울렁거리다 in 30 Sekunden
- Used for physical nausea and motion sickness.
- Used for emotional nervousness or fluttering heart.
- Implies a repetitive, wavy, churning sensation.
- Commonly paired with '속' (stomach) or '가슴' (chest).
The Korean verb 울렁거리다 (ulleong-georida) is a fascinating and evocative word that captures a specific physical and emotional sensation. At its core, it describes a repetitive, wavy, or churning movement. When applied to the human body, it most commonly refers to the feeling of nausea or a queasy stomach. Imagine the sensation of being on a boat in rough waters; that internal rising and falling, the instability of the stomach, is perfectly encapsulated by this word. However, 울렁거리다 is not limited to just physical sickness. It is also frequently used to describe the fluttering or thumping of the heart when one is extremely nervous, anxious, or even excited. This dual nature makes it a vital word for expressing internal discomfort, whether caused by a bumpy bus ride, a bad piece of seafood, or the prospect of standing on a stage in front of a thousand people.
- Physical Nausea
- This is the most literal application. It describes the stomach churning due to motion sickness (멀미), indigestion, or pregnancy. It is the feeling that one might vomit soon.
- Emotional Agitation
- When your heart 'leaps' or 'thumps' because of stage fright or meeting someone you like, Koreans use this word to describe that rhythmic, unsettled feeling in the chest.
- Visual Movement
- Less commonly, it can describe the visual shimmering or undulating of water or heat waves, though other words like 일렁이다 are more specific for that context.
배를 탔더니 속이 울렁거리다. (After getting on the boat, my stomach feels nauseous.)
발표를 앞두고 가슴이 울렁거리다. (My heart is thumping/fluttering ahead of the presentation.)
In daily life, you will hear this word constantly in contexts involving travel. Korea's mountainous terrain leads to many winding roads, making motion sickness a common topic. If you are in a taxi and feel sick, saying '속이 울렁거려요' (sogi ulleong-georyeoyo) is the most natural way to let the driver know. Similarly, in the K-drama world, when a character is nervous about a confession, they might clutch their chest and describe it as 울렁거린다. It is a word that bridges the gap between the purely biological and the deeply emotional, providing a nuanced way to describe 'unsettled' states.
Using 울렁거리다 correctly requires understanding which body part is 'churning.' The two primary subjects used with this verb are 속 (sok - stomach/insides) and 가슴 (gaseum - chest/heart). Depending on which one you use, the meaning shifts from physical nausea to emotional nervousness. Grammatically, it functions as an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. You simply state that a part of you 'is' 울렁거리다.
- With '속' (Stomach)
- Use this for motion sickness, food poisoning, or hangovers. Example: '어제 술을 많이 마셔서 계속 속이 울렁거려요.' (I drank a lot yesterday, so my stomach keeps feeling nauseous.)
- With '가슴' (Chest)
- Use this for anxiety or excitement. Example: '시험 결과가 나올 때가 되니 가슴이 울렁거린다.' (Now that it's time for the exam results to come out, my heart is fluttering.)
차를 오래 타면 속이 울렁거리는 편이에요. (I tend to feel nauseous if I ride in a car for a long time.)
When speaking formally, such as to a doctor, you would say '속이 울렁거립니다' (sogi ulleong-georimnida). In casual settings with friends, '속이 울렁거려' (sogi ulleong-georyeo) is perfect. It is also often paired with the particle '-기 시작하다' to indicate the onset of the feeling: '갑자기 속이 울렁거리기 시작했어요' (Suddenly, my stomach started to feel nauseous). This emphasizes the change in state, which is common when motion sickness kicks in unexpectedly.
You will encounter 울렁거리다 in a variety of real-world scenarios in Korea. It is a staple of medical consultations, travel conversations, and emotional storytelling. Understanding the context helps in choosing the right nuance. For instance, in a pharmacy (약국), you might use it to describe why you need motion sickness medicine (멀미약). In a romantic drama, the protagonist might use it to describe the 'butterflies' they feel when their crush approaches. It is a word that captures the physical manifestation of internal states.
- In a Pharmacy
- '배멀미 때문에 속이 울렁거려요. 약 좀 주세요.' (My stomach is nauseous because of seasickness. Please give me some medicine.)
- Before a Big Event
- '무대 위에 올라가기 전에 가슴이 너무 울렁거렸어요.' (Before going up on stage, my heart was thumping so much.)
