Checking ingredients and choosing safe substitutions | Learn Korean in English

Sentence explanations

1. 요리를 시작하기 전에 재료와 대체할 수 있는 재료를 확인해 봅시다.

   Before we start cooking, let's check the ingredients and any substitutions.

   요리를

   cooking

   시작하기 전에

   before starting

   재료

   ingredient(s)

   대체할 수 있는

   that can be substituted

   확인해 봅시다

   let’s check

   More detail

   요리를 means “cooking” here. 요리 is a noun meaning cooking or a dish, and -를 marks it as the object of 시작하다 in the pattern 요리를 시작하다, “to start cooking.” Example: 요리를 좋아해요. — “I like cooking.” 시작하기 전에 means “before starting.” 시작하다 is “to start”; -기 turns the verb into a noun-like form, and 전에 means “before” that action. This pattern is reusable: 가기 전에 전화하세요. — “Please call before you go.” 재료 means “ingredient.” It can refer to an ingredient or to ingredients generally; the form itself does not mark singular versus plural. Example: 재료를 준비했어요. — “I prepared the ingredients.” 대체할 수 있는 means “that can be substituted.” 대체하다 means “to substitute” or “replace.” In 대체할 수 있다, -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 expresses ability or possibility, and -는 changes the present descriptive clause into a form that modifies a following noun: 대체할 수 있는 재료, “ingredients that can be substituted.” Example: 이것은 다른 것으로 대체할 수 있어요. — “This can be substituted with something else.” 확인해 봅시다 means “let’s check.” 확인하다 means “to check” or “confirm.” -아/어 보다 after a verb presents trying or carrying out the action, while -ㅂ시다 makes a proposal meaning “let’s.” Here, 확인해 봅시다 is a polite suggestion to check. Example: 주소를 확인해 봅시다. — “Let’s check the address.” Together, 요리를 시작하기 전에 sets the time as before cooking starts. 재료와 대체할 수 있는 재료를 connects the two objects with 와, “and,” and marks them with -를. The sentence therefore proposes checking the ingredients and the ingredients that can be substituted before starting to cook: “Before we start cooking, let’s check the ingredients and any substitutions.”

2. 이 레시피에는 호두가 들어가는데, 손님 한 명이 견과류 알레르기가 있어요.

   The recipe calls for walnuts, and one guest has a nut allergy.

   이

   this

   레시피

   recipe

   호두

   walnuts

   들어가는데

   contains / includes

   손님

   guest

   한 명

   one person

   견과류

   nuts

   알레르기가 있어요

   has an allergy

   More detail

   이 means “this” and is a demonstrative determiner placed before a noun. In this sentence it identifies the recipe as the relevant one; Korean demonstratives agree with neither gender nor number. 레시피 is the loanword for “recipe.” Together with the following particle, 이 레시피에는 marks this recipe as the context in which the first fact applies. -에는 combines the context/location marker -에 with the topic or contrast particle -는; the particle is not included in the selected quote. 호두 means “walnut.” Korean nouns do not normally mark singular versus plural, so this form can refer to walnuts generally or to walnut as an ingredient. The translation specifies walnuts as the ingredient called for here. 들어가는데 comes from 들어가다, “to go in” or, for contents, “to be included/contained,” followed by -는데. Here it says that walnuts are included in the recipe and connects that fact to the next clause. A reusable pattern is [ingredient]이/가 들어가다, “contain/include [ingredient].” The observed form is not a past-tense form, and -는데 is a connective ending rather than a politeness marker; the polite present ending appears later in 있어요. 손님 means “guest.” It is a noun for a person being hosted or served. In this sentence, the following counter phrase specifies that the guest count is one. 한 명 means “one person.” 한 is the form of 하나 used before a counter, and 명 counts people. The particle after this phrase marks the whole phrase as the subject of the following clause. This count is explicitly stated here, unlike an indefinite article in some other languages, which does not by itself always assert a numerical count. 견과류 means “nuts” as a food category. 호두 is one type of 견과류, so the sentence describes the allergy category broadly rather than saying only that the guest reacts to walnuts. 알레르기가 있어요 literally presents an allergy as existing and naturally means “has an allergy.” 있어요 is the polite present form of 있다, “to exist/be present.” With a condition or possession such as 알레르기, Korean commonly uses 이/가 있다: [person]이/가 [condition]이/가 있어요, “[person] has [condition].” The subject marker after 알레르기 is part of the observed construction, while 손님 한 명이 identifies who has it. Putting the chunks together, 이 레시피에는 호두가 들어가는데 says that this recipe includes walnuts, and 손님 한 명이 견과류 알레르기가 있어요 says that one guest has a nut allergy. The complete meaning is: “The recipe calls for walnuts, and one guest has a nut allergy.”

