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A1 noun #5,000 most common 6 min read

두통

Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 두통 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 두통 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize '두통' as a basic word for 'headache'. You primarily use it with '있어요' (have) to tell someone you are unwell. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex medical terms. Just knowing '두통' and '두통약' (headache medicine) is enough to survive a trip to the pharmacy. You might say '두통이 있어요. 약 주세요.' (I have a headache. Please give me medicine.) It's one of the first health-related nouns you learn because it's so common in daily life. You should also be able to recognize it in simple signs at a clinic.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '두통' with more descriptive adjectives and basic conjunctions. You can say '두통이 너무 심해요' (The headache is too severe) or '두통 때문에 못 가요' (I can't go because of a headache). You should understand the difference between '두통' (the noun) and '머리가 아파요' (the sentence). You also start to learn other '-통' words like '복통' (stomachache) and '치통' (toothache). You can describe when the headache started using time markers like '어제부터' (since yesterday).

At the B1 level, you can use '두통' in more complex sentences and explain the cause. You might say '스트레스를 많이 받아서 두통이 생긴 것 같아요' (I think I have a headache because I've been under a lot of stress). You can also understand basic advice given by a pharmacist about how to take '두통약'. You should be comfortable using formal endings like '-습니다' when talking to a doctor. You also begin to recognize '편두통' (migraine) as a specific type of headache.

At the B2 level, you can discuss '두통' in the context of health and lifestyle. You can talk about '만성 두통' (chronic headaches) and discuss various treatments or preventive measures like exercise or meditation. You can understand health articles that explain the physiological causes of headaches. You might also use '두통' metaphorically in a professional setting to describe a 'headache' of a problem, although '골칫거리' remains common. You can distinguish between different levels of pain using varied vocabulary.

At the C1 level, you use '두통' with high-level vocabulary and in nuanced contexts. You can discuss the socioeconomic factors that lead to increased '두통' in modern society. You understand clinical terms like '긴장성 두통' (tension headache) or '군발 두통' (cluster headache). You can read medical journals or detailed news reports about new drug developments for headache relief. Your usage of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the use of formal verbs like '호소하다' or '수반하다' (to accompany).

At the C2 level, '두통' is just one of many ways you can describe cranial discomfort. You can appreciate literary uses of the word where it might symbolize psychological burden or existential dread. You can engage in deep discussions about the history of medicine regarding headache treatments. You can effortlessly switch between clinical, formal, and highly colloquial or metaphorical uses of the word. You understand the etymological roots of the Hanja characters and how they relate to other medical terminology in the Sino-Korean lexicon.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

두통 in 30 Seconds

두통 (Dutong) is the formal Korean word for 'headache', derived from Hanja roots meaning 'head' and 'pain'.
It is primarily used in medical, formal, or clinical contexts, whereas '머리 아파요' is more common in casual speech.
Commonly paired with verbs like '있다' (to have), '심하다' (to be severe), and '생기다' (to occur).
It can also be used metaphorically to describe a troublesome situation or person, similar to the English 'headache'.

The word 두통 (dutong) is the standard Korean noun for 'headache'. Derived from Sino-Korean roots, it is a combination of 頭 (두 - head) and 痛 (통 - pain). While Korean speakers often use the descriptive phrase 머리가 아파요 (my head hurts) in casual daily conversation, 두통 is the precise medical and formal term used in clinics, pharmacies, and professional settings. Understanding this word is essential for anyone navigating the Korean healthcare system or discussing physical well-being. It describes a wide range of sensations, from a dull ache to a sharp, throbbing pain. In a broader sense, like in English, it can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or a person that causes significant stress or trouble, though this is slightly more formal than the English 'pain in the neck'.

Medical Context: When visiting a doctor (내과) or a pharmacy (약국), you use this term to describe your symptom precisely. For example, '두통이 심해요' (The headache is severe).
Professional Usage: In news reports or health articles, you will exclusively see '두통' rather than the colloquial '머리 아픔'. It sounds more objective and clinical.

어제부터 두통이 있어서 약을 먹었어요. (I've had a headache since yesterday, so I took some medicine.)

