Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential Korean phrase for cleaning up after a meal by washing plates and cutlery.
- Means: To wash the dishes and clean the kitchen after eating.
- Used in: Daily home life, restaurants, or when helping a host.
- Don't confuse: With '빨래를 하다' which specifically means doing the laundry.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
To wash plates, cups, and cooking utensils.
Cultural Background
The 'Maknae' (youngest) rule: In social gatherings or among colleagues, the youngest person often instinctively takes on the dishwashing duty as a sign of respect. Rubber Gloves (Gomu-janggap): Korean dishwashing is almost synonymous with bright pink or red rubber gloves. They are a staple in every kitchen to protect hands from cold water and harsh detergents. The 'Guest Battle': It is culturally expected for a guest to offer to do the dishes, and equally expected for the host to refuse. Doing it without asking can sometimes be seen as 'too comfortable', so always ask first. Gender Roles: While traditionally a female chore, 'Yo-sek-nam' (Sexy men who cook) and men who do chores are highly praised in modern media, leading to more balanced household dynamics.
Drop the '를'
In 90% of spoken Korean, people just say '설거지해요' instead of '설거지를 해요'.
Spelling Trap
Never write '설겆이'. Even though it looks like it comes from a verb, the standard spelling is '설거지'.
Drop the '를'
In 90% of spoken Korean, people just say '설거지해요' instead of '설거지를 해요'.
Spelling Trap
Never write '설겆이'. Even though it looks like it comes from a verb, the standard spelling is '설거지'.
The 'Offer' Rule
If you are at a Korean home, offer to do the dishes at least once. It makes you look very polite!
Rubber Gloves
If you see pink rubber gloves, you know it's time for 설거지!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.
밥을 다 먹었어요. 이제 ________를 할 거예요.
After eating (밥을 다 먹었어요), the logical chore is doing the dishes.
Which sentence is the most natural way to offer help?
How do you say 'I will do the dishes' to a friend?
'-을게' is the standard ending for making a promise or offering to do something.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 설거지 다 했어? B: 아니, 아직 ________.
The question asks if it's done. '아니' (No) must be followed by a negative '안 했어' (didn't do).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a restaurant and want to tell your boss you'll handle the cleaning.
Formal settings require the '-습니다' ending.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Kitchen Chore Vocabulary
Tools
- • 수세미 (Scrubber)
- • 세제 (Soap)
- • 고무장갑 (Gloves)
Objects
- • 그릇 (Bowl)
- • 접시 (Plate)
- • 수저 (Spoon/Chopsticks)
Actions
- • 헹구다 (Rinse)
- • 닦다 (Wipe)
- • 말리다 (Dry)
Practice Bank
5 exercises밥을 다 먹었어요. 이제 ________를 할 거예요.
After eating (밥을 다 먹었어요), the logical chore is doing the dishes.
How do you say 'I will do the dishes' to a friend?
'-을게' is the standard ending for making a promise or offering to do something.
A: 설거지 다 했어? B: 아니, 아직 ________.
The question asks if it's done. '아니' (No) must be followed by a negative '안 했어' (didn't do).
You are at a restaurant and want to tell your boss you'll handle the cleaning.
Formal settings require the '-습니다' ending.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it includes everything used for eating: cups, spoons, chopsticks, pots, and pans.
No, that's redundant. Just say '설거지하다' or '그릇을 씻다'.
It refers to the pile of dirty dishes that need to be washed.
You can say '네 차례야' (It's your turn) or '이번엔 네가 설거지해'.
Yes, it is '식기세척기' (shikki-secheokgi).
Because '설거지' is the name of the 'chore' or 'activity', and you 'do' activities.
Yes, increasingly so! It's very common in modern households.
It's the act of rinsing dishes before the actual wash or before putting them in a machine.
Yes, but the person doing it might be called '설거지 담당' (person in charge of dishes).
No, for fruit use '과일을 씻다'.
It's a modern slang term regarding marriage and social status, but it's best avoided by beginners.
Say '설거지 다 했어요!'
Related Phrases
청소를 하다
similarTo clean (a room/house)
빨래를 하다
similarTo do laundry
뒷정리를 하다
builds onTo tidy up/finish up
그릇을 닦다
synonymTo wipe/scrub dishes
식기세척기를 돌리다
specialized formTo run the dishwasher
Where to Use It
After a family dinner
엄마 (Mom): 지수야, 밥 다 먹었으면 설거지 좀 해.
지수 (Jisoo): 네, 알겠어요. 지금 할게요.
At a friend's house
손님 (Guest): 음식 정말 맛있었어요! 제가 설거지할게요.
주인 (Host): 아니에요, 그냥 두세요. 제가 나중에 할게요.
Deciding chores with a roommate
룸메이트 1: 내가 요리했으니까 네가 설거지해.
룸메이트 2: 그래, 알았어. 가위바위보 할까?
Using a dishwasher
남편: 설거지 다 했어?
아내: 응, 식기세척기 돌렸어.
At a part-time job (Alba)
사장님: 민수 씨, 들어가서 설거지 좀 도와줘요.
민수: 네, 사장님. 바로 가겠습니다.
Complaining about chores
친구 A: 아, 설거지하기 너무 귀찮다.
친구 B: 나도 그래. 내일 하면 안 될까?
