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A2 noun #4,000 most common 9 min read

근육

geunyuk Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 근육 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 근육 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '근육' (Geun-yuk) means 'muscle'. You can use it in very simple sentences to describe yourself or others. For example, '저는 근육이 있어요' (I have muscles) or '근육이 커요' (The muscles are big). At this stage, focusing on the basic subject-particle relationship (근육 + 이) is the most important thing. You might see this word in basic health or body-part lessons. It's helpful to associate it with '팔' (arm) and '다리' (leg) since those are the places people usually notice muscles first. Don't worry about complex medical terms yet; just think of '근육' as the opposite of 'fat' or 'bone' when describing a body. It is a noun that ends in a consonant, so it always takes '-이' as a subject marker and '-을' as an object marker.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '근육' in the context of daily activities, especially exercise. You should know how to say your muscles hurt after a workout: '운동을 해서 근육이 아파요' (My muscles hurt because I worked out). You can also start using basic compound words like '근육통' (muscle pain) when talking to a doctor or pharmacist. At this level, you should understand the difference between '근육이 있다' (to have muscle) and '근육을 만들다' (to make/build muscle). You might also encounter the word in simple descriptions of people's appearances. For example, '그는 운동을 많이 해서 근육이 많아요' (He has a lot of muscles because he exercises a lot). It's a key word for discussing hobbies like hiking, swimming, or going to the gym.

At the B1 level, you can use '근육' in more detailed discussions about health, nutrition, and fitness goals. You should be comfortable with verbs like '단련하다' (to train/discipline) and '강화하다' (to strengthen). You might talk about the importance of protein for '근육 성장' (muscle growth) or '근육 유지' (muscle maintenance). At this stage, you can also use '근육' in its metaphorical sense, such as '마음의 근육' (muscles of the heart/mind) to refer to emotional resilience. You should be able to understand more specific anatomical references, like '복근' (abs/abdominal muscles) or '등 근육' (back muscles). Your ability to explain *why* you are doing certain exercises should involve this word: '하체 근육을 키우기 위해 스쿼트를 해요' (I do squats to grow my lower body muscles).

At the B2 level, you should be able to discuss '근육' in technical or semi-professional contexts. This includes understanding the nuances of '근육량' (muscle mass) and how it affects metabolism. you can participate in debates about fitness trends, such as the 'Body Profile' phenomenon in Korea, and use terms like '근손실' (muscle loss) in a way that reflects current slang and cultural trends. You should be able to read health articles that discuss '근육 수축과 이완' (muscle contraction and relaxation) or '근육 파열' (muscle tear). Your vocabulary should expand to include related systems, like the '근골격계' (musculoskeletal system). You can also use the word in sophisticated metaphors regarding business or politics, describing a company's 'financial muscle' or a government's 'administrative muscle'.

At the C1 level, your use of '근육' extends into the academic, medical, and highly literary realms. You can discuss the physiological processes of muscle hypertrophy at a deep level. You should be able to distinguish between different types of muscles, such as '수의근' (voluntary muscles) and '불수의근' (involuntary muscles), or '평활근' (smooth muscle) and '심근' (cardiac muscle). In literature, you might analyze how '근육' is used to symbolize raw humanity, labor, or struggle. You can follow complex medical advice or scientific lectures regarding muscular dystrophy or other pathologies. Your understanding of the word is no longer just about 'working out' but about the intricate biological and social functions that 'muscle' represents in human civilization.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of '근육' and all its derivatives. You can engage in professional medical consultations, scientific research, or high-level philosophical discussions involving the concept of the body. You understand the etymological roots (Hanja: 筋肉) and how they relate to other words in the 'muscle' family. You can use extremely rare or technical idioms and metaphors with perfect timing. Whether you are translating a medical journal, writing a thesis on sports science, or interpreting for a professional athlete, you handle the word '근육' with total precision. You are also aware of regional dialects or historical terms for muscle that might appear in classical Korean literature. Your grasp of the word is complete, spanning from the gym floor to the research laboratory.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

근육 in 30 Seconds

근육 (Geun-yuk) means 'muscle' and refers to the tissue responsible for body movement and strength.
It is a Sino-Korean word (筋肉) commonly used in fitness, health, and medical contexts.
Commonly paired with verbs like '키우다' (grow), '만들다' (make), and '아프다' (hurt).
Metaphorically used to represent power or resilience in organizations or the mind.

