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콧물 나다

A2 verb #5,000 most common 7 min read

콧물 나다

kotmul nada Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 콧물 나다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 콧물 나다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn the most basic way to express physical needs and simple health states. '콧물 나다' is a key phrase for this. You should focus on the present tense '콧물이 나요' (My nose is running). It is important to remember that '콧물' means 'snot' (literally 'nose water') and '나요' means 'comes out'. You can use this when you have a small cold or when it is cold outside. For example, if you are in a classroom and need a tissue, you can say '콧물이 나요' to your teacher. This level is about survival communication, so being able to identify your nose (코) and water (물) helps you remember the word. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just remember the pair: 콧물 + 나요.

At the A2 level, you begin to connect symptoms with causes. You will use '콧물 나다' with conjunctions like '-아서/어서' (because) or '-면' (if). For instance, '추워서 콧물이 나요' (I have a runny nose because it's cold). You also start to use adverbs like '많이' (a lot) or '조금' (a little) to describe the severity. You should also learn the past tense '콧물이 났어요' to describe how you felt yesterday. At this stage, you are expected to understand that '콧물' is a single noun and that '나다' is the specific verb used for it. You might also encounter the phrase in simple doctor-patient dialogues where you describe multiple symptoms using '-고' (and), such as '콧물이 나고 기침을 해요' (I have a runny nose and I'm coughing).

At the B1 level, you can describe your health in more detail and use more nuanced grammar. You might use the '-는 것 같다' (it seems like) structure: '콧물이 나는 것 같아요' (It seems like my nose is running). You also begin to distinguish between different types of colds, such as '코감기' (nose cold). You can discuss frequency using words like '자주' (often) or '환절기마다' (every change of season). At this level, you should be comfortable using the phrase in various social settings, including work or school, and know how to use it with honorifics if you are talking about an older person (e.g., '할머니께서 콧물이 나세요'). You also start to learn related verbs like '훌쩍이다' (to sniffle) to provide more descriptive context to your '콧물 나다' symptom.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '콧물 나다' fluently in complex sentences. You might discuss the impact of environmental factors like '미세먼지' (fine dust) or '알레르기' (allergies) on your health. You can use structures like '-느라' (because of doing something) or '-는 바람에' (due to an unexpected event). For example, '에어컨을 하루 종일 틀어놓는 바람에 콧물이 나기 시작했어요' (I started having a runny nose because I left the air conditioner on all day). You also understand the nuance of using '콧물이 흐르다' (to flow) versus '나다' to emphasize the intensity of the symptom. You can engage in longer conversations about health trends in Korea, such as why everyone wears masks during certain seasons to prevent '콧물' and other symptoms.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the phrase and its place in Korean culture. You can use it in idiomatic or metaphorical contexts, although '콧물 나다' is mostly literal. You understand the phonetic rules behind the 'ㅅ' in '콧물' and can explain it to others. You are familiar with formal medical terminology like '비염' (rhinitis) and can switch between '콧물 나다' in casual speech and more professional terms in a formal report or discussion. You can also discuss the sociological aspects of health, such as how '콧물' is perceived in public spaces and the etiquette of '코 풀기' (blowing one's nose) in Korean society versus Western society. Your use of particles and honorifics with this phrase is flawless.

At the C2 level, you use '콧물 나다' with the same ease as a native speaker, including its use in literature or specialized medical contexts. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its components. You can interpret subtle nuances in literature where '콧물' might be used to depict a character's vulnerability or misery in a cold environment. You are capable of discussing the nuances of Korean traditional medicine (한의학) and how they might describe '콧물' in terms of 'cold energy' (찬 기운). Your command of the language allows you to use the phrase in any register, from the most technical medical discourse to the most informal slang-filled conversation, always choosing the perfectly appropriate level of politeness and emphasis.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

콧물 나다 in 30 Seconds

Used to express having a runny nose due to cold, allergies, or spicy food.
Composed of '콧물' (nasal water) and '나다' (to emerge).
Always used with the verb '나다', never '하다'.
Commonly used in medical and daily health-related conversations.

