B1 Collocation Neutral

감기 증상이 있다.

gamgi jeungsangi itda.

Have cold symptoms.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to explain that you are starting to feel sick or showing early signs of a common cold.

  • Means: To show physical indications of having a cold.
  • Used in: Doctor visits, calling in sick to work, or explaining fatigue to friends.
  • Don't confuse: '감기에 걸렸다' (I have a cold) with '감기 증상이 있다' (I have symptoms of a cold).
Thermometer + Tired face + Bed = 감기 증상이 있다

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means you feel sick. You use it when you think a cold is starting. It is very useful for telling people why you are tired or need to rest.
When you feel like you are getting a cold, you say '감기 증상이 있다'. It is a common way to explain your health to friends or teachers. It helps people understand that you might need to stay home.
This collocation is used to describe the onset of a common cold. It is particularly useful in professional or social contexts where you need to provide a reason for declining an invitation or requesting time off. By using this phrase, you signal that you are not yet incapacitated but are taking preventative measures.
The phrase '감기 증상이 있다' functions as a communicative tool to hedge one's health status. It is preferred over definitive statements of illness when the symptoms are mild or emerging. This allows the speaker to maintain a degree of social flexibility while still signaling the need for rest or medical attention.
Linguistically, this phrase utilizes Sino-Korean terminology to categorize physiological states. It serves as a pragmatic marker in Korean discourse, allowing speakers to navigate the social expectations surrounding illness. By framing the condition as a set of 'symptoms' rather than a 'disease', the speaker manages the listener's expectations regarding their productivity and social availability.
The phrase exemplifies the intersection of traditional Sino-Korean conceptualizations of health—where '기' (energy) plays a central role—and modern clinical discourse. It functions as a modal expression of health, where the speaker conveys a subjective assessment of their physical state. This allows for a nuanced negotiation of social obligations, reflecting the collectivist cultural emphasis on maintaining one's health to preserve social harmony.

Significado

To exhibit signs or indications of having a common cold.

🌍

Contexto cultural

In Korea, it is common to wear a mask when you have even mild cold symptoms to protect others.

💡

Use '것 같다'

Adding '것 같다' makes you sound much more natural and less like a robot.

Significado

To exhibit signs or indications of having a common cold.

💡

Use '것 같다'

Adding '것 같다' makes you sound much more natural and less like a robot.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the blank with the correct particle.

저는 어제부터 감기 증상___ 있어요.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 이

The subject marker '이' is used with '있다'.

🎉 Puntuación: /1

Preguntas frecuentes

1 preguntas

It is neutral. Use '있습니다' for formal and '있어요' for polite.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

감기에 걸리다

similar

To have caught a cold

Dónde usarla

📞

Calling in sick

Employee: 팀장님, 오늘 감기 증상이 있어서 연차를 쓰겠습니다.

formal
🩺

Talking to a doctor

Patient: 선생님, 어제부터 감기 증상이 있어요.

neutral
🤒

Declining a party

Friend: 오늘 못 갈 것 같아. 감기 증상이 좀 있네.

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Cold' (감기) 'Sign' (증상) appearing on your body like a neon light.

Visual Association

Imagine a thermometer in your mouth and a 'symptom' checklist floating above your head.

Story

Min-su wakes up feeling a bit dizzy. He checks his throat. It feels scratchy. He tells his mom, 'I think I have cold symptoms.' He stays in bed all day.

Word Web

감기증상기운병원약휴식환절기

Desafío

Say this phrase to three people today when you feel slightly tired.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tengo síntomas de resfriado

Korean uses '있다' (exist) while Spanish uses 'tener' (to have).

French high

J'ai des symptômes de rhume

Korean is more likely to use the '것 같다' (it seems) hedge.

German high

Ich habe Erkältungssymptome

German is more direct; Korean is often more indirect.

Japanese very_high

風邪の症状がある

Minimal difference; both are highly natural.

Arabic moderate

لدي أعراض نزلة برد

Korean grammar is more flexible with the subject marker.

Chinese high

我有感冒症状

Chinese is more concise.

Korean n/a

감기 증상이 있다

N/A

Portuguese moderate

Estou com sintomas de resfriado

Korean uses 'exist' (있다) rather than 'being with'.

Easily Confused

감기 증상이 있다. vs 몸살이 나다

Learners often mix this with a cold.

몸살 refers specifically to body aches from overwork or a cold.

Preguntas frecuentes (1)

It is neutral. Use '있습니다' for formal and '있어요' for polite.

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