Explanation at your level:
You use 매워요 to talk about food. If you eat a pepper and your mouth burns, say '매워요'. It is a very important word in Korea because many dishes are spicy. You can say 'This is spicy' by saying '이거 매워요'. Use it when you are at a restaurant!
At this level, you can use 매워요 to describe different dishes. You might say '떡볶이가 매워요' (Tteokbokki is spicy). It is useful to combine with '너무' (too) to say '너무 매워요' when you cannot finish your food. It is a polite way to speak to servers or friends.
You can now use 매워요 to discuss your personal preferences. You might say '저는 매운 음식을 못 먹어서 매워요' (I can't eat spicy food, so it's spicy for me). Understanding the nuance of this word helps you navigate social dining situations where you might need to ask for less spice.
At the B2 level, you understand that 매워요 conveys more than just heat; it conveys cultural identity. You can use it in complex sentences like '한국 음식은 매워요, 하지만 중독성이 있어요' (Korean food is spicy, but it is addictive). You recognize the difference between 'spicy' as a flavor and 'spicy' as a physical sensation.
You can use 매워요 in metaphorical contexts. While primarily for food, you might describe a situation as '매운맛' (a spicy taste) to imply a harsh or difficult experience. You grasp the linguistic evolution of the word and how it functions as a descriptor for intensity in various aspects of Korean life.
Mastery of 매워요 involves understanding its etymological roots and its role in the sensory lexicon of Korean. You can distinguish between regional variations in spiciness and use the word to critique food with precision. You appreciate how this simple adjective anchors the entire Korean culinary experience, reflecting a history of flavor-focused gastronomy.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe spicy food.
- Polite form of 맵다.
- Essential for Korean dining.
- Irregular conjugation rule applies.
When you eat something that makes your mouth tingle or burn, you use the word 매워요. It is the polite conjugation of the adjective 맵다 (to be spicy). In Korean culture, food is often quite flavorful, so this is a word you will use very frequently.
Think of it as the opposite of 달아요 (sweet) or 싱거워요 (bland). It is not just about the temperature of the food, but specifically about the spiciness. Whether you are at a restaurant or a friend's house, saying this clearly communicates your experience with the meal.
The root word 맵다 has been a part of the Korean language for centuries. It evolved from older forms used to describe the sharp, biting sensation of certain plants. Historically, the introduction of chili peppers to Korea in the late 16th century solidified the usage of this word in daily life.
Before peppers arrived, 'spiciness' was often associated with ginger, garlic, or mustard. The word 매워요 encapsulates that historical transition to a culture that deeply values bold, spicy flavors. It remains a cornerstone of the Korean culinary vocabulary today.
You use 매워요 in polite, everyday conversation. It is perfect for restaurants, casual chats, or feedback to a chef. Because it ends in -요, it is polite enough for strangers but friendly enough for friends.
Commonly, you pair it with adverbs like 너무 (too) to say 너무 매워요 (It is too spicy). You can also use it to describe specific dishes like 김치가 매워요 (The kimchi is spicy). It is a versatile word that fits almost any social setting where food is served.
While there are few direct idioms, people often say 매운맛을 보여주다, meaning 'to show someone the spicy taste'—which is a figurative way of saying 'to teach someone a lesson' or 'to show them who is boss'.
Another common expression is 맵고 짜다, meaning 'spicy and salty', often used to describe intense flavors. You might also hear 입에서 불이 나요 (fire is coming out of my mouth), which is a dramatic way to emphasize that something is 매워요.
The word is based on the stem 맵-. When you add the polite ending -어요, the ㅂ changes to 우, resulting in 매워요. This is a common irregular conjugation rule in Korean.
Pronunciation-wise, focus on the 'ae' sound as in 'cat'. The 'wo' is like 'war' without the 'r'. Practice saying it with a rising intonation at the end if you are asking a question, or a flat tone for a statement. It rhymes loosely with 귀여워요 (cute).
Fun Fact
The 'ㅂ' irregular conjugation is one of the first patterns learners master.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'meh-wo-yo'
Sounds like 'meh-wo-yo'
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'ae' as 'a'
- Dropping the 'o' sounds
- Incorrect stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Simple to write
Easy to pronounce
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
ㅂ irregular conjugation
맵다 -> 매워요
Polite ending -아요/어요
먹다 -> 먹어요
Subject markers
이/가
Examples by Level
이거 매워요.
This is spicy.
Subject omitted.
매워요?
Is it spicy?
Question form.
너무 매워요.
It is too spicy.
Adverb usage.
김치가 매워요.
Kimchi is spicy.
Noun + particle.
안 매워요.
It is not spicy.
Negative form.
조금 매워요.
It is a little spicy.
Quantifier.
라면이 매워요.
Ramen is spicy.
Subject marker.
정말 매워요.
It is really spicy.
Emphasis.
국물이 매워요.
소스가 매워요.
고추가 매워요.
매워요, 물 주세요.
조금 더 매워요.
매워요? 조금만요.
매워요, 그래서 맛있어요.
매워요, 조심하세요.
한국 음식은 대체로 매워요.
매워요, 근데 계속 먹게 돼요.
아이에게는 너무 매워요.
매워요, 덜 맵게 해주세요.
매워요, 우유 있어요?
매워요, 스트레스 풀려요.
매워요, 땀이 나요.
매워요, 하지만 중독성 있어요.
이 요리는 생각보다 훨씬 매워요.
매워요, 하지만 그게 매력이죠.
매워요, 물 한 잔만 더 주시겠어요?
매워요, 입안이 얼얼해요.
매워요, 캡사이신이 많이 들어갔나 봐요.
매워요, 밥이랑 같이 먹어야겠어요.
