Korean Dictionary
How to say "Strength" in Korean
“Strength” in Korean is 힘 (pronounced "him").
힘
him
Usage & Context
Strength is the capacity to exert force. Building strength through training is a primary goal for many athletes and fitness enthusiasts in Korea.
Example Sentence
힘을 키우고 싶어요.
I want to build strength.
How to use 힘 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Strength” is 힘, romanized as him.
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 힘.
Pronunciation Guide
The pronunciation of "힘" (him) is very similar to the English word "him" (as in 'he' and 'him'). The 'h' sound is soft, and the 'i' is like the 'i' in "sit" or "hit."
More Example Sentences
Talking about personal fitness progress after working out.
운동해서 힘이 많이 생겼어요.
I gained a lot of strength from exercising.
Struggling to move a heavy object by oneself.
이거 혼자 들기엔 너무 힘들어.
It's too heavy to lift this alone.
Encouraging a friend who is going through a tough time.
힘내세요! 다 잘 될 거예요.
Cheer up! Everything will be fine.
Cultural Context
"힘내세요" (Him-nae-se-yo) is one of the most common and essential phrases in Korean daily life, often heard in K-dramas, sports events, and among friends. It literally means "put out strength" or "gain strength," but it's universally used to say "cheer up," "you can do it," or "fighting!" It's a powerful way to offer encouragement and solidarity.
Editorial note
We review entries like 힘 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
힘이 세다
To be strong
힘을 쓰다
To exert force/strength
힘이 빠지다
To lose strength/feel weak
Related Expressions
근력
geullyeok
muscular strength
체력
cheryeok
physical strength, stamina
기운
giun
energy, vigor (can be used similarly to strength in some contexts)
약점
yakjeom
weakness (antonym)
More Sports Words
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