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A2 noun 8 min de lectura

무릎

mureup

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos 무릎 en 30 segundos

Explicación 무릎 in your Level:

At the A1 level, 무릎 (mureup) is introduced as a basic body part. You will learn it alongside other terms like 머리 (head), 어깨 (shoulder), and 발 (foot). The primary goal at this stage is to identify the location of the knee and use it in simple sentences. You might say 'My knee hurts' (무릎이 아파요) or 'This is my knee' (이것은 제 무릎입니다). You will also learn that Korean doesn't have a separate common word for 'lap,' so if you want to say something is on your lap, you use 무릎 위에. Focus on the spelling, especially the final 'ㅍ', and practice the pronunciation when it is followed by the subject particle '이'. It sounds like 'mu-reu-pi.' This level is about basic survival and identification.

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At the A2 level, you begin to use 무릎 in more descriptive contexts. You will learn verbs associated with movement and injury, such as 굽히다 (to bend), 펴다 (to straighten), and 다치다 (to get injured). You might describe a specific event, like 'I fell and hurt my knee' (넘어져서 무릎을 다쳤어요). You will also encounter the word in shopping contexts, such as describing the length of clothes ('무릎까지 오는 바지' - pants that reach the knee). You should start to become familiar with the common typo '무릅' and ensure you avoid it. This level also introduces the basic social concept of kneeling (무릎을 꿇다) in the context of stories or simple cultural explanations.

At the B1 level, you move into more functional and conversational uses of 무릎. You will hear it often in health-related discussions, such as talking about exercise or the weather's effect on joints. You will learn more specific verbs like 쑤시다 (to ache) or 저리다 (to be numb). This is also where you might encounter the word in compound nouns like 무릎 담요 (lap blanket), which is a common item in Korean cafes and offices. You should be able to follow instructions in a fitness class that involve the knees. Furthermore, you will start to see 무릎 in more complex sentence structures, such as using it as a reference point for distance or height in a narrative.

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At the B2 level, you explore the figurative and idiomatic side of 무릎. One of the most important idioms at this stage is 무릎을 치다 (to slap one's knee), which means to have a sudden realization or to be impressed by an idea. You will also use 무릎을 꿇다 more frequently in a metaphorical sense, meaning to surrender or to give in to pressure. You will be able to discuss social issues, such as the physical toll of certain jobs on workers' knees, or cultural traditions involving kneeling. Your understanding of the word will expand to include more technical terms like 관절 (joint) and how it interacts with 무릎 in medical or health-oriented texts.

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At the C1 level, your usage of 무릎 becomes nuanced and sophisticated. You will encounter the word in literature and formal speeches, where it might symbolize humility, submission, or maternal comfort. You will understand the subtle difference between 무릎 and 오금 (the back of the knee) and how they are used in specific idioms like 오금이 저리다. In medical or scientific contexts, you will be comfortable with terms like 슬개골 (patella) and 인대 (ligament). You can discuss the evolution of Korean living spaces from floor-based to chair-based and the subsequent changes in 'knee culture.' Your ability to use the word in high-level debates about sports injuries or elderly care will be expected.

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At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 무릎 in all its forms. You can appreciate its use in archaic or poetic texts where kneeling might represent a profound spiritual or political act. You understand the historical weight of '무릎을 꿇리다' (to make someone kneel) as an expression of power and dominance. You can use the word in complex metaphors about the 'knees' of an organization or a nation being broken by crisis. Your pronunciation is perfect, including the difficult neutralization of the 'ㅍ' consonant in various phonetic environments. You can also explain the etymology and the subtle cultural connotations of the word to others, bridging the gap between physical anatomy and Korean social history.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

무릎 en 30 segundos

무릎 (mureup) means 'knee' and is a basic Korean noun used for the leg joint.
It also functions as the word for 'lap' in contexts like sitting or holding things.
Spelling is crucial: it ends with 'ㅍ', but the sound changes depending on the following particle.
Culturally, kneeling (무릎 꿇다) signifies deep apology, respect, or surrender in Korean society.

The Korean word 무릎 (mureup) is a fundamental noun referring to the knee, the complex joint that connects the thigh (허벅지) to the lower leg (종아리). In Korean culture, this anatomical term carries significant weight beyond mere biology due to the historical and ongoing prevalence of floor-based living (좌식 문화). Because Koreans traditionally sat, ate, and slept on the floor, the mechanics of the knee—folding, kneeling, and supporting weight—are deeply embedded in daily linguistic expressions and social etiquette. When you first learn 무릎, you are not just learning a body part; you are learning about a pivotal point of movement and posture in Korean life.

