This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Korean
Vocabulary
열나다

A2 verb 8 min read

열나다

yeolnada

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 열나다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 열나다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners should recognize '열나다' as a simple way to describe being sick. It is often taught alongside other basic health symptoms like '기침' (cough) and '콧물' (runny nose). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the metaphorical 'anger' usage. Focus on the phrase '열이 나요' (I have a fever) and '열이 났어요' (I had a fever). You will mostly use it to explain why you are absent from class or why you need to go to the pharmacy. The structure is very simple: [Subject] + [Particle 이/가] + 열나요. For example, '동생이 열나요' (My younger sibling has a fever). It is a vital 'survival' word for any beginner living in or visiting Korea.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '열나다' in more complex sentence structures using connectors like '-아서/어서' (because) or '-고' (and). For instance, '열이 나서 병원에 갔어요' (I went to the hospital because I had a fever). You should also begin to understand that '열' is a noun and '나다' is the verb, allowing you to separate them if necessary. At this level, you might also encounter the colloquial use of '열나다' to mean 'angry' in informal conversations or TV shows. You should be able to distinguish between 'The weather is hot' (날씨가 덥다) and 'I have a fever' (열이 나다) to avoid common beginner mistakes.

By B1, you are expected to use '열나다' fluently in a variety of tenses and honorific levels. You should understand the difference between '열나다' and more formal terms like '발열'. You can describe symptoms in detail, such as '어젯밤부터 미열이 나기 시작하더니 지금은 고열이에요' (It started as a slight fever last night and now it's a high fever). You should also be comfortable using '열나다' metaphorically in social situations to describe frustration. You will understand how it functions in conditional sentences like '열이 나면 이 약을 드세요' (If you get a fever, take this medicine). Your vocabulary should also include related terms like '해열제' (fever reducer).

At the B2 level, you should have a deep understanding of the idiomatic and slang uses of '열나다'. This includes using the adverbial '열나게' to describe doing something with intense passion or effort (e.g., '열나게 일하다'). You should be able to use the word in nuanced debates or discussions about health or emotional management. You will recognize the word in literature or news reports where it might be used to describe 'heated' social issues. You should also be aware of how '열나다' fits into the broader Korean concept of '화' (anger/fire) and how traditional Korean medicine views 'heat' in the body as a source of various ailments.

For C1 learners, '열나다' is a versatile tool for expressive and precise communication. You should be able to use it in creative writing or complex social commentary. You understand the subtle difference between '열나다' and its synonyms like '욱하다' (to flare up in anger) or '격분하다' (to be enraged). You can analyze how the word is used in different registers, from a mother's gentle '열나니?' to a frustrated driver's '진짜 열나네!'. You are also familiar with the historical and linguistic roots of the word, understanding how the concept of 'heat' has been central to the Korean linguistic identity for centuries.

At the C2 level, '열나다' is used with native-like intuition. You can play with the word in puns, poetry, or sophisticated rhetorical devices. You understand the physiological, psychological, and cultural layers of the word perfectly. You can navigate the most complex social situations where '열나다' might be used sarcastically or with deep irony. You are also capable of explaining the nuances of the word to other learners, including the historical shift in its usage and its role in modern Korean digital culture (e.g., in internet comments or social media). Your mastery extends to every possible conjugation and derivative form.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

열나다 in 30 Seconds

Primarily means to have a fever due to illness like a cold or flu.
Metaphorically used to express intense anger or frustration in casual settings.
Grammatically functions as an intransitive verb, typically used as '열이 나다'.
Distinguishable from '덥다' (weather) and '뜨겁다' (touch) in Korean heat-related vocabulary.

