To collect the basic data for the use of major softwood and hardwood vinegar, the chemical compositions were analized. In softwood vinegar the phenolic compounds derieved from lignin and extractives are vanillin, guaiacol, 3-methylphenol, acetoguaiacone, 1,2-benzenediol, ethylguaiacol, pyrocatechol. The compound derived from carbohydrates is 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one. The isolated compounds are the most in the phenolic fraction, and in the vinegar of Pinus koraiensis. In hardwood vingar 2-methoxyphenol, 2,6-djmethoxyphenol, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) -ethanone, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzylalcohol, 1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-ethanone are the compounds derived from lignin and extractives. 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2,4-cyclopen-1-one, methyl-4-t-butyl-2-furoate are the major compounds derived from the decomposition of carbohydrates. Many different kinds of compounds are analized in the neutral, phenolic and acidic fraction of hardwood vinegar The amount and kinds of compounds in hardwood vinegar are more higher than those of softwood than in softwood.