Physical Anatomy: In a medical or literal sense, it refers to the patella and the surrounding joint structure. It is the part of the body most commonly associated with growth (growing pains), aging (arthritis), and athletic activity.

농구를 하다가 무릎을 다쳤어요. (I injured my knee while playing basketball.)

The word is used frequently in health contexts. In Korea, where hiking is a national pastime, discussions about 무릎 건강 (knee health) are ubiquitous among all age groups. Furthermore, the word extends to the lap area. When a child sits on a parent's lap, they sit on their 무릎. This dual meaning of 'knee' and 'lap' is common in many languages but is particularly poignant in Korean literature and media to evoke feelings of nostalgia, comfort, and maternal love.

Social Context: Socially, the act of kneeling (무릎을 꿇다) is a powerful gesture. It can signify deep apology, surrender, or a traditional bow (절). Understanding the weight of this action is crucial for understanding Korean interpersonal dynamics.

그는 잘못을 빌며 무릎을 꿇었다. (He knelt down, begging for forgiveness.)

Finally, 무릎 appears in fashion and measurement. Skirt lengths and boot heights are often described relative to the knee. For instance, 무릎까지 오는 치마 (a skirt that reaches the knees) or 무릎 장화 (knee-high boots). It serves as a standard biological landmark for describing physical space and objects related to the lower body.

Using 무릎 correctly requires an understanding of basic Korean particles and common verb pairings. Because it is a noun ending in a consonant (ㅍ), it takes the particles -이 (subject), -을 (object), and -은 (topic). However, pay close attention to the pronunciation; when a vowel-starting particle follows, the 'ㅍ' sound moves to the next syllable (e.g., mu-reu-pi).

Describing Pain and Sensation: The most common usage for learners is describing physical discomfort. Verbs like 아프다 (to hurt), 시리다 (to feel cold/aching), and 저리다 (to be numb/tingly) are frequently used with 무릎.

비가 오려나 봐요. 무릎이 쑤시네요. (It looks like it's going to rain. My knees are aching.)

In the sentence above, the speaker uses the verb '쑤시다' (to ache/throb), which is a common way older Koreans describe weather-related joint pain. For younger learners, you might use '다치다' (to get hurt) or '까지다' (to get scraped).

Positional Usage: When talking about the 'lap,' we use the locative particle -위에 (on top of). This is essential for describing sitting arrangements or where objects are placed.

고양이가 제 무릎 위에서 자고 있어요. (The cat is sleeping on my lap/knees.)

Another important verb is '담요를 덮다' (to cover with a blanket). In Korean cafes or offices, you will often see people using a 무릎 담요 (lap blanket) to stay warm. The phrase '무릎을 담요로 덮다' is a very natural everyday expression.

추우시면 이 무릎 담요를 쓰세요. (If you are cold, please use this lap blanket.)

Lastly, consider the verb '꿇다' (to kneel). This is often used with the object particle -을. While it can be literal (for exercise or prayer), it is often used figuratively to mean 'to submit' or 'to apologize profusely.'

You will encounter 무릎 in a variety of real-world settings, ranging from the mundane to the highly dramatic. One of the most common places is the 정형외과 (orthopedic clinic). Korea has a high rate of knee-related medical visits due to the combination of an aging population and a culture that traditionally involves a lot of squatting and floor-sitting. If you visit a pharmacy or hospital, you will hear patients discussing their knee pain in detail.

In Sports and Fitness: In a gym or yoga studio, instructors will constantly mention the knee. Commands like '무릎을 굽히세요' (bend your knees) or '무릎을 펴세요' (straighten your knees) are core instructions in any physical activity class.

스쿼트를 할 때는 무릎이 발가락보다 앞으로 나오지 않게 하세요. (When doing squats, don't let your knees go past your toes.)

In Korean dramas (K-Dramas), the word 무릎 is often used in high-stakes emotional scenes. The act of '무릎 꿇다' (kneeling) is a trope used to show a character's desperation, whether they are begging a parent for permission to marry or a villain for mercy. Hearing a character shout '무릎 꿇어!' (Kneel!) is a common dramatic peak in revenge-themed shows.

Everyday Shopping: When shopping for clothes, especially in traditional markets or online malls, you will see descriptions like '무릎 위 기장' (length above the knee) or '무릎 아래 기장' (length below the knee). This is standard terminology for fit and style.

이 바지는 무릎 부분이 잘 늘어나요. (These pants stretch easily at the knee area.)

In family life, grandparents often talk about their knees to grandchildren, or parents tell children not to run because they might 'break' (scrape) their knees. The word is deeply domestic and relatable, surfacing in almost any conversation about physical well-being or childhood play.

