Korean Dictionary
How to say "Garnish" in Korean
“Garnish” in Korean is 장식하다 (pronounced "jangsik hada").
장식하다
jangsik hada
Usage & Context
Adding decorative elements to finished dish. Enhances visual appeal and adds fresh flavors. Common garnishes include herbs and sesame seeds.
Example Sentence
음식을 장식해요.
I garnish the dish.
How to use 장식하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Garnish” is 장식하다, romanized as jangsik 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 장식하다.
Pronunciation Guide
장 (jang) sounds like 'jahng' as in 'jang-gle'. 식 (sik) sounds like 'shik' as in 'sick'. 하 (ha) sounds like 'hah' as in 'haha'. 다 (da) sounds like 'dah' as in 'dad'. Put it together: 'jahng-shik hah-dah'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
장식합니다
jangsik hamnida
Used in very formal settings or when addressing someone of much higher status.
Casual (반말)
장식해
jangsik hae
Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Describing the decoration of a dessert.
케이크 위에 과일로 예쁘게 장식했어요.
I beautifully garnished the cake with fruit.
Setting a mood with home decor.
식탁을 꽃으로 장식해서 분위기를 냈어요.
I decorated the table with flowers to create an atmosphere.
Giving cooking advice for presentation.
이 요리는 파슬리로 장식하면 더 먹음직스러워 보여요.
This dish looks more appetizing if garnished with parsley.
Cultural Context
While 'garnish' is a direct translation, '장식하다' is a broader term meaning 'to decorate.' In Korean cuisine, specific garnishes (고명, gomyeong) are common for dishes like bibimbap or japchae, where colorful ingredients like julienned egg, seaweed, or sesame seeds are arranged on top. This isn't just for aesthetics but often adds contrasting textures or fresh flavors, highlighting the importance of both taste and visual appeal.
Editorial note
We review entries like 장식하다 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
음식을 장식하다
to garnish food
방을 장식하다
to decorate a room
크리스마스 트리를 장식하다
to decorate a Christmas tree
Related Expressions
꾸미다
kkumida
to decorate, adorn (very similar)
고명하다
gomyeonghada
to garnish (specifically for food, often used as a noun 고명)
치장하다
chijanghada
to adorn, dress up (often for people or elaborate decoration)
단장하다
danjanghada
to decorate, make up (often for places or appearance)
More Cooking Words
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