Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ice" in Korean
“Ice” in Korean is 얼음 (pronounced "eoreum").
얼음
eoreum
Usage & Context
Frozen water that forms in cold conditions. Ice is common on Korean roads and water bodies during winter. Important for safety and transportation.
Example Sentence
도로에 얼음이 있어서 조심해야 해요.
You need to be careful because there is ice on the road.
How to use 얼음 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ice” is 얼음, romanized as eoreum.
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 얼음.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'eo' sounds like 'uh' in 'up'. The 'reum' sounds like 'rum' in 'rumble'. Put it together: 'uh-reum'.
More Example Sentences
An everyday request or statement about a drink.
목이 말라서 얼음물 한 잔 마셨어요.
I was thirsty, so I drank a glass of ice water.
Describing a natural phenomenon in winter.
겨울에는 강이 얼음으로 덮여요.
In winter, the river is covered with ice.
Explaining a first aid measure for an injury.
넘어져서 무릎에 얼음찜질을 해야 해요.
I fell, so I need to put an ice pack on my knee.
Cultural Context
'얼음' is ubiquitous in Korean daily life, especially in drinks. Unlike some cultures, Koreans often prefer their drinks, even coffee or tea, '아이스' (iced) year-round, not just in summer. '얼죽아' (eolljuga), a popular slang term meaning 'Even if I freeze to death, I'll drink iced coffee,' highlights this preference. In winter, '얼음' on roads (빙판길) is a serious safety concern, leading to many slips and car accidents.
Editorial note
We review entries like 얼음 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
얼음 주세요
Please give me ice.
얼음이 녹다
ice melts
얼음 깨다
to break the ice (literal or figurative)
Related Expressions
눈
nun
snow
빙판
bingpan
icy surface
얼다
eolda
to freeze
얼음물
eoreum-mul
ice water
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