Korean Dictionary
How to say "Shoulder" in Korean
“Shoulder” in Korean is 어깨 (pronounced "eokkaae").
어깨
eokkaae
Usage & Context
The joint connecting the arm to the body. Essential vocabulary for describing body parts. Used in medical and everyday contexts.
Example Sentence
어깨가 아파요.
My shoulder hurts.
How to use 어깨 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Shoulder” is 어깨, romanized as eokkaae.
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 어깨.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'eo' sounds like the 'uh' in 'up'. 'Kkae' is pronounced like 'kay' but with a strong, double 'k' sound, almost like 'uh-k-kay'. The stress falls on the 'kkae' syllable.
More Example Sentences
Friends suggesting a walk together.
어깨동무하고 걸어가자.
Let's walk arm-in-arm.
Describing someone's physique.
그는 넓은 어깨를 가지고 있어요.
He has broad shoulders.
Feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities.
어깨에 짐이 너무 많아.
I have too much on my shoulders (too many burdens).
Cultural Context
The word '어깨' is often used metaphorically in Korean, similar to English, for carrying burdens or responsibilities, as in '어깨가 무겁다' (shoulders are heavy, meaning to feel burdened). In K-dramas, you might see characters offering their '어깨' for someone to cry on, signifying emotional support. '어깨동무' (walking arm-in-arm) is a common friendly gesture among peers.
Editorial note
We review entries like 어깨 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
어깨가 결려요.
My shoulder is stiff.
어깨 좀 주물러 줄래?
Could you massage my shoulder?
어깨 펴고 당당하게 걸어!
Straighten your shoulders and walk confidently!
Related Expressions
어깨가 무겁다
eokkaega mugeopda
to have heavy shoulders (to feel burdened)
어깨를 으쓱하다
eokkaereul eusseukhada
to shrug one's shoulders
어깨동무
eokkaedongmu
arm-in-arm, shoulder-to-shoulder
어깨춤
eokkaechum
shoulder dance (a subtle, rhythmic shoulder movement)
More Body Parts Words
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