아프다
apeuda[a̠pʰɯda̠]
In Korean, 'hurts' is expressed using the verb 아프다 (apeuda).
The verb 아프다 is used to describe a feeling of physical pain in the body, such as a localized pain like a toothache, as well as general illness or feeling unwell. It can also be used to describe emotional pain.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express pain in a specific body part, you can use the structure Body Part + 아파요. You can also use the phrase 어떻게 아파요? to ask 'How does it hurt?' Depending on the context, 아픕니다 can translate to 'I am in pain / I am hurt' or '(저는) 아픕니다' can be used to say 'It hurts'.
How do you pronounce it?
apeuda
Did you know?
- When describing pain to a doctor, Koreans often use the word 아프다 in combination with an onomatopoeia to describe the type of sensation, such as 찌릿찌릿 for a tingling or electric pain.
- In the 15th century, the verb was recorded as 알ᄑᆞ다, which originally combined the root for 'to suffer from a disease' with an adjectival suffix.
- When describing a sharp, stinging pain, Koreans often use the word 따갑다 instead of 아프다, whereas an English speaker might simply say 'it hurts'.
Examples in context
- 머리가 아프다. 아스피린을 먹어야 할 지도 모른다.My head hurts. Maybe I should take an aspirin.This sentence demonstrates using 아프다 to describe a headache.Tatoeba #11110677 by intertime, translation #7796497 by sharris123
- 사랑은 아프다.Love hurts.This sentence shows using 아프다 to describe emotional pain.Tatoeba #6304969 by Queserasera, translation #2111604 by CK
- 이빨 하나가 아프다.One of my teeth hurts.This sentence shows using 아프다 to describe a toothache.Tatoeba #11106475 by intertime, translation #250994 by CK
- 머리 아파요My head hurts
- 내 등이 아파.My back hurts.
- 심장이 아픕니다.My heart hurts.
- 몸 전체가 아파.My whole body hurts.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun tells Minji that he injured his ankle.
- 도현 Do-hyeon발목이 너무 아프다.balmogi neomu apeuda.My ankle hurts so much.
- 민지 Min-ji어디서 다쳤어?eodiseo dachyeosseo?Where did you get hurt?
- 도현 Do-hyeon계단에서 넘어졌어.gyedaneseo neomeojyeosseo.I fell on the stairs.
- 민지 Min-ji빨리 병원에 가자.ppalli byeongwone gaja.Let's go to the hospital quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 아프다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아프다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