The Korean word 근육 (Geun-yuk) is a fundamental noun that translates directly to 'muscle' in English. It refers to the fibrous tissue in human and animal bodies that has the ability to contract, producing movement or maintaining the position of parts of the body. In a biological sense, it encompasses everything from the skeletal muscles we consciously control at the gym to the involuntary muscles like the heart or the walls of the digestive tract. However, in everyday Korean conversation, especially among those at the A2 level, it most frequently appears in the context of physical fitness, health, and bodily sensations like soreness or strength.

Biological Context: In a medical or scientific setting, 근육 describes the anatomical structure. Doctors might talk about '근육 파열' (muscle tear) or '근육 수축' (muscle contraction). It is the technical term used in textbooks to describe the muscular system.

운동을 많이 해서 근육이 커졌어요. (My muscles got bigger because I exercised a lot.)

Beyond the literal physical tissue, Koreans use the term '근육' metaphorically, much like English speakers do, to represent power, influence, or the 'strength' of an organization. For instance, '경제적 근육' (economic muscle) refers to a nation's or company's financial power. In the modern era, the 'Body Profile' (바디프로필) trend in Korea has made the word '근육' ubiquitous in social media. People often discuss '근성장' (muscle growth) and '근손실' (muscle loss) with a level of intensity that borders on humorous obsession, particularly in the 'Hell-chang' (gym addict) subculture. If you are at a Korean gym (헬스장), you will hear this word constantly. It is not just a body part; it is a symbol of hard work and self-discipline.

Fitness Culture: The term '근육질' (muscular) is used to describe a person with a well-defined physique. It is a highly positive descriptor in modern Korean society, associated with health and attractiveness.

그는 탄탄한 근육을 가지고 있습니다. (He has firm muscles.)

In daily life, if you complain about back pain or leg pain after a long hike, a Korean friend might ask, '근육통이에요?' (Is it muscle pain?). Here, '근육통' combines '근육' (muscle) with '통' (pain/ache). Understanding this word allows you to navigate health discussions and fitness environments effectively. It's a bridge between basic anatomy and the vibrant physical culture of contemporary Korea.

Using 근육 in a sentence requires an understanding of how it interacts with Korean particles and verbs. Since it is a noun, it most commonly takes the subject markers -이 or the object markers -을. When you are describing the state of your muscles, you will often use adjectives or passive-style verbs. When you are talking about building or training them, you use active verbs.

State and Condition: To say muscles are present or have developed, use '생기다' (to be formed/to appear). To say they are sore or tight, use '아프다' (to hurt) or '뭉치다' (to be knotted).

다리에 근육이 생겼어요. (Muscles have formed on my legs.)

When you are the agent of the action—meaning you are actively working out—the word '근육' becomes the object. Common verbs include '키우다' (to grow/raise), '만들다' (to make), and '단련하다' (to discipline/train). For example, '근육을 키우고 싶어요' means 'I want to grow my muscles.' This structure is very common in gym settings. If you are talking about the loss of muscle due to lack of exercise or aging, the term '근육이 빠지다' (muscles fall out/decrease) is frequently used.

Compound Usage: '근육' often combines with other nouns. '근육량' (muscle mass), '근육 경련' (muscle cramp), and '근육 강화' (muscle strengthening) are essential for intermediate learners.

단백질은 근육 강화에 도움이 됩니다. (Protein helps in muscle strengthening.)

Finally, consider the register. In a casual conversation with friends, you might say '근육 대박이다!' (Your muscles are amazing/huge!). In a medical context, you would use more formal endings like '근육의 이완이 필요합니다' (Muscle relaxation is necessary). Regardless of the level of formality, the core noun '근육' remains the same, making it a versatile and stable part of your Korean vocabulary.

You will encounter the word 근육 in a variety of real-world Korean environments. The most obvious place is the 헬스장 (gym). Korea has a very active fitness culture, and you'll hear personal trainers shouting instructions like '근육에 집중하세요!' (Focus on the muscle!) or '근육이 타는 느낌이 들 거예요' (You'll feel the muscle burning). On social media platforms like Instagram or YouTube, the hashtag #근육 (muscle) or #근성장 (muscle growth) is incredibly popular among the 'O-un-wan' (today's workout finished) crowd.

In Media and Entertainment: Variety shows like 'Physical: 100' or 'Running Man' often feature muscular celebrities like Kim Jong-kook, where the word '근육' is used both as a compliment and a source of humor. Subtitles will often highlight '근육 폭발' (muscle explosion) during intense physical challenges.

저 배우는 근육이 정말 멋있네요. (That actor's muscles are really cool.)

