Korean Dictionary
How to say "Persimmon" in Korean
“Persimmon” in Korean is 감 (pronounced "Gam").
감
Gam
Usage & Context
An orange fruit deeply embedded in Korean culture. 홍시 (ripe, soft persimmon) and 곶감 (dried persimmon) are beloved seasonal treats. Persimmon trees (감나무) are a common sight in Korean rural areas and their bright orange fruits signaling autumn is an iconic image. 감으로 만든 식초 (persimmon vinegar) is also valued.
Example Sentence
가을에 감나무에 감이 주렁주렁 달리면 풍경이 너무 예뻐요.
When persimmons hang in clusters from the persimmon tree in autumn, the scenery is so beautiful.
How to use 감 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Persimmon” is 감, romanized as Gam.
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 감.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'gahm' — just one syllable. The vowel is an open 'ah' like in 'father,' and the 'm' closes it softly, the way 'calm' ends without emphasis.
More Example Sentences
describing a childhood memory of the countryside
할머니 댁 마당에 감나무가 한 그루 있어요.
There's one persimmon tree in my grandma's yard.
chatting about traditional sweets around Lunar New Year
곶감은 겨울 간식으로 딱이에요.
Dried persimmons are the perfect winter snack.
teaching someone who bit into one expecting a ripe fruit
떫은 감은 아직 덜 익은 거예요.
An astringent persimmon just isn't ripe yet.
Cultural Context
감 comes in two very different edible stages that Koreans treat as almost separate fruits: 단감 (sweet, crunchy persimmon eaten like an apple) and 홍시 (jelly-soft ripe persimmon scooped with a spoon). Dried 곶감 is a prized gift during 설날 (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok, and shows up in the beloved traditional drink 수정과 (sujeonggwa). The sight of 감나무 drooping with bright orange fruit after the leaves fall is such an iconic Korean autumn image that it's a staple of calligraphy, poetry, and countryside Instagram shots — with one fruit traditionally left on the branch as 까치밥, 'magpie food.'
Editorial note
We review entries like 감 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
감이 잘 익었네요.
The persimmons are nicely ripe.
곶감 하나 드세요.
Please have a dried persimmon.
까치밥으로 하나 남겨 두세요.
Leave one on the tree as 'magpie food.'
Related Expressions
홍시
hongsi
soft, ripe persimmon
단감
dangam
sweet, crunchy persimmon
곶감
gotgam
dried persimmon
감나무
gamnamu
persimmon tree
More Nature Words
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