Korean Dictionary
How to say "Foot" in Korean
“Foot” in Korean is 발 (pronounced "bal").
발
bal
Usage & Context
The part of the leg below the ankle used for walking. One of the most fundamental body parts in Korean. Used in countless everyday expressions.
Example Sentence
발이 아파요.
My foot hurts.
How to use 발 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Foot” is 발, romanized as bal.
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 발.
Pronunciation Guide
The word 'bal' (발) is a single syllable. It sounds like 'bahl' or 'ball' but with a soft 'l' sound at the end, which is held briefly. There's no distinct stress as it's a single syllable.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about tired feet after extensive walking.
오래 걸었더니 발이 너무 아파요.
My feet hurt so much because I walked for a long time.
Expressing affection for a baby.
아기 발이 너무 귀여워요!
The baby's feet are so cute!
Asking for shoe size in a shoe store.
발 사이즈가 어떻게 되세요?
What's your shoe size?
Cultural Context
'발' is a fundamental body part and appears in many common Korean idioms and expressions. For example, '발이 넓다' (literally 'feet are wide') means to have a wide network of acquaintances, often heard when someone is well-connected. Another common one is '발이 빠르다' (literally 'feet are fast'), which can mean someone is quick on their feet or quick to get information. These idioms reflect how central '발' is to daily life and communication.
Editorial note
We review entries like 발 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
발이 아프다
to have sore feet
발이 시리다
to have cold feet
발이 묶이다
to be tied down, unable to move freely (idiom)
Related Expressions
다리
dari
leg
발목
balmok
ankle
신발
sinbal
shoes
맨발
maenbal
barefoot
More Body Parts Words
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