Korean Dictionary
How to say "Eardrum" in Korean
“Eardrum” in Korean is 고막 (pronounced "Gomak").
고막
Gomak
Usage & Context
고막 (eardrum) is a delicate membrane in the ear that vibrates in response to sound. In Korea, there is a common expression 고막이 터질 것 같다 meaning the sound is so loud it feels like the eardrum will burst. This phrase is often used to describe very loud concerts or music.
Example Sentence
콘서트가 너무 시끄러워서 고막이 터질 것 같았어요.
The concert was so loud it felt like my eardrum would burst.
How to use 고막 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Eardrum” is 고막, romanized as Gomak.
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 고막.
Pronunciation Guide
For 고막 (go-mak), 'go' sounds like the English word 'go', and 'mak' sounds like 'mock'. The stress is fairly even, resulting in a clear 'go-mock' sound.
More Example Sentences
Warning about potential hearing damage from loud music.
이어폰 소리가 너무 커서 고막에 안 좋을 것 같아요.
The earphone volume is too loud, it might be bad for my eardrum.
Describing an extremely loud and piercing scream.
고막이 찢어지는 듯한 비명 소리였어요.
It was a scream that sounded like eardrums tearing.
Discussing a medical check-up related to ear health.
이비인후과에서 고막 검사를 받았어요.
I had an eardrum examination at the ENT clinic.
Cultural Context
고막 (gomak) is the standard medical term for eardrum. The most common cultural usage of this word is in the vivid idiom '고막이 터질 것 같다' (gomagi teojil geot gatda), which literally means 'my eardrums feel like they're going to burst.' This phrase is frequently used in everyday conversation, especially among younger Koreans, to describe extremely loud music at concerts, overwhelming noise, or any sound that feels uncomfortably intense. It's a common way to express discomfort from excessive volume.
Editorial note
We review entries like 고막 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
고막이 아파요.
My eardrum hurts.
고막이 터질 것 같아요.
My eardrums feel like they're going to burst.
고막 손상.
Eardrum damage.
Related Expressions
귀
gwi
ear
청력
cheongnyeok
hearing ability
이명
imyeong
tinnitus
소음
soeum
noise
More Body Parts Words
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