코피
kopi[kʰo̞pʰi]
The English phrase "nosebleed" is 코피 (kopi) in Korean.
코피 is a noun used to describe a haemorrhage from the nose.
Meaning: haemorrhage from the nose (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 코, meaning nose and 피, meaning blood.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that a nosebleed is occurring, you can use the verb 나다 (to occur/to come out) in the phrase 코피가 나다. If the nosebleed is sudden or heavy, you use the verb 터지다 (to burst/pop) to say 코피가 터지다. To describe the cessation of the blood flow, the verb 멎다 is used, as seen in 코피가 멎다.
How do you pronounce it?
kopi
Did you know?
- In Korean pop culture, a 코피 is frequently used as a visual shorthand to indicate that a character is feeling an intense, overwhelming romantic attraction to someone.
- The phrase 코피 터지다 is used metaphorically to describe someone who has studied or worked so exhaustively that they have reached their absolute physical limit.
- Korean speakers use the verb 터지다, meaning 'to burst' or 'to pop', to describe a heavy nosebleed, which makes the event sound more violent than the English equivalent.
Examples in context
- 코피가 멎다For a nosebleed to stopThis sentence is useful for describing the cessation of the flow of 코피.
- 코피가 나다/터지다To have a nosebleedThis sentence is useful for expressing that one has a nosebleed using the form 코피.
- 갑자기 코피가 나서 놀랐어요.gapjagi kopiga naseo nollasseoyo.I was surprised because I suddenly had a nosebleed.
Example conversation
Ji-eun notices Do-hyeon's nose is bleeding in the office.
- 지은 Ji-eun도현 씨, 코피 나요!Do-hyeon ssi, kopi nayo!Do-hyeon, you have a nosebleed!
- 도현 Do-hyeon아, 정말요? 감사합니다.A, jeongmallyo? Gamsahabnida.Oh, really? Thank you.
- 지은 Ji-eun휴지 좀 드릴까요?Hyuji jom deurilkkayo?Shall I give you some tissues?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 부탁드려요.Ne, butakdeuryeoyo.Yes, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nosebleed” translations and entries 코피, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
