Understanding how to discuss health concerns like breast pain in Korean is crucial, whether you live in Korea or are visiting. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases related to 유방통 (yu-bang-tong), or breast pain, enabling you to describe symptoms and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 유방통
Pronunciation: yu-bang-tong
Meaning: Breast pain (mastalgia)
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 가슴이 아파요.
Pronunciation: ga-seum-i a-pa-yo
Meaning: My chest/breast hurts. -
Expression: 유방이 욱신거려요.
Pronunciation: yu-bang-i uk-sin-geo-ryeo-yo
Meaning: My breast is throbbing/aching. -
Expression: 찌릿찌릿한 통증이 있어요.
Pronunciation: jji-rit-jji-ri-tan tong-jjeung-i i-sseo-yo
Meaning: I have a sharp, tingling pain. -
Expression: 콕콕 쑤시는 느낌이에요.
Pronunciation: kok-kok ssu-si-neun neu-kki-mi-e-yo
Meaning: It feels like it’s poking/stabbing sharply. -
Expression: 가슴이 붓는 느낌이에요.
Pronunciation: ga-seum-i bun-neun neu-kki-mi-e-yo
Meaning: My breast feels swollen. -
Expression: 유방이 무거워요.
Pronunciation: yu-bang-i mu-geo-wo-yo
Meaning: My breast feels heavy. -
Expression: 만지면 아파요.
Pronunciation: man-ji-myeon a-pa-yo
Meaning: It hurts when I touch it. -
Expression: 왼쪽 유방이 아파요.
Pronunciation: oen-jjok yu-bang-i a-pa-yo
Meaning: My left breast hurts. -
Expression: 오른쪽 유방이 아파요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok yu-bang-i a-pa-yo
Meaning: My right breast hurts. -
Expression: 양쪽 다 아파요.
Pronunciation: yang-jjok da a-pa-yo
Meaning: Both sides hurt. -
Expression: 생리 전에 통증이 심해져요.
Pronunciation: saeng-ni jeon-e tong-jjeung-i sim-hae-jyeo-yo
Meaning: The pain gets worse before my period. -
Expression: 통증이 계속돼요.
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung-i gye-sok-dwae-yo
Meaning: The pain is continuous.
Talking to a Doctor
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Expression: 유방통 때문에 왔어요.
Pronunciation: yu-bang-tong ttae-mun-e wa-sseo-yo
Meaning: I came because of breast pain. -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you had the pain? (Doctor asking patient) -
Expression: 며칠 전부터 아팠어요.
Pronunciation: myeo-chil jeon-bu-teo a-pa-sseo-yo
Meaning: It started hurting a few days ago. -
Expression: 통증이 얼마나 자주 있나요?
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung-i eol-ma-na ja-ju in-na-yo?
Meaning: How often do you have the pain? (Doctor asking patient) -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 통증인가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui tong-jjeung-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of pain is it? (Doctor asking patient) -
Expression: 다른 증상은 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jeung-sang-eun eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any other symptoms? (Doctor asking patient) -
Expression: 혹시 멍울이 만져지나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si meong-ul-i man-jyeo-ji-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you feel any lumps, by any chance? -
Expression: 유방 검사를 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yu-bang geom-sa-reul bat-go si-peo-yo
Meaning: I want to get a breast examination. -
Expression: 진통제를 처방해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jin-tong-je-reul cheo-bang-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please prescribe some painkillers. -
Expression: 걱정이 많이 돼요.
Pronunciation: geok-jeong-i ma-ni dwae-yo
Meaning: I’m very worried. -
Expression: 검사 결과는 언제 나오나요?
Pronunciation: geom-sa gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
Meaning: When will the test results be available? -
Expression: 특별히 조심해야 할 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi jo-sim-hae-ya hal geo-si in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I should be particularly careful about?
