Korean Dictionary
How to say "Clam" in Korean
“Clam” in Korean is 조개 (pronounced "jogae").
조개
jogae
Usage & Context
A shellfish found in Korean coastal waters and used in traditional cuisine. Clams are featured in soups and stews in Korean cooking. They are harvested commercially along Korean coasts.
Example Sentence
조개가 모래에 묻혀있어요.
The clam is buried in the sand.
How to use 조개 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Clam” is 조개, romanized as jogae.
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 조개.
Pronunciation Guide
"조개" is pronounced "jo-gae". "조" sounds like "jo" in "joke" or "Joe". "개" sounds like "gae" in "gay" or "get" (similar to the 'ge' in "게" but with a slightly different initial consonant sound).
More Example Sentences
Planning a trip to a coastal area known for seafood.
조개구이 먹으러 서해 바다에 갈까요?
Shall we go to the West Sea to eat grilled clams?
Enjoying a popular noodle dish at a restaurant.
조개 칼국수가 시원하고 맛있어요.
Clam kalguksu (noodle soup) is refreshing and delicious.
Giving cooking or food safety advice.
해감 안 된 조개는 먹으면 안 돼요.
You shouldn't eat clams that haven't been purged of sand.
Cultural Context
Clams are a staple in Korean seafood, especially popular in dishes like 조개구이 (jogae-gui, grilled clams) and 조개 칼국수 (jogae kalguksu, clam noodle soup). Coastal towns often have restaurants specializing in these dishes, offering a fresh taste of the sea. They are also used to make refreshing broths for various stews and soups, adding a deep umami flavor.
Editorial note
We review entries like 조개 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
조개 캐러 가자.
Let's go dig for clams.
조개탕 끓여줄게.
I'll make clam soup for you.
조개구이 먹고 싶다.
I want to eat grilled clams.
Related Expressions
바지락
bajirak
short-necked clam (a common type)
모시조개
mosijogae
Manila clam
해산물
haesanmul
seafood
패류
paeryu
shellfish
More Animals Words
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