비행기가 흔들리자 속이 울렁거리기 시작했다. (As the plane shook, my stomach began to feel nauseous.)
Another common place to hear this is in the context of 'hangover soup' (해장국) culture. After a night of heavy drinking, a common complaint is '속이 울렁거려서 아무것도 못 먹겠어' (My stomach is so queasy I can't eat anything). This specific usage highlights the word's role in expressing the physical aftermath of overindulgence. It is also used in literature to describe the shimmering of the sea or the hazy air on a hot day, adding a poetic layer to its everyday utility.
While 울렁거리다 is a common word, learners often confuse it with other terms that describe stomach discomfort or nervousness. The most frequent mistake is using it for sharp pain. 울렁거리다 is about a churning, wavy sensation, not a stabbing or burning pain. For sharp pain, you should use '아프다' (to be painful) or '쓰리다' (to be stinging/burning, often used for heartburn). Another mistake is confusing it with '메스껍다', which is very similar but specifically focuses on the urge to vomit.
- Mistaking Pain for Nausea
- Don't say '속이 울렁거려요' if you have a stomach ache from hunger or a cramp. Use '배가 아파요' instead.
- Confusing with '두근거리다'
- While both describe a fast heartbeat, 두근거리다 is usually more positive (excitement) or neutral, whereas 울렁거리다 often implies a sense of unease or being 'unsettled.'
Wrong: 배가 고파서 속이 울렁거려요. (My stomach is churning because I'm hungry.) - Correct: 배가 고파서 속이 쓰려요.
Lastly, be careful with the spelling. It is 울렁거리다, not 울렁거리다 (with different vowels). Because Korean has many mimetic words (의태어), getting the vowels right is crucial for the word to sound natural. If you mispronounce the vowels, a Korean speaker might still understand you through context, but the specific 'wavy' imagery of the word will be lost. Practice the 'u' and 'eo' sounds to ensure you are conveying the right feeling of nausea or nervousness.
Korean is rich in words that describe physical sensations. Depending on the intensity or the specific feeling, you might want to use a different word than 울렁거리다. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker. For example, if the nausea is very intense and you feel like you are about to throw up right now, '메스껍다' or '구역질이 나다' might be more appropriate. If your heart is beating fast but in a more rhythmic, 'thumping' way, '두근거리다' is the go-to word.
- 메스껍다 (Meseukgeopda)
- This specifically means 'to feel nauseated' or 'to feel like vomiting.' It is slightly more medical or focused purely on the stomach than 울렁거리다.
- 두근거리다 (Dugeun-georida)
- This is the sound/feeling of a heart beating (thump-thump). It is used for excitement, love, or mild nervousness, whereas 울렁거리다 is for a more 'unsettled' or 'churning' heart.
- 일렁이다 (Illeong-ida)
- Used primarily for external things like waves or flames swaying or flickering. It shares the same root imagery of 'wavy motion' but is rarely used for the body.
속이 메스꺼워서 음식을 못 보겠어요. (I feel so nauseous I can't look at food.)
In formal writing or literature, you might also see '요동치다' (to fluctuate/surge) to describe a heart that is beating wildly. However, for everyday conversation about feeling sick or nervous, 울렁거리다 remains the most versatile and commonly used term. By mastering these alternatives, you can precisely describe whether you are simply excited (두근두근), slightly nauseous (울렁울렁), or seriously sick (메슥메슥).
How Formal Is It?
Wusstest du?
Korean has many 'vowel harmony' pairs for mimetic words. '울렁' (ulleong) uses 'dark' vowels for large movements, while '올렁' (olleong) uses 'bright' vowels for smaller, lighter movements.
Aussprachehilfe
- Pronouncing 'u' like 'oo' in 'food'.
- Pronouncing 'eo' like 'o' in 'go'.
- Failing to double the 'l' sound (it's 'ul-leong', not 'u-leong').
- Making the 'r' sound too heavy like an English 'r'.
- Confusing the vowels between 'ul' and 'ol'.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Easy to recognize in context, though the mimetic root might be new.
Spelling the double 'l' and 'eo' correctly requires practice.
Getting the rhythm of mimetic words right is key to sounding native.
Very distinct sound, usually easy to pick out.
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Beispiele nach Niveau
속이 울렁거려요.
My stomach feels nauseous.
Simple present tense with the subject '속' (stomach).
배를 타면 속이 울렁거려요.
When I ride a boat, my stomach feels nauseous.
