Signification
Expressing abdominal pain.
Contexte culturel
The proverb '사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다' is one of the most famous in Korea. It highlights the competitive nature of a society where land was scarce. Koreans often use 'stomach pain' to describe a wide range of internal issues, including stress-related indigestion (Hwa-byung). On platforms like DC Inside or Clien, users use '배 아프다' to react to 'flexing' posts (showing off wealth). Colleagues might use this phrase to bond over a third party's success, creating an 'us vs. them' feeling.
The 'Ouch' Rule
If you want to say 'Ouch!' in Korean, say '아야!' (A-ya!). If you want to say 'It hurts,' say '아파요!'
Don't use with '를'
Remember: 배가 아파요 (O), 배를 아파요 (X).
Signification
Expressing abdominal pain.
The 'Ouch' Rule
If you want to say 'Ouch!' in Korean, say '아야!' (A-ya!). If you want to say 'It hurts,' say '아파요!'
Don't use with '를'
Remember: 배가 아파요 (O), 배를 아파요 (X).
Figurative Nuance
When using it for jealousy, add '좀' (a little) to make it sound less aggressive: '배가 좀 아프네요!'
The Cousin Proverb
Mentioning the 'Cousin buying land' proverb will make you sound very fluent and culturally aware.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct particle and verb form.
어제 매운 음식을 너무 많이 먹어서 배___ ___.
The subject marker '가' is used with the descriptive verb '아파요'.
Match the situation to the meaning of '배가 아파요'.
Situation: Your friend just won a free trip to Hawaii.
In this context, you are expressing playful envy.
Choose the most natural response.
의사: 어디가 아파서 오셨어요? 환자: ________________.
At the doctor, you report physical pain.
Which sentence uses the figurative meaning correctly?
Identify the figurative usage:
Winning the lottery (복권 당첨) triggers the 'jealousy' sense.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices어제 매운 음식을 너무 많이 먹어서 배___ ___.
The subject marker '가' is used with the descriptive verb '아파요'.
Situation: Your friend just won a free trip to Hawaii.
In this context, you are expressing playful envy.
의사: 어디가 아파서 오셨어요? 환자: ________________.
At the doctor, you report physical pain.
Identify the figurative usage:
Winning the lottery (복권 당첨) triggers the 'jealousy' sense.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but '생리통이 있어요' is more specific. '배가 아파요' is a good general way to say it.
No, if you say it with a smile, it's a compliment! It means their success is so big it's enviable.
'아프다' is general pain. '쓰리다' is a sharp, stinging, or burning pain (like a paper cut or heartburn).
Yes! The pattern '[Body Part] + 가/이 아파요' works for almost everything.
Add '많이' (man-i) or '너무' (neo-mu): '배가 너무 많이 아파요.'
In this context, yes. But '배' also means 'pear' and 'boat'. Context is key!
Yes, but for babies, we often say '배가 아야 해요' (Belly is doing 'aya').
You can say '배탈 났어요' or '설사해요' (more direct).
It's an 'ㅡ' irregular verb. The 'ㅡ' drops when meeting '아/어'.
Yes, '배가 아픕니다' is used in military, news, or very formal reports.
Expressions liées
배탈이 나다
similarTo have an upset stomach
속이 쓰리다
specialized formTo have heartburn
부러워하다
synonymTo be envious
샘이 나다
synonymTo be jealous
배가 부르다
contrastTo be full
