Understanding how to communicate about severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis is crucial, especially when traveling or living in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to anaphylaxis, allergies, symptoms, and seeking emergency help, ensuring you can handle such situations effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 아나필락시스
Pronunciation: a-na-pil-lak-si-seu
Meaning: Anaphylaxis (This is the direct Korean transliteration of the medical term.)
Basic Phrases for Allergies
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Expression: 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have allergies. -
Expression: 저는 [음식] 알레르기가 심해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun [eum-sik] al-le-reu-gi-ga sim-hae-yo.
Meaning: I have a severe allergy to [food]. (Replace [음식] with the specific food) -
Expression: 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: ttang-kong al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a peanut allergy. -
Expression: 해산물 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: hae-san-mul al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a seafood allergy. -
Expression: 우유 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: u-yu al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a milk allergy. -
Expression: 계란 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: gye-ran al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have an egg allergy. -
Expression: 벌 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: beol al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a bee sting allergy. -
Expression: 약물 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: yak-mul al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a medication allergy. -
Expression: 이 음식에 [알레르기 유발 물질] 들어있나요?
Pronunciation: i eum-si-ge [al-le-reu-gi yu-bal mul-jil] deu-reo-in-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this food contain [allergen]? (Replace [알레르기 유발 물질] with the specific allergen) -
Expression: 제 알레르기는 생명을 위협할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: je al-le-reu-gi-neun saeng-myeong-eul wi-hyeop-hal su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My allergy can be life-threatening. -
Expression: 에피펜을 가지고 다녀요.
Pronunciation: e-pi-pen-eul ga-ji-go da-nyeo-yo.
Meaning: I carry an EpiPen. -
Expression: 알레르기 반응이 나타나고 있어요.
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi ba-neung-i na-ta-na-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am having an allergic reaction.
Emergency Phrases for Anaphylaxis
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Expression: 도와주세요! 응급상황이에요!
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo! eung-geup-sang-hwang-i-e-yo!
Meaning: Help! It’s an emergency! -
Expression: 아나필락시스 쇼크가 온 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-na-pil-lak-si-seu syo-keu-ga on geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I’m having anaphylactic shock. -
Expression: 119에 전화해 주세요!
Pronunciation: il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Please call 119 (emergency number)! -
Expression: 구급차를 불러 주세요!
Pronunciation: gu-geup-cha-reul bul-leo ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Please call an ambulance! -
Expression: 에피펜이 필요해요!
Pronunciation: e-pi-pen-i pi-ryo-hae-yo!
Meaning: I need my EpiPen! -
Expression: 제 가방 안에 에피펜이 있어요.
Pronunciation: je ga-bang an-e e-pi-pen-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My EpiPen is in my bag. -
Expression: 에피펜 사용법을 아세요?
Pronunciation: e-pi-pen sa-yong-beo-beul a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know how to use an EpiPen? -
Expression: 허벅지 바깥쪽에 주사해야 해요.
Pronunciation: heo-beok-ji ba-kkat-jjo-ge ju-sa-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: It needs to be injected into the outer thigh. -
Expression: 숨쉬기가 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: sum-swi-gi-ga him-deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: I’m having trouble breathing. -
Expression: 병원에 가야 해요.
Pronunciation: byeong-won-e ga-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to go to the hospital. -
Expression: 즉시 치료가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jeuk-si chi-ryo-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need immediate treatment. -
Expression: 알레르기 전문의를 만나야 해요.
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi jeon-mun-ui-reul man-na-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to see an allergist.
Explaining Symptoms
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Expression: 목이 붓는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: mo-gi bun-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I feel like my throat is swelling. -
Expression: 피부에 두드러기가 났어요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu-e du-deu-reo-gi-ga na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have hives on my skin. -
Expression: 얼굴이 부었어요.
Pronunciation: eol-gu-ri bu-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My face is swollen. -
Expression: 가슴이 답답해요.
Pronunciation: ga-seu-mi dap-da-pae-yo.
Meaning: My chest feels tight. -
Expression: 어지러워요.
Pronunciation: eo-ji-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I feel dizzy. -
Expression: 속이 메스꺼워요.
Pronunciation: so-gi me-seu-kkeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I feel nauseous. -
Expression: 토할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: to-hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I feel like I’m going to vomit. -
Expression: 혈압이 떨어진 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: hyeo-ra-bi tteo-reo-jin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think my blood pressure has dropped. -
Expression: 의식을 잃을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ui-si-geul i-reul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I feel like I’m going to lose consciousness. -
Expression: 온몸이 가려워요.
Pronunciation: on-mo-mi ga-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: My whole body is itchy. -
Expression: 심장이 빨리 뛰어요.
Pronunciation: sim-jang-i ppal-li ttwi-eo-yo.
