How to Describe Cold & Flu Symptoms in Korean
Korean phrases for describing cold and flu symptoms — fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and body aches.
감기에 걸린 것 같아요.
gam-gi-e geol-lin geot gat-a-yo
I think I have a cold.
열이 나요.
yeol-i na-yo
I have a fever.
기침이 나요.
gi-chim-i na-yo
I have a cough.
콧물이 나요.
kon-mul-i na-yo
I have a runny nose.
코가 막혀요.
ko-ga mak-hyeo-yo
My nose is stuffy.
목이 아파요.
mog-i a-pa-yo
My throat hurts.
몸살이 났어요.
mom-sal-i nass-eo-yo
I have body aches (flu-like).
오한이 나요.
o-han-i na-yo
I have chills.
재채기가 나요.
jae-chae-gi-ga na-yo
I keep sneezing.
The most common reason to visit a doctor
Cold and flu are the most common reasons foreigners visit Korean hospitals. Knowing these phrases makes the visit much smoother.
Basic cold symptoms
The common cold (감기) symptoms include runny nose, stuffy nose, cough, sneezing, and sore throat.
When it's more than a cold
If you have a fever (열), body aches (몸살), or chills (오한), it might be the flu. These symptoms need medical attention.
What the doctor might prescribe
Korean doctors typically prescribe a combination of medicines for cold symptoms, usually taken 3 times a day after meals.
Tip
감기 (gam-gi) means 'cold' and 몸살 (mom-sal) means body aches/flu-like symptoms. Together, 몸살감기 means a bad cold with body aches.
Useful links
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