Korean Dictionary
How to say "Plate" in Korean
“Plate” in Korean is 담다 (pronounced "damda").
담다
damda
Usage & Context
Arranging cooked food on serving dish. Important for presentation. Creates visual appeal that enhances dining experience.
Example Sentence
음식을 접시에 담아요.
I plate the food.
How to use 담다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Plate” is 담다, romanized as damda.
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 담다.
Pronunciation Guide
담 (dam) sounds like 'dahm' in 'damn' (but with a soft 'm' at the end, closing your lips). 다 (da) sounds like 'dah' in 'dad'. Put it together: 'dahm-dah'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
담습니다
damsseumnida
Used in very formal settings, presentations, or when addressing someone of much higher status.
Casual (반말)
담아
dama
Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Describing a family mealtime interaction.
엄마가 밥을 그릇에 가득 담아주셨어요.
Mom filled my bowl with rice.
Using the word figuratively to mean 'contain' or 'capture'.
추억을 사진 속에 담다.
To capture memories in photos.
Cultural Context
In Korean dining, '담다' is crucial for the presentation of banchan (side dishes). It's not just about putting food on a plate, but often about arranging it aesthetically in various small dishes, reflecting the importance of visual appeal and care in Korean cuisine. The act of '담다' often implies thoughtfulness, especially when preparing food for others.
Editorial note
We review entries like 담다 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
밥을 담다
to plate rice
그릇에 담다
to put in a bowl/dish
마음에 담다
to keep in one's heart/mind (figurative)
Related Expressions
놓다
nota
to put, place (more general)
차리다
charida
to set (a table), prepare (a meal)
올리다
ollida
to put up, place on (can be used for food on a plate)
덜다
deolda
to scoop out, portion out (antonym of filling up)
More Cooking Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Plate and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
