This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Korean
Vocabulary
배탈나다

A2 verb #6,000 most common 7 min read

배탈나다

baetallada Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 배탈나다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 배탈나다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '배탈' means stomach trouble and '나다' means to happen. You can use it in very simple sentences like '배탈 났어요' (I have an upset stomach) to tell a teacher or a friend that you feel sick. It is a very useful word because it explains why you might not want to eat. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet; just remember the past tense '났어요' is the most common form you will use when you are actually sick. Think of it as a specific kind of '배가 아파요' (my stomach hurts).

At the A2 level, you should start using '배탈나다' with basic conjunctions like '-아서/어서' to explain the cause. For example, '우유를 마셔서 배탈났어요' (I have an upset stomach because I drank milk). You should also be able to recognize the noun '배탈' and the verb '나다' as a pair. At this level, you are expected to understand that this word is specifically for digestive issues, not just any pain in the belly area. You might also encounter it in simple advice like '조심하세요' (be careful).

At the B1 level, you can use '배탈나다' in more complex sentence structures, such as using the '-기 쉽다' (easy to) or '-(으)ㄹ까 봐' (worried that) patterns. You can describe symptoms more accurately and discuss prevention. For instance, '여름에는 음식이 빨리 상해서 배탈나기 쉬워요' (In summer, it's easy to get an upset stomach because food spoils quickly). You should also be able to distinguish '배탈나다' from '체하다' (indigestion) and use them in their correct contexts depending on whether the issue is lower or upper GI distress.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '배탈나다' in various registers, from casual talk with friends to semi-formal situations at work. you can use it to make excuses politely or to give detailed health advice. You should understand the nuance of using '배탈' versus more medical terms like '장염' (enteritis). You can also use the word in hypothetical situations using '-었더라면' or '-었을 텐데' to talk about how you could have avoided the stomach trouble. Your vocabulary should now include related adverbs like '심하게' (severely) or '갑작스럽게' (suddenly).

At the C1 level, you understand the cultural connotations of '배탈나다,' such as the traditional Korean belief that 'cold energy' in the stomach causes illness. You can participate in discussions about food safety, public health, and traditional versus modern medicine using this term. You can also use it metaphorically or in idiomatic expressions if they arise in literature or news. You should be able to explain the etymology of the word ('bae' + 'tal') to others and understand its use in historical or older texts where '탈' might have a broader meaning of 'accident' or 'mishap.'

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '배탈나다.' You can use it with perfect grammatical precision in any context, including high-level academic writing or professional medical consultations (though you would likely use more technical terms there, you would understand the patient's use of '배탈'). You can nuance your speech by choosing between '배탈이 나다,' '속이 뒤집히다,' '배앓이를 하다,' and '장 기능이 저하되다' to convey exact shades of meaning. You understand the subtle social cues when someone uses this word to avoid a social obligation and can respond with appropriate cultural empathy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

배탈나다 in 30 Seconds

배탈나다 means to have an upset stomach or digestive trouble, typically involving cramps or diarrhea.
It is a compound of 'bae' (stomach), 'tal' (trouble), and 'nada' (to occur).
Commonly used to explain illness from food, overeating, or even cold weather in Korean culture.
The most frequent form used in daily conversation is the past tense, '배탈났다' (baetal-nat-da).

The Korean verb 배탈나다 is an essential expression for anyone navigating daily life in Korea, as it specifically describes the occurrence of digestive distress or an upset stomach. To understand its core meaning, one must look at its components: 배 (bae) meaning 'stomach' or 'abdomen,' and 탈 (tal) meaning 'trouble,' 'defect,' or 'fault.' When combined with 나다 (nada), which means 'to occur' or 'to break out,' the word literally translates to 'stomach trouble has broken out.' Unlike a generic stomach ache, which might be described simply as 배가 아프다, 배탈나다 almost always implies a functional issue with digestion, often involving symptoms like cramping, diarrhea, or nausea resulting from something one consumed or an environmental factor.

Core Usage: This term is used when the digestive system is visibly or internally 'out of order.' It is the standard way to report food poisoning, indigestion from overeating, or the common Korean belief that exposing the stomach to cold air causes illness.

