Aromatherapy in Korean

Understanding terms related to wellness practices like aromatherapy is helpful when exploring health and relaxation options in Korea. This guide covers the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases for discussing aromatherapy, from basic terms to expressing preferences and benefits, enabling you to navigate related shops and conversations effectively.

Core Term

• Expression: 아로마테라피
  Pronunciation: ah-ro-ma-te-ra-pi
  Meaning: Aromatherapy

Essential Vocabulary

• Expression: 에센셜 오일
  Pronunciation: e-sen-syeol o-il
  Meaning: Essential oil
• Expression: 디퓨저
  Pronunciation: di-pyu-jeo
  Meaning: Diffuser
• Expression: 향
  Pronunciation: hyang
  Meaning: Scent, fragrance
• Expression: 마사지
  Pronunciation: ma-sa-ji
  Meaning: Massage
• Expression: 이완
  Pronunciation: i-wan
  Meaning: Relaxation
• Expression: 스트레스 해소
  Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu hae-so
  Meaning: Stress relief
• Expression: 수면
  Pronunciation: su-myeon
  Meaning: Sleep
• Expression: 라벤더
  Pronunciation: ra-ben-deo
  Meaning: Lavender
• Expression: 페퍼민트
  Pronunciation: pe-peo-min-teu
  Meaning: Peppermint
• Expression: 유칼립투스
  Pronunciation: yu-kal-rip-tu-seu
  Meaning: Eucalyptus
• Expression: 캐모마일
  Pronunciation: kae-mo-ma-il
  Meaning: Chamomile
• Expression: 천연
  Pronunciation: cheon-yeon
  Meaning: Natural

Useful Phrases for Aromatherapy

• Expression: 저는 아로마테라피를 좋아해요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun ah-ro-ma-te-ra-pi-reul jo-a-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I like aromatherapy.
• Expression: 어떤 에센셜 오일을 추천하시나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon e-sen-syeol o-il-eul chu-cheon-ha-si-na-yo?
  Meaning: Which essential oil do you recommend?
• Expression: 이 향은 정말 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: i hyang-eun jeong-mal jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: This scent is really nice.
• Expression: 아로마 마사지를 받고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: ah-ro-ma ma-sa-ji-reul bat-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to get an aroma massage.
• Expression: 디퓨저 사용법 좀 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: di-pyu-jeo sa-yong-beop jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please tell me how to use the diffuser.
• Expression: 스트레스 해소에 좋은 오일은 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu hae-so-e jo-eun o-il-eun mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What oil is good for stress relief?
• Expression: 잠 잘 오게 하는 향이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jam jal o-ge ha-neun hyang-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a scent that helps with sleep?
• Expression: 라벤더 오일은 어디에 좋아요?
  Pronunciation: ra-ben-deo o-il-eun eo-di-e jo-a-yo?
  Meaning: What is lavender oil good for?
• Expression: 이 오일은 천연 성분인가요?
  Pronunciation: i o-il-eun cheon-yeon seong-bun-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is this oil made of natural ingredients?
• Expression: 아로마테라피 용품은 어디서 살 수 있어요?
  Pronunciation: ah-ro-ma-te-ra-pi yong-pum-eun eo-di-seo sal su i-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I buy aromatherapy products?
• Expression: 집에서 아로마테라피를 즐겨요.
  Pronunciation: jib-e-seo ah-ro-ma-te-ra-pi-reul jeul-gyeo-yo.
  Meaning: I enjoy aromatherapy at home.
• Expression: 향초도 좋아하세요?
  Pronunciation: hyang-cho-do jo-a-ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you like scented candles too?

Describing Scents and Effects

• Expression: 향이 상쾌해요.
  Pronunciation: hyang-i sang-kwae-hae-yo.
  Meaning: The scent is refreshing.
• Expression: 마음이 편안해지는 향이에요.
  Pronunciation: ma-eum-i pyeon-an-hae-ji-neun hyang-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: It’s a calming scent. / It’s a scent that makes me feel relaxed.
• Expression: 꽃 향기가 나요.
  Pronunciation: kkot hyang-gi-ga na-yo.
  Meaning: It smells like flowers. / It has a floral scent.
• Expression: 이 오일은 집중력을 높여줘요.
  Pronunciation: i o-il-eun jip-jung-ryeok-eul no-pyeo-jwo-yo.
  Meaning: This oil helps improve concentration.
• Expression: 긴장을 풀어주는 효과가 있어요.
  Pronunciation: gin-jang-eul pul-eo-ju-neun hyo-gwa-ga i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: It has a tension-relieving effect.
• Expression: 기분 전환에 도움이 돼요.
  Pronunciation: gi-bun jeon-hwan-e do-um-i dwae-yo.
  Meaning: It helps to refresh my mood.
• Expression: 향이 너무 강하지 않아요?
  Pronunciation: hyang-i neo-mu gang-ha-ji an-a-yo?
  Meaning: Isn’t the scent too strong?
• Expression: 은은한 향을 선호해요.
  Pronunciation: eun-eun-han hyang-eul seon-ho-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I prefer a subtle scent.
• Expression: 머리가 맑아지는 느낌이에요.
  Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga mal-ga-ji-neun neu-kkim-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: I feel like my head is clearing up.
• Expression: 피로 회복에 좋아요.
  Pronunciation: pi-ro hoe-bok-e jo-a-yo.
  Meaning: It’s good for fatigue recovery.
• Expression: 달콤한 향이 나요.
  Pronunciation: dal-kom-han hyang-i na-yo.
  Meaning: It has a sweet scent.
• Expression: 상큼한 향을 좋아해요.
  Pronunciation: sang-keum-han hyang-eul jo-a-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I like citrusy/refreshing scents.

