Korean Dictionary
How to say "Ankle" in Korean
“Ankle” in Korean is 발목 (pronounced "balmok").
발목
balmok
Usage & Context
The joint connecting the leg to the foot. Essential vocabulary for describing body parts. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
Example Sentence
발목이 아파요.
My ankle hurts.
How to use 발목 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Ankle” is 발목, romanized as balmok.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 발목.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'bal' (발), sounds like 'bahl' or 'ball' but with a soft 'l' sound at the end. 'Mok' (목) rhymes with the English word 'mock'. The stress is fairly even, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about discomfort from wearing certain footwear.
하이힐을 신으면 발목이 아파요.
My ankles hurt when I wear high heels.
Describing a common injury to a colleague.
발목을 삐끗해서 병원에 갔어요.
I sprained my ankle and went to the hospital.
Complimenting someone's physique or shoe choice.
발목이 얇아서 예쁜 신발이 많아요.
My ankles are thin, so many shoes look pretty on me.
Cultural Context
'발목' is a very common and practical word in daily Korean life. It often comes up in discussions about fashion, such as '발목까지 오는 바지' (ankle-length pants), or in sports and health contexts, especially regarding injuries. Spraining an ankle, or '발목을 삐다', is a frequently discussed topic among active individuals, and you'll often hear this phrase in K-dramas when characters get hurt.
Editorial note
We review entries like 발목 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
발목을 삐다
to sprain one's ankle
발목 잡다
to hold someone back, to hinder (idiom)
발목이 시큰거리다
to have a throbbing/aching ankle
Related Expressions
발
bal
foot
다리
dari
leg
무릎
mureup
knee
발목 양말
balmok yangmal
ankle socks
More Body Parts Words
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