Korean word

손톱

Pronunciation

Romanizationsontop

Meaning

  • nounfingernail

Example

내 손톱을 깎아야 해.nae son to beul kka kka ya hae

I need to cut my fingernails.

Illustration for 손톱 (fingernail)

More examples

문을 열다가 손톱이 부러졌어.mu neul yeol da ga son to bi pu reo jeo sseo

My fingernail broke while I was opening the door.

Core concept

The hard layer that grows past a fingertip, protecting the finger and helping it handle small objects.

Common phrases

  • 손톱을 깎다son to beul kkak tta

    cut fingernails

  • 손톱이 부러지다son to bi pu reo ji da

    break a fingernail

  • 손톱이 길다son to bi kil da

    have long fingernails

Similar words

발톱paltop: A tough covering on a toe that shields the toe's end from harm.
네일neil: Nail decoration or coloring done as part of personal beauty care.

Definition in Korean

손톱은 손끝의 피부 밖으로 자라는 단단한 각질층으로, 길이와 모양을 다듬어 위생과 기능을 유지하는 부위.son to beun son kkeu sui pi bu pa kkeu ro cha ra neun tan dan han kak jjil cheung eu ro ki ri wa mo yang eul ta deu meo wi saeng gwa ki neung eul yu ji ha neun pu wi

Word origin

손톱 (sontop, "fingernail") combines 손 (son, "hand") with 톱 (top, "nail"), an older Korean word for a nail or claw.

Usage tips

  • English nail can refer to a fingernail or a toenail, but 손톱 (sontop, "fingernail") specifically names the nail on a hand.

Related words

  • 손톱깎이sontopkkakkinail clippernoun
  • 손톱끝sontopkkeutfingernail tipnoun

Word lists with this word