Even for native speakers, 무릎 can sometimes be tricky due to its final consonant 'ㅍ'. The most frequent mistake is in spelling. Many people mistakenly write it as 무릅. This is because the 'ㅍ' sound is neutralized to a 'ㅂ' sound when it is at the end of a syllable or before another consonant. However, the standard orthography strictly requires 'ㅍ'.

Spelling Confusion: The typo '무릅' is so common that even some signs or informal texts might use it, but it is incorrect. Always remember the 'ㅍ' (like the 'p' in 'patella') to keep it straight.

Correct: 무릎이 아파요. (O)
Incorrect: 무릅이 아파요. (X)

Another mistake involves pronunciation when particles are added. Learners often try to pronounce the 'ㅍ' as a hard 'p' even when a vowel follows, but it should naturally flow into the next syllable. Mu-reup-i becomes mu-reu-pi. Conversely, before a consonant like '-도' (also), it sounds like 'ㅂ'. So mu-reup-do is correct phonetically, but spelled 무릎도.

Misusing 'Kneel' (무릎 꿇다): Learners often forget that '꿇다' (to kneel) is specifically used with '무릎'. You cannot just say '꿇다' on its own in most contexts; it almost always requires the object '무릎을'.

제발 무릎을 꿇고 사과하세요. (Please kneel down and apologize.)

Finally, when describing 'sitting on a lap,' learners sometimes try to find a word for 'lap' and end up using '다리' (leg). While '다리' is technically correct as the knee is part of the leg, it sounds vague. Using 무릎 is much more specific and natural for describing the lap area.

While 무릎 is the standard word for knee, there are several related terms depending on the context—whether you are speaking scientifically, colloquially, or referring to adjacent body parts. Understanding these distinctions will help you sound more like a native speaker and understand more complex texts.

무릎 vs. 다리 (Leg): 다리 is the general term for the entire leg. If you say your leg hurts, it could be your thigh, calf, or knee. 무릎 is the specific joint.
무릎 vs. 관절 (Joint): 관절 is a more technical/medical term meaning 'joint.' You will often hear '무릎 관절' (knee joint) in hospitals or health supplement commercials.

무릎 관절염 때문에 고생하고 있어요. (I am suffering from knee arthritis.)

In anatomical terms, the kneecap specifically is called 무릎뼈 (mureup-ppyeo) or the Sino-Korean term 슬개골 (seul-gae-gol). Doctors will use '슬개골' when discussing specific injuries or surgeries, while the average person will just say '무릎'.

무릎 vs. 오금 (Back of the knee): An interesting specific term is 오금. This refers specifically to the hollow at the back of the knee. There is a common expression '오금이 저리다' (to have the back of one's knees feel numb), which means to be paralyzed with fear.

높은 곳에 올라가니 오금이 저려요. (Going up to a high place makes my knees weak with fear.)

When talking about the 'kneeling' position specifically in a formal or martial arts context, you might hear 무릎 꿇기. In yoga, the 'kneeling pose' is often called 금강좌 (Vajrasana) or simply 무릎 꿇은 자세. Knowing these variations allows you to navigate different levels of formality and technicality when discussing this part of the body.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In Middle Korean, the word had different variations, but the 'ㅍ' final consonant eventually became the standard to reflect the underlying phonology when particles are added.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /mu.ɾɯp̚/

US /mu.rɯp̚/

Korean is generally not a stress-timed language, but the first syllable often has a slightly higher pitch.

Rima con

구릅 (group - non-standard) 주름 (wrinkle - near rhyme) 부름 (call) 구름 (cloud) 푸름 (blueness) 흐름 (flow) 무렵 (around - near rhyme) 무릎 (itself)

Errores comunes

Pronouncing it as 'mu-reub' with a voiced 'b' sound.
Pronouncing the 'eu' like the 'u' in 'cup' instead of a flat sound.
Failing to carry the 'p' sound over to the next syllable when a vowel follows (e.g., saying mu-reup-i instead of mu-reu-pi).
Confusing it with 'mu-ryeop' (around the time).
Spelling it as '무릅' because of the neutralized final sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Easy to read, but watch out for the final 'ㅍ' which can be confused with 'ㅂ'.

Escritura 3/5

Commonly misspelled as '무릅' even by native speakers.

Expresión oral 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward as long as you apply batchim rules.

