맥박 en 30 segundos
- 맥박 refers to the physical pulse felt in the arteries.
- Commonly used in medical, fitness, and metaphorical contexts.
- Typically paired with verbs like 뛰다 (beat) and 재다 (measure).
- Distinguishable from '심장' (heart) which is the organ itself.
The Korean word 맥박 (Maekbak) is a Sino-Korean noun that translates directly to 'pulse.' Etymologically, it is composed of 맥 (脈), meaning 'blood vessel' or 'stem,' and 박 (搏), meaning 'to beat' or 'to strike.' Together, they describe the rhythmic expansion and contraction of the arteries as the heart pumps blood throughout the body. While it is fundamentally a medical and biological term, its usage extends far beyond the doctor's office into literature, fitness, and daily observations of one's physical state.
- Medical Context
- In a clinical setting, healthcare professionals use '맥박' to discuss vital signs. You will hear terms like '맥박수' (pulse rate) or '맥박이 불규칙하다' (the pulse is irregular) in hospitals or during check-ups.
- Fitness and Health
- With the rise of smartwatches and fitness culture, Koreans frequently talk about their '맥박' during exercise. Monitoring your heart rate to stay within a specific '맥박 구간' (pulse zone) is common practice for runners and gym-goers.
- Metaphorical Usage
- '맥박' can symbolize the 'lifeblood' or 'rhythm' of an organization, a city, or even a historical movement. For example, '도시의 맥박' (the pulse of the city) refers to the vibrant energy and activity of an urban area.
운동을 하고 나니 맥박이 아주 빨라졌어요. (After exercising, my pulse became very fast.)
When you feel your pulse at your wrist or neck, you are 'feeling the 맥박.' This word is essential for anyone interested in health, medicine, or describing physical sensations of anxiety or excitement in Korean. It carries a slightly more formal or technical nuance compared to '심장 박동' (heartbeat), which is more emotional or visceral.
의사 선생님이 환자의 맥박을 조심스럽게 확인했습니다. (The doctor carefully checked the patient's pulse.)
In Korean culture, traditional medicine (한의학) places a massive emphasis on '맥박.' A traditional doctor will perform '진맥' (feeling the pulse) to diagnose various ailments by analyzing the subtle qualities of the pulse strength and rhythm. Therefore, the word carries a historical weight of health diagnosis that dates back centuries.
Using '맥박' correctly involves pairing it with specific verbs that describe movement or measurement. The most common verb is '뛰다' (to jump/beat). When your pulse is active, we say '맥박이 뛰다.' If you are measuring it, you use '재다' (to measure) or '확인하다' (to check).
- Describing Speed
- To say a pulse is fast, use '빠르다.' To say it is slow, use '느리다.' For example: '긴장해서 맥박이 빨라요' (My pulse is fast because I'm nervous).
- Describing Consistency
- Use '고르다' (even/regular) or '일정하다' (constant) for a steady pulse. Use '불규칙하다' (irregular) when something is wrong.
간호사가 내 손목을 잡고 맥박을 쟀다. (The nurse held my wrist and measured my pulse.)
In more advanced contexts, you might see '맥박' used as a modifier. '맥박 측정기' (pulse monitor) or '맥박 조절기' (pacemaker). Understanding these compound words will help you navigate Korean medical or technical documents. Even in daily life, if you feel faint, a friend might ask, '맥박은 괜찮아?' (Is your pulse okay?).
그의 맥박은 매우 약해서 거의 느껴지지 않았다. (His pulse was so weak it could hardly be felt.)
Note the difference between '맥박' and '박동.' While '박동' is the general term for 'pulsation' or 'beating,' '맥박' specifically refers to the arterial pulse. If you're talking about the rhythm of a song, you'd use '박자' (beat/tempo), not '맥박.'
You will encounter '맥박' in several distinct environments in Korea. First and foremost is the medical field. Whether it is a routine checkup at a '내과' (internal medicine clinic) or an emergency scene in a K-drama like 'Hospital Playlist,' the word is ubiquitous. When a character is in critical condition, the monitor will beep, and someone will shout about the '맥박.'
- In the Media
- News reports on public health often mention average pulse rates or the effects of certain foods and exercises on '맥박.' Science documentaries use it to explain how the circulatory system works.
- In Literature and Art
- Poets often use '맥박' to describe the 'heartbeat' of nature or a nation. You might read about the '맥박치는 대지' (the pulsing earth), suggesting that the land itself is alive and breathing.
이 소설은 현대 사회의 맥박을 잘 짚어내고 있다. (This novel captures the pulse of modern society well.)
