9 Korean phrases for the doctor and the pharmacy
Nothing tests your Korean like being ill in Korea. Clinics are fast, the staff are kind, and the whole visit can be over in fifteen minutes, provided you can say where it hurts and understand the one question the pharmacist asks you.
These nine phrases follow the visit in order: the front desk, the consultation, the pharmacy next door. Everything is in polite 요 speech, which is correct for every person you will meet along the way.
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접수해 주세요.
jeopsuhae juseyo.
I'd like to check in, please.
Literally: Please do registration.
Most Korean clinics are walk-in, and 접수 (registration) at the front desk is the first step. Have your ID or residence card ready; the receptionist will ask 어디가 불편하세요? (what's the trouble?) before you see anyone.
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어디가 아프세요?
eodiga apeuseyo?
Where does it hurt?
The doctor's opening question, with the honorific -세요 because you are the patient. You answer with a body part and 아파요. Knowing this one means the first ten seconds of the appointment are not a surprise.
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머리가 아파요.
meoriga apayo.
My head hurts.
Swap the noun: 배 (stomach), 목 (throat or neck), 허리 (lower back), 이 (tooth). 아프다 covers both pain and being unwell, so 아파요 on its own also means 'I'm sick'.
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열이 나요.
yeori nayo.
I have a fever.
Literally: Fever comes out.
Symptoms in Korean 'come out' with 나다: 기침이 나요 (I have a cough), 콧물이 나요 (runny nose), 두드러기가 나요 (I have hives). Learn the verb once and you can report most of them.
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어제부터 아팠어요.
eojebuteo apasseoyo.
It has hurt since yesterday.
The doctor will ask 언제부터요? (since when?), so have the answer ready. 부터 is 'from, since'; 3일 전부터 (since three days ago) and 지난주부터 (since last week) follow the same shape.
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약 알레르기 있어요.
yak allereugi isseoyo.
I have a drug allergy.
Say it early, then name the drug: 페니실린 (penicillin), 아스피린 (aspirin). Most medicine names are loanwords, so they are easier to say than they look in Hangul.
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이 약 하루에 몇 번 먹어요?
i yak harue myeot beon meogeoyo?
How many times a day do I take this?
Literally: This medicine, per day how many times eat?
Korean 'eats' medicine: 약을 먹다, never 마시다. The pharmacist's usual answer is 하루 세 번, 식후 30분 (three times a day, 30 minutes after meals), which is also printed on the packet.
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진통제 있어요?
jintongje isseoyo?
Do you have painkillers?
Pharmacies (약국) sell plenty without a prescription. Other words to point at the shelf with: 감기약 (cold medicine), 소화제 (for indigestion), 해열제 (fever reducer), 반창고 (plasters).
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보험 적용돼요?
boheom jeogyongdwaeyo?
Is this covered by insurance?
National health insurance (건강보험) is tied to your resident number, so there is usually no card to show, but some treatments are 비급여 (not covered) and this is how you ask before agreeing to one.
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Two small habits make a big difference. Koreans report symptoms with 나다 (to come out) and 아프다 (to hurt, to be sick), and almost nothing else, so those two verbs with the right noun will get you through most complaints. And when a doctor or pharmacist speaks too quickly, 천천히 말씀해 주세요 (please speak slowly) is always welcome.