Meaning
Indicating a rise in body temperature.
Cultural Background
Koreans often use 'heat' metaphors for stress. '열받다' (to receive heat) is the most common slang for being angry. Fever is often treated with 'cool' foods like pear ({배}) or honey water to balance the internal 'fire'. In Korea's 'Pali-pali' (hurry-hurry) culture, having a fever is one of the few universally accepted reasons to actually take a day off. During the pandemic, '열이 나다' became a sensitive phrase. Saying it in public could cause immediate concern or social distancing from others.
Use with '심하다'
To say you have a 'high' fever, don't say '높은 열'. Say '{열|熱}이 {심|甚}해요' (The fever is severe).
Avoid 'Have'
Never use '가지다' (to have) with fever. It's the #1 sign of a beginner.
Meaning
Indicating a rise in body temperature.
Use with '심하다'
To say you have a 'high' fever, don't say '높은 열'. Say '{열|熱}이 {심|甚}해요' (The fever is severe).
Avoid 'Have'
Never use '가지다' (to have) with fever. It's the #1 sign of a beginner.
The 'Hand' Test
If someone says '{열|熱}이 {나|出}는 것 {같|同}아요', it's common for a close friend to immediately touch their forehead.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '나다'.
어제부터 {열|熱}이 많이 ______.
'어제부터' (since yesterday) indicates a past or continuing state, but in this context, the past tense '났어요' is the most natural for reporting a symptom that started.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a doctor you have a fever?
의사 선생님, ...
'열이 나요' is the standard expression. '가져요' and '해요' are literal translations from other languages.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 얼굴이 뜨거워요. {열|熱}이 ______? B: 네, 아까 쟀는데 38도였어요.
The question asks 'Do you have a fever?' using the standard '나다' verb.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercises어제부터 {열|熱}이 많이 ______.
'어제부터' (since yesterday) indicates a past or continuing state, but in this context, the past tense '났어요' is the most natural for reporting a symptom that started.
의사 선생님, ...
'열이 나요' is the standard expression. '가져요' and '해요' are literal translations from other languages.
A: 얼굴이 뜨거워요. {열|熱}이 ______? B: 네, 아까 쟀는데 38도였어요.
The question asks 'Do you have a fever?' using the standard '나다' verb.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes! You can say '{기계|機械}에서 {열|熱}이 {나|出}요' (Heat is coming out of the machine).
'열이 나다' focuses on the process of the fever emerging. '열이 있다' (to have heat/fever) is also used and is slightly more static, but '나다' is more common for symptoms.
You say '{열|熱}이 38{도|度}예요' or '{열|熱}이 38{도|度}까지 {났|出}어요'.
Related Phrases
{열|熱}받다
similarTo get angry
{미열|微熱}
specialized formSlight fever
{해열제|解熱劑}
builds onFever reducer / Tylenol
{열|熱}을 {재다}
builds onTo take one's temperature
