알레르기
allereugi[a̠ɭɭe̞ɾɯɡi]
The Korean word for allergy is 알레르기 (allereugi).
알레르기 is used to describe a disorder of the immune system. If you want to talk about a specific symptom related to this condition, you can use the word 증상.
Meaning: disorder of the immune system (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 알레르기 refers to the allergy itself, the phrase 알레르기 반응 is used specifically to refer to an allergic reaction.
How do you pronounce it?
allereugi
Did you know?
- The word 알레르기 is a loanword that arrived in Korea via the Japanese pronunciation of the German word 'Allergie'.
- While 알레르기 describes medical conditions, Koreans often use it metaphorically to describe a strong dislike for a person or situation, such as having a 'people allergy'.
- In Korean health contexts, the word 알레르기 is frequently paired with 체질, meaning 'constitution' or 'body type', to suggest that allergies are an inherent part of one's nature.
Examples in context
- 저는 고양이에 대한 알레르기가 있어요.I have an allergy to cats.
- 이 음식물에 대한 알레르기 반응이 있어요.I have an allergic reaction to this food.
- 나는 꽃에 알레르지가 있어.I am allergic to flowers.
- 꽃가루 알레르기가 있어요.kkotgaru alleleriga isseoyo.I have a pollen allergy.
- 갑자기 알레르기 반응이 나타났어요.gapjagi allelergi baneungi natanasseoyo.An allergy reaction suddenly appeared.
- 음식 알레르기 때문에 조심해야 해요.eumsik allelergi ttaemune josimhaeya haeyo.I must be careful because of a food allergy.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 오늘 태국 음식 먹으러 갈까요?Jihun ssi, oneul taeguk eumsik meogeureo galkkayo?Jihun, shall we go eat Thai food today?
- 지훈 Ji-hun죄송해요, 제가 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요.joesonghaeyo, jega ttangkong alleureugiga isseoyo.I'm sorry, I have a peanut allergy.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 그럼 다른 메뉴를 골라봐요.jeongmalyo? geureom dareun menyureul gollabwayo.Really? Then let's pick a different menu.
- 지훈 Ji-hun배려해 줘서 고마워요, 수빈 씨.baeryeohae jwoseo gomawoyo, Subin ssi.Thank you for being considerate, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “allergy” translations and entries 알레르기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 알레르기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
