Guide: How to Say “I Was Sick” in Korean

Learning how to express that you were sick in Korean is essential for effective communication when you find yourself under the weather. Whether you’d like to convey this information in a formal or informal setting, this guide will provide you with various ways to express “I was sick” in Korean. Let’s dive right in!

Formal Expressions:

If you’re in a formal setting or speaking to someone older or in a higher position, it’s important to use polite language. Here are a few phrases to express “I was sick” formally in Korean:

1. 저는 아프다가 되었습니다 (Jeoneun apeudaga doe-eossseumnida) – This is a polite and formal way to say “I was sick.” The verb “되다” (doeda) is used, which means “become” or “get.”
2. 저는 아파서 지냈습니다 (Jeoneun apaseo jinaessseumnida) – This sentence also uses honorific language to say “I was sick.” The verb “지내다” (jinaeda) means “to spend” or “to live (through).”

Informal Expressions:

When speaking casually with friends, family, or people of a similar age, you can use less formal language. Here are a couple of phrases to express “I was sick” informally in Korean:

1. 나 아팠어 (Na apasseo) – This is a simple and informal way to say “I was sick.” The verb “아프다” (apeuda) means “to be sick” or “to hurt.”
2. 나 병들었어 (Na byeongdeureosseo) – This phrase uses a more casual verb “병들다” (byeongdeulda), which also means “to get sick.” It emphasizes the idea of being unwell.

Tips for Usage:

Here are some additional tips to enhance your understanding and usage:

1. Providing Context:

It’s helpful to provide some context or details when explaining that you were sick. For example:

저는 몇 일 동안 감기에 걸려서 휴식을 취했어요.

(Jeoneun myeot il dong-an gamgi-e geollyeosseo hyusik-eul chwihaesseoyo)

I was sick with a cold for a few days and took some rest.

2. Adding Time Reference:

You can specify the time of your illness by using time-related phrases like “recently” or “in the past.” Here’s an example:

요즘 아팠어요.

(Yojum apasseoyo.)

I was sick recently.

3. Seeking Apology:

If your illness caused any inconvenience or affected someone else’s plans, consider apologizing. For instance:

미안해, 아파서 일정을 어길 수밖에 없었어.

(Mianhae, apaseo iljeong-eul eogil subakke eopseosseo.)

Sorry, I was sick, so I couldn’t keep up with the schedule.

Examples:

Now let’s take a look at a few more examples to solidify your understanding:

1. 아침에 열이 났어요.

   (Achime yeori nasseoyo.)

   I had a fever in the morning.

2. 식중독으로 토를 했어요.

   (Sikjungdogeuro toreul haesseoyo.)

   I vomited due to food poisoning.

3. 얼굴이 붓고 몸살이 있어요.

   (Eolguri butgo momsari isseoyo.)

   My face is swollen, and I have body aches.

Regional Variations:

Generally, there aren’t significant regional variations when it comes to expressing “I was sick” in Korean. However, certain dialects or regional accents might slightly alter the pronunciation or use alternative words. If you encounter any regional variations, try to adapt to the local dialect for seamless communication.

With the knowledge gained from this guide, you’ll now be able to confidently express “I was sick” in Korean, both formally and informally. Remember to pay attention to the context, add time references if necessary, and be considerate when apologizing for any inconvenience caused by your illness. Happy learning and get well soon!

If you ever find yourself feeling under the weather while in Korea, it’s important to know how to express that you were sick. By learning how to convey this in both formal and informal settings, you’ll be able to communicate your condition effectively. In this guide, we’ll explore multiple ways to express “I was sick” in Korean, providing tips, examples, and even some regional variations if necessary.

1. Formal Ways:

In formal settings, such as speaking to your boss, older individuals, or those you are meeting for the first time, it’s crucial to use appropriate honorifics and formal language. Here are a few ways you can express that you were sick in a formal manner:

a. Standard Formal Expression:

One of the most common and polite ways to say “I was sick” in formal Korean is:

저는 아팠습니다.

Jeoneun apatseumnida.

This expression directly translates to “I was sick” and is considered respectful in formal situations.

b. Formal Expression with Extra Detail:

If you wish to provide additional information about your illness, you can use the following expression:

저는 (병명)로 인해 아팠습니다.

Jeoneun (byeongmyeong)ro inhae apatseumnida.

Replace “(병명)” with the specific name of your illness. For example, if you had a cold, you would say “감기” (gamgi) in place of “(병명).” This formulation allows you to share your experience while showing respect through formal language usage.

2. Informal Ways:

In more casual settings, such as speaking with friends or people of similar age, you can use less formal expressions to convey that you were sick. Here are a couple of ways to do so:

a. Standard Informal Expression:

The most common way to say “I was sick” in an informal setting is:

나 아팠어. (Nah apasseo.)

This expression uses the word “나” (na), meaning “I,” and adds “아팠어” (apasseo) to indicate the past tense of being sick.

b. Informal Expression with Extra Detail:

To provide more specific information about your illness in a casual manner, you can say:

나 (병명)로 아팠어. (Nah byeongmyeong-ro apasseo.)

Similar to the earlier expression, replace “(병명)” with the name of your illness. For instance, if you had stomach flu, you would say “위장관염” (wijanggwanyeom) instead of “(병명).”

3. Regional Variations:

While the previous expressions work across different regions in Korea, it’s worth noting that certain dialects or areas might have their own unique ways of saying “I was sick.” Regional variations are more common in informal conversations among locals. Here’s an example of a regional variation:

a. Busan Dialect:

In the Busan region, people might use a distinct expression to say “I was sick.” The Busan dialect often replaces the verb “아팠어” (apasseo) with “아써” (asseo). Therefore, the informal expression becomes:

나 아써. (Nah asseo.)

This expression is unique to the Busan dialect and may not be widely understood outside the region. However, if you find yourself interacting with locals in Busan, using their dialect can add a personal touch to your conversations.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to say “I was sick” in Korean is an essential part of effective communication, as it allows you to express your condition to others. Whether you’re in a formal or informal setting, now you have several expressions to choose from. Remember, when speaking formally, it’s important to utilize appropriate honorifics and formal language. In casual situations, you can use more relaxed expressions while still being considerate. Additionally, regional variations may exist, and in certain areas, adapting to local dialects can provide a more immersive experience. Stay healthy and keep learning!