Korean · Body & Health
"Sick" in Korean: 아프다
아프다apeuda
Sick in Korean is 아프다 (apeuda). 아프다 can mean sick or hurt; place a body part before it to specify pain.
Sick: an everyday statement
오늘 몸이 아파요.oneul momi apayo.
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How to pronounce 아프다
Say it
apeuda
/apʰɯta/
Read 아프다 as apeuda. The spoken form 아파요 is apayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"Sick" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 아프다apeuda | Sick Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 아파요apayo | Sick (polite present) Use 아파요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 아파요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 아팠어요apasseoyo | Sick (polite past) Use 아팠어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 아팠어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 아프다 in real life
- 1Sick: an everyday statement
오늘 몸이 아파요.
oneul momi apayo.
I am sick today.
아파요 is the present form of 아프다.
- 2Sick: a different situation
어제는 머리가 아팠어요.
eojeneun meoriga apasseoyo.
My head hurt yesterday.
아팠어요 is the past form of 아프다.
- 3Sick: a question or request
어디가 아파요?
eodiga apayo?
Where does it hurt?
아파요 is the present form of 아프다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 아프다
Incorrect: 아프다.
Correct: 아파요.
When practicing sick, 아프다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 아파요.
Incorrect: 어제 아파요.
Correct: 어제 아팠어요.
When practicing sick, for a completed event yesterday, use 아팠어요; the present form 아파요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
아프다 can mean sick or hurt; place a body part before it to specify pain. 아파요 is the polite conversational form of 아프다; 아팠어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led body and health study exercise: two sentences with 아프다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
오늘 몸이 아파요.
oneul momi apayo.
I am sick today.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제는 머리가 아팠어요.
eojeneun meoriga apasseoyo.
My head hurt yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"Sick" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Sick" in Korean
How do I use 아프다 in polite speech?
아파요 is the polite conversational form of 아프다; 아팠어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 아프다 in a past-tense sentence?
아팠어요 is the polite past form. 아프다 can mean sick or hurt; place a body part before it to specify pain.
What does 아파요 mean here?
아파요 is used for sick. For example, 오늘 몸이 아파요. means “I am sick today.”
What should I remember about 아프다?
아프다 can mean sick or hurt; place a body part before it to specify pain.
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