감기 걸렸어요
gamgi geollyeosseoyo
The phrase 'I have a cold' in Korean is 감기 걸렸어요 (gamgi geollyeosseoyo).
This phrase is used to express that you have caught a cold. While English speakers say they 'have' a cold, the Korean expression translates more closely to having 'caught' a cold.
Meaning: I have a cold (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'caught a cold'.
Which one should you use?
You may see the phrase written as 감기에 걸렸어요. Adding the particle 에 to 감기 to make it 감기에 is a more grammatically complete way to express the idea, though it is frequently omitted in natural speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 감기 걸렸어요 uses the polite ending –어요, which makes it suitable for speaking to strangers, colleagues or elders. For an informal version used with close friends or younger people, you drop the –요 from the end to say 감기 걸렸어.
How do you pronounce it?
gamgi geollyeosseoyo
Did you know?
Examples in context
- 안녕. 괜찮아, 그냥 감기 걸렸어.Hi. I'm fine, just caught a cold.
- 코가 막히고 감기 걸렸어요.koga makhigo gamgi geollyeosseoyo.My nose is stuffed and I have a cold.
- 너무 힘들어요. 감기 걸렸어요.neomu himdeureoyo. gamgi geollyeosseoyo.I'm so tired. I have a cold.
Example conversation
Minjun is feeling unwell at work and Jieun asks him if he is okay.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨, 저 좀 아파요.Jieun ssi, jeo jom apayo.Jieun, I feel a bit sick.
- 지은 Ji-eun무슨 일이에요? 어디가 아파요?museun irieyo? eodiga apayo?What's wrong? Where does it hurt?
- 민준 Min-jun열이 나고 감기 걸렸어요.yeori nago gamgi geollyeosseoyo.I have a fever and I have a cold.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 오늘은 일찍 들어가서 쉬세요.Minjun ssi, oneureun iljjik deureogaseo swiseyo.Minjun, please go home early and rest today.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 감기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
