Korean Dictionary
How to say "Chimaek" in Korean
“Chimaek” in Korean is 치맥 (pronounced "chimaek").
치맥
chimaek
Usage & Context
Chimaek is the combination of fried chicken (치킨) and beer (맥주), a beloved Korean pairing. It became globally popular after being featured in the K-drama My Love from the Star.
Example Sentence
여름 저녁에 치맥을 즐기는 것이 한국의 문화가 됐다.
Enjoying chimaek on a summer evening has become part of Korean culture.
How to use 치맥 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Chimaek” is 치맥, romanized as chimaek.
Usage tip
Use this word with ordering phrases, taste descriptions, and polite requests when speaking in a restaurant.
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 치맥.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'chee-mek' — 치 like 'chee', 맥 like 'mek' (rhymes with 'neck') with a crisp stop. A portmanteau of 치킨 (chicken) + 맥주 (beer).
More Example Sentences
Planning to watch a game with friends.
월드컵 경기 보면서 치맥 한잔하자.
Let's have some chimaek while watching the World Cup match.
A tourist describing their Seoul plans.
한강에서 치맥 먹는 게 진짜 로망이에요.
Having chimaek by the Han River is a real bucket-list thing.
A roommate explaining their weekly ritual.
매주 금요일은 치맥하는 날로 정했어요.
I declared every Friday as a chimaek day.
Cultural Context
치맥 exploded globally after '별에서 온 그대' (My Love from the Star) made it iconic, but in Korea it's been a weekend staple for decades. 대구 runs an annual 치맥 페스티벌 every summer drawing massive crowds. The preferred pairing is 후라이드 or 양념 chicken with cold 생맥주 (draft beer), and the scene of friends crowding around a chicken box in a 한강 park on a summer night is near-mythic in Korean youth culture.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 치맥 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
오늘 치맥 어때?
How about chimaek tonight?
치맥 시키자.
Let's order chimaek.
치맥이 최고야.
Chimaek is the best.
Related Expressions
치킨
chikin
Korean fried chicken
맥주
maekju
Beer
양념치킨
yangnyeom chikin
Sweet-spicy glazed fried chicken
생맥주
saengmaekju
Draft beer
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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