Korean slang profile
득근
deukgeun
Gaining muscle
A slang expression meaning to gain muscle.
- Expanded form
- Not documented
- Other spellings
- —
- Earliest source found
- Jul 23, 2021
- Documented trend period
- Not verified
This is the earliest source we have verified, not the date the term was coined.
01Examples, with English translations
- Example by Julimmal
오늘도 득근하러 헬스장 간다.
I'm heading to the gym to build some muscle again today.
- Quoted from a source
짱구가 액션가면처럼 ‘득근’(得筋·근육을 얻는다는 뜻의 은어)할 수 있는 단백질 음료(프로틴)를 만들어 냈습니다.[2]
Crayon Shin-chan has created a protein drink (protein) that can do ‘득근’ (slang for gaining muscle) like an action mask.
English translation by Julimmal.
02Documented history
03Origin & word formation
Where the expression originated has not been verified. The 2023 source from Dong-A Ilbo only explains the meaning.
Evidence for the origin explanationLow
The meaning is supported, but the sources do not explain how the expression was formed.
04Sources
Original titles and links are preserved. An English translation does not replace the original source.
- “이번 휴가, 근육 만들러 가요” MZ세대 스포츠케이션 붐 (동아일보)Published Jul 23, 2021Original source checked Nov 5, 2026
- 어릴 적 추억 솔솔, 90년대생 자극하는 캐릭터 제품들 (동아일보)Published Sep 6, 2023Original source checked Nov 5, 2026