'-면' indicates a condition (when/if).
가슴이 울렁거려요.
My heart is thumping/fluttering.
Using '가슴' (chest) to indicate nervousness.
어제 속이 울렁거렸어요.
Yesterday, my stomach felt nauseous.
Past tense '울렁거렸다'.
차가 너무 울렁거려요.
The car is shaking/swaying too much.
Here it describes the motion of the car itself.
속이 울렁거려서 못 먹어요.
I can't eat because my stomach feels nauseous.
'-어서' indicates a reason (because).
우유를 마시면 속이 울렁거려요.
If I drink milk, my stomach feels queasy.
Common use for food sensitivity.
선생님, 속이 울렁거려요.
Teacher, I feel nauseous.
Polite '요' ending.
멀미 때문에 속이 자꾸 울렁거려요.
My stomach keeps feeling nauseous because of motion sickness.
'자꾸' adds the meaning of 'repeatedly'.
시험을 볼 때 가슴이 울렁거렸어요.
My heart was fluttering when I took the exam.
'-을 때' means 'when'.
속이 울렁거리면 이 약을 드세요.
If your stomach feels nauseous, take this medicine.
Imperative '-으세요' used with a condition.
갑자기 가슴이 울렁거리기 시작했어요.
Suddenly, my heart started to flutter.
'-기 시작하다' means 'start to'.
버스를 오래 타서 속이 울렁거려요.
I rode the bus for a long time, so I feel nauseous.
'-아서' showing cause and effect.
속이 울렁거릴 때는 매운 걸 피하세요.
When your stomach feels queasy, avoid spicy food.
'-을 때' used as a time clause.
그를 보자 가슴이 울렁거렸다.
As soon as I saw him, my heart fluttered.
'-자' indicates an immediate subsequent action.
울렁거리는 속을 달래려고 물을 마셨다.
I drank water to soothe my nauseous stomach.
'-려고' indicates purpose.
무대에 서니까 가슴이 울렁거려서 말을 못 하겠어요.
Since I'm standing on stage, my heart is fluttering so much I can't speak.
'-니까' shows the reason/discovery.
기름진 음식을 먹었더니 속이 계속 울렁거리네요.
I ate greasy food, and now my stomach keeps feeling queasy.
'-었더니' indicates a result of a past action.
그 소식을 듣는 순간 가슴이 울렁거리기 시작했다.
The moment I heard that news, my heart started to thump.
'~는 순간' means 'the moment that...'.
어지럽고 속이 울렁거리는 증상이 있어요.
I have symptoms of dizziness and a nauseous stomach.
Adjectival form '울렁거리는' modifying '증상'.
긴장하면 왜 이렇게 가슴이 울렁거리는지 모르겠어요.
I don't know why my heart flutters like this when I'm nervous.
'-는지 모르겠다' expresses uncertainty.
배가 파도에 울렁거릴 때마다 기분이 안 좋았다.
Every time the boat swayed in the waves, I felt bad.
'-을 때마다' means 'every time'.
첫 데이트를 앞두고 가슴이 울렁거려 잠을 못 잤다.
Ahead of the first date, my heart was fluttering so much I couldn't sleep.
'-고' connecting two clauses.
속이 울렁거려서 아침 식사를 걸렀어요.
I skipped breakfast because I felt nauseous.
'-어서' for reason.
비행기 이착륙 시에는 속이 울렁거리는 경우가 많다.
Many people feel nauseous during airplane takeoff and landing.
'-는 경우가 많다' means 'there are many cases of...'
그녀의 이름을 듣기만 해도 가슴이 울렁거렸다.
Just hearing her name made my heart flutter.
'-기만 해도' means 'just by doing...'
과음한 다음 날이면 속이 울렁거려 고생을 하곤 한다.
The day after drinking too much, I often suffer from a queasy stomach.
'-곤 하다' indicates a habit or frequent occurrence.
울렁거리는 가슴을 진정시키며 심호흡을 했다.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my fluttering heart.
'-며' indicates simultaneous actions.
파도가 울렁거리는 바다를 보니 멀미가 날 것 같았다.
Looking at the churning sea, I felt like I would get motion sickness.
'-을 것 같았다' means 'it seemed like...'
속이 울렁거릴 정도로 긴장되는 순간이었다.
It was a moment so tense that my stomach felt queasy.
'-을 정도로' means 'to the extent that...'
