Korean word

혀

Pronunciation

Romanizationhyeo

Meaning

  • nountongue

Example

그는 혀를 내밀었다.keu neun hyeo reul nae mi reot tta

He stuck out his tongue.

Illustration for 혀 (tongue)

More examples

매운 음식을 먹고 혀가 얼얼했다.mae un eum si geul meok kko hyeo ga eo reol haet tta

After eating spicy food, my tongue tingled.

Core concept

The soft, moving part in the mouth that helps with eating and speaking, and can also represent the words people use.

Common phrases

  • 혀를 내밀다hyeo reul nae mil da

    stick out one's tongue

  • 혀를 깨물다hyeo reul kkae mul da

    bite one's tongue

  • 혀가 아프다hyeo ga a peu da

    have a sore tongue

Similar words

입ip: The opening in the face used for eating, breathing, and speaking.
입술ipssul: The soft outer edge of the mouth that helps with eating and speech.
목mok: The throat area used for swallowing and producing sounds.
이i: A hard organ in the mouth that bites and breaks up food.

Definition in Korean

음식을 씹고 삼키거나 말을 할 때 위치와 모양을 바꾸어 작용하는 입 안의 유연한 기관.eum si geul ssip kko sam ki geo na ma reul hal ttae wi chi wa mo yang eul pa kku eo cha gyong ha neun ip a nui yu yeon han ki gwan

Word origin

혀 (hyeo, "tongue") is an old native Korean word whose long use connects the body part with speech and language.

Usage tips

  • A sentence about eating usually points to the body part, while a sentence about speaking may point to the words or language linked to it.

Related words

  • 혀끝hyeokkeuttongue tipnoun
  • 혀바닥hyeobadaktongue surfacenoun

Word lists with this word