어제 길거리 음식을 먹고 배탈났어요. (I got an upset stomach after eating street food yesterday.)

In Korean culture, the stomach is seen as a sensitive center of health. Therefore, 배탈나다 is not just a medical report; it is a common social explanation for why someone might be absent from a meal or feeling lethargic. You will hear it in pharmacies when describing symptoms to a pharmacist, in schools as a reason for missing class, and among friends when discussing a restaurant that might have served subpar ingredients. It is a 'safe' yet descriptive word that conveys discomfort without being overly graphic about the specific biological details of the upset.

Cultural Nuance: Koreans often attribute '배탈' to '찬 기운' (cold energy). If you sleep with a fan on or with your belly exposed, elders might warn that you will get '배탈.' This cultural context makes the word much broader than just 'food poisoning.'

찬 우유를 갑자기 마시면 배탈나기 쉬워요. (It is easy to get an upset stomach if you suddenly drink cold milk.)

Using 배탈나다 correctly requires understanding its status as an intransitive verb phrase. It functions as a single unit where '배탈' (the trouble) '나다' (happens). In conversation, you will most frequently use the past tense 배탈났다 because people usually talk about the stomach ache once they are already feeling it. However, the present tense is used for general warnings or habitual conditions. Because it is a verb, it can be modified by adverbs like 심하게 (severely) or 자주 (often) to provide more detail about the frequency or intensity of the condition.

Grammatical Structure: Subject + (Reason) + 배탈나다. Note that the particle '이' is often omitted between '배탈' and '나다' in spoken Korean, but it is grammatically '배탈이 나다.'

과식했더니 배탈이 났나 봐요. (I must have an upset stomach because I overate.)

When you want to explain the cause of the upset stomach, you typically use the -아서/어서 (because) or -(으)니까 (since) connectors. For example, '상한 음식을 먹어서 배탈났어요' (I have an upset stomach because I ate spoiled food). It is also common to see it used with the -기 쉽다 (easy to...) pattern when giving advice. This is particularly common in summer when food spoils quickly or in winter when people are sensitive to the cold. The word is versatile enough for both formal medical settings and casual conversations at home.

여름에는 음식을 조심하지 않으면 배탈나기 십상입니다. (In summer, you are liable to get an upset stomach if you aren't careful with food.)

You will encounter 배탈나다 in various everyday scenarios in Korea. One of the most common places is the local pharmacy (약국). When you walk in and tell the pharmacist, "배탈이 났어요," they will immediately understand that you need something for indigestion or diarrhea. It is the primary keyword for seeking over-the-counter gastrointestinal relief. Additionally, this word is a staple in the Korean education system; students frequently use it as a reason for requesting a trip to the school nurse's office or for being late to class. In these contexts, it is accepted as a legitimate, albeit common, ailment.

Professional Context: In workplace settings, while more formal terms like '장염' (enteritis) or '소화불량' (indigestion) might be used in official sick leave documents, '배탈' is the term used in verbal communication with colleagues to explain why you aren't eating much at a team dinner.

부장님, 제가 배탈이 나서 오늘 회식은 참석하기 어려울 것 같습니다. (Manager, I have an upset stomach so I don't think I can attend the team dinner today.)

You will also hear this word frequently on news broadcasts or health programs, especially during the transition between seasons or during the humid summer months (Jangma season). Health experts will warn the public about '배탈' risks from contaminated water or poorly stored food. In advertisements for digestive aids (like the famous 'Gas Whal Myung Su'), the word is used to target consumers who feel bloated or uncomfortable after a heavy meal. It is a word that bridges the gap between clinical diagnosis and domestic discomfort.

A frequent mistake made by learners is using 배탈나다 to describe every kind of abdominal pain. If you have a muscle cramp from exercise or a sharp pain from a kidney stone, using '배탈' would be incorrect and confusing to a doctor. '배탈' specifically implies a digestive origin. Another mistake is the confusion between the noun 배탈 and the verb 배탈나다. While you can say '배탈이 있다' (rarely used) or '배탈이 났다' (very common), you cannot say '배탈하다.' The verb must always be '나다' (to occur) because the trouble is seen as something that 'breaks out' or 'emerges' within the body.

