Korean Dictionary
How to say "Preserve" in Korean
“Preserve” in Korean is 보존하다 (pronounced "bojon hada").
보존하다
bojon hada
Usage & Context
Storing food for long-term use. Methods include canning, freezing, and drying. Essential for seasonal ingredients and meal planning.
Example Sentence
음식을 보존해요.
I preserve food.
How to use 보존하다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Preserve” is 보존하다, romanized as bojon hada.
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 보존하다.
Pronunciation Guide
"보존하다" (bojon hada) sounds like "boh-john hah-dah." "Bo" is like "bow" (as in bow and arrow). "Jon" is like "john." "Ha-da" is like "hah-dah."
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
보존해요
bojonhaeyo
This is the common polite form used in daily conversation.
Casual (반말)
보존해
bojonhae
Used with close friends or family, or when speaking to someone younger.
More Example Sentences
Giving a practical tip for food storage.
냉동실에 음식을 보존하면 오래 먹을 수 있어요.
If you preserve food in the freezer, you can eat it for a long time.
Describing the condition of a historical item (broader usage).
이 유물은 잘 보존되어 있어서 가치가 높아요.
This artifact is well preserved, so its value is high.
Discussing environmental protection (broader usage).
환경을 보존하는 것이 우리의 미래를 위한 길이에요.
Preserving the environment is the way for our future.
Cultural Context
While "보존하다" literally means "to preserve," its usage extends beyond just food. It's often used in contexts of preserving cultural heritage (문화유산을 보존하다), historical artifacts (유물을 보존하다), or the environment (환경을 보존하다). In food, it encompasses various methods like freezing, drying, or canning, reflecting a practical approach to managing resources and enjoying seasonal ingredients year-round, which is deeply ingrained in Korean culinary traditions.
Editorial note
We review entries like 보존하다 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
음식을 보존하다
to preserve food
환경을 보존하다
to preserve the environment
문화유산을 보존하다
to preserve cultural heritage
Related Expressions
저장하다
jeojanghada
to store, to save (broader, includes digital data)
유지하다
yujihada
to maintain, to keep up
보관하다
bogwanhada
to keep, to store (often for safekeeping)
폐기하다
pygihada
to discard, to abolish (antonym)
More Cooking Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Preserve and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