Another common place is the 병원 (hospital) or 약국 (pharmacy). If you go to a pharmacy and ask for a '근육 이완제' (muscle relaxant) or a '파스' (medicated patch) for '근육통' (muscle pain), the pharmacist will immediately understand you. In Korean dramas, you might see a character getting a massage while the practitioner says '근육이 너무 많이 뭉쳤어요' (Your muscles are too knotted/tense). This highlights the word's importance in health and wellness contexts.

At Home and School: Parents might tell their children to eat meat to 'make muscles' (근육 만들어야지). In schools, during PE class (체육), teachers explain how stretching protects your muscles from injury.

준비 운동을 안 하면 근육을 다칠 수 있어요. (If you don't do warm-up exercises, you can hurt your muscles.)

Lastly, you'll hear it in beauty and skincare commercials. Phrases like '얼굴 근육' (facial muscles) are used when talking about anti-aging massages or exercises to prevent wrinkles. Whether you're at the doctor's, the gym, or just watching TV, '근육' is a word that permeates Korean life, reflecting a society that values physical health and aesthetic maintenance.

For English speakers learning Korean, the most common mistake involving 근육 is confusing it with the word 힘 (Him), which means 'strength' or 'power'. While they are related, they are not interchangeable. You *have* muscle (근육이 있다), but you *use* strength (힘을 쓰다). You cannot say 'My muscles are strong' by using '근육이 힘세다' as easily as you would say '힘이 세다' (Strength is strong/I am strong). Instead, you should say '근육이 많다' (Have a lot of muscle) or '근육질이다' (Is muscular).

Muscle vs. Flesh: Another mistake is using '살' (Sal) when you mean '근육'. '살' generally refers to body fat or general flesh. If you say '살이 많아요', people might think you mean you are overweight. If you mean you are muscular, you must use '근육'.

❌ 저는 살이 많아요. (I have a lot of flesh/fat - usually negative.)
✅ 저는 근육이 많아요. (I have a lot of muscle - positive.)

A second common error is related to the verb 'to gain'. In English, we 'gain muscle'. In Korean, while '근육을 얻다' (to get muscle) is technically understandable, it sounds unnatural. The most natural way to express this is '근육을 키우다' (to grow muscle) or '근육이 붙다' (muscle sticks/attaches). Using the wrong verb can make your Korean sound robotic or like a direct translation from a dictionary. For example, '근육을 이기다' (to win muscle) makes no sense, even if you are trying to say you 'conquered' your fitness goals.

Particle Confusion: Learners often struggle with '근육이 아프다' vs '근육을 아프다'. Remember that '아프다' is an adjective in Korean, so the thing that hurts takes the subject marker '-이/가'.

❌ 근육을 아파요.
✅ 근육이 아파요. (My muscles hurt.)

Finally, be careful with the word '근육통' (muscle pain). Some learners try to say '근육 아픔' which is grammatically awkward. Using the Sino-Korean compound '근육통' is much more professional and common when discussing post-workout soreness. By avoiding these common pitfalls—mixing up muscle with strength or fat, and using the wrong verbs or particles—you will sound much more like a native speaker.

While 근육 is the standard word for 'muscle', there are several related terms that you should know to enrich your vocabulary. Depending on the context—whether you're at the gym, the doctor, or just chatting—you might choose a different word to be more precise or natural.

근육 vs. 힘 (Strength): '근육' is the physical tissue. '힘' is the abstract ability to move things or exert effort. You need '근육' to have '힘'.
Example: '그는 근육은 없지만 힘은 세요.' (He doesn't have muscles, but he is strong.)
근육 vs. 살 (Flesh/Fat): '살' is the general term for the soft parts of the body. '근육' is specifically the muscle. In dieting, people want to lose '지방' (fat) but keep '근육'.
Example: '살을 빼고 근육을 만들고 싶어요.' (I want to lose weight/fat and make muscle.)

그는 근육질 몸매를 가지고 있습니다. (He has a muscular build.)

There is also a pure Korean word for muscle: 힘살 (Himsal). However, this is almost never used in modern spoken Korean; it's mostly found in literature or very old anatomical texts. If you use '힘살' at the gym, people will be very confused! Another related term is 체력 (Che-ryeok), which means 'physical stamina' or 'physical strength'. While '근육' focuses on the mass, '체력' focuses on how long you can keep going.

Advanced Terms: '근력' (Muscle power/strength) is a combination of '근육' and '힘'. '근육량' refers to the total volume of muscle in the body. '근조직' (Muscle tissue) is used in biology.