Confusing with '체하다': Many learners confuse '배탈나다' with '체하다' (che-hada). While both involve the stomach, '체하다' is specifically indigestion where food feels 'stuck' in the chest or upper stomach, often accompanied by a headache. '배탈나다' is more likely to involve the lower intestines and diarrhea.

Incorrect: 매운 것을 먹어서 배가 탈해요. (Wrong verb ending)
Correct: 매운 것을 먹어서 배탈이 났어요.

Furthermore, learners often forget the subject-particle '이' in formal writing. While '배탈났다' is perfectly fine in speech, '배탈이 났다' is the grammatically complete version. Another nuance is the scale of the illness. For very serious, chronic conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcers, '배탈나다' is too light a term. Using it for a serious medical emergency might lead others to underestimate the severity of the situation. It is best reserved for temporary, acute digestive issues.

To enrich your Korean vocabulary, it is helpful to know words that are related to 배탈나다 but carry different nuances. Depending on the specific symptoms or the level of formality, you might choose a different term. For example, if the stomach feels 'heavy' or 'bloated' rather than having sharp pains or diarrhea, you might use 속이 더부룩하다. If you are in a formal medical setting, you would use clinical terms like 장염 (enteritis/stomach flu) or 식중독 (food poisoning).

Comparison Table

배탈나다: General upset stomach (A2 level).
체하다: Indigestion/upset from eating too fast or under stress.
속이 안 좋다: "My stomach/inside doesn't feel good" (Very common, polite).
설사하다: To have diarrhea (Specific symptom).

아침부터 속이 안 좋아서 아무것도 못 먹겠어요. (My stomach hasn't felt good since morning, so I can't eat anything.)

Another interesting alternative is 배앓이 (bae-al-i), which is a more poetic or child-friendly way to say 'stomach ache' or 'colic.' While 배탈나다 sounds like a functional breakdown, 배앓이 sounds like a lingering, painful ache. For those who want to sound more sophisticated, 위장 장애 (gastrointestinal disorder) is used in academic or professional discussions. Understanding these distinctions allows you to describe your physical state with much higher precision.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word '탈' (tal) is also the word for a traditional Korean mask. While the meanings are different, some linguists suggest 'tal' as 'trouble' comes from the idea of something being 'covered' or 'hidden' going wrong.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pɛ.tʰal.na.da/

US /beɪ.tʰɑl.nɑ.dɑ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable '배' (Bae).

Rhymes With

떠나다 (tteonada) 지나다 (jinada) 만나다 (mannada) 나타나다 (natanada) 자라나다 (jaranada) 일어나다 (ireonada) 태어나다 (tae-eonada) 어긋나다 (eogeunnada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '탈' without aspiration (sounding like 'dal').
Merging '배' and '탈' into one syllable.
Incorrectly putting stress on '나'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it uses basic components '배' and '나다'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the specific spelling of '탈' and the past tense conjugation '났다'.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for most learners.

Listening 2/5

Commonly used in daily life, so it's easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

배 (stomach) 아프다 (to be sick/hurt) 나다 (to occur) 음식 (food) 우유 (milk)

Learn Next

체하다 (indigestion) 설사 (diarrhea) 소화제 (digestive medicine) 죽 (porridge) 약국 (pharmacy)

Advanced

식중독 (food poisoning) 장염 (enteritis) 위염 (gastritis) 과민성 대장 증후군 (IBS) 변비 (constipation)

Grammar to Know

-아서/어서 (Cause/Reason)

우유를 마셔서 배탈이 났어요.

-기 쉽다 (Easy to/Likely to)

여름에는 배탈이 나기 쉬워요.

-(으)ㄹ까 봐 (Worry that...)

배탈이 날까 봐 못 먹겠어요.

-ㄴ/은/는 것 같다 (Seems like...)

배탈이 난 것 같아요.

-지 않도록 (In order not to...)

