Korean · Food & Drink
"Fish" in Korean: 생선
생선saengseon
Note: 생선 is fish as food; 물고기 is a living fish.
Fish in Korean is 생선 (saengseon). 생선 usually names fish as food; 물고기 names a living fish more generally.
A food request
생선을 잘 익혀 주세요.saengseoneul jal ikyeo juseyo.
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How to pronounce 생선
Say it
saengseon
/sɛŋsʌn/
생선 (saengseon) has 2 Hangul syllables. 생선 ends with a nasal n sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
"Fish" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 생선saengseon | Fish Basic dictionary noun. | Basic dictionary noun. |
| 구운 생선guun saengseon | grilled fish A useful combination with 생선. | A useful combination with 생선. |
| 생선을saengseoneul | Fish (as an object) Use 을 when 생선 is the object of an action. | Use 을 when 생선 is the object of an action. |
How to use 생선 in real life
- 1A food request
생선을 잘 익혀 주세요.
saengseoneul jal ikyeo juseyo.
Please cook the fish thoroughly.
생선을 uses 을 to mark an object.
- 2A dietary choice
오늘은 생선을 안 먹어요.
oneureun saengseoneul an meogeoyo.
I am not eating fish today.
생선을 uses 을 to mark an object.
- 3Storing food
생선을 냉장고에 넣었어요.
saengseoneul naengjanggoe neoeosseoyo.
I put the fish in the refrigerator.
생선을 uses 을 to mark an object.
Mistakes English speakers make with 생선
Incorrect: 생선를 잘 익혀 주세요.
Correct: 생선을 잘 익혀 주세요.
When practicing fish, use the correct particle or copula after 생선; the final sound determines whether a linking consonant is needed.
Incorrect: 생선예요.
Correct: 생선이에요.
When practicing fish, when identifying something as 생선, use 생선이에요. The linking 이 follows a consonant-final noun.
Good to know
생선 usually names fish as food; 물고기 names a living fish more generally. The combination 구운 생선 (guun saengseon) means grilled fish.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led food and drink study exercise: two sentences with 생선
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
생선을 잘 익혀 주세요.
saengseoneul jal ikyeo juseyo.
Please cook the fish thoroughly.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
오늘은 생선을 안 먹어요.
oneureun saengseoneul an meogeoyo.
I am not eating fish today.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Fish" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Fish" in Korean
What does 생선 mean in Korean?
Fish in Korean is 생선 (saengseon). 생선 usually names fish as food; 물고기 names a living fish more generally.
How do I use 구운 생선?
구운 생선 (guun saengseon) means grilled fish. 생선 usually names fish as food; 물고기 names a living fish more generally.
Which object particle goes after 생선?
Use 을: 생선을. For example, 생선을 잘 익혀 주세요. means “Please cook the fish thoroughly.”
How is 생선 pronounced?
생선 (saengseon) has 2 Hangul syllables. 생선 ends with a nasal n sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
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