Culturally, Koreans often attribute 두통 to stress or 'hwabyung' (a Korean culture-bound syndrome related to suppressed anger). Therefore, when someone says they have a headache, the response often involves asking if they are stressed or if they have been working too hard. It is a word that bridges the gap between physical sensation and emotional state in many social interactions.

갑작스러운 두통은 건강의 위험 신호일 수 있습니다. (Sudden headaches can be a warning sign for your health.)

Metaphorical Use: '이 문제는 정말 두통거리예요' means 'This problem is a real headache/nuisance'.

Using 두통 correctly requires understanding its relationship with various verbs and particles. Most commonly, it is paired with the existential verb 있다 (to have/exist) or the descriptive verb 심하다 (to be severe). Because it is a noun, you will often use the subject marker -이/-가. For example, '두통이 있어요' literally translates to 'A headache exists', which is how you say 'I have a headache'. If you want to describe the onset of a headache, you might use 생기다 (to arise/form), as in '갑자기 두통이 생겼어요' (A headache suddenly started).

With '있다' (To have): '저는 만성 두통이 있어요.' (I have chronic headaches.) This is the most standard way to state the condition.
With '심하다' (To be severe): '오늘 두통이 너무 심해서 학교에 못 갔어요.' (The headache was so severe today that I couldn't go to school.)

스트레스 때문에 두통이 생기는 경우가 많습니다. (There are many cases where headaches occur due to stress.)

In more advanced or formal writing, you might encounter the verb 호소하다 (to complain of symptoms). Doctors might write '환자가 두통을 호소함' (The patient complains of a headache). You might also see 완화하다 (to alleviate), as in '두통을 완화하는 방법' (Ways to alleviate a headache). In daily life, however, stick to '있다' and '심하다' for natural communication. Also, pay attention to the word '두통약' (headache medicine), which is a compound noun. You don't need a particle between '두통' and '약'.

약국에서 두통약을 샀어요. (I bought headache medicine at the pharmacy.)

With '사라지다' (To disappear): '약을 먹으니 두통이 사라졌어요.' (After taking medicine, the headache disappeared.)

You will encounter 두통 in several specific environments. The most common is the local pharmacy. Korea has pharmacies on almost every corner, and '두통약' is one of the most frequently requested over-the-counter items. You will also hear it in hospitals, especially when a nurse or doctor asks about your condition. On television, commercials for analgesics like Tylenol or local brands like Gevorin (게보린) use the word '두통' repeatedly, often showing actors clutching their temples to visualize the word. It is also a staple in office environments where employees might mention a '두통' as a reason for needing a short break or leaving early.

광고: "빠른 두통 완화, 게보린!" (Ad: "Fast headache relief, Gevorin!")

In news broadcasts, especially during the change of seasons or during high-pollution days (fine dust/미세먼지), health segments will discuss how environmental factors lead to increased cases of 두통. It's also found in academic settings, particularly in psychology or biology lectures, when discussing the nervous system. If you are watching a K-drama, you'll often see a character experiencing a 'tension headache' due to family drama or corporate stress, usually accompanied by the phrase '두통이 오네' (A headache is coming on).

의사: "언제부터 두통이 시작되었나요?" (Doctor: "Since when did the headache start?")

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using the verb '하다' (to do) with 두통. In English, we say 'I have a headache', but some learners mistakenly say '두통해요', which is incorrect. You must use '있다' (to exist/have) or describe the pain with '심하다'. Another common error is confusing the noun 두통 with the phrase '머리가 아파요'. While both mean the same thing, '두통' is a noun and '머리가 아파요' is a subject-verb phrase. You cannot say '저는 두통해요' or '두통이 아파요'. The latter would literally mean 'The headache is painful', which is redundant.

❌ 두통을 해요. (Wrong)
✅ 두통이 있어요. (Correct)

Additionally, learners sometimes confuse '두통' (headache) with '복통' (stomachache) or '치통' (toothache) because they all end in '-통'. While the suffix is consistent, the first syllable changes the body part. Make sure you don't tell a pharmacist you have '복통' when your head hurts, or you'll get digestive medicine! Finally, avoid overusing '두통' in very casual settings with close friends. In those cases, '머리 아파' sounds much more natural and less like a clinical report.