배탈이 나지 않도록 조심하세요.

Examples by Level

배탈 났어요.

I have an upset stomach.

Simple past tense of 배탈나다.

배탈이 났어요?

Do you have an upset stomach?

Question form of the past tense.

아이가 배탈 났어요.

The child has an upset stomach.

Subject '아이' added.

어제 배탈 났어요.

I had an upset stomach yesterday.

Time adverb '어제' used.

배탈 나서 못 가요.

I can't go because I have an upset stomach.

Using -나서 as a reason.

너무 많이 먹어서 배탈 났어요.

I have an upset stomach because I ate too much.

Reason provided with -어서.

배탈 조심하세요.

Be careful of an upset stomach.

Imperative form of '조심하다'.

배탈이 자주 나요.

I get upset stomachs often.

Present tense for habitual action.

찬 물을 마시면 배탈나기 쉬워요.

It is easy to get an upset stomach if you drink cold water.

-기 쉽다 pattern.

배탈이 나서 약을 먹었어요.

I had an upset stomach, so I took medicine.

Compound sentence with -나서.

여름에는 음식이 잘 상해서 배탈이 잘 나요.

In summer, food spoils easily, so upset stomachs happen often.

Reasoning with -어서 and frequency with '잘'.

배탈이 났을 때는 죽을 드세요.

When you have an upset stomach, eat rice porridge.

Honorific ending -으세요.

어디가 아파요? 배탈이 났어요?

Where does it hurt? Do you have an upset stomach?

Clarifying symptoms.

배탈이 날까 봐 걱정돼요.

I'm worried I might get an upset stomach.

-ㄹ까 봐 pattern (fear/worry).

어제부터 배탈이 나서 고생하고 있어요.

I've been suffering from an upset stomach since yesterday.

-고 있다 (progressive tense).

배탈이 났는데 병원에 가야 할까요?

I have an upset stomach; should I go to the hospital?

-는데 (background) and -야 하다 (obligation).

여행 중에 배탈이 나면 정말 난감해요.

It's really frustrating if you get an upset stomach while traveling.

-면 (if/when) conditional.

배탈이 났으니까 당분간은 자극적인 음식을 피하세요.

Since you have an upset stomach, avoid irritating foods for the time being.

-(으)니까 for providing a reason for advice.

과일도 너무 많이 먹으면 배탈날 수 있어요.

Even fruit can give you an upset stomach if you eat too much.

-ㄹ 수 있다 (possibility).

배탈이 난 아이에게 따뜻한 물을 줬어요.

I gave warm water to the child who had an upset stomach.

Noun modification (배탈이 난 + 아이).

심한 배탈이 나서 밤새 잠을 못 잤어요.

I had such a bad upset stomach that I couldn't sleep all night.

Adverb '심한' (severe) and resultative -아서.

배탈이 나지 않으려면 손을 깨끗이 씻어야 해요.

To avoid getting an upset stomach, you must wash your hands cleanly.

-지 않으려면 (in order not to).

무엇을 잘못 먹었는지 배탈이 났네요.

I must have eaten something wrong, as I have an upset stomach.

-는지 (wondering/uncertainty).

배탈이 났을 때 매실차를 마시면 도움이 돼요.

When you have an upset stomach, drinking plum tea helps.

-ㄹ 때 (when) and -면 도움이 되다.

길거리 음식을 함부로 먹었다가는 배탈나기 십상입니다.

If you eat street food carelessly, you are liable to get an upset stomach.

-었다가는 (warning of negative result).

배탈이 난 상태에서 운동을 하는 것은 좋지 않아요.

It is not good to exercise while you have an upset stomach.

-ㄴ 상태에서 (in the state of).

갑자기 배탈이 나는 바람에 약속을 취소했어요.

Because I suddenly got an upset stomach, I canceled the appointment.

-는 바람에 (unintended negative cause).

배탈이 났다고 해서 무조건 굶는 것이 정답은 아닙니다.

Just because you have an upset stomach doesn't mean starving yourself is necessarily the answer.

-다고 해서 (even though one says...).

