Korean Dictionary
How to say "Eye" in Korean
“Eye” in Korean is 눈 (pronounced "nun").
눈
nun
Usage & Context
The organ of sight. One of the most important body parts in Korean vocabulary. Used in countless everyday expressions and idioms.
Example Sentence
눈이 피곤해요.
My eyes are tired.
How to use 눈 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Eye” is 눈, romanized as nun.
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 눈.
Pronunciation Guide
One syllable: 'nun.' Rhymes with English 'noon' but shorter — just 'NOON' clipped. Important: 눈 also means 'snow,' but 'eye' is pronounced with a short vowel and 'snow' has a long vowel.
More Example Sentences
Complaining to a coworker at the desk
모니터 오래 보니까 눈이 아파요.
My eyes hurt from staring at the monitor too long.
Commenting on an actor you're watching
그 사람 눈이 정말 예뻐요.
That person's eyes are really beautiful.
An eye doctor giving instructions
눈 좀 감아 보세요.
Please close your eyes for a second.
Cultural Context
The single syllable 눈 is a homograph that means both 'eye' and 'snow,' and native speakers distinguish them by vowel length in careful speech — 'eye' is short, 'snow' is longer — plus context and accompanying verbs. Eyes are a massive beauty focus: 쌍꺼풀 (double eyelid) surgery is famously common and 'eye shapes' are categorized (고양이상, 강아지상, 사슴상). The idiom 눈이 높다 (lit. 'eyes are high') means 'to have high standards.'
Editorial note
We review entries like 눈 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
눈이 아파요.
My eyes hurt.
눈이 커요.
Your eyes are big.
눈이 마주쳤어요.
Our eyes met.
Related Expressions
쌍꺼풀
ssanggeopul
Double eyelid
시력
siryeok
Eyesight / vision
눈물
nunmul
Tears
눈빛
nunbit
Gaze / look in one's eyes
Frequently asked questions
How do I correctly pronounce the Korean word 눈 (nun) for 'eye'?+
The Korean word 눈 (nun) is pronounced with a distinct 'n' sound at the beginning and end. The vowel 'ㅜ' (u) is similar to the 'oo' in "moon" or "food", making it "noon". Ensure a clear, crisp 'n' sound, not blended. It's a straightforward pronunciation, crucial for distinguishing it from other similar-sounding words in Korean. Practice saying "noon" with a slight emphasis on the 'n' sounds.
Does the Korean word 눈 (nun) have multiple meanings, like 'eye' and something else?+
Yes, the Korean word 눈 (nun) is a homonym, meaning it has multiple distinct meanings. Besides "eye," 눈 (nun) also commonly means "snow." You can differentiate between them primarily through context. For example, "눈이 와요" (nuni wayo) means "It's snowing," while "눈이 아파요" (nuni apayo) means "My eye hurts." The surrounding words and situation usually clarify which meaning is intended.
What are some common Korean idioms or phrases that use the word 눈 (nun)?+
Absolutely, 눈 (nun) is used in many common Korean expressions. For instance, "눈이 높다" (nuni nopda) literally means "eyes are high" but idiomatically refers to someone having high standards or being picky. Another common phrase is "눈 깜짝할 새" (nun kkamjjakhal sae), which translates to "in the blink of an eye," indicating something happened very quickly. These expressions highlight its cultural significance.
How do I properly say 'my eyes' or 'your eyes' in Korean using 눈 (nun)?+
To say "my eyes" in Korean, you can use "제 눈" (je nun) in a polite or humble context, or "내 눈" (nae nun) in an informal context. For "your eyes," you would typically use "당신의 눈" (dangsinui nun) in a general polite sense, or "네 눈" (ne nun) informally. While possessive markers like '의' (ui) exist, they are often omitted in natural speech for body parts when the possessor is clear.
Is there a specific word for 'eyelid' or 'eyeball' in Korean, different from just 눈 (nun)?+
While 눈 (nun) generally refers to the entire "eye," there are more specific terms for parts like the eyelid or eyeball. "Eyelid" is 눈꺼풀 (nunkkeopul), and "eyeball" is 눈알 (nunal). If you need to specify the "white of the eye," you'd say 흰자위 (huinjawi), and for the "pupil," it's 눈동자 (nundongja). These specific terms are used when precision is required beyond the general "eye."
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