Phrases for hospitals and pharmacies

Say 아파요 (apayo, "It hurts" or "I'm sick"). To say where, put the body part first: 머리가 아파요 (meoriga apayo, "I have a headache"), 배가 아파요 (baega apayo, "My stomach hurts"), 목이 아파요 (mogi apayo, "My throat hurts"). If symptoms are severe or worsen suddenly, go to a medical facility or call 119.

For a fever, say 열이 나요 (yeori nayo); for a cough, 기침이 나요 (gichimi nayo); for a runny nose, 콧물이 나요 (konmuri nayo). If it feels like a cold, say 감기에 걸린 것 같아요 (gamgie geollin geot gatayo, "I think I caught a cold"). If symptoms last, see a doctor.

Ask 약국 어디예요? (yakguk eodiyeyo, "Where's the pharmacy?"). Korean pharmacies often have a green cross or a sign with the character 약 (yak, medicine). Many close at night and on holidays, so ask 근처에 문 연 약국 있어요? (geuncheoe mun yeon yakguk isseoyo, "Is there an open pharmacy nearby?").

Describe your symptoms and say 약 주세요 (yak juseyo, "Medicine, please"). For example: 감기약 주세요 (gamgiyak juseyo, cold medicine), 두통약 주세요 (dutongyak juseyo, headache medicine) or 소화제 주세요 (sohwaje juseyo, digestive aid). Always tell the pharmacist about other medicines you take or if you're pregnant.

Ask 하루에 몇 번 먹어요? (harue myeot beon meogeoyo, "How many times a day?"). Medicine bags often say 식후 (sikhu, after meals) or 식전 (sikjeon, before meals), sometimes with 30분 (30 minutes). If unsure, confirm with 한 번에 몇 알이에요? (han beone myeot arieyo, "How many pills at a time?").

In Korea, some medicines can only be bought with a doctor's prescription, called 처방전 (cheobangjeon). If the pharmacist asks 처방전 있으세요? (cheobangjeon isseuseyo, "Do you have a prescription?"), you may need to see a doctor first. After a clinic visit, take the prescription to a pharmacy to get your medicine.

At reception, say 진료 받고 싶어요 (jillyo batgo sipeoyo, "I'd like to see a doctor"). If it's your first visit, say 처음 왔어요 (cheoeum wasseoyo, "It's my first time here") and show your passport. Writing down your symptoms beforehand makes registration and the consultation easier.

The emergency room is 응급실 (eunggeupsil). Ask 응급실 어디예요? (eunggeupsil eodiyeyo) to find it. If the situation is life-threatening or someone is seriously hurt, call 119 for an ambulance right away. ER fees can be higher than those for a regular clinic visit.

Ask 통역 돼요? (tongyeok dwaeyo, "Is interpretation available?") or 영어 하는 분 있어요? (yeongeo haneun bun isseoyo, "Is there someone who speaks English?"). Large hospitals may have international clinics or interpreters. You can also call the 1330 travel hotline for interpretation help; check official information for details.

Say 다쳤어요 (dachyeosseoyo, "I'm hurt"). To specify, say 발목을 다쳤어요 (balmogeul dachyeosseoyo, "I hurt my ankle") or 손을 베였어요 (soneul beyeosseoyo, "I cut my hand"). If you fell, say 넘어졌어요 (neomeojyeosseoyo). For serious injuries, call 119 immediately for an ambulance.

If you feel dizzy, say 어지러워요 (eojireowoyo). If you feel like vomiting, say 토할 것 같아요 (tohal geot gatayo), and if you already have, 토했어요 (tohaesseoyo). For diarrhea, say 설사해요 (seolsahaeyo). If symptoms persist or are severe, see a doctor, and call 119 in an emergency.

Say 저는 ○○ 알레르기가 있어요 (jeoneun ○○ allereugiga isseoyo, "I'm allergic to ○○"). For medicine allergies, name the drug, as in 페니실린 알레르기가 있어요 (penisillin allereugiga isseoyo, "I'm allergic to penicillin"). Showing the drug name written in English or Korean makes it even clearer for doctors and pharmacists.

Say 임신 중이에요 (imsin jungieyo, "I'm pregnant"). To give the stage, say 임신 ○주예요 (imsin ○juyeyo, "I'm ○ weeks pregnant"). Always mention it before buying medicine or seeing a doctor so they can recommend something safe. In an emergency, call 119.

Yes, registered 24-hour convenience stores can sell designated household medicines, chosen from pain relievers and fever reducers, cold medicine, digestive aids and pain-relief patches. The selection is restricted, so visit a pharmacy or clinic for serious symptoms. Ask 상비약 어디 있어요? (sangbiyak eodi isseoyo, "Where are the household medicines?").

A plaster or bandage is 밴드 (baendeu) or 반창고 (banchanggo), and a pain-relief patch for sore muscles is 파스 (paseu). Ask 밴드 있어요? (baendeu isseoyo) or 파스 주세요 (paseu juseyo). Antiseptic is 소독약 (sodogyak), available at pharmacies, along with ointments for minor cuts.

If asked when it started, answer like 어제부터요 (eojebuteoyo, "Since yesterday"). To describe pain, use 따끔해요 (ttakkeumhaeyo, stinging), 욱신거려요 (uksingeoryeoyo, throbbing) or 쑤셔요 (ssusyeoyo, aching). Typing your symptoms into a translation app beforehand can also help the doctor understand you.

Yes. Foreign travelers can be treated at Korean hospitals and clinics. Without Korean national health insurance, you may need to pay the full cost, so check your travel insurance. For claims, ask for a receipt and a medical certificate, 진단서 (jindanseo), before you leave.

Say 영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo, "A receipt, please") or, for insurance, 보험 청구용 서류 주세요 (boheom cheongguyong seoryu juseyo, "Documents for an insurance claim, please"). Medical certificates may cost extra. If you need English documents, ask 영문으로 받을 수 있어요? (yeongmuneuro badeul su isseoyo).

Many close at night and on holidays, so ask your accommodation or locals 문 연 병원 있어요? (mun yeon byeongwon isseoyo, "Is there a clinic open?"). Information services such as the pharmacists' association's holiday pharmacy listings and the emergency medical portal can help you find open hospitals and pharmacies. In an emergency, go to an ER or call 119.

If a doctor or nurse asks 어디가 아프세요? (eodiga apeuseyo, "Where does it hurt?"), point and say 여기가 아파요 (yeogiga apayo, "It hurts here"). For intensity, say 많이 아파요 (mani apayo, "It hurts a lot") or 조금 아파요 (jogeum apayo, "It hurts a little"). Use a translation app if you need more detail.