목통증
moktongjeung
The English phrase 'sore throat' is 목통증 (moktongjeung) in Korean.
While 목통증 is the noun for 'throat pain', the phrase 목이 아파요 is much more common in natural conversation to express having a sore throat. Koreans often use the expression 목이 부었어요 (my throat is swollen) to describe the sensation of a sore throat. In a medical context, the term 인후 is used to refer specifically to the 'throat'.
Meaning: symptom (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun 목통증 specifically denotes 'throat pain'. For expressing the actual sensation of a sore throat in conversation, you should use the phrase 목이 아파요 or the informal version 목 아파.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To tell a doctor or an acquaintance that your throat hurts, use the standard polite form 목이 아파요. When speaking with friends or people younger than you, you can use the casual, informal version 목이 아파.
How do you pronounce it?
moktongjeung
Did you know?
- The word 목 is also used in the idiom 목이 빠지게 기다리다, which means to wait for someone with such longing that your 'neck stretches'.
- Koreans may use the phrase 목이 쉬다 to describe a voice that has become hoarse from a sore throat or shouting.
- The word 목 can refer to the throat, the neck, or even the 'neck' of a bottle or a mountain pass.
Examples in context
- 목이 너무 아픈데, 어떻게 해야 하죠?My throat is very painful, what should I do?
- 목이 아파서 못 먹겠어요.My throat hurts, so I can't eat.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are talking about their health at work.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 얼굴색이 안 좋네요.Hyunwoo ssi, eolgulsagi an jonneyo.Hyunwoo, you don't look very well.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo어제부터 목통증이 있어서 힘들어요.eoje-buteo moktongjeung-i isseoseo himdeureoyo.I've been struggling with a sore throat since yesterday.
- 수빈 Su-bin따뜻한 물을 많이 마셔 보세요.ttatteuthan mureul mani masyeo boseyo.Try drinking plenty of warm water.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 고마워요 수빈 씨.ne, gomawoyo Subin ssi.Yes, thank you, Subin.
