Korean Dictionary
How to say "Picky eater" in Korean
“Picky eater” in Korean is 까다로운 식사 (pronounced "Kkadaloum siksa").
까다로운 식사
Kkadaloum siksa
Usage & Context
A child who is selective about what they eat. Picky eating is a common challenge for Korean parents.
Example Sentence
우리 아이는 까다로운 식사를 합니다.
Our child is a picky eater.
How to use 까다로운 식사 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Picky eater” is 까다로운 식사, romanized as Kkadaloum siksa.
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 까다로운 식사.
Pronunciation Guide
까다로운 (kka-da-ro-un) sounds like 'kka' as in 'car' (but with a tense K), 'da' like 'dah' in 'dah-ling', 'ro' like 'row' a boat, and 'un' like 'oon' in 'moon'. 식사 (sik-sa) sounds like 'sik' as in 'sick' and 'sa' like 'sah' in 'sah-ara'. The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
A parent describing their child's eating habits.
우리 아들은 채소를 너무 안 먹어서 까다로운 식사예요.
Our son doesn't eat vegetables at all, so he's a picky eater.
An adult reflecting on their childhood eating habits.
저는 어렸을 때부터 까다로운 식사였어요. 편식 심했죠.
I've been a picky eater since I was little. I was very selective.
Describing a restaurant menu that caters to specific tastes.
새로운 식당에 갔는데, 메뉴가 너무 까다로운 식사 취향이라 고르기 힘들었어요.
We went to a new restaurant, but the menu was for very picky eaters, so it was hard to choose.
Cultural Context
In Korea, '편식' (pyeonsik), meaning selective eating, is a very common concern for parents. Traditional Korean cuisine is rich in vegetables and diverse ingredients, so parents often worry when children refuse certain foods like kimchi or various namul (seasoned vegetables). This topic is frequently discussed in parenting communities, with mothers often seeking advice on how to encourage their children to eat a wider variety of foods.
Editorial note
We review entries like 까다로운 식사 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
우리 아이는 편식이 심해요.
Our child is a very picky eater.
까다로운 입맛
picky palate/taste
밥 좀 잘 먹어라!
Eat your food well! (Common parental plea)
Related Expressions
편식
pyeonsik
selective eating, picky eating (more common for the act)
까다롭다
kkadaropda
to be picky/fussy (adjective)
입이 짧다
ibi jjalpda
literally 'short mouth,' meaning to eat very little or be a picky eater
미식가
misikga
gourmet, foodie (can be a positive 'picky' eater)
More Parenting & Family Life Words
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