コロナにかかった
korona ni kakatta
To say "I have covid" in Japanese, use コロナにかかった (korona ni kakatta).
This phrase is used to inform others that you have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "caught corona". The particle に indicates the thing one is affected by, and かかった is the past tense of "to catch/contract".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form コロナにかかった is in the plain/casual form, which is used with friends, family or in casual social media posts. Changing the ending to コロナにかかりました makes the statement polite and suitable for speaking to superiors, teachers or acquaintances. There are also highly formal ways to express this, such as わたしは新型コロナウイルスに感染しています。 or 私（わたし）はCOVID-19にかかってしまいました。
How do you pronounce it?
korona ni kakatta
Did you know?
- While English speakers say they 'have' a virus, Japanese uses the verb かかる, which is also used when a 'spell' or 'curse' is cast upon someone.
- The term 新型コロナ (shingata korona) literally means 'new model corona', as 型 (kata) is the same word used for a product model or a mold.
- The word コロナ refers to the 'crown' of the virus, but in Japanese, it also commonly refers to the solar corona seen during a total eclipse.
Examples in context
- 昨日、コロナにかかった。Kinou, korona ni kakatta.I caught covid yesterday.
- 実は、コロナにかかったんです。Jitsu wa, korona ni kakatta n desu.Actually, I have covid.
- 検査の結果、コロナにかかったことがわかりました。Kensa no kekka, korona ni kakatta koto ga wakarimashita.The test results showed that I have covid.
Example conversation
A phone call between two friends to share news.
- 陽葵 Himari健太、実はコロナにかかった。Kenta, jitsu wa korona ni kakatta.Kenta, actually I have covid.
- 健太 Kentaえっ、大丈夫？体調はどう？E, daijoubu? Taichou wa dou?What, are you okay? How are you feeling?
- 陽葵 Himari熱があって、少し辛いよ。Netsu ga atte, sukoshi tsurai yo.I have a fever, so it's a bit tough.
- 健太 Kenta無理しないで、ゆっくり休んでね。Muri shinaide, yukkuri yasunde ne.Don't push yourself, please get plenty of rest.
