삶아먹다 in 30 Seconds
- Literally means to boil solid food in water and eat it, commonly used for snacks like eggs and corn.
- Figuratively used to describe winning someone over or manipulating them through clever persuasion or flattery.
- A compound verb of '삶다' (to boil) and '먹다' (to eat), following '먹다' conjugation rules.
- Common in casual conversation and dramas to describe social influence and family dynamics.
The Korean verb 삶아먹다 (salma-meokda) is a fascinating compound word that combines two fundamental actions: 삶다 (to boil something in water) and 먹다 (to eat). At its most literal level, it describes the process of preparing solid food by boiling it in water and then consuming it. This is a staple method in Korean cuisine, particularly for ingredients like eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and certain types of meat like pork belly for bossam. However, the true depth of this word lies in its colloquial and figurative usage, which is common in everyday Korean social dynamics.
- Literal Culinary Context
- In the kitchen, this word is used when the primary goal is to cook a solid item thoroughly in hot water. Unlike '끓이다' (kkuirida), which focuses on boiling the liquid itself (like soup or water), '삶다' (samda) focuses on the object being cooked. When you add '먹다' to it, you are emphasizing the complete cycle of preparation and enjoyment. For example, on a rainy afternoon, a Korean grandmother might say she wants to boil some corn to share with her grandchildren.
배가 고파서 계란을 삶아먹었어요.
- Figurative Social Context
- Figuratively, '삶아먹다' means to 'soften someone up' or 'win someone over' through persuasion, flattery, or manipulation until they do exactly what you want. Think of it like boiling a hard vegetable until it becomes soft and easy to consume. If a child manages to convince a strict father to buy an expensive toy, people might say the child 'boiled and ate' the father. It implies a level of cleverness or persistence in handling people.
Understanding the distinction between the literal and figurative is crucial for A2 learners. While you will mostly use it for food, hearing it in a drama or a heated conversation between adults will likely refer to social manipulation. The imagery of 'boiling' someone is quite vivid—it suggests heat, time, and a change in state from resistant (hard) to compliant (soft). This word is a perfect example of how Korean verbs often combine a physical action with '먹다' to create a more dynamic and complete expression of an experience.
그는 사장님을 어떻게 삶아먹었는지 보너스를 받아냈어.
- Common Food Pairings
- The most common objects for this verb are '고구마' (sweet potato), '감자' (potato), '옥수수' (corn), '달걀/계란' (egg), and '고기' (meat). You wouldn't typically use this for rice (which is '짓다') or soup (which is '끓이다'). It must be something that starts hard and becomes edible through boiling.
Using 삶아먹다 correctly requires an understanding of Korean verb conjugation and particle usage. Since it is a transitive verb, it always takes an object marked by the particles -을 or -를. The verb itself is a combination of '삶아' (the connective form of 삶다) and '먹다'. Therefore, it follows the conjugation rules of '먹다'.
- Politeness Levels
- For formal situations, use '삶아먹습니다'. In standard polite conversation (Haeyoche), use '삶아먹어요'. In casual settings with friends or younger people (Banmal), use '삶아먹어'. To express a past action, use '삶아먹었어요'.
어제는 감자를 삶아먹었어요.
When using it in its figurative sense, the sentence structure remains the same, but the object is a person. This usage is highly idiomatic. For example, '동생이 엄마를 삶아먹어서 게임기를 샀다' (The younger sibling 'boiled' Mom and bought a game console). Here, the verb suggests the sibling used puppy-dog eyes or persistent begging to weaken the mother's resolve.
- Common Grammatical Patterns
- 1. [Object] + 을/를 삶아먹고 싶다 (I want to boil and eat [Object]).
2. [Object] + 을/를 삶아먹으려고 해요 (I intend to boil and eat [Object]).
3. [Person] + 을/를 삶아먹다 (To manipulate/persuade [Person]).
옥수수를 삶아먹으러 할머니 댁에 가요.
For advanced learners, you might see it in passive or causative-like contexts in literature, though the active form is most common. In the figurative sense, it is almost always used in the past tense or as a rhetorical question, like '어떻게 삶아먹었어?' (How did you win them over?).
