Korean Dictionary
How to say "Knee" in Korean
“Knee” in Korean is 무릎 (pronounced "mureup").
무릎
mureup
Usage & Context
The joint in the middle of the leg. Essential vocabulary for describing body parts. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
Example Sentence
무릎이 아파요.
My knee hurts.
How to use 무릎 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Knee” is 무릎, romanized as mureup.
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 무릎.
Pronunciation Guide
"무릎" (mureup) is pronounced "mu-reup." "무" sounds like "moo" as in a cow's sound. "릎" sounds like "reup," similar to "reap" but with a soft 'p' at the end, and the 'r' sound is a light flap, like the 'tt' in "butter."
More Example Sentences
Explaining a minor injury to a concerned friend.
넘어져서 무릎이 까졌어요.
I fell and scraped my knee.
An elderly person discussing a common age-related ailment.
무릎 관절염 때문에 걷기가 힘들어요.
It's hard to walk because of knee arthritis.
Describing a traditional form of apology or reflection after misbehaving.
아이들이 무릎 꿇고 반성했어요.
The children knelt down and reflected on their actions.
Cultural Context
"무릎 꿇다" (mureup kkulda, to kneel) is a significant gesture in Korean culture, often associated with deep apology, respect, or prayer. In historical dramas, characters frequently kneel before royalty or elders as a sign of submission or reverence. In modern contexts, it can still be used for very serious apologies or, less commonly, as a form of discipline for children.
Editorial note
We review entries like 무릎 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
무릎이 아프다
to have knee pain
무릎 꿇다
to kneel
무릎을 굽히다
to bend one's knee
Related Expressions
관절
gwanjeol
joint
무릎 꿇다
mureup kkulda
to kneel
무릎 보호대
mureup bohodae
knee pad/brace
무릎 담요
mureup damnyo
lap blanket (literally 'knee blanket')
More Body Parts Words
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