Describing Symptoms

The first thing you do at a hospital is describe your symptoms precisely. This lesson covers core symptom vocabulary: pain, fever, dizziness, and more.

Types of Pain

Korean expresses the quality of pain vividly using mimetic words. Terms like "uksin-uksin" (throbbing), "ssusida" (aching), and "ttakkeum-hada" (stinging) give a doctor precise information.

머리가 욱신욱신 쑤셔요.

meori-ga uksin-uksin ssusyeoyo.

My head is throbbing and aching.

상처 부위가 따끔따끔하고 화끈거려요.

sangcheo buwi-ga ttakkeum-ttakkeum-hago hwakkeun-georyeoyo.

The wound stings and feels like it's burning.

Korean	Romaja	English
욱신거리다	uksin-georida	to throb
쑤시다	ssusida	to ache deeply
저리다	jeorida	to feel numb or tingly
콕콕 찌르다	kok-kok jjireuda	to feel a sharp, stabbing pain

Systemic Symptoms

어제부터 열이 나고 온몸이 으슬으슬 떨려요.

eoje-buteo yeor-i nago onmom-i euseul-euseul tteollyeoyo.

Since yesterday I've had a fever and my whole body shivers with chills.

속이 메스껍고 자꾸 토할 것 같아요.

sog-i meseukkeopgo jakku tohal geot gatayo.

I feel nauseous and keep feeling like I'm about to vomit.

일어설 때마다 핑 돌고 눈앞이 캄캄해요.

ireoseol ttaemada ping dolgo nun-ap-i kamkam-haeyo.

Every time I stand up I get dizzy and my vision goes dark.

Stating when symptoms began and how long they've lasted matters. Use "-buteo" (since) and "-dongan" (for / during).

사흘 동안 기침이 멎지를 않아요.

saheul dongan gichim-i meotjireul anayo.

My cough hasn't let up for three days.

통증이 등까지 뻗치는 느낌이에요.

tongjeung-i deung-kkaji ppeotchineun neukkim-ieyo.

The pain feels like it radiates into my back.

Frequency and Changes in Symptoms

Noting whether pain is constant or comes and goes greatly aids diagnosis. "Jeomjeom simhaejida" (to get worse) and "garaanda" (to subside) are also common.

Symptom	Romaja	English
어지럽다	eojireopda	to feel dizzy
메스껍다 / 토할 것 같다	meseukkeopda / tohal geot gatda	to feel nauseous
기운이 없다	giun-i eopda	to feel weak or fatigued
식은땀이 나다	sigeun-ttam-i nada	to break out in a cold sweat
붓다 / 부어오르다	butda / bueo-oreuda	to swell up
오한이 들다	ohan-i deulda	to have chills

💡 Tip: Don't just repeat "it hurts." Stating location plus the quality of the pain plus when it started makes diagnosis far more accurate.

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