Common symptoms

❃ Common symptoms

저는 아파요. [ jeoneun apayo. ]: I'm sick.
몸이 안 좋아요. [ momi an joayo. ]: I don't feel well.
너무 아파요. [ neomu apayo ]: It hurts a lot.
좀 어지러워요. [ jom eojireowoyo. ]: I feel a bit dizzy.
열이 있어요. [ yeori isseoyo. ]: I have a fever.
기침이 나요. [ gichimi nayo ]: I'm coughing.
토했어요. [ tohaesseoyo ]: I threw up.
설사해요. [ seolsa haeyo. ]: I have diarrhea.
알레르기가 있어요. [ allerugiga isseoyo ]: I have an allergy.
피부에 발진이 있어요. [ pibue baljjini isseoyo. ]: I have a skin rash.
몸살이 났어요. [ momsari nasseoyo ]: My whole body aches.
감기에 걸렸어요. [ Gamgie geollyeosseoyo. ]: I caught a cold.
열이 나요. [ Yeori nayo. ]: I have a fever.
기침이 심해요. [ Gichimi simhaeyo. ]: I have a bad cough.
콧물이 나요. [ Kotmuri nayo. ]: I have a runny nose.
코가 막혔어요. [ Koga makhyeosseoyo. ]: My nose is stuffed up.
재채기가 나요. [ Jaechagiga nayo. ]: I keep sneezing.
가래가 나와요. [ Garaega nawayo. ]: I have phlegm.
체했어요. [ Chehaesseoyo. ]: I have indigestion.
소화가 안 돼요. [ Sohwaga an dwaeyo. ]: I can't digest well.
설사를 해요. [ Seolsareul haeyo. ]: I have diarrhea.
변비가 있어요. [ Byeonbiga isseoyo. ]: I have constipation.
토할 것 같아요. [ Tohal geot gatayo. ]: I feel like throwing up.
알레르기가 일어났어요. [ Allereugiga ireonasseoyo. ]: I am having an allergic reaction.
피부가 가려워요. [ Pibuga garyeowoyo. ]: My skin is itchy.
두드러기가 났어요. [ Dudeureogiga nasseoyo. ]: I broke out in hives.
상처가 났어요. [ Sangcheoga nasseoyo. ]: I have a wound / cut.
피가 나요. [ Piga nayo. ]: It's bleeding.
화상을 입었어요. [ Hwasangeul ibeosseoyo. ]: I got a burn.
모기에 물렸어요. [ Mogie mullyeosseoyo. ]: I got bitten by a mosquito.
벌레에 물렸어요. [ Beolle-e mullyeosseoyo. ]: I got a bug bite.

Cultural notes

When describing common symptoms in South Korea, you will quickly encounter a fascinating intersection of modern medicine and deeply ingrained cultural habits. Because the Korean diet is traditionally heavy in fermented, spicy, and fibrous foods, and the society operates under high-stress conditions, digestive issues are incredibly common. When a Korean person says 체했어요 (Chehaesseoyo), it translates roughly to "I have indigestion," but the cultural meaning is much more specific. It refers to the uncomfortable physical sensation of food being "stuck" in your chest or stomach, preventing energy from flowing. When this happens, a traditional and still widely practiced home remedy involves tying a thread tightly around the base of the thumb and using a sterilized needle to prick the tip of the thumb (손따기 - Sonttagi) to let out a drop of dark blood, which is believed to instantly relieve the blockage! For respiratory illnesses, if you say 감기에 걸렸어요 (Gamgie geollyeosseoyo - "I caught a cold") or 기침이 심해요 (Gichimi simhaeyo - "I have a bad cough"), you are culturally obligated to wear a face mask immediately. Long before the global pandemic, wearing a mask in South Korea out of consideration for others when you have the sniffles or a fever (열이 나요 - Yeori nayo) was an absolute baseline civic duty. Furthermore, calling in sick to work or school just for a common cold is heavily frowned upon in Korea's intense work culture. Instead, locals will go to the clinic for a quick vitamin IV drip, grab medication, wear their mask, and power through the day. Being able to explain your specific symptoms ensures you get the exact over-the-counter remedy you need.

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