Meaning and Usage
The Korean word '머리' primarily means 'head' referring to the physical part of the body. It also commonly refers to 'hair' on the head and metaphorically to 'thinking' or 'intelligence'.
Common Contexts
You will often hear '머리' in everyday situations such as describing pain (머리가 아프다 - to have a headache), grooming (머리를 감다 - to wash hair), or mental effort (머리를 쓰다 - to use one's brain).
Collocations and Patterns
- 머리가 아프다: to have a headache or be troubled
- 머리를 감다: to wash one's hair
- 머리를 쓰다: to think hard or use intelligence
Register and Usage Notes
'머리' is a neutral, commonly used noun suitable for all levels of formality. It appears frequently in both spoken and written Korean.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '머리' with '머리카락' which specifically means 'hair strands'. Use '머리' when referring to the head or hair in general, and '머리카락' when emphasizing individual hairs.