나이가 들면 근력이 떨어집니다. (As you get older, your muscle strength decreases.)

In summary, use '근육' for the physical thing you see or feel, '힘' for the power you exert, and '근육질' to describe someone who looks like an athlete. Understanding these nuances will prevent you from using '근육' in places where 'strength' or 'stamina' would be more appropriate.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, the character '筋' (Geun) referred more to tendons and ligaments, while '肉' (Yuk) referred to the bulk of the meat. Together, they form the modern word for muscle.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡɯn.juk/

US /ɡɯn.juk/

Stress is equal on both syllables, though the second syllable '육' may carry a slight melodic rise in questions.

Rhymes With

교육 (Education) 보육 (Childcare) 사육 (Breeding) 양육 (Nurturing) 발육 (Growth) 체육 (PE) 목욕 (Bath) 치욕 (Disgrace)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eu' as 'oo' (e.g., 'goon-yuk').
Pronouncing the final 'k' too strongly; it should be an unreleased stop.
Confusing 'geun' with 'gun' (English word).
Making the 'ny' sound like 'n' only.
Over-emphasizing the 'y' in 'yuk'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read; simple two-syllable word.

Writing 2/5

Characters are basic, but '육' can sometimes be confused with '역'.

Speaking 3/5

The 'eu' sound and the 'ny' transition require practice for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, easy to pick out in gym or health contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

몸 (Body) 팔 (Arm) 다리 (Leg) 아프다 (To hurt) 있다 (To have)

Learn Next

단백질 (Protein) 지방 (Fat) 운동 (Exercise) 인대 (Ligament) 힘줄 (Tendon)

Advanced

근감소증 (Sarcopenia) 근비대 (Hypertrophy) 근위축 (Atrophy) 근골격계 (Musculoskeletal system)

Grammar to Know

Noun + -이/가 생기다

근육이 생겼어요. (Muscles appeared/formed.)

Noun + -을/를 키우다

근육을 키워요. (I grow muscles.)

Noun + -이/가 아프다

근육이 아파요. (Muscles hurt.)

Noun + -을/를 위해

근육을 위해 단백질을 먹어요. (I eat protein for my muscles.)

Noun + -처럼

근육이 돌처럼 딱딱해요. (Muscles are hard like a stone.)

Examples by Level

저는 근육이 있어요.

I have muscles.

근육 (noun) + 이 (subject marker) + 있어요 (have/exists).

근육이 커요.

The muscles are big.

근육 (noun) + 이 (subject marker) + 커요 (is big).

팔에 근육이 있어요.

There are muscles in the arm.

팔 (arm) + 에 (location marker) + 근육 (muscle) + 이 (subject marker) + 있어요 (exists).

그는 근육이 많아요.

He has a lot of muscles.

그는 (He) + 근육 (muscle) + 이 (subject marker) + 많아요 (is many/a lot).

근육을 만들고 싶어요.

I want to make muscles.

근육 (muscle) + 을 (object marker) + 만들고 싶어요 (want to make).

이것은 근육입니다.

This is muscle.

이것 (This) + 은 (topic marker) + 근육 (muscle) + 입니다 (is - formal).

근육이 아주 단단해요.

The muscles are very hard.

근육 (muscle) + 이 (subject marker) + 아주 (very) + 단단해요 (is hard/firm).

근육이 없어요.

I don't have muscles.

근육 (muscle) + 이 (subject marker) + 없어요 (don't have/not exist).

운동을 해서 근육이 아파요.

My muscles hurt because I exercised.

운동을 해서 (because I exercised) + 근육이 아파요 (muscles hurt).

근육을 키우고 싶어서 헬스장에 가요.

I go to the gym because I want to grow muscles.

근육을 키우고 싶어서 (because I want to grow muscles) + 헬스장에 가요 (go to the gym).

다리 근육이 뭉쳤어요.

My leg muscles are knotted.

다리 근육 (leg muscle) + 이 (subject marker) + 뭉쳤어요 (became knotted/tense).

단백질은 근육에 좋아요.

Protein is good for muscles.

단백질 (protein) + 은 (topic) + 근육에 (to muscles) + 좋아요 (is good).

근육통 약이 있어요?

Do you have medicine for muscle pain?

근육통 (muscle pain) + 약 (medicine) + 이 (subject) + 있어요? (is there?)

매일 운동하면 근육이 생겨요.

If you exercise every day, muscles will form.

-면 (if) + 근육이 생겨요 (muscles appear/form).

그는 근육질 몸매를 가졌어요.

He has a muscular body.

