이
i[i]
The English word "tooth" is 이 in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 니 (ni) and 강냉이 (gangnaeng'i).
Meaning: anatomy: tooth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 이 | i | [i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 니 | ni | [ni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 강냉이 | gangnaeng'i | [ka̠ŋnɛŋi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ka̠ŋne̞ŋi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
slang |
| 이빨 | ippal | [ip͈a̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | alternative |
| 치아 | chia | [t͡ɕʰia̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | mainly, vulgar |
Which one should you use?
이 is the standard, neutral term for a human tooth. 치아 is a formal term used in medical or technical dental contexts. 이빨 is often used to refer to animal teeth, but when used for humans, it can sound derogatory or crude. 강냉이 is a slang term for teeth, often used in a mocking or highly colloquial way.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Another formal word for "tooth" in Korean is 치아, which is the formal, medical or technical term for teeth used in dental contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
i
Did you know?
- The slang term 강냉이 is originally the word for 'maize' or 'corn', likely used because the appearance of corn kernels resembles a row of teeth.
- The standard Korean word for 'tooth', 이, is homonymous with the number 'two', which is also pronounced 이.
- In the early 15th century, the word for tooth was written as 니. While it changed to 이 in isolation, the original 니 sound is still preserved in some compound words.
Examples in context
- 내 소원 중 하나는 과거로 돌아가 공룡의 이빨이 얼마나 큰지 내 눈으로 확인해 보는 것이다.One of my wishes is to go back to the past and see with my own eyes how big a dinosaur's tooth is.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe the size of a dinosaur's 이빨.
- 치아 건강은 전체 건강의 일부입니다.Dental health is a part of overall health.
- 이 하나가 빠졌어요.i hana-ga ppajyeosseoyo.One tooth fell out.
- 이 하나가 깨졌어요.i hana-ga kkae-jyeot-seo-yo.One tooth is chipped.
Example conversation
At the dentist's office.
- 수빈 Su-bin선생님, 이가 너무 아파요.seon-saeng-nim, i-ga neo-mu a-pa-yo.Doctor, my tooth hurts so much.
- 지훈 Ji-hun어디가 아픈지 보여주세요.eo-di-ga a-peun-ji bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.Please show me where it hurts.
- 수빈 Su-bin여기 이 부분이 아픈 것 같아요.yeo-gi i bu-bun-i a-peun geot gat-a-yo.I think this part of the tooth hurts.
- 지훈 Ji-hun충치가 생겼네요.chung-chi-ga saeng-gyeot-ne-yo.You have a cavity.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tooth” translations and entries 이, 니, 강냉이, 이빨, 치아, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 이, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
