간 (gan) · 싱겁게 (sing-geop-ge, singgeopge)
'간' refers to the amount of seasoning or salt in food, while '싱겁게' means the food is lightly seasoned or bland.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The level of salt or seasoning in food
When to use
Describing seasoning level, Adjusting seasoning, Evaluating food taste
The nuance
Use 간 when referring to the saltiness or seasoning intensity in food. Common expressions include '간이 맞다' (the seasoning is right), '간을 하다' (to season).
An adverb describing food that is lightly seasoned or bland
When to use
Lightly seasoned food, Preference for healthy food, Using less salt
The nuance
Use 싱겁게 as an adverb when the food is lightly seasoned or bland, often in phrases like '싱겁게 먹다' (to eat lightly seasoned).
이 국은 간이 딱 맞아서 맛있어요.
i guk-eun gan-i ttak maj-a-seo mas-iss-eo-yo., i guk eun gan i ttak maj a seo mas iss eo yo.
'간이 맞다' means the seasoning is appropriate, so '간' must be used.
이 국은 싱겁게 맞아서 맛있어요.
i guk-eun sing-geop-ge maj-a-seo mas-iss-eo-yo., i guk eun sing geop ge maj a seo mas iss eo yo.
'싱겁게 맞다' is unnatural; use '간이 맞다' instead.
저는 음식을 싱겁게 먹어요.
jeo-neun eum-sik-eul sing-geop-ge meok-eo-yo., jeo neun eum sik eul sing geop ge meok eo yo.
'싱겁게' correctly describes eating food with light seasoning.
저는 음식을 간 먹어요.
jeo-neun eum-sik-eul gan meok-eo-yo., jeo neun eum sik eul gan meok eo yo.
'간 먹다' is grammatically incorrect; '간' is a noun and cannot be used this way.
간을 조금 더 해야 이 음식이 맛있어요.
gan-eul jo-geum deo hae-ya i eum-sik-i mas-iss-eo-yo., gan eul jo geum deo hae ya i eum sik i mas iss eo yo.
Use '간' in expressions about adjusting seasoning, e.g., '간을 하다'.
음식을 싱겁게 하다.
eum-sik-eul sing-geop-ge ha-da., eum sik eul sing geop ge ha da.
'싱겁게 하다' means to season lightly, which is correct.
음식을 간 하다.
eum-sik-eul gan ha-da., eum sik eul gan ha da.
'간 하다' is incorrect; the correct form is '간을 하다'.
이 김치는 간이 너무 세서 짜요.
i gim-chi-neun gan-i neo-mu se-seo jja-yo., i gim chi neun gan i neo mu se seo jja yo.
'간이 세다' naturally describes strong seasoning.
How do you express that food is too bland?
What do you call adding more salt to food?
What does '간이 맞다' mean?
