Korean Dictionary
How to say "Muscle" in Korean
“Muscle” in Korean is 근육 (pronounced "geun-yuk").
근육
geun-yuk
Usage & Context
The tissue that enables movement. Used in medical and fitness contexts. Important for discussing exercise and health.
Example Sentence
근육이 아파요.
My muscles hurt.
How to use 근육 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Muscle” is 근육, romanized as geun-yuk.
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 근육.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '근' (geun), sounds like 'goon' as in 'goon squad'. The second syllable, '육' (yuk), sounds like 'yook' as in 'book' but with a 'y' sound at the beginning. When spoken quickly, the 'n' sound from '근' can slightly merge with '육', making it sound like 'goon-yook'.
More Example Sentences
Describing muscle soreness after exercise.
운동을 너무 열심히 했더니 다리 근육이 뭉쳤어요.
I worked out too hard, so my leg muscles are stiff/cramped.
Giving advice on fitness and diet.
단백질을 많이 먹어야 근육을 키울 수 있어요.
You need to eat a lot of protein to build muscle.
Commenting on an actor's body in a K-drama or movie.
저 배우는 근육질 몸매가 정말 멋있네요.
That actor has a really cool muscular physique.
Cultural Context
Fitness and building muscle (근육 키우기) have become increasingly popular in South Korea, especially among younger generations. Gyms are widespread, and there's a growing interest in healthy lifestyles, often influenced by K-pop idols and actors who maintain fit physiques. '몸짱' (momjjang) is a common slang term for someone with a great body, often implying well-developed muscles, and is frequently used in daily conversation and media.
Editorial note
We review entries like 근육 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
근육을 만들다
To build muscle
근육이 생기다
To gain muscle
근육 운동
Muscle training/strength training
Related Expressions
힘줄
himjul
Tendon
운동
undong
Exercise
근육통
geun-yuk-tong
Muscle pain/soreness
몸짱
momjjang
Someone with a great body (often muscular)
More Body Parts Words
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