Korean Dictionary
How to say "Bruise" in Korean
“Bruise” in Korean is 멍 (pronounced "meong").
멍
meong
Usage & Context
멍 is the Korean word for a bruise caused by blood pooling under the skin after impact. Koreans commonly apply dolasetron patches or use 타박상 (trauma) ointments for 멍. In Korean internet slang 멍 is also used metaphorically to describe emotional wounds or heartbreak.
Example Sentence
부딪혀서 팔에 멍이 들었어요.
I bumped into something and got a bruise on my arm.
How to use 멍 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Bruise” is 멍, romanized as meong.
Usage tip
When describing symptoms, combine the word with where it hurts, when it started, and how severe it is.
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 멍.
Pronunciation Guide
멍 (meong) sounds like "mung" as in "among" but with an 'm' at the beginning. The 'eo' vowel is similar to the 'o' in "song" or "long", and the 'ng' is like the 'ng' in "sing". The overall sound is "mung".
More Example Sentences
Describing an injury after an accident.
넘어져서 무릎에 큰 멍이 들었어요.
I fell and got a big bruise on my knee.
Asking for advice on treating a bruise.
멍 빨리 없애는 방법 아세요?
Do you know how to get rid of a bruise quickly?
Wondering about the healing time of a bruise.
이 멍은 언제쯤 사라질까요?
When will this bruise disappear?
Cultural Context
'멍' (bruise) is a very common word in daily Korean life. For minor bruises, Koreans often apply over-the-counter ointments, sometimes specifically '타박상 연고' (trauma ointment), or even traditional remedies. Interestingly, '멍' is also used metaphorically in Korean internet slang or emotional contexts to describe emotional wounds or heartbreak, like '마음에 멍이 들다' (to get a bruise on one's heart), indicating a deep emotional hurt.
Editorial note
We review entries like 멍 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
멍이 들다
To get a bruise (idiomatic)
멍 빼다
To get rid of a bruise (colloquial)
마음에 멍이 들다
To get a bruise on one's heart (metaphorical)
Related Expressions
타박상
tabaksang
Contusion / Trauma (often used for bruises)
상처
sangcheo
Wound / Injury (general term)
피멍
pimyeong
Blood bruise (emphasizing blood pooling)
흉터
hyungteo
Scar
More Health & Medical Words
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