Korean Dictionary
How to say "Radish" in Korean
“Radish” in Korean is 무 (pronounced "mu").
무
mu
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
A crisp vegetable used in Korean soups, stews, and pickles. Radish is mild and slightly sweet. It's an essential ingredient in many traditional Korean dishes.
Example Sentence
무는 아삭해요.
Radish is crisp.
How to use 무 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Radish” is 무, romanized as mu.
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 무.
Pronunciation Guide
The word "무" is pronounced like "moo," similar to the sound a cow makes. It's a single syllable, pronounced quickly and clearly.
More Example Sentences
Explaining a kimchi recipe.
김치 담글 때 무가 꼭 들어가야 시원한 맛이 나요.
When making kimchi, radish must be added for that refreshing taste.
Talking about hangover remedies with friends.
시원한 무국 한 그릇이면 해장이 제대로 되지!
A bowl of refreshing radish soup is the perfect hangover cure!
Praising a delicious side dish.
이 무생채는 아삭하고 매콤해서 밥도둑이에요.
This seasoned radish salad is crunchy and spicy, it's a 'rice thief'!
Cultural Context
무 (mu), or Korean radish, is a cornerstone of Korean cuisine, distinct from Western radishes. It's larger, milder, and sweeter, often used in soups (무국, muguk), stews (갈비찜, galbijjim), and especially in various forms of kimchi, like 깍두기 (kkakdugi, diced radish kimchi) and 동치미 (dongchimi, watery radish kimchi). Its refreshing crunch and ability to absorb flavors make it incredibly versatile.
Editorial note
We review entries like 무 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. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
무국
Radish soup
무말랭이
Dried radish strips
무 뽑듯이
Like pulling out a radish (meaning to do something easily/quickly)
Related Expressions
깍두기
kkakdugi
Diced radish kimchi
동치미
dongchimi
Watery radish kimchi
무생채
musaengchae
Seasoned raw radish salad
배추
baechu
Napa cabbage (another common kimchi ingredient)
More Food Words
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