 최고예요.
Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) is the best for boosting your health.
Describing a favorite spicy dish.
닭갈비는 매콤해서 스트레스 풀 때 딱이에요.
Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) is perfect for relieving stress because it's spicy.
Cultural Context
닭 (dak) is incredibly popular in Korea, especially in the form of fried chicken (치킨, chikin), which is a national obsession. 'Chimaek' (치맥), the combination of chicken and beer, is a beloved pairing for social gatherings, especially while watching sports or K-dramas. Beyond fried chicken, it's also central to traditional dishes like 삼계탕 (samgyetang, ginseng chicken soup) for health and 닭갈비 (dakgalbi, spicy stir-fried chicken).
Editorial note
We review entries like 닭 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. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
닭 한 마리
One whole chicken
닭볶음탕
Spicy braised chicken stew
닭꼬치
Chicken skewer
Related Expressions
치킨
chikin
Fried chicken (loanword)
삼계탕
samgyetang
Ginseng chicken soup
닭갈비
dakgalbi
Spicy stir-fried chicken
찜닭
jjimdak
Braised spicy chicken
More Food Words
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