어릴 때 배탈이 나면 어머니가 배를 문질러 주시곤 했어요.

When I got an upset stomach as a child, my mother used to rub my belly.

-곤 하다 (habitual past action).

배탈이 나면 수분이 부족해질 수 있으니 물을 자주 마셔야 합니다.

If you have an upset stomach, you can become dehydrated, so you must drink water often.

Logical deduction and advice.

스트레스 때문에 배탈이 나는 경우도 의외로 많습니다.

Surprisingly, there are many cases where stress causes an upset stomach.

Identifying a non-food cause.

배탈이 난 원인을 정확히 파악하는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to accurately identify the cause of the upset stomach.

Nominalization with -는 것.

배탈이 났을 때 민간요법에만 의존하는 것은 위험할 수 있습니다.

Relying only on folk remedies when you have an upset stomach can be dangerous.

Critical analysis.

위생 관리가 철저하지 않은 곳에서 식사하면 배탈이 날 확률이 높습니다.

If you eat at a place where hygiene management is not thorough, the probability of getting an upset stomach is high.

Using '확률' (probability).

배탈이 나서 기운이 하나도 없는 모양이군요.

It looks like you have no energy at all because you have an upset stomach.

-ㄴ 모양이다 (inference based on appearance).

상한 음식을 먹고 배탈이 나는 것은 몸의 자연스러운 방어 기제입니다.

Getting an upset stomach after eating spoiled food is a natural defense mechanism of the body.

Scientific explanation.

배탈이 난 환자들에게는 자극이 적은 식단이 권장됩니다.

A low-irritant diet is recommended for patients with upset stomachs.

Passive voice '권장되다'.

그는 배탈이 났음에도 불구하고 끝까지 경기를 마쳤습니다.

Despite having an upset stomach, he finished the match to the end.

-음에도 불구하고 (despite).

배탈이 나면 일상생활에 지장이 생기기 마련입니다.

If you get an upset stomach, it is bound to interfere with your daily life.

-기 마련이다 (it is bound to happen).

단순한 배탈인 줄 알았는데 알고 보니 식중독이었습니다.

I thought it was a simple upset stomach, but it turned out to be food poisoning.

-ㄴ 줄 알았다 (thought it was... but).

만성적인 배탈은 기저 질환의 신호일 수 있으므로 정밀 검사가 필요합니다.

Chronic upset stomach can be a sign of an underlying disease, so a detailed examination is necessary.

Advanced medical vocabulary ('만성적', '기저 질환').

배탈이 났을 때의 탈수 증상을 방지하기 위해 전해질 음료를 섭취하십시오.

To prevent dehydration symptoms when you have an upset stomach, consume electrolyte drinks.

Formal imperative '섭취하십시오'.

유제품에 민감한 체질은 조금만 부주의해도 배탈이 나기 일쑤입니다.

People with a constitution sensitive to dairy products are prone to getting upset stomachs with even slight carelessness.

-기 일쑤이다 (habitually/prone to doing something negative).

배탈이 난 직후에는 위장의 부담을 줄이기 위해 금식하는 것이 바람직합니다.

Immediately after getting an upset stomach, it is advisable to fast to reduce the burden on the stomach.

Formal vocabulary ('직후', '부담', '바람직하다').

이번 배탈은 단순히 잘못된 식습관 때문이라기보다 환경적인 요인이 큽니다.

This upset stomach is due to environmental factors rather than simply bad eating habits.

-라기보다 (rather than).

배탈이 나면 소화 효소의 분비가 원활하지 않아 영양 흡수가 저해됩니다.

When an upset stomach occurs, the secretion of digestive enzymes is not smooth, hindering nutrient absorption.

Physiological explanation.

그는 배탈이 났다는 핑계로 중요한 회의에서 빠져나갔습니다.

He slipped out of the important meeting on the pretext of having an upset stomach.

-다는 핑계로 (on the pretext of).

배탈이 난 부위를 따뜻하게 유지하는 것이 통증 완화에 유효합니다.

Keeping the area where the stomach is upset warm is effective for pain relief.

