Level 2

오이

oi

Cucumber

TOPIK 2

Overview

The word '오이' means 'cucumber' in Korean. It is a common vegetable used in various Korean dishes, both raw and cooked.

Usage in Cooking

'오이' is often used in salads, kimchi, and cold soups. It is typically sliced or chopped and adds a fresh, crisp texture to dishes.

Common Collocations

  • 오이 냉국 (cucumber cold soup): a popular refreshing dish especially in summer.
  • 오이 김치 (cucumber kimchi): a type of kimchi made with cucumbers.
  • 오이 샐러드 (cucumber salad): a simple salad featuring sliced cucumbers.

Register and Politeness

'오이' is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts without change.

Learner Tips

Be careful not to confuse '오이' with similar-sounding words. Also, when describing dishes, note that '오이' is often combined with other words to specify the dish type, such as '오이 김치' or '오이 냉국'.

Example Sentences

오이를 샐러드에 넣으면 더 상큼해져요.

Oireul saelleodeue neoh-eumyeon deo sangkeumhaejyeoyo.

If you add cucumber to the salad, it becomes fresher.

오이를 얇게 썰어서 김치에 넣었어요.

Oireul yalbge sseoreoseo gimchie neoh-eosseoyo.

I sliced the cucumber thinly and put it in kimchi.

더운 날에는 오이 냉국이 정말 맛있어요.

Deoun naleneun oi naenggugi jeongmal masisseoyo.

On hot days, cucumber cold soup is really delicious.