Korean Dictionary
How to say "Vinegar" in Korean
“Vinegar” in Korean is 식초 (pronounced "shikcho").
식초
shikcho
Usage & Context
Shikcho (vinegar) is an important condiment in Korean cooking, used to add tanginess to cold noodles, salads, and pickled dishes. Rice vinegar is the most commonly used variety.
Example Sentence
냉면에 식초를 넣으면 새콤한 맛이 난다.
Adding vinegar to naengmyeon gives it a tangy flavor.
How to use 식초 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Vinegar” is 식초, romanized as shikcho.
Usage tip
Use this word with ordering phrases, taste descriptions, and polite requests when speaking in a restaurant.
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 식초.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'shik' (식), sounds like the English word 'sick'. The second syllable, 'cho' (초), sounds like 'choh' in 'chocolate' or 'choke' without the final 'k' sound. The 'sh' sound is soft, almost like 's' followed by a slight 'y' sound.
More Example Sentences
Giving a cooking tip for gimbap.
김밥에 식초를 살짝 넣으면 더 맛있어요.
Adding a little vinegar to gimbap makes it tastier.
Explaining ingredients for a dipping sauce.
초고추장을 만들 때 식초가 필수예요.
Vinegar is essential when making cho-gochujang (spicy vinegared gochujang).
Describing a salad dressing.
이 샐러드 드레싱은 식초 베이스예요.
This salad dressing is vinegar-based.
Cultural Context
Korean cuisine heavily utilizes rice vinegar (쌀식초, ssal-shikcho) for its mild tanginess. It's a key ingredient in many refreshing dishes like naengmyeon (cold noodles), bibim guksu (spicy mixed noodles), and various pickled side dishes (jangajji). It's also crucial for making dipping sauces like cho-gochujang, which often accompanies seafood or jeon (pancakes).
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 식초 inside ordering situations, because the natural Korean phrase often includes a polite request ending.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
식초 좀 넣어주세요.
Please add some vinegar.
식초 맛이 강해요.
The vinegar taste is strong.
식초로 소독하다.
To disinfect with vinegar.
Related Expressions
쌀식초
ssal-shikcho
rice vinegar
사과식초
sagwa-shikcho
apple cider vinegar
새콤하다
saekomhada
to be tangy/sour
간장
ganjang
soy sauce
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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