Korean Dictionary
How to say "Soy Sauce" in Korean
“Soy Sauce” in Korean is 간장 (pronounced "ganjang").
간장
ganjang
Usage & Context
A fermented sauce made from soybeans, essential in Korean cooking. It's used for seasoning, dipping, and marinating. Soy sauce adds a savory, umami flavor to dishes.
Example Sentence
간장을 넣어요.
We add soy sauce.
How to use 간장 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Soy Sauce” is 간장, romanized as ganjang.
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 간장.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'gan' like 'gone' or 'gahn'. 'Jang' sounds like 'jong' in 'jongle', but with a slightly softer 'j' sound.
More Example Sentences
Asking while cooking a stew.
찌개에 간장을 조금 더 넣을까요?
Shall I add a little more soy sauce to the stew?
Explaining a side dish's flavor profile.
이 나물은 간장 양념으로 무쳤어요.
This seasoned vegetable dish was mixed with soy sauce seasoning.
Ordering at a restaurant.
만두 찍어 먹을 간장 좀 주세요.
Please give me some soy sauce to dip the dumplings in.
Cultural Context
간장 (ganjang) is a fundamental Korean condiment, much like salt in Western cooking. There are several types, notably 국간장 (guk-ganjang, soup soy sauce), which is saltier and lighter in color, used for soups and namul, and 진간장 (jin-ganjang, regular/dark soy sauce), which is richer and sweeter, used for marinades, stir-fries, and dipping sauces. Many Koreans have both types in their kitchen. It's often homemade in traditional households, a process passed down through generations.
Editorial note
We review entries like 간장 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
간장에 찍어 먹다
to dip in soy sauce and eat
간장 양념
soy sauce seasoning
간장게장
soy sauce marinated crab
Related Expressions
국간장
guk-ganjang
soup soy sauce
진간장
jin-ganjang
regular/dark soy sauce
초고추장
cho-gochujang
vinegared gochujang (dipping sauce)
소금
sogeum
salt
More Food Words
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