매워요, 매운맛을 즐기는 편이에요.
매워요, 한국인은 매운맛을 좋아해요.
이 매워요, 혀가 마비될 것 같아요.
매워요, 미각이 둔해질 정도예요.
매워요, 이 정도는 익숙해요.
매워요, 고통과 쾌락의 경계예요.
매워요, 깊은 맛이 느껴져요.
매워요, 한국의 매운맛을 제대로 보여주네요.
매워요, 식은땀이 나기 시작해요.
매워요, 매운맛의 진수예요.
매워요, 단순히 맵다는 표현으로 부족해요.
매워요, 혀끝을 자극하는 강렬함이 있어요.
매워요, 미식가들이 즐기는 매운맛이에요.
매워요, 전통적인 고추장의 깊이가 느껴져요.
매워요, 매운맛의 미학을 경험해보세요.
매워요, 입안 가득 퍼지는 화끈함이 일품이에요.
매워요, 매운맛은 한국인의 소울푸드예요.
매워요, 매운맛의 역사를 담고 있어요.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"매운맛을 보여주다"
To show someone who is boss
그에게 매운맛을 보여주겠어.
casual"입에서 불이 나다"
Mouth is on fire
너무 매워서 입에서 불이 나요.
casual"매운 고추가 더 맵다"
Small but fierce
작아도 매운 고추가 더 매워요.
proverbial"매운맛을 보다"
To experience hardship
인생의 매운맛을 봤어요.
neutral"매운맛이 강하다"
The spice is intense
이 요리는 매운맛이 강해요.
neutral"매운맛에 중독되다"
Addicted to spice
저는 매운맛에 중독됐어요.
casualEasily Confused
Similar sound
더워요 is for weather, 매워요 is for food spice
날씨가 더워요 vs 음식이 매워요
Both describe taste
달아요 is sweet, 매워요 is spicy
사탕은 달아요 vs 고추는 매워요
Both describe taste
싱거워요 is bland, 매워요 is spicy
국이 싱거워요 vs 김치가 매워요
Both describe taste
짜요 is salty, 매워요 is spicy
소금은 짜요 vs 고추장은 매워요
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 이/가 + 매워요
김치가 매워요.
너무 + 매워요
이거 너무 매워요.
매워요, 그래서 + verb
매워요, 그래서 물을 마셔요.
매워요, 하지만 + sentence
매워요, 하지만 맛있어요.
Subject + 은/는 + 매워요
이 요리는 매워요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The stem '맵' changes to '매우' before '어요'.
Use the adnominal form '매운' to modify a noun.
Water cannot be spicy; use '매워서 물 마셔요'.
While '매우' means 'very', '너무' is more natural for negative intensity.
Use the adjective directly rather than noun phrase.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'map' of Korea covered in red chili powder.
When Native Speakers Use It
When taking the first bite of a dish.
Cultural Insight
Spiciness is a point of pride in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the ㅂ to 우 shift.
Say It Right
Keep the 'ae' sound short.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse it with '더워요' (hot weather).
Did You Know?
Korean food wasn't always this spicy!
Study Smart
Label your food items as 매워요 or 안 매워요.
Dining Etiquette
Always check spice levels if you have guests.
Practice
Record yourself saying '이거 매워요'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'map' (매워) that is so hot it is burning.
Visual Association
A red chili pepper with a flame.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say '매워요' whenever you eat something spicy today.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: Sharp/Biting
Cultural Context
Some people have low spice tolerance; always ask before serving.
Often translated as 'spicy' or 'hot'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at a restaurant
- 매워요?
- 덜 맵게 해주세요
- 매운 거 못 먹어요
cooking at home
- 이거 매워요?
- 고추 넣으면 매워요
- 안 매워요
talking to friends
- 진짜 매워요
- 매워요, 조심해
- 매워요, 대박
food reviews
- 생각보다 매워요
- 매워요, 중독성 있어요
- 매워요, 최고
Conversation Starters
"매운 음식 좋아하세요?"
"어떤 음식이 제일 매워요?"
"김치가 매워요?"
"매운 거 먹고 스트레스 풀어요?"
"매워요, 물 좀 줄까요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 먹은 음식 중 매운 것이 있었나요?
매운 음식을 먹었을 때 기분이 어땠나요?
친구에게 매운 음식을 추천해준다면?
매운맛을 잘 참는 편인가요?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is almost exclusively used for food flavors.
Say '안 매워요'.
No, use '더워요' for weather.
It is an irregular conjugation rule.
Not at all, it is a common observation.
Say '매운 걸 못 먹어요'.
No, it means spicy flavor.
Say '매워요?' with a rising tone.
Test Yourself
이 김치는 ___.
Kimchi is typically spicy.
What does '매워요' mean?
The word refers to the spicy taste.
'매워요' is a verb.
It is an adjective.
Word
Meaning
Matching adjectives to meanings.
Subject + adverb + adjective.
라면이 ___.
Ramen is usually spicy.
Which adverb fits best with '매워요'?
All can be used for intensity.
You can use '매워요' for sweet cake.
Cake is usually sweet, not spicy.
Word
Meaning
Synonyms check.
Complex sentence structure.
Score: /10
Summary
매워요 is the essential polite way to say food is spicy in Korean.
- Used to describe spicy food.
- Polite form of 맵다.
- Essential for Korean dining.
- Irregular conjugation rule applies.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'map' of Korea covered in red chili powder.
When Native Speakers Use It
When taking the first bite of a dish.
Cultural Insight
Spiciness is a point of pride in Korea.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the ㅂ to 우 shift.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More food words
~정도
A1Suffix meaning "about" or "approximately."
추가
A2Addition, extra (e.g., extra order).
몇 개
A2How many items?
~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
