콧구멍
kotgumeong[kʰo̞t̚k͈umʌ̹ŋ]
The English word "nostrils" is translated into Korean as 콧구멍 (kotgumeong).
The term 콧구멍 is used to refer to nostrils.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 코, meaning nose and 구멍, meaning hole.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 콧구멍 is used for both a single nostril and multiple nostrils, as Korean nouns do not typically change form for plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [kotgumeong].
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific idiom involving 콧구멍 to describe someone who is extremely picky or haughty, often implying they look down their nose at others.
- When discussing health, Koreans might refer to 'blocked nostrils' using the word 막히다, which is the same word used for a traffic jam on a highway.
- The 'ㅅ' in 콧구멍 is a 'sai-siot', a silent consonant added to compound nouns to indicate a possessive relationship or a change in sound.
Examples in context
- 콧구멍이 정말 커요.kotgumangi jeongmal keoyo.The nostrils are really large.
- 콧구멍에 먼지가 들어갔어요.kotgumange meonjiga deureogasseoyo.Dust got into my nostrils.
- 아기가 콧구멍을 찡긋거려요.agiga kotgumangeul jjinkutgeoryeoyo.The baby is scrunching her nostrils.
Example conversation
Subin is helping Hyunwoo clean his face after playing outside.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 코에 먼지가 묻었어요.Hyunwoo ssi, koe meonjiga mudeosseoyo.Hyunwoo, there is dust on your nose.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo콧구멍 주변을 닦아야겠네요.kotgumyeong jubyeoneul dakkaya-genneyo.I should wipe around my nostrils.
- 수빈 Su-bin제가 닦아줄게요.jega dakkajulgeyo.I will wipe it for you.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워요, 수빈 씨.gomawoyo, Subin ssi.Thank you, Subin.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 콧구멍, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 콧구멍, CC BY-SA 4.0.