The Korean expression 콧물 나다 is the standard way to describe having a runny nose. Linguistically, it is a compound construction consisting of two primary parts: 콧물 (nasal discharge or snot) and the verb 나다 (to emerge, to appear, or to occur). In the Korean language, the word for 'nose' is 코 (ko), and 'water' is 물 (mul). When combined, a 'sai-siot' (ㅅ) is added for phonetic reasons, resulting in 콧물 (kon-mul). The verb 나다 is incredibly versatile in Korean, used for things like smells (냄새가 나다), sounds (소리가 나다), or thoughts (생각이 나다). Thus, 콧물 나다 literally translates to 'nose water emerges'.

Medical Context: This phrase is most commonly used when discussing physical ailments like the common cold (감기), influenza (독감), or seasonal allergies (알레르기). If you visit a Korean doctor, this is the primary phrase you would use to describe your symptoms.
Environmental Triggers: Koreans also use this when reacting to external stimuli. For example, eating very spicy food (매운 음식) often causes one's nose to run, or stepping out into the biting cold of a Korean winter (한겨울).
Emotional Nuance: While primarily physiological, it can appear in descriptions of crying. When someone cries intensely (엉엉 울다), they often experience a runny nose as a byproduct, and this phrase would be used to describe that state.

"날씨가 갑자기 추워져서 자꾸 콧물이 나요." (Because the weather suddenly got cold, my nose keeps running.)

Understanding the difference between 콧물 나다 and 코가 막히다 (stuffy nose) is crucial for effective communication. While 콧물 나다 implies an active flow of fluid, 코가 막히다 refers to congestion. Often, patients in Korea will describe both symptoms together to give a full picture of their respiratory health. Furthermore, because '나다' is an intransitive verb, the subject of the sentence is the 'nose water' (콧물), which is why the subject particle '이' is frequently attached to it in natural speech, making it 콧물이 나다.

Using 콧물 나다 correctly requires an understanding of Korean verb conjugation and particle usage. In most casual and polite settings, you will use the polite ending -아요/어요. Because 나다 ends in the vowel 'ㅏ', it combines with -아요 to become 나요. Therefore, the most common form you will hear is 콧물이 나요.

Present Tense (Polite): "콧물이 많이 나요." (I have a lot of runny nose.) This is the standard way to inform someone of your condition.
Past Tense (Informal): "어제부터 콧물 났어." (My nose has been running since yesterday.) Used with close friends or children.
Using with Reason Particles: "에어컨 때문에 콧물이 나요." (My nose is running because of the air conditioner.) Here, '때문에' (because of) provides the context for the symptom.

"매운 짬뽕을 먹었더니 콧물이 나네요." (After eating spicy Jjamppong, my nose is running, I see.) The suffix '-네요' adds a sense of immediate realization.

When you want to emphasize the continuous nature of the runny nose, you can add the adverb 자꾸 (repeatedly) or 계속 (continuously). For example, "콧물이 계속 나서 집중이 안 돼요" (My nose keeps running, so I can't concentrate). This structure is very common in office or school environments where you need to explain why you are distracted. In formal settings, such as a doctor's office, you might use the formal polite form: "콧물이 나고 열도 있습니다" (I have a runny nose and a fever).

The phrase 콧물 나다 is omnipresent in daily life, especially during the transition between seasons (환절기). In Korea, the yellow dust (황사) and fine dust (미세먼지) seasons in spring are prime times for respiratory issues, and you will hear this word in pharmacies, news reports, and casual greetings. It is not just a medical term; it is a part of the 'small talk' regarding health and weather.

At the Pharmacy (약국): When you go to buy over-the-counter medicine, the pharmacist will ask, "어디가 아프세요?" (Where does it hurt?). You would respond, "콧물이 나고 재채기도 해요" (I have a runny nose and I'm sneezing).
In Daily Greetings: Koreans often show concern for others' health. If a colleague sees you sniffing, they might ask, "콧물 나요? 감기 조심하세요" (Do you have a runny nose? Be careful not to catch a cold).
Parent-Child Interactions: Parents frequently say to their children, "우리 아기 콧물 나네? 닦아줄게" (Oh, is our baby's nose running? I'll wipe it for you). This is one of the first health-related phrases Korean children learn.

