쥐
jwi[t͡ɕɥi]
In Korean, the word for a cramp is 쥐 (jwi).
The word 쥐 refers to a painful contraction of a muscle. To describe the actual onset of a cramp, Koreans use the phrase 쥐가 나다, meaning 'to get a cramp'. For a more formal or medical context, the term 경련 is used to mean 'cramp'. Additionally, if you are specifically referring to a stomach cramp, you can use the term 복부 경련.
Meaning: painful contraction of a muscle (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe the occurrence of a cramp, the noun 쥐 is paired with the verb 나다, which means 'to occur' or 'to emerge'. For example, the expression 쥐가 나다 is used to say that a cramp has happened. If you want to report that a cramp has already occurred, you can use the past tense form 쥐가 났다.
How do you pronounce it?
jwi
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 쥐가 나다To get a crampThis sentence is useful for learning how to say 'to get a cramp' using 쥐.
- 다리에 쥐가 났어요.darie jwiga nasseoyo.I got a cramp in my leg.
- 갑자기 발에 쥐가 났어요.gapjagi bal-e jwiga nasseoyo.I suddenly got a cramp in my foot.
Example conversation
Minji and Minjun are hiking up a mountain.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨, 다리에 쥐가 났어요.Minjun ssi, darie jwiga nasseoyo.Minjun, I got a cramp in my leg.
- 민준 Min-jun많이 아파요? 잠시 앉으세요.mani apayo? jamsi anjeuseyo.Does it hurt a lot? Please sit down for a moment.
- 민지 Min-ji네, 쥐 때문에 너무 아파요.ne, jwi ttaemune neomu apayo.Yes, it hurts so much because of the cramp.
- 민준 Min-jun제가 다리를 좀 주물러 줄게요.jega darireul jom jumulleo julgeyo.I will massage your leg for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cramp” translations and entries 쥐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 쥐, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
