Korean Dictionary
How to say "Soup" in Korean
“Soup” in Korean is 국 (pronounced "Guk").
국
Guk
Usage & Context
A staple at every Korean meal, served alongside rice. There are dozens of varieties of 국 in Korean cuisine. 국물 refers to the broth or liquid of the soup. In Korean dining culture, soup is not a starter but is consumed alongside the main meal throughout eating.
Example Sentence
밥이랑 국은 항상 같이 나와요.
Rice and soup always come together.
How to use 국 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Soup” is 국, romanized as Guk.
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 국.
Pronunciation Guide
국 (guk) sounds like 'gook' as in 'book' but with a harder 'g' sound at the beginning. The 'k' sound at the end is unreleased, meaning you stop the air without fully pronouncing the 'k'.
More Example Sentences
Describing a comforting morning routine.
아침에 따뜻한 국 한 그릇 먹으면 속이 든든해요.
Eating a warm bowl of soup in the morning makes you feel full and satisfied.
Praising the taste of a soup at a meal.
이 국은 간이 딱 맞네요.
This soup is seasoned just right.
Asking for a refill at a restaurant.
국물 좀 더 주실 수 있나요?
Could you give me some more broth?
Cultural Context
Guk is an indispensable part of almost every Korean meal, served alongside rice and banchan (side dishes). Unlike Western soups, it's not typically a starter but is eaten throughout the meal. There's a vast variety, from clear and mild (like miyeokguk, seaweed soup) to hearty and spicy (like yukgaejang, spicy beef soup). The term 'gukmul' (국물), meaning 'broth,' is often used to refer to the liquid part of the soup and is highly valued for its flavor. It's common to hear '국물이 끝내줘요!' (The broth is amazing!) when someone enjoys a good guk.
Editorial note
We review entries like 국 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
국 주세요.
Please give me soup.
국이 뜨거워요.
The soup is hot.
국물 맛이 좋아요.
The broth tastes good.
Related Expressions
찌개
Jjigae
Stew (thicker, richer, often spicier than guk)
탕
Tang
Soup/stew (often refers to a larger, more substantial soup)
국물
Gukmul
Broth/soup liquid (the essence of guk)
밥
Bap
Rice (always served with guk)
More Food Words
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