Korean Hospital & Pharmacy Vocabulary — Essential Medical Phrases for Survival

<h2>When You Get Sick in Korea Without Speaking Korean</h2> <p>I still remember my first medical emergency in Korea. It was 2014, two years after I moved to Seoul. A severe case of food poisoning from sketchy 회 (hoe — raw fish) in a Noryangjin alley. I ended up in the ER at Samsung Medical Center at 2 AM, unable to explain my symptoms except by miming vomiting in front of a puzzled nurse.</p> <p>I've learned since then. And after 12 years in Seoul, I can tell you that mastering Korean medical vocabulary isn't a luxury — it's an absolute necessity. Here are the words and expressions that have saved me more than once.</p> <h2>Essential Medical Locations</h2> <p>Before talking symptoms, you need to know where to go. Korea's medical system is organized differently from Western countries:</p> <ul> <li><strong>병원 (byeong-won)</strong> — Hospital</li> <li><strong>약국 (yak-guk)</strong> — Pharmacy</li> <li><strong>응급실 (eung-geup-sil)</strong> — Emergency room</li> <li><strong>치과 (chi-gwa)</strong> — Dentist</li> <li><strong>안과 (an-gwa)</strong> — Ophthalmologist</li> <li><strong>피부과 (pi-bu-gwa)</strong> — Dermatologist</li> <li><strong>내과 (nae-gwa)</strong> — Internal medicine (general practitioner)</li> <li><strong>정형외과 (jeong-hyeong-oe-gwa)</strong> — Orthopedist</li> <li><strong>이비인후과 (i-bi-in-hu-gwa)</strong> — ENT specialist</li> </ul> <p>Expat tip: in Korea, you don't go to a "family doctor" like in Western countries. You go directly to a specialized clinic — 내과 (nae-gwa) for common issues. These clinics are everywhere — literally on every street corner in residential neighborhoods.</p> <h2>Medical Staff</h2> <ul> <li><strong>의사 (ui-sa)</strong> — Doctor</li> <li><strong>[간호사](/en/dictionary/%EA%B0%84%ED%98%B8%EC%82%AC) (gan-ho-sa)</strong> — Nurse</li> <li><strong>약사 (yak-sa)</strong> — Pharmacist</li> <li><strong>치과의사 (chi-gwa-ui-sa)</strong> — Dentist</li> <li><strong>환자 (hwan-ja)</strong> — Patient</li> </ul> <h2>Body Parts — 신체 부위 (sin-che bu-wi)</h2> <p>When something hurts, you need to point and name it. Here are the most useful body parts for a medical consultation:</p> <ul> <li><strong>머리 (meo-ri)</strong> — Head</li> <li><strong>눈 (nun)</strong> — Eyes</li> <li><strong>코 (ko)</strong> — Nose</li> <li><strong>귀 (gwi)</strong> — Ears</li> <li><strong>입 (ip)</strong> — Mouth</li> <li><strong>목 (mok)</strong> — Neck / Throat</li> <li><strong>[가슴](/en/dictionary/%EA%B0%80%EC%8A%B4) (ga-seum)</strong> — Chest</li> <li><strong>배 (bae)</strong> — Stomach / Belly</li> <li><strong>등 (deung)</strong> — Back</li> <li><strong>팔 (pal)</strong> — Arm</li> <li><strong>다리 (da-ri)</strong> — Leg</li> <li><strong>손 (son)</strong> — Hand</li> <li><strong>발 (bal)</strong> — Foot</li> <li><strong>허리 (heo-ri)</strong> — Waist / Lower back</li> </ul> <p>The magic formula for "it hurts here": <strong>[body part] + 아파요 (a-pa-yo)</strong>. For example: 배 아파요 (bae a-pa-yo) = "My stomach hurts."</p> <h2>Symptoms — 증상 (jeung-sang)</h2> <p>This is where it gets crucial. Being able to describe your symptoms can literally save your life:</p> <ul> <li><strong>열이 나요 (yeol-i na-yo)</strong> — I have a fever</li> <li><strong>기침이 나요 (gi-chim-i na-yo)</strong> — I'm coughing</li> <li><strong>콧물이 나요 (kon-mul-i na-yo)</strong> — I have a runny nose</li> <li><strong>두통이 있어요 (du-tong-i iss-eo-yo)</strong> — I have a headache</li> <li><strong>속이 안 좋아요 (sok-i an jo-a-yo)</strong> — I feel nauseous</li> <li><strong>토했어요 (to-haess-eo-yo)</strong> — I vomited</li> <li><strong>설사를 해요 (seol-sa-reul hae-yo)</strong> — I have diarrhea</li> <li><strong>어지러워요 (eo-ji-reo-wo-yo)</strong> — I feel dizzy</li> <li><strong>알레르기가 있어요 (al-le-reu-gi-ga iss-eo-yo)</strong> — I have allergies</li> <li><strong>숨쉬기 힘들어요 (sum-swi-gi him-deul-eo-yo)</strong> — I have difficulty breathing</li> </ul> <h2>At the Pharmacy — 약국에서 (yak-guk-e-seo)</h2> <p>Korean pharmacies are fantastic. The pharmacist (약사) is often your first point of contact for minor issues, and they can recommend very effective over-the-counter medications.