Korean Dictionary
How to say "Roll" in Korean
“Roll” in Korean is 말다 (pronounced "malda").
말다
malda
Usage & Context
Wrapping food into cylindrical shape. Used for kimbap, spring rolls, and sushi. Requires practice to achieve tight, even rolls.
Example Sentence
김밥을 말아요.
I roll kimbap.
How to use 말다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Roll” is 말다, romanized as malda.
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 말다.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '말' (mal) like 'mahl' in 'mahl-strom', and '다' (da) like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'. The 'l' sound is a light 'l' or 'r' sound when followed by 'd'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
말아요
marayo
This is the common polite form used in everyday conversation.
Casual (반말)
말아
mara
This is the informal form used among close friends or family.
More Example Sentences
Requesting someone to prepare gimbap.
김밥을 예쁘게 말아 주세요.
Please roll the gimbap nicely.
Describing an action taken due to heat.
더워서 소매를 말아 올렸어요.
It was hot, so I rolled up my sleeves.
Expressing a personal preference for a common Korean eating style.
국에 밥을 말아 먹는 것을 좋아해요.
I like eating rice mixed/soaked in soup.
Cultural Context
'말다' is most famously associated with '김밥을 말다' (rolling gimbap). Beyond cooking, it's used for rolling up sleeves ('소매를 말다'). A unique and very common Korean usage is '밥을 국에 말아 먹다,' which means mixing rice into soup to eat it. This is a staple way of enjoying many Korean soups and stews.
Editorial note
We review entries like 말다 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
김밥을 말다
to roll gimbap
소매를 말다
to roll up sleeves
밥을 국에 말다
to mix rice into soup
Related Expressions
감다
gamda
to wind, to roll up (e.g., thread, bandage)
돌돌 말다
doldol malda
to roll up tightly
싸다
ssada
to wrap (can be similar in food context)
펴다
pyeoda
to unfold, to spread (antonym)
More Cooking Words
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