To enrich your Korean vocabulary, it is helpful to know words related to 두통. The most common alternative is 머리 아픔, which is a pure Korean way to say 'headache'. If you are experiencing a migraine, the specific word is 편두통 (pyeon-du-tong), where '편' indicates 'one side'. If your head feels heavy rather than painful, you might use 두중감 (feeling of heaviness in the head), though this is very formal/medical. For chronic conditions, 만성 두통 (chronic headache) is the term used.

편두통 (Migraine): Used when the pain is concentrated on one side of the head. '편두통이 심해서 불을 끄고 누워 있었어요.' (I had a bad migraine, so I lay down with the lights off.)
머리가 지끈거리다 (Throbbing Head): An onomatopoeic expression describing a throbbing or pulsing headache. '머리가 지끈거려서 집중이 안 돼요.' (My head is throbbing, so I can't concentrate.)

단순한 두통인지 편두통인지 확인해야 합니다. (You need to check if it's a simple headache or a migraine.)

In metaphorical contexts, if something is a 'headache' (a problem), you can use 골칫거리 (gol-chit-geo-ri). This is much more common in daily speech than using '두통' metaphorically. For example, '이 문제는 정말 골칫거리예요' (This problem is a real nuisance). Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker and allows you to describe your physical or mental state with greater precision.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 痛 (tong) for pain also appears in words like '고통' (suffering) and '진통제' (painkiller), showing the consistent use of this root for physical and mental agony.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /du.tʰoŋ/

US /du.tʰoŋ/

In Korean, syllables generally have equal weight, but the aspirated 't' in 'tong' naturally draws more focus.

Rhymes With

보통 (botong - normal) 고통 (gotong - pain/suffering) 소통 (sotong - communication) 교통 (gyotong - traffic) 전통 (jeontong - tradition) 대통령 (daetongnyeong - president) 유통 (yutong - distribution) 계통 (gyetong - system)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tong' like 'dong' (without aspiration).
Making the 'u' in 'du' too long like 'doo-oong'.
Using an English 'r' sound for the 'd' in 'du'.
Failing to pronounce the final 'ng' (ㅇ) clearly.
Adding a stress on the first syllable like English 'DOO-tong'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to read as it follows standard phonetics.

Writing 2/5

Simple characters, but '통' requires correct stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Requires clear aspiration on the 't' in 'tong'.

Listening 1/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

머리 (Head) 아프다 (To be sick/hurt) 약 (Medicine) 있다 (To have/exist) 심하다 (To be severe)

Learn Next

복통 (Stomachache) 치통 (Toothache) 진통제 (Painkiller) 내과 (Internal medicine) 증상 (Symptom)

Advanced

뇌진탕 (Concussion) 신경계 (Nervous system) 처방전 (Prescription) 완화 (Alleviation) 질환 (Disease)

Grammar to Know

Noun + 때문에 (Because of...)

두통 때문에 학교에 못 갔어요.

Noun + 이/가 있다 (To have...)

저는 두통이 자주 있어요.

Adjective + 아/어서 (Reason/Cause)

두통이 심해서 약을 먹었어요.

Verb/Adjective + ㄹ 수 있다 (Possibility)

스트레스는 두통을 유발할 수 있어요.

Noun + 을/를 호소하다 (To complain of...)

그는 극심한 두통을 호소했다.

Examples by Level

두통이 있어요.

I have a headache.

'이' is the subject marker, '있어요' means 'to have' or 'exists'.

두통약 주세요.

Please give me headache medicine.

'주세요' is the polite way to ask for something.

머리가 아파요. 두통이에요.

My head hurts. It's a headache.

'-이에요' is the polite 'to be' ending.

두통이 심해요?

Is the headache severe?

The question mark and rising intonation make it a question.

아니요, 두통 없어요.

No, I don't have a headache.

'없어요' is the opposite of '있어요'.

오늘 두통이 있어요.

I have a headache today.

'오늘' means 'today'.

두통 때문에 쉬어요.

I am resting because of a headache.

'때문에' means 'because of'.

선생님, 두통이 있어요.

Teacher, I have a headache.

'선생님' is a respectful way to address a teacher.

어제부터 심한 두통이 있어요.

