Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sprain" in Korean
“Sprain” in Korean is 삠 (pronounced "ppim").
삠
ppim
Usage & Context
삠 refers to a sprain where ligaments are stretched or torn at a joint. Ankle 삠 are extremely common in Korea especially among students and athletes. Korean first aid for 삠 typically follows the RICE method of Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Example Sentence
계단에서 내려오다가 발목을 삐었어요.
I sprained my ankle coming down the stairs.
How to use 삠 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sprain” is 삠, romanized as ppim.
Usage tip
When describing symptoms, combine the word with where it hurts, when it started, and how severe it is.
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 삠.
Pronunciation Guide
삠 (ppim) starts with a strong, double 'p' sound, like the 'pp' in "apple" but at the beginning of the word. The 'i' vowel sounds like "ee" in "see", followed by a regular 'm'. It's a short, sharp sound, like "ppeem".
More Example Sentences
Making a general statement about common injuries.
발목 삠은 흔한 부상이에요.
Ankle sprains are common injuries.
Deciding on seeking medical attention for an injury.
심한 삠이라서 병원에 가봐야 할 것 같아요.
It's a severe sprain, so I think I should go to the hospital.
Describing how an injury occurred during an activity.
운동하다가 손목 삠이 생겼어요.
I got a wrist sprain while exercising.
Cultural Context
'삠' (sprain) is an extremely common injury in Korea, especially among students and athletes, often occurring from everyday activities like walking down stairs or playing sports. The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is widely known and applied for treating '삠'. For more severe cases, people often visit a '정형외과' (orthopedic clinic) or a '한의원' (traditional Korean medicine clinic) for treatment, which might include acupuncture or physical therapy.
Editorial note
We review entries like 삠 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
발목 삠
Ankle sprain
손목 삠
Wrist sprain
삠 치료
Sprain treatment
Related Expressions
삐다
ppida
To sprain (verb form)
골절
goljeol
Fracture
염좌
yeomjwa
Sprain (more formal medical term)
부상
busang
Injury (general term)
More Health & Medical Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Sprain and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
