Korean Dictionary
How to say "Frostbite" in Korean
“Frostbite” in Korean is 동상 (pronounced "dongsang").
동상
dongsang
Usage & Context
Injury to skin caused by freezing. Frostbite is a serious condition that can occur in extreme cold in Korea. Important to protect exposed skin.
Example Sentence
동상에 걸리지 않도록 조심해야 해요.
You need to be careful not to get frostbite.
How to use 동상 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Frostbite” is 동상, romanized as dongsang.
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 동상.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'dong', sounds like 'dong' in 'ding-dong'. The 'o' vowel is a bit more open than in English 'dong'. The second syllable, 'sang', is pronounced like 'sang' in 'sang a song'.
More Example Sentences
Giving advice for winter outdoor activities.
겨울 등산 갈 때는 동상에 걸리지 않게 방한 장갑을 꼭 껴야 해요.
When going winter hiking, you must wear warm gloves to avoid frostbite.
Describing a personal experience with frostbite.
발가락에 동상이 걸려서 병원에 갔어요.
I got frostbite on my toes and went to the hospital.
Reacting to extremely cold weather.
영하 20도라니, 동상 조심해야겠어요.
Minus 20 degrees Celsius, I need to be careful about frostbite.
Cultural Context
While Korea experiences very cold winters, severe frostbite is less common in daily urban life due to effective heating systems (like 온돌, ondol) and widespread use of warm clothing. However, it remains a serious concern for individuals engaged in outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, or military service in cold regions. The phrase '동상에 걸리다' (to get frostbite) is the standard way to express this condition. Public health campaigns often emphasize protecting extremities like fingers, toes, and ears during extreme cold.
Editorial note
We review entries like 동상 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
동상에 걸리지 않도록 조심하세요.
Be careful not to get frostbite.
동상 조심!
Watch out for frostbite!
손가락에 동상이 걸렸어요.
I got frostbite on my fingers.
Related Expressions
저체온증
jeocheonjeung
Hypothermia
화상
hwasang
Burn (general term)
동파
dongpa
Freezing and bursting (e.g., pipes)
방한용품
banghanyongpum
Winter protective gear
More Weather Words
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