I'm learning
한국어
우유 — meaning in English: milk
uyu · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
milk
벌크
beolkeu
경찰
gyeongchal
하늘
haneul
우유
uyu
합병
habbyeong
Skip this question
🎓
Learn Korean for free
Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.
Start learning →
neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers commonly use the word 우유 in everyday conversations, especially during breakfast or when ordering coffee. For instance, a child might ask their parent for 우유 with their cereal, or someone in a café might specify they want their coffee with 우유 instead of cream.
Synonyms & nuances
A similar word is '젖' (jeot), which refers to milk in a more general sense but can also mean 'breast milk.' You would use 우유 when specifically referring to cow's milk in casual contexts, while 젖 might come up in discussions about infant care or health.
Culture
The word 우유 has its roots in the Chinese characters 牛乳 (niú rǔ), which literally means 'cow milk.' In Korea, milk is not just a staple in diets, but it's also a key ingredient in many traditional desserts, such as '우유 팥빙수' (milk red bean shaved ice). Interestingly, the rise of coffee culture in Korea has led to an increased demand for 우유 in various coffee drinks, changing how many young Koreans enjoy their beverages.
FAQ