Escucha 2/5

Easy to recognize in context.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

다리 (leg) 몸 (body) 아프다 (to be sick/hurt) 앉다 (to sit) 위 (top/above)

Aprende después

관절 (joint) 뼈 (bone) 굽히다 (to bend) 펴다 (to straighten) 보호대 (protector)

Avanzado

슬개골 (patella) 연골 (cartilage) 인대 (ligament) 재활 (rehabilitation)

Gramática que debes saber

Batchim 'ㅍ' Neutralization

무릎 [무릅], 무릎도 [무릅도]

Batchim 'ㅍ' Resyllabification

무릎이 [무르피], 무릎을 [무르플]

The particle '-까지' (Until/Up to)

물이 무릎까지 찼어요. (Water reached up to the knees.)

The particle '-위에' (On top of)

무릎 위에 고양이가 있어요. (There is a cat on the lap.)

Causative Verbs (꿇리다)

그를 무릎 꿇렸다. (I made him kneel.)

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Ejemplos por nivel

무릎이 아파요.

My knee hurts.

무릎 (knee) + 이 (subject particle) + 아파요 (hurts).

이것은 제 무릎입니다.

This is my knee.

이것 (this) + 은 (topic particle) + 제 (my) + 무릎 (knee) + 입니다 (is).

무릎 위에 책이 있어요.

There is a book on my lap.

무릎 위 (on top of knee/lap) + 에 (at) + 책 (book) + 이 (subject particle) + 있어요 (exists).

강아지가 무릎에 앉았어요.

The puppy sat on my lap.

강아지 (puppy) + 가 (subject particle) + 무릎 (lap) + 에 (on) + 앉았어요 (sat).

무릎을 만져 보세요.

Please try touching your knee.

무릎 (knee) + 을 (object particle) + 만져 보세요 (try touching).

왼쪽 무릎이 더 아파요.

My left knee hurts more.

왼쪽 (left) + 무릎 (knee) + 이 (subject particle) + 더 (more) + 아파요 (hurts).

무릎을 씻으세요.

Wash your knees.

무릎 (knee) + 을 (object particle) + 씻으세요 (please wash).

무릎이 커요.

The knees are big.

무릎 (knee) + 이 (subject particle) + 커요 (is big).

넘어져서 무릎을 다쳤어요.

I fell and hurt my knee.

넘어져서 (fell and so) + 무릎 (knee) + 을 (object particle) + 다쳤어요 (hurt).

무릎을 굽히고 앉으세요.

Bend your knees and sit down.

무릎 (knee) + 을 (object particle) + 굽히고 (bend and) + 앉으세요 (sit).

무릎까지 오는 치마를 샀어요.

I bought a skirt that comes down to the knees.

무릎 (knee) + 까지 (until) + 오는 (coming) + 치마 (skirt).

어제부터 무릎이 조금 부었어요.

My knee has been a little swollen since yesterday.

어제부터 (from yesterday) + 무릎 (knee) + 이 (subject particle) + 조금 (a little) + 부었어요 (swelled).

무릎에 약을 발랐어요.

I applied medicine to my knee.

무릎 (knee) + 에 (on) + 약 (medicine) + 을 (object particle) + 발랐어요 (applied).

무릎이 바지에 닿아요.

My knees touch the pants.

무릎 (knee) + 이 (subject particle) + 바지 (pants) + 에 (to) + 닿아요 (touches).

운동할 때 무릎을 조심하세요.

Be careful of your knees when exercising.

운동할 때 (when exercising) + 무릎 (knee) + 을 (object particle) + 조심하세요 (be careful).

무릎을 펴고 스트레칭을 해요.

Straighten your knees and stretch.

무릎 (knee) + 을 (object particle) + 펴고 (straighten and) + 스트레칭 (stretching).

비가 오면 무릎이 쑤시는 분들이 많아요.

There are many people whose knees ache when it rains.

비가 오면 (if it rains) + 무릎 (knee) + 이 (subject particle) + 쑤시는 (aching) + 분들 (people).

무릎 담요 하나만 빌려줄 수 있나요?

Could you lend me a lap blanket?

무릎 담요 (lap blanket) + 하나 (one) + 만 (only) + 빌려줄 수 있나요 (can you lend).

오랫동안 앉아 있었더니 무릎이 저려요.

My knees are numb because I've been sitting for a long time.

오랫동안 (for a long time) + 앉아 있었더니 (because I sat) + 무릎 (knee) + 이 (subject particle) + 저려요 (is numb).

계단을 내려갈 때 무릎에 무리가 가요.

It puts a strain on the knees when going down stairs.

계단 (stairs) + 내려갈 때 (when going down) + 무릎 (knee) + 에 (on) + 무리 (strain) + 가 가요 (goes).