I've had a severe headache since yesterday.

'어제부터' means 'from yesterday'.

두통이 있을 때 이 약을 드세요.

Take this medicine when you have a headache.

'-을 때' means 'when'.

두통이 너무 심해서 못 왔어요.

I couldn't come because the headache was too severe.

'-아/어서' indicates a reason.

갑자기 두통이 생겼어요.

A headache suddenly started.

'생기다' means to arise or happen.

약국에 가서 두통약을 샀어요.

I went to the pharmacy and bought headache medicine.

'-고' or '-아/어서' can connect sequential actions.

두통이 자주 있어요?

Do you have headaches often?

'자주' is an adverb meaning 'often'.

감기 때문에 두통이 온 것 같아요.

I think a headache came because of a cold.

'-ㄴ 것 같다' means 'it seems like'.

두통이 사라지지 않아요.

The headache won't go away.

'-지 않다' is a negative ending.

스트레스가 심하면 두통이 생길 수 있습니다.

If stress is severe, a headache can occur.

'-면' means 'if', and '-ㄹ 수 있다' means 'can'.

이 약은 두통을 완화하는 데 효과적입니다.

This medicine is effective in alleviating headaches.

'-는 데' means 'in the act of' or 'for'.

두통이 계속되면 병원에 가야 해요.

If the headache continues, you must go to the hospital.

'-아야/어야 하다' means 'must' or 'should'.

만성 두통으로 고생하는 사람들이 많아요.

There are many people who suffer from chronic headaches.

'고생하다' means to suffer or have a hard time.

두통의 원인을 정확히 알아야 합니다.

You need to know the exact cause of the headache.

'원인' means 'cause'.

커피를 너무 많이 마셔도 두통이 올 수 있어요.

Even if you drink too much coffee, a headache can come.

'-아/어도' means 'even if'.

두통 때문에 집중하기가 힘들어요.

It's hard to concentrate because of the headache.

'-기가 힘들다' means 'to be difficult to do'.

충분한 휴식은 두통 예방에 도움이 됩니다.

Sufficient rest helps in preventing headaches.

'예방' means 'prevention'.

긴장성 두통은 근육의 긴장으로 인해 발생합니다.

Tension headaches occur due to muscle tension.

'-으로 인해' means 'due to'.

그 문제는 팀 전체에게 큰 두통거리가 되었습니다.

That problem became a big headache for the whole team.

'두통거리' is a metaphorical 'headache' or nuisance.

두통이 심할 때는 어두운 방에서 쉬는 것이 좋습니다.

When the headache is severe, it is good to rest in a dark room.

'-는 것이 좋다' means 'it is better to'.

약의 부작용으로 두통이 나타날 수 있습니다.

Headaches can appear as a side effect of the medicine.

'부작용' means 'side effect'.

그는 지속적인 두통을 호소하며 병원을 찾았다.

He visited the hospital complaining of continuous headaches.

'호소하다' is a formal verb for 'to complain of symptoms'.

두통과 함께 구토 증상이 있다면 즉시 진찰을 받으세요.

If you have vomiting symptoms along with a headache, get a checkup immediately.

'함께' means 'together with'.

현대인들은 과도한 업무로 인해 두통에 시달리곤 합니다.

Modern people often suffer from headaches due to excessive work.

'-곤 하다' means 'to do something habitually or often'.

규칙적인 식습관은 두통 빈도를 줄여줍니다.

Regular eating habits reduce the frequency of headaches.

'빈도' means 'frequency'.

편두통 환자들은 빛과 소리에 매우 민감하게 반응합니다.

Migraine patients react very sensitively to light and sound.

'민감하게' is the adverbial form of 'sensitive'.

뇌혈관 질환의 전조 증상으로 극심한 두통이 나타날 수 있습니다.

Extreme headaches can appear as a precursor symptom of cerebrovascular disease.

'전조 증상' means 'precursor symptom'.

이번 프로젝트의 예산 부족 문제는 정말 골치 아픈 두통거리다.

The budget shortage for this project is a really painful headache.

'골치 아픈' reinforces the metaphorical 'headache'.

두통의 양상에 따라 처방되는 약물이 달라질 수 있습니다.