3. 그럼 호두는 완전히 빼야겠어요.

   Then we should leave the walnuts out completely.

   그럼

   Then

   호두

   walnuts

   완전히

   completely

   빼야겠어요

   should leave out

   More detail

   그럼 means “then” or “in that case.” It links this decision to the situation already given: because a guest has a nut allergy, the speaker moves to a practical conclusion. A reusable pattern is 그럼 + conclusion, as in 그럼 시작해요. — “Then let’s start.” 호두 means “walnuts.” It is the noun being excluded here. The following particle 는 marks it as the topic or item under discussion; it is not part of the noun itself. 호두를 빼요 means “leave walnuts out” or “remove walnuts,” with 를 marking the object. 완전히 means “completely” or “entirely.” It modifies the action of leaving out, so the intended meaning is that no walnuts should remain in the dish. It is related to the adjective 완전하다 (“to be complete”), but 완전히 is the adverbial form used to modify an action or description. 빼야겠어요 is built from 빼다 (“to remove; to leave out”) + -아/어야 하다 (“must; have to”) + -겠어요. The verb 빼다 is irregular in meaning only in the sense that its exact English translation depends on context: here it means omitting an ingredient, not necessarily physically taking something out. 빼야 해요 states a necessity directly: “We have to leave it out.” The ending -겠어요 here presents the speaker’s considered conclusion or decision politely, giving “I think we should leave it out” or “We should leave it out.” It does not by itself identify a particular number of people making the decision. Example: 소금은 빼야겠어요. — “I think we should leave out the salt.” This uses the same -아/어야겠어요 pattern with a different ingredient. Together, 호두는 sets walnuts as the item under discussion, 완전히 specifies the extent, and 빼야겠어요 expresses the speaker’s polite conclusion that they should be omitted. With 그럼 linking that conclusion to the allergy situation, the whole utterance means: “Then we should leave the walnuts out completely.”

4. 구운 씨앗을 넣어도 요리에 아삭한 식감을 더할 수 있어요.

   Toasted seeds would still give the dish some crunch.

   구운

   toasted

   씨앗을

   seeds

   넣어도

   even if (someone) adds

   요리

   dish

   아삭한

   crunchy

   식감을

   texture

   더할

   add

   수 있어요

   can

   More detail

   구운 comes from 굽다, “to roast or toast.” Before a noun, its past/result attributive form is 구운, so 구운 씨앗 means “toasted seeds.” This form describes the seeds as already toasted; it is not the noun’s form that changes. 씨앗을 is 씨앗 (“seed”) plus the object marker 을. The marker shows that the seeds are what is added. 씨앗 is singular or plural according to context; this sentence does not specify a number. 넣어도 is 넣다 (“to put in, add”) plus -어도, a pattern meaning “even if/when …” or “although ….” The omitted subject is not identified here. In this sentence, 넣어도 sets up the concession: even if toasted seeds are added, the result is still possible. Example: 지금 넣어도 돼요. — “It is okay to add it now.” 요리 can mean “cooking” or “a dish.” Here, with the intended meaning in the translation and context, it means “the dish.” In 요리에, the particle 에 marks the thing to which something is added: “to the dish.” 아삭한 is the noun-modifying form of 아삭하다, describing a fresh, crisp, crunchy texture. It modifies 식감, so 아삭한 식감 is “crunchy/crisp texture.” Example: 사과가 아삭해요. — “The apple is crisp.” 식감을 is 식감 (“texture, mouthfeel”) plus the object marker 을. It is the object of 더하다: the sentence says that a crunchy texture can be added. 더할 is the noun-modifying form of 더하다, “to add” or “to increase.” In 더할 수 있어요, it comes before 수 as part of the possibility pattern -ㄹ/을 수 있다, meaning “can …” or “it is possible to ….” Here 더할 means “add,” not necessarily a separate future-tense claim. 수 있어요 completes that possibility pattern. 수 means a way or possibility in this construction, and 있어요 is the polite present form of 있다. Together with 더할, 더할 수 있어요 means “can add” or “would be able to add.” Putting the parts together, 구운 씨앗을 넣어도 means “even if toasted seeds are added,” 요리에 means “to the dish,” and 아삭한 식감을 더할 수 있어요 means “can add a crunchy texture.” The whole utterance is therefore: “Toasted seeds would still give the dish some crunch.”

