Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ginseng" in Korean
“Ginseng” in Korean is 인삼 (pronounced "Insam").
인삼
Insam
Usage & Context
Korea's most famous medicinal herb and cultural export. 고려인삼 (Goryeo ginseng) has been prized for millennia for its health benefits. Cheongyang (청양) and Geumsan (금산) regions are famous ginseng production areas. 인삼차 (ginseng tea), 홍삼 (red ginseng), and 삼계탕 (ginseng chicken soup) are popular health products.
Example Sentence
한국 인삼은 건강 효능으로 전 세계에서 유명해요.
Korean ginseng is famous worldwide for its health benefits.
How to use 인삼 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ginseng” is 인삼, romanized as Insam.
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 인삼.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '인' (in) like the English word 'in'. '삼' (sam) sounds like 'sahm', similar to the 'som' in 'awesome' but with an 's' and a slightly shorter 'ah' sound.
More Example Sentences
Discussing family health habits.
어머니께서 건강을 위해 인삼차를 자주 드세요.
My mother often drinks ginseng tea for her health.
Talking about popular souvenirs for tourists.
한국에 오면 홍삼을 선물로 많이 사 가요.
When people come to Korea, they often buy red ginseng as a gift.
Discussing traditional Korean cuisine ingredients.
삼계탕에는 인삼이 꼭 들어가야 제맛이죠.
Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) must have ginseng to taste authentic.
Cultural Context
인삼 (insam), or ginseng, is Korea's most iconic medicinal herb, revered for its health benefits for millennia. 고려인삼 (Goryeo ginseng) is particularly famous worldwide. It's commonly consumed in various forms, such as 인삼차 (insamcha, ginseng tea), 홍삼 (hongsam, red ginseng, which is steamed and dried ginseng), and as a key ingredient in 삼계탕 (samgyetang), a popular chicken soup. Ginseng is deeply embedded in Korean culture as a symbol of health and vitality, often given as a precious gift.
Editorial note
We review entries like 인삼 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
한국 인삼
Korean ginseng
인삼이 몸에 좋다
Ginseng is good for the body/health
인삼을 먹다
To eat/take ginseng
Related Expressions
홍삼
Hongsam
Red ginseng
인삼차
Insamcha
Ginseng tea
삼계탕
Samgyetang
Ginseng chicken soup
약초
Yakcho
Medicinal herb
More Nature Words
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