Nuance Dictionary / The Soul of Korean Broth

걸쭉하다 geol-jjuk-ha-da

Thick, dense, and viscous in texture, like a rich bone broth or porridge

What does 걸쭉하다 mean?

걸쭉하다 (geol-jjuk-ha-da) means: Thick, dense, and viscous in texture, like a rich bone broth or porridge.

Implies a soup that has been boiled for a very long time, packing immense flavor.
🎙️ 걸쭉하다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [걸쭈카다]로 소리나요 (격음화). 발음 연습하기 →

How it's actually used

  • 삼계탕 국물이 엄청 걸쭉하고 진해서 몸보신 제대로 된다.
    samgyetang gukmuri eomcheong geoljjuk hago jinhaeseo mombasin jedaero doenda.
    The Samgyetang broth is super thick and rich, so it's a real energy booster.
    💡 Describes a hearty, long-simmered porridge or soup texture.
  • 들기름을 넣었더니 국물이 금방 걸쭉해졌어.
    deul-gireumeul neoteodeoni gukmuri geumbang geoljjukhaejyeosseo.
    Adding perilla oil made the soup thick and creamy in no time.
    💡 Used when a liquid naturally thickens during cooking.
  • 어머니가 푹 끓여주신 사골국물이 아주 걸쭉해서 몸이 저절로 보신되는 기분이다.
    eomeoniga puk kkeulyeojusin sagolgukmuri aju geoljjukhaeseo momi jeojeollo boshindoineun gibunida.
    The bone broth my mother boiled for a long time is so thick and rich that I feel my body being nourished just by drinking it.
    💡 Use when describing deeply simmered, rich soups or porridges.

Related words in The Soul of Korean Broth

진하다 jin-ha-da구수하다 gu-su-ha-da담백하다 dam-baek-ha-da감칠맛(이 나다) gam-chil-mat

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