Formal medical advice ('완화', '유효하다').

Common Collocations

심하게 배탈나다

자주 배탈나다

갑자기 배탈나다

음식 때문에 배탈나다

배탈이 날 것 같다

배탈을 예방하다

배탈이 가라앉다

배탈을 앓다

찬 것 먹고 배탈나다

배탈이 도지다

Common Phrases

배탈 주의보

— A warning about common stomach upsets in a certain season.

여름철 배탈 주의보가 발령되었습니다.

배탈 약

— Medicine for an upset stomach.

약국에서 배탈 약 좀 사다 줄래?

배탈이 나기 십상이다

— To be very likely to get an upset stomach.

그렇게 먹으면 배탈 나기 십상이야.

배탈을 고치다

— To cure or treat an upset stomach.

병원에 가서 배탈을 고쳤어요.

배탈이 심하다

— The upset stomach is severe.

배탈이 너무 심해서 아무것도 못 해요.

배탈이 날 뻔하다

— Almost got an upset stomach.

상한 음식인 줄 모르고 먹어서 배탈 날 뻔했어요.

배탈 기운이 있다

— To feel the early symptoms of an upset stomach.

아침부터 배탈 기운이 좀 있어요.

배탈이 나서 고생하다

— To suffer because of an upset stomach.

주말 내내 배탈이 나서 고생했어요.

배탈이 잦다

— To get upset stomachs frequently.

그 아이는 배탈이 잦은 편이에요.

배탈이 나지 않게

— So that an upset stomach doesn't occur.

배탈이 나지 않게 조심해서 드세요.

Often Confused With

배탈나다 vs 배가 아프다

This is general pain. '배탈나다' is specifically digestive/stomach trouble.

배탈나다 vs 체하다

'체하다' is indigestion (feeling stuck), while '배탈나다' often involves diarrhea or lower pain.

배탈나다 vs 배고프다

Do not confuse 'trouble' (탈) with being hungry!

Idioms & Expressions

"배탈이 나다"

— Literally 'trouble occurs in the stomach.'

음식을 잘못 먹으면 배탈이 나요.

Standard

"속이 뒤집어지다"

— Stomach is turned upside down (severe nausea/upset).

어제 술을 너무 많이 마셔서 속이 뒤집어졌어요.

Informal

"사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다"

— To be jealous (literally: if a cousin buys land, my stomach hurts).

그 사람이 잘되는 걸 보니 사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다더니 딱 그 꼴이네.

Idiomatic

"배를 앓다"

— To suffer from stomach pain (often used for children).

아이가 밤새 배를 앓았어요.

Soft/Child-friendly

"속을 썩이다"

— To worry someone (literally: to rot someone's stomach).

아들이 공부를 안 해서 엄마 속을 썩여요.

Metaphorical

"배가 뒤틀리다"

— Stomach is twisting (severe cramps).

배가 뒤틀리는 것처럼 아파요.

Descriptive

"찬 배를 데우다"

— To warm a cold stomach (remedy for baetal).

배탈이 났을 때는 찬 배를 데워야 해요.

Traditional

"탈이 나다"

— Something goes wrong/breaks down (general).

기계에 탈이 났어요.

General

"속을 달래다"

— To soothe the stomach.

죽을 먹어서 속을 달랬어요.

Standard

"뒤가 무겁다"

— Feeling the need to go to the bathroom (related to baetal).

배탈이 났는지 뒤가 무거워요.

Euphemism

Easily Confused

배탈나다 vs 속이 안 좋다

Both mean the stomach feels bad.

'속이 안 좋다' is more general and vague. '배탈나다' is a specific condition.

술 마신 다음 날은 속이 안 좋고, 상한 걸 먹으면 배탈이 나요.

배탈나다 vs 장염

Symptoms are identical.

'장염' is the medical diagnosis (enteritis). '배탈' is the common name.

배탈인 줄 알았는데 병원에 가니 장염이라고 했어요.

배탈나다 vs 식중독

Both involve stomach pain from food.

'식중독' is specifically food poisoning. '배탈' can be from cold or overeating too.

