Korean Dictionary
How to say "Kimchi" in Korean
“Kimchi” in Korean is 김치 (pronounced "Gimchi").
김치
Gimchi
Usage & Context
Korea's most famous fermented side dish made from cabbage and radish with chili, garlic, and ginger. Kimchi is served at virtually every Korean meal and is deeply tied to Korean identity and culture. There are over 200 varieties of kimchi.
Example Sentence
한국 음식에는 항상 김치가 나와요.
Korean food always comes with kimchi.
How to use 김치 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Kimchi” is 김치, romanized as Gimchi.
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 김치.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '김' (gim), sounds like 'gim' in 'gimme'. The second syllable, '치' (chi), is pronounced like 'chee' in 'cheese'. The emphasis is fairly even on both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Emphasizing the importance of kimchi in Korean dining.
한국 사람들은 김치 없이는 밥을 못 먹는다고 해요.
Koreans say they can't eat a meal without kimchi.
Describing the spiciness of a particular kimchi.
이 김치는 너무 매워서 물을 계속 마셨어요.
This kimchi was so spicy I kept drinking water.
Mentioning a famous dish made with kimchi.
김치찌개는 한국에서 가장 인기 있는 김치 요리 중 하나예요.
Kimchi jjigae is one of the most popular kimchi dishes in Korea.
Cultural Context
Kimchi is more than just a side dish; it's a symbol of Korean identity and culture. Families often make large batches (김장, Gimjang) together in late autumn, a tradition recognized by UNESCO. There are hundreds of varieties, from spicy napa cabbage kimchi (배추김치) to milder radish kimchi (깍두기). It's believed to have health benefits and is a staple at virtually every Korean meal.
Editorial note
We review entries like 김치 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
김치 주세요
Please give me kimchi.
김치 맛있다
Kimchi is delicious.
김치 없으면 못 살아
I can't live without kimchi.
Related Expressions
김치찌개
Kimchi-jjigae
Kimchi stew
깍두기
Kkakdugi
Diced radish kimchi
배추김치
Baechu-kimchi
Napa cabbage kimchi
김장
Gimjang
Traditional kimchi-making season/process
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