If you go to a '한의원' (Oriental medicine clinic), the doctor will likely place three fingers on your wrist. This is the act of checking your '맥박' to see the flow of 'Gi' (energy). Even if you aren't sick, you might hear this word in a fitness app that tells you your '최고 맥박' (peak pulse) during a workout. It's a word that bridges the gap between ancient tradition and modern technology.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is using '맥박' when they should use '심장' (heart) or '박자' (musical beat). While 'pulse' and 'heartbeat' are related, they are not always interchangeable in Korean.
- Mistake 1: Emotional Contexts
- Don't say '맥박이 떨려요' (My pulse is trembling) when you mean you are nervous. Instead, use '심장이 떨려요' or '가슴이 두근거려요.' '맥박' is too clinical for romance or fear.
- Mistake 2: Confusing with Blood Pressure
- Learners often mix up '맥박' (pulse) with '혈압' (blood pressure). While both relate to blood, '혈압' measures force against vessel walls, whereas '맥박' measures the count of beats.
X: 음악의 맥박이 빨라요.
O: 음악의 박자가 빨라요. (The tempo of the music is fast.)
Another mistake is using the wrong verb. While you can 'feel' a pulse in English, in Korean, you usually 'check' (확인하다), 'measure' (재다), or 'catch/take' (짚다) the pulse. Saying '맥박을 느껴요' is grammatically possible but sounds like you are having a poetic or spiritual experience rather than a medical observation.
To truly master the concept of '맥박,' you should understand its synonyms and how they differ in register and nuance. Korean has several words for 'beat' or 'pulse' depending on the focus.
- 심장 박동 (Simjang Bakdong)
- This means 'heartbeat.' It is more general than '맥박.' You use this when talking about the heart organ itself beating. It is often used in emotional or dramatic contexts.
- 고동 (Godong)
- This is a more literary and powerful word for 'throb' or 'beat.' It's often used for things like '대지의 고동' (the throb of the earth) or '심장의 고동' (the beating of one's heart in a moment of passion).
- 박동 (Bakdong)
- This is the root of heartbeat. It refers to the physical pulsation of any organ or vessel. It is more scientific than '맥박.'
그의 맥박은 정상이었지만, 심장 박동은 불안정했다. (His pulse was normal, but his heartbeat was unstable.)
When choosing between these, consider the 'where' and 'how.' If you are touching a wrist, use '맥박.' If you are listening to a chest with a stethoscope, you are listening to '심장 박동.' If you are writing a poem about the energy of a crowd, use '고동.' Understanding these subtle shifts will make your Korean sound much more natural and sophisticated.
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The character 脈 (Maek) is also used for 'mountain ranges' (산맥) because ancient people viewed mountains as the 'veins' of the earth.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing '박' as a soft 'b' instead of a tensed 'p͈'.
- Releasing the final 'k' sound in '맥'.
- Confusing it with '매박' (incorrect spelling).
Nivel de dificultad
Easy to recognize in context, but Hanja roots are intermediate.
Requires correct spelling of '박' (not '바' or '방').
Pronunciation is straightforward but requires fortisization of '박'.
Common in medical and health contexts.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Fortisization (경음화)
맥박 is pronounced as [맥빡] because the stop 'ㄱ' makes the following 'ㅂ' tensed.
Subject Marker -이/가
맥박이 뛰다 (The pulse beats).
Object Marker -을/를
맥박을 재다 (Measure the pulse).
Passive Form -어지다
맥박이 빨라지다 (The pulse becomes fast).
Causative -게 하다
맥박을 뛰게 하다 (To make the pulse beat).
Ejemplos por nivel
맥박이 빨라요.
The pulse is fast.
Simple subject-adjective structure.
맥박이 있어요.
There is a pulse.
Using the existence verb 있다.
맥박이 뭐예요?
What is a pulse?
Basic question form.
맥박이 느려요.
The pulse is slow.
Antonym of '빠르다'.
여기에 맥박이 있어요.
The pulse is here.
Location particle '에'.
제 맥박이에요.
It is my pulse.
Possessive '제' and '이에요'.
맥박을 봐요.
Look at the pulse (monitor).
Object marker '을'.
맥박이 뛰어요.
The pulse is beating.
The verb 뛰다 (to beat/jump).
운동을 해서 맥박이 빨라요.
My pulse is fast because I exercised.
Reasoning connector -어서.
맥박을 재고 싶어요.
I want to measure my pulse.
Desire form -고 싶다.
간호사가 제 맥박을 쟀어요.
The nurse measured my pulse.
Past tense -았/었/였어요.
맥박이 아주 일정해요.
The pulse is very constant.
Adverb '아주' (very).