"비염이 있어서 환절기만 되면 콧물이 나서 힘들어요." (I have rhinitis, so it's hard because my nose runs whenever the seasons change.)

Furthermore, in TV dramas or variety shows, you'll see this phrase used for comedic effect when someone eats something surprisingly spicy. The camera will zoom in on their face, and a caption might appear saying '콧물 폭발' (Snot explosion) or '콧물 주르륵' (Snot trickling down). This highlights how the term is used both for serious medical discussion and for lighthearted, everyday observations. Understanding this word helps you navigate both the healthcare system and the social nuances of caring for others in Korea.

While 콧물 나다 is a relatively simple phrase, learners often make specific errors related to spelling, particle usage, and verb selection. Mastering these nuances will make your Korean sound significantly more natural and native-like.

Spelling: 코물 vs 콧물: A very common mistake is forgetting the 'ㅅ' (sai-siot). While it sounds like 'kon-mul', the spelling must be '콧물'. Writing '코물' is a misspelling that ignores the grammar rule for compound nouns where the first word ends in a vowel.
Verb Choice: 나다 vs 하다: English speakers often want to say 'I have a runny nose' and try to translate 'have' directly. In Korean, symptoms like runny noses or fevers are things that 'emerge' (나다), not things you 'do' (하다). Never say '콧물 해요'.
Particle Confusion: 을 vs 이: Because '나다' is an intransitive verb (it doesn't take an object), you should use the subject particle '이' (콧물이 나다) rather than the object particle '을' (콧물을 나다). While people might understand you, using '을' is grammatically incorrect.

Incorrect: "어제부터 콧물을 했어요."
Correct: "어제부터 콧물이 났어요."

Another mistake is confusing 콧물 나다 with 코 풀다 (to blow one's nose). 콧물 나다 describes the state/symptom, while 코 풀다 describes the action taken to resolve it. If you say "콧물이 나요" to mean "I'm blowing my nose," it will cause confusion. Always remember that '나다' is a passive occurrence from the perspective of the person experiencing it.

To enrich your Korean vocabulary, it is helpful to know words related to 콧물 나다. Depending on the severity or the specific type of nasal issue, different words might be more appropriate. These alternatives allow for more precise communication in medical or descriptive contexts.

콧물이 흐르다 (To Flow): This is more descriptive than '나다'. It implies that the nose water is literally 'flowing' or 'dripping' down. It is often used when the condition is quite severe. Example: "콧물이 주르륵 흘러요" (Snot is trickling down).
코가 막히다 (Stuffy Nose): This is the opposite condition. If your nose is congested and you can't breathe through it, you use '막히다' (to be blocked). People often have both symptoms: "콧물도 나고 코도 막혀요."
훌쩍이다 (To Sniffle): This is an onomatopoeic verb describing the sound and action of pulling nasal discharge back up. If someone is '훌쩍훌쩍' doing this, they likely have '콧물'.

"코감기 (Nose Cold) vs. 목감기 (Throat Cold)"
If your main symptom is 콧물, you have a 코감기.

In a more formal or medical sense, a doctor might use the term 비루 (nasal discharge), but this is strictly clinical and rarely used in daily conversation. For learners, sticking to 콧물 나다 is the safest and most natural choice. You might also hear 코가 나오다 (snot comes out), which is almost identical in meaning to 콧물 나다 but slightly more colloquial and focuses on the 'nose' as the source. However, '콧물이 나다' remains the gold standard for general use.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The term for tears in Korean, '눈물' (nun-mul), follows the exact same pattern: '눈' (eye) + '물' (water). It shows how Korean often uses very literal descriptions for bodily fluids.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kʰot̚.mul na.da/

US /kʰot̚.mul na.da/

The primary stress is on the first syllable '콧' (Kon), with a secondary emphasis on the verb '나' (na).

