Korean

edit

Alternative forms

edit

Etymology

edit

First attested in the Hunminjeong'eum eonhae (訓民正音諺解本 / 훈민정음언해본), 1446, as Middle Korean 닛므윰 (Yale: nismuyum). Equivalent to (i, tooth) +‎ (-s-, genitive case) +‎ (mom, an unknown element, not (mom, body, flesh)).

Pronunciation

edit
Romanizations
Revised Romanization?inmom
Revised Romanization (translit.)?ismom
McCune–Reischauer?inmom
Yale Romanization?ismom

Noun

edit

잇몸 (inmom)

  1. (anatomy) gum (flesh around the necks of teeth)
    이가 없으면 잇몸으로 산다.
    Iga eopseumyeon inmomeuro sanda.
    Make do with what you have.
    (literally, “When people do not have teeth, they can still live with their gums.”)

Synonyms

edit

Derived terms

edit