Korean Dictionary
How to say "Brain" in Korean
“Brain” in Korean is 뇌 (pronounced "noe").
뇌
noe
Usage & Context
The organ that controls the body. Essential vocabulary for health discussions. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
Example Sentence
뇌가 아파요.
My brain hurts.
How to use 뇌 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Brain” is 뇌, romanized as noe.
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 뇌.
Pronunciation Guide
To pronounce '뇌', say 'Noe.' This is a single syllable. The 'n' is like in 'no.' The 'oe' sound is a diphthong, similar to the 'we' in 'wet' but without the 't', or like saying 'no' and then quickly moving to an 'eh' sound, almost like 'nway' but smoother and shorter.
More Example Sentences
Recommending a puzzle game.
뇌 활동을 활발하게 하는 게임이에요.
It's a game that stimulates brain activity.
Watching a health program.
뇌졸중은 초기 증상을 아는 게 중요해요.
It's important to know the early symptoms of a stroke.
A parent advising their child.
어릴 때 뇌 발달에 좋은 음식을 많이 먹어야 해요.
You should eat a lot of food good for brain development when you're young.
Cultural Context
The brain, '뇌,' is often discussed in the context of health, education, and aging in Korea. There's a strong emphasis on '뇌 발달' (noe baldal, brain development) for children and '뇌 건강' (noe geongang, brain health) for the elderly. You might hear about '뇌섹남/녀' (noesaeknam/nyeo, literally 'brainy sexy man/woman') in K-dramas or variety shows, referring to people who are intelligent and attractive, highlighting the cultural appreciation for intellect.
Editorial note
We review entries like 뇌 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
뇌 건강
brain health
뇌 발달
brain development
뇌 활동
brain activity
Related Expressions
두뇌
dunoel
brain (often used in abstract or intellectual contexts)
뇌 기능
noe gineung
brain function
뇌졸중
noejoljung
stroke
치매
chimae
dementia
More Body Parts Words
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