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 유방
Pronunciation: yu-bang
Meaning: Breast (medical/formal term) -
Expression: 가슴
Pronunciation: ga-seum
Meaning: Chest / Breast (general term) -
Expression: 통증
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung
Meaning: Pain -
Expression: 멍울
Pronunciation: meong-ul
Meaning: Lump -
Expression: 유방암
Pronunciation: yu-bang-am
Meaning: Breast cancer -
Expression: 유방 검사
Pronunciation: yu-bang geom-sa
Meaning: Breast examination -
Expression: 초음파 검사
Pronunciation: cho-eum-pa geom-sa
Meaning: Ultrasound examination -
Expression: 맘모그래피
Pronunciation: mam-mo-geu-rae-pi
Meaning: Mammography -
Expression: 산부인과
Pronunciation: san-bu-in-gwa
Meaning: Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) -
Expression: 외과
Pronunciation: oe-gwa
Meaning: Surgery (department, often handles breast issues) -
Expression: 진통제
Pronunciation: jin-tong-je
Meaning: Painkiller -
Expression: 생리 주기
Pronunciation: saeng-ni ju-gi
Meaning: Menstrual cycle
Cultural Tips
When discussing health matters like breast pain in Korea, it’s helpful to be aware of certain cultural nuances. While medical professionals are direct, general conversation about personal health, especially women’s health, might be approached with more reserve compared to some Western cultures. However, seeking medical attention for symptoms like 유방통 is standard practice.
For breast-related concerns, women typically visit either the 산부인과 (san-bu-in-gwa – OB/GYN) or the 외과 (oe-gwa – Surgery department), particularly a breast specialist within surgery (유방외과 – yu-bang-oe-gwa). Don’t hesitate to ask clinic reception which department is appropriate for your symptoms.
Always use formal language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings) when speaking with doctors, nurses, and clinic staff. This shows respect and is standard in professional settings like hospitals and clinics.
Awareness regarding breast health and regular check-ups is increasing in Korea. While discussing symptoms might feel personal, remember that doctors are there to help, and clear communication using the terms learned here is key to getting appropriate care.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) visits a doctor (B) at a clinic due to breast pain.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 선생님. 가슴 통증 때문에 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, seon-saeng-nim. ga-seum tong-jjeung ttae-mun-e wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, Doctor. I came because of chest/breast pain. -
Expression: B: 네, 어디가 어떻게 아프신가요? 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-di-ga eo-tteo-ke a-peu-sin-ga-yo? eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, where does it hurt and how? Since when have you had the pain? -
Expression: A: 오른쪽 유방이 며칠 전부터 욱신거리고 만지면 아파요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok yu-bang-i myeo-chil jeon-bu-teo uk-sin-geo-ri-go man-ji-myeon a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My right breast has been aching for a few days, and it hurts when I touch it. -
Expression: B: 혹시 멍울 같은 것이 만져지거나 다른 증상은 없으시고요?
Pronunciation: hok-si meong-ul ga-teun geo-si man-jyeo-ji-geo-na da-reun jeung-sang-eun eop-seu-si-go-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to feel anything like a lump, or have any other symptoms? -
Expression: A: 멍울은 잘 모르겠는데, 약간 부은 느낌은 있어요.
Pronunciation: meong-ul-eun jal mo-reu-gen-neun-de, yak-gan bu-eun neu-kkim-eun i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure about a lump, but it does feel slightly swollen. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 일단 기본적인 검사를 좀 해보겠습니다. 진찰실로 들어오세요.
Pronunciation: al-get-sseum-ni-da. il-dan gi-bon-jeo-gin geom-sa-reul jom hae-bo-get-sseum-ni-da. jin-chal-sil-lo deu-reo-o-se-yo.
Meaning: Understood. First, let’s do some basic examinations. Please come into the examination room.
Practice Tips
Knowing how to talk about health issues like 유방통 is really important! Try practicing these phrases by role-playing a doctor’s visit with a friend or language partner~ Pay close attention to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks, to sound clear. Listening to Korean medical dramas might expose you to some vocabulary, but remember real-life medical consultations are more direct! Most importantly, if you are experiencing persistent pain or concerning symptoms, please consult a healthcare professional. Being able to describe your symptoms accurately in Korean will be very helpful! Fighting! 화이팅!
