🩺 Korean Survival Phrases: At the Hospital & Pharmacy

When you’re traveling or living in Korea, one of the most important things to know is how to talk about your health. Whether it’s a simple cold or a visit to the pharmacy, being able to express yourself clearly can really ease the stress.

Today, we’ll walk you through 3 practical speaking blocks to help you communicate confidently at the hospital and pharmacy.

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💬 Block 1: Describing Symptoms (어디가 아파요?)

Start by learning how to describe how you feel.

- 머리가 아파요 (meo-ri-ga a-pa-yo) – I have a headache

- 배가 아파요 (bae-ga a-pa-yo) – I have a stomachache

- 열이 있어요 (yeol-i i-sseo-yo) – I have a fever

- 기침이 나요 (gi-chim-i na-yo) – I’m coughing

🗣️ Example Dialogue:
👩: 어디가 아프세요? (Where does it hurt?)
👨: 목이 아프고 기침이 나요. (My throat hurts and I’m coughing.)

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🏥 Block 2: Making Appointments & Getting Check-Ups (병원 예약 & 진료)

At a hospital or clinic, these phrases will come in handy:

- 예약했어요 (ye-yak-haess-eo-yo) – I made a reservation

- 접수했어요 (jeop-su-haess-eo-yo) – I checked in

- 진료 받았어요 (jin-ryo bad-ass-eo-yo) – I got a check-up

🗣️ Example Dialogue:
👨: 예약하셨어요? (Do you have a reservation?)
👩: 네, 3시로 예약했어요. (Yes, I booked for 3 o’clock.)

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💊 Block 3: At the Pharmacy (약국 표현)

At the pharmacy, you might hear or use:

- 약 주세요 (yak ju-se-yo) – Please give me medicine

- 처방전 있어요 (cheo-bang-jeon i-sseo-yo) – I have a prescription

- 하루에 몇 번 먹어요? (ha-ru-e myeot beon meok-eo-yo?) – How many times a day?

- 물과 같이 드세요 (mul-gwa gat-chi deu-se-yo) – Take it with water

🗣️ Example Dialogue:
👩: 감기약 주세요~ (Cold medicine, please~)
👨: 하루에 3번, 식사 후에 드세요! (Take it three times a day after meals.)

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✅ Wrap-Up

It’s never fun to be sick, especially in a foreign country. But with these simple Korean phrases, you’ll be able to:

Explain your symptoms

Navigate hospital visits

Understand basic pharmacy instructions

💬 Try writing your own sentence in Korean!
Ex: “목이 아파서 병원에 갔어요.” (I had a sore throat, so I went to the hospital.)