5. 대신 씨앗을 사용하고, 요리하는 동안 알레르기 표시를 잘 보이게 둡시다.

   Let's use seeds instead, and keep the allergy note visible while we cook.

   대신

   instead

   씨앗

   seeds

   사용하고

   use and

   요리하는 동안

   while cooking

   알레르기

   allergy

   표시

   note or label

   잘 보이게

   so that it is clearly visible

   둡시다

   let’s keep or place

   More detail

   대신 means “instead” and signals a replacement. Here it introduces the choice of 씨앗, “seeds.” 씨앗 means “seed”; in this sentence, 씨앗을 is the object of 사용하다 (“to use”). The plural meaning “seeds” is supplied by the context and translation; Korean nouns do not require a separate plural ending when the intended number is clear. Example: 견과류 대신 씨앗을 사용해요. — “I use seeds instead of nuts.” 사용하고 comes from 사용하다 (“to use”) plus -고, a connective that links this action to the next one: “use … and ….” The form 사용하고 itself does not mark past or future; the proposal is expressed by the later ending. Example: 물을 사용하고 섞어요. — “Use water and mix it.” 요리하는 동안 means “while cooking.” 요리하는 is 요리하다 (“to cook”) with -는, the present attributive form used before a noun or noun-like time expression. 동안 means “during” or “for the duration of,” so this phrase sets the cooking period as the time for the following action. Example: 기다리는 동안 책을 읽어요. — “I read a book while waiting.” 알레르기 means “allergy” and is the first part of 알레르기 표시, an allergy notice or label. 표시 means a mark, notice, label, or indication; here it refers to the visible allergy information, not to the allergy itself. Example: 포장에 알레르기 표시가 있어요. — “There is an allergy label on the package.” 잘 보이게 means “so that it is clearly visible.” 잘 means “well” or “clearly” here. 보이게 comes from 보이다 (“to be visible” or “to be seen”) plus -게, forming a manner or result expression. With 두다, 잘 보이게 두다 means “leave or keep something clearly visible.” This differs from 보다 (“to see” or “to look at”): 보이다 describes visibility, while 보다 describes seeing or looking. Example: 이름을 잘 보이게 써 주세요. — “Please write the name so that it is clearly visible.” 둡시다 comes from 두다 (“to put, leave, or keep”) plus the proposal ending -(으)ㅂ시다, meaning “let’s ….” For this vowel-final verb stem, 두- combines with -ㅂ시다 to form 둡시다; this is the regular form of the ending, not an irregular change. Here, together with 잘 보이게, it means “let’s keep the allergy label visible.” Example: 문을 열어 둡시다. — “Let’s leave the door open.” Together, 대신 씨앗을 사용하고 proposes using seeds as the replacement, and 요리하는 동안 places the next action during the cooking period. 알레르기 표시를 잘 보이게 둡시다 proposes keeping the allergy notice clearly visible. The complete meaning is: “Let’s use seeds instead, and keep the allergy note visible while we cook.”

6. 이건 구워서 만드는 요리니까, 그래도 분량을 정확히 지켜야 해요.

   Since this is a baked dish, we should still follow the measurements closely.

