KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › K-culture › 떡볶이는 매워요?
How to Say “Is tteokbokki spicy” in Korean: 떡볶이는 매워요?
떡볶이는 매워요?
tteokbokkineun maewoyo?
Meaning
Is tteokbokki spicy?
Usage note
맵다 (“spicy”) is a ㅂ-irregular adjective, so it becomes 매워요. A useful follow-up is 안 매운 거 있어요? (“Do you have anything that’s not spicy?”).
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce it
Said aloud, it sounds like [떡뽀끼는 매워요].
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 떡볶이는 | ||
| 떡 | ㄸ+ㅓ+ㄱ | tteok |
| 볶 | ㅂ+ㅗ+ㄲ | [뽀] bo |
| 이 | ㅇ+ㅣ | [끼] kki |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 매워요 | ||
| 매 | ㅁ+ㅐ | mae |
| 워 | ㅇ+ㅝ | wo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Tensing: after a final ㄱ, ㄷ or ㅂ sound, ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ and ㅈ become tense (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ). 떡볶이 → [떡뽀끼]
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 볶이 → [보끼]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “매워요”
- 이거 매워요?Is this spicy
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “떡볶이는 매워요?” mean?
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Answer: Is tteokbokki spicy
Question 2 How do you say “Is tteokbokki spicy” in Korean?
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Answer: 떡볶이는 매워요? tteokbokkineun maewoyo?
Question 3 How is “떡볶이는 매워요?” pronounced?
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Answer: [떡뽀끼는 매워요]
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