Achoo! to Aigoo: Your Guide to Sick-Day Korean
Hello! This is [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever felt sick while in Korea but didn’t know how to explain it? It can be frustrating! Today, we’re going to learn some essential Korean phrases to describe when you’re not feeling well. These days in Korea, the seasons are changing, and many people are catching colds. So, this is the perfect time to learn how to say, “I’m feeling under the weather!” Let’s get started!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are three key phrases to help you explain your symptoms like a native speaker.
1. 몸살이 났어요 (Momsal-i nass-eoyo)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Momsal-i nass-eoyo
* English Meaning: I have body aches / I feel sick all over.
* Detailed Explanation: This is a very common and useful phrase! “몸살 (Momsal)” isn’t just a simple muscle pain. It describes that overall sick feeling you get with a bad cold or the flu—fatigue, weakness, and aches all over your body. It’s the perfect expression when you feel completely run down. You can use this with friends, teachers, or at a doctor’s office.
2. 열이 나요 (Yeor-i nayo)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Yeor-i nayo
* English Meaning: I have a fever.
* Detailed Explanation: “열 (Yeol)” means ‘fever’ or ‘heat’, and “나요 (nayo)” means ‘to occur’ or ‘to come out’. Together, this is the most natural way to say you have a fever. It’s a simple and direct phrase that everyone will understand.
3. 머리가 아파요 (Meori-ga apayo)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Meori-ga apayo
* English Meaning: I have a headache.
* Detailed Explanation: This is a great pattern to learn! “머리 (Meori)” means ‘head’, and “아파요 (apayo)” means ‘it hurts’ or ‘is painful’. You can swap “머리” with other body parts! For example:
* 배가 아파요 (Bae-ga apayo) = I have a stomachache.
* 목이 아파요 (Mog-i apayo) = I have a sore throat.
4. 푹 쉬세요 (Puk swiseyo)
* Pronunciation [Romanized]: Puk swi-se-yo
* English Meaning: Get plenty of rest. / Rest well.
* Detailed Explanation: This is what you say to someone who is sick. “쉬세요 (Swiseyo)” means “please rest,” and the word “푹 (Puk)” adds the feeling of ‘deeply’ or ‘completely’. It’s a very warm and caring expression to use for a friend or colleague.
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation. Imagine two friends, Lisa and Minjun, are talking.
- A (Lisa): 민준 씨, 얼굴이 안 좋아요. 괜찮아요?
(Minjun, you don’t look well. Are you okay?) - B (Minjun): 네, 좀… 몸살이 났어요.
(Yeah, a little… I have body aches.) - A (Lisa): 어떡해요! 요즘 날씨 때문에 그런가 봐요. 열이 나요?
(Oh no! It must be because of the weather lately. Do you have a fever?) - B (Minjun): 네, 그리고 머리도 아파요.
(Yes, and I have a headache, too.) - A (Lisa): 그럼 빨리 집에 가서 푹 쉬세요.
(Then you should go home quickly and get plenty of rest.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, the time when seasons change, called “환절기 (hwanjeolgi)”, is famous for being a time when many people get sick. You’ll hear this word a lot in the spring and autumn.
During this time, Koreans often show their care by saying things like “감기 조심하세요! (Gamgi josimhaseyo!)” which means “Be careful not to catch a cold!” If you tell a Korean friend “몸살이 났어요,” don’t be surprised if they recommend drinking warm ginger tea (생강차, saenggangcha) or even eating hot ginseng chicken soup (삼계탕, samgyetang) to feel better. Knowing the word “환절기” and showing concern for others’ health will make you sound just like a local!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! You learned how to say you have body aches, a fever, a headache, and how to wish someone a good rest. Now you can confidently explain your symptoms in Korean.
Time for a quick quiz!
- Fill in the blank: If you have a headache, you can say: “_______이/가 아파요.”
- Your turn! Your friend tells you, “열이 나고 머리가 아파요.” (I have a fever and a headache). What warm and caring phrase can you say to them?
Leave your answers in the comments below using the expressions we learned today. I’ll check them for you!
Stay healthy, and see you in the next lesson
