When learning a new language, understanding vocabulary related to health can be incredibly useful, especially in everyday conversations. In Korean, two essential adjectives that you will often encounter are 건강하다 (geonganghada), which means “to be healthy,” and 아프다 (apeuda), which means “to be sick.” These terms can help you not only describe your own health status but also inquire about someone else’s wellbeing.

Understanding 건강하다 (geonganghada)

The adjective 건강하다 is used to express that someone is healthy or in a good state of health. In Korean, adjectives can function similarly to verbs, so 건강하다 can be conjugated according to the context of the sentence.

저는 건강합니다. (Jeoneun geonganghamnida.) – I am healthy.
This sentence is a simple statement about one’s own health. It uses the formal form (-ㅂ니다/습니다) which is often used in polite or formal settings.

건강해 보여요. (Geonganghae boyeoyo.) – You look healthy.
Here, the expression uses the informal polite form (-어요/아요) suitable for casual interactions, yet polite enough for most social situations.

Understanding 아프다 (apeuda)

On the other hand, 아프다 is used to express that someone is sick or unwell. Just like 건강하다, 아프다 can be conjugated to fit different situations and levels of politeness in speech.

저는 아파요. (Jeoneun apayo.) – I am sick.
This is a straightforward way to inform someone about your health condition in a casual yet polite manner.

그는 아프다고 했어요. (Geuneun apeudago haesseoyo.) – He said he was sick.
In this sentence, 아프다 is used in a quoted speech format, indicating that the information was mentioned by someone else.

Asking About Health

When you want to inquire about someone’s health in Korean, you can use both 건강하다 and 아프다 in your questions.

건강하신가요? (Geonganghasingayo?) – Are you healthy?
This is a formal way to ask someone about their health. It’s polite and shows concern for the person’s well-being.

아프세요? (Apeseyo?) – Are you sick?
This question is also polite and commonly used. It directly addresses the person’s current health condition.

Using 건강하다 and 아프다 in Various Contexts

Both 건강하다 and 아프다 can be adapted for different grammatical structures and contexts to enhance your conversation skills in Korean.

저는 요즘 건강해졌어요. (Jeoneun yojeum geonganghaejyeosseoyo.) – I have become healthier recently.
This sentence uses the verb form (-어지다/-아지다) to indicate a change of state, showing improvement in health.

요즘 많이 아파서 걱정이에요. (Yojeum mani apaseo geokjeongieyo.) – I am very sick these days, so I am worried.
Here, the sentence conveys a continuing state of being unwell, using (-아서/-어서) to connect the reason for worry.

Concluding Thoughts

Mastering the use of 건강하다 and 아프다, along with their various conjugations and applications, will greatly improve your ability to communicate about health in Korean. Whether you need to discuss your own health, inquire about someone else’s, or understand healthcare-related discussions, these words are fundamental. Keep practicing these terms in different contexts and pay attention to their usage when interacting with native speakers or consuming Korean media. Your proficiency in handling everyday conversations about health in Korean will enhance your overall language skills and help you immerse more into Korean culture.