혀
hyeo[çʌ̹]
The Korean word for 'tongue' is 혀 (hyeo).
혀 is a noun referring to the anatomical organ in the mouth.
Meaning: organ (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 혀 is the standard term, 혓바닥 is an informal way to refer to the tongue.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 혀 is the subject of a sentence, it takes the subject marker 가 to become 혀가. When it is the direct object of a verb, such as when you are sticking it out, it takes the object marker 를 to become 혀를.
How do you pronounce it?
hyeo
Did you know?
- In Korean, saying someone has a 'short tongue' 혀가 짧다 does not refer to anatomy, but to someone who speaks in a cutesy or infant-like manner.
- The expression 혀를 내두르다 describes being so shocked or amazed by something that you figuratively 'shake your tongue'.
- The word 혀 was first recorded in the 'Hunminjeong'eum haerye' in 1446 as 혀〮, featuring a tone mark that is no longer used in modern Korean.
Examples in context
- 혀를 내밀어 보세요.Stick out your tongue.This sentence is useful for learning how to use the object form 혀.Tatoeba #11597221 by cherryband, translation #460265 by jeanne
- 오늘 아이스크림을 먹어서 혓바닥이 차가워요.My tongue is cold because I ate ice cream today.
- 혀가 너무 짧아요.hyeoga neomu jjalbayo.My tongue is too short.
- 혀에 상처가 났어요.hyeoe sangcheoga nasseoyo.I have a cut on my tongue.
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Min-ji are eating spicy food.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo와, 너무 매워서 혀가 마비된 것 같아.wa, neomu mae-woseo hyeoga mabidoen geot gata.Wow, it's so spicy that my tongue feels numb.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아, 나도 혀가 얼얼해.maja, nado hyeoga eolleorae.Right, my tongue is tingling too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo물 좀 빨리 마셔야겠어.mul jom ppalli masyeoyagess-eo.I need to drink some water quickly.
- 민지 Min-ji여기 물 있어, 빨리 마셔.yeogi mul isseo, ppalli masyeo.Here is some water, drink up.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tongue” translations and entries 혀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 혀, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
