“공장장” Korean Tongue Twister
간장 공장 공장장은 장 공장장이고 된장 공장 공장장은 강 공장장이다.
Translation: The factory manager of the soy sauce factory is Manager Jang, and the factory manager of the soybean paste factory is Manager Gang.
Why Is It Hard?
This is one of Korea’s most celebrated tongue twisters. Every key word contains the syllable 장 (jang): 간장 (soy sauce), 된장 (soybean paste), 공장 (factory), 공장장 (factory manager), and the surnames 장 and 강. The brain must track which 장 refers to a product, which to a workplace, and which to a person — all while navigating the near-identical sound of 공장장 (factory manager) and the surnames Jang/Gang which differ by only one consonant (ㅈ vs ㄱ).
History
공장장 is arguably the most famous Korean tongue twister, widely used in schools, TV game shows, and entertainment programmes where celebrities are challenged to say it correctly. It has appeared on numerous Korean variety shows, cementing its place in popular culture. The choice of soy sauce and soybean paste — both staple Korean condiments — and the factory setting reflect the industrial growth era of South Korea in the 1970s and 80s when the phrase became popularised. It is now a rite of passage for Korean language learners.
Tips for Saying It
- Separate the two clauses: master 간장 공장 공장장은 장 공장장 before adding the second half.
- The surnames 장 (Jang) and 강 (Gang) are your anchor points — say them with clear stress to distinguish them from the word 장 (sauce/factory).
- Clap on each syllable as you build speed — the rhythm is perfectly even, and clapping prevents rushing.
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