Korean · Body & Health
"Back" in Korean: 등
등deung
Back in Korean is 등 (deung). 등 is the back of the upper body; 허리 refers to the waist or lower back more specifically.
Explaining pain
등이 아파요.deungi apayo.
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How to pronounce 등
Say it
deung
/tɯŋ/
등 (deung) has 1 Hangul syllable. 등 ends with a nasal ng sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
"Back" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 등deung | Back Basic dictionary noun. | Basic dictionary noun. |
| 등 부위deung buwi | back area A useful combination with 등. | A useful combination with 등. |
| 등을deungeul | Back (as an object) Use 을 when 등 is the object of an action. | Use 을 when 등 is the object of an action. |
How to use 등 in real life
- 1Explaining pain
등이 아파요.
deungi apayo.
My back hurts.
등이 marks 등 as the subject.
- 2Describing movement
등을 움직일 수 있어요?
deungeul umjigil su isseoyo?
Can you move your back?
등을 uses 을 to mark an object.
- 3Avoiding injury
등을 조심하세요.
deungeul josimhaseyo.
Be careful with your back.
등을 uses 을 to mark an object.
Mistakes English speakers make with 등
Incorrect: 등가 아파요.
Correct: 등이 아파요.
When practicing back, use the correct particle or copula after 등; the final sound determines whether a linking consonant is needed.
Incorrect: 등예요.
Correct: 등이에요.
When practicing back, when identifying something as 등, use 등이에요. The linking 이 follows a consonant-final noun.
Good to know
등 is the back of the upper body; 허리 refers to the waist or lower back more specifically. The combination 등 부위 (deung buwi) means back area.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led body and health study exercise: two sentences with 등
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
등이 아파요.
deungi apayo.
My back hurts.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
등을 움직일 수 있어요?
deungeul umjigil su isseoyo?
Can you move your back?
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Back" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Back" in Korean
What does 등 mean in Korean?
Back in Korean is 등 (deung). 등 is the back of the upper body; 허리 refers to the waist or lower back more specifically.
How do I use 등 부위?
등 부위 (deung buwi) means back area. 등 is the back of the upper body; 허리 refers to the waist or lower back more specifically.
Which object particle goes after 등?
The object form is 등을 because 등 ends in a consonant.
How is 등 pronounced?
등 (deung) has 1 Hangul syllable. 등 ends with a nasal ng sound. Keep that ending when reading the noun alone.
Use these words in a conversation
Find useful phrases for a situation, learn what to say back, and rehearse your part with revealable sample answers.
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