메스꺼운
meseukkeoun
The English word "nauseous" is translated into Korean as 메스꺼운 (meseukkeoun).
The term describes being afflicted with nausea. A very common way to express this is to add 속이 (meaning the stomach or the inside) before the adjective, resulting in the phrase 속이 메스껍다 (literally: "the stomach is nauseous"). Another common alternative is 울렁거려요, which describes a physical sensation of nausea or a churning feeling in the stomach.
Meaning: afflicted with nausea (adj)
Which one should you use?
In casual conversation, you may encounter the informal version 메스꺼워. To express the specific sensation of feeling like you might vomit, you can use the informal expression 토나올 것 같아.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the sensation in a polite, conversational manner, use the form 메스꺼워요. For informal situations, such as speaking to friends, use 메스꺼워.
How do you pronounce it?
meseukkeoun
Did you know?
- The expression 토나올 것 같아 is so common that it is frequently used as a hyperbole to describe a task that is extremely boring or tedious.
- While 메스꺼운 refers to nausea, the word 울렁거리다 is also used to describe the 'fluttering' feeling of nervousness or excitement in one's chest.
- The phrase 속이 메스껍다 is often used metaphorically to describe a feeling of disgust or repulsion toward someone's behavior, rather than a physical illness.
Examples in context
- 갑자기 메스꺼운 증상이 나타났어요.gapjagi meseukkoun jeungsang-i natanasseoyo.Suddenly, a nauseous symptom appeared.
Example conversation
Jihoon feels sick while riding in a car with Minji.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 갑자기 속이 너무 메스꺼운 것 같아요.Minji ssi, gapjagi sogi neomu meseukkeoun geot gatayo.Minji, I think I suddenly feel very nauseous.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 창문을 좀 열어 드릴까요?Jihoon ssi, changmuneul jom yeoreo deurilkkayo?Jihoon, shall I open the window for you?
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 그러면 좀 나을 것 같아요.ne, geureomyeon jom naeul geot gatayo.Yes, I think that would help a bit.
- 민지 Min-ji여기요. 이제 좀 괜찮아졌나요?yeogiyo. ije jom gwaenchanajyeonnayo?Here. Do you feel a bit better now?
