어깨
eokkae[ʌ̹k͈ɛ]
The Korean word for shoulder is 어깨 (eokkae).
어깨 refers to the joint between the arm and the torso. You can use it literally, such as when referring to 어깨 뒤쪽 (the back of the shoulder) or metaphorically. For instance, the phrase 어깨를 펴다 (to straighten one's shoulders) is used to describe gaining confidence or standing tall.
Meaning: joint between arm and torso (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
eokkae
Did you know?
- While English uses 'shoulder' to describe the side of a road, Korean uses a completely different word, 갓길, which refers to the 'edge' or 'rim'.
- The expression 어깨에 힘을 주다 literally means 'to put strength in the shoulders' but describes someone acting arrogant or showing off.
- The phrase 어깨동무 refers to the act of putting arms around each other's shoulders, and it is often used to describe a very close or childhood friendship.
Examples in context
- 어깨와 겨드랑이가 아프다My shoulder and armpit hurt.
- 난 어깨가 아파I have shoulder pain.
- 야구를 하다가 어깨를 다쳤어I injured my shoulder while playing baseball.
- 어깨 마사지를 받고 싶어I want to get a shoulder massage.
- 어깨가 너무 아파요.eokkaega neomu apayo.My shoulder hurts so much.
- 어깨를 좀 펴세요.eokkaereul jom pyeseyo.Please straighten your shoulders.
- 가방이 어깨를 눌러요.gabangi eokkaereul nulleoyo.The bag is pressing on my shoulder.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Do-hyeon are talking about Do-hyeon's workout routine.
- 지은 Ji-eun운동을 많이 해서 어깨가 넓어요.undong-eul mani haeseo eokkaega neolbeoyo.Your shoulders are wide because you exercise a lot.
- 도현 Do-hyeon고마워요, 하지만 어깨가 좀 아파요.gomawoyo, hajiman eokkaega jom apayo.Thank you, but my shoulders hurt a bit.
- 지은 Ji-eun어깨 근육을 좀 풀어줘야 해요.eokkae geunyugeul jom pureojwoya haeyo.You should massage your shoulder muscles.
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 그래야겠어요.ne, geuraeyagesseoyo.Yes, I should do that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 어깨, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
