가슴
gaseum[ka̠sʰɯm]
The English word 'chest' can be translated into Korean as 가슴 (gaseum) or 흉부.
Meaning: thorax (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 가슴 | gaseum | [ka̠sʰɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 흉부 | hyungbu | [çuŋbu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 가슴 is the general, everyday word for the chest or breasts. It is also used metaphorically to refer to one's heart, soul or emotional state, such as when saying one's heart aches. The term 흉부 is the standard medical term for the chest or the thoracic region. Additionally, 흉 is commonly used in written or technical contexts.
Which one should you use?
가슴 is the common word used in daily life for both the chest and breasts. In contrast, 흉부 is a technical or medical term used to refer specifically to the thoracic region. For a more colloquial or emphatic way to refer to the physical expanse of the chest, you can use 가슴팍.
How do you pronounce it?
gaseum
Did you know?
- While 가슴 refers to the chest, the word for 'heart' as an organ is 심장, but the 'heart' as the center of emotion is almost always expressed using 가슴.
- The Sino-Korean term 흉부 shares the exact same Hanja characters as the Japanese word for chest, 胸部.
- In Korean, the phrase 'to open one's 가슴' can mean to be honest or to feel a sense of relief and liberation.
Examples in context
- 그는 흉부 엑스선 검진을 받아야 했다.He had to have his chest X-rayed.This sentence is useful for seeing the medical term 흉부 in use.
- 맨 가슴A bare chest
- 넓은 가슴A broad chest
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Minji are at a clothing store.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이 옷은 가슴 부분이 좀 끼는 것 같아요.i oseun gaseum bubuni jom kki-neun geot gat-ayo.I think the chest area of this clothing is a bit tight.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 그럼 한 사이즈 더 큰 걸 입어 보세요.hyunwoo ssi, geureom han sa-ijeu deo keun geol ib-eo boseyo.Hyunwoo, then please try on one size larger.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo가슴이 너무 답답하지 않은 옷으로 찾고 싶어요.gaseumi neomu dapdap-haji aneun oseuro chatgo sipeoyo.I want to find something that doesn't feel too tight in the chest.
- 민지 Min-ji그럼 이 셔츠는 어떠세요? 여유가 좀 있어요.geureom i syeocheuseun eotteoseyo? yeoyuga jom isseoyo.Then how about this shirt? It has some room.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chest” translations and entries 가슴, 흉부, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가슴, 흉부, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