Rhymes With

눈물 (nun-mul - tears) 빗물 (bin-mul - rainwater) 단물 (dan-mul - sweet water) 짠물 (jjan-mul - salty water) 찬물 (chan-mul - cold water) 선물 (seon-mul - gift) 건물 (geon-mul - building) 인물 (in-mul - person/character)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as 'ko-mul' without the nasal 'n' sound.
Pronouncing it as 'kot-mul' with a hard 't' stop instead of the nasal transition.
Confusing the vowel 'u' in 'mul' with 'o'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to common components '코' and '물'.

Writing 3/5

The 'ㅅ' (sai-siot) can be tricky for beginners to remember to include.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once nasalization is understood.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in daily life, making it easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

코 (Nose) 물 (Water) 나다 (To emerge) 감기 (Cold) 아프다 (To be sick)

Learn Next

재채기하다 (To sneeze) 기침하다 (To cough) 열이 나다 (To have a fever) 코를 풀다 (To blow one's nose) 비염 (Rhinitis)

Advanced

알레르기성 비염 (Allergic rhinitis) 축농증 (Sinusitis) 항히스타민제 (Antihistamine) 이비인후과 (Otolaryngology/ENT)

Grammar to Know

Sai-siot (ㅅ) usage in compound nouns

코 + 물 = 콧물

Intransitive verb '나다' and subject particle '이/가'

콧물이 나다 (O), 콧물을 나다 (X)

Reasoning with -아서/어서

추워서 콧물이 나요.

Conditions with -(으)면

콧물이 나면 약을 드세요.

Polite ending -아요/어요

나다 + 아요 = 나요

Examples by Level

콧물이 나요.

My nose is running.

Present polite form.

콧물이 조금 나요.

My nose is running a little.

Adverb '조금' (a little).

코가 아파요. 콧물이 나요.

My nose hurts. My nose is running.

Simple sentence combination.

콧물이 많이 나요?

Is your nose running a lot?

Question form.

물하고 콧물.

Water and snot.

Noun comparison.

콧물이 안 나요.

My nose is not running.

Negative form with '안'.

오늘 콧물이 나요.

Today, my nose is running.

Time adverb '오늘'.

선생님, 콧물이 나요.

Teacher, my nose is running.

Addressing a person.

추워서 콧물이 나요.

Because it's cold, my nose is running.

Reasoning with -아서.

매운 음식을 먹으면 콧물이 나요.

If I eat spicy food, my nose runs.

Condition with -면.

어제는 콧물이 많이 났어요.

Yesterday, my nose was running a lot.

Past tense -났어요.

콧물이 나니까 휴지 좀 주세요.

Since my nose is running, please give me some tissues.

Reasoning with -니까.

감기에 걸려서 콧물이 자꾸 나요.

I caught a cold, so my nose keeps running.

Adverb '자꾸' (repeatedly).

콧물이 나지만 괜찮아요.

My nose is running, but I'm okay.

Contrast with -지만.

동생이 콧물이 나서 병원에 갔어요.

My younger sibling had a runny nose, so they went to the hospital.

Third person subject.

콧물이 나면 어떻게 해요?

What do you do if your nose is running?

Seeking advice.

환절기만 되면 콧물이 나는 것 같아요.

It seems like my nose runs whenever the seasons change.

-는 것 같다 (it seems like).

자꾸 콧물이 나서 집중을 못 하겠어요.

My nose keeps running, so I can't concentrate.

Negative ability with 못.

콧물이 나기 시작한 지 사흘 됐어요.

It's been three days since my nose started running.

-ㄴ 지 (time since).

콧물이 나고 목도 부은 것 같아요.

My nose is running and my throat seems swollen too.

Connecting symptoms with -고.

아이들이 콧물이 나면 부모님은 걱정해요.

When children have a runny nose, parents worry.

General statement.

꽃가루 알레르기 때문에 콧물이 나요.

My nose is running because of pollen allergies.

Noun + 때문에.

콧물이 나는데 약을 먹어야 할까요?

My nose is running; should I take medicine?

-는데 (background context).

