보조개
bojogae[po̞d͡ʑo̞ɡɛ]
The English word 'dimple' is translated into Korean as 보조개 (bojogae). Wiktionary also lists 볼우물 (borumul).
Meaning: indentation in the cheek (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 보조개 | bojogae | [po̞d͡ʑo̞ɡɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [po̞d͡ʑo̞ɡe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 볼우물 | borumul |
The term refers to an indentation in the cheek.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 볼우물 is a compound of 볼, meaning cheek and 우물, meaning well.
Which one should you use?
보조개 is the most common and standard way to say dimple. 볼우물 is a more poetic or literary term.
How do you pronounce it?
bojogae
Did you know?
- The word 보조개 contains the word 조개, which means 'shellfish' or 'clam' in Korean. This creates a surprising mental image where a dimple is literally a 'cheek clam'.
- Korean beauty trends have led to the popularity of 'dimple surgeries' to create 보조개 for those who were not born with them.
- In Korean physiognomy, 보조개 are often viewed as symbols of luck and charm that make a person appear more approachable and friendly.
Examples in context
- 그녀는 웃을 때 보조개가 생겨요.geunyeoneun useul ttae bojogae-ga saenggyeoyo.She gets dimples when she smiles.
- 아기의 양쪽 볼에 보조개가 있어요.agie yangjjok bol-e bojogae-ga isseoyo.The baby has dimples on both cheeks.
- 보조개가 정말 매력적이에요.bojogae-ga jeongmal maeryeokjeog-ieyo.The dimple is really charming.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are talking about a photo of a baby.
- 도현 Do-hyeon이 아기 정말 귀엽네요.i agi jeongmal gwiyyeopneyo.This baby is so cute.
- 수빈 Su-bin맞아요, 보조개가 정말 예뻐요.majayo, bojogae-ga jeongmal yeppeoyo.That's true, the dimple is really pretty.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨는 보조개가 없어요?subin ssi-neun bojogae-ga eopseoyo?Subin, don't you have dimples?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 저는 보조개가 없어요.ne, jeoneun bojogae-ga eopseoyo.No, I don't have dimples.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dimple” translations and entries 보조개, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 보조개, CC BY-SA 4.0.
