Korean word

감기

Pronunciation

Romanizationkamgi

Meaning

  • nouncold

Example

나는 감기에 걸렸어.na neun kam gi e keol lyeo sseo

I caught a cold.

Illustration for 감기 (cold)

More examples

요즘 감기에 걸리는 사람이 많다.yo jeum kam gi e keol li neun sa ra mi man ta

These days, many people are catching colds.

Core concept

A short-term illness that irritates the nose, throat, or airways and often causes sneezing, coughing, or a runny nose.

Common phrases

  • 감기에 걸리다kam gi e keol li da

    catch a cold

  • 감기가 심하다kam gi ga sim ha da

    have a bad cold

  • 감기가 나다kam gi ga na da

    get a cold

Similar words

독감tokkkam: A sudden illness with high fever and severe weakness that can become serious.
감기 기운kamgi kiun: Early signs of becoming unwell, such as a sore throat or a heavy feeling in the head.
감기몸살kamgimomsal: An illness that causes strong muscle aches and extreme tiredness, making movement difficult.

Definition in Korean

감기는 코·목·기관지에 생기는 급성 염증으로 재채기·기침·콧물·미열 같은 증상이 나타나는 흔한 질병이다.kam gi neun ko mok ki gwan ji e saeng gi neun keup sseong yeom jeung eu ro chae chae gi ki chim kon mul mi yeol ka teun cheung sang i na ta na neun heun han chil byeong i da

Word origin

The exact origin of this native Korean word is uncertain, so its parts should not be treated as a confirmed historical breakdown.

Usage tips

  • English cold can also mean low temperature, but 감기 (gamgi, "a cold") means the illness when it appears in a health context.

Opposites

Related words

  • 감기약kamgiyakcold medicinenoun
  • 감기증상kamgijeungsangcold symptomsnoun
  • 감기환자kamgihwanjapatient with a coldnoun

Word lists with this word