   이건

   this

   구워서

   bake and then

   만드는

   make; prepare

   요리

   dish; cooking

   그래도

   still; nevertheless

   분량

   amount; measurement

   정확히

   accurately

   지켜야 해요

   must follow

   More detail

   이건 is the conversational form of 이것은: “this” as the topic. The form marks the topic, but the sentence itself does not add a more specific noun. A useful contrast is 이건 “as for this” versus 그건 “as for that.” 구워서 comes from 굽다 “to bake, roast, or grill.” Its -아서/어서 ending links it to what follows, here describing the method by which the dish is made: “by baking.” 굽다 changes to 구워- before this vowel-initial ending; this is not a separate verb. 만드는 comes from 만들다 “to make” and is its noun-modifying form. 만드는 요리 means “a dish that is made,” with the present attributive form describing an established or general way of making it. For example, 집에서 만드는 빵 means “bread made at home.” 요리 can mean “cooking” or “dish”; here it means “dish.” In 요리니까, the ending -(으)니까 attached to this noun means “because it is a dish.” Together with the preceding modifier, 구워서 만드는 요리니까 means “since it is a dish made by baking.” 그래도 means “still” or “nevertheless.” It marks a point that remains valid despite the preceding reason: even though the dish is made by baking, the measurements must still be followed. It does not itself express the obligation. 분량 means the amount or specified quantity of an ingredient or mixture, especially in a recipe. In this sentence, the fixed translation’s “measurements” captures that recipe-related meaning. For example, 분량을 늘리다 means “increase the amount.” 정확히 is the adverb from 정확하다, “to be accurate.” It means “accurately” or “precisely” and modifies the act of following the amount. The related adjective is 정확한, as in 정확한 분량 “the precise amount.” 지켜야 해요 is the polite form of the obligation pattern 지켜야 하다. 지키다 means “to keep, observe, or follow”; here it means “follow” a required amount or measurement. -어야 하다 expresses necessity, and 해요 is the polite present form of 하다. Thus 분량을 정확히 지켜야 해요 means “must/should follow the measurements accurately.” Putting the parts together, 이건 sets “this” as the topic; 구워서 만드는 요리니까 gives the reason, “since it is a dish made by baking”; 그래도 adds “still”; and 분량을 정확히 지켜야 해요 states the requirement. The whole utterance means: “Since this is a baked dish, we should still follow the measurements closely.”

7. 우유가 충분히 있나요, 아니면 제가 더 사 올까요?

   Do we have enough milk, or should I buy more?

   우유가

   milk

   충분히

   enough; sufficiently

   있나요

   is it available?

   아니면

   or

   제가

   I; subject form

   더

   more; additionally

   사 올까요

   shall buy and bring?

   More detail

   우유가 means “milk” as the thing whose availability is being asked about. 우유 is “milk,” and 가 marks it as the subject of the first clause. The same subject-marking pattern appears in 물이 있어요, meaning “There is water” or “We have water,” depending on context. 충분히 is the adverb “sufficiently” or “enough.” Here it indicates that the available amount meets the needed amount. The related adjective 충분하다 means “to be sufficient”: 시간이 충분해요 means “There is enough time.” 있나요 comes from 있다, “to exist” or “to be available,” with the polite question ending -나요. In this sentence, it asks whether the milk is available in a sufficient amount; with the fixed translation, the natural meaning is “Do we have enough?” 있어요 is a polite statement, while 있나요? asks whether something is available. 아니면 introduces the alternative “or.” It connects the question about the milk with the proposed second action. 제가 means “I” as the subject of the second clause. 저 is the humble/polite first-person form, and 가 is the subject marker; together, 저 and 가 become 제가. It identifies the person who would do the buying in this question. 더 means “more” or “additionally.” Here it indicates an additional amount of milk, without by itself specifying a numerical quantity. For example, 물을 더 주세요 means “Please give me more water.” 사 올까요 contains 사다, “to buy,” followed by 오다, “to come,” in the connected expression 사 오다, “to buy and bring [something back].” The ending -을까요? makes a polite proposal or asks whether the speaker should do something. The preceding 제가 supplies the subject “I,” while the omitted object is understood from the question as additional milk. Thus 제가 사 올까요? means “Shall I buy it and bring it?” Together, 우유가 충분히 있나요 asks whether enough milk is available. 아니면 introduces the alternative, and 제가 더 사 올까요 asks whether the speaker should buy and bring additional milk. The whole utterance means: “Do we have enough milk, or should I buy more?”

