코로나 걸렸어요
corona geollyeosseoyo
To say "I have covid" in Korean, use 코로나 걸렸어요 (corona geollyeosseoyo).
This phrase is used to inform others that you have been infected with the COVID-19 virus. While 코로나 걸렸어요 expresses that you have the virus, you might also use 코로나 양성이에요 if you want to specifically state that you tested positive.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 걸렸어요 is the past tense of 걸리다, which literally means to be caught or to contract a disease.
Which one should you use?
The phrase can be adjusted depending on the level of politeness required. The standard form is 코로나 걸렸어요, while 저는 코로나에 걸렸습니다 is a highly formal version and 나 코로나에 걸렸어 is an informal version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The level of formality is controlled by the sentence endings and pronouns. Using 나 for "I" and dropping the 요 at the end to say 코로나 걸렸어 makes the phrase informal. In the highly formal version, 저는 is used for "I" and the verb becomes 걸렸습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
corona geollyeosseoyo
Did you know?
- While 코로나 걸렸어요 is a statement of fact, Koreans often follow this with 죄송합니다 ('I am sorry'), treating the illness as a social inconvenience to others rather than just a medical condition.
- The verb 걸리다 used here is the same word used to describe a picture being 'hung' on a wall. In both cases, the word implies something being attached or caught on a point.
- If a person says 걸렸어요 without specifying 코로나, it can mean they have been 'caught' by the police or 'caught' in a lie, depending on the context.
Examples in context
- 저 코로나 걸렸어요.jeo korona geollyeosseoyo.I have covid.
- 갑자기 코로나 걸렸어요.gapjagi korona geollyeosseoyo.I suddenly caught covid.
- 결국 코로나 걸렸어요.gyeolguk korona geollyeosseoyo.I finally caught covid.
Example conversation
Minjun tells Subin that he cannot go out today because he is sick.
- 민준 Min-jun수빈 씨, 저 오늘 못 나가요.subin ssi, jeo oneul mot nagayo.Subin, I can't go out today.
- 수빈 Su-bin왜요? 어디 아파요?waeyo? eodi apayo?Why? Are you sick?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 코로나 걸렸어요.ne, korona geollyeosseoyo.Yes, I have covid.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 푹 쉬어야 해요.jeongmalyo? puk swieoya haeyo.Really? You should get plenty of rest.