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Seol' (Snow) and 'Geoji' (Beggar). A beggar cleaning snow off plates! (A bit silly, but the sounds stick).
Visual Association
Imagine a giant mountain of soap bubbles (설거지 bubbles) covering a stack of colorful Korean ceramic bowls.
Rhyme
밥 먹고 설거지, 깨끗한 내 그릇이지! (Bab meokgo seolgeoji, kkaekkeuthan nae geureusiji! - Eat and wash dishes, my clean bowls!)
Story
You just finished a delicious meal of Bibimbap. You look at the red sauce left on the bowl. You say 'Seol-geo-ji!' and the water starts running. You scrub until the 'Seol' (sounds like 'soul') of the bowl is clean.
In Other Languages
In Japanese, it's 'Sara-arai' (plate washing). In English, we 'do the dishes' or 'wash up'. Most languages use a 'Verb + Dish' structure.
Word Web
Challenge
Next time you finish a meal, say out loud: '지금부터 설거지를 하겠습니다!' (I will do the dishes from now on!)
Review this phrase 1 hour after your next meal, then 1 day later, then 1 week later.
Pronunciation
Pronounced as written. No hidden sound changes.
The 'l' sound is light, like a flap 'r'.
Simple 'ha-da'.
Formality Spectrum
제가 설거지를 하겠습니다. (Offering to help)
제가 설거지할게요. (Offering to help)
내가 설거지할게. (Offering to help)
설거지 컷! (Offering to help)
Derived from the obsolete verb '설겆다' (seolgeot-da), which meant to put things in order or tidy up after an event.
Fun Fact
The spelling was changed because people rarely pronounced the 't' sound in the old spelling '설겆이'.
Cultural Notes
The 'Maknae' (youngest) rule: In social gatherings or among colleagues, the youngest person often instinctively takes on the dishwashing duty as a sign of respect.
“막내인 민수가 설거지를 도맡아 했다. (Minsu, the youngest, took on all the dishwashing.)”
Rubber Gloves (Gomu-janggap): Korean dishwashing is almost synonymous with bright pink or red rubber gloves. They are a staple in every kitchen to protect hands from cold water and harsh detergents.
“고무장갑을 끼고 설거지를 해요. (I put on rubber gloves and do the dishes.)”
The 'Guest Battle': It is culturally expected for a guest to offer to do the dishes, and equally expected for the host to refuse. Doing it without asking can sometimes be seen as 'too comfortable', so always ask first.
“제가 설거지할게요. (Let me do the dishes.)”
Gender Roles: While traditionally a female chore, 'Yo-sek-nam' (Sexy men who cook) and men who do chores are highly praised in modern media, leading to more balanced household dynamics.
“요즘은 남편들이 설거지를 더 많이 해요. (These days, husbands do the dishes more.)”
Conversation Starters
오늘 설거지 누가 해요?
설거지 도와드릴까요?
집에서 설거지하는 거 좋아하세요?
설거지할 때 보통 뭐 하세요? 음악 들으세요?
Common Mistakes
설겆이를 하다
설거지를 하다
L1 Interference
그릇을 세탁하다
설거지를 하다 / 그릇을 닦다
L1 Interference
설거지를 씻다
설거지를 하다
L1 Interference
설거지를 청소하다
설거지를 하다
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Lavar los platos
Spanish uses 'wash' while Korean uses 'do'.
Faire la vaisselle
Almost identical in structure and usage.
Abwaschen
German can express the whole action with one verb.
皿洗いをする
Japanese specifically mentions 'plates' (sara).
غسل الأطباق
Arabic focuses on the 'washing' aspect rather than 'doing'.
洗碗
Korean uses 'do' and a general term for the chore.
Do the dishes
English uses the plural 'dishes' while Korean uses the singular noun '설거지'.
Lavar a louça
Uses 'wash' instead of 'do'.
Spotted in the Real World
“설거지 좀 해.”
The mother tells the family to clean up in their semi-basement home.
“오늘 설거지 누가 할래?”
The cast constantly debates who has to do the dishes after cooking elaborate meals.
“설거지는 산더미...”
A song about the endless nature of chores.
Easily Confused
Both involve washing with water.
세수 is only for your face. 설거지 is only for dishes.
Both are common household chores ending in '하다'.
Think 'P' for Pants (빨래) and 'S' for Spoons (설거지).
Frequently Asked Questions (12)
No, it includes everything used for eating: cups, spoons, chopsticks, pots, and pans.
basic understandingNo, that's redundant. Just say '설거지하다' or '그릇을 씻다'.
grammar mechanicsIt refers to the pile of dirty dishes that need to be washed.
usage contextsYou can say '네 차례야' (It's your turn) or '이번엔 네가 설거지해'.
practical tipsYes, it is '식기세척기' (shikki-secheokgi).
vocabularyBecause '설거지' is the name of the 'chore' or 'activity', and you 'do' activities.
grammar mechanicsYes, increasingly so! It's very common in modern households.
cultural usageIt's the act of rinsing dishes before the actual wash or before putting them in a machine.
usage contextsYes, but the person doing it might be called '설거지 담당' (person in charge of dishes).
usage contextsNo, for fruit use '과일을 씻다'.
common mistakesIt's a modern slang term regarding marriage and social status, but it's best avoided by beginners.
cultural usageSay '설거지 다 했어요!'
practical tips
