Korean Dictionary
How to say "Nerve" in Korean
“Nerve” in Korean is 신경 (pronounced "singyeong").
신경
singyeong
Usage & Context
The fiber that transmits signals in the body. Used in medical and anatomical discussions. Important for discussing nervous system health.
Example Sentence
신경이 눌렸어요.
My nerve is pinched.
How to use 신경 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Nerve” is 신경, romanized as singyeong.
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 신경.
Pronunciation Guide
To pronounce '신경', say 'Shin-gyeong.' 'Shin' is like the English word 'shin.' 'Gyeong' starts with a 'gy' sound, similar to 'gypsy,' followed by a vowel like 'eo' in 'fur' (but shorter) and ending with a soft 'ng' sound like in 'sing.' The 'g' is soft, almost like 'k' but voiced.
More Example Sentences
Explaining a medical symptom.
목 디스크 때문에 신경이 눌려서 팔이 저려요.
My arm is numb because a nerve is pinched due to a slipped disc in my neck.
Reassuring someone not to bother.
신경 쓰지 마세요. 제가 알아서 할게요.
Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it myself.
Describing being startled or annoyed.
그 소리에 신경이 곤두섰어요.
My nerves were on edge because of that sound.
Cultural Context
'신경' is a fascinating word because it means both 'nerve' (anatomical) and 'care/attention/worry.' The phrase '신경 쓰다' (singyeong sseuda) is extremely common, meaning 'to pay attention to,' 'to care about,' or 'to worry about.' This dual meaning makes it a versatile word in daily conversation, often used metaphorically for mental or emotional states rather than just physical nerves. For example, '신경 쓰지 마세요' is a very common polite way to say 'Don't worry about it.'
Editorial note
We review entries like 신경 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
신경 쓰지 마세요.
Don't worry about it. / Don't bother.
신경이 예민하다
to be sensitive / have sensitive nerves
신경이 곤두서다
to be on edge / have one's nerves on end
Related Expressions
신경 쓰다
singyeong sseuda
to care, to worry, to pay attention
신경질
singyeongjil
irritability, being on edge
신경계
singyeonggye
nervous system
신경통
singyeongtong
neuralgia (nerve pain)
More Body Parts Words
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