What is this in Korean logo
Play GameGet Free Book

아프다 vs 다치다: Pain vs Injury Difference

아프다 (a-peu-da, apeuda) · 다치다 (da-chi-da, dachida)

아프다 mainly expresses pain or discomfort, while 다치다 refers to having a physical injury or wound.

Comparison of Korean words 아프다 and 다치다 showing pain vs injury

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

아프다(a-peu-da, apeuda)

To feel pain or discomfort

When to use

Feeling body pain, Cold symptoms, Having a headache

The nuance

Use 아프다 when expressing pain, discomfort, or soreness in body or mind. It applies even without visible injury.

다치다(da-chi-da, dachida)

To get a physical injury or wound

When to use

Getting a wound from falling, Injured in traffic accident, Cut by a knife

The nuance

Use 다치다 when someone gets a visible injury or wound from falling, hitting, or accident.

Real-world examples

  • 머리가 아파서 약을 먹었어요.

    meo-ri-ga a-pa-seo yak-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., meo ri ga a pa seo yak eul meok eoss eo yo.

    아프다 is correct for expressing headache pain.

  • 머리를 다쳐서 피가 났어요.

    meo-ri-reul da-chyeo-seo pi-ga nass-eo-yo., meo ri reul da chyeo seo pi ga nass eo yo.

    다치다 fits because there is a visible injury on the head.

  • 손가락이 아파서 붕대를 감았어요.

    son-ga-rak-i a-pa-seo bung-dae-reul gam-ass-eo-yo., son ga rak i a pa seo bung dae reul gam ass eo yo.

    아프다 is correct for finger pain.

  • 손가락을 다쳐서 붕대를 감았어요.

    son-ga-rak-eul da-chyeo-seo bung-dae-reul gam-ass-eo-yo., son ga rak eul da chyeo seo bung dae reul gam ass eo yo.

    다치다 fits because there is injury on the finger.

  • 감기에 걸려서 다쳤어요.

    gam-gi-e geol-ryeo-seo da-chyeoss-eo-yo., gam gi e geol ryeo seo da chyeoss eo yo.

    You cannot use 다치다 for illness without injury; 아프다 is correct.

  • 넘어져서 아팠어요.

    neom-eo-jyeo-seo a-pass-eo-yo., neom eo jyeo seo a pass eo yo.

    아프다 can be used to express pain after falling.

  • 넘어져서 다쳤어요.

    neom-eo-jyeo-seo da-chyeoss-eo-yo., neom eo jyeo seo da chyeoss eo yo.

    다치다 is correct if falling caused injury.

  • 기분이 다쳐서 슬퍼요.

    gi-bun-i da-chyeo-seo seul-peo-yo., gi bun i da chyeo seo seul peo yo.

    다치다 is for physical injury, not emotional hurt.

Quick quiz

  1. Which is correct when your head hurts?

    머리가 아플 때 올바른 표현은?(meo-ri-gaa-peulttaeol-ba-reunpyo-hyeon-eun?, meorigaapeulttaeolbareunpyohyeoneun?)

  2. You fell and got a wound on your knee. Which word to use?

    넘어져서 무릎에 상처가 생겼어요. 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(neom-eo-jyeo-seomu-reup-esang-cheo-gasaeng-gyeoss-eo-yo.eo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, neomeojyeoseomureupesangcheogasaenggyeosseoyo.eotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)

  3. I caught a cold and my body is ___.

    감기에 걸려서 몸이 ___.(gam-gi-egeol-ryeo-seomom-i___., gamgiegeolryeoseomomi___.)

What does it mean?

More comparisons to explore

View all word comparisons →