Korean medical phrases: Korean medical phrases in this guide are organized for quick use and now include an English-friendly reading line for every Korean sentence.
You may know the Korean word for “hospital” and still freeze when a doctor asks a question. The difficult part is not one noun. It is explaining where it hurts, when the problem began, and what information the clinician needs. After the consultation, you must understand a second conversation at the pharmacy.
This guide gives you 25 practical Korean phrases for that full journey. Save the page before your visit, replace the example symptom with your own information, and show the written sentence if speaking is difficult.
This is a language guide, not medical advice. Do not use a translation to decide a diagnosis, dose, or treatment. Confirm your symptoms, current medicines, allergies, pregnancy status, dosage, interactions, and side effects directly with a qualified clinician or pharmacist.
Three details to prepare before the consultation
Try to prepare these facts in writing:
- Where you feel pain or discomfort.
- When it began and whether it is getting better or worse.
- Medicines you currently take and any allergies you have.
Short, accurate information is more useful than a long sentence you cannot control. Pointing to the painful area while saying 여기가 아파요 can also make the meaning clearer.
During the consultation: 17 Korean phrases
Romanization is only a reading cue. Listen to Korean audio when possible and show the Hangul sentence if pronunciation causes confusion.
Korean medical phrases: how to pronounce each sentence
For every Korean medical phrases entry, read the learner-friendly pronunciation first and use the RR line as the standard romanization reference. Both are approximations; copy the Korean rhythm from a native recording or speaker when possible.
| # | Korean | How to say it | Natural meaning and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 처음 왔어요. | chuh-eum wah-ssuh-yoh. RR: cheoeum wasseoyo |
“This is my first visit.” Use it at reception. |
| 2 | 예약했어요. | yeh-yah-keh-ssuh-yoh. RR: yeyakhaesseoyo |
“I have an appointment.” Have your name and appointment time ready. |
| 3 | 어디가 불편하세요? | uh-dee-gah bool-pyuhn-hah-seh-yoh? RR: eodiga bulpyeonhaseyo? |
“What is bothering you?” A clinician may ask you this. |
| 4 | 여기가 아파요. | yuh-gee-gah ah-pah-yoh. RR: yeogiga apayo |
“It hurts here.” Point to the exact area. |
| 5 | 어제부터 아팠어요. | uh-jeh-boo-tuh ah-pah-ssuh-yoh. RR: eoje-buteo apasseoyo |
“It has hurt since yesterday.” Replace 어제 with the correct time. |
| 6 | 열이 있어요. | yuh-ree ee-ssuh-yoh. RR: yeori isseoyo |
“I have a fever.” Give the measured temperature if you know it. |
| 7 | 기침이 나요. | gee-chee-mee nah-yoh. RR: gichimi nayo |
“I have a cough.” |
| 8 | 목이 아파요. | moh-gee ah-pah-yoh. RR: mogi apayo |
“My throat hurts.” |
| 9 | 배가 아파요. | beh-gah ah-pah-yoh. RR: baega apayo |
“My stomach hurts.” Point to the location because 배 can refer broadly to the abdomen. |
| 10 | 어지러워요. | uh-jee-ruh-wuh-yoh. RR: eojireowoyo |
“I feel dizzy.” |
| 11 | 알레르기가 있어요. | ahl-reh-reu-gee-gah ee-ssuh-yoh. RR: allereugiga isseoyo |
“I have an allergy.” Name or show the substance or medicine. |
| 12 | 현재 복용 중인 약이 있어요. | hyuhn-jeh boh-gyohng joong-een yah-gee ee-ssuh-yoh. RR: hyeonjae bogyong jung-in yagi isseoyo |
“I am currently taking medicine.” Show the name, package, or medication list. |
| 13 | 임신 중이에요. | eem-seen joong-ee-eh-yoh. RR: imsin jung-ieyo |
“I am pregnant.” Say this when it applies because it can affect tests and medicines. |
| 14 | 천천히 말씀해 주세요. | chuhn-chuhn-hee mahl-sseum-heh joo-seh-yoh. RR: cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo |
“Please speak slowly.” |
| 15 | 통역이 필요해요. | tohng-yuh-gee pee-ryoh-heh-yoh. RR: tongyeogi piryohaeyo |
“I need an interpreter.” Ask before important details are discussed. |
| 16 | 검사가 필요한가요? | guhm-sah-gah pee-ryoh-hahn-gah-yoh? RR: geomsaga piryohangayo? |
“Do I need a test?” |
| 17 | 처방전을 받을 수 있나요? | chuh-bahng-juh-neul bah-deul soo een-nah-yoh? RR: cheobangjeoneul badeul su innayo? |
“Can I receive a prescription?” Ask only when you need to clarify the next step. |
Short consultation dialogue
Doctor: 어디가 불편하세요?
