볼
bol[po̞ɭ]
The English phrase "cheeks" is translated into Korean as 볼 (bol).
볼 refers to the soft parts of the face located between the eyes and the jaw.
How do you pronounce it?
bol
Did you know?
- The word 볼 first appeared in written records in 1608 within the Eonhae duchang jibyo, a medical text about smallpox.
- Korean uses the word 볼 to describe the 'cheek' of a fruit, such as the rounded side of an apple.
- In Korean beauty standards, having a slightly plump 볼 is often associated with youth and innocence, leading to the popularity of 'apple zone' makeup to emphasize the cheeks.
Examples in context
- 볼이 아주 빨개요.boli aju ppalgaeyo.The cheeks are very red.
- 아기가 볼이 통통해요.agiga boli tongtonghaeyo.The baby has chubby cheeks.
- 추워서 볼이 차가워요.chuwoseo boli chagawayo.The cheeks are cold because it's cold.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Seoyeon are talking about the cold weather.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨, 볼이 너무 빨개요.Seoyeon ssi, bori neomu ppalgaeyo.Seoyeon, your cheeks are so red.
- 서연 Seo-yeon밖이 너무 추워서 그런가 봐요.bakki neomu chuwoseo geureon-ga bwayo.I think it's because it's so cold outside.
- 도현 Do-hyeon감기 걸리지 않게 조심하세요.gamgi geolliji an-ge josimhaseyo.Be careful not to catch a cold.
- 서연 Seo-yeon걱정해 줘서 고마워요, 도현 씨.geokjeonghae jwoseo gomawoyo, Dohyun ssi.Thank you for worrying, Dohyun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 볼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 볼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
