Understanding how to request and discuss sick leave is crucial when working in a Korean environment. This guide covers the essential Korean term for sick leave, “병가” (byeong-ga), along with related phrases for communicating your absence due to illness effectively and professionally.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 병가
Pronunciation: byeong-ga
Meaning: Sick leave (leave taken due to illness)
Basic Phrases for Sick Leave
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Expression: 몸이 안 좋아요.
Pronunciation: mo-mi an jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I’m not feeling well. -
Expression: 아파서 오늘 쉬어야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-pa-seo o-neul swi-eo-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to rest today because I’m sick. -
Expression: 오늘 출근하기 어려울 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul chul-geun-ha-gi eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems difficult for me to come to work today. -
Expression: 병원에 가야 해요.
Pronunciation: byeong-won-e ga-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to go to the hospital/doctor’s office. -
Expression: 의사 선생님이 쉬라고 하셨어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-i swi-ra-go ha-syeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: The doctor told me to rest. -
Expression: 진단서를 제출하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo-reul je-chul-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will submit a doctor’s note. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 오늘 결근해야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, o-neul gyeol-geun-hae-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but I think I have to be absent from work today. -
Expression: 내일은 괜찮을 거예요.
Pronunciation: nae-il-eun gwaen-chan-eul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I should be okay tomorrow. -
Expression: 업무 인수인계는 이메일로 보내겠습니다.
Pronunciation: eom-mu in-su-in-gye-neun i-me-il-lo bo-nae-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will send the work handover details via email. -
Expression: 급한 일 있으면 연락 주세요.
Pronunciation: geu-pan il it-eu-myeon yeon-lak ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please contact me if there’s anything urgent.
Requesting Sick Leave Formally
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Expression: 팀장님, 몸이 안 좋아서 오늘 병가를 사용하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: tim-jang-nim, mo-mi an jo-a-seo o-neul byeong-ga-reul sa-yong-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Team Leader, I’m not feeling well, so I would like to use sick leave today. -
Expression: 건강상의 이유로 오늘 하루 병가를 신청합니다.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-sang-ui i-yu-ro o-neul ha-ru byeong-ga-reul sin-cheong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I am requesting one day of sick leave today for health reasons. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 몸 상태가 좋지 않아 병가를 내야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, mom sang-tae-ga jo-chi an-a byeong-ga-reul nae-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize, but my physical condition is not good, so I think I need to take sick leave. -
Expression: 병가 신청서를 작성해서 제출하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: byeong-ga sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-seo je-chul-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will fill out and submit the sick leave request form. -
Expression: 며칠 정도 쉬어야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: myeo-chil jeong-do swi-eo-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think I will need to rest for a few days. -
Expression: 병가 기간 동안 업무는 [동료 이름]에게 인수인계했습니다.
Pronunciation: byeong-ga gi-gan dong-an eom-mu-neun [dong-ryo i-reum]-e-ge in-su-in-gye-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have handed over my duties to [Colleague’s Name] during my sick leave. -
Expression: 병가 승인 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: byeong-ga seung-in bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: I request your approval for my sick leave. -
Expression: 몸이 회복되는 대로 바로 연락드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: mo-mi hoe-bok-doe-neun dae-ro ba-ro yeon-lak-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will contact you as soon as I recover. -
Expression: 갑작스럽게 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: gap-jak-seu-reop-ge joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I apologize for the sudden notice. -
Expression: 양해해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: yang-hae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your understanding.
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 열이 많이 나요.
Pronunciation: yeo-ri ma-ni na-yo.
Meaning: I have a high fever. -
Expression: 기침과 콧물이 심해요.
Pronunciation: gi-chim-gwa kon-mul-i sim-hae-yo.
Meaning: I have a severe cough and runny nose. -
Expression: 두통이 너무 심해서 집중할 수가 없어요.
Pronunciation: du-tong-i neo-mu sim-hae-seo jip-jung-hal su-ga eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: My headache is so severe that I can’t concentrate. -
Expression: 배가 아파요. / 복통이 있어요.
Pronunciation: bae-ga a-pa-yo. / bok-tong-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a stomachache. -
Expression: 목이 아파요.
Pronunciation: mo-gi a-pa-yo.
Meaning: I have a sore throat. -
Expression: 몸살 기운이 있어요.
Pronunciation: mom-sal gi-un-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I feel like I have body aches (like from a cold or flu). -
Expression: 어지러워요.