여름철 식중독은 심한 배탈을 동반합니다.

배탈나다 vs 소화불량

Both relate to digestion.

'소화불량' is a more formal/technical term for indigestion.

배탈이 나면 소화불량 증상이 나타납니다.

배탈나다 vs 배앓이

Both mean stomach pain.

'배앓이' is often used for infants or lingering, dull pain.

아기가 배앓이를 해서 밤새 울었어요.

Sentence Patterns

배탈 났어요.

선생님, 저 배탈 났어요.

[Reason] + -아서/어서 배탈 났어요.

너무 많이 먹어서 배탈 났어요.

배탈 나기 쉬운 [Noun]

여름은 배탈 나기 쉬운 계절이에요.

배탈이 날까 봐 [Action]

배탈이 날까 봐 안 먹었어요.

배탈이 나는 바람에 [Result]

배탈이 나는 바람에 학교에 못 갔어요.

배탈이 났을 때는 [Advice]

배탈이 났을 때는 죽을 드세요.

배탈이 났음에도 불구하고 [Action]

배탈이 났음에도 불구하고 출근했어요.

배탈이 나기 일쑤이다

그는 과식하면 배탈이 나기 일쑤이다.

Word Family

Nouns

배탈 (stomach trouble)

탈 (trouble/defect)

배 (stomach)

Verbs

나다 (to occur)

탈나다 (to go wrong)

배앓이 (stomach ache)

식중독 (food poisoning)

장염 (enteritis)

소화불량 (indigestion)

설사 (diarrhea)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily life.

Common Mistakes

배탈해요 → 배탈나요 / 배탈이 났어요
배탈 is used with the verb 나다 (to occur), not 하다 (to do).
배탈을 났어요 → 배탈이 났어요
Since '나다' is an intransitive verb, use the subject particle '이', not the object particle '을'.
Using it for hunger → 배고파요
배탈 refers to sickness, not a desire for food.
Using it for a cut on the stomach → 배를 베었어요 / 상처가 났어요
배탈 is only for internal digestive issues.
배탈이다 → 배탈이 났다
While '배탈이다' is technically 'it is stomach trouble,' '났다' is much more natural to describe the state.

Tips

Particle Usage

In formal writing, use '배탈이 나다'. In speaking, '배탈 나다' is more natural.

Plum Tea

If someone has 배탈, suggesting '매실차' (maesil-cha) shows you understand Korean culture.

Avoid Placeholder

Don't use '배탈' for hunger. Use '배고파요' for that.

Specifics

If you feel like food is 'stuck', use '체하다' instead of '배탈나다'.

Aspiration

Make sure to aspirate the 't' in 'tal'. It shouldn't sound like 'dal'.

Warmth

Koreans believe keeping the stomach warm prevents 배탈.

Formal Contexts

In a hospital, you might hear the doctor use '장염' (enteritis).

Conjugation

Remember that the past tense '났다' has a double 's' (ㅆ) at the bottom.

Context Clues

If you hear '상한 음식' (spoiled food), '배탈' will likely follow.

Bae-Tal-Nada

Belly-Trouble-Occur. It's a logical chain!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Bae' (stomach) having a 'Tall' (tal) stack of trouble that 'Nada' (emerges) suddenly.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding their stomach (Bae) while a red warning light (Tal) flashes on their belly as they run (Nada) to the bathroom.

Word Web

배 (Stomach) 탈 (Trouble) 나다 (Occur) 음식 (Food) 아프다 (Hurt) 약 (Medicine) 화장실 (Bathroom) 설사 (Diarrhea)

Challenge

Try to use '배탈나다' in a sentence today to explain why you are choosing to eat something healthy or skipping a cold drink.

Word Origin

A combination of the native Korean noun '배' (abdomen) and the Sino-Korean or native noun '탈' (trouble/mishap) plus the verb '나다' (to emerge).

Original meaning: The original meaning was literally 'a mishap has occurred in the belly.'

Koreanic

Cultural Context

It is a polite and acceptable word to use in almost any social situation to explain physical discomfort.