그 친구는 말을 잘해서 누구든 삶아먹을 수 있어요.
- Comparison with similar verbs
- Don't confuse '삶아먹다' with '구워먹다' (to grill and eat) or '쪄먹다' (to steam and eat). Boiling implies the food is submerged in water, which results in a different texture than steaming or grilling. Figuratively, '구워먹다' is not used the same way as '삶아먹다'.
If you spend time in a Korean household, especially during the harvest season or winter, you will hear 삶아먹다 frequently. It is the sound of comfort food. In traditional markets (Sijang), vendors might shout about their '삶은 옥수수' (boiled corn), and customers will talk about how they plan to take it home and '삶아먹다'. It evokes a sense of rustic, healthy, and simple eating.
- In the Kitchen and Home
- Parents often say this to children when deciding on a snack. '우리 고구마 삶아먹을까?' (Shall we boil some sweet potatoes?). It is also common in discussions about dieting, as '삶은 달걀' (boiled eggs) are a staple protein source. You will hear it in cooking shows (Mukbang or recipe videos) where the host explains how long to boil meat to make it tender.
밤을 삶아먹으면 정말 달콤해요.
In the corporate or social world, the figurative meaning surfaces during '뒷담화' (backbiting or gossiping). Colleagues might wonder how a particular employee managed to get a promotion despite poor performance. One might whisper, '부장님을 잘 삶아먹었나 보지' (I guess they 'boiled' the department head well), implying flattery or manipulation was involved.
- In Dramas and Variety Shows
- In K-Dramas, especially family dramas, a mother-in-law might accuse a daughter-in-law of '삶아먹다'-ing her son, meaning the son is now too obedient to his wife. In variety shows like 'Running Man', cast members often joke about '삶아먹다' when someone successfully tricks another person into a deal or alliance.
너 우리 오빠를 어떻게 삶아먹은 거야?
Finally, you'll hear it in health contexts. Doctors or nutritionists might recommend '삶아먹는 방식' (the method of boiling and eating) as a healthier alternative to frying (튀겨먹다) or stir-frying (볶아먹다) because it uses less oil and preserves certain nutrients while making fibers easier to digest.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning 삶아먹다 is confusing it with other 'boiling' verbs. In English, 'to boil' covers many scenarios, but Korean is much more specific. If you use the wrong verb, your sentence might sound strange or even nonsensical to a native speaker.
- Mistake 1: Confusing 삶다 with 끓이다
- You use '끓이다' (kkuirida) when the focus is on the liquid (like boiling water, soup, or ramen). You use '삶다' (samda) when the focus is on the solid food inside the water (like eggs or potatoes). Saying '계란을 끓여먹다' is technically understandable but sounds like you are eating the water the egg was in. Always use '삶아먹다' for the solid item.
❌ 물을 삶아먹다 (Wrong)
✅ 물을 끓여 마시다 (Correct)
- Mistake 2: Confusing 삶다 with 찌다
- '찌다' (jjida) means to steam. While both involve hot water, '삶다' involves direct immersion in water, whereas '찌다' uses steam. For sweet potatoes, you can both '삶아먹다' and '쪄먹다', but the texture is different. Steaming is often considered to make them sweeter and less watery. Using them interchangeably is a common learner error.
만두는 보통 쪄먹지 삶아먹지 않아요.
Another mistake is overusing the figurative meaning. While it's a great idiom, it's quite informal and can sound disrespectful if used about a superior in their presence. It's best used when talking *about* a situation to a friend, rather than *to* the person you are describing. Also, remember that '삶아먹다' implies the person being manipulated eventually gave in—it's not just the attempt, but the successful result.
- Spelling Note
- The double consonant 'ㄻ' in '삶' can be tricky. Remember that when followed by '아', the 'ㅁ' sound carries over: [살마먹따]. Many learners forget the 'ㄹ' in writing, but it's essential for the correct spelling of '삶다'.
To broaden your Korean vocabulary, it is helpful to look at 삶아먹다 alongside other cooking-and-eating compound verbs. Korean has a rich set of these verbs that describe the entire process from stove to table.
