Korean Dictionary
How to say "Saliva" in Korean
“Saliva” in Korean is 침 (pronounced "chim").
침
chim
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
The fluid secreted in the mouth. Used in medical and everyday contexts. Important for discussing digestion.
Example Sentence
침이 나왔어요.
Saliva came out.
How to use 침 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Saliva” is 침, romanized as chim.
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 침.
Pronunciation Guide
'Chim' is pronounced like 'chim' in 'chimney' but without the 'ney'. The 'ch' is a soft 'ch' sound, like in 'church', the 'i' is like the 'i' in 'sit', and the 'm' is a standard 'm' sound.
More Example Sentences
Anticipating a tasty meal.
맛있는 음식을 보니 침이 고여요.
My mouth waters when I see delicious food.
Advising against spitting in public.
침을 뱉지 마세요. 더러워요.
Don't spit. It's dirty.
Describing a common baby behavior.
아기가 자면서 침을 흘려요.
The baby drools while sleeping.
Cultural Context
Spitting (침 뱉다) in public is generally considered rude and unhygienic in Korea, similar to many other cultures. The idiom '침이 마르도록 칭찬하다' (to praise until one's saliva dries up) is used to describe praising someone profusely or endlessly. Historically, '침 바르다' (to apply saliva) was a folk remedy for minor cuts, though less common in modern times.
Editorial note
We review entries like 침 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
침이 나오다
saliva comes out
침을 삼키다
to swallow saliva
침을 흘리다
to drool
Related Expressions
침 뱉다
chim baettta
to spit
침 고이다
chim goida
for saliva to collect (mouth water)
타액
taek
saliva (more formal/medical term)
침샘
chimssem
salivary gland
More Body Parts Words
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