Massage guns have become popular tools for muscle recovery and relaxation worldwide, including in Korea. This guide covers the essential Korean term for “massage gun” and related vocabulary and phrases you might need when discussing or using one, whether for personal use or when talking about fitness and wellness in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 마사지건
Pronunciation: ma-sa-ji-geon
Meaning: Massage gun (This is a direct phonetic borrowing combined with ‘gun’)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 근육
Pronunciation: geun-yuk
Meaning: Muscle -
Expression: 통증
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung
Meaning: Pain, ache -
Expression: 근육통
Pronunciation: geun-yuk-tong
Meaning: Muscle pain, soreness -
Expression: 회복
Pronunciation: hoe-bok
Meaning: Recovery -
Expression: 이완
Pronunciation: i-wan
Meaning: Relaxation (of muscles) -
Expression: 진동
Pronunciation: jin-dong
Meaning: Vibration -
Expression: 강도
Pronunciation: gang-do
Meaning: Intensity, strength -
Expression: 속도
Pronunciation: sok-do
Meaning: Speed -
Expression: 충전
Pronunciation: chung-jeon
Meaning: Charging (battery) -
Expression: 헤드 / 팁
Pronunciation: he-deu / tip
Meaning: Head / Tip (attachments for the massage gun) -
Expression: 휴대용
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-yong
Meaning: Portable -
Expression: 운동
Pronunciation: un-dong
Meaning: Exercise, workout
Using a Massage Gun
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Expression: 마사지건을 사용하다
Pronunciation: ma-sa-ji-geon-eul sa-yong-ha-da
Meaning: To use a massage gun -
Expression: 전원을 켜다
Pronunciation: jeon-won-eul kyeo-da
Meaning: To turn on the power -
Expression: 전원을 끄다
Pronunciation: jeon-won-eul kkeu-da
Meaning: To turn off the power -
Expression: 강도를 조절하다
Pronunciation: gang-do-reul jo-jeol-ha-da
Meaning: To adjust the intensity -
Expression: 속도를 바꾸다
Pronunciation: sok-do-reul ba-kku-da
Meaning: To change the speed -
Expression: 헤드를 교체하다
Pronunciation: he-deu-reul gyo-che-ha-da
Meaning: To change the head/tip -
Expression: 근육에 대고 마사지하다
Pronunciation: geun-yuk-e dae-go ma-sa-ji-ha-da
Meaning: To massage by placing it against the muscle -
Expression: 뭉친 근육을 풀어주다
Pronunciation: mung-chin geun-yuk-eul pul-eo-ju-da
Meaning: To loosen up tight/knotted muscles -
Expression: 운동 후에 사용하다
Pronunciation: un-dong hu-e sa-yong-ha-da
Meaning: To use after exercising -
Expression: 너무 세게 누르지 마세요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu se-ge nu-reu-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Don’t press too hard. -
Expression: 특정 부위에 집중하다
Pronunciation: teuk-jeong bu-wi-e jip-jung-ha-da
Meaning: To focus on a specific area -
Expression: 배터리를 충전해야 해요.
Pronunciation: bae-teo-ri-reul chung-jeon-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to charge the battery.
Describing Effects and Sensations
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Expression: 근육이 풀리는 느낌이에요.
Pronunciation: geun-yuk-i pul-li-neun neu-kkim-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It feels like my muscles are loosening up. -
Expression: 정말 시원해요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal si-won-hae-yo.
Meaning: It feels really refreshing / good. -
Expression: 근육통이 완화되었어요.
Pronunciation: geun-yuk-tong-i wan-hwa-doe-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My muscle pain has been relieved. -
Expression: 몸이 가벼워진 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: mom-i ga-byeo-wo-jin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I feel like my body has become lighter. -
Expression: 진동이 꽤 강해요.
Pronunciation: jin-dong-i kkwae gang-hae-yo.
Meaning: The vibration is quite strong. -
Expression: 처음에는 조금 아팠어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum-e-neun jo-geum a-pa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It hurt a little at first. -
Expression: 어깨 결림에 좋아요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae gyeol-lim-e jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s good for shoulder stiffness. -
Expression: 다리가 뻐근했는데 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: da-ri-ga ppeo-geun-haet-neun-de do-um-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: My legs were stiff, but this helps. -
Expression: 혈액순환에 좋은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: hyeol-aek-sun-hwan-e jo-eun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think it’s good for blood circulation. -
Expression: 피로 회복에 효과적이에요.
Pronunciation: pi-ro hoe-bok-e hyo-gwa-jeok-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s effective for fatigue recovery. -
Expression: 이 부위는 좀 민감해요.