- 1. 쪄먹다 (Jjyeo-meokda)
- To steam and eat. Used for dumplings (mandu), certain cakes (tteok), and sometimes vegetables. It implies a gentler cooking process than boiling.
- 2. 구워먹다 (Gu-wo-meokda)
- To grill, roast, or bake and eat. This is the most popular way to eat meat (Samgyeopsal) or fish in Korea. It suggests a smoky or crispy finish.
- 3. 볶아먹다 (Bokka-meokda)
- To stir-fry and eat. Very common for fried rice (bokkeumbap) or spicy pork (jeyuk-bokkeum). It implies high heat and constant movement.
삼겹살은 구워먹어야 제맛이죠!
Regarding the figurative meaning of 'softening someone up', there are a few alternatives depending on the nuance:
- 구워삶다 (Gu-wo-samda)
- Literally 'to grill and boil'. This is even stronger than '삶아먹다'. It means to use every possible means (persuasion, threats, flattery) to get someone to comply. It's a very common idiom for 'working someone over'.
- 설득하다 (Seoldeuk-hada)
- To persuade. This is the neutral, formal, and academic way to say you convinced someone. It lacks the 'cooking' imagery but is safer to use in professional settings.
- 꼬시다 (Kkosida)
- To lure, seduce, or coax. This is slangier and often used in romantic contexts or when tricking someone into doing something fun or slightly bad.
In summary, choose '삶아먹다' when you want to emphasize the thorough boiling of a solid food item, or when you want to humorously describe how someone was 'softened up' by persistent persuasion. It is a word that tastes like home and sounds like clever social navigation.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The figurative meaning comes from the idea that boiling makes something hard become soft and easy to handle, just like a difficult person becomes easy to deal with after being 'softened' by persuasion.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing both 'ㄹ' and 'ㅁ' clearly in '삶' (it should be more like 'sam').
- Forgetting the tense 't' sound at the end (should be 'ta' not 'da').
- Not linking '삶' and '아' (it should sound like 'sal-ma').
- Confusing the vowel 'ㅏ' in '삶' with 'ㅓ'.
- Pronouncing '먹' like 'mook' instead of 'meok'.
Difficulty Rating
The double consonant '삶' can be tricky for beginners but the word is common.
Spelling '삶아먹다' correctly requires remembering the 'ㄹ'.
Pronunciation is straightforward once the 'ㄹ' silence is understood.
The figurative meaning can be confusing if the context isn't clear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Verbs (아/어 먹다)
구워먹다, 쪄먹다, 볶아먹다
Irregular Double Consonants (삶다)
삶으니, 삶아서, 삶는
The Object Particle (을/를)
감자를 삶아먹다
Desire (-고 싶다)
밤을 삶아먹고 싶다
Intentional (-으려고)
삶아먹으려고 냄비를 꺼냈다
Examples by Level
계란을 삶아먹어요.
I boil and eat eggs.
Present tense polite form.
감자를 삶아먹었습니다.
I boiled and ate potatoes.
Past tense formal form.
옥수수 삶아먹을까요?
Shall we boil and eat corn?
Suggestive ending -ㄹ까요.
고구마를 삶아먹어.
Boil and eat the sweet potato.
Imperative casual form.
밤을 삶아먹고 싶어요.
I want to boil and eat chestnuts.
Desire form -고 싶다.
엄마가 계란을 삶아먹으라고 했어요.
Mom told me to boil and eat eggs.
Indirect command -라고 하다.
우리는 보통 감자를 삶아먹어요.
We usually boil and eat potatoes.
Adverb '보통' (usually).
맛있게 삶아먹어요.
Boil and eat it deliciously.
Adverbial form of '맛있다'.
시장에서 옥수수를 사서 삶아먹었어요.
I bought corn at the market and boiled and ate it.
Sequential connective -아서.
다이어트를 위해서 매일 계란을 삶아먹어요.
I boil and eat eggs every day for my diet.
Purpose form -를 위해서.
겨울에는 고구마를 삶아먹는 것이 최고예요.
In winter, boiling and eating sweet potatoes is the best.
Gerund form -는 것.
이 고기는 삶아먹으면 아주 부드러워요.
If you boil and eat this meat, it is very soft.
Conditional -으면.