맥박이 잘 안 느껴져요.
I can't feel the pulse well.
Negative '안' and passive '느껴지다'.
의사 선생님이 맥박을 확인해요.
The doctor is checking the pulse.
Honorific '선생님'.
맥박이 다시 정상이에요.
The pulse is normal again.
Adverb '다시' (again).
시계로 맥박을 잴 수 있어요.
You can measure your pulse with a watch.
Ability form -을 수 있다.
맥박수가 너무 높으면 위험해요.
It is dangerous if the pulse rate is too high.
Conditional -면.
긴장을 하면 맥박이 빨라지기 마련이다.
It's natural for the pulse to speed up when nervous.
Grammar -기 마련이다 (bound to happen).
맥박이 불규칙해서 검사를 받았어요.
I got an exam because my pulse was irregular.
Passive/Received action '받다'.
환자의 맥박이 점차 안정되고 있습니다.
The patient's pulse is gradually stabilizing.
Progressive form -고 있다.
심호흡을 하면 맥박이 내려가요.
Your pulse goes down if you take deep breaths.
Compound verb '내려가다'.
맥박을 짚어 보니 열이 있는 것 같아요.
Checking the pulse, it seems there is a fever.
Discovery form -어 보니.
그녀는 맥박이 멈춘 줄 알고 놀랐다.
She was shocked, thinking the pulse had stopped.
Assumption '-(으)ㄴ 줄 알다'.
맥박 측정기를 팔에 차세요.
Please wear the pulse monitor on your arm.
Imperative -세요.
이 기계는 맥박의 미세한 변화도 감지합니다.
This machine detects even minute changes in the pulse.
Focus particle '도' (even).
맥박이 뛰는 것을 보니 아직 살아 있군요.
Seeing the pulse beat, he is still alive.
Exclamatory ending -군요.
그 영화는 관객의 맥박을 뛰게 만들었다.
That movie made the audience's pulses race.
Causative -게 만들다.
맥박이 고르지 못한 것은 스트레스 때문일 수 있다.
An uneven pulse could be due to stress.
Attributive form -지 못한 것.
규칙적인 운동은 안정 시 맥박을 낮춘다.
Regular exercise lowers the resting heart rate.
Plain style -ㄴ다.
한의사는 진맥을 통해 건강 상태를 파악한다.
The oriental doctor grasps the health status through the pulse.
Through/Via '통해'.
맥박이 느껴지지 않을 정도로 약해졌다.
The pulse became so weak it couldn't be felt.
Extent particle -을 정도로.
그의 연설은 청중의 맥박을 요동치게 했다.
His speech made the audience's pulse surge.
Vivid verb '요동치다'.
도시의 맥박이 밤이 되어도 멈추지 않는다.
The pulse of the city does not stop even at night.
Metaphorical usage.
맥박의 파형을 분석하여 질병을 진단한다.
Diseases are diagnosed by analyzing the pulse waveform.
Scientific terminology '파형'.
그의 작품에는 시대의 맥박이 고스란히 담겨 있다.
The pulse of the era is fully contained in his work.
Adverb '고스란히' (entirely).
맥박이 멎는 순간, 모든 것이 정지했다.
The moment the pulse stopped, everything came to a halt.
Literary '멎다' for stop.
그는 긴장감을 억누르며 맥박을 가다듬었다.
He suppressed his tension and steadied his pulse.
Sophisticated verb '가다듬다'.
맥박의 강약에 따라 처방이 달라질 수 있습니다.
The prescription may vary depending on the strength of the pulse.
Depending on '에 따라'.
인간의 맥박은 우주의 리듬과 닮아 있다.
The human pulse resembles the rhythm of the universe.
Philosophical comparison.
맥박이 요동치는 것을 보니 거짓말을 하는 게 틀림없다.
Seeing the pulse racing, he must be lying.
Certainty '-게 틀림없다'.
생명의 맥박이 고동치는 숲의 한가운데에 서 있었다.
I stood in the middle of a forest where the pulse of life was throbbing.
Double metaphor '생명의 맥박' + '고동치다'.
맥박의 미묘한 변동성(HRV)은 자율신경계의 지표가 된다.
Subtle heart rate variability (HRV) serves as an indicator of the autonomic nervous system.
Academic terminology '변동성', '자율신경계'.
그의 문체는 마치 살아 숨 쉬는 맥박처럼 역동적이다.
His writing style is as dynamic as a living, breathing pulse.
Simile '마치 ~처럼'.
맥박이 끊길 듯 말 듯 위태로운 상황이었다.
It was a precarious situation where the pulse seemed about to stop.
Idiomatic '-을 듯 말 듯'.
