Korean Dictionary
How to say "Bite the Bullet" in Korean
“Bite the Bullet” in Korean is 이를 악물다 (pronounced "Ireul Angmulda").
이를 악물다
Ireul Angmulda
Usage & Context
Biting the bullet means enduring a painful or difficult situation with stoicism. The Korean equivalent ire ul angmulda literally means clenching one's teeth to bear hardship.
Example Sentence
힘들어도 이를 악물고 끝까지 해내야 해요.
Even if it is hard, you must bite the bullet and see it through to the end.
How to use 이를 악물다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Bite the Bullet” is 이를 악물다, romanized as Ireul Angmulda.
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 이를 악물다.
Pronunciation Guide
이를 (ee-reul) sounds like 'ee' in 'see' followed by 'reul' like 'rule' but with a light 'r' sound. 악물다 (ahng-mool-dah) sounds like 'ahng' as in 'sang' (without the 's'), 'mool' like 'pool', and 'dah' like 'data' without the 'ta'.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
이를 악물어요
Ireul Angmureoyo
Standard polite form, commonly used.
Casual (반말)
이를 악물어
Ireul Angmureo
Standard casual form.
More Example Sentences
A student facing academic pressure.
시험 기간이라 힘들지만 이를 악물고 공부해야 해.
It's exam season, it's tough, but I have to bite the bullet and study.
Employees working hard under a tight deadline.
프로젝트 마감일이 코앞이라 모두 이를 악물고 일하고 있어요.
The project deadline is just around the corner, so everyone is biting the bullet and working.
Someone persevering through a difficult recovery.
고통스러워도 이를 악물고 재활 치료를 계속했어요.
Even though it was painful, I bit the bullet and continued with physical therapy.
Cultural Context
This idiom perfectly reflects the Korean cultural emphasis on perseverance (인내, innae) and resilience (극복, geukbok) in the face of adversity. You'll often hear this phrase in K-dramas when characters are determined to overcome challenges, whether it's a tough breakup, a difficult job, or a personal struggle. It signifies a strong will to endure hardship without complaint.
Editorial note
We review entries like 이를 악물다 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
이를 악물고 버티다
to clench one's teeth and hold on/persevere
이를 악물고 이겨내다
to clench one's teeth and overcome
이를 악물고 참다
to clench one's teeth and endure
Related Expressions
견디다
gyeondida
to endure, to bear
참다
chamda
to bear, to tolerate, to hold back
고진감래
gojingamnae
no pain, no gain (literally: bitterness ends, sweetness comes)
포기하다
pogihada
to give up
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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