The prescribed medication may vary depending on the pattern of the headache.

'-에 따라' means 'depending on'.

심리적인 요인이 두통을 유발하는 주요 원인 중 하나로 꼽힙니다.

Psychological factors are cited as one of the main causes that trigger headaches.

'-로 꼽히다' means 'to be counted/cited as'.

그는 두통을 참지 못하고 결국 수술을 결심했다.

He couldn't bear the headache and finally decided on surgery.

'-지 못하다' means 'cannot' (stronger than '못').

디지털 기기의 과도한 사용은 VDT 증후군과 두통을 유발합니다.

Excessive use of digital devices causes VDT syndrome and headaches.

'유발하다' means 'to trigger' or 'to cause'.

정기적인 운동은 뇌의 혈액 순환을 도와 두통을 완화시킵니다.

Regular exercise helps blood circulation in the brain and alleviates headaches.

'-시키다' is a causative suffix.

두통은 단순한 통증을 넘어 신체가 보내는 구조 신호일 수 있다.

Beyond simple pain, a headache can be a rescue signal sent by the body.

'-을 넘어' means 'beyond'.

현대 사회의 복잡한 이해관계는 지도자들에게 끊임없는 두통을 안겨준다.

The complex interests of modern society give leaders constant headaches.

'-을 안겨주다' means 'to give/bestow' (often something negative).

신경전달물질의 불균형이 두통의 근본적인 원인으로 지목되고 있다.

Imbalance of neurotransmitters is being pointed out as the fundamental cause of headaches.

'-로 지목되다' means 'to be pointed out as'.

두통의 만성화는 삶의 질을 현저히 떨어뜨리는 요인이 된다.

The chronicity of headaches becomes a factor that significantly lowers the quality of life.

'현저히' means 'significantly' or 'remarkably'.

철학자들은 때로 실존적 고뇌를 정신적 두통으로 묘사하기도 한다.

Philosophers sometimes describe existential agony as a mental headache.

'-기도 하다' means 'sometimes does'.

약물 남용으로 인한 반동성 두통은 치료가 매우 까다롭습니다.

Rebound headaches caused by drug abuse are very tricky to treat.

'까다롭다' means 'tricky' or 'fussy'.

고대인들은 두통을 머릿속에 갇힌 악령의 소행이라고 믿었다.

Ancient people believed headaches were the work of evil spirits trapped in the head.

'-라고 믿다' means 'to believe that'.

두통의 기저 원인을 파악하기 위해 정밀 검사가 수반되어야 합니다.

Detailed examinations must be accompanied to identify the underlying cause of the headache.

'수반되다' means 'to be accompanied'.

Common Collocations

두통이 있다

두통이 심하다

두통약을 먹다

두통을 앓다

두통을 호소하다

두통이 생기다

두통이 사라지다

만성 두통

두통의 원인

두통 완화

Common Phrases

두통 때문에 미치겠어요

— I'm going crazy because of this headache. Expresses extreme frustration with the pain.

이 두통 때문에 미치겠어요, 잠을 못 자요.

두통이 가시지 않다

— The headache won't go away. Used when pain persists despite treatment.

약을 먹어도 두통이 가시지 않네요.

머리가 깨질 듯한 두통

— A headache that feels like the head is splitting. Describes very intense pain.

머리가 깨질 듯한 두통이 찾아왔다.

지끈거리는 두통

— A throbbing headache. Uses the onomatopoeia '지끈' for pulsing pain.

지끈거리는 두통 때문에 눈을 뜰 수 없어요.

두통이 도지다

— For a headache to flare up again. Used for recurring pain.

피곤하니까 또 두통이 도졌어요.

두통이 씻은 듯이 낫다

— For a headache to be completely cured as if washed away.

잠을 자고 나니 두통이 씻은 듯이 나았어요.

가벼운 두통

— A mild headache. Used for non-serious discomfort.

가벼운 두통이라서 금방 괜찮아질 거예요.

두통을 유발하다

— To cause or trigger a headache.

강한 향기는 두통을 유발할 수 있습니다.

두통에 시달리다

— To suffer from or be plagued by headaches.

그녀는 매일 두통에 시달리고 있다.