Meaning: My heart is beating fast. -
Expression: 갑자기 증상이 나타났어요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi jeung-sang-i na-ta-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The symptoms appeared suddenly.
Korean Culture Notes
Emergency Number (119): In South Korea, the emergency number for fire, ambulance, and rescue services is 119. Be prepared to state your location clearly and the nature of the emergency (e.g., “아나필락시스” / a-na-pil-lak-si-seu).
Allergy Awareness: While awareness of food allergies is growing in Korea, it might not be as widespread as in some Western countries. Always double-check ingredients, especially in restaurants or when eating street food. Carrying an allergy card written in Korean explaining your specific allergies and the severity is highly recommended.
Communicating Urgency: In emergency situations, using clear, direct language is important. Don’t worry too much about complex grammar. Phrases like “도와주세요!” (do-wa-ju-se-yo! / Help!) and “응급상황!” (eung-geup-sang-hwang! / Emergency!) combined with pointing or showing distress will convey urgency.
Hospital Visits: If you need to visit a hospital, having someone who speaks Korean can be very helpful, though major hospitals in large cities often have staff or translation services available for foreigners. Be prepared to explain your symptoms and allergy history.
EpiPen Accessibility: Ensure you bring an adequate supply of your prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) to Korea, along with a doctor’s note explaining the need for them, as obtaining replacements might require specific procedures or prescriptions from a Korean doctor.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex, who has a severe peanut allergy, accidentally eats a snack containing peanuts at a cafe with a Korean friend, Minjun.
Characters:
- A: Alex (Experiencing anaphylaxis)
- B: Minjun (Alex’s friend)
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Expression: A: 어… 민준 씨, 저 좀 이상해요. 목이 붓는 것 같고 숨쉬기가 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: eo… min-jun ssi, jeo jom i-sang-hae-yo. mo-gi bun-neun geot gat-go sum-swi-gi-ga him-deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: Uh… Minjun, I feel strange. It feels like my throat is swelling, and it’s hard to breathe. -
Expression: B: 네? 괜찮아요? 얼굴이 빨개졌어요! 혹시 땅콩 먹었어요?
Pronunciation: ne? gwaen-cha-na-yo? eol-gu-ri ppal-gae-jeo-sseo-yo! hok-si ttang-kong meo-geo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What? Are you okay? Your face is red! Did you perhaps eat peanuts? -
Expression: A: 네, 이 과자에 땅콩이… 아, 아나필락시스 같아요! 제 가방에 에피펜 있어요!
Pronunciation: ne, i gwa-ja-e ttang-kong-i… a, a-na-pil-lak-si-seu ga-ta-yo! je ga-bang-e e-pi-pen i-sseo-yo!
Meaning: Yes, these snacks have peanuts… Ah, I think it’s anaphylaxis! My EpiPen is in my bag! -
Expression: B: 알았어요! 잠깐만요! (가방에서 에피펜을 찾는다) 여기요! 제가 119에 전화할게요!
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo-yo! jam-kkan-man-yo! (ga-bang-e-seo e-pi-pen-eul chan-neun-da) yeo-gi-yo! je-ga il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo!
Meaning: Okay! Just a moment! (Finds the EpiPen in the bag) Here! I’ll call 119! -
Expression: A: 네, 빨리요… 허벅지에 주사해야 돼요…
Pronunciation: ne, ppal-li-yo… heo-beok-ji-e ju-sa-hae-ya dwae-yo…
Meaning: Yes, quickly… It needs to be injected in the thigh… -
Expression: B: (전화하며) 여보세요? 119죠? 여기 [카페 이름]인데요, 친구가 아나필락시스 쇼크가 왔어요! 빨리 구급차 보내주세요!
Pronunciation: (jeon-hwa-ha-myeo) yeo-bo-se-yo? il-il-gu-jyo? yeo-gi [ka-pe i-reum]-in-de-yo, chin-gu-ga a-na-pil-lak-si-seu syo-keu-ga wa-sseo-yo! ppal-li gu-geup-cha bo-nae-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: (On the phone) Hello? Is this 119? We’re at [Cafe Name], my friend is having anaphylactic shock! Please send an ambulance quickly!
Practice Tips
Dealing with anaphylaxis requires quick and clear communication! Practice saying the core term 아나필락시스 (a-na-pil-lak-si-seu) and essential phrases like 도와주세요! (do-wa-ju-se-yo!) and 119에 전화해 주세요! (il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo!) until they feel natural~
Role-playing emergency scenarios with a friend or language partner can be incredibly helpful. Prepare an allergy card in Korean and practice explaining your condition and symptoms. Knowing these phrases can make a critical difference in an emergency situation in Korea. Stay safe and prepared!
