메스
meseu
The English word scalpel is translated into Korean as 메스 (meseu).
메스 is the term for a small, straight knife. For a more formal or descriptive context, the term 외과용 칼 can be used to specifically mean 'surgical knife'.
Meaning: small straight knife (noun)
Which one should you use?
메스 is the standard term, while 외과용 칼 is a formal alternative that explicitly describes the object as a surgical knife.
How do you pronounce it?
meseu
Did you know?
- The Korean word 메스 is actually a loanword from the Dutch word mes, which simply means 'knife'.
- If you use the word 메스 to ask for a kitchen knife, people will think you are trying to perform surgery on your dinner. While it means 'knife' in Dutch, in Korean it is strictly reserved for the operating room.
- In Korean medical dramas, surgeons often shout 메스 as a dramatic command, which functions as a shorthand for 'give me the scalpel'.
Examples in context
- 메스를 조심히 다루세요.meseureul joshimi daruseyo.Please handle the scalpel carefully.
- 새 메스가 필요합니다.sae meseuga piryohamnida.I need a new scalpel.
- 그 메스는 아주 날카로워요.geu meseuneun aju nalkarowoyo.That scalpel is very sharp.
Example conversation
In a medical training room, a mentor is teaching a student.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 메스를 잡는 법을 배우세요.Hyeonu ssi, meseureul japneun beobeul baeuseyo.Hyeonu, learn how to hold the scalpel.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 서연 선생님. 메스가 매우 날카롭네요.Ne, Seoyeon seonsaengnim. meseuga maeu nalkaropneyo.Yes, Seoyeon. The scalpel is very sharp.
- 서연 Seo-yeon조금 더 천천히 움직여 보세요.Jogeum deo cheoncheonhi umjigyeo boseyo.Try moving a little more slowly.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo알겠습니다. 주의해서 할게요.Algetseumnida. Juuihaeseo halgeyo.I understand. I will be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scalpel” translations and entries 메스, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 메스, CC BY-SA 4.0.
