Korean Dictionary
How to say "Steam" in Korean
“Steam” in Korean is 찐다 (pronounced "jjinda").
찐다
jjinda
Usage & Context
A cooking method using steam to cook food gently. Steaming is a healthy cooking technique that preserves nutrients. It's commonly used for vegetables, fish, and dumplings in Korean cuisine.
Example Sentence
야채를 찐다.
We steam vegetables.
How to use 찐다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Steam” is 찐다, romanized as jjinda.
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 찐다.
Pronunciation Guide
To pronounce "jjin-da," think of "jean-dah." The "jj" is a tense 'j' sound, like the 'j' in 'jam' but with more tension. "Da" is pronounced like 'dah' in 'dah-ling'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
찝니다
jjimnida
This is the polite declarative form, used when speaking formally or to elders/superiors.
Casual (반말)
쪄
jjeo
This is the informal imperative/suggestive form. The input '찐다' is the plain declarative form, often used in casual speech or writing.
More Example Sentences
Cooking for a family meal
만두를 찜통에 찐다.
We steam dumplings in a steamer.
Giving cooking advice to a friend
이 생선은 쪄야 부드러워요.
This fish needs to be steamed to be tender.
Talking about a parent's food preference
엄마가 찐 고구마를 좋아해요.
Mom likes steamed sweet potatoes.
Cultural Context
Steaming (찌다) is a very common and healthy cooking method in Korea, especially for dishes like mandu (dumplings), tteok (rice cakes), and various vegetables. Jjim (찜) is also a general term for steamed dishes, like galbijjim (steamed short ribs) or jjimdak (steamed chicken). It's often preferred for preserving the natural flavors and nutrients of ingredients.
Editorial note
We review entries like 찐다 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
만두 찌다
To steam dumplings
계란 찌다
To steam eggs
살 찌다
To gain weight (idiomatic, literally 'fat steams/accumulates')
Related Expressions
찌다
jjida
To steam (infinitive form)
찜
jjim
Steamed dish (noun)
삶다
salmda
To boil (for solid ingredients)
굽다
gupda
To grill/roast
More Food Words
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