숙취
sukchwi[sʰuk̚t͡ɕʰɥi]
The English word hangover can be translated into Korean as 숙취 (sukchwi) or 술병.
Meaning: negative effects caused by heavy drinking (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 숙취 | sukchwi | [sʰuk̚t͡ɕʰɥi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [sʰuk̚t͡ɕʰy] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 술병 | sulbyeong | [sʰuɭp͈jʌ̹ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both terms refer to the negative effects caused by heavy drinking. To say you have a hangover, you typically use the verb 있다 (to exist or to have) with the particle 가, forming the phrase 숙취가 있다. To describe the process of a hangover being relieved or cleared, the phrase 숙취가 해소되다 is commonly used.
Which one should you use?
숙취 is the standard, more formal noun for a hangover, whereas 술병 is a more colloquial way to describe the physical sickness resulting from drinking.
How do you pronounce it?
sukchwi
Did you know?
- The term 숙취 uses the character 宿, which also means 'to lodge' or 'to stay overnight', implying the alcohol has 'stayed the night' inside you.
- In Korea, it is common to treat a 숙취 with 해장국, a specific category of 'curative' soups eaten the morning after drinking.
- Korean convenience stores sell specialized 숙취해소제 drinks, which are marketed as scientific hangover cures rather than just hydration.
Examples in context
- 네, 저는 어제 숙취가 있었지만 괜찮아졌어요.Yes, I had a hangover yesterday, but I'm feeling better now.
- 숙취 때문에 머리가 아파요.sukchwi ttaemune meoriga apayo.I have a headache because of a hangover.
- 어제 술을 많이 마셔서 숙취가 심해요.eoje sUrl-eul mani masyeoseo sukchwiga simhaeyo.I drank a lot yesterday, so my hangover is severe.
- 숙취를 없애는 데는 해장국이 최고예요.sukchwireul eopsaeneun de-neun haejang-gugi choegoyeyo.Hangover soup is the best for getting rid of a hangover.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are talking over the phone in the morning.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 혹시 숙취 있어요?Jihun ssi, hoksi sukchwi isseoyo?Jihun, do you happen to have a hangover?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 숙취가 너무 심해서 힘들어요.Ne, sukchwiga neomu simhaeseo himdeureoyo.Yes, my hangover is so bad that it's difficult.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 따뜻한 물을 많이 마셔요.Geureom ttatteut-han mureul mani masyeoyo.Then drink plenty of warm water.
- 지훈 Ji-hun고마워요, 수빈 씨.Gomawoyo, Subin ssi.Thank you, Subin.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hangover” translations and entries 숙취, 술병, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 숙취, 술병, CC BY-SA 4.0.
