Korean Dictionary
How to say "Salt" in Korean
“Salt” in Korean is 소금을 치다 (pronounced "sogeum-eul chida").
소금을 치다
sogeum-eul chida
Usage & Context
Adding salt to food for flavor and preservation. Fundamental seasoning technique. Proper salting enhances natural flavors.
Example Sentence
음식에 소금을 쳐요.
I salt the food.
How to use 소금을 치다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Salt” is 소금을 치다, romanized as sogeum-eul chida.
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 소금을 치다.
Pronunciation Guide
For '소금' (sogeum), say 'so' like 'soul' without the 'l', and 'geum' like 'gum'. '을' (eul) sounds like the 'u' in 'putt' followed by an 'l'. '치다' (chida) has 'chi' like 'cheese' without the 's', and 'da' like 'dah'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
소금을 쳐요
sogeum-eul cheoyo
This is the common polite form used in daily conversation.
Casual (반말)
소금을 쳐
sogeum-eul cheo
Used with close friends or people younger than you.
More Example Sentences
Adjusting seasoning while cooking a soup.
국에 소금을 좀 더 쳐야겠어요.
I think I need to add a bit more salt to the soup.
Expressing a personal preference for salty snacks.
감자튀김에 소금을 많이 쳐서 먹는 걸 좋아해요.
I like to eat french fries with a lot of salt.
Advising someone on healthy eating habits.
너무 짜게 먹으면 안 좋으니까 소금을 적게 쳐서 드세요.
Eating too salty isn't good for you, so please use less salt.
Cultural Context
In Korean cooking, '소금을 치다' specifically refers to adding salt, a fundamental seasoning alongside soy sauce and gochujang. Salt is crucial not just for flavor but also for traditional preservation methods, especially in making kimchi. The precise use of salt is a hallmark of many authentic Korean dishes, balancing flavors and aiding fermentation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 소금을 치다 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
소금 좀 줄래?
Can you pass the salt?
소금 간이 딱 맞네.
The saltiness is just right.
소금 대신 설탕을 넣었어.
I put sugar instead of salt.
Related Expressions
간을 맞추다
gan-eul matchuda
to season (to adjust the taste/saltiness)
소금 간
sogeum gan
salt seasoning/flavor
싱겁다
singgeopda
to be bland/unsalty
짜다
jjada
to be salty
More Cooking Words
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