What it means
배 has three meanings: (1) belly/stomach, (2) a boat/ship, (3) Asian pear. Context determines the meaning. 배고파요 uses 배 as stomach.
Nuance & when to use
배고파요 = I'm hungry (stomach empty). 배불러요 = I'm full (stomach full). 배가 아파요 = my stomach hurts. 배 타요 = to ride a boat. 배를 먹어요 = to eat pear. Korean is rich in homonyms — 배 is one of the most common examples. Context always clarifies.
⚠ Common mistake
배가 아파요 = my stomach hurts (medical). BUT in context, 배가 아파요 can also sarcastically mean "I'm jealous" (envy makes your stomach hurt in Korean idiom).
Example sentences
See also
FAQ
When is this used?
배고파요 = I'm hungry (stomach empty). 배불러요 = I'm full (stomach full). 배가 아파요 = my stomach hurts. 배 타요 = to ride a boat. 배를 먹어요 = to eat pear. Korean is rich in homonyms — 배 is one of the most common examples. Context always clarifies.
What's a common mistake?
배가 아파요 = my stomach hurts (medical). BUT in context, 배가 아파요 can also sarcastically mean "I'm jealous" (envy makes your stomach hurt in Korean idiom).
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