Pronunciation: i bu-wi-neun jom min-gam-hae-yo.
Meaning: This area is a bit sensitive. -
Expression: 사용하고 나니 훨씬 편안해요.
Pronunciation: sa-yong-ha-go na-ni hwol-ssin pyeon-an-hae-yo.
Meaning: I feel much more comfortable after using it.
Cultural Tips
In Korea, there’s a strong emphasis on health and wellness. Massage guns (마사지건) fit well into this trend, often seen as tools for self-care (셀프 케어 – sel-peu ke-eo) and managing the stresses of a fast-paced life.
While professional massages are popular, tools like massage guns offer a convenient and private way to address muscle soreness, especially after workouts (운동 – un-dong) or long hours at work. They are commonly available online and in electronics stores.
Discussing fitness gadgets and recovery methods is quite common among younger generations and fitness enthusiasts. Knowing the term 마사지건 can be useful in conversations about exercise routines, dealing with muscle pain (근육통 – geun-yuk-tong), or general well-being.
Gifting health-related items, including massage devices, is also quite common in Korea, reflecting the cultural value placed on taking care of one’s health and the health of loved ones.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun and Sora, are talking after a workout session at the gym.
Roles:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 아, 오늘 운동 너무 힘들었다. 다리가 완전 뻐근해.
Pronunciation: A: a, o-neul un-dong neo-mu him-deul-eot-da. da-ri-ga wan-jeon ppeo-geun-hae.
Meaning: A: Ah, today’s workout was so tough. My legs are totally stiff. -
Expression: B: 나도. 특히 하체 운동하고 나면 다음 날 근육통 장난 아니야.
Pronunciation: B: na-do. teu-ki ha-che un-dong-ha-go na-myeon da-eum nal geun-yuk-tong jang-nan a-ni-ya.
Meaning: B: Me too. Especially after leg day, the muscle soreness the next day is no joke. -
Expression: A: 맞아. 집에 가서 스트레칭 꼭 해야겠다.
Pronunciation: A: ma-ja. jib-e ga-seo seu-teu-re-ching kkok hae-ya-get-da.
Meaning: A: Right. I definitely need to stretch when I get home. -
Expression: B: 나는 요즘 마사지건 쓰는데, 진짜 시원해. 근육 푸는 데 최고야.
Pronunciation: B: na-neun yo-jeum ma-sa-ji-geon sseu-neun-de, jin-jja si-won-hae. geun-yuk pu-neun de choe-go-ya.
Meaning: B: I’ve been using a massage gun lately, and it feels really good. It’s the best for loosening muscles. -
Expression: A: 오, 마사지건? 그거 효과 좋아? 나도 하나 살까 고민 중인데.
Pronunciation: A: o, ma-sa-ji-geon? geu-geo hyo-gwa jo-a? na-do ha-na sal-kka go-min jung-in-de.
Meaning: A: Oh, a massage gun? Is it really effective? I’ve been thinking about buying one too. -
Expression: B: 응, 나는 완전 만족해. 운동 후에 사용하면 다음 날 훨씬 덜 아파. 강도 조절도 되고.
Pronunciation: B: eung, na-neun wan-jeon man-jok-hae. un-dong hu-e sa-yong-ha-myeon da-eum nal hwol-ssin deol a-pa. gang-do jo-jeol-do doe-go.
Meaning: B: Yeah, I’m totally satisfied with it. If you use it after exercising, you hurt much less the next day. You can adjust the intensity too. -
Expression: A: 그래? 어떤 모델 쓰는데? 추천 좀 해줘.
Pronunciation: A: geu-rae? eo-tteon mo-del sseu-neun-de? chu-cheon jom hae-jwo.
Meaning: A: Really? Which model do you use? Give me a recommendation. -
Expression: B: 알았어. 내가 쓰는 거 링크 보내줄게. 휴대용이라 편해.
Pronunciation: B: al-a-sseo. nae-ga sseu-neun geo ling-keu bo-nae-jul-ge. hyu-dae-yong-i-ra pyeon-hae.
Meaning: B: Okay. I’ll send you the link for the one I use. It’s portable, so it’s convenient.
Practice Tips
Now that you know how to say “massage gun” (마사지건) and related phrases, try using them! You can practice by describing your own muscle soreness after exercise or talking about self-care routines~!
Try saying sentences like “운동 후에 마사지건을 사용해요” (un-dong hu-e ma-sa-ji-geon-eul sa-yong-hae-yo – I use a massage gun after exercising) or “이 마사지건은 진동이 강해요” (i ma-sa-ji-geon-eun jin-dong-i gang-hae-yo – This massage gun has strong vibration). The more you practice, the more natural these expressions will become. Keep up the great work!
