Difference between to chew and to swallow in Korean

씹다·삼키다

to chew

씹다to chew

씹다 means to chew food with your teeth before you swallow it. You can use it for food, gum, or something an animal bites many times. It is often used in simple sentences like “chew slowly” or “chew gum.”

to swallow

삼키다to swallow

To swallow (삼키다) means to move food, drink, or something in your mouth down your throat. We use it when talking about eating, taking medicine, or accidentally swallowing water. It is a common everyday action word.

The difference

to chew (씹다) and to swallow (삼키다) are nearby Korean vocabulary items learners often meet together. Use “to chew” when 씹다 means to chew food with your teeth before you swallow it. You can use it for food, gum, or something an animal bites many times. It is… Use “to swallow” when To swallow (삼키다) means to move food, drink, or something in your mouth down your throat. We use it when talking about eating, taking medi…