친구들과 함께 밤을 삶아먹기로 했어요.
I decided to boil and eat chestnuts with my friends.
Decision form -기로 하다.
어떻게 하면 계란을 맛있게 삶아먹을 수 있을까요?
How can I boil and eat eggs deliciously?
Ability form -을 수 있다.
너무 오래 삶으면 맛이 없으니까 적당히 삶아먹으세요.
Don't boil it too long; boil and eat it just enough.
Reason -으니까.
할머니께서 옥수수를 삶아먹으라고 주셨어요.
Grandmother gave me corn to boil and eat.
Honorific -시- and purpose.
그는 말솜씨가 좋아서 사람들을 잘 삶아먹어요.
He is a good talker, so he wins people over easily.
Figurative usage (to win over).
동생이 엄마를 어떻게 삶아먹었는지 새 신발을 샀더라고요.
I don't know how my brother talked Mom into it, but he got new shoes.
Indirect question -는지.
돼지고기를 삶아먹으면 기름기가 빠져서 건강에 좋아요.
Boiling and eating pork is good for health as the fat is removed.
Health context.
아무리 무서운 선생님이라도 우리 반장은 잘 삶아먹을 거예요.
No matter how scary the teacher is, our class president will win them over.
Concessive -아무리 -라도.
옥수수를 삶아먹으려다가 그냥 쪄먹기로 했어요.
I was going to boil and eat the corn, but decided to steam it instead.
Interrupted intention -으려다가.
그녀는 남편을 잘 삶아먹어서 집안일을 다 시켜요.
She has her husband wrapped around her finger and makes him do all the chores.
Figurative social dynamic.
이번 주말에는 가족들과 수육을 삶아먹을 계획이에요.
I plan to boil and eat boiled pork (suyuk) with my family this weekend.
Plan form -을 계획이다.
감자를 삶아먹을 때 소금을 조금 넣으면 더 맛있어요.
When you boil and eat potatoes, it's tastier if you add a little salt.
Time connective -을 때.
그 정치인은 유권자들을 삶아먹는 데 아주 능숙합니다.
That politician is very skilled at winning over voters.
Skill expression -는 데 능숙하다.
사장님을 잘 삶아먹어서 이번 프로젝트의 승인을 받아냈어요.
I talked the boss into it and got the project approved.
Resultative usage.
콩을 삶아먹는 방식은 지역마다 조금씩 다릅니다.
The way of boiling and eating beans varies slightly by region.
Noun phrase -는 방식.
아내가 나를 어떻게 삶아먹었는지 정신을 차려보니 쇼핑몰이었어요.
I don't know how my wife talked me into it, but I found myself at the mall.
Humorous figurative use.
그는 교묘한 말로 친구를 삶아먹어서 돈을 빌려갔다.
He talked his friend into lending him money with clever words.
Negative connotation.
신선한 채소를 살짝 삶아먹으면 영양소 흡수가 더 잘 돼요.
If you lightly boil and eat fresh vegetables, nutrients are absorbed better.
Scientific/Health context.
너는 도대체 누구를 삶아먹으려고 그렇게 화장을 열심히 하니?
Who on earth are you trying to win over by putting on so much makeup?
Rhetorical question.
어머니께서는 항상 자식들에게 좋은 것만 삶아먹이고 싶어 하셨다.
Mother always wanted to boil and feed only the best things to her children.
Causative + Desire -여 먹이고 싶어 하다.
그 협상가는 상대방을 삶아먹는 탁월한 심리적 기교를 가지고 있다.
That negotiator possesses excellent psychological skills to win over the opponent.
Advanced descriptor '탁월한 심리적 기교'.
언론은 대중을 삶아먹기 위해 자극적인 보도를 일삼았다.
The media resorted to sensational reporting to manipulate the public.
Critical social context.
고구마를 삶아먹던 어린 시절의 추억이 가끔 그리워집니다.
I sometimes miss the childhood memories of boiling and eating sweet potatoes.
Retrospective -던.
그는 철저히 계산된 행동으로 상사를 삶아먹어 승진을 꿰찼다.
He manipulated his boss with thoroughly calculated actions and snatched the promotion.
Advanced verb '꿰차다'.
