What it means
씨름 is Korea's traditional form of wrestling — two competitors grip each other's cloth belt (샅바/satba) and try to throw each other to the ground. A national sport with deep cultural roots.
Nuance & when to use
씨름 is often compared to sumo but is distinctly Korean. 천하장사 = the grand champion of the national ssireum competition. 씨름판 = ssireum arena. Featured in traditional Korean festivals (추석, 설날) and recent K-drama period pieces. Making a comeback in modern Korean sports culture.
⚠ Common mistake
씨름 ≠ 유도 (judo). They're different sports with different rules. 씨름 is uniquely Korean with the 샅바 belt grip.
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
씨름 is often compared to sumo but is distinctly Korean. 천하장사 = the grand champion of the national ssireum competition. 씨름판 = ssireum arena. Featured in traditional Korean festivals (추석, 설날) and recent K-drama period pieces. Making a comeback in modern Korean sports culture.
What's a common mistake?
씨름 ≠ 유도 (judo). They're different sports with different rules. 씨름 is uniquely Korean with the 샅바 belt grip.
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