두통 예방

— Headache prevention.

두통 예방을 위해 물을 많이 마시세요.

Often Confused With

두통 vs 복통

Stomachache. Both end in '-통', but the first syllable changes the location of the pain.

두통 vs 치통

Toothache. Often confused by beginners due to the same suffix.

두통 vs 두뇌

Brain. Both start with '두' (head), but one is an organ and the other is a symptom.

Idioms & Expressions

"머리가 아프다"

— Literally 'head hurts', but idiomatically used to mean a situation is complicated or stressful.

이 세금 문제는 정말 머리가 아프네요.

Casual

"골치가 아프다"

— Similar to '머리 아프다', but specifically refers to the 'brain/noggin' being troubled by a problem.

그 친구 때문에 골치가 아파 죽겠어요.

Casual/Informal

"골머리를 앓다"

— To agonize over a problem for a long time (literally 'to suffer in the brain').

수학 문제 때문에 골머리를 앓고 있어요.

Neutral

"두통거리가 생기다"

— A nuisance or a 'headache' of a problem has arisen.

새로운 규제 때문에 두통거리가 생겼다.

Neutral

"머리를 싸매다"

— To wrap one's head (due to a headache or deep thought/worry).

시험 공부를 하느라 머리를 싸매고 누웠다.

Neutral

"뒷목을 잡다"

— To grab the back of one's neck (usually from a sudden headache caused by shock or anger).

아들의 성적표를 보고 뒷목을 잡았다.

Informal

"머리가 띵하다"

— To feel dizzy or have a dull, ringing headache.

자고 일어났더니 머리가 띵해요.

Casual

"머리가 무겁다"

— To feel heavy-headed, often a precursor to a headache.

감기 기운이 있는지 머리가 무겁네요.

Neutral

"골이 따갑다"

— To have a stinging or sharp headache.

찬 바람을 쐬었더니 골이 따가워요.

Informal

"머리가 핑 돌다"

— One's head spins (dizziness often associated with a sudden headache).

갑자기 일어났더니 머리가 핑 돌았어요.

Casual

Easily Confused

두통 vs 머리

Both refer to the head.

'머리' is the body part itself, while '두통' is specifically the pain in that body part.

머리가 커요 (Head is big) vs 두통이 있어요 (Have a headache).

두통 vs 고통

Both end in '통'.

'고통' is a general word for suffering or pain (physical or mental), while '두통' is specific to the head.

이별의 고통 (Pain of breakup) vs 심한 두통 (Severe headache).

두통 vs 통증

Both relate to pain.

'통증' is the general noun for 'pain' in any part of the body, often used in medical charts.

통증이 느껴지나요? (Do you feel pain?) vs 두통이 있나요? (Do you have a headache?)

두통 vs 현기증

Often occur together.

'현기증' is dizziness or vertigo, not pain.

현기증이 나서 쓰러졌어요 (I fainted because of dizziness).

두통 vs 편두통

Specific vs General.

'편두통' is a migraine, usually one-sided and more severe than a common '두통'.

이건 단순한 두통이 아니라 편두통이에요.

Sentence Patterns

N이/가 있어요

두통이 있어요.

N 때문에 V

두통 때문에 쉬어요.

N이/가 심해서 V

두통이 심해서 약을 먹었어요.

N을/를 호소하다

환자가 두통을 호소합니다.

N으로 인한 N

스트레스로 인한 두통이 심합니다.

N의 만성화

두통의 만성화를 막아야 합니다.

All

N약

두통약 주세요.

All

갑자기 N이/가 생기다

갑자기 두통이 생겼어요.

Word Family

Nouns

두통약 (headache medicine)

편두통 (migraine)

만성두통 (chronic headache)

두통거리 (nuisance)

Verbs

두통이 생기다 (to get a headache)

두통을 앓다 (to suffer from a headache)

두통을 호소하다 (to complain of a headache)

Adjectives

두통이 심하다 (headache is severe)

두통이 잦다 (headaches are frequent)

치통 (toothache)

복통 (stomachache)

요통 (back pain)

진통제 (painkiller)

머리 (head)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both daily life and medical contexts.

