Dictionary — Entry No. 0968
어깨
eokkae · noun
어깨
eokkae
[UH-KAE]
nounbeginner
Meaning
The shoulder; the joint connecting arm and torso. Heavily metaphorical in Korean culture, representing support, reliance, comfort, and emotional dependency.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
‘Lean on my shoulder’ is iconic K-Drama line indicating romantic/emotional commitment. K-Pop songs frequently metaphorically invoke shoulders for support. Physical shoulder touching in dramas signals emotional breakthrough.
Example Sentences
넌 내 어깨에 기대도 돼
neon nae eokkae-e gi-dae-do dwae
You’re allowed to lean on my shoulder (romantic/emotional commitment)
어깨가 무거워
eokkae-ga mugeo-weo
My shoulders are heavy (carrying emotional burden, responsibility)
어깨를 토닥여 주자
eokkae-reul todag-yeo ju-ja
Let me pat your shoulder (offering comfort, consolation)
⚠️ Don’t use eokkae when…
Almost never used literally for anatomy—always check context for metaphorical meaning. ‘Heavy shoulders’ = emotional burden, not physical weight.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Crash Landing on You — iconic scene of Se-ri crying on Ri Jeong-hyeok’s shoulder marks emotional turning point
- K-Pop: NewJeans ‘Super Shy’ — shoulder choreography emphasizes trust and support between members
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.