고통
gotong[ko̞tʰo̞ŋ]
The English word "pain" can be translated into Korean as 고통 (gotong), 아픔 or 통증.
Meaning: ache or bodily suffering (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 고통 | gotong | [ko̞tʰo̞ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 아픔 | apeum | [a̠pʰɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 통증 | tongjeung | [ˈtʰo̞(ː)ŋt͡ɕ͈ɯŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the word you choose depends on whether you are describing a physical sensation, a profound sense of suffering or a medical symptom. Use 통증 to describe specific physical sensations or localized pain, and use 고통 to describe deeper physical agony or emotional and mental anguish.
What does it mean word for word?
아픔 is the noun form derived from the verb 아프다, which means "to be painful" or "to hurt".
Which one should you use?
통증 is used specifically for physical, sensory or medical pain, such as a sharp or dull ache. 고통 refers to a more profound sense of suffering, covering both intense physical agony and mental or emotional anguish.
How do you pronounce it?
gotong
Did you know?
- The word 고통 contains the character 苦, which also means 'bitter'. This links the concept of profound suffering to a bitter taste in the Korean linguistic consciousness.
- The word 아프다 is used to describe both a specific physical 'pain' and the general state of being 'sick' or 'unwell'.
- While 통증 is the standard term for medical pain, it is rarely used in casual conversation with friends. To tell a friend 'it hurts', you would almost always use the verb 아프다 instead of the noun.
Examples in context
- 이 약은 통증을 줄여줄 거야.This medicine will relieve the pain.This sentence shows how to use 통증 when discussing the relief of pain with medicine.Tatoeba #8363502 by Eunhee, translation #56563 by CK
- 오직 시간만이 고통을 낫게 한다.Only time will help ease the pain.This sentence illustrates the use of 고통 when referring to the easing of profound suffering.Tatoeba #13118413 by romzzo, translation #9744457 by CK
- 저는 몸이 아파서 통증을 느껴요.I'm feeling pain in my body.
- 머리 아픔Headache
- 배 아픔Stomach ache
- 그는 육체적인 고통을 견디고 있다.geuneun yukchejeogin gotongeul gyeondigo itda.He is enduring physical pain.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon is talking to Ji-eun about a recent injury.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지금도 고통이 심해요?jigeumdo gotong-i simhaeyo?Is the pain still severe now?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 아직 조금 아파요.ne, ajik jogeum apayo.Yes, it still hurts a little.
- 지훈 Ji-hun빨리 병원에 가야겠어요.ppalli byeong-wone gaya-getseoyo.You should go to the hospital quickly.
- 지은 Ji-eun내일 같이 가줄 수 있어요?naeil gachi gajul su isseoyo?Can you go with me tomorrow?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pain” translations and entries 고통, 아픔, 통증, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 고통, 아픔, 통증, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