무릎 보호대를 하고 축구를 했어요.

I played soccer wearing knee pads.

무릎 보호대 (knee protector/pad) + 를 (object particle) + 하고 (doing/wearing).

아이를 무릎에 앉히고 책을 읽어 주었어요.

I sat the child on my lap and read a book to them.

아이 (child) + 를 (object particle) + 무릎 (lap) + 에 (on) + 앉히고 (sitting someone).

무릎 높이까지 물이 찼어요.

The water rose to knee height.

무릎 높이 (knee height) + 까지 (until) + 물 (water) + 이 (subject particle) + 찼어요 (filled).

그는 무릎을 꿇고 용서를 빌었다.

He knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

무릎 (knee) + 을 (object particle) + 꿇고 (kneeling and) + 용서 (forgiveness) + 를 빌었다 (begged).

그의 설명을 듣고 나는 무릎을 탁 쳤다.

After hearing his explanation, I slapped my knee (had an 'aha!' moment).

무릎을 탁 치다 is an idiom for sudden realization.

강팀을 상대로 무릎을 꿇을 수는 없다.

We cannot kneel (surrender) against a strong team.

무릎을 꿇다 is used here metaphorically for surrendering.

무릎 관절 건강을 위해 매일 걷기 운동을 합니다.

I walk every day for the health of my knee joints.

무릎 관절 (knee joint) + 건강 (health) + 을 위해 (for).

바지 무릎 부분이 튀어나와서 보기 싫어요.

The knee part of the pants is bulging out, so it looks bad.

무릎 부분 (knee part) + 이 (subject particle) + 튀어나오다 (to bulge out).

무릎을 맞대고 진지하게 대화해 봅시다.

Let's sit face to face (knees touching) and have a serious talk.

무릎을 맞대다 is an idiom for having a close, serious discussion.

갑자기 무릎에 힘이 빠져서 주저앉았어요.

Suddenly my knees lost strength, and I collapsed.

무릎에 (in the knees) + 힘이 빠지다 (to lose strength).

그 선수는 무릎 부상으로 시즌을 마감했다.

The player ended the season due to a knee injury.

무릎 부상 (knee injury) + 으로 (due to).

무릎을 세우고 누워 있으면 허리가 편해요.

It's comfortable for your back if you lie down with your knees up.

무릎을 세우다 (to raise/set up knees).

노화로 인해 무릎 연골이 마모되는 것은 자연스러운 현상입니다.

It is a natural phenomenon for knee cartilage to wear down due to aging.

노화 (aging) + 로 인해 (due to) + 무릎 연골 (knee cartilage) + 마모되다 (to wear down).

그는 권력 앞에 무릎 꿇지 않는 강직한 성품을 가졌다.

He had a rigid integrity that did not kneel before power.

권력 (power) + 앞에 (before) + 무릎 꿇지 않는 (not kneeling).

산행 시 무릎에 가해지는 충격을 줄이려면 스틱을 사용해야 합니다.

To reduce the impact on your knees when hiking, you must use trekking poles.

가해지는 (applied) + 충격 (impact) + 을 줄이다 (to reduce).

어머니의 무릎은 세상에서 가장 따뜻한 안식처였다.

Mother's lap was the warmest haven in the world.

Metaphorical use of 무릎 as a place of comfort.

수술 후 무릎의 가동 범위를 넓히는 재활 치료가 중요합니다.

After surgery, rehabilitation to widen the knee's range of motion is important.

가동 범위 (range of motion) + 를 넓히다 (to widen).

그의 제안은 무릎을 칠 정도로 기발하고 창의적이었다.

His proposal was so brilliant and creative that it made me slap my knee.

무릎을 칠 정도 (to the extent of slapping one's knee).

바닥에 무릎을 대고 기어가는 아이의 모습이 귀엽다.

The sight of the child crawling with their knees on the floor is cute.

무릎을 대다 (to put knees on something).

무릎을 굽히지 않고는 그 좁은 틈을 통과할 수 없었다.

I couldn't pass through that narrow gap without bending my knees.

굽히지 않고는 (without bending).

역경에 무릎 꿇기보다는 그것을 디딤돌로 삼아 도약해야 한다.

Rather than kneeling to adversity, one should use it as a stepping stone to leap forward.

Metaphorical use of 'kneeling' vs 'leaping'.

슬개골 골절은 무릎 기능에 치명적인 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다.

A patella fracture can have a fatal impact on knee function.

슬개골 (patella) + 골절 (fracture) + 치명적 (fatal/critical).

그는 평생을 무릎 꿇어 기도하며 경건한 삶을 살았다.