전통적인 방식으로 메주콩을 삶아먹는 과정은 꽤나 번거롭다.
The process of boiling and eating soybeans in the traditional way is quite cumbersome.
Adverb '꽤나' and '번거롭다'.
아무리 고집이 센 사람이라도 그의 논리 앞에서는 삶아먹히기 마련이다.
No matter how stubborn someone is, they are bound to be won over by his logic.
Passive nuance -기 마련이다.
작가들은 독자들을 삶아먹기 위해 매력적인 캐릭터를 창조해낸다.
Writers create attractive characters to captivate and win over readers.
Metaphorical creative context.
그녀의 부드러운 카리스마는 적들조차 삶아먹을 정도로 강력했다.
Her soft charisma was powerful enough to win over even her enemies.
Extent form -을 정도로.
권력자들은 종종 감언이설로 민심을 삶아먹으려 획책한다.
Those in power often plot to manipulate public sentiment with sweet talk.
Academic terms '감언이설', '획책하다'.
이 소설의 주인공은 타인의 욕망을 삶아먹으며 자신의 부를 축적한다.
The protagonist of this novel accumulates wealth by feeding on (manipulating) others' desires.
Literary metaphor.
척박한 땅에서 자란 감자를 삶아먹으며 연명하던 시절이 있었다.
There was a time when people barely survived by boiling and eating potatoes grown in barren land.
Historical context '연명하다'.
그의 연설은 청중의 이성을 마비시키고 감성을 삶아먹는 마력이 있었다.
His speech had a magical power to paralyze the audience's reason and manipulate their emotions.
High-level abstract description.
상대를 구워삶다 못해 아예 삶아먹어 버리는 그의 수완은 공포스럽기까지 하다.
His ability to not just work someone over but completely manipulate them is almost terrifying.
Intensified idiom usage.
단순히 배를 채우기 위해 삶아먹던 행위가 이제는 하나의 문화적 향유가 되었다.
The act of boiling and eating, once merely for filling the stomach, has now become a form of cultural enjoyment.
Sociological observation.
정치적 담론이 실종된 자리에 대중을 삶아먹는 선동만이 가득하다.
In the place where political discourse has vanished, only demagoguery that manipulates the public remains.
Philosophical/Political critique.
인생의 쓴맛을 다 본 노인은 세상 모든 이치를 이미 삶아먹은 듯한 표정을 지었다.
The old man, who had tasted all the bitterness of life, had an expression as if he had already mastered (digested) all the truths of the world.
Deep metaphorical mastery.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Whether you boil it or grill it (Do whatever you want with it).
그건 네 거니까 삶아먹든 구워먹든 마음대로 해.
— Literally 'nothing to boil and eat', figuratively meaning there is nothing left to gain.
그 가난한 집에는 삶아먹을 것도 없었다.
— It is perfect for boiling and eating.
이 옥수수는 지금 삶아먹기 딱 좋다.
— To boil and eat something whole.
작은 감자는 통째로 삶아먹는 게 편해요.
— The fun of boiling and eating (simple pleasures).
시골에서는 고구마를 삶아먹는 재미가 있어요.
— Who are you trying to manipulate/impress?
그렇게 예쁘게 차려입고 누구를 삶아먹으려고?
— You need to boil it well (or persuade someone well).
고기는 냄새 안 나게 잘 삶아먹어야 한다.
— A look or momentum as if one is about to manipulate someone.
그녀는 오늘 사장님을 삶아먹을 기세로 출근했다.
— To boil and eat one by one.
계란을 매일 하나씩 삶아먹고 있어요.
— To boil and eat something roughly/quickly.
시간이 없어서 감자를 대충 삶아먹었다.
Often Confused With
Use for soups or liquids; 삶아먹다 is for solid items in water.
Use for steaming; 삶아먹다 involves submerging in water.
Use for grilling or roasting; 삶아먹다 is boiling.
Idioms & Expressions
— To win someone over or manipulate them successfully.
말재주가 좋아서 사람을 삶아먹는 데 도사다.
Informal— To use all sorts of means to make someone comply.
그는 부모님을 구워삶아서 결국 차를 샀다.