Common Mistakes

두통해요 (Dutong-haeyo) → 두통이 있어요 (Dutong-i isseoyo)
You cannot use the verb '하다' (to do) with the noun '두통'. You must use '있다' (to have/exist).
머리통이 아파요 (Meoritong-i apayo) → 두통이 있어요 (Dutong-i isseoyo)
'머리통' is a somewhat crude way to say 'skull' or 'noggin'. It's not a standard way to describe a headache.
두통을 아파요 (Dutong-eul apayo) → 머리가 아파요 (Meori-ga apayo)
'아프다' is an adjective/descriptive verb and cannot take an object marker '을/를'.
두통약 주세요 (Dutong-yak juseyo) at a restaurant → 두통약 주세요 at a pharmacy
In some countries, convenience stores sell medicine, but in Korea, you usually need a '약국' for specific headache meds, though basic ones are now in '편의점'.
Using 두통 for a stomachache → 복통 (Boktong)
Confusing the body part prefix. '두' is head, '복' is stomach.

Tips

Learn the '-통' family

Once you know '두통', you can easily learn '치통' (tooth), '복통' (stomach), and '요통' (back). They all follow the same pattern of [Body Part] + [Pain].

Particles Matter

Always use '이' with '두통' when saying it exists. '두통이 있어요' is much more common than '두통을 가지고 있어요'.

Tea over Pills

In Korea, if you mention a mild headache, people might suggest a traditional tea before suggesting medicine. It's a way of showing care.

Aspiration is Key

Make sure to emphasize the 'T' sound in 'Tong'. A weak 'T' can make the word hard to understand for native speakers.

Formal Contexts

Use '두통' in emails or texts to your boss if you need to take a sick day. It sounds more professional than '머리 아파요'.

Commercial Cues

Watch Korean medicine commercials on YouTube. They repeat the word '두통' many times with clear visuals to help it stick.

Hanja Roots

Remembering 'Du' = Head and 'Tong' = Pain will help you decode hundreds of other Korean words later on.

Sympathy

If someone tells you they have a '두통', a good response is '어떡해요? 약은 먹었어요?' (Oh no, what to do? Did you take medicine?).

Pharmacy vs Hospital

For a simple '두통', go to a '약국'. For a '심한 두통' that won't go away, go to a '내과' (internal medicine) clinic.

Metaphorical Use

Try using '두통거리' when talking about a difficult homework assignment to sound more like a native speaker.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'DOO' (dew) drop falling on a 'TONG' (tongue) but it hits your head instead and causes pain. DOO-TONG!

Visual Association

Visualize a giant '2' (Du in some contexts, though not this one) hitting a 'Tong' (bell) that is shaped like a head, making a loud, painful sound.

Word Web

두통 (Headache) 약 (Medicine) 병원 (Hospital) 머리 (Head) 아프다 (To be sick/hurt) 스트레스 (Stress) 편두통 (Migraine) 진통제 (Painkiller)

Challenge

Try to use '두통' in a sentence today when you feel slightly tired, even if it's just to say '두통이 조금 있어요' (I have a slight headache).

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean 頭痛.

Original meaning: Pain in the head.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

No major sensitivities, but be aware that '두통' is a physical symptom; if used too often as an excuse, it might be seen as avoiding responsibility.

In English, 'headache' is used metaphorically very often ('This is a headache'). In Korean, '두통' is also used this way, but '골칫거리' is more idiomatic for problems.

Gevorin (게보린) ads - Famous for the line '맞다, 게보린!' for headaches. Tylenol (타이레놀) - The most recognized global brand for '두통' in Korea. K-Dramas - Often show mothers grabbing the back of their necks (뒷목) due to a '두통' caused by their children.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Pharmacy

두통약 있어요?
제일 잘 듣는 두통약 주세요.
두통이 심할 때 먹는 약인가요?
이거 두통에 효과 있나요?

At the Doctor's Office

두통이 며칠째 계속돼요.
머리 뒤쪽에서 두통이 느껴져요.
두통과 함께 어지러움이 있어요.
갑자기 심한 두통이 생겼어요.

At Work

두통 때문에 집중이 안 돼요.
두통이 심해서 잠시 쉬어야겠어요.
회의 중에 갑자기 두통이 왔어요.
오늘 두통 때문에 결근하겠습니다.

