열이 나요
yeori nayo
In Korean, "I have a fever" is expressed as 열이 나요 (yeori nayo).
The phrase is used to communicate that you are experiencing a fever. The word 열 means fever. Note that in Korean, the subject "I" (나/저) is often omitted from the sentence when the context makes it clear that the speaker is the one experiencing the symptom.
Meaning: I have a fever (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 열이 나요 is composed of 열 (heat/fever), the subject marker 이 and the verb 나요 (to occur/to come out). Literally, it means "heat is occurring" or "heat is coming out."
Which one should you use?
열이 납니다 is used in highly professional or very formal settings, such as an interview. 열 있어. is an informal version, and 열이 나 is another informal way to say it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form 열이 나요 uses the polite ending -아요, making it suitable for speaking to doctors, strangers or elders. For a more formal tone, use 열이 납니다. In informal speech, you can use 열이 나 or 열 있어.
How do you pronounce it?
yeori nayo
Did you know?
- Koreans often use the phrase 열받다, which literally means 'to receive heat', to describe feeling extremely angry. It is the idiomatic equivalent of the English phrase 'to blow a fuse'.
- In traditional Korean medicine, a fever is sometimes categorized not just as a symptom, but as a battle between the body's internal energy and an external 'cold' or 'wind' influence.
- The Korean word for fever, 열, is the exact same word used for 'heat' in a general sense or 'passion' in an emotional sense. Saying you have 'heat' can imply both a physical temperature spike or an intense fervor.
Examples in context
- 갑자기 열이 나요.gapjagi yeori nayo.I suddenly have a fever.
- 어제부터 계속 열이 나요.eoje-buteo gyesok yeori nayo.I have been having a fever since yesterday.
Example conversation
Dohyun feels unwell at home and tells Jieun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon지은 씨, 저 지금 열이 나요.Jieun ssi, jeo jigeum yeori nayo.Jieun, I have a fever right now.
- 지은 Ji-eun많이 아파요? 약을 줄까요?mani apayo? yageul julkkayo?Are you very sick? Should I give you medicine?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 좀 쉬고 싶어요.ne, jom swigo sipeoyo.Yes, I want to rest a bit.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 푹 쉬어야 해요.Dohyun ssi, puk swieoya haeyo.Dohyun, you must get plenty of rest.
