Korean word

가슴

Pronunciation

Romanizationkaseum

Meaning

  • nounchest

Example

어제부터 가슴이 자꾸 답답해요.eo je bu teo ka seu mi cha kku tap tta pae yo

My chest has kept feeling tight since yesterday.

Illustration for 가슴 (chest)

More examples

책을 읽다가 마지막 장에 가슴이 뭉클했어요.chae geul ik tta ga ma ji mak chang e ka seu mi mung keul hae sseo yo

I felt deeply moved when I reached the last chapter while reading the book.

Core concept

The upper front of the body where breathing and heartbeat are felt, and where feelings are sometimes located figuratively.

Common phrases

  • 가슴이 설레다ka seu mi seol le da

    heart flutter with excitement

  • 가슴이 뭉클하다ka seu mi mung keul ha da

    feel deeply moved

  • 가슴이 벅차다ka seu mi peok cha da

    feel overwhelmed with emotion

Similar words

마음maeum: A person's inner world of thoughts, feelings, sincerity, and will.
감정kamjeong: An emotional response such as joy, sadness, anger, or excitement.
속마음songmaeum: A person's real feelings kept hidden behind outward behavior.

Definition in Korean

가슴은 흉부를 가리키는 기본 의미를 가지며, 숨쉬기·통증·심장 박동 등 신체 상태를 말할 때 쓰이고, 비유적으로 마음이나 여성의 유방을 가리키기도 하는 명사이다.ka seu meun hyung bu reul ka ri ki neun ki bon ui mi reul ka ji myeo sum swi gi tong jeung sim jang pak ttong teung sin che sang tae reul mal hal ttae sseu i go pi yu jeo geu ro ma eu mi na yeo seong ui yu bang eul ka ri ki gi do ha neun myeong sa i da

Word origin

This is a native Korean word whose basic sense is the chest, with its physical location supporting uses for the emotional heart and the breast.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may expect chest and heart to be separate words, so context is especially important when this noun appears in health or emotional conversations.

Other meanings

  • heartnoun
  • breastnoun

Related words

  • 가슴저림kaseumjeorimchest tinglingnoun

Word lists with this word