The Korean verb 열나다 (yeol-na-da) is a foundational term in the Korean language, primarily used to describe the physiological state of having a fever. Etymologically, it is a compound word formed by combining the noun 열 (yeol), meaning 'heat' or 'fever', and the verb 나다 (na-da), which means 'to emerge', 'to occur', or 'to break out'. Therefore, at its most literal level, the word describes heat emerging from the body. In a medical context, it is the standard, everyday way to tell someone that you are unwell due to an elevated temperature. Whether you are at a pharmacy, a hospital, or simply talking to a friend, this is the go-to expression for illness characterized by heat. However, the utility of 열나다 extends far beyond the doctor's office. In the vibrant landscape of Korean colloquialisms, it frequently serves as a powerful metaphor for intense emotion, specifically anger or irritation. Just as a physical fever makes the head feel hot, a moment of extreme frustration can make one feel as though their 'head is heating up'. Understanding these two distinct yet related spheres of usage—the physical and the emotional—is crucial for any learner aiming for A2 proficiency and beyond.

Physical Symptom: Used when a person's body temperature rises above the normal range due to illness like a cold or flu.

어제 밤부터 아이가 열나기 시작했어요. (The child started having a fever since last night.)

Emotional State: Used colloquially to describe being very angry or 'heated' about a frustrating situation.

그 말을 들으니까 정말 열나네요. (Hearing that makes me really angry/heated up.)

Furthermore, in some modern slang contexts, 열나게 (the adverbial form) can be used to mean 'intensely' or 'hard'. For example, if someone is '열나게 공부하다' (studying with a fever), it doesn't mean they are sick; it means they are studying with such intensity that they are practically burning up with effort. This versatility makes the word a fascinating study in how physical sensations are mapped onto psychological and social experiences in Korean culture. Whether you are dealing with a common cold or a frustrating coworker, '열나다' provides the linguistic tools to express that rise in internal temperature.

Using 열나다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as an intransitive verb. Unlike English, where we 'have' a fever (using a transitive verb), in Korean, the fever 'occurs' or 'breaks out'. Therefore, the subject of the sentence is usually the fever itself (열이), though in casual speech, the particle 이 is often dropped. To say 'I have a fever', you would say '열이 나요' (Yeol-i na-yo). If you want to specify where the heat is felt, you can add body parts like 머리 (head) or 몸 (body). For instance, '머리에서 열이 나요' literally translates to 'Heat is coming out from my head'.

Standard Present Tense: 열이 나요 (Casual Polite) / 열이 납니다 (Formal Polite). Used to describe a current state of fever.

지금 몸에서 열이 많이 나요. (I have a high fever in my body right now.)

Past Tense: 열이 났어요 (Casual Polite). Used to describe a fever that happened previously.

어제는 열이 났는데 오늘은 괜찮아요. (I had a fever yesterday, but I am okay today.)

When using the word to express anger, the structure remains similar but the context changes entirely. '열나게 하지 마' (Don't make me angry/heated) uses the causative-like construction to show that someone else is causing the 'heat' of anger to rise. In these cases, the word functions almost like 'annoyed' or 'pissed off' in English. It is important to distinguish between these based on the social setting. You wouldn't tell a doctor you are '열나다' if you are just angry; you would use it for your temperature. Conversely, in a heated argument, '열나다' is a common way to express that you are reaching your limit of patience.

In Korea, you will encounter 열나다 in several distinct environments. The most common is the domestic sphere. Parents are constantly monitoring their children for symptoms, and '열나?' (Do you have a fever?) is a phrase every Korean child hears. In pharmacies (약국), when you ask for fever reducers (해열제), the pharmacist will inevitably ask, '언제부터 열이 났어요?' (Since when did the fever start?). It is a staple of medical intake forms and casual health checks among colleagues. If you look pale or tired at work, a coworker might reach out and touch your forehead, asking if you are '열나는 것 같아요' (seem to have a fever).

In the Pharmacy: Pharmacists use it to diagnose the severity of your condition before recommending medicine.

약사: 열이 많이 나나요? (Pharmacist: Do you have a high fever?)

In TV Dramas (K-Dramas): Often used in emotional scenes where a character is frustrated by another's actions.

진짜 열나게 왜 이래? (Why are you being so frustrating/making me so angry?)