콧물이 나지 않게 조심하세요.

Be careful so that your nose doesn't run.

-지 않게 (so that... not).

에어컨 바람을 너무 많이 쐬었더니 콧물이 나네요.

I was exposed to the air conditioner wind too much, so now my nose is running.

-었더니 (result of past action).

콧물이 계속 나면 비염을 의심해 봐야 해요.

If your nose keeps running, you should suspect rhinitis.

-어 봐야 하다 (should try/consider).

미세먼지 농도가 높아서 그런지 콧물이 나요.

Maybe because the fine dust concentration is high, my nose is running.

-아서 그런지 (maybe because).

콧물이 나는 증상은 감기의 전형적인 증상입니다.

A runny nose is a typical symptom of a cold.

Formal register.

자기도 모르게 콧물이 나서 당황했어요.

I was embarrassed because my nose ran without me even realizing it.

Emotional reaction.

콧물이 나기 전에 미리 약을 먹었어요.

I took medicine in advance before my nose started running.

-기 전에 (before doing).

콧물이 나고 재채기가 멈추지 않아요.

My nose is running and my sneezing won't stop.

Continuous action.

겨울철 실내외 온도 차이로 인해 콧물이 날 수 있어요.

A runny nose can occur due to the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors in winter.

-로 인해 (due to).

만성 비염 환자들은 1년 내내 콧물이 나서 고생합니다.

Chronic rhinitis patients suffer because their noses run all year round.

Professional context.

콧물이 나는 것은 우리 몸의 방어 기제 중 하나입니다.

A runny nose is one of our body's defense mechanisms.

Abstract explanation.

콧물이 나기 시작하면 즉시 휴식을 취하는 것이 좋습니다.

It is good to take a rest immediately once your nose starts running.

Advice with -는 것이 좋다.

콧물이 나는데도 불구하고 그는 출근을 강행했다.

Despite having a runny nose, he insisted on going to work.

-는데도 불구하고 (despite).

수영을 하고 나면 항상 콧물이 나서 불편해요.

It's uncomfortable because my nose always runs after swimming.

Specific activity trigger.

콧물이 나고 눈이 가려운 것은 전형적인 알레르기 반응입니다.

Runny nose and itchy eyes are typical allergic reactions.

Diagnostic description.

콧물이 나면 수분을 충분히 섭취하는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to consume enough fluids if your nose is running.

Health recommendation.

콧물이 나는 원인을 정확히 파악해야 효과적인 치료가 가능합니다.

An effective treatment is possible only when the cause of the runny nose is accurately identified.

Complex logic.

비강 내 염증으로 인해 콧물이 지속적으로 발생하는 현상입니다.

It is a phenomenon where nasal discharge continuously occurs due to inflammation in the nasal cavity.

Highly technical medical register.

콧물이 나는 증상만으로 감기와 독감을 구분하기는 어렵습니다.

It is difficult to distinguish between a cold and the flu solely based on the symptom of a runny nose.

Comparative analysis.

환경 오염의 심화로 인해 콧물이 나는 환자들이 급증하고 있다.

Due to the worsening of environmental pollution, the number of patients with runny noses is skyrocketing.

Social commentary.

콧물이 나더라도 일상생활에 지장이 없다면 다행이지만, 그렇지 않은 경우도 많다.

It's fortunate if a runny nose doesn't interfere with daily life, but that's often not the case.

Nuanced concession.

유아의 경우 콧물이 나면 중이염으로 발전할 가능성이 높으므로 주의가 필요하다.

In the case of infants, a runny nose is likely to develop into otitis media, so caution is required.

Pediatric medical advice.

콧물이 나고 재채기를 동반하는 증상은 면역 체계의 과잉 반응일 수 있다.

Symptoms accompanied by a runny nose and sneezing may be an overreaction of the immune system.

Immunological context.

콧물이 나는 것을 억제하기 위해 항히스타민제를 처방받았습니다.

I was prescribed antihistamines to suppress the runny nose.

Pharmacological context.

콧물이 나는 빈도와 양을 기록하여 의사에게 전달하는 것이 진단에 도움이 됩니다.

