Basic Meaning
"계란" specifically refers to an egg, most commonly a chicken egg, used in everyday Korean cooking and conversation.
Common Uses
It appears frequently in cooking contexts, such as making fried eggs (계란 후라이), cracking eggs into batter, or discussing nutrition.
Collocations and Patterns
- 계란 후라이: fried egg, a common breakfast dish.
- 계란을 깨다: to crack an egg, used in cooking instructions.
- 계란찜: steamed egg, a popular Korean side dish.
Usage Notes
"계란" is a noun and is typically used in polite or neutral speech. It is not used metaphorically in casual speech, so its meaning remains literal. Learners sometimes confuse "계란" with "알," which can mean egg but is more general and used in biological contexts. For cooking and daily life, "계란" is the preferred term.
Summary
Use "계란" when talking about eggs in food, recipes, or nutrition. It is a very common and practical word for daily conversation about meals.