Colloquial— Like putting a needle into a boiled pumpkin (something very easy).
그 일은 나에게 삶은 호박에 침 놓기다.
Proverb— To decide how to handle a situation or person.
이 문제를 삶아먹을지 쪄먹을지 고민 중이다.
Informal— Completely won someone over.
걱정 마, 내가 이미 그 사람은 다 삶아먹었어.
Slang— To be manipulated or won over by someone.
그의 달콤한 말에 홀딱 삶아먹혔다.
Informal— A play on a proverb, suggesting using words to handle even a huge debt (manipulation).
그는 말 한마디로 천 냥 빚을 삶아먹을 놈이다.
Humorous— To cause someone great distress (boiling their insides).
자식이 부모 속을 삶아먹으면 안 된다.
Old-fashioned— To exploit someone or something completely.
그 회사는 직원들을 뼈까지 삶아먹으려 한다.
Cynical— To make someone lose their focus or sanity through manipulation.
그 여우 같은 친구가 내 정신을 삶아먹었어.
InformalEasily Confused
Base verb vs compound.
삶다 is just the act of boiling; 삶아먹다 includes the act of eating.
계란을 삶고 있어요 vs 계란을 삶아먹었어요.
Both involve boiling.
데치다 is a very quick boil (blanching); 삶다 is thorough cooking.
시금치를 데치다 vs 감자를 삶다.
Both involve boiling meat.
고다 is simmering for a very long time to extract broth; 삶다 is cooking the meat to eat it.
사골을 고다 vs 수육을 삶다.
Both involve boiling liquid.
졸이다 is boiling down liquid to make it thick/salty; 삶다 focus is on the solid.
생선을 졸이다 vs 계란을 삶다.
Figurative synonym.
설득하다 is formal 'persuade'; 삶아먹다 is idiomatic and implies a 'softening' process.
고객을 설득하다 vs 친구를 삶아먹다.
Sentence Patterns
[Food]을/를 삶아먹어요.
계란을 삶아먹어요.
[Food]을/를 삶아먹고 싶어요.
옥수수를 삶아먹고 싶어요.
[Food]을/를 삶아먹었어요.
감자를 삶아먹었어요.
[Person]을/를 잘 삶아먹다.
동생은 아빠를 잘 삶아먹어요.
[Food]을/를 삶아먹으러 [Place]에 가다.
고구마를 삶아먹으러 시골에 가요.
[Person]을/를 어떻게 삶아먹었어?
선생님을 어떻게 삶아먹었어?
[Person]을/를 삶아먹는 수완이 좋다.
그는 사람을 삶아먹는 수완이 좋다.
[Concept]을/를 삶아먹은 듯한 [Noun].
세상 이치를 삶아먹은 듯한 표정.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
High (Literal), Medium (Figurative).
-
물을 삶다
→
물을 끓이다
You boil water (liquid), you don't 'sam' water.
-
계란을 끓여먹다
→
계란을 삶아먹다
Use 'samda' for solid items like eggs.
-
사장을 삶아먹다 (in a formal meeting)
→
사장을 설득하다
'삶아먹다' is too informal for a professional setting when referring to a boss.
-
삼다
→
삶다
Forgetting the 'ㄹ' in the spelling.
-
만두를 삶아먹다
→
만두를 쪄먹다
Dumplings are usually steamed, not boiled (unless in soup).
Tips
Object Particles
Always use 을/를 with the food you are boiling and eating.
Market Snack
Boiled corn is a very common street food in Korea; look for signs saying '찐옥수수' or '삶은 옥수수'.
The Silent ㄹ
Don't try to pronounce the 'ㄹ' in '삶' too strongly; it's mostly about the 'ㅁ' sound in '삶아'.
Social Skills
Being told you '삶아먹다' people well is often a backhanded compliment about your persuasion skills.
Healthy Choice
Use this word when talking about healthy eating habits, as boiling is better than frying.
Softening Up
Link the physical softening of a potato to the mental softening of a person.
Double Consonants
Practice writing '삶' ten times to master the ㄹㅁ combination.
Drama Context
When you hear this in a drama, look at the facial expressions to see if it's literal or figurative.
