Korean Dictionary
How to say "Onion" in Korean
“Onion” in Korean is 양파 (pronounced "yangpa").
양파
yangpa
Usage & Context
Yangpa (onion) is an essential ingredient in Korean cuisine, used in almost every savory dish including stews, stir-fries, and salads. Korean onions are known for their sweetness.
Example Sentence
불고기를 만들 때 양파를 넣으면 달콤해진다.
Adding onion when making bulgogi makes it sweeter.
How to use 양파 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Onion” is 양파, romanized as yangpa.
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 양파.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'yang' (양), sounds like the English word 'song' but with a 'y' at the beginning, like 'yahng'. The second syllable, 'pa' (파), sounds like 'pah' in 'papa' or 'park' without the 'rk'.
More Example Sentences
Describing cooking a meal.
양파를 썰어서 볶음밥에 넣었어요.
I chopped onions and put them in the fried rice.
Praising Korean onions.
한국 양파는 단맛이 강해서 생으로 먹어도 맛있어요.
Korean onions are very sweet, so they're delicious even raw.
Giving a cooking tip.
카레 만들 때 양파를 많이 넣으면 좋아요.
It's good to add a lot of onions when making curry.
Cultural Context
Yangpa (onion) is a foundational ingredient in almost all Korean savory dishes, from stews like kimchi jjigae to stir-fries like bulgogi. Korean onions are particularly known for their sweetness, which develops beautifully when caramelized. They're often used to add depth and natural sweetness, reducing the need for added sugar in many recipes.
Editorial note
We test food and dining words like 양파 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
양파 썰다
to chop onions
양파 볶다
to stir-fry onions
양파즙
onion juice
Related Expressions
대파
daepa
large green onion/leek
마늘
maneul
garlic
감자
gamja
potato
채소
chaeso
vegetable
More Korean Food & Dining Words
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