Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ssam" in Korean
“Ssam” in Korean is 쌈 (pronounced "ssam").
쌈
ssam
Usage & Context
Ssam means to wrap and refers to the practice of wrapping meat, rice, and condiments in leafy vegetables. It is central to the Korean BBQ dining experience.
Example Sentence
삼겹살을 쌈에 싸서 한 입에 먹었다.
I wrapped samgyeopsal in a ssam leaf and ate it in one bite.
How to use 쌈 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ssam” is 쌈, romanized as ssam.
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 쌈.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'ssam' — one syllable. The 'ss' is tense and sharp (not a soft 's'), and 'am' rhymes with 'mom' but shorter. Say it crisply.
More Example Sentences
At a Korean BBQ table with friends.
상추에 고기 올리고 쌈장 발라 쌈 싸 먹자.
Put the meat on the lettuce, spread ssamjang, and wrap it up.
Explaining Korean dining manners to a foreigner.
쌈 한 입에 안 들어가면 실례라는 말도 있어요.
There's a saying that it's rude if your ssam doesn't fit in one bite.
A home cook explaining their preference.
깻잎으로 쌈을 싸면 향이 정말 좋아요.
When you wrap a ssam with perilla leaves, the aroma is amazing.
Cultural Context
쌈 is more than food — it's a dining ritual. The classic table features 상추 (lettuce), 깻잎 (perilla), sliced raw garlic, and 쌈장 (a ssam dipping paste), with the host often building a rich 쌈 and offering it to elders or guests as a gesture of care. There's a widely cited etiquette rule that a proper 쌈 should be eaten in a single bite, and stuffing too much meat into one wrap is a common joke at Korean BBQ. 쌈 culture highlights Korea's love of fresh greens at every meal.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 쌈 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
쌈 싸 드릴게요.
I'll make a ssam wrap for you.
쌈장 좀 주세요.
Please pass the ssamjang.
쌈 크게 싸지 마세요.
Don't wrap the ssam too big.
Related Expressions
쌈장
ssamjang
Thick savory paste for ssam (mix of doenjang and gochujang)
상추
sangchu
Lettuce (most common ssam leaf)
깻잎
kkaennip
Perilla leaf
쌈밥
ssambap
Ssam set meal with rice and side dishes
More Korean Food & Dining Words
Related Articles
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Ssam and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