8. 충분히 있지만, 사용하기 전에 날짜를 확인해 보세요.

   We have enough, but check the date before using it.

   충분히

   enough; sufficiently

   있지만

   but there is/are

   사용하기 전에

   before using

   날짜

   date

   확인해 보세요

   please check

   More detail

   충분히 means “sufficiently” or “enough” here. It is an adverb modifying 있지만, so it describes the amount or availability as adequate. The related adjective 충분하다 means “to be sufficient”; 충분히 is its adverbial form. In the preceding question, 우유가 충분히 있나요? uses the same expression to ask whether there is enough milk. 있지만 combines 있다 (“to exist; to be available”) with -지만 (“but; although”). 있다 is the lexical verb, and -지만 connects this clause to a contrasting one. Thus, 충분히 있지만 says that there is enough available, while leaving the later instruction as the contrasting point. The ending -지만 is not itself a separate verb meaning “there is.” 사용하기 전에 means “before using.” 사용하다 is the base verb “to use.” In 사용하기, the ending -기 turns the verb into an activity expression, and 전에 means “before.” The understood object of “using” is not specified by this phrase alone; the fixed translation identifies it as “it.” A reusable pattern is V-기 전에 (“before doing V”), as in 먹기 전에 손을 씻으세요 — “Wash your hands before eating.” 날짜 means “date,” especially a calendar date. It is a noun and is the object of 확인해 보세요, marked in the sentence by the object marker 를: 날짜를. 확인해 보세요 asks the listener to check or verify something. 확인하다 is the base verb “to check; to confirm.” The form 확인해 is its connective form, followed by 보다, literally “to see,” in the construction V-아/어 보다. Here that construction means “try doing V” or, in an instruction, “check it.” 보세요 is the polite, honorific-style request form of 보다; in this construction it makes the request polite rather than changing the main action to literally seeing. For example, 이 방법을 사용해 보세요 means “Please try using this method.” Together, 날짜를 확인해 보세요 means “please check the date.” The sentence first states 충분히 있지만 — “there is enough” — and then contrasts that with the instruction to check the date 사용하기 전에 — “before using it.” The complete meaning is: “We have enough, but check the date before using it.”

9. 이제 재료가 안전하고 바로 사용할 수 있어 보여요.

   The ingredients look safe and ready now.

   이제

   now

   재료

   ingredients

   안전하고

   safe and

   바로

   right away

   사용할 수 있어

   can be used

   보여요

   looks; seems

   More detail

   이제 means “now” and places the situation at the present point. It can also introduce a change from an earlier situation. Example: 이제 시작해요. — “We’re starting now.” 재료 means “ingredient(s).” Korean nouns do not normally mark plural with a required ending, so 재료 can mean one ingredient or ingredients; here the fixed translation supports “the ingredients.” Example: 재료를 준비했어요. — “I prepared the ingredients.” 안전하고 comes from the adjective 안전하다, “to be safe.” The ending -고 connects this description to the following one: 안전하고 ... means “safe and ...” The -고 form is a connector, not a past-tense marker. Example: 이 약은 안전하고 효과적이에요. — “This medicine is safe and effective.” 바로 means “right away” or “immediately.” Here it modifies 사용할 수 있어, indicating that the ingredients can be used without delay: “ready to use right away.” Example: 지금 바로 시작할 수 있어요. — “We can start right away.” 사용할 수 있어 expresses “can be used.” It combines 사용하다, “to use,” with -(으)ㄹ 수 있다, the pattern for possibility or ability. Because 사용하다 ends in a vowel stem, the form is 사용할; 수 있어 completes the possibility expression. In this sentence, the ingredients are the things that can be used, rather than the people doing the using. Example: 이 컴퓨터를 사용할 수 있어요. — “You can use this computer.” 보여요 comes from 보이다, “to look” or “to seem,” and presents the preceding description as an appearance or impression rather than a direct categorical assertion. -요 makes the statement polite. Thus 안전하고 바로 사용할 수 있어 보여요 means that they appear safe and ready to use. Example: 괜찮아 보여요. — “It looks okay.” Putting the parts together: 이제 sets the time as now; 재료가 marks the ingredients as the subject; 안전하고 says they are safe and links that description to 바로 사용할 수 있어, “can be used right away”; and 보여요 frames the whole description as an appearance. The complete meaning is: “The ingredients look safe and ready now.”