역사의 맥박을 짚어보는 것은 미래를 준비하는 일이다.
Examining the pulse of history is a way to prepare for the future.
Abstract usage of '짚어보다'.
심장의 고동과 맥박의 일치는 생명 유지의 기본이다.
The synchronicity of the heart throb and the pulse is fundamental to life maintenance.
Formal noun-heavy sentence.
맥박이 가빠지는 것은 신체가 위협을 감지했음을 시사한다.
A quickening pulse suggests that the body has detected a threat.
Formal ending '-음을 시사한다'.
그녀의 손끝에서 전해지는 맥박이 그의 마음을 울렸다.
The pulse transmitted from her fingertips touched his heart.
Emotional resonance through physical pulse.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— For the pulse to surge or fluctuate wildly. Often used for extreme excitement or fear.
무대 위에 서자 맥박이 요동치기 시작했다.
— For the pulse to calm down or settle. Used when recovering from exercise or stress.
휴식을 취하니 맥박이 서서히 가라앉았다.
— To die or for life to cease. Used literally in medical contexts.
그의 맥박이 멈춘 순간 병실은 고요해졌다.
— To control or regulate the pulse, often through breathing or medication.
명상을 통해 맥박을 조절하는 법을 배웠다.
— For the pulse to be steady and regular. A sign of health.
검사 결과 맥박이 아주 고르고 건강합니다.
— To be able to feel the pulse. Used when checking for life or vitality.
희미하지만 아직 맥박이 느껴집니다.
— To have a rapid, shallow pulse, often due to exertion.
숨이 차고 맥박이 가빠서 잠시 쉬어야 했다.
— The numerical value of the pulse rate.
맥박 수치가 평소보다 높게 나왔네요.
— As long as one is alive (metaphorical).
맥박이 뛰는 한 포기하지 않겠습니다.
— To have a rough or heavy pulse, usually after intense fighting or work.
격렬한 경기 후 그의 맥박은 거칠었다.
Se confunde a menudo con
심장 is the organ; 맥박 is the result of its beating felt elsewhere.
박자 is for music; 맥박 is for the body.
혈압 is blood pressure; 맥박 is the pulse rate.
Modismos y expresiones
— To get to the heart of the matter or understand the core issue. Derived from feeling a pulse.
그는 문제의 맥을 정확히 짚어냈다.
Common— To lose energy, spirit, or motivation. Literally 'the pulse falls out.'
열심히 준비한 일이 취소되어 맥이 빠졌다.
Common— To be unable to exert any strength or to be completely overwhelmed.
우리 팀은 상대 팀의 공격에 맥을 못 추었다.
Common— For a tradition or lineage to be broken. Literally 'the pulse is cut.'
이 가문의 맥이 끊기지 않도록 노력해야 한다.
Formal— To be in the same context or share the same flow/logic.
두 사건은 같은 맥락을 같이하고 있다.
Academic— To share a similar pulse or spirit; to be aligned.
그의 생각은 나의 철학과 맥을 같이한다.
Formal— To become limp or lose all strength suddenly.
긴장이 풀리자 온몸의 맥이 풀렸다.
Common— To find the rhythm or the key point of something.
새로운 업무의 맥을 잡는 데 시간이 걸렸다.
Common— Without knowing the reason or the key point; blindly.
그는 맥도 모르고 화만 내고 있다.
Informal— To continue a tradition or a legacy.
그는 3대째 가업의 맥을 잇고 있다.
FormalFácil de confundir
Both mean 'beat'.
박동 is the general act of beating (any organ); 맥박 is specifically the arterial pulse.
심장 박동 (heartbeat) vs 손목 맥박 (wrist pulse).
Both mean 'throb'.
고동 is more poetic and powerful; 맥박 is more clinical.
대지의 고동 vs 환자의 맥박.
Shares the 'Maek' root.
맥락 means 'context' or 'flow of logic', not physical pulse.
이야기의 맥락을 이해하다.
Both relate to blood flow.
Pulse is frequency; blood pressure is force.
맥박이 빠르고 혈압이 높다.
Both are vital signs.
호흡 is breathing; 맥박 is heart pulse.
호흡과 맥박을 확인하다.
Patrones de oraciones
N이/가 형용사(Adjective)
맥박이 빨라요.
N을/를 V-고 싶다
맥박을 재고 싶어요.
N이/가 V-기 시작하다
맥박이 뛰기 시작해요.
N에 따라 N이/가 달라지다
나이에 따라 맥박이 달라져요.
N을/를 통해 N을/를 파악하다
진맥을 통해 건강을 파악하다.
마치 N처럼 V
마치 살아있는 맥박처럼 느껴지다.
