Korean Dictionary
How to say "Sweat" in Korean
“Sweat” in Korean is 땀 (pronounced "ttam").
땀
ttam
Usage & Context
The fluid secreted by the body to cool down. Used in medical and everyday contexts. Important for discussing body functions.
Example Sentence
땀이 많이 나요.
I sweat a lot.
How to use 땀 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Sweat” is 땀, romanized as ttam.
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 땀.
Pronunciation Guide
The 'tt' in 'ttam' is a tense, aspirated 't' sound, similar to the 't' in 'stop' but without the 's' sound preceding it. The 'a' is like the 'a' in 'father', and the 'm' is a standard 'm' sound, like in 'mom'.
More Example Sentences
Describing physical exertion after a workout.
운동 후에 땀을 많이 흘렸어요.
I sweated a lot after exercising.
Complaining about hot weather.
더워서 등에 땀이 줄줄 흘러요.
It's so hot, sweat is pouring down my back.
Expressing nervousness or anxiety.
긴장해서 손에 땀이 나요.
My hands are sweating because I'm nervous.
Cultural Context
In Korean culture, '땀 흘리다' (to shed sweat) is a common idiom for working hard and putting in effort, often associated with diligence and perseverance. In K-dramas, characters often wipe each other's sweat as a gesture of care or affection. '식은땀' (sigeunttam) refers to 'cold sweat', typically indicating fear, anxiety, or illness.
Editorial note
We review entries like 땀 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
땀이 나다
to sweat (literally 'sweat comes out')
땀을 닦다
to wipe sweat
땀범벅이 되다
to be drenched in sweat
Related Expressions
땀 흘리다
ttam heullida
to sweat (literally 'to shed sweat')
식은땀
sigeunttam
cold sweat
땀방울
ttambangul
a drop of sweat
땀띠
ttamtti
heat rash
More Body Parts Words
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