Korean Dictionary
How to say "Seasoning" in Korean
“Seasoning” in Korean is 양념 (pronounced "yangnyeom").
양념
yangnyeom
Usage & Context
A mixture of spices and sauces used to flavor dishes. Seasoning is crucial in Korean cooking for creating complex flavors. Common seasonings include gochujang, doenjang, and soy sauce.
Example Sentence
양념이 맛있어요.
The seasoning is delicious.
How to use 양념 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Seasoning” is 양념, romanized as yangnyeom.
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 양념.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'yang' like the 'young' in 'youngster', with a soft 'y' sound. 'Nyeom' sounds like 'nyum' in 'yum', but with a slightly more closed 'o' sound.
More Example Sentences
Asking a friend for a popular recipe.
이 불고기 양념 레시피 좀 알려주세요.
Please tell me this bulgogi seasoning recipe.
Complimenting homemade kimchi.
김치 양념이 잘 배어서 정말 맛있어요.
The kimchi seasoning is well absorbed, so it's really delicious.
Adjusting a marinade while cooking.
고기 양념에 마늘을 더 넣어야겠어요.
I should add more garlic to the meat seasoning.
Cultural Context
양념 (yangnyeom) is a cornerstone of Korean cooking, referring to the complex mixtures of spices, sauces, and aromatics that define a dish's flavor. Unlike Western 'seasoning' which might just mean salt and pepper, 양념 often involves multiple ingredients like gochujang, doenjang, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and sugar. Mastering 양념 is key to authentic Korean flavors, and many dishes are named after their primary 양념, like 양념치킨 (yangnyeom chicken).
Editorial note
We review entries like 양념 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
양념이 잘 배다
for the seasoning to be well absorbed
양념을 만들다
to make seasoning
양념치킨
seasoned fried chicken
Related Expressions
양념하다
yangnyeomhada
to season (verb)
조미료
jomiryo
condiment, flavoring agent (often artificial)
소스
soseu
sauce
맛
mat
taste, flavor
More Food Words
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