편두통이 있어요
The English phrase "I have migraine" can be translated into Korean as 편두통이 있어요.
If you want to emphasize that the migraine is particularly bad or severe, you can say 편두통이 심해요.
What does it mean word for word?
The word for migraine, 편두통, literally breaks down into 편 (one-sided), 두 (head) and 통 (pain).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 편두통이 있어요 is a standard polite way to express having a migraine to doctors or acquaintances. For formal situations, you should use 편두통이 있습니다. The version 편두통이 있어 is the casual/informal version used with close friends or younger people.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 편두통이 있어요, the particle 이 in 편두통이 indicates that the migraine is the subject of the existence verb 있어요 (to have/to exist).
Did you know?
- Koreans may attribute a sudden headache to 체했다, meaning 'having indigestion', because of the traditional belief that digestive issues can cause head pain.
- In Korea, it is common to describe a headache as 머리가 무겁다, which literally means 'my head is heavy', rather than using the word for pain.
- Because Korean culture often emphasizes social harmony, when reporting a migraine to a superior, it is common to soften the phrase with 조금 (a little) to avoid sounding too dramatic.
Examples in context
- 저는 편두통이 있어요I have migraine
- 편두통이 있어Have migraine
- 두통이 심해요I have a severe headache.
- 빛도 아프고 소리도 싫어요Lights hurt and sounds are unbearable.
- 너무 심한 편두통이 있어요.neomu simhan pyeondutongi isseoyo.I have a very severe migraine.
Example conversation
Subin tells Minjun that she is not feeling well.
- 수빈 Su-bin민준 씨, 저 지금 편두통이 있어요.Minjun ssi, jeo jigeum pyeondutongi isseoyo.Minjun, I have a migraine right now.
- 민준 Min-jun많이 아파요? 약을 드릴까요?mani apayo? yageul deurilkkayo?Does it hurt a lot? Shall I give you some medicine?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 좀 쉬고 싶어요.ne, jom swigo sipeoyo.Yes, I want to rest a bit.
- 민준 Min-jun그래요, 푹 쉬세요.geuraeyo, puk swiseyo.I see, please get some good rest.