English speakers might just say 'I have a stomach ache,' but '배탈나다' is more like 'I have an upset stomach' or 'my stomach is acting up.'

Commonly mentioned in K-Dramas when a character eats too much at a tent bar (Pojangmacha). Frequent topic in Korean health variety shows like 'Vitamin'. Often used in children's songs about eating too many sweets.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Pharmacy

배탈 약 좀 주세요.
어제부터 배탈이 났어요.
배탈이 나서 설사를 해요.
심한 배탈이에요.

With Friends

나 배탈난 것 같아.
어제 뭐 잘못 먹었어?
배탈 났을 땐 매실차가 좋아.
배탈 났는데 죽 먹으러 갈래?

At School/Work

배탈이 나서 결석했어요.
배탈 때문에 조퇴하고 싶어요.
배탈이 나서 점심을 못 먹겠어요.
갑자기 배탈이 났어요.

At a Restaurant

이 음식 먹고 배탈나면 어떡하죠?
너무 매워서 배탈날 것 같아요.
배탈이 나서 자극적인 건 못 먹어요.
배탈 안 나게 잘 익혀 주세요.

Giving Advice

배탈 안 나게 조심해.
상한 음식 먹으면 배탈나.
배탈 났을 때는 배를 따뜻하게 해.
배탈 나기 전에 그만 먹어.

Conversation Starters

"어제 뭐 잘못 먹었는지 배탈이 났어요. 혹시 좋은 약 알아요? (I got an upset stomach, maybe I ate something wrong. Do you know any good medicine?)"

"여름에는 배탈이 자주 나는데, 관리 어떻게 하세요? (Upset stomachs happen often in summer; how do you manage?)"

"배탈 났을 때 한국 사람들은 보통 뭘 먹나요? (What do Koreans usually eat when they have an upset stomach?)"

"매운 음식을 먹으면 항상 배탈이 나요. 저만 그런가요? (I always get an upset stomach when I eat spicy food. Is it just me?)"

"아이들이 배탈 났을 때 배를 문질러 주는 게 효과가 있을까요? (Does rubbing children's bellies when they have an upset stomach actually work?)"

Journal Prompts

어제 배탈이 났던 경험에 대해 써 보세요. 무엇을 먹었나요? (Write about your experience of having an upset stomach yesterday. What did you eat?)

배탈을 예방하기 위해 평소에 어떤 노력을 하나요? (What efforts do you usually make to prevent an upset stomach?)

자신만의 배탈 치료법이 있다면 소개해 주세요. (If you have your own remedy for an upset stomach, please introduce it.)

여행 중에 배탈이 났던 적이 있나요? 어떻게 해결했나요? (Have you ever had an upset stomach while traveling? How did you solve it?)

한국의 '매실차'가 배탈에 좋다는 이야기를 들어본 적이 있나요? 자신의 생각은 어떤가요? (Have you heard that Korean plum tea is good for an upset stomach? What are your thoughts?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

배가 아프다 is a general term for any pain in the stomach area, like a muscle cramp or a period cramp. 배탈나다 specifically refers to digestive trouble, usually involving diarrhea, gas, or indigestion.

Yes, it is the most common way to describe food poisoning in casual conversation. For a more formal or medical term, you would use '식중독' (sik-jung-dok).

It is a verb phrase (Noun + Verb). '배탈' is the noun (stomach trouble) and '나다' is the verb (to occur). Together they function as an intransitive verb.

You can say '배탈이 났어요' or '속이 좀 안 좋아요.' Both are polite and commonly used.

In traditional Korean medicine, it is believed that cold temperatures can slow down digestion and cause 'tal' in the stomach. This is why people are advised to keep their bellies warm.

The past tense is '배탈났다' (informal) or '배탈났어요' (polite).

No, that is grammatically incorrect. You must use '나다' with '배탈'. So, '배탈나요' is correct.

Koreans usually recommend '죽' (rice porridge) or '매실차' (plum tea) to soothe the stomach.

Yes, it is a perfectly normal and acceptable way to explain a health issue to a superior.

Not always, but it very often implies it or at least significant digestive discomfort.