Travel Phrases — Entry No. 1155
아파요
i-am-sick · adjective
아파요
i-am-sick
[ah-PAH-yo]
adjectivebeginner
Meaning
Indicates physical pain or sickness. Literally means ‘it hurts’ or ‘I’m sick.’ A core health phrase used when visiting doctors or telling friends you’re unwell.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Ubiquitous in K-dramas: Hospital Playlist, Descendants of the Sun, and My Love from the Star all feature this phrase. Korean culture emphasizes showing pain/discomfort politely—saying ‘아파요’ garners sympathy and care from others.
Example Sentences
머리가 아파요.
Meorigi apayo.
I have a headache. (Literally: my head hurts)
배가 아파요.
Baega apayo.
I have a stomachache. (Common complaint after spicy food)
지금 좀 아파요. 약국 있어요?
Jigeum jom apayo. Yakguk isseoyo?
I’m feeling sick right now. Is there a pharmacy? (Practical travel use)
⚠️ Don’t use i-am-sick when…
1) 아파요 applies to ANY body pain—always specify location (머리, 배, 등) or Koreans won’t know what hurts. 2) Saying it constantly makes Koreans worried; reserve it for when you actually need help.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Hospital Playlist — Characters constantly say ‘아파요’ in clinical settings, showing how crucial this phrase is in Korean healthcare contexts.
- K-Pop: NewJeans ‘Attention, Baby’ — lyrics explore vulnerability themes; the song’s emotional depth mirrors how openly K-culture discusses health and pain.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.