Recording the frequency and amount of runny nose and relaying it to the doctor helps with the diagnosis.

Systematic health management.

Common Collocations

콧물이 많이 나다

콧물이 자꾸 나다

콧물이 멈추지 않다

콧물이 주르륵 나다

콧물이 나기 시작하다

콧물이 나서 힘들다

콧물이 나고 열이 나다

콧물이 나고 기침하다

콧물이 나고 재채기하다

콧물이 나는 증상

Common Phrases

콧물 닦아

— Wipe your nose. Used mostly with children or close friends.

얘야, 콧물 좀 닦아라.

콧물 감기

— A 'runny nose cold'. Refers to a cold where the primary symptom is a runny nose.

이번에 콧물 감기에 걸렸나 봐요.

콧물 범벅

— Covered in snot. Used to describe someone (usually a child) with a very messy face.

아이가 울어서 얼굴이 콧물 범벅이 됐어요.

콧물이 쏙 들어가다

— For a runny nose to suddenly stop. Often used when something surprising or cold happens.

깜짝 놀랐더니 콧물이 쏙 들어갔어.

콧물을 훌쩍거리다

— To keep sniffling. Describes the sound and action.

옆 사람이 계속 콧물을 훌쩍거려요.

콧물이 나도 참다

— To endure a runny nose without wiping or blowing.

면접 중이라 콧물이 나도 참았어요.

콧물이 줄줄

— Snot running down continuously. Onomatopoeic/mimetic expression.

콧물이 줄줄 흘러서 창피해.

콧물이 나기 마련이다

— It is natural for the nose to run. Used in general contexts.

추우면 콧물이 나기 마련이죠.

콧물이 나면 어쩌나

— What if my nose runs? Expressing worry.

발표할 때 콧물이 나면 어쩌나 걱정돼요.

콧물이 나는 걸 보니

— Seeing that the nose is running. Used to make an inference.

콧물이 나는 걸 보니 감기인가 보네.

Often Confused With

콧물 나다 vs 코를 풀다

This is the active motion of blowing the nose, while '콧물 나다' is the symptom.

콧물 나다 vs 코가 막히다

This means a stuffy nose, which is the opposite of a runny nose.

콧물 나다 vs 눈물이 나다

This means crying (tears coming out), often confused because of the '물 나다' pattern.

Idioms & Expressions

"콧물이 석 자나 빠지다"

— To be very discouraged or depressed. Literally, snot hangs down three feet.

시험에 떨어져서 콧물이 석 자나 빠져 있더라.

Old-fashioned/Idiomatic

"콧물 흘리는 애"

— A naive or immature person. Literally, a kid with a runny nose.

걔가 언제까지 콧물 흘리는 애인 줄 알아?

Informal/Derogatory

"콧물도 안 나오다"

— To be so absurd that one can't even produce snot (metaphor for being speechless).

너무 어이가 없어서 콧물도 안 나오네.

Slangy/Colloquial

"코 묻은 돈"

— A small amount of money owned by a child. Literally, snot-stained money.

애들 코 묻은 돈을 뺏으면 안 되지.

Common Idiom

"코끝이 찡하다"

— To be moved to tears (often causes the nose to feel tingly/runny).

영화가 너무 슬퍼서 코끝이 찡했어요.

Neutral

"콧구멍만 하다"

— To be extremely small. Literally, the size of a nostril.

방이 콧구멍만 해서 답답해요.

Colloquial

"콧대가 높다"

— To be arrogant or proud. Literally, the bridge of the nose is high.

그 사람은 콧대가 높아서 상대하기 힘들어요.

Common Idiom

"코가 납작해지다"

— To lose face or be humbled. Literally, the nose becomes flat.

그의 거만함이 꺾여 코가 납작해졌다.

Common Idiom

"코 밑에 진상"

— Something very close but unnoticed. Literally, a problem right under the nose.

코 밑에 진상을 두고 멀리서 찾았네.

Proverbial

"콧노래를 부르다"

— To hum happily. Literally, to sing through the nose.

