General health

❃ General health

몸이 안 좋아요. [ Momi an joayo. ]: I don't feel well.
피곤해요. [ Pigonhaeyo. ]: I am tired.
기운이 없어요. [ Giuni eopseoyo. ]: I have no energy.
컨디션이 안 좋아요. [ Keondisyeoni an joayo. ]: My condition is bad.
좀 쉬어야겠어요. [ Jom swieoyagesseoyo. ]: I need to get some rest.
어지러워요. [ Eojireowoyo. ]: I feel dizzy.
속이 안 좋아요. [ Sogi an joayo. ]: My stomach feels bad / I feel nauseous.
입맛이 없어요. [ Immasi eopseoyo. ]: I have no appetite.
잠을 못 잤어요. [ Jameul mot jasseoyo. ]: I couldn't sleep.
스트레스를 많이 받았어요. [ Seuteureseureul mani badasseoyo. ]: I have a lot of stress.
몸이 으슬으슬 추워요. [ Momi euseureuseul chuwoyo. ]: I have the chills.
식은땀이 나요. [ Sigeunttami nayo. ]: I am in a cold sweat.
얼굴이 창백해요. [ Eolguri changbaekhaeyo. ]: You look pale.
무리하지 마세요. [ Murihaji maseyo. ]: Don't overdo it.
빨리 나으세요. [ Ppalli naeuseyo. ]: Get well soon.

Cultural notes

In South Korea, discussing one's general health and physical fatigue is a highly common cultural bonding experience, stemming from a society known for its intense work ethics and long study hours. If you are feeling unwell or exhausted, you will frequently hear or use the loanword "Condition" (컨디션 - Keondisyeon). While in English this word can mean many things, in Korea, it specifically refers to your overall physical and mental state for the day. If someone says 컨디션이 안 좋아요 (Keondisyeoni an joayo - "My condition is bad"), it means they feel under the weather, deeply fatigued, or are coming down with a bug. Because the national culture demands high performance, expressing fatigue (피곤해요 - Pigonhaeyo / "I am tired") or stress (스트레스 - Seuteureseu) is met with profound collective empathy. Friends or colleagues will immediately tell you 무리하지 마세요 (Murihaji maseyo - "Don't overdo it" or "Don't push yourself too hard"). Furthermore, Koreans are highly attuned to changes in body temperature. A very specific and uniquely Korean physical sensation is described by the phrase 몸이 으슬으슬 추워요 (Momi euseureuseul chuwoyo). There is no exact English equivalent, but it perfectly captures that specific, bone-deep body chill and shivering you feel right before a bad cold or flu hits you. When Koreans feel this specific chill, they don't just ignore it; they actively seek out hot stews, turn up the underfloor heating (Ondol), or visit a pharmacy to nip the illness in the bud. Being able to articulate these specific states of fatigue and subtle bodily sensations will not only help you get the right medicine but will also instantly connect you with the locals on a deeply empathetic level.

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