근육질 (muscular) + 몸매 (body/physique) + 를 (object marker) + 가졌어요 (has/possessed).

스트레칭은 근육을 이완시켜요.

Stretching relaxes the muscles.

근육을 (muscle) + 이완시켜요 (causes to relax).

근육을 단련하는 것은 건강에 필수적입니다.

Training your muscles is essential for health.

근육을 단련하는 것 (the act of training muscles) + 은 (topic marker).

근육량을 늘리려면 식단 조절이 필요해요.

To increase muscle mass, diet control is necessary.

근육량 (muscle mass) + 을 (object) + 늘리려면 (if you want to increase).

갑자기 운동하면 근육이 놀랄 수 있어요.

If you exercise suddenly, your muscles might be shocked.

근육이 놀라다 (muscles are shocked/strained) + ㄹ 수 있어요 (can/might).

그의 등 근육은 정말 완벽해요.

His back muscles are truly perfect.

등 근육 (back muscle) + 은 (topic) + 완벽해요 (is perfect).

근육의 피로를 풀기 위해 마사지를 받아요.

I get a massage to relieve muscle fatigue.

근육의 피로 (muscle fatigue) + 를 (object) + 풀기 위해 (in order to relieve).

이 운동은 가슴 근육 강화에 효과적입니다.

This exercise is effective for strengthening chest muscles.

가슴 근육 강화 (chest muscle strengthening) + 에 (in/for) + 효과적입니다 (is effective).

마음의 근육을 키우는 것도 중요합니다.

Growing the muscles of the mind is also important.

마음의 근육 (metaphorical: mental strength).

근육이 수축하면서 힘이 생깁니다.

As the muscle contracts, power is generated.

근육이 수축하면서 (while the muscle contracts).

근육 손실을 방지하기 위해 단백질 보충제를 먹습니다.

I take protein supplements to prevent muscle loss.

근육 손실 (muscle loss) + 을 (object) + 방지하기 위해 (to prevent).

그 선수는 허벅지 근육 파열로 경기에 나가지 못했다.

The athlete could not play in the match due to a thigh muscle tear.

근육 파열 (muscle tear) + 로 (due to/by).

규칙적인 근력 운동은 기초 대사량을 높여줍니다.

Regular strength training increases your basal metabolic rate.

근력 운동 (strength/muscle exercise) + 은 (topic marker).

나이가 들수록 근육이 줄어드는 근감소증을 주의해야 합니다.

As you get older, you must be careful of sarcopenia, where muscles decrease.

근감소증 (sarcopenia/muscle loss disease).

그는 탄탄한 잔근육이 매력적인 배우입니다.

He is an actor whose firm lean muscles are attractive.

잔근육 (fine/lean muscles).

복근을 만들기 위해서는 체지방률을 낮춰야 합니다.

To make abs, you must lower your body fat percentage.

체지방률 (body fat percentage) + 을 (object) + 낮춰야 합니다 (must lower).

근육이 경직되지 않도록 수시로 스트레칭을 하세요.

Stretch frequently so that your muscles do not become stiff.

근육이 경직되다 (muscles become stiff/rigid).

이 기구는 특정 근육 부위를 고립시켜 운동하기 좋습니다.

This machine is good for isolating and exercising specific muscle areas.

특정 근육 부위 (specific muscle part) + 를 (object) + 고립시켜 (isolating).

근육의 미세한 떨림은 신경계의 문제일 수 있습니다.

Fine tremors in the muscles can be a problem with the nervous system.

근육의 미세한 떨림 (fine trembling of the muscle).

심장도 하나의 거대한 근육 조직으로 이루어져 있습니다.

The heart is also composed of one giant muscle tissue.

근육 조직 (muscle tissue) + 로 이루어져 있다 (is composed of).

근육 비대를 유도하기 위해서는 과부하 원칙이 적용되어야 한다.

In order to induce muscle hypertrophy, the principle of overload must be applied.

근육 비대 (muscle hypertrophy) + 를 (object) + 유도하기 위해 (to induce).

민주주의의 근육을 키우기 위해서는 시민의 참여가 필수적이다.

Citizen participation is essential to grow the muscle of democracy.

Metaphorical use of 'muscle' in a political context.

그의 논리는 근육질처럼 탄탄하고 빈틈이 없었다.

His logic was firm and flawless like a muscular physique.

Metaphorical use describing logic.

근육 세포 내의 미토콘드리아는 에너지를 생성하는 역할을 합니다.

Mitochondria within muscle cells play the role of generating energy.