He lived a pious life, kneeling in prayer throughout his life.

무릎 꿇어 기도하다 (to pray while kneeling).

전통 혼례에서 신랑은 신부 부모님께 무릎을 꿇고 큰절을 올린다.

In a traditional wedding, the groom kneels and performs a deep bow to the bride's parents.

큰절 (deep formal bow).

무릎을 맞대고 앉아 서로의 아픔을 공유하는 치유의 시간이었다.

It was a time of healing, sitting knee-to-knee and sharing each other's pain.

Idiomatic use of 'knees touching' for intimacy.

경제 위기는 수많은 중소기업을 무릎 꿇게 만들었다.

The economic crisis brought numerous small and medium-sized enterprises to their knees.

무릎 꿇게 만들다 (to make someone/something kneel/fail).

무릎을 깊게 굽힐수록 더 높이 뛰어오를 수 있는 법이다.

It is a rule that the deeper you bend your knees, the higher you can jump.

Philosophical use of physical mechanics.

무릎 아래로 흐르는 시냇물에 발을 담그니 시원했다.

It was refreshing to dip my feet in the stream flowing below my knees.

무릎 아래 (below the knee).

Colocaciones comunes

무릎을 꿇다

무릎이 아프다

무릎을 굽히다

무릎 담요

무릎 보호대

무릎 관절염

무릎을 치다

무릎 높이

무릎을 세우다

무릎이 까지다

Frases Comunes

무릎 위에

— On the lap. Used when placing objects or children on one's knees.

노트북을 무릎 위에 놓았다.

무릎까지

— Up to the knee. Used for height or clothing length.

치마가 무릎까지 와요.

무릎을 펴다

— To straighten the knees. Common in exercise or yoga.

다리를 쭉 펴고 무릎을 펴세요.

무릎을 다치다

— To injure the knee. General phrase for any knee harm.

운동하다가 무릎을 다쳤어요.

무릎이 쑤시다

— To have aching knees. Often used by older people or regarding weather.

비가 오려나 무릎이 쑤시네.

무릎을 대다

— To put one's knees on something. Used for kneeling or crawling.

바닥에 무릎을 대지 마세요.

무릎을 안다

— To hug one's knees. A common sitting posture for comfort or sadness.

무릎을 안고 울고 있었다.

무릎 수술

— Knee surgery. Common medical topic.

다음 달에 무릎 수술을 받아요.

무릎 반사

— Knee-jerk reflex. Used in medical tests.

의사가 무릎 반사를 확인했다.

무릎 주위

— Around the knee. Used to describe the general area.

무릎 주위에 멍이 들었어요.

Se confunde a menudo con

무릎 vs 무릅

This is simply an incorrect spelling of 무릎.

무릎 vs 무렵

Means 'around the time'. It sounds similar but the final consonant and meaning are different.

무릎 vs 모습

Means 'appearance'. For beginners, the rhythm might sound vaguely similar, but they are distinct.

Modismos y expresiones

"무릎을 치다"

— To slap one's knee. Used when one suddenly realizes something or is very impressed.

그의 명쾌한 답변에 나는 무릎을 탁 쳤다.

Neutral

"무릎을 꿇다"

— To kneel down. Figuratively means to surrender, submit, or apologize humbly.

그는 결국 적군 앞에 무릎을 꿇었다.

Neutral/Formal

"무릎을 맞대다"

— To sit face to face. Refers to having a close, intimate, or serious discussion.

우리 무릎을 맞대고 이 문제를 해결해 봅시다.

Neutral

"오금이 저리다"

— To have the back of the knees feel numb. Used when someone is extremely scared or nervous.

선생님 앞에 서니 오금이 저렸다.

Informal/Neutral

"무릎이 깨지다"

— Literally 'knee breaks'. Used to mean getting a bad scrape or cut on the knee.

넘어져서 무릎이 다 깨졌어요.

Informal

"무릎을 꿇리다"

— To make someone kneel. Means to defeat someone or force them to submit.

그는 경쟁자를 무릎 꿇리고 승리했다.

Neutral/Formal

"무릎을 세우다"

— To raise the knees. Can figuratively mean to be on alert or prepared.

그는 무릎을 세우고 밤을 지새웠다.

Literary

"무릎 높이의"

— Knee-high. Used to describe something small or insignificant, or a child.

무릎 높이의 아이들이 뛰어놀고 있었다.

Neutral

"무릎을 굽히지 않다"

— To not bend the knee. Means to not yield or surrender despite pressure.

그는 어떤 협박에도 무릎을 굽히지 않았다.