Another interesting place you hear this word is in the workplace or school, used as an intensifier. While not 'standard' dictionary usage, young people often use '열나게' as a synonym for 'very' or 'extremely' when describing a difficult task. '열나게 바쁘다' means 'to be feverishly busy'. This usage highlights the cultural connection between heat and intensity. Finally, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this word became ubiquitous in public service announcements and temperature check stations throughout South Korea, reinforcing its status as a critical vocabulary word for navigating modern life in a Korean-speaking environment.

For English speakers, the most common mistake when using 열나다 is confusing it with other words for 'hot'. Korean has a very specific set of adjectives and verbs for different types of heat, and using the wrong one can lead to confusion or unintentional humor. For example, learners often try to use 덥다 (deop-da) to say they have a fever. However, 덥다 only refers to the ambient temperature of the environment or the weather. If you say '제가 더워요' (Je-ga deo-wo-yo), it means you feel hot because the room is warm, not because you are sick. To express sickness, you must use 열나다.

Mistake: Using 덥다 for Illness: Incorrect: 몸이 더워요 (The body is weather-hot). Correct: 몸에서 열이 나요 (Heat is emerging from the body).

Wrong: 날씨가 열나요. (The weather has a fever - Incorrect). Right: 날씨가 더워요. (The weather is hot.)

Mistake: Using 뜨겁다 for People: Incorrect: 제 머리가 뜨거워요 (My head is hot like a stove). Correct: 머리에서 열이 나요.

커피가 뜨거워요. (The coffee is hot to the touch - Correct use of 뜨겁다).

Another subtle mistake involves the use of particles. While '열이 나다' is the standard form, some learners mistakenly use the object particle '열을 나다'. Since '나다' is an intransitive verb (meaning the action doesn't have a direct object), you should always use the subject particle '이/가'. Additionally, when using the word to mean 'angry', be careful with the register. Saying '열나!' to a superior or a teacher is considered very rude and informal, as it is a visceral expression of irritation. In formal settings, it is better to use '화가 났습니다' (I am angry) to maintain professional decorum.

To truly master Korean, you should know the nuances between 열나다 and its various synonyms. Depending on the level of formality or the specific medical condition, different words are preferred. For instance, in a clinical setting, you will often hear the Sino-Korean term 발열 (ba-ryeol). This is the technical term for 'fever' or 'pyrexia'. You might see it on a hospital chart or hear a news anchor use it during a health report. While 열나다 is the action of having a fever, 발열 is the noun describing the phenomenon.

열나다 vs. 발열 (Ba-ryeol): 열나다 is colloquial and common; 발열 is formal and medical.

고열 (Go-yeol): Specifically means a 'high fever'. Use this when the temperature is dangerously elevated.

환자가 고열로 입원했습니다. (The patient was hospitalized due to a high fever.)

화나다 (Hwa-na-da): The standard word for 'to be angry'. Use this instead of '열나다' when you want to be clear and direct about your emotions without using slang.

If you want to describe a 'slight fever', you can use 미열 (mi-yeol). This is very common in pediatric care when a child isn't fully sick but has a slightly elevated temperature. Conversely, if you are talking about someone being 'hot-headed' or prone to sudden bursts of anger, the word 다혈질 (da-hyeol-jil) is often used. This literally means 'multi-blood type' but refers to a hot-tempered personality. By learning these alternatives, you can move from basic communication to more precise and sophisticated Korean expression, choosing the right word for the right temperature—both physical and emotional.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root '열' (heat) is one of the most productive roots in Korean for expressing both physical states and intense human emotions.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jʌl.na.da/

US /jʌl.nɑ.dɑ/

Primary stress is on the first syllable '열'.

Rhymes With

잘나다 (jal-na-da) 신나다 (sin-na-da) 겁나다 (geop-na-da) 빛나다 (bit-na-da) 끝나다 (kkeut-na-da) 떠나다 (tteo-na-da) 만나다 (man-na-da) 화나다 (hwa-na-da)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yeol' as 'yool'.
Over-emphasizing the 'l' sound (ㄹ) so it sounds like 'yulla'.
Confusing the 'n' in 'na' with 'm'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts about health.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation and particle use.