근육 세포 (muscle cell).

장기간의 무중력 상태는 근육 위축을 초래할 수 있습니다.

Long-term weightlessness can cause muscle atrophy.

근육 위축 (muscle atrophy) + 을 (object) + 초래하다 (to cause/bring about).

그 소설가는 노동자들의 거친 근육을 통해 삶의 애환을 묘사했다.

The novelist depicted the joys and sorrows of life through the rough muscles of the workers.

Literary description of muscles.

근육의 수의적 조절 능력이 상실되는 희귀 질환입니다.

It is a rare disease where the ability for voluntary control of muscles is lost.

수의적 조절 능력 (voluntary control ability).

횡문근 융해증은 근육 세포의 괴사로 인해 발생합니다.

Rhabdomyolysis occurs due to the necrosis of muscle cells.

횡문근 융해증 (Rhabdomyolysis - highly technical term).

근육의 길항 작용을 이해하는 것이 운동 역학의 기초입니다.

Understanding the antagonistic action of muscles is the basis of exercise mechanics.

길항 작용 (antagonistic action).

이 정책은 집행할 수 있는 행정적 근육이 뒷받침되지 않아 실패했다.

This policy failed because it was not supported by the administrative muscle to execute it.

Advanced metaphorical use in administration.

근육 방추는 근육의 길이 변화를 감지하여 뇌로 전달합니다.

Muscle spindles detect changes in muscle length and transmit them to the brain.

근육 방추 (muscle spindle - technical).

신체의 모든 근육은 유기적으로 연결되어 협응하며 움직입니다.

All muscles in the body are organically connected and move in coordination.

협응하며 (coordinating).

그의 문체는 군더더기 없이 근육만 남은 듯 간결했다.

His writing style was concise, as if only the muscle remained without any fluff.

High-level literary metaphor.

미오신과 액틴의 결합에 의해 근육의 수축이 일어납니다.

Muscle contraction occurs through the binding of myosin and actin.

미오신 (myosin), 액틴 (actin) - biochemical terms.

Common Collocations

근육을 키우다

근육이 뭉치다

근육이 생기다

근육이 아프다

근육을 단련하다

근육이 탄탄하다

근육이 빠지다

근육을 이완하다

근육량이 적다

근육이 발달하다

Common Phrases

근육통이 심해요

— The muscle pain is severe. Used after intense exercise.

어제 스쿼트를 해서 근육통이 심해요.

잔근육이 많다

— To have lean, well-defined muscles. Often a compliment.

그는 몸이 슬림하지만 잔근육이 많아요.

근육질 몸매

— A muscular physique. Used to describe fit people.

근육질 몸매를 만들고 싶어요.

근육 이완제

— Muscle relaxant. Common in pharmacy contexts.

약국에서 근육 이완제를 샀어요.

근육이 터질 것 같다

— Muscles feel like they are going to burst. Used during a 'pump'.

운동을 너무 많이 해서 근육이 터질 것 같아요.

근육이 붙다

— Muscles are being added/gained. Natural way to say 'gain muscle'.

요즘 운동하니까 근육이 좀 붙었네.

얼굴 근육

— Facial muscles. Used in beauty or expression contexts.

얼굴 근육을 많이 쓰면 주름이 생겨요.

근육이 경직되다

— Muscles become stiff. Used for cramps or stress.

추운 곳에 있으면 근육이 경직돼요.

근육 강화 운동

— Muscle strengthening exercise.

노인들에게는 근육 강화 운동이 중요합니다.

근육을 풀다

— To loosen/relax muscles. Used for stretching or massage.

마사지로 근육을 풀어주세요.

Often Confused With

근육 vs 힘 (Strength)

힘 is the power you use; 근육 is the physical tissue.

근육 vs 살 (Flesh/Fat)

살 is general soft tissue or fat; 근육 is specific muscle tissue.

근육 vs 뼈 (Bone)

뼈 is the hard skeletal structure.

Idioms & Expressions

"마음의 근육"

— Mental resilience or emotional strength. Used in self-help contexts.

어려움을 겪으면서 마음의 근육이 커졌어요.

Metaphorical

"경제적 근육"

— Economic power or influence. Used in business news.

그 회사는 글로벌 시장에서 경제적 근육을 과시했다.

Formal/Metaphorical

"근육을 불리다"

— To expand power or size. Often used for organizations.

그 정당은 선거를 앞두고 세 근육을 불리고 있다.

Political/Metaphorical

"근육 자랑"

— Showing off one's strength or power. Can be literal or figurative.

