몸
mom[mo̞m]
The English word 'body' is translated into Korean as 몸 (mom). Wiktionary also lists 신체 (sinche).
Meaning: physical structure of a human or animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 몸 | mom | [mo̞m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 신체 | sinche | [ɕʰiɲt͡ɕʰe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both Korean terms refer to the physical structure of a human or animal.
Which one should you use?
몸 is the common, everyday word for body. In contrast, 신체 is a more formal, technical or academic term, frequently used in specialized contexts such as biology or law to refer to the physical body.
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on its role in a sentence, 몸 takes different particles: use 몸이 when the body is the subject, 몸을 when the body is the object of an action and 몸에 when expressing that something affects or is applied to the body.
How do you pronounce it?
mom
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, the phrase 몸조리 refers to the specific process of recovering one's body after childbirth, a custom with deep traditional roots.
- The word 몸 can refer to the physical hull of a ship or the main chassis of a vehicle rather than just a living organism.
- In Korean, 몸 is used in the common idiom 몸을 낮추다, which literally means 'to lower one's body' but is used to describe acting humble.
Examples in context
- 수면 부족은 몸에 나빠.Lack of sleep is bad for the body.This sentence shows how to use the particle –에 with 몸 to describe something being bad for the body.Tatoeba #8363515 by Eunhee, translation #393271 by AniDeer
- 톰은 자기 몸을 창피해해.Tom is ashamed of his body.This sentence shows how to use the particle –을 with 몸 to describe being ashamed of the body.Tatoeba #8369692 by Eunhee, translation #3419977 by CK
- 인간의 몸은 수많은 세포들로 구성되어 있어.A human body consists of a countless number of cells.This sentence shows how to use 몸 to describe the composition of the human body.Tatoeba #8361856 by Eunhee, translation #270630 by CM
- 저는 요가를 통해 몸을 유연하게 유지합니다.I keep my body flexible through yoga.
- 오늘은 몸이 좀 피곤해요.I feel a bit tired today.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Jihun are talking about his recent fitness progress.
- 서연 Seo-yeon지훈 씨, 요즘 운동해요?Ji-hun ssi, yo-jeum un-dong-hae-yo?Jihun, have you been exercising lately?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 요즘 몸이 정말 가벼워졌어요.Ne, yo-jeum mom-i jeong-mal ga-byeo-wo-jyeoss-eo-yo.Yes, my body feels really light lately.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 건강해 보이네요!Jeong-mal geon-gang-hae bo-i-ne-yo!You look really healthy!
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요, 서연 씨.Go-ma-wo-yo, Seo-yeon ssi.Thank you, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “body” translations and entries 몸, 신체, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