Speaking 2/5

Natural pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in daily life and media.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

열 나다 아프다 몸 머리

Learn Next

해열제 감기 기침 콧물 증상

Advanced

발열 오한 다혈질 격분하다 화병

Grammar to Know

Intransitive Verbs with 이/가

열이 나다 (The fever occurs).

The '-아서/어서' Connector for Reason

열이 나서 쉬었어요.

The '-ㄴ/은 것 같다' for Conjecture

열이 나는 것 같아요.

Adverbial '-게' formation

열나게 (feverishly).

Honorific '-시-'

열이 나십니까? (Formal honorific).

Examples by Level

열이 나요.

I have a fever.

Simple present tense.

동생이 열나요.

My younger sibling has a fever.

Subject marker '이' is often omitted in speech.

머리에서 열이 나요.

I have a fever in my head.

Specifying the location of the heat.

어제 열났어요.

I had a fever yesterday.

Past tense.

열나요? 아니요.

Do you have a fever? No.

Question and answer.

아기가 열나요.

The baby has a fever.

Basic subject-verb.

많이 열나요.

I have a high fever.

Using '많이' as an intensifier.

열나서 아파요.

I am sick because I have a fever.

-서 connector for reason.

열이 나서 학교에 못 갔어요.

I couldn't go to school because I had a fever.

Reasoning with -아서/어서.

열이 나면 이 약을 드세요.

If you have a fever, take this medicine.

Conditional -면.

밤에 갑자기 열이 났어요.

A fever suddenly broke out at night.

Adverb '갑자기' (suddenly).

열이 나고 기침도 해요.

I have a fever and also a cough.

Connecting symptoms with -고.

그 사람 때문에 정말 열나요.

That person is really making me angry (heated).

Metaphorical use for anger.

열이 나는 것 같아요.

I think I have a fever.

-는 것 같다 (it seems like).

아이가 열이 나서 걱정돼요.

I'm worried because the child has a fever.

Expressing emotion based on a state.

열이 나는데 병원에 가야 할까요?

I have a fever; should I go to the hospital?

-는데 background information.

해열제를 먹어도 계속 열이 나요.

Even though I took medicine, I still have a fever.

-어도 (even though).

열이 나기 시작한 지 세 시간 됐어요.

It has been three hours since the fever started.

-ㄴ 지 (since).

열이 나니까 오늘은 푹 쉬세요.

Since you have a fever, please rest well today.

Giving advice with -(으)니까.

그 말을 듣고 머리에서 열이 났어요.

My head got heated (I got angry) after hearing that.

Emotional reaction.

열이 나는 환자들이 많아지고 있어요.

The number of patients with fevers is increasing.

Present progressive with -고 있다.

열이 날 때는 물을 많이 마셔야 해요.

When you have a fever, you must drink a lot of water.

General rule with -ㄹ 때.

어떻게 그렇게 열나는 소리를 하세요?

How can you say something so frustrating?

Describing speech that causes anger.

열이 나지 않게 조심하세요.

Be careful not to get a fever.

-지 않게 (so that... not).

시험 기간이라 학생들이 열나게 공부해요.

It's exam period, so students are studying feverishly.

Adverbial '열나게' meaning intensely.

열이 나더라도 너무 걱정하지 마세요.

Even if you get a fever, don't worry too much.

-더라도 (even if).

컴퓨터를 오래 썼더니 본체에서 열나요.

I used the computer for a long time, so the tower is heating up.

Applying to inanimate objects.

그의 무책임한 태도에 정말 열이 났습니다.

I was really infuriated by his irresponsible attitude.

Formal emotional expression.

열이 나는 증상은 감기의 대표적인 신호입니다.

A feverish symptom is a typical sign of a cold.

Noun modifying clause.