그는 사람들 앞에서 근육 자랑을 했다.

Neutral

"잔근육이 붙다"

— To become toned. Specifically used for attractive, lean muscles.

수영을 하니까 몸에 잔근육이 붙었어요.

Informal

"근육이 없다"

— To lack power or influence in a specific situation.

우리는 이 협상에서 휘두를 근육이 없다.

Metaphorical

"근육을 쓰다"

— To exert effort or use physical force.

이 일은 근육을 많이 써야 해요.

Neutral

"근육이 놀라다"

— To strain a muscle suddenly. Literal but used as a set phrase.

갑자기 뛰면 근육이 놀라요.

Common

"근육이 울퉁불퉁하다"

— To be very buff/bulky. Describes uneven, large muscle surfaces.

그의 팔 근육이 울퉁불퉁해요.

Descriptive

"근육이 찢어지다"

— To have a muscle tear. Used medically and colloquially.

운동하다가 근육이 찢어지는 부상을 당했어요.

Neutral

Easily Confused

근육 vs 근력

Both relate to muscle.

근육 is the tissue; 근력 is the strength that tissue produces.

근육이 많으면 근력이 세요.

근육 vs 근성

Starts with '근'.

근성 means 'grit' or 'tenacity', not muscle.

그는 근성이 있는 사람이다.

근육 vs 근무

Starts with '근'.

근무 means 'work' or 'duty'.

지금 근무 중입니다.

근육 vs 육체

Ends with '육' (actually '체').

육체 means the whole 'physical body'.

육체와 정신은 연결되어 있다.

근육 vs 인대

Both are in the body.

인대 is a ligament, connecting bone to bone.

인대가 늘어났어요.

Sentence Patterns

N이/가 있어요

근육이 있어요.

V-아/어서 N이/가 아파요

운동해서 근육이 아파요.

N을/를 키우기 위해 V

근육을 키우기 위해 운동해요.

N이/가 뭉쳤을 때 N

근육이 뭉쳤을 때 마사지가 좋아요.

N은/는 N의 기초이다

근육은 체력의 기초이다.

N에 의한 N의 수축

신경 자극에 의한 근육의 수축.

N이/가 생겼어요

팔에 근육이 생겼어요.

N을/를 단련하다

다리 근육을 단련해요.

Word Family

Nouns

근육통 (Muscle pain)

근육량 (Muscle mass)

근육질 (Muscular build)

근육계 (Muscular system)

근육세포 (Muscle cell)

Verbs

근육화하다 (To muscularize)

근육을 키우다 (To grow muscle)

Adjectives

근육질의 (Muscular)

근육이 탄탄한 (Firm-muscled)

단백질 (Protein)

헬스 (Fitness/Gym)

운동 (Exercise)

힘 (Strength)

체력 (Stamina)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in health, fitness, and medical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '살' for muscle. → 근육
In Korean, '살' usually implies fat or just general flesh. To be positive about fitness, use '근육'.
Saying '근육을 아파요'. → 근육이 아파요.
'아프다' is an adjective, so the subject marker '-이' must be used.
Confusing '근육' with '힘'. → 힘 (for power)
Don't say 'I have no muscles' when you mean 'I have no strength to lift this'. Use '힘이 없어요'.
Pronouncing it 'Gun-yuk'. → Geun-yuk
The 'eu' sound is flat, not rounded like 'u' in gun.
Using '얻다' for gaining muscle. → 키우다 / 생기다
While 'gain' works in English, Koreans 'grow' or 'form' muscles.

Tips

Subject vs. Object

Use '근육이' when the muscle is doing something (like hurting or appearing) and '근육을' when you are doing something to the muscle (like training or relaxing it).

Body Profiles

The 'Body Profile' trend in Korea means many people are very knowledgeable about '근육'. Don't be surprised if they use technical terms in casual talk.

Compound Words

Learn '근육통' (pain) and '근육량' (mass) together. They are used more often than '근육' alone in health discussions.

The 'Ny' Sound

The 'ㄴ' in '근' and the '유' in '육' blend to sound like 'nyu'. Make sure you don't separate them too much.

At the Gym

If a trainer says '자극' (stimulation), they are asking if you feel your '근육' working.

Meat Muscle

Remember that '육' means meat (like in 고기/육류). Muscles are just 'meat' that moves! 'Geun-Yuk' is the movement meat.

Hell-chang

This slang for gym addicts comes from 'Health' (gym) + a derogatory suffix, but it's used jokingly now. Their favorite word is '근성장' (muscle growth).