N이/가 V-음은 N을/를 시사한다
맥박이 빠름은 긴장했음을 시사한다.
N이/가 V-을 듯 말 듯 하다
맥박이 멈출 듯 말 듯 하다.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
Common in health, medical, and news contexts.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Imagine a 'MAC' computer 'BACK' in the day having a 'pulse' that you could measure to see if it was still working.
Asociación visual
Picture a finger pressing against a wrist, and with every beat, a bright neon blue line (like a '맥') jumps up.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to find your own pulse and say '내 맥박이 느껴져요' (I feel my pulse) out loud three times.
Origen de la palabra
Derived from Sino-Korean 脈搏 (Maek-bak).
Significado original: 脈 (Maek) means blood vessel, channel, or pulse. 搏 (Bak) means to strike, beat, or throb.
Sino-Korean (Hanja-based).Contexto cultural
No specific sensitivities, but be careful using '맥이 빠지다' around someone who is genuinely ill, as it sounds very negative.
In English, 'pulse' is often used for music or excitement, but in Korean, '맥박' is more strictly biological or formal metaphor.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
At the Hospital
- 맥박을 재겠습니다.
- 맥박이 정상인가요?
- 맥박이 너무 빠릅니다.
- 맥박이 불규칙해요.
At the Gym
- 현재 맥박이 얼마예요?
- 최대 맥박까지 올라갔어요.
- 맥박을 확인해 보세요.
- 맥박이 빨리 안 떨어져요.
Traditional Medicine
- 진맥을 좀 봐 주세요.
- 맥이 아주 약하시네요.
- 맥을 짚어 보니 기가 허합니다.
- 맥박이 고르지 않아요.
Literature/Drama
- 도시의 맥박을 느끼다.
- 맥박이 멎어가는 소리.
- 심장의 맥박이 요동쳤다.
- 그의 맥박은 차가웠다.
Daily Conversation
- 맥 빠지는 소리 하지 마.
- 너무 놀라서 맥박이 뛰었어.
- 맥박이 느껴져?
- 맥을 못 추겠어.
Inicios de conversación
"운동할 때 맥박을 자주 확인하시나요?"
"긴장하면 맥박이 많이 빨라지는 편인가요?"
"스마트워치로 맥박을 측정해 본 적 있어요?"
"한의원에서 진맥을 받아본 적이 있나요?"
"맥박이 너무 빠를 때는 어떻게 진정시키나요?"
Temas para diario
오늘 운동을 마친 후의 맥박 상태에 대해 써 보세요.
살면서 맥박이 가장 빠르게 뛰었던 순간은 언제였나요?
한국의 전통적인 진맥 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각하는지 적어 보세요.
도시의 맥박을 느낄 수 있는 장소는 어디라고 생각하나요?
'맥이 빠졌던' 경험과 그것을 어떻게 극복했는지 공유해 주세요.
Preguntas frecuentes
1 preguntas맥박 (pulse) refers to the rhythmic expansion of arteries felt in the body, while 심장 박동 (heartbeat) refers to th
Summary
맥박 is the essential Korean term for 'pulse.' Use it when discussing physical measurements of heart activity or the metaphorical 'rhythm' of an entity. Example: '맥박이 고르게 뜁니다' (The pulse beats evenly).
- 맥박 refers to the physical pulse felt in the arteries.
- Commonly used in medical, fitness, and metaphorical contexts.
- Typically paired with verbs like 뛰다 (beat) and 재다 (measure).
- Distinguishable from '심장' (heart) which is the organ itself.
Ejemplo
운동 후에는 맥박이 빠르게 뛴다.
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Más palabras de health
비정상적이다
B1Que se desvía de lo normal o habitual; anormal.
비정상이다
A2Ser anormal o irregular. Se usa para describir algo que no sigue el patrón normal o esperado.
에 대해서
A2Indica el tema o asunto; sobre, acerca de, con respecto a. Se usa para especificar el objeto de una conversación o pensamiento.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2Dolores corporales generales y fatiga, a menudo acompañados de escalofríos por exceso de trabajo o gripe.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1Tener un dolor punzante o palpitante; doler. Se usa comúnmente para describir el dolor de articulaciones cuando va a llover.
에취
A2El sonido que hace una persona al estornudar en coreano. Es el equivalente a '¡Achís!' en español.
급성적이다
A2Caracterizado por un inicio rápido e intenso, utilizado principalmente en contextos médicos para describir enfermedades o síntomas que aparecen de repente. (ej. una enfermedad aguda).
급성이다
A2Tener un inicio rápido y un curso corto; ser agudo (enfermedad).