열나게 뛰어갔지만 기차를 놓쳤어요.

I ran like crazy (feverishly), but I missed the train.

Intensifier in action.

갑자기 열이 나서 일정을 모두 취소했어요.

I cancelled all my plans because a fever suddenly broke out.

Sequence of events.

열이 나는 원인을 정확히 알아야 합니다.

We must find out the exact cause of the fever.

Investigative context.

사소한 일에 그렇게 열낼 필요는 없잖아요.

There's no need to get so worked up over such a small thing, is there?

Rhetorical question -잖아요.

신제품 출시를 앞두고 직원들이 열나게 일하고 있다.

With the new product launch ahead, employees are working feverishly.

Professional/Business context.

열이 나는 것은 우리 몸의 면역 반응 중 하나입니다.

Having a fever is one of our body's immune responses.

Explaining a biological process.

그 정치인의 발언은 국민들을 열나게 만들었다.

That politician's remarks infuriated the public.

Social/Political context.

열이 나면 즉시 격리 조치를 취해야 합니다.

If a fever occurs, isolation measures must be taken immediately.

Official directive.

머리에 열이 날 정도로 복잡한 문제였어요.

It was a problem so complex that my head felt like it was heating up.

-ㄹ 정도로 (to the extent that).

부당한 대우를 받으면 누구나 열나기 마련이다.

Anyone is bound to get angry when treated unfairly.

-기 마련이다 (is bound to).

열이 나고 오한이 드는 증상이 반복되었습니다.

The symptoms of fever and chills were repeated.

Describing cycles of illness.

그의 연설은 청중들의 가슴에 열이 나게 했다.

His speech made the audience's hearts burn (with passion).

Poetic/Metaphorical passion.

사회가 이토록 열나게 돌아가는 이유가 무엇인가?

What is the reason society is spinning so feverishly?

Societal critique.

열이 나는 현상을 단순한 질병으로만 치부해서는 안 된다.

We should not dismiss the phenomenon of fever as a mere illness.

Philosophical/Medical discussion.

그는 열나게 항변했지만 아무도 듣지 않았다.

He protested heatedly, but no one listened.

Describing intense communication.

열이 나는 신체적 고통보다 마음의 상처가 더 컸다.

The emotional wound was greater than the physical pain of the fever.

Comparative literary style.

기계가 열나지 않도록 냉각 장치를 가동했다.

The cooling system was activated to prevent the machine from overheating.

Technical/Engineering context.

열나게 몰아치는 비바람 속에서 그는 길을 잃었다.

He got lost in the feverishly (intensely) raging storm.

Descriptive nature imagery.

그녀의 열나는 열정은 주변 사람들을 감동시켰다.

Her burning (feverish) passion moved those around her.

Abstract quality description.

Common Collocations

열이 펄펄 나다

머리에서 열나다

열나게 일하다

갑자기 열나다

열나서 힘들다

몸에 열나다

열나게 뛰다

열나게 싸우다

미열이 나다

고열이 나다

Common Phrases

열 좀 나요?

— Do you have a bit of a fever?

안색이 안 좋은데 열 좀 나요?

열나서 죽겠다

— I'm dying because of this fever/anger.

아, 진짜 열나서 죽겠네!

열나기 전

— Before the fever starts.

열나기 전에 미리 약을 드세요.

열나는 소리

— Nonsense that makes one angry.

열나는 소리 좀 그만해.

열나게 바쁘다

— To be extremely busy.

요즘 열나게 바빠요.

열이 안 나다

— To not have a fever.

다행히 열은 안 나요.

열이 나다 말다 하다

— Fever comes and goes.

열이 나다 말다 해서 걱정이에요.

열나게 맛있다

— Extremely delicious (rare slang).

이 떡볶이 열나게 맛있네!

열나게 웃기다

— Extremely funny.

그 영화 열나게 웃겨요.

열나는 이유

— The reason for the fever.

열나는 이유를 모르겠어요.