What is bothering you?
Patient: 어제부터 목이 아프고 기침이 나요.
My throat has hurt since yesterday, and I have a cough.
Doctor: 알레르기가 있거나 현재 복용 중인 약이 있나요?
Do you have any allergies, or are you currently taking medicine?
Patient: 알레르기가 있어요. 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
I have an allergy. Please speak slowly.
The dialogue is a communication model, not a diagnosis. Replace every detail with information that is true for you.
At the pharmacy: 8 Korean phrases
In Korea, you may take a prescription to a pharmacy after the consultation. Do not leave until you understand how much to take, when to take it, and what to do if you notice a problem.
| # | Korean | How to say it | Natural meaning and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 처방전은 어디에 내면 되나요? | chuh-bahng-juh-neun uh-dee-eh neh-myuhn dweh-nah-yoh? RR: cheobangjeoneun eodie naemyeon doenayo? |
“Where should I submit the prescription?” |
| 19 | 이 약은 어떻게 복용하나요? | ee yah-geun uh-ttuh-keh boh-gyohng-hah-nah-yoh? RR: i yageun eotteoke bogyonghanayo? |
“How should I take this medicine?” 복용하다 is the formal verb used for taking medicine. |
| 20 | 하루에 몇 번 먹어야 하나요? | hah-roo-eh myuht buhn muh-guh-yah hah-nah-yoh? RR: harue myeot beon meogeoya hanayo? |
“How many times a day should I take it?” |
| 21 | 식전에 먹나요, 식후에 먹나요? | seek-jjuh-neh muhng-nah-yoh, see-koo-eh muhng-nah-yoh? RR: sikjeone meongnayo, sikhue meongnayo? |
“Do I take it before or after meals?” 식전 means before meals; 식후 means after meals. |
| 22 | 한 번에 몇 알 먹나요? | hahn buh-neh myuht ahl muhng-nah-yoh? RR: han beone myeot al meongnayo? |
“How many tablets do I take at one time?” Use 알 for pills or capsules. |
| 23 | 다른 약과 같이 먹어도 되나요? | dah-reun yahk-kkwah gah-chee muh-guh-doh dweh-nah-yoh? RR: dareun yakkwa gachi meogeodo doenayo? |
“Can I take it with my other medicine?” Show the other medicine instead of relying on memory. |
| 24 | 부작용이 있으면 어떻게 해야 하나요? | boo-jah-gyohng-ee ee-sseu-myuhn uh-ttuh-keh heh-yah hah-nah-yoh? RR: bujagyongi isseumyeon eotteoke haeya hanayo? |
“What should I do if I have a side effect?” Ask which signs require urgent help. |
| 25 | 약제비 영수증을 받을 수 있을까요? | yahk-jjeh-bee yuhng-soo-jeung-eul bah-deul soo ee-sseul-kkah-yoh? RR: yakjebi yeongsujeungeul badeul su isseulkkayo? |
“Could I get a receipt for the medicine cost?” |
Short pharmacy dialogue
Customer: 처방전은 어디에 내면 되나요?
Where should I submit the prescription?
Pharmacist: 여기 주세요. 이 약은 식후에 하루 세 번 복용하세요.
Please give it to me here. Take this medicine three times a day after meals.
Customer: 한 번에 몇 알 먹나요? 다른 약과 같이 먹어도 되나요?
How many tablets do I take at one time? Can I take it with my other medicine?
Pharmacist: 복용 방법을 약봉투에 적어 드릴게요.
I will write the instructions on the medicine bag.
Before leaving the pharmacy
Confirm all five items with the pharmacist:
- 복용량 — the amount for one dose
- 복용 시간 — when to take it
- 식전 / 식후 — before or after meals
- 다른 약과 같이 복용 — whether it can be taken with other medicines
- 부작용과 주의사항 — side effects and precautions
Do not guess from the color of a medicine bag or from one familiar word. Ask the pharmacist to write the instructions, and keep the prescription and package together.
Practise before you need the phrases
Choose five sentences that fit your situation and practise recalling them without looking. Start with 여기가 아파요, 알레르기가 있어요, 처방전은 어디에 내면 되나요?, 이 약은 어떻게 복용하나요?, and 부작용이 있으면 어떻게 해야 하나요?
If you are new to the app, follow the first 10-minute BSKorean study guide. You can also download BSKorean from the official site and make a short review set for your clinic or pharmacy visit.
Emergency note
These phrases are for ordinary communication and must not delay urgent care. If there is an immediate threat to life or safety in Korea, call 119 for an ambulance or fire emergency. See the Korean government emergency-number guide for current information.
Practise Korean medical phrases aloud
Review these Korean medical phrases by covering the meaning, reading the Korean aloud, and then replacing one detail with your real situation.