Korean Dictionary
How to say "Guk" in Korean
“Guk” in Korean is 국 (pronounced "guk").
국
guk
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
Guk is the Korean word for soup and refers to a broad category of broth-based dishes. Every traditional Korean meal includes a guk alongside rice and banchan side dishes.
Example Sentence
밥상에 국이 빠지면 허전하다.
A meal table feels incomplete without guk.
How to use 국 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Guk” is 국, romanized as guk.
Usage tip
Use this word with ordering phrases, taste descriptions, and polite requests when speaking in a restaurant.
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 국.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "guk" sounds like "gook" in English, similar to the 'ook' in "book" or "look." The initial 'g' is soft, like in "go," and the final 'k' is unreleased, meaning you stop the air without fully pronouncing the 'k' sound.
More Example Sentences
Someone thinking about breakfast on a cold morning.
아침에 뜨끈한 국물이 생각나네요.
I'm craving some hot soup for breakfast.
Complimenting a soup at a restaurant or home.
이 국은 정말 시원하고 맛있어요!
This soup is really refreshing and delicious!
Explaining Korean cuisine to a foreigner.
한국 음식은 밥이랑 국이 기본이죠.
Rice and soup are fundamental to Korean food.
Cultural Context
Guk is a cornerstone of Korean cuisine, far more integral than 'soup' in Western meals. It's almost always served alongside rice and banchan (side dishes), making a meal feel incomplete without it. Unlike hearty Western soups that can be a main course, guk is typically lighter and designed to complement the other dishes. There are countless varieties, from clear broths to more substantial ones, each playing a vital role in the Korean dining experience.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 국 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
국이 식었어요.
The soup got cold.
국물 좀 더 주세요.
Please give me more broth.
국에 밥 말아 먹다.
To eat rice mixed into soup.
Related Expressions
찌개
jjigae
Stew (thicker, often spicier than guk)
탕
tang
Soup/stew (often refers to a more substantial, main-dish soup)
국물
gungmul
Broth/soup liquid
반찬
banchan
Side dishes
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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