Korean Culture Notes

Aromatherapy (아로마테라피 – ah-ro-ma-te-ra-pi) has gained significant popularity in Korea as part of the growing interest in wellness and self-care. It’s often associated with relaxation and stress relief in a fast-paced society.

You’ll commonly find diffusers (디퓨저 – di-pyu-jeo) and essential oils used in various places beyond homes, such as cafes (especially study cafes), spas (스파 – seu-pa), yoga studios, and even some offices to create a pleasant and calming atmosphere.

Gifting aromatherapy products, like essential oil sets or diffusers, is becoming a popular choice for housewarming parties (집들이 – jip-deu-ri) or as thoughtful presents, reflecting the value placed on well-being and creating a comfortable living space.

While traditional Korean medicine has its own herbal remedies, Western-style aromatherapy using essential oils like lavender (라벤더 – ra-ben-deo) and peppermint (페퍼민트 – pe-peo-min-teu) is widely embraced, particularly among younger generations seeking modern relaxation techniques.

Many department stores and dedicated shops offer a wide variety of aromatherapy products. Staff are usually knowledgeable and can offer recommendations (추천 – chu-cheon) based on desired effects like stress relief (스트레스 해소 – seu-teu-re-seu hae-so) or better sleep (수면 – su-myeon).

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two friends, Minji and Sora, are browsing in a store that sells aromatherapy products.

Roles:

• A: Minji
• B: Sora

• Expression: A: 와, 여기 좋은 향이 많이 난다. 소라야, 너 아로마테라피 좋아해?
  Pronunciation: wa, yeo-gi jo-eun hyang-i ma-ni nan-da. so-ra-ya, neo ah-ro-ma-te-ra-pi jo-a-hae?
  Meaning: Wow, there are so many nice scents here. Sora, do you like aromatherapy?
• Expression: B: 응, 나 집에서 디퓨저 자주 써. 특히 라벤더 향 좋아해. 마음이 편안해지거든.
  Pronunciation: eung, na jib-e-seo di-pyu-jeo ja-ju sseo. teu-ki ra-ben-deo hyang jo-a-hae. ma-eum-i pyeon-an-hae-ji-geo-deun.
  Meaning: Yeah, I often use a diffuser at home. I especially like the lavender scent. It makes me feel relaxed.
• Expression: A: 정말? 나는 요즘 스트레스가 많아서 스트레스 해소에 좋은 오일을 찾고 있어.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal? na-neun yo-jeum seu-teu-re-seu-ga ma-na-seo seu-teu-re-seu hae-so-e jo-eun o-il-eul chat-go i-sseo.
  Meaning: Really? I’ve been stressed lately, so I’m looking for an oil that’s good for stress relief.
• Expression: B: 그럼 캐모마일이나 베르가못 향은 어때? 직원분께 한번 여쭤볼까?
  Pronunciation: geu-reom kae-mo-ma-il-i-na be-reu-ga-mot hyang-eun eo-ttae? jig-won-bun-kke han-beon yeo-jjwo-bol-kka?
  Meaning: Then how about chamomile or bergamot scents? Shall we ask the staff?
• Expression: A: 좋아. 저기, 혹시 스트레스 해소에 도움이 되는 에센셜 오일 추천해주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jo-a. jeo-gi, hok-si seu-teu-re-seu hae-so-e do-um-i doe-neun e-sen-syeol o-il chu-cheon-hae-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Okay. Excuse me, could you possibly recommend an essential oil that helps with stress relief?
• Expression: B: (직원에게) 이 향 한번 맡아봐. 상쾌하고 좋은데?
  Pronunciation: (jig-won-e-ge) i hyang han-beon mat-a-bwa. sang-kwae-ha-go jo-eun-de?
  Meaning: (To Minji, after getting a recommendation) Smell this scent. It’s refreshing and nice, isn’t it?

Practice Tips

Now you have a good collection of words and phrases related to aromatherapy in Korean! Try using 아로마테라피 (ah-ro-ma-te-ra-pi) and related terms next time you visit a relevant shop in Korea or talk about relaxation with Korean friends~

Practice describing scents you like using 이 향은 ~해요 (i hyang-eun ~hae-yo) and asking for recommendations with ~에 좋은 오일 추천해주세요 (~e jo-eun o-il chu-cheon-hae-ju-se-yo). Don’t be afraid to try them out! Consistent practice is key to improving your conversational skills. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)