Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sesame oil" in Korean
“Sesame oil” in Korean is 참기름 (pronounced "Chamgireum").
참기름
Chamgireum
Usage & Context
A finishing oil with a rich, nutty aroma used extensively in Korean cooking. Drizzled on bibimbap, mixed into namul (seasoned vegetables), and added to marinades. Its distinctive fragrance is immediately recognizable as part of Korean cuisine's flavor profile.
Example Sentence
비빔밥에 참기름을 뿌리면 향이 정말 좋아요.
Drizzling sesame oil on bibimbap makes the aroma really wonderful.
How to use 참기름 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sesame oil” is 참기름, romanized as Chamgireum.
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 참기름.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'Cham', sounds like 'chahm' in 'charm'. The second syllable, 'gi', sounds like 'gee' in 'geese'. The third syllable, 'reum', sounds like 'room' in 'bedroom', but the 'r' is a light flap, like the 'tt' in 'butter'. Stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
A common seasoning technique for vegetable side dishes.
나물 무칠 때 참기름을 조금 넣으면 고소해요.
When seasoning namul, adding a little sesame oil makes it nutty and savory.
Emphasizing its importance in a signature Korean dish.
비빔밥에 참기름은 필수죠!
Sesame oil is essential for bibimbap!
Complimenting the distinctive scent of a dish.
이 음식은 참기름 향이 정말 좋아요.
This food has a really wonderful sesame oil aroma.
Cultural Context
참기름 (Chamgireum) is a signature flavor of Korean cuisine, instantly recognizable by its rich, nutty aroma. It's almost always used as a finishing oil, drizzled over dishes like 비빔밥 (bibimbap), 잡채 (japchae), and various 나물 (namul, seasoned vegetable side dishes) to add depth, fragrance, and a savory '고소한' (gosohan) flavor. It's rarely used for high-heat cooking due to its low smoke point and strong flavor.
Editorial note
We review entries like 참기름 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
참기름 두르다
To drizzle sesame oil
참기름 향
Sesame oil aroma
참기름 고소하다
Sesame oil is nutty/savory
Related Expressions
들기름
Deulgireum
Perilla oil (similar nutty oil, often used interchangeably)
식용유
Sikyongyu
Cooking oil (general term)
간장
Ganjang
Soy sauce (another essential Korean condiment)
고추장
Gochujang
Korean chili paste (another essential Korean condiment)
More Food Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Sesame oil and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
