아프다

Let's dive into the Korean word 아프다 (a-peu-da). This is a very common and essential word to know, especially when talking about how you or others are feeling. In English, it means 'to be sick' or 'to be hurt'. It's an adjective, so it describes a state.

§ Basic Meaning of 아프다

Korean Word

아프다 (a-peu-da)

Part of Speech

Adjective

English Definition

To be sick, to be hurt, to ache, to be painful.

The beauty of 아프다 is its versatility. You can use it for a general feeling of being unwell, or for a specific pain in a particular body part. Let's look at some examples to get a better feel for it.

§ Using 아프다 in Everyday Talk

You'll hear 아프다 in a lot of different situations. Here are some common ways it's used:

• To say you are generally sick.
• To describe pain in a specific body part.
• To express emotional pain (though less common for beginners, it's good to know).

Hint

My body is sick/I am sick.

This is a very common phrase to use when you feel generally unwell. '몸' (mom) means 'body'.

Hint

My stomach hurts/I have a stomach ache.

Here, '배' (bae) means 'stomach' or 'belly'. You can swap '배' with other body parts to describe where the pain is. For example, '머리가 아파요' (meo-ri-ga a-pa-yo) means 'My head hurts' or 'I have a headache'.

Hint

My leg hurts.

This shows how you can be specific about the pain. '다리' (da-ri) means 'leg'.

§ Where You'll Hear 아프다: Work, School, News

You will hear 아프다 in many real-life situations. It's not just for doctors' offices!

At School or Work:

Imagine a friend at school or a colleague at work. If they're not feeling well, they might say something like this:

Hint

I'm so sick today, I think I need to go home early.

This is a polite way to explain why you need to leave. The '-서' (seo) ending here means 'because' or 'so'.

Hint

I ate lunch with my friend, and suddenly my stomach started hurting.

The suffix '-아지다/어지다' indicates a change of state, so '아파졌어요' means 'became sick/hurt'.

In the News or Media:

While news might use more formal or specific medical terms, 아프다 can still appear, especially in human interest stories or when discussing general public health.

Hint

This flu is very severe, so many people are getting sick.

Here, '감기' (gam-gi) means 'flu' or 'cold', and '독해서' (dok-hae-seo) means 'because it's severe/toxic'. '아프고 있습니다' (a-peu-go it-seup-ni-da) means 'are being sick' or 'are getting sick'.

Hint

Sitting for a long time can make your back hurt.

In this example, '허리' (heo-ri) is 'waist' or 'lower back'. The '-게 하다' (ge ha-da) structure means 'to make [something] do/be [adjective]', so '아프게 하다' means 'to make hurt'.

By getting comfortable with 아프다 and its various uses, you'll be much better equipped to talk about health and well-being in Korean. Keep practicing and you'll master it in no time!

§ What '아프다' Means

The Korean word 아프다 (apeuda) is an adjective that primarily means 'to be sick' or 'to be hurt'. It's a fundamental word you'll hear and use very often in daily conversations, especially when talking about health and well-being. It can refer to physical pain, illness, or even emotional pain in some contexts.

Korean Word

아프다 (adjective)

CEFR Level

A1

Definition

To be sick/hurt

§ Examples of Using 아프다

Let's look at some practical examples to see how 아프다 is used.

My stomach is hurting. (배: stomach)

My head hurts. (머리: head)

Where does it hurt? / Are you sick anywhere? (어디: where)

My heart hurts. (마음: heart/mind – used for emotional pain)

§ Similar Words and When to Use 아프다 vs. Alternatives

While 아프다 is very versatile, there are other words and expressions in Korean that relate to being sick or feeling unwell. Understanding the nuances will help you communicate more precisely.

• 아프다 (apeuda): This is your go-to word for general pain or sickness. It covers both physical pain (like a headache or stomachache) and being unwell (like having a cold). It can also be used for emotional hurt.
• 병나다 (byeongnada): This means 'to get sick' or 'to fall ill.' It often implies a more serious or prolonged illness compared to a simple '아프다'. Think of it as contracting a disease or becoming genuinely unwell over time. You wouldn't typically use 병나다 for a temporary pain like a stubbed toe.

I got sick from overworking. (과로하다: to overwork)

• 몸이 안 좋다 (momi an jota): Literally 'body is not good.' This is a polite and common way to say you're not feeling well. It's a milder expression than 아프다 and can be used for general malaise, fatigue, or just feeling a bit under the weather without specific pain.

I don't feel well today. (오늘: today)

• 감기 걸리다 (gamgi geollida): This specifically means 'to catch a cold.' While a cold makes you '아프다,' this phrase points directly to the specific illness.

I caught a cold.

In summary, use 아프다 for most instances of pain or general sickness. Opt for 병나다 when talking about falling ill with a more significant sickness. Use 몸이 안 좋다 for a gentler way to say you're not feeling well, and 감기 걸리다 for colds specifically.