커피를 너무 많이 마셨더니 가슴이 울렁거리고 손이 떨려요.
I drank too much coffee, so my heart is fluttering and my hands are shaking.
'-었더니' showing a result.
어질어질하면서 속이 울렁거리는 게 체한 것 같아요.
Feeling dizzy and nauseous, it seems like I have indigestion.
'-는 게' (the fact that...) and '-ㄴ 것 같다' (seems like).
대중 앞에서 연설을 할 때마다 가슴이 울렁거리는 고질병이 있다.
I have a chronic habit of my heart fluttering whenever I give a speech in public.
'고질병' (chronic illness/habit) adds depth.
그의 배신을 알게 된 순간, 속이 울렁거리며 구역질이 치밀어 올랐다.
The moment I learned of his betrayal, my stomach churned and nausea surged up.
'-며' and '치밀어 오르다' (to surge up) create a strong image.
울렁거리는 민심을 수습하기 위해 정부가 대책을 발표했다.
The government announced measures to settle the unsettled public sentiment.
Metaphorical use for 'unsettled sentiment'.
수평선 너머로 울렁거리는 아지랑이가 봄이 왔음을 알렸다.
The shimmering heat haze beyond the horizon announced the arrival of spring.
Poetic use for heat waves (아지랑이).
공포 영화를 보고 났더니 가슴이 울렁거려 한동안 진정이 안 됐다.
After watching the horror movie, my heart was fluttering so much I couldn't calm down for a while.
'-고 났더니' indicates the state after finishing an action.
속이 울렁거리는 불쾌한 기분이 가시지 않아 하루 종일 누워 있었다.
The unpleasant feeling of a queasy stomach wouldn't go away, so I stayed in bed all day.
'가시지 않다' (not to fade away).
사랑하는 사람을 잃은 슬픔에 가슴이 울렁거려 숨을 쉬기조차 힘들었다.
With the sadness of losing a loved one, my heart churned so much it was hard even to breathe.
'-조차' means 'even'.
격동의 시대를 살아가는 사람들의 마음은 늘 울렁거리기 마련이다.
The hearts of people living through turbulent times are bound to be always unsettled.
'-기 마련이다' means 'it is bound to be...'
작가는 소설 속에서 불안한 내면을 울렁거리는 파도에 비유하여 묘사했다.
The author described the anxious inner self by comparing it to churning waves in the novel.
Academic discussion of literary devices.
경제 지표가 요동치자 투자자들의 가슴도 덩달아 울렁거리기 시작했다.
As economic indicators fluctuated, investors' hearts also began to flutter in tandem.
'덩달아' means 'along with/in tandem'.
그 찬란한 풍경을 마주하자 벅찬 감동으로 가슴이 울렁거렸다.
Upon facing that brilliant landscape, my heart churned with overwhelming emotion.
'벅찬 감동' (overwhelming emotion).
속이 울렁거리는 증세가 지속된다면 단순한 멀미가 아닐 수도 있으니 정밀 검사를 받아보세요.
If the symptoms of a queasy stomach persist, it might not be simple motion sickness, so please get a detailed checkup.
Hypothetical '라면' and 'ㄹ 수도 있다'.
심리적 외상으로 인해 시시때때로 가슴이 울렁거리는 고통을 겪고 있다.
Due to psychological trauma, I am experiencing the pain of my heart fluttering from time to time.
'시시때때로' (from time to time/constantly).
그의 연설은 청중의 마음을 울렁거리게 할 만큼 강력한 호소력을 지니고 있었다.
His speech had a powerful appeal, enough to make the audience's hearts churn.
'-게 할 만큼' (enough to make...).
역사의 소용돌이 속에서 민족의 가슴은 울렁거리며 새로운 시대를 갈망했다.
In the vortex of history, the nation's heart churned, longing for a new era.
High-level metaphorical/poetic language.
속이 울렁거리고 메스꺼운 것은 신체가 보내는 일종의 경고 신호일 수 있다.
A churning and nauseous stomach can be a kind of warning signal sent by the body.
Explanatory '것은 ... 일 수 있다'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
— The mimetic form used to emphasize the churning feeling.
속이 울렁울렁해서 죽겠어요.
— The mimetic form used for a fluttering heart.
그를 보니 가슴이 울렁울렁해요.
— An exaggeration meaning 'I'm so nauseous I could die.'
속이 울렁거려 죽겠네.
— To endure the feeling of nausea.
울렁거림을 참으며 목적지까지 갔다.
