How to say “I'm sick” in Korean

"I'm sick" in Korean is 아파 (apa), or 아파요 (apayo) to be polite. The same word also means "it hurts," so Koreans use it for feeling ill and for pain.

Ways to say it

Korean	Level	When to use it
아파 apa	Casual	To friends and family. "I'm sick" or "I'm not well."
아파요 apayo	Polite	Polite. The one to use with a teacher, boss or doctor.
아픕니다 apeumnida	Formal	Formal. Rare in daily conversation.
몸이 안 좋아요 momi an joayo	Polite	"I don't feel well," literally "my body is not good." A gentle way to say you are unwell.
감기 걸렸어 gamgi geollyeosseo	Casual	"I caught a cold." Polite: 감기 걸렸어요 (gamgi geollyeosseoyo).

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Calling in sick to work

I don't feel well today.

Telling a friend

I caught a cold.

Texting family

I'm a bit sick.

아프다 means both "to be sick" and "to hurt." To be specific, put a body part in front: 머리가 아파 (meoriga apa), "I have a headache."

Koreans say 병원 (byeongwon) for any doctor's office or clinic, not only big hospitals. 병원 가 봐 (byeongwon ga bwa) means "Go see a doctor."

Pronunciation: 아파 sounds like "ah-pa," with a clear p sound.

More on 아파 in our Korean phrase guides.

How do you say "Get well soon" in Korean?

Say 빨리 나아 (ppalli naa) to a friend, or 빨리 나으세요 (ppalli naeuseyo) politely.

How do you ask "Are you sick?" in Korean?

Say 아파? (apa?) casually or 아파요? (apayo?) politely.