Korean Dictionary
How to say "Thumb" in Korean
“Thumb” in Korean is 엄지손가락 (pronounced "eomjisongarak").
엄지손가락
eomjisongarak
Usage & Context
The largest digit on the hand. Used in medical and everyday contexts. Important for describing hand injuries and gestures.
Example Sentence
엄지손가락이 아파요.
My thumb hurts.
How to use 엄지손가락 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Thumb” is 엄지손가락, romanized as eomjisongarak.
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 엄지손가락.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 'eom,' sounds like 'um' (as in 'umbrella'). 'Ji' is pronounced like 'jee' (as in 'jeep'). Then, 'son' sounds like 'sawn,' 'ga' like 'gah,' and 'rak' like 'rock' with an unreleased 'k.' The 'j' sounds are soft.
More Example Sentences
Showing approval or complimenting someone's effort.
엄지손가락을 치켜세우며 칭찬했어요.
I praised him by giving a thumbs-up.
Describing a minor injury while gardening.
엄지손가락에 가시가 박혔어요.
I got a thorn stuck in my thumb.
Discussing personal preference for smartphone usage.
스마트폰을 엄지손가락으로 조작하는 게 편해요.
It's comfortable to operate a smartphone with my thumb.
Cultural Context
Giving a 'thumbs-up' (엄지 척! or 엄지손가락을 치켜세우다) is a universally recognized gesture of approval or 'good job' in Korea, similar to Western cultures. It's very common in K-pop performances, variety shows, and daily life to show support or express satisfaction. The phrase '엄지 척!' itself is a popular exclamation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 엄지손가락 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
엄지 척!
Thumbs up! (expression of approval)
엄지손가락을 빨다
to suck one's thumb
엄지공주
Thumbelina (literally 'Thumb Princess')
Related Expressions
검지손가락
geomjisongarak
index finger
중지손가락
jungjisongarak
middle finger
약지손가락
yakjisongarak
ring finger
새끼손가락
saekkisongarak
pinky finger
More Body Parts Words
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