— For the nausea or fluttering to stop.
약을 먹으니 울렁거림이 멈췄다.
— Symptoms of nausea.
울렁거리는 증상이 심해졌어요.
— Food that makes one feel nauseous.
나는 기름진 걸 먹으면 속이 울렁거리는 음식이다.
— Something that makes the heart flutter (anxious or exciting event).
가슴 울렁거리는 일이 생겼다.
— To approach in a wavy or shimmering way (visual).
아지랑이가 울렁거리며 다가온다.
— To feel the churning sensation.
배를 타자마자 울렁거림을 느꼈다.
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
— To be extremely nervous or excited (often used as an idiom for stage fright).
첫 무대라 가슴이 울렁거렸다.
Common— To feel disgusted by someone's behavior (metaphorical nausea).
그의 거짓말을 들으니 속이 울렁거린다.
Informal— To navigate through turbulent times.
그는 울렁거리는 파도를 타듯 위기를 넘겼다.
Literary— To have an unsettled heart due to deep emotion.
고향 소식에 마음이 울렁거렸다.
Neutral— A metaphor for something beautiful but fleeting or unstable.
청춘은 울렁거리는 아지랑이와 같다.
Poetic— To make someone feel sick or disgusted.
그 냄새는 내 속을 울렁거리게 만들었다.
Neutral— To try hard to control one's nerves.
그는 울렁거리는 가슴을 부여잡고 마이크를 잡았다.
Literary— To feel like the whole world is spinning (severe dizziness).
빈혈 때문에 세상이 울렁거려 보였다.
Neutral— A rumor that causes public unrest.
마을에 울렁거리는 소문이 돌기 시작했다.
Literary— A love that makes one's heart flutter intensely.
그녀는 가슴 울렁이는 사랑을 꿈꿨다.
PoeticWortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Verwandt
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Imagine a big 'U' shaped wave ('Ul') 'Long' ('Leong') and 'Go' ('Geo') around your stomach. It's a long wave going around making you sick.
Visuelle Assoziation
Picture a boat on high waves. The boat goes up and down, and your stomach follows that 'ulleong' wave.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Try to say '속이 울렁거려요' five times fast while imagining you are on a spinning carnival ride.
Wortherkunft
The word is a native Korean mimetic expression. The root '울렁' (ulleong) mimics the movement of something large and soft, like water in a container or a heavy fabric swaying.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To move in large, soft waves or to undulate.
Koreanic (Native Korean)Kultureller Kontext
No major sensitivities, but be aware that describing nausea might be TMI in some very formal dinner settings.
In English, we say 'butterflies in my stomach' for nerves. In Korean, 'ulleong-georida' covers both butterflies (nerves) and actual nausea.
Summary
울렁거리다 is your go-to word for that 'unsettled' feeling inside, whether it's coming from your stomach (nausea) or your heart (nerves). Example: '배를 탔더니 속이 울렁거려요' (My stomach feels sick because I took a boat).
- Used for physical nausea and motion sickness.
- Used for emotional nervousness or fluttering heart.
- Implies a repetitive, wavy, churning sensation.
- Commonly paired with '속' (stomach) or '가슴' (chest).
Beispiel
배가 울렁거려서 아무것도 먹을 수 없어요.
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B1Abweichend von dem, was normal oder üblich ist; abnormal.
비정상이다
A2Abnormal oder unnormal sein. Es beschreibt Zustände, die vom Standard oder der gesunden Norm abweichen.
에 대해서
A2Gibt das Thema oder den Gegenstand an; über, betreffend. Wird verwendet, um den Fokus einer Handlung oder eines Gedankens zu definieren.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2Allgemeine Gliederschmerzen und Erschöpfung, oft als Folge von Überarbeitung oder Anzeichen einer Grippe.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1Einen stechenden oder pochenden Schmerz haben; schmerzen. Es wird oft verwendet, wenn Gelenke bei Regenwetter wehtun.
에취
A2Das Geräusch, das man beim Niesen auf Koreanisch macht. Es entspricht dem deutschen 'Hatschi!'.
급성적이다
A2Beschreibt einen plötzlichen und intensiven Beginn, typischerweise in medizinischen Kontexten für Krankheiten oder Symptome, die sich schnell entwickeln. (z.B. eine akute Krankheit).
급성이다
A2Bezeichnet eine Krankheit mit schnellem Beginn und kurzem Verlauf; akut sein.