Socializing

너 두통 있어 보여, 괜찮아?
두통에는 이 차가 좋대.
어제 술을 마셨더니 두통이 심해.
두통약 좀 빌려줄 수 있어?

Health Discussion

스트레스는 두통의 주범이에요.
만성 두통은 정말 힘들어요.
두통 예방을 위해 운동을 해요.
카페인이 두통을 유발하기도 해요.

Conversation Starters

"혹시 두통약 가지고 계신 분 있나요? (Does anyone happen to have headache medicine?)"

"요즘 스트레스 때문인지 두통이 잦네요. (Maybe it's because of stress, but I'm having frequent headaches lately.)"

"두통이 심할 때 보통 어떻게 하세요? (What do you usually do when you have a severe headache?)"

"어제 잠을 못 잤더니 오늘 두통이 좀 있어요. (I couldn't sleep yesterday, so I have a bit of a headache today.)"

"커피를 안 마시면 두통이 생기는 편인가요? (Do you tend to get a headache if you don't drink coffee?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 나의 컨디션은 어땠나요? 두통이나 다른 통증은 없었나요? (How was my condition today? Did I have a headache or other pains?)

스트레스를 받을 때 신체적으로 어떤 변화가 생기나요? 두통이 오나요? (What physical changes occur when you are stressed? Do you get a headache?)

내가 아는 가장 효과적인 두통 해결 방법은 무엇인가요? (What is the most effective way to solve a headache that I know?)

만약 내가 의사라면, 두통 환자에게 어떤 조언을 해주고 싶나요? (If I were a doctor, what advice would I want to give to a headache patient?)

최근에 나를 '두통'스럽게 만든 일이나 고민이 있었나요? (Was there anything recently that gave me a 'headache' or worried me?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'두통' is a noun (headache), while '머리가 아파요' is a full sentence (My head hurts). '두통' is more formal and clinical. You would use '두통' when talking to a pharmacist or doctor, and '머리가 아파요' when talking to friends or family. For example, '두통약 주세요' (Please give me headache medicine) vs '엄마, 나 머리 아파' (Mom, my head hurts).

Yes, just like in English, '두통' can be used to describe a stressful problem or person. However, Koreans more commonly use the word '골칫거리' for this purpose. If you use '두통' metaphorically, it sounds slightly more formal or dramatic. For example, '이 문제는 정말 큰 두통거리입니다' (This problem is a really big headache).

You can simply go to a pharmacy (약국) and say '두통약 주세요' (Dutong-yak juseyo). If you want to specify it's for a severe headache, you can say '심한 두통에 먹는 약 주세요' (Please give me medicine for a severe headache).

No, that is incorrect. '두통' is a noun and cannot be turned into a verb with '하다'. You must use existential verbs like '있다' (to have) or '생기다' (to occur). Correct: '두통이 있어요' (I have a headache).

In Korea, common causes cited include '스트레스' (stress), '과로' (overwork), '미세먼지' (fine dust), and '수면 부족' (lack of sleep). People also often link it to digestive issues or 'Hwabyung' (repressed anger).

The '두' (頭) means 'head'. You can find this root in other words like '두부' (head part/brain area), '두발' (hair), and '두뇌' (brain). Knowing this helps you identify other head-related words.

The '통' (痛) means 'pain' or 'ache'. It is the same '통' found in '치통' (toothache), '복통' (stomachache), and '고통' (pain/suffering). It's a very useful root for medical vocabulary.

Yes, the word is '편두통' (Pyeon-du-tong). The '편' (片) means 'side' or 'one-sided', so it literally means 'one-sided head pain'. This is the standard term for a migraine.

You can use the onomatopoeic word '지끈지끈'. So you would say '머리가 지끈지끈 아파요' or '지끈거리는 두통이 있어요'. This conveys the pulsing nature of the pain.

Yes, many Koreans suggest drinking 'Ssanghwa-cha' or 'Maesil-cha' (plum tea) for general malaise. Acupressure on the 'Hap-gok' point (the fleshy area between the thumb and index finger) is also a very common traditional remedy for headaches and indigestion.