Often Confused With

열나다 vs 덥다

Used for weather or room temperature, not body fever.

열나다 vs 뜨겁다

Used for things that are hot to the touch, like a cup of tea.

열나다 vs 따뜻하다

Used for pleasant warmth, never for a fever.

Idioms & Expressions

"머리에서 열이 나다"

— To be so angry or thinking so hard that the head feels hot.

수학 문제를 풀려니 머리에서 열이 나요.

Colloquial

"열을 올리다"

— To put a lot of energy or heat into something; to get excited.

그는 토론에서 열을 올렸다.

Neutral

"열불이 나다"

— To be extremely furious (burning with fire).

그 소식을 듣고 열불이 났다.

Informal

"눈에서 열이 나다"

— To look at something with extreme intensity or anger.

눈에서 열이 나도록 쳐다봤다.

Literary

"열나게 까이다"

— To be severely criticized or rejected.

상사한테 열나게 까였어.

Slang

"열나게 굴다"

— To act in a way that provokes anger.

왜 자꾸 열나게 구니?

Informal

"열이 뻗치다"

— Anger surging up uncontrollably.

화가 나서 열이 뻗쳤다.

Colloquial

"속에서 열불이 나다"

— To feel a burning anger inside.

속에서 열불이 나서 참을 수 없었다.

Informal

"열을 식히다"

— To calm down or lower a temperature.

잠시 밖에서 열 좀 식히고 올게.

Neutral

"열띤 토론"

— A heated/passionate discussion.

열띤 토론이 이어졌다.

Formal

Easily Confused

열나다 vs 화나다

Both mean angry.

열나다 is more about the physical feeling of heat/irritation; 화나다 is the general term for anger.

진짜 열나네! vs 정말 화가 나요.

열나다 vs 신나다

Sounds similar.

신나다 means to be excited or joyful; 열나다 means fever or anger.

파티가 신나요! vs 몸에서 열나요.

열나다 vs 잘나다

Rhymes.

잘나다 means to be successful or 'great' (often used sarcastically).

너 참 잘났다! vs 아이가 열나요.

열나다 vs 나다

Root verb.

나다 is 'to occur' generally; 열나다 is specifically 'heat occurring'.

사고가 났어요 vs 열이 났어요.

열나다 vs 땀나다

Similar body function.

땀나다 means to sweat.

운동해서 땀나요 vs 아파서 열나요.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject]이/가 열나요.

동생이 열나요.

열이 나서 [Result].

열이 나서 약을 먹었어요.

열이 나면 [Advice].

열이 나면 푹 쉬세요.

열이 나는 것 같다.

아기가 열이 나는 것 같아요.

열나게 [Verb].

열나게 공부했어요.

[Reason] 때문에 열나다.

그 사람 때문에 열나요.

열이 날 정도로 [Adjective/Verb].

머리에서 열이 날 정도로 어려워요.

열이 나는 현상을 [Verb].

열이 나는 현상을 분석했다.

Word Family

Nouns

열 Heat, fever

발열 Pyrexia, outbreak of heat

고열 High fever

미열 Slight fever

Verbs

열받다 To get angry (slang)

열리다 To be opened (unrelated root, but often confused)

Adjectives

열띤 Heated, passionate

감기 (cold)

해열제 (fever reducer)

체온 (body temperature)

병원 (hospital)

약 (medicine)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in health and emotional contexts.

Common Mistakes

날씨가 열나요. → 날씨가 더워요.
You cannot use '열나다' for weather.
열을 나요. → 열이 나요.
Use the subject particle because '나다' is intransitive.
커피가 열나요. → 커피가 뜨거워요.
Use '뜨겁다' for hot objects.
열을 가져요. → 열이 나요.
Don't translate 'have a fever' literally from English.
열나게 하세요. → 열받게 하세요 (or 화나게 하세요).
To say 'you make me angry', use '열받게' or '화나게'.

Tips

Particle Choice

Always prefer '이' over '을' with '열나다'.

