Korean word

허리

Pronunciation

Romanizationheori

Meaning

  • nounback

Example

허리가 아파요.heo ri ga a pa yo

My back hurts.

Illustration for 허리 (back)

More examples

허리가 아프면 오래 걷기 힘들어요.heo ri ga a peu myeon o rae keot kki him deu reo yo

If your back hurts, it is hard to walk for a long time.

Core concept

The body's middle section where the upper and lower body connect, covering the waist and lower back area.

Common phrases

  • 허리가 아프다heo ri ga a peu da

    have a sore back

  • 허리가 저리다heo ri ga cheo ri da

    have a numb back

Similar words

허리둘레heoridulle: The measurement around the waist helps choose clothing that fits.
허리춤heorichum: A waist-level spot can be on the body or on clothing.
허리띠heoritti: A band wrapped around the waist keeps clothes in place and can shape them.

Definition in Korean

허리는 상체와 하체를 연결하는 몸의 중간 부분을 가리키는 명사로서 옷의 허리선과 통증을 말할 때 주로 쓰인다heo ri neun sang che wa ha che reul yeon gyeol ha neun mo mui chung gan pu bu neul ka ri ki neun myeong sa ro seo o sui heo ri seon gwa tong jeung eul mal hal ttae chu ro sseu in da

Word origin

This is a native Korean word rather than a Sino-Korean compound, with a long-established everyday meaning for the waist and lower back.

Usage tips

  • In clothing shopping, measurement points can vary by brand, so checking the garment's actual measurements helps avoid a poor fit.

Other meanings

  • waistnoun

Related words

  • 허리 통증heori tongjeungback painnoun
  • 허리근육heorigeunyuklower-back musclesnoun

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