Compound Verbs
Notice how many Korean verbs end in '먹다'—it's a great way to expand your vocabulary.
Asking for Snacks
Use '고구마 삶아먹을까요?' to sound like a natural Korean speaker at home.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'SAM' (삶) as a chef named Sam who BOILS things. Sam boils things so he can EAT (먹다) them. Sam also knows how to 'soften' people up!
Visual Association
Imagine a hard potato (a stubborn person) being dropped into a pot of boiling water and coming out soft and mushy (persuaded).
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use '삶아먹다' in two sentences today: one about what you ate for a snack, and one about a time you convinced someone to do something.
Word Origin
A compound of the native Korean verbs '삶다' (to boil) and '먹다' (to eat). '삶다' has been used since Middle Korean to describe cooking in water.
Original meaning: To prepare food by boiling and then consuming it.
Koreanic (Native Korean words).Cultural Context
Avoid using the figurative sense in very formal or serious business meetings as it implies a level of manipulation.
In English, we say 'wrap someone around your finger' or 'butter someone up'. '삶아먹다' is the Korean culinary equivalent.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Cooking at home
- 간식으로 삶아먹다
- 냄비에 삶아먹다
- 맛있게 삶아먹다
- 껍질째 삶아먹다
Dieting
- 계란만 삶아먹다
- 기름기 없이 삶아먹다
- 건강하게 삶아먹다
- 매일 삶아먹다
Social manipulation
- 상대를 삶아먹다
- 말재주로 삶아먹다
- 완전히 삶아먹다
- 어떻게 삶아먹지?
Market shopping
- 삶아먹을 옥수수
- 가서 삶아먹다
- 좋은 걸로 삶아먹다
- 한 바구니 삶아먹다
Childhood memories
- 모여서 삶아먹다
- 할머니가 삶아먹여 주시다
- 추억의 고구마 삶아먹기
- 겨울밤에 삶아먹다
Conversation Starters
"오늘 간식으로 계란 삶아먹을까요?"
"옥수수 맛있게 삶아먹는 법 아세요?"
"어떻게 하면 부모님을 삶아먹어서 여행 허락을 받을 수 있을까요?"
"겨울에는 역시 고구마를 삶아먹는 게 제일이죠?"
"고기를 구워먹는 것보다 삶아먹는 걸 더 좋아하시나요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 내가 삶아먹은 음식에 대해 써보세요. 맛이 어땠나요?
누군가를 설득해서 (삶아먹어서) 원하는 것을 얻었던 경험이 있나요?
한국의 '삶아먹는' 문화와 당신 나라의 요리 문화는 어떻게 다른가요?
만약 당신이 사장님을 삶아먹을 수 있다면, 어떤 요구를 하고 싶나요?
삶은 달걀과 구운 달걀 중 무엇을 더 좋아하나요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for ramen you use '끓여먹다' because you are boiling the soup and the noodles together as a liquid dish.
The literal meaning is perfectly polite. The figurative meaning (manipulating people) is informal and should be used with caution.
삶다 is for the solid object (egg, potato). 끓이다 is for the liquid (water, soup).
It is spelled '삶' with a ㄹ and ㅁ. In '삶아', the ㅁ sound moves to the next syllable.
Yes, but if it's a quick boil, '데쳐먹다' (blanch) is often more accurate.
In the figurative sense, it can range from harmless persuasion to clever manipulation.
No, rice is '짓다' (밥을 짓다) or '하다' (밥을 하다).
No, coffee is '마시다' (to drink). You would say '커피를 끓여 마시다'.
Yes, '삶아먹히다' means to be won over or manipulated by someone else.
It's a stronger idiom meaning to work someone over using every possible method.
Test Yourself 185 questions
Write 'I boiled and ate eggs' in polite Korean.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I want to boil and eat corn.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using the figurative meaning of '삶아먹다'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Shall we boil and eat sweet potatoes?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'Yesterday I boiled and ate potatoes' in formal Korean.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'How did you win over your father?'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'Boiled eggs are good for health.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'I am going to the market to buy corn to boil and eat.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'My sister is good at winning people over.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'If you boil and eat meat, it is soft.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'I decided to boil and eat chestnuts with friends.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'Who are you trying to win over?'
