Korean Dictionary
How to say "Mortar and Pestle" in Korean
“Mortar and Pestle” in Korean is 절구와 공이 (pronounced "jeolgu wa gongi").
절구와 공이
jeolgu wa gongi
Usage & Context
Traditional tool for grinding spices and herbs. Essential for Korean cooking. Creates fresh, aromatic flavors.
Example Sentence
절구에서 고추를 갈아요.
I grind peppers in a mortar.
How to use 절구와 공이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Mortar and Pestle” is 절구와 공이, romanized as jeolgu wa gongi.
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 절구와 공이.
Pronunciation Guide
'Jeol-gu' sounds like 'jull-goo,' with 'jull' like 'hull' but with a 'j' and 'goo' like 'goo-goo ga-ga.' 'Wa' is pronounced like 'wah.' 'Gong-i' is like 'gong-ee,' with 'gong' as in the musical instrument and 'ee' as in 'see.'
More Example Sentences
Recalling a traditional cooking scene.
할머니는 절구와 공이로 마늘을 빻으셨어요.
Grandma crushed garlic with a mortar and pestle.
Showing off a handmade item.
이 절구는 제가 직접 만든 거예요.
This mortar was made by me personally.
Sharing a cooking tip for better flavor.
절구와 공이로 깨를 빻으면 더 고소해요.
If you grind sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle, they're more fragrant/nutty.
Cultural Context
The '절구와 공이' is a classic kitchen tool, deeply rooted in Korean culinary tradition, especially for making fresh spices, pastes, and ingredients like garlic or sesame seeds. While blenders are common now, many still believe the traditional method yields superior flavor and texture, particularly for ingredients in kimchi or various namul (seasoned vegetable dishes). It evokes a sense of nostalgia and authentic cooking, often seen in historical K-dramas.
Editorial note
We review entries like 절구와 공이 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
절구에 빻다
To crush in a mortar
절구와 공이로 깨를 갈다
To grind sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle
절구질하다
To pound/grind using a mortar and pestle
Related Expressions
맷돌
maetdol
Grinding stone (traditional)
빻다
ppatda
To crush/grind
갈다
galda
To grind/mill
향신료
hyangsinnyo
Spices
More Cooking Words
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