기분이 좋은지 콧노래를 부르네요.

Neutral

Easily Confused

콧물 나다 vs 나오다

Both mean 'to come out'.

'나다' is used for symptoms appearing, '나오다' is more about physical movement from inside to outside. Both are used for 콧물, but '나다' is more common for the symptom.

콧물이 자꾸 나와요.

콧물 나다 vs 흐르다

Both describe liquid movement.

'흐르다' implies a continuous flow or dripping, whereas '나다' is the general term for the occurrence.

콧물이 줄줄 흘러요.

콧물 나다 vs 생기다

Both can mean 'to occur'.

'생기다' is for something that is newly created or formed (like a scar), '나다' is for things that emerge from a source.

상처가 생겼어요.

콧물 나다 vs 하다

English 'have' a cold/runny nose.

Korean never uses '하다' for 콧물. It must be '나다'.

콧물이 나요 (O), 콧물 해요 (X).

콧물 나다 vs 훌쩍이다

Related to runny nose.

'훌쩍이다' is the verb for the sound/action of sniffling.

콧물 나니까 훌쩍이지 마.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] 콧물이 나요.

저는 콧물이 나요.

[Reason]-아서/어서 콧물이 나요.

추워서 콧물이 나요.

콧물이 많이/조금 나요.

콧물이 많이 나요.

콧물이 나는 것 같아요.

감기 때문에 콧물이 나는 것 같아요.

콧물이 나기 시작했어요.

어제부터 콧물이 나기 시작했어요.

콧물이 나는 바람에 [Result].

콧물이 나는 바람에 휴지를 다 썼어요.

콧물이 나는데도 불구하고...

콧물이 나는데도 불구하고 운동을 했어요.

콧물이 나는 증상을 완화하다.

콧물이 나는 증상을 완화하기 위해 약을 먹었다.

Word Family

Nouns

콧물 (snot)

코 (nose)

물 (water)

비염 (rhinitis)

감기 (cold)

Verbs

나다 (to emerge)

흘리다 (to shed/spill)

풀다 (to blow)

훌쩍이다 (to sniffle)

막히다 (to be blocked)

Adjectives

콧물범벅인 (snot-covered)

코맹맹이인 (nasal-voiced)

휴지 (tissue)

손수건 (handkerchief)

약 (medicine)

병원 (hospital)

마스크 (mask)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high, especially in winter and spring.

Common Mistakes

콧물 해요 → 콧물이 나요
In Korean, you don't 'do' a runny nose; it 'emerges'.
코물 → 콧물
Missing the 'sai-siot' (ㅅ) which is required for this compound noun.
콧물을 나요 → 콧물이 나요
Using the object particle with an intransitive verb.
코가 나요 → 콧물이 나요
Saying 'the nose emerges' instead of 'the snot emerges'.
콧물이 흐러요 → 콧물이 흘러요
Incorrect conjugation of the verb '흐르다'.

Tips

Particle Choice

Always use '이' with '콧물' when using the verb '나다'. Using '을' is a common learner mistake.

Nasalization

Remember to pronounce the 'ㅅ' as an 'n' sound because it's followed by 'm'. [Kon-mul].

Public Etiquette

If your nose is running in a quiet place, it's better to sniffle quietly or leave to blow your nose.

Related Symptoms

Learn '기침' (cough) and '재채기' (sneeze) along with '콧물' to describe a cold fully.

Spicy Food

Don't be surprised if people say '콧물 나요' at a restaurant; it's a common reaction to spice.

Literal Meaning

Think of it as 'Nose Water Emerging' to remember the components '코', '물', and '나다'.

Spelling

The 'ㅅ' is essential. Without it, the word is misspelled as '코물'.

Showing Concern

If you see a friend with a runny nose, saying '콧물 나네요. 괜찮아요?' is a kind way to show concern.

Pharmacy Tip

Tell the pharmacist '콧물약 주세요' (Please give me runny nose medicine) for quick service.

