Korean Dictionary
How to say "Tooth" in Korean
“Tooth” in Korean is 이 (pronounced "i").
이
i
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
The hard structures in the mouth used for chewing. Essential vocabulary for dental health discussions. Important for everyday conversation.
Example Sentence
이가 아파요.
My tooth hurts.
How to use 이 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Tooth” is 이, romanized as i.
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 이.
Pronunciation Guide
The pronunciation for '이' is very simple, like the 'ee' sound in the English word 'see' or 'bee'. It's a short, clear vowel sound.
More Example Sentences
A parent talking about their infant's development.
아기가 이가 나기 시작했어요.
The baby has started teething.
A mother reminding her child before bedtime.
이를 닦는 것을 잊지 마세요.
Don't forget to brush your teeth.
Someone explaining why they look tired.
이가 너무 아파서 잠을 못 잤어요.
My tooth hurt so much I couldn't sleep.
Cultural Context
Dental health is highly valued in Korea, and regular check-ups are common. When talking about a toothache, Koreans often use '이가 아파요' (My tooth hurts) rather than specifying which tooth unless it's a visit to the dentist. The phrase '이 닦다' (to brush teeth) is a fundamental daily routine.
Editorial note
We review entries like 이 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. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
이 닦으세요.
Brush your teeth.
이가 시려요.
My teeth are sensitive.
이가 흔들려요.
My tooth is loose.
Related Expressions
잇몸
itmmom
gums
치과
chikwa
dental clinic / dentist
충치
chungchi
cavity / tooth decay
사랑니
sarangni
wisdom tooth
More Body Parts Words
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