Formal/Literary

"무릎이 닿다"

— For knees to touch. Used to describe a very crowded space or an intimate setting.

사람이 너무 많아 무릎이 닿을 정도였다.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

무릎 vs 다리

Both refer to the lower limb.

다리 is the entire leg; 무릎 is just the knee joint. If you have a specific pain in the joint, use 무릎.

다리가 길어요 (Long legs) vs 무릎이 아파요 (Knee hurts).

무릎 vs 발목

Both are joints in the leg.

발목 is the ankle; 무릎 is the knee. They are often learned together.

발목을 삐었어요 (Sprained ankle).

무릎 vs 허벅지

They are adjacent parts of the leg.

허벅지 is the thigh; 무릎 is the knee. 'Lap' starts from the 허벅지 but is often called 무릎.

허벅지가 굵어요 (Thick thighs).

무릎 vs 팔꿈치

They are both hinge joints.

팔꿈치 is the elbow (arm); 무릎 is the knee (leg).

팔꿈치를 책상에 댔다.

무릎 vs 오금

Both refer to the knee area.

무릎 is the front/general knee; 오금 is specifically the back of the knee.

오금이 저리다 (Knees shaking with fear).

Patrones de oraciones

[Body Part]이/가 아파요.

무릎이 아파요.

[Noun]을/를 다치다.

무릎을 다쳤어요.

[Noun] 위에 [Object]이/가 있다.

무릎 위에 책이 있어요.

[Action]하다가 [Body Part]을/를 다치다.

축구 하다가 무릎을 다쳤어요.

[Noun]을/를 치며 감탄하다.

무릎을 치며 감탄했다.

[Abstract Noun] 앞에 무릎을 꿇다.

운명 앞에 무릎을 꿇었다.

[Noun]까지 [Verb/Adj].

치마가 무릎까지 와요.

[Noun]을/를 굽히다/펴다.

무릎을 굽히세요.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

무릎뼈 (kneecap)

무릎담요 (lap blanket)

무릎보호대 (knee pad)

무릎관절 (knee joint)

Verbos

무릎꿇다 (to kneel)

무릎치다 (to slap one's knee)

Relacionado

다리 (leg)

허벅지 (thigh)

종아리 (calf)

발목 (ankle)

관절 (joint)

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in daily life, medical contexts, and literature.

Errores comunes

Spelling it as '무릅'. → 무릎
This is the most common spelling error. The final consonant is 'ㅍ', not 'ㅂ'.
Using '다리' when you specifically mean the knee joint. → 무릎
'다리' refers to the whole leg. Using '무릎' is more precise when describing pain or a specific movement.
Pronouncing '무릎이' as [무르비]. → [무르피]
The 'ㅍ' should maintain its aspirated 'p' quality when followed by a vowel, not turn into a 'b'.
Saying '무릎을 꿇다' to someone as a casual request. → 앉으세요 (Please sit)
Asking someone to '무릎 꿇다' is a command to submit or apologize. It's very strong and can be offensive.
Trying to find a separate word for 'lap'. → 무릎
Korean uses '무릎' for both the knee and the lap. There is no other common word for the lap area.

Consejos

Remember the 'P'

Think of the 'ㅍ' in 무릎 as 'P' for Patella. This will help you remember that it's not the 'ㅂ' sound at the end.

The Power of Kneeling

In Korean media, if you see someone kneeling, they are either showing extreme respect (like to an elder) or extreme apology. It's a heavy action.

Particle Flow

Always practice 무릎 with particles like -이, -을, -에. The way the 'ㅍ' sound changes is a great way to practice Korean phonology.

Lap = Knee

Don't look for a separate word for 'lap'. If you want to put something on your lap, just use '무릎 위에'.

Medical Context

If you go to a Korean doctor, '무릎' is one of the most useful body parts to know, as knee issues are very common.

Slapping the Knee

Use '무릎을 탁 쳤어요' when you hear a great idea. It makes you sound very natural and fluent in Korean culture.

Batchim Rules

Remember that before a consonant, 무릎 sounds like 'mu-reup' (with a b), but before a vowel, it's 'mu-reu-p...'.

Clothing Length

When buying skirts online (like on Musinsa), look for '무릎' to understand the length descriptions.

Gym Commands

If a trainer says '무릎 굽히세요', they want you to squat or bend your knees. It's a core command.

Song Lyrics

Listen to IU's 'Knee' (무릎) to hear the word used in a beautiful, emotional context about rest.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a 'MOO'ing cow with a 'ROOP' (rope) tied around its KNEE.

Asociación visual

Picture a person sitting on the floor in a traditional Korean house, with their KNEES folded neatly.

