코
ko[kʰo̞]
The English word "nose" is 코 (ko) in Korean.
코 refers to the protuberance on the face. In colloquial or idiomatic speech, the related form 코빼기 can be used to refer to a nose in a derogatory or highly informal sense, most commonly in the idiom meaning someone has not shown even a glimpse of themselves.
Meaning: protuberance on the face (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on its grammatical role in a sentence. When the nose is the subject, such as when describing its state, the subject marker 가 is attached to form 코가. When the nose is the object of an action, such as blowing one's nose, the object marker 를 is attached to form 코를.
How do you pronounce it?
ko
Did you know?
- The phrase 코를 꿰다 literally means 'to have one's nose pierced', but it is used idiomatically to mean being completely controlled or manipulated by someone else.
- The idiom 코가 삐뚤어지다 means 'to be crooked in the nose', but it is a common way to describe someone who is extremely drunk.
- The idiom 코끝이 찡하다 describes a tingling sensation at the tip of the nose, which is the physical feeling one gets right before bursting into tears of emotion.
Examples in context
- 밥 짓는 내내 코빼기도 안 보이더니 이제 와서?You didn't even show your nose the whole time I was cooking, and now you're here?This sentence shows the colloquial use of 코 in an idiom regarding someone's presence.Tatoeba #13165567 by Uwe, translation #13235750 by atitarev
- 코가 막혔다.My nose is stuffed up.This sentence demonstrates the subject form 코가 used to describe a physical state.Tatoeba #4960687 by rainbow4us, translation #318194 by CK
- 톰의 코가 빨갰다.Tom's nose was red.This sentence demonstrates the subject form 코가 used to describe a physical appearance.Tatoeba #11105475 by intertime, translation #2548520 by CK
- 저는 콧구멍을 통해 숨을 쉬어요.I breathe through my nostrils.
- 코를 풀다.To blow one's nose.
- 코끝이 따끈따끈해.The tip of my nose feels warm.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are looking at a photo of a celebrity.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그 배우는 코가 정말 예뻐요.geu baeureun koga jeongmal yeppeoyo.That actor has a really beautiful nose.
- 지은 Ji-eun맞아요, 코 모양이 정말 완벽해요.majayo, ko moyangi jeongmal wanbyeokhaeyo.True, the nose shape is perfect.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨는 코가 높네요.Jieun ssineun koga nopneyo.Jieun, your nose is high.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말요? 고마워요.jeongmalyo? gomawoyo.Really? Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nose” translations and entries 코, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
