Korean Dictionary
How to say "Freeze" in Korean
“Freeze” in Korean is 냉동하다 (pronounced "naengdong hada").
냉동하다
naengdong hada
Usage & Context
Preserving food by freezing. Extends shelf life significantly. Essential for meal planning and reducing food waste.
Example Sentence
음식을 냉동해요.
I freeze the food.
How to use 냉동하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Freeze” is 냉동하다, romanized as naengdong hada.
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 냉동하다.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 냉 (naeng), sounds like 'naing' in 'pain' but with an 'ng' sound at the end, like 'sing'. 동 (dong) sounds like 'dong' in 'ding-dong'. 하다 (hada) is pronounced 'hah-dah', like 'hahaha' and 'dah' in 'dah-ling'. Put it together: NAING-dong HAH-dah.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
냉동해요
naengdong haeyo
Common polite form used in everyday conversation.
Casual (반말)
냉동해
naengdong hae
Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Giving advice on food storage after a meal.
남은 반찬은 냉동실에 냉동해 두세요.
Please freeze the leftover side dishes in the freezer.
Sharing a cooking or food preservation tip.
고기를 신선하게 냉동하려면 잘 포장해야 해요.
To freeze meat fresh, you need to package it well.
Describing a way to enjoy a particular food.
이 빵은 냉동했다가 해동해서 먹으면 맛있어요.
This bread is delicious if you freeze it and then thaw it to eat.
Cultural Context
Freezing food is a common practice in Korean households, especially for preserving banchan (side dishes) or ingredients bought in bulk. Many homes have a dedicated kimchi refrigerator, which often includes a freezing compartment or can be set to freezing temperatures, used for a variety of foods beyond just kimchi. It's a practical way to manage food waste and prepare meals efficiently.
Editorial note
We review entries like 냉동하다 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
냉동 보관
frozen storage
냉동 식품
frozen food
급속 냉동
quick freeze / flash freeze
Related Expressions
냉동실
naengdongsil
freezer (noun)
해동하다
haedong hada
to thaw, defrost (antonym)
냉장하다
naengjang hada
to refrigerate (related concept)
얼리다
eollida
to freeze (transitive verb, often for making ice or freezing liquids)
More Cooking Words
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