Mnemonics

Visualize the 'ㅅ' as a little nose bridge holding the '물' together.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine your nose (코) is a leaky faucet dripping water (물). When the water starts to 'appear' (나다), you have '콧물 나다'.

Visual Association

Visualize a cold ice cube melting on your nose, creating 'nose water'.

Word Web

코 (Nose) 물 (Water) 나다 (Emerge) 감기 (Cold) 휴지 (Tissue) 재채기 (Sneeze) 비염 (Rhinitis) 훌쩍 (Sniff)

Challenge

Try to use '콧물 나요' three times today: once when you eat something hot, once when you feel a breeze, and once when you see a tissue box.

Word Origin

A compound of the native Korean words '코' (nose) and '물' (water). The 'ㅅ' (sai-siot) is a grammatical insertion used in Middle Korean to indicate a genitive relationship ('of the nose') or to mark a sound change in compounds.

Original meaning: Water of the nose.

Koreanic.

Cultural Context

While a natural symptom, blowing your nose loudly in public is often considered less polite in Korea than in some Western countries. Sniffling is more common, though '콧물이 나다' is the polite way to explain the need for a tissue.

In English, 'runny nose' sounds like the nose itself is running. In Korean, it's the 'water' that is 'emerging'.

The character 'Maeng-gu' from the cartoon 'Crayon Shin-chan' (Korean dub) is famous for always having a runny nose. Various K-Dramas show characters with runny noses during emotional crying scenes to add realism. Traditional Korean folk songs sometimes mention '콧물' to depict the hardships of winter.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor's

콧물이 심하게 나요.
언제부터 콧물이 났나요?
콧물 색깔이 어때요?
콧물 때문에 잠을 못 자요.

In Winter

추워서 콧물이 나요.
밖은 추우니까 콧물 조심해.
콧물이 얼 것 같아.
겨울엔 항상 콧물이 나요.

Eating Spicy Food

너무 매워서 콧물이 나요.
콧물 나니까 휴지 좀 줘.
매운 거 먹으면 콧물 나지.
콧물 나도 맛있어.

Allergy Season

꽃가루 때문에 콧물이 나요.
비염이라 콧물이 자꾸 나.
콧물 나고 눈도 가려워.
봄에는 콧물이 멈추지 않아.

Crying

울어서 콧물이 나요.
콧물 닦으면서 울어.
너무 울었더니 콧물까지 나네.
콧물 나도록 울었어.

Conversation Starters

"요즘 감기가 유행이라는데 콧물 안 나요?"

"혹시 콧물 나세요? 여기 휴지 있어요."

"매운 음식 좋아하세요? 저는 먹으면 콧물이 나서 힘들어요."

"환절기만 되면 콧물이 나는데, 좋은 약 알아요?"

"아이가 콧물이 나는데 병원에 가야 할까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 날씨가 어땠나요? 콧물이 날 정도로 추웠나요?

최근에 감기에 걸린 적이 있나요? 콧물이 났을 때 어떻게 했나요?

매운 음식을 먹고 콧물이 났던 재미있는 경험을 써보세요.

알레르기가 있나요? 어떤 상황에서 콧물이 자주 나는지 설명해 보세요.

건강을 위해 평소에 콧물이나 감기를 어떻게 예방하나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a neutral phrase. To make it formal, you change the verb ending to '콧물이 납니다'. It is appropriate for all settings.

It's the 'sai-siot' rule for compound nouns where the first word ends in a vowel. It changes the pronunciation to [콘물].

No, '나다' is intransitive. You must use the subject particle '이', so it's '콧물이 나다'.

You can say '콧물이 멈췄어요' or '콧물이 안 나요'.

No, it's a standard medical and daily term for snot. It is not considered offensive, though the substance itself is messy.

They are nearly identical. '콧물이 나다' is slightly more standard, while '코가 나오다' is a bit more colloquial.

That is '코피가 나다' (nosebleed), using the same '나다' verb.

Yes, it is the primary way to describe allergic rhinitis symptoms.

The opposite symptom is '코가 막히다' (stuffy nose).

Children often say '코 나와요' or simply '코!' while pointing at their nose.