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무
mu
radish
저는 무를 좋아해요.
I like radish.
formal
A root vegetable with a white or red skin, commonly used in Korean cuisine.
무는 한국 요리에서 흔히 사용됩니다.
Radish is commonly used in Korean cuisine.
김치는 무를 주재료로 사용합니다.
Kimchi uses radish as a main ingredient.
무 (mu) is the most common term for radish in Korean. In English, 'radish' typically refers to the small red or white root vegetable, while 'daikon' (Japanese) or 'mu' (Korean) refers to the long white variety.
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 무 from other radishes
In English, 'radish' often refers to the small red or white variety, while 'mu' (무) specifically refers to the long white radish (daikon) used in Korean cuisine. For example, '무김치' is radish kimchi, not spicy radish kimchi made with small red radishes.
Gold Rule
Ordering in restaurants
If you order '무국' (radish soup) in a Korean restaurant, you will typically receive a clear soup with radish slices, not a spicy radish stew.
Word Origin
The word '무' originates from Old Korean and has been used since the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC–668 AD). It is related to the Chinese character 萝卜 (luóbo), which also means 'radish'.
Usage Notes
무 is used in both raw and cooked dishes. It is a staple ingredient in Korean cuisine, often pickled, fermented, or used in soups. The term '무우' is a variant but less commonly used in modern Korean.
Word Breakdown
무
radish
root한영사전