</p> <ul> <li><strong>약 (yak)</strong> — Medicine / Medication</li> <li><strong>처방전 (cheo-bang-jeon)</strong> — Prescription</li> <li><strong>진통제 (jin-tong-je)</strong> — Painkiller</li> <li><strong>[감기약](/en/dictionary/%EA%B0%90%EA%B8%B0%EC%95%BD) (gam-gi-yak)</strong> — Cold medicine</li> <li><strong>소화제 (so-hwa-je)</strong> — Digestive aid</li> <li><strong>반창고 (ban-chang-go)</strong> — Band-aid / Bandage</li> <li><strong>연고 (yeon-go)</strong> — Ointment</li> <li><strong>알약 (al-yak)</strong> — Pill / Tablet</li> <li><strong>물약 (mul-yak)</strong> — Syrup</li> </ul> <p>Useful phrase at the pharmacy: <strong>이 약 처방전 없이 살 수 있어요? (i yak cheo-bang-jeon eops-i sal su iss-eo-yo?)</strong> — "Can I buy this medicine without a prescription?"</p> <h2>Health Insurance — 건강보험 (geon-gang-bo-heom)</h2> <p>Korea has an excellent national health insurance system called 국민건강보험 (guk-min-geon-gang-bo-heom). As a foreigner with a work visa, you're entitled to it. The system covers approximately 60-70% of standard medical costs.</p> <ul> <li><strong>건강보험 (geon-gang-bo-heom)</strong> — Health insurance</li> <li><strong>보험증 (bo-heom-jeung)</strong> — Insurance card</li> <li><strong>진료비 (jil-lyo-bi)</strong> — Medical fees</li> <li><strong>본인부담금 (bon-in-bu-dam-geum)</strong> — Co-pay / Out-of-pocket</li> </ul> <p>My advice after 12 years here: always keep your health insurance card in your wallet. Without it, you'll pay the full rate, and even though Korean medicine remains affordable compared to Western countries, the difference is significant.</p> <h2>Survival Phrases at the Doctor's</h2> <p>Here are the phrases I wish I had known during my first ER visit:</p> <ul> <li><strong>여기가 아파요 (yeo-gi-ga a-pa-yo)</strong> — It hurts here (while pointing)</li> <li><strong>언제부터 아팠어요? (eon-je-bu-teo a-pass-eo-yo?)</strong> — Since when have you been in pain? (the doctor will ask you this)</li> <li><strong>약에 알레르기가 있어요 (yak-e al-le-reu-gi-ga iss-eo-yo)</strong> — I'm allergic to a medication</li> <li><strong>영어 하시는 의사 있어요? (yeong-eo ha-si-neun ui-sa iss-eo-yo?)</strong> — Is there a doctor who speaks English?</li> <li><strong>입원해야 해요? (ip-won-hae-ya hae-yo?)</strong> — Do I need to be hospitalized?</li> </ul> <h2>My Personal Experience</h2> <p>In 12 years in Seoul, I've used the Korean medical system dozens of times. What always impresses me: the speed. No appointment needed at the general clinic — you walk into a 내과, rarely wait more than 20 minutes, and walk out with your prescription. The pharmacy is always right next door. All for a minimal cost with insurance.</p> <p>The biggest challenge remains the language barrier. Even though more and more doctors speak English (especially in major hospitals like Severance or Samsung Medical Center), in small neighborhood clinics, Korean is essential.</p> <p>Learn these words. Save this article. One day, you'll thank me.</p> <h2>Ready to [Learn Korean](/en/korean) Seriously?</h2> <p>Medical vocabulary is just one part of everyday Korean. On Seonsaengnim, you can learn Korean through K-Pop, structured courses, and a teacher available 24/7. <a href="/en/signup">Create your free account</a> and start learning today.</p>