Korean Dictionary
How to say "Jeok" in Korean
“Jeok” in Korean is 적 (pronounced "jeok").
적
jeok
Usage & Context
Jeok refers to Korean skewered and grilled dishes, often made with beef, seafood, or vegetables. It is a traditional dish commonly prepared for ancestral rites and royal cuisine.
Example Sentence
제사상에는 여러 가지 적이 올라간다.
Various types of jeok are placed on the ancestral rite table.
How to use 적 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Jeok” is 적, romanized as jeok.
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 적.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "적" is pronounced "jeok." It sounds like "juck" in English, as in "duck" but with a 'j' sound at the beginning. The 'eo' vowel is similar to the 'u' in "but" or "cup."
More Example Sentences
Discussing holiday food traditions.
명절에는 산적을 꼭 만들어 먹어요.
We always make and eat sanjeok (skewered meat and vegetables) during holidays.
Describing a specific jeok dish.
이 적은 소고기로 만들어서 부드럽고 맛있어요.
This jeok is made with beef, so it's tender and delicious.
Preparing for a traditional ceremony.
제사상에 올릴 적을 준비해야 해.
I need to prepare jeok to place on the ancestral rite table.
Cultural Context
Jeok is a significant dish in Korean traditional cuisine, particularly for ancestral rites (제사, jesa) and special occasions. It typically involves skewering various ingredients like meat, vegetables, and sometimes seafood, then grilling or pan-frying them. While not an everyday meal, its presence signifies respect and tradition, often seen in historical K-dramas or during major holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving).
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 적 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
제사상에 적이 빠질 수 없지.
Jeok can't be left out of the ancestral rite table.
적이 너무 맛있어서 계속 먹게 되네.
The jeok is so delicious I keep eating it.
적은 손이 많이 가는 음식이야.
Jeok is a dish that requires a lot of effort.
Related Expressions
산적
Sanjeok
Skewered meat and vegetable jeok
어적
Eojeok
Skewered fish jeok
꼬치
Kkochi
Skewer (general term for skewered food)
전
Jeon
Korean pancake (often served alongside jeok)
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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