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Write: 'I don't like boiled potatoes.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'He manipulated me.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'Boil and eat it before it gets cold.'
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Translate: 'I will boil and eat one egg every day.'
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Write: 'Traditional corn tastes best boiled.'
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Translate: 'I was so hungry I boiled and ate everything.'
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Write: 'She wraped her husband around her finger.'
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Translate: 'Let's boil and eat sweet potatoes tonight.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Pronounce: 삶아먹다
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'I boiled and ate an egg.'
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You said:
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Say: 'Do you want to boil and eat corn?'
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You said:
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Say: 'How did you win him over?' (casual)
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Say: 'Boiling and eating potatoes is healthy.'
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Say: 'I want to boil and eat sweet potatoes.'
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Say: 'Don't manipulate people.'
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Say: 'Shall we boil and eat meat tonight?'
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Say: 'My grandmother boiled some corn for me.'
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Say: 'Boiled eggs taste best with salt.'
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Say: 'He wraped his boss around his finger.'
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You said:
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Say: 'I boiled and ate chestnuts yesterday.'
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Say: 'It is easy to boil and eat.'
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'I'm going to boil and eat a potato because I'm hungry.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'You are good at winning people over.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'I decided to boil and eat eggs every morning.'
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Say: 'Steaming is better than boiling for sweet potatoes.'
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Say: 'Who are you trying to win over today?'
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Say: 'I already won my parents over.'
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Say: 'Let's boil and eat together.'
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Listen and identify the food: '고구마를 삶아먹었어요.'
Listen and identify the action: '계란을 삶아먹을까요?'
Listen and determine the meaning: '그는 친구를 삶아먹었다.'
Listen and identify the target: '사장님을 삶아먹으려고요.'
Listen and find the reason: '다이어트 때문에 계란을 삶아먹어요.'
Listen and identify the time: '어제 밤을 삶아먹었어요.'
Listen and identify the person: '동생이 아빠를 삶아먹었어.'
Listen and identify the place: '시장에서 사서 삶아먹었어요.'
Listen and determine the mood: '누구를 삶아먹으려고 그렇게 꾸몄어?'
Listen and identify the food count: '계란 두 개를 삶아먹었어요.'
Listen and identify the method: '구워먹지 말고 삶아먹으세요.'
Listen and find the taste: '옥수수를 삶아먹으니 정말 달아요.'
Listen and identify the season: '겨울에는 고구마를 삶아먹어요.'
Listen and determine if they succeeded: '결국 선생님을 삶아먹었어요.'
Listen and identify the tool: '냄비에 삶아먹었어요.'
/ 185 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word '삶아먹다' is essential for describing basic Korean cooking (boiling eggs/corn) and is a very common idiom for 'softening someone up' or 'wrapping someone around your finger'. For example: '그는 친구를 삶아먹어서 돈을 빌렸다' (He talked his friend into lending him money).
- Literally means to boil solid food in water and eat it, commonly used for snacks like eggs and corn.
- Figuratively used to describe winning someone over or manipulating them through clever persuasion or flattery.
- A compound verb of '삶다' (to boil) and '먹다' (to eat), following '먹다' conjugation rules.
- Common in casual conversation and dramas to describe social influence and family dynamics.
Object Particles
Always use 을/를 with the food you are boiling and eating.
Market Snack
Boiled corn is a very common street food in Korea; look for signs saying '찐옥수수' or '삶은 옥수수'.
The Silent ㄹ
Don't try to pronounce the 'ㄹ' in '삶' too strongly; it's mostly about the 'ㅁ' sound in '삶아'.
Social Skills
Being told you '삶아먹다' people well is often a backhanded compliment about your persuasion skills.
Related Content
More food words
몇 개
A2How many items?
~정도
A1Suffix meaning "about" or "approximately."
추가
A2Addition, extra (e.g., extra order).
~은/는 후에
A2After ~ing; indicates an action that occurs subsequent to another.
중에서
A2Among, out of (selection).
식욕
A2Appetite.
에피타이저
A2An appetizer.
전채
A2Appetizer.
먹음직스럽다
B2To look appetizing, delicious.
사과
A1apple
