Types of Pain in Korean — Sharp, Throbbing, Aching
Korean words for different types of pain. Learn to describe sharp, throbbing, aching, and burning pain to your doctor.
찌릿찌릿해요.
jji-rit-jji-rit-hae-yo
It's a sharp/tingling pain.
욱신욱신해요.
uk-shin-uk-shin-hae-yo
It's throbbing.
쑤셔요.
ssu-syeo-yo
It aches.
따끔따끔해요.
tta-kkeum-tta-kkeum-hae-yo
It stings.
뻐근해요.
ppeo-geun-hae-yo
It's stiff and sore.
조이는 느낌이에요.
jo-i-neun neu-kkim-i-e-yo
It feels tight/squeezing.
화끈거려요.
hwa-kkeun-geo-ryeo-yo
It burns.
칼로 찌르는 것 같아요.
kal-lo jji-reu-neun geot gat-a-yo
It feels like being stabbed.
Why describing pain type matters
Korean doctors will often ask not just where it hurts, but how it hurts. Describing the type of pain helps them diagnose your condition more accurately.
Common pain descriptions
Korean has very expressive words for pain. Many are onomatopoeia — words that sound like what they describe.
How to use these words
Simply say the pain description + 해요. For example: "욱신욱신해요" (it's throbbing). You can combine with location: "머리가 욱신욱신해요" (my head is throbbing).
If you can't describe the type
Use intensity instead: 조금 아파요 (it hurts a little), 많이 아파요 (it hurts a lot), 너무 아파요 (it hurts so much).
Tip
You don't need to memorize all of these. Even describing the intensity (많이 아파요 = it hurts a lot) helps your doctor understand.
Useful links
Related articles
'Where Does It Hurt?' — Describing Pain Location in Korean
How to tell a Korean doctor exactly where it hurts. Body part names and pain descriptions with pronunciation.
'When Did It Start?' — Expressing Duration in Korean Medical Context
How to tell a Korean doctor when your symptoms started and how they've changed over time.
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.