Korean Dictionary
How to say "Upper Body" in Korean
“Upper Body” in Korean is 상체 (pronounced "sangche").
상체
sangche
Usage & Context
The upper half of the body including the head and arms. Used in medical and fitness contexts. Important for describing body regions.
Example Sentence
상체가 아파요.
My upper body hurts.
How to use 상체 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Upper Body” is 상체, romanized as sangche.
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 상체.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, '상' (sang), sounds like the English word 'sang' (as in 'sang a song'). The second syllable, '체' (che), is pronounced like 'chay' but with a softer 'ch' sound, similar to 'che' in 'check'. The stress is fairly even.
More Example Sentences
Giving fitness advice to a friend.
상체 운동을 꾸준히 해야 해요.
You need to exercise your upper body consistently.
Describing someone's physique.
그는 상체가 발달한 편이에요.
He has a well-developed upper body.
Discussing a photography session.
모델은 상체만 찍는 촬영을 했어요.
The model had a photoshoot only for the upper body.
Cultural Context
'상체' is a straightforward anatomical term, primarily used in medical, fitness, or descriptive contexts. You'll often hear '상체 운동' (upper body workout) in gyms or health-related discussions, as many Koreans are keen on fitness. K-pop idols and celebrities frequently share their '상체 운동' routines on social media, making the term quite common in popular culture discussions about physique and health.
Editorial note
We review entries like 상체 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
상체 운동
upper body workout
상체 근육
upper body muscles
상체가 아프다
my upper body hurts
Related Expressions
하체
hache
lower body (antonym)
몸통
momtong
torso (related concept)
어깨
eokkae
shoulder (part of upper body)
가슴
gaseum
chest (part of upper body)
More Body Parts Words
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