Pharmacy Tip

If you have a knot in your muscle, ask for '근육 이완제' (muscle relaxant).

Describing Appearance

Instead of saying someone is 'big', say they have '탄탄한 근육' (firm muscles) to be more complimentary.

Variety Shows

Watch shows like 'Running Man' to hear '근육' used constantly in a playful way.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Geun' as 'Gun' (muscles are guns) and 'Yuk' as 'Yuck' (if you don't shower after using your muscles). 'Gun-Yuck' = 근육.

Visual Association

Imagine a person flexing their bicep while holding a piece of 'meat' (육). The bicep is the 'muscle' (근육).

Word Web

Body Strength Gym Protein Pain Movement Anatomy Flexing

Challenge

Go to a mirror, flex a muscle, and say '근육!' out loud three times. Then, find a heavy object and say '근육을 써요' (I use my muscles).

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) roots. '근' (筋) meaning tendon or muscle, and '육' (肉) meaning meat or flesh.

Original meaning: The 'meat' of the body that acts like a 'cord' (tendon).

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based Korean).

Cultural Context

Be careful when commenting on someone's '근육' unless you are in a fitness context, as it can be overly personal in formal settings.

English speakers often use 'muscle' for both the tissue and the power. Koreans use '근육' for the tissue and '힘' for the power.

Kim Jong-kook (Singer known as 'The Muscle Man') Physical: 100 (Netflix show focusing on muscles) Bicep emojis in Korean text culture

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Gym

근육을 키우고 싶어요.
근육이 펌핑됐어요.
근육에 자극이 와요.
근육이 터질 것 같아요.

At the Pharmacy

근육통 약 주세요.
근육 이완제 있어요?
근육이 너무 뭉쳤어요.
파스 좀 주세요.

Describing Someone

근육질이시네요.
잔근육이 멋있어요.
근육이 정말 탄탄해요.
운동선수처럼 근육이 많아요.

Health Class

근육은 단백질로 구성됩니다.
근육을 스트레칭하세요.
근육 손상을 조심하세요.
근육량이 중요합니다.

Daily Life

근육이 없어서 힘들어요.
근육이 생겼네!
근육 좀 봐!
근육이 아파서 못 가요.

Conversation Starters

"요즘 근육을 키우려고 운동하고 있어요. (I'm exercising lately to grow muscles.)"

"근육통이 있을 때는 어떻게 하세요? (What do you do when you have muscle pain?)"

"그 배우는 근육이 정말 멋있지 않나요? (Isn't that actor's muscles really cool?)"

"근육량을 늘리는 가장 좋은 방법이 뭘까요? (What is the best way to increase muscle mass?)"

"운동을 안 했더니 근육이 다 빠졌어요. (I haven't exercised, so all my muscles are gone.)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 운동을 하면서 어느 부위의 근육을 썼는지 써 보세요. (Write about which muscle parts you used during your workout today.)

근육질 몸매를 갖고 싶은 이유에 대해 적어 보세요. (Write about why you want to have a muscular body.)

근육통 때문에 힘들었던 경험이 있나요? (Have you ever had a hard time because of muscle pain?)

건강을 위해 근육이 왜 중요한지 생각해 보세요. (Think about why muscles are important for health.)

내가 가장 자신 있는 근육 부위는 어디인가요? (Which muscle part am I most confident in?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

근육 (Geun-yuk) refers to the physical muscle tissue in your body. 힘 (Him) refers to the strength or power that you exert. You can have big muscles (근육이 크다) and therefore have great strength (힘이 세다).

You can say '근육 경련이 일어났어요' or more simply '쥐가 났어요' (which specifically means a cramp/charley horse).

Yes, '근육' is used for any animal's muscle tissue, including the meat we eat (though we usually just call meat '고기').

Abs are called '복근' (Bok-geun), which is a shortening of '복부 근육' (abdominal muscles).

The most natural way is '근육이 뭉쳤어요' (Geun-yuk-i mung-cheot-eo-yo).

It means 'muscle loss'. It's a very popular word among Korean gym-goers who fear losing their hard-earned muscle mass.

Yes, you can use the metaphorical phrase '마음의 근육' (muscles of the heart/mind) to mean emotional resilience.

It is usually introduced at the A2 level because it's more specific than basic body parts like '팔' or '다리', but it's very useful for beginners.

You can use the noun '근육질' (Geun-yuk-jil) as in '근육질 남자' (muscular man) or '근육이 많다'.

In a fitness context, '키우다' (to grow) and '만들다' (to make) are the most common.