Key Facts
- Hangul: 코; Revised Romanization: ko
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: Native Korean
- Register: Neutral everyday word.
Nose in Korean: What Does 코 Mean?
코 means the nose, and it anchors several everyday words and phrases: 콧물 is a runny nose, 코피 is a nosebleed, and 코를 골다 is to snore.
Pronunciation
Say ko, one open syllable. A common slip is adding a final consonant or lengthening the vowel. Keep it short, with the lips rounded for ㅗ, and give ㅋ a clear puff of air.
Example Sentences with 코
코가 커요.
koga keoyo.
My nose is big.
코가 커요 describes a size. 커요 is the polite form of the adjective for big.
코가 막혔어요.
koga makyeosseoyo.
My nose is stuffed up.
The nose is stuffed: 막혔어요 comes from 막히다, to be blocked. This is the common cold complaint.
코를 풀었어요.
koreul pureosseoyo.
I blew my nose.
The past form 풀었어요 means blowing the nose, literally releasing what is blocked.
Phrases That Use 코
코가 막히다 is to have a stuffy nose, 코를 골다 is to snore, and 코피가 나다 is to have a nosebleed. Each uses 코 as the root.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 코가 막히다 | to have a stuffy nose |
| 코를 골다 | to snore |
| 코피가 나다 | to have a nosebleed |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: adding a consonant at the end, as in English "coat", or stretching the vowel into a long "koh".
Right: one short, open syllable, [ko].
코 Compared with Similar Words
콧물 is nasal mucus or a runny nose, while 코 is the nose itself. 냄새 is the smell that the nose detects.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 코 | nose | This page's word |
| 콧물 | runny nose / nasal mucus | 콧물 is nasal mucus; 코 is the nose itself. |
| 냄새 | smell | 냄새 is the smell that the nose detects. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
No hanja is listed. 코 is a native Korean word.
Asking for a Tissue
Two colleagues are sitting in an office. One needs a tissue and explains why.
Jiyun
휴지 있어요?
Hyuji isseoyo?
Do you have a tissue?
Daeho
네, 여기 있어요. 코가 막혔어요?
Ne, yeogi isseoyo. Koga makyeosseoyo?
Yes, here you go. Is your nose blocked?
Jiyun
아니요, 콧물이 나요.
Aniyo, konmuri nayo.
No, I have a runny nose.
Daeho
여기 더 있어요.
Yeogi deo isseoyo.
There are more here.
The question distinguishes a blocked nose from a runny nose. 콧물이 나요 literally describes nasal mucus coming out; it is the usual way to report that symptom. 휴지 can mean tissue or toilet paper, with the setting making the intended item clear.
Which Nose Phrase Describes Which Action?
코가 막히다 describes a nose being blocked. 코를 풀다 describes blowing it. The particles help keep the roles clear: 가 marks the nose whose condition is described, while 를 marks the object of the action. English says ‘blow’, but Korean uses 풀다 in this set phrase, not the ordinary verb for blowing air.
코를 골다 means to snore. It does not mean that the person deliberately makes a sound with their nose. In a conversation about sleep, this phrase describes the noise someone makes while asleep. 코피가 나다 uses the same ‘come out’ verb found with other bodily fluids: the whole expression means to have a nosebleed.
콧물 is nasal mucus; 콧물이 나요 describes having a runny nose. The written ㅅ inside 콧물 does not sound like an English s. The word is pronounced [콘물], and the dialogue romanization konmul reflects that sound. Keep the spelling 콧물 when writing, even though the sound changes.
What Do Nose Idioms Mean?
코앞 literally means ‘in front of the nose’. It can refer to something immediately in front of you, but it also describes something very close in time. 시험이 코앞이다 means an exam is just around the corner. The exam is approaching; there is no physical object in front of someone’s face.
코가 높다 literally says someone’s nose is high. It can describe appearance, but figuratively it can suggest that someone is proud or haughty. A description of someone’s profile and a complaint about their attitude can therefore use the same words. The surrounding conversation tells you which meaning is intended.
Where Will You Hear 코?
At a pharmacy or clinic, 코가 막혔어요 and 콧물이 나요 report different symptoms. You can describe what you experience without naming a cause. In a conversation about appearance, 코가 커요 describes size, while 코가 높아요 can describe a prominent nose bridge. Comments on another person’s face can feel personal even when the grammar is polite.
In everyday speech, the owner of the body part is often left unstated. Someone requesting a tissue and mentioning 코 normally means their own nose. Adding ‘my’ is possible, but it is unnecessary when the situation already makes ownership clear.
코끝 means the tip of the nose, while 콧등 names the bridge. These words describe parts rather than symptoms. A description using 콧등 is more precise than 코 when someone points to the upper surface of the nose; neither word names nasal mucus.
Nearby Face Words
| Korean | Meaning | Useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| 얼굴 | face | The larger area containing the nose, eyes, and mouth. |
| 눈 | eye | Useful when describing more than one facial symptom. |
| 입 | mouth | Names a separate part of the face. |
| 콧구멍 | nostril | More precise than the whole nose. |
The body vocabulary lesson teaches the surrounding set. Use 코 for the whole nose and a more specific word when the exact part matters.
Quick Self-Test
- Which phrase means to blow your nose?
- What does 시험이 코앞이다 mean?
- How is 콧물 pronounced?
Show answers
- 코를 풀다.
- The exam is just around the corner.
- [콘물], while the spelling remains 콧물.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is nose in Korean?
It is 코 (ko).
How do I say I have a stuffy nose?
Say 코가 막혔어요.
What is snore in Korean?
It is 코를 골다.
What is a runny nose?
It is 콧물.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: body words groups 코 with its neighbours.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: the vocabulary flashcard decks take this word.
- Next in the list: shoulder.