Pronunciation: eo-ji-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I feel dizzy. -
Expression: 토할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: to-hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I feel like I’m going to vomit. / I feel nauseous. -
Expression: 감기에 걸린 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gam-gi-e geol-lin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I’ve caught a cold. -
Expression: 어제부터 몸이 안 좋았어요.
Pronunciation: eo-je-bu-teo mo-mi an jo-at-seo-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t been feeling well since yesterday.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding workplace culture is key when taking sick leave in Korea. While policies vary by company, traditionally, there has been pressure to avoid taking time off unless absolutely necessary. However, this is changing, especially in larger or more international companies.
It’s generally expected to inform your direct supervisor as early as possible, usually via phone call or text message in the morning, rather than just sending an email. Clearly stating the reason (being sick) and the expected duration of absence is important.
Companies often require a doctor’s note (진단서 – jin-dan-seo) if the sick leave extends beyond one or two days, or sometimes even for a single day depending on company policy. Be prepared to provide this if requested.
Showing consideration for colleagues by handing over urgent tasks or providing necessary information before taking leave is appreciated. Expressing apology for the inconvenience (죄송합니다 – joe-song-ham-ni-da) and gratitude for their understanding (이해해 주셔서 감사합니다 – i-hae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da) is common courtesy.
Upon returning to work, it’s polite to briefly thank your team leader and colleagues for covering for you and mention that you are feeling better.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An employee (Min-jun) calls their team leader (Ji-hye) in the morning to request sick leave.
Characters:
- A: Min-jun (Employee)
- B: Ji-hye (Team Leader)
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Expression: A: 여보세요, 팀장님. 김민준입니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, tim-jang-nim. gim-min-jun-im-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Hello, Team Leader. This is Kim Min-jun. -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 씨. 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: ne, min-jun ssi. mu-seun i-ri-e-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Min-jun. What’s up? -
Expression: A: 죄송하지만, 제가 아침부터 몸이 너무 안 좋아서요. 열도 나고 기침도 심해서 오늘 출근하기 어려울 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, je-ga a-chim-bu-teo mo-mi neo-mu an jo-a-seo-yo. yeol-do na-go gi-chim-do sim-hae-seo o-neul chul-geun-ha-gi eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: I’m very sorry, but I’ve been feeling really unwell since this morning. I have a fever and a bad cough, so I don’t think I can come to work today. -
Expression: B: 아, 그래요? 괜찮아요? 병원은 가 봤어요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-rae-yo? gwaen-chan-a-yo? byeong-won-eun ga bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, really? Are you okay? Have you been to the doctor? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 이제 가보려고 합니다. 그래서 오늘 하루 병가를 써야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, i-je ga-bo-ryeo-go ham-ni-da. geu-rae-seo o-neul ha-ru byeong-ga-reul sseo-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: No, I’m planning to go now. So, I think I need to take sick leave for today. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 몸 관리 잘 하시고 푹 쉬세요. 필요한 서류 있으면 나중에 제출해 주시고요. 급한 업무는 제가 처리할게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. mom gwal-li jal ha-si-go puk swi-se-yo. pil-yo-han seo-ryu it-eu-myeon na-jung-e je-chul-hae ju-si-go-yo. geu-pan eom-mu-neun je-ga cheo-ri-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: I understand. Take good care of yourself and get plenty of rest. Please submit any necessary documents later. I’ll handle any urgent tasks. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다, 팀장님. 죄송하고 감사합니다. 내일은 괜찮아지면 출근하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da, tim-jang-nim. joe-song-ha-go gam-sa-ham-ni-da. nae-il-eun gwaen-chan-a-ji-myeon chul-geun-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you, Team Leader. I’m sorry and thank you. I will come to work tomorrow if I feel better. -
Expression: B: 네, 너무 걱정 말고 푹 쉬어요. 빨리 나으세요.
Pronunciation: ne, neo-mu geok-jeong mal-go puk swi-eo-yo. ppal-li na-eu-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Okay, don’t worry too much and just rest well. Get well soon.
Practice Tips
Knowing how to talk about sick leave is important for navigating work life in Korea! Try practicing these phrases out loud~ Imagine calling your supervisor or explaining your symptoms. Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner can be really helpful!
Pay attention to the politeness levels. Using formal language like -습니다/-ㅂ니다 endings when speaking to superiors is crucial. Remember to always be respectful and considerate when requesting time off. You’ve got this! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting!)