Word Web

Body Joint Leg Kneel Lap Pain Bend Patella

Desafío

Try to say 'My knee hurts' (무릎이 아파요) ten times fast, making sure the 'p' sound slides into the 'i'.

Origen de la palabra

Pure Korean word (Goyu-eo). It has existed since Middle Korean in forms like '무릊' or '무릅'.

Significado original: The joint of the leg.

Koreanic

Contexto cultural

Be careful when asking someone to 'kneel' (무릎 꿇어) as it is a very strong, often offensive command in Korean unless in a specific context like martial arts.

In English, 'knee' and 'lap' are distinct words, but in Korean, '무릎' covers both, which can be confusing for learners at first.

The variety show '무릎팍 도사' (The Knee-Drop Guru). The song '무릎' (Knee) by IU, which talks about sleeping on a grandmother's lap. K-Drama scenes where characters kneel in the rain to ask for something.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

At the Hospital

무릎이 쑤셔요.
무릎을 굽히기 힘들어요.
무릎 수술을 해야 하나요?
무릎에 물이 찼대요.

At the Gym

무릎을 더 굽히세요.
무릎을 펴지 마세요.
무릎에 힘을 빼세요.
무릎이 발보다 앞으로 나오면 안 돼요.

Shopping for Clothes

무릎까지 오는 치마 있어요?
바지 무릎이 늘어났어요.
무릎 위로 올라오는 기장인가요?
무릎 장화는 어디 있나요?

With Family

할머니 무릎에 앉을래?
무릎 담요 좀 가져다줄래?
넘어져서 무릎 깨졌어.
무릎 베개 해줘.

In a Drama/Story

무릎 꿇고 빌어!
절대로 무릎 꿇지 않겠어.
그는 무릎을 치며 감탄했다.
무릎을 맞대고 이야기합시다.

Inicios de conversación

"요즘 무릎 건강은 어떠세요? (How is your knee health these days?)"

"운동하다가 무릎을 다친 적이 있나요? (Have you ever injured your knee while exercising?)"

"무릎 담요 필요하세요? 좀 추운 것 같아요. (Do you need a lap blanket? It seems a bit cold.)"

"한국 사람들은 왜 무릎을 꿇고 사과하나요? (Why do Korean people kneel to apologize?)"

"무릎까지 오는 눈을 본 적이 있나요? (Have you ever seen snow that reached your knees?)"

Temas para diario

오늘 무릎을 많이 썼나요? 운동이나 걷기에 대해 써 보세요. (Did you use your knees a lot today? Write about exercise or walking.)

어렸을 때 무릎을 다쳤던 기억이 있나요? (Do you have a memory of injuring your knee when you were young?)

누군가의 무릎에 앉거나 무릎 베개를 했던 따뜻한 기억을 써 보세요. (Write about a warm memory of sitting on someone's lap or using their lap as a pillow.)

무릎을 꿇어야 할 정도로 잘못을 한 적이 있나요? (Have you ever made a mistake so big you had to kneel?)

무릎을 탁 칠 정도로 놀라운 아이디어를 얻었던 순간에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about a moment you got an idea so surprising you slapped your knee.)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, in Korean, there is no common separate word for 'lap'. You use '무릎' or '무릎 위' (on top of the knee) to describe the lap area. For example, '아이를 무릎에 앉히다' means 'to sit a child on one's lap'.

The correct spelling is '무릎' with the final consonant 'ㅍ'. It is a very common mistake to spell it as '무릅', so be careful.

It is an idiom that literally means 'to slap one's knee'. It is used when someone suddenly realizes something, has a great idea, or is very impressed by something they heard.

Kneeling (무릎 꿇다) is a sign of deep respect or extreme apology. In traditional bows (절), the knees must touch the floor. In historical contexts, it also signifies surrender or submission.

It is pronounced as [무르피] (mu-reu-pi). The final 'ㅍ' sound moves to the next syllable because it is followed by a vowel-starting particle.

It is a 'lap blanket'. These are very common in Korea, especially for women wearing skirts or anyone feeling cold in a cafe, office, or classroom.

Yes, you can use '무릎' to refer to the corresponding joint in animals as well, such as a horse or a dog.

'무릎' is the specific body part (knee), while '관절' is the general term for 'joint'. You can combine them to say '무릎 관절' (knee joint).

Yes, it's used to describe the length of skirts, dresses, and boots. '무릎 위' (above knee) and '무릎 아래' (below knee) are standard terms.

It literally means 'to have knees touch'. It is an idiom for sitting close together to have a very serious or intimate conversation to solve a problem.

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