Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sikhye" in Korean
“Sikhye” in Korean is 식혜 (pronounced "Sikhye").
식혜
Sikhye
Usage & Context
식혜 is a traditional Korean sweet rice punch made by fermenting cooked rice with malt water. It is often served cold and contains floating grains of rice. It is a popular dessert drink served after traditional Korean meals and during holidays.
Example Sentence
명절에는 식혜를 만들어서 가족과 나눠 마셔요.
During holidays we make sikhye and share it with family.
How to use 식혜 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sikhye” is 식혜, romanized as Sikhye.
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 식혜.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce 'Sik' like 'sick' in English. 'Hye' is pronounced like 'heh' with a soft 'y' sound preceding it, similar to 'yeah' but ending with 'eh'. The 'k' in 'Sik' is a soft, unreleased sound.
More Example Sentences
Recommending sikhye as a must-have drink at a jjimjilbang.
찜질방 가면 시원한 식혜 한 잔 꼭 마셔야죠!
When you go to a jjimjilbang (Korean spa), you definitely have to drink a cold glass of sikhye!
Praising homemade sikhye, often made by elders.
할머니가 직접 만드신 식혜는 정말 최고예요.
The sikhye my grandmother makes herself is truly the best.
Describing the visual appearance of sikhye.
식혜에 밥알이 동동 떠 있는 게 특징이에요.
A characteristic of sikhye is the floating grains of rice.
Cultural Context
Sikhye is a beloved traditional Korean sweet rice punch, often enjoyed as a dessert drink. It's especially popular during holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), and is a staple at jjimjilbangs (Korean bathhouses/spas) where its refreshing sweetness is perfect after a hot sauna. The floating grains of cooked rice are a distinctive and enjoyable feature.
Editorial note
We review entries like 식혜 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
식혜 한 잔
A glass of sikhye
시원한 식혜
Cold sikhye
식혜 만들다
To make sikhye
Related Expressions
수정과
Sujeonggwa
Cinnamon punch (another traditional Korean drink)
엿기름
Yeotgireum
Malt (key ingredient for sikhye)
전통 음료
Jeontong Eumnyo
Traditional beverage
후식
Husik
Dessert
More Food Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Sikhye and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