Antonym

To say the fever is gone, use '열이 내리다'.

Social Cue

If someone asks if you have a fever, they might be worried about your health or your mood!

Intensifier

Use '열나게' before an adjective to mean 'super' or 'extremely' among friends.

Specifics

Learn '미열' for slight fever and '고열' for high fever.

Smoothness

The 'ㄹ' and 'ㄴ' meet to create a slight 'nn' sound in some dialects, but standard is 'l-n'.

Diary Tip

Great word for writing about your daily health or frustrations.

Drama Context

Watch for the steam-ear animation in cartoons when they say '열나!'

Checking Temperature

Say '열 좀 재 볼게요' (I'll check your temperature) before saying '열나요'.

Weather

Never use '열나다' for a sunny day. Use '덥다'!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yeol' as 'Yell'. When you have a fever or you're angry, you might want to 'Yell' (열).

Visual Association

Imagine a thermometer bursting because it's so hot, or a cartoon character with steam coming out of their ears.

Word Web

Fever Anger Heat Sick Intense Hot-headed Temperature Pharmacy

Challenge

Try to use '열나다' in a sentence about a sick cat, then in a sentence about a long line at a store.

Word Origin

A native Korean compound word.

Original meaning: Heat (열) emerging (나다).

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful using '열나다' to mean 'angry' with elders; stick to the medical meaning or use formal words for anger.

In English, we 'catch' a cold or 'have' a fever. In Korean, the fever is the subject that 'occurs'.

K-Drama: 'Descendants of the Sun' - Characters often check each other for fevers. Song: 'Hot Issue' by 4Minute uses '열' related concepts of being the center of attention/heat. Common Variety Show trope: Guests getting '열나다' (angry) during games.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

언제부터 열이 났어요?
열이 얼마나 나요?
어젯밤에 열이 심했어요.
해열제 처방해 주세요.

With Friends (Anger)

진짜 열나게 하네.
나 지금 열나니까 건드리지 마.
그 얘기 들으니까 열나.
열 좀 식혀.

At School

열나서 수업 못 가요.
보건실에 열나는 학생이 있어요.
시험 공부 열나게 했어요.
열나게 바빠요.

Parenting

애가 열나요.
열이 안 내려가요.
자꾸 열이 나요.
열나는지 봐줘.

Technical/Electronics

노트북에서 열나요.
기계가 열받았어요.
열나면 꺼져요.
열 식히는 중이에요.

Conversation Starters

"어제 열이 나서 걱정했어요. 지금은 어때요?"

"혹시 열나요? 얼굴이 빨개요."

"요즘 열나게 바쁜 일이 있나요?"

"열이 날 때 주로 어떤 약을 드세요?"

"친구 때문에 열났던 적이 있어요?"

Journal Prompts

최근에 열이 났던 경험에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about a recent experience of having a fever.)

당신을 가장 열나게(화나게) 만드는 것은 무엇인가요? (What makes you most 'heated'/angry?)

열나게 열심히 노력했던 순간이 있나요? (Is there a moment you worked 'feverishly' hard?)

한국에서 아파서 병원에 갔던 적이 있나요? (Have you ever been to a hospital in Korea due to illness?)

열이 날 때 먹는 특별한 음식이 있나요? (Is there a special food you eat when you have a fever?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, Korean doesn't use 'have' (가지다) for fevers. Use '열이 나요' (Fever occurs).

It is neutral. Use '열나요' for most people and '열이 나세요' for elders or in very formal settings.

Yes, you can say a computer or engine '열나요' when it overheats.

'열' is the noun (heat/fever), and '열나다' is the verb (to have a fever).

Use '고열' or say '열이 많이 나요'.

No, it can also mean 'very' or 'intensely' in slang contexts.

No, for spicy, use '맵다'.

Say '열나요?' or '열이 있어요?'

It is a medicine to reduce fever (fever reducer).

Only if you are reporting a medical symptom politely ('열이 납니다'). Never as an expression of anger.