Meaning
Expressing a headache.
Cultural Background
Headaches are often culturally linked to 'Hwabyung' (suppressed anger). It is common for people to rub their temples while saying this phrase to show they are stressed by someone's behavior. In offices, saying '머리가 아프다' is a polite way to signal that a project is difficult or that you are overwhelmed, without directly complaining about the workload. Koreans often go to pharmacies for minor headaches rather than doctors. The phrase '머리 아플 때 먹는 약' (medicine for when the head hurts) is a common way to ask for painkillers. Students use this phrase constantly during 'Suneung' (CSAT) prep. It's a badge of hard work; if your head doesn't hurt, you might not be studying hard enough.
Use with '너무'
Add '너무' (too much) to sound more natural when complaining. '머리가 너무 아파요!'
Particle Check
Never say '머리를 아파요'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Meaning
Expressing a headache.
Use with '너무'
Add '너무' (too much) to sound more natural when complaining. '머리가 너무 아파요!'
Particle Check
Never say '머리를 아파요'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Figurative Master
Use this when someone asks you to do something complex. It's a great way to buy time.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct subject particle.
머리___ 아파요.
The body part is the subject of the adjective '아파요', so the subject particle '가' is required.
Which sentence means 'My head hurts because of the exam'?
Choose the correct translation.
'때문에' is the standard way to express 'because of [noun]'.
Complete the dialogue at the pharmacy.
약사: 어디가 아프세요? 환자: ________.
When a pharmacist asks where it hurts, '머리가 아파요' is the appropriate response.
Match the phrase to the situation: '골치 아파요'.
When would you most likely say '골치 아파요'?
'골치 아파요' is a figurative variation used for troublesome situations.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises머리___ 아파요.
The body part is the subject of the adjective '아파요', so the subject particle '가' is required.
Choose the correct translation.
'때문에' is the standard way to express 'because of [noun]'.
약사: 어디가 아프세요? 환자: ________.
When a pharmacist asks where it hurts, '머리가 아파요' is the appropriate response.
When would you most likely say '골치 아파요'?
'골치 아파요' is a figurative variation used for troublesome situations.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, but for a specific migraine, you can use '편두통' (one-sided headache).
Yes, it is perfectly polite. You can also use '머리가 아픕니다' for extra formality.
'머리' is the whole head. '고개' is the head in terms of the neck/nodding movement.
Because of the 'ㅡ' irregular rule. When 'ㅡ' meets '아/어', the 'ㅡ' disappears.
No, that is informal (Banmal). Use '머리가 아파요'.
Related Phrases
골치 아프다
similarTo have a headache (figurative/annoying)
두통이 있다
specialized formTo have a headache (medical)
머리가 어지럽다
similarTo be dizzy
머리가 띵하다
specialized formTo have a dull, heavy headache
