국 (guk) · 찌개 (jji-gae, jjigae)
Guk is a clear, simple soup, while jjigae is a thick stew with many ingredients.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Clear, light soup usually eaten with rice
When to use
Clear soup with rice, Light broth dish, Basic side soup during meals
The nuance
Guk has clear broth and relatively simple ingredients, often served as a side with rice during meals. It is typically a basic soup served alongside other dishes.
Thick, ingredient-rich stew usually eaten as a side dish
When to use
Ingredient-rich thick stew, Side dish with rich broth, For drinking snacks or rich flavor
The nuance
Jjigae contains various ingredients and has a thick or rich broth. It is mainly eaten as a side dish with rice and is heavier and more flavorful than guk.
오늘은 미역국을 먹었어요.
o-neul-eun mi-yeok-guk-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., o neul eun mi yeok guk eul meok eoss eo yo.
Miyeokguk is a clear, light soup, so '국' is correct.
오늘은 미역찌개를 먹었어요.
o-neul-eun mi-yeok-jji-gae-reul meok-eoss-eo-yo., o neul eun mi yeok jji gae reul meok eoss eo yo.
Seaweed is usually eaten as a clear soup, not stew; '미역국' is correct.
김치찌개는 매콤하고 재료가 많아요.
gim-chi-jji-gae-neun mae-kom-ha-go jae-ryo-ga man-a-yo., gim chi jji gae neun mae kom ha go jae ryo ga man a yo.
Kimchi jjigae is a thick stew with many ingredients, so '찌개' fits.
김치국은 매콤하고 재료가 많아요.
gim-chi-guk-eun mae-kom-ha-go jae-ryo-ga man-a-yo., gim chi guk eun mae kom ha go jae ryo ga man a yo.
Kimchi soup ('김치국') is not a common dish; use '김치찌개'.
국은 보통 맑고 가벼운 맛이에요.
guk-eun bo-tong mak-go ga-byeo-un mas-i-e-yo., guk eun bo tong mak go ga byeo un mas i e yo.
Guk refers to clear, light broth dishes.
찌개는 국물 없이 건더기만 있어요.
jji-gae-neun guk-mul eop-i geon-deo-gi-man iss-eo-yo., jji gae neun guk mul eop i geon deo gi man iss eo yo.
Jjigae contains broth; it is not brothless.
된장찌개는 걸쭉하고 진한 맛이 특징이에요.
doen-jang-jji-gae-neun geol-jjuk-ha-go jin-han mas-i teuk-jing-i-e-yo., doen jang jji gae neun geol jjuk ha go jin han mas i teuk jing i e yo.
Doenjang jjigae is a thick, rich stew, so '찌개' is appropriate.
된장국은 된장을 많이 넣어 걸쭉해요.
doen-jang-guk-eun doen-jang-eul man-i neoh-eo geol-jjuk-hae-yo., doen jang guk eun doen jang eul man i neoh eo geol jjuk hae yo.
Doenjang guk is usually clear and light; thick versions are '찌개'.
Which word to use for a clear, light soup?
Which refers to a thick stew with many ingredients?
Spicy, rich soup made with kimchi?
