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“It’s too salty” in Korean: 너무 짜요 (neomu jjayo)
너무 짜요
neomu jjayo
Meaning
It’s too salty.
Usage note
너무 means “too.” Learn it together with 싱거워요 (“bland”) to describe flavor.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Practical guide
When to use it
Use it to say that the food is too salty. Say it calmly and with a friendly tone; starting with 죄송한데 (“sorry, but”) softens it.
Watch out
너무 means “too” and sounds like a complaint. To be gentler, say 조금 짜요 (“it is a bit salty”). The opposite is 싱거워요 (“bland”). For a salty soup, ask for 물 좀 주세요 to dilute it.
How to pronounce it
It is pronounced just as it is written.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 너무 | ||
| 너 | ㄴ+ㅓ | neo |
| 무 | ㅁ+ㅜ | mu |
| 짜요 | ||
| 짜 | ㅉ+ㅏ | jja |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in this phrase
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 너무 | adverb | too, so | TOPIK level 1 |
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “너무”
- 요즘 너무 바빠요I’ve been so busy lately
- 너무 아쉬워요What a shame
- 너무 설레요I’m so excited
- 주인공이 너무 멋있어요The main character is so cool
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “너무 짜요” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: It’s too salty
Question 2 How do you say “It’s too salty” in Korean?
Show the answer
Answer: 너무 짜요 neomu jjayo
Reinforce what you learn with typing drills and quizzes.
Practice nowMore phrases for this situation
- 국물 좀 더 주세요Could I have a little more broth?
- 배달 주문하고 싶어요I’d like to order delivery
- 맛있게 드세요Enjoy your meal
- 알레르기가 있어요I have an allergy
- 예약했어요I have a reservation
- 자리 있어요?Do you have a table available?
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