Definition
A structure built over water or a gap so people or vehicles can cross it; also the word for "leg" (body part).
Example
우리는 강 위의 다리를 건넜다.
Show translation
We crossed the bridge over the river.
Etymology
Native Korean word (고유어, *goyueo*). The same form 다리 covers both "bridge" and "leg," making it a classic example of Korean homonymy resolved entirely by context. The "bridge" sense likely derives from the idea of a structure that connects — just as legs connect the body to the ground.
Cultural note
Seoul is famous for its 31+ bridges spanning the Han River (한강, *Hangang*). The most iconic, 한강대교 (*Hangang Daegyo*), has appeared in countless K-dramas and films. When Koreans say "다리를 놓다" (literally "lay a bridge"), it idiomatically means to mediate or connect two people — a common expression in social and business contexts. Be careful: 다리 (bridge/leg) sounds identical to 달이 (*dari*, archaic poetic form of "month/moon"), so pitch accent and context matter.