10. 이렇게 확인하면 알레르기 위험을 피하고 요리의 맛도 제대로 유지하는 데 도움이 될 거예요.

    This check should help us avoid allergy risks and keep the dish tasting right.

    이렇게

    this way

    확인하면

    if you check

    알레르기

    allergy

    위험

    risk

    피하고

    avoid and

    요리

    dish

    맛

    taste

    제대로

    properly

    유지하는 데

    for maintaining

    도움이 될 거예요

    should be helpful

    More detail

    이렇게 means “in this way” and points to the manner of checking established by the context. It is an adverb, so it describes how an action is done rather than naming the thing being checked. Example: 이렇게 해 보세요. — “Try doing it this way.” 확인하면 combines 확인하다 (“to check/confirm”) with -(으)면, a conditional ending. The form presents checking as the condition or method relevant to what follows: “if/when you check.” The subject is not stated in Korean, so this form does not itself identify who checks. Example: 확인하면 알 수 있어요. — “You can know if you check.” 알레르기 is the noun “allergy.” Here it modifies the following noun in the compound 알레르기 위험, “allergy risk.” It is a loanword used as a regular Korean noun. 위험 means “risk” or “danger.” In this sentence, 알레르기 위험 means “allergy risks,” the risks that the check is intended to help avoid. Example: 위험을 피하세요. — “Avoid the danger.” 피하고 comes from 피하다, “to avoid,” plus -고, which links this action to another coordinated action. Thus 피하고 means “avoid and …”; the following action is not part of the verb itself. Example: 문제를 피하고 해결책을 찾으세요. — “Avoid the problem and look for a solution.” 요리 means “dish” or “cooking,” depending on context. Here, beside 맛, it refers to the prepared dish: 요리의 맛, “the taste of the dish.” The particle 의 marks the relation “of.” 맛 means “taste” or “flavor.” In 요리의 맛, it is the taste of the dish. The form 맛도 includes 도, meaning “also/as well,” so this part adds keeping the taste in addition to avoiding allergy risks. Example: 이 요리는 맛이 좋아요. — “This dish tastes good.” 제대로 is an adverb meaning “properly,” “correctly,” or “as it should.” It modifies 유지하는, indicating that the dish’s taste should be kept in the right condition, not merely kept in any manner. Example: 재료를 제대로 보관하세요. — “Store the ingredients properly.” 유지하는 데 is based on 유지하다, “to maintain/keep,” followed by -는 데. This ending turns the action into the activity or aim relevant to the next expression, so 맛을 제대로 유지하는 데 means “in properly maintaining the taste” or “for keeping the taste right.” The object marker 을 marks 맛 as what is maintained. Example: 온도를 유지하는 데 도움이 됩니다. — “It helps maintain the temperature.” 도움이 될 거예요 combines 도움 (“help”), the subject marker 이, 되다 (“become/serve as”), and -(으)ㄹ 거예요, a polite form commonly used for a future expectation or prediction. Literally, it is “will become help,” naturally “will be helpful” or “should help.” The Korean sentence leaves the helper’s beneficiary implicit; the fixed translation presents the intended beneficiary as “us.” Together, 이렇게 확인하면 sets up the condition or method: “if you check in this way.” 알레르기 위험을 피하고 gives the first linked goal, “avoid allergy risks,” while 요리의 맛도 제대로 유지하는 데 gives the additional goal, “also keep the dish tasting right.” The final 도움이 될 거예요 predicts that this checking will help accomplish both goals: “This check should help us avoid allergy risks and keep the dish tasting right.”