속이 안 좋아요
sog-i an joayo
In Korean, the phrase to say "I feel sick" is 속이 안 좋아요 (sog-i an joayo).
속이 안 좋아요 is used to express that you have an upset stomach or feel nauseous. It specifically targets gastrointestinal discomfort rather than feeling ill from a fever or a cold. If you want to be more specific about feeling nauseous, you can use 메스꺼워요.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 속이 안 좋아요 breaks down into 속 (inside/stomach), 이 (subject marker), 안 (not) and 좋아요 (is good), literally meaning "the inside (of the stomach) is not good".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 속이 안 좋아요 is polite and suitable for use with strangers, elders or in professional settings. For a casual way to say you are not feeling well, you can use 몸 안 좋아, which translates to "body not good." Additionally, the informal version of the stomach-specific phrase is 속이 안 좋아, used with friends or people younger than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 속이 안 좋아요 uses the polite ending -아요, making it suitable for use with strangers, elders or in professional settings.
How do you pronounce it?
sog-i an joayo
Did you know?
- In Korean culture, describing the 속 as 'not good' can sometimes be a polite euphemism for being hungover after drinking alcohol.
- The word 속 meaning 'inside' is used in Korean to refer to one's inner feelings or sincerity. If someone says their 속 is burned, it means they are feeling deeply upset or heartbroken.
- The word 속 is also used in the phrase 속을 썩이다, which literally means 'to rot the inside'. This is used to describe causing someone else great worry or stress.
Examples in context
- 회의에 참석하지 못할 것 같아요, 저는 몸이 안 좋습니다.I don't think I can attend the meeting, I am not feeling well.
- 오늘은 속이 좀 아파요.Today, I feel a bit sick in my stomach.
- 요즘 몸 안 좋아서 많이 힘들어.I've been feeling sick lately, so it's been tough.
- 속이 안 좋아요.sogi an joayo.I feel sick (in my stomach).
- 갑자기 속이 안 좋아요.gapjagi sogi an joayo.Suddenly, I feel nauseous.
- 어제부터 속이 안 좋아요.eojebuteo sogi an joayo.I have had an upset stomach since yesterday.
Example conversation
Ji-eun feels unwell while eating lunch with Ji-hun.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 갑자기 속이 안 좋아요.Ji-hun ssi, gapjagi sogi an joayo.Ji-hun, I suddenly feel sick.
- 지훈 Ji-hun많이 안 좋아요? 약을 줄까요?mani an joayo? yageul julkkayo?Are you very unwell? Should I give you some medicine?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 조금 쉬어야 할 것 같아요.ne, jogeum swieoya hal geot gatayo.Yes, I think I need to rest a little.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 얼른 들어가서 쉬세요.Ji-eun ssi, eolleun deureogaseo swiseyo.Ji-eun, please go inside and rest quickly.
