
How to Say Acupuncture in Korean
Understanding terms related to health and traditional medicine is crucial when living in or visiting Korea. This guide focuses on how to discuss acupuncture, known as 침술 (chim-sul), in Korean. You’ll learn the core term, related vocabulary, useful phrases for clinic visits, and cultural insights into traditional Korean medicine.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 침술
Pronunciation: chim-sul
Meaning: Acupuncture (literally “needle technique”)
Basic Vocabulary Related to Acupuncture
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Expression: 침
Pronunciation: chim
Meaning: Needle (specifically, acupuncture needle) -
Expression: 한의원
Pronunciation: han-ui-won
Meaning: Korean traditional medicine clinic -
Expression: 한의사
Pronunciation: han-ui-sa
Meaning: Korean traditional medicine doctor -
Expression: 치료
Pronunciation: chi-ryo
Meaning: Treatment -
Expression: 통증
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung
Meaning: Pain -
Expression: 혈자리
Pronunciation: hyeol-ja-ri
Meaning: Acupoint / Pressure point -
Expression: 맥박
Pronunciation: maek-bak
Meaning: Pulse -
Expression: 진맥하다
Pronunciation: jin-maek-ha-da
Meaning: To check the pulse (a diagnostic method in traditional medicine) -
Expression: 부항
Pronunciation: bu-hang
Meaning: Cupping therapy -
Expression: 뜸
Pronunciation: tteum
Meaning: Moxibustion -
Expression: 한약
Pronunciation: han-yak
Meaning: Korean traditional herbal medicine
Phrases for Visiting a Clinic
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Expression: 침 맞으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: chim ma-jeu-reo wa-sseo-yo
Meaning: I came here to get acupuncture. -
Expression: 예약했어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-sseo-yo
Meaning: I have an appointment. -
Expression: 어디가 불편하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga bul-pyeon-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Where are you experiencing discomfort? / What’s bothering you? -
Expression: 허리가 아파요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-ga a-pa-yo
Meaning: My back hurts. -
Expression: 어깨가 결려요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae-ga gyeol-lyeo-yo
Meaning: My shoulders are stiff. -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you been in pain? -
Expression: 침 치료를 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: chim chi-ryo-reul bat-go si-peo-yo
Meaning: I want to receive acupuncture treatment. -
Expression: 치료는 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo-neun eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does the treatment take? -
Expression: 얼마나 자주 와야 해요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na ja-ju wa-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How often should I come? -
Expression: 보험 적용 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeog-yong doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it covered by insurance? -
Expression: 다음 예약 잡아주세요.
Pronunciation: da-eum ye-yak jab-a-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please schedule my next appointment.
Describing Sensations During Treatment
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Expression: 따끔해요.
Pronunciation: tta-kkeum-hae-yo
Meaning: It stings a little. (Common sensation when the needle goes in) -
Expression: 뻐근해요.
Pronunciation: ppeo-geun-hae-yo
Meaning: It feels dull/achy/heavy. (Often felt around the acupoint) -
Expression: 시원해요.
Pronunciation: si-won-hae-yo
Meaning: It feels refreshing/relieving. (When pain or tension eases) -
Expression: 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a-yo
Meaning: It’s okay / I’m fine. -
Expression: 조금 아파요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum a-pa-yo
Meaning: It hurts a little. -
Expression: 전기가 오는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-ga o-neun geot ga-ta-yo
Meaning: It feels like a slight electric shock. (Sometimes felt during electro-acupuncture) -
Expression: 움직여도 되나요?
Pronunciation: um-jig-yeo-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to move? -
Expression: 불편하면 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-ha-myeon mal-sseum-ha-se-yo
Meaning: Please tell me if you feel uncomfortable. (Doctor might say this) -
Expression: 긴장 푸세요.
Pronunciation: gin-jang pu-se-yo
Meaning: Please relax. (Doctor might say this) -
Expression: 느낌이 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: neu-kkim-i eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: How does it feel? (Doctor might ask this)
Korean Culture Notes
Traditional Korean medicine, including acupuncture (침술), is widely accepted and integrated into the healthcare system. Many Koreans visit 한의원 (han-ui-won) for various ailments, not just musculoskeletal pain.
Acupuncture is often covered by the national health insurance for specific conditions, making it relatively affordable. However, coverage details can vary, so it’s always good to ask (보험 적용 되나요? – bo-heom jeog-yong doe-na-yo?).
It’s common for acupuncture treatment to be combined with other traditional therapies like 부항 (bu-hang – cupping), 뜸 (tteum – moxibustion), or prescription of 한약 (han-yak – herbal medicine) based on the diagnosis.
Korean traditional medicine doctors (한의사) often take a holistic approach, considering overall balance and constitution. Diagnosis frequently involves pulse-taking (진맥 – jin-maek) and detailed questions about lifestyle and symptoms beyond the main complaint.
Don’t be surprised if the doctor places needles in areas seemingly unrelated to your pain point. Traditional acupuncture theory involves meridians (경락 – gyeong-nak) that connect different parts of the body.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) visits a Korean traditional medicine clinic (한의원) for the first time to get acupuncture for shoulder pain and speaks with the doctor (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 처음 왔는데요. 어깨가 아파서 침 맞으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. cheo-eum wan-neun-de-yo. eo-kkae-ga a-pa-seo chim ma-jeu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hello. It’s my first time here. I came to get acupuncture because my shoulder hurts. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어디가 어떻게 아프신가요? 언제부터 그러셨어요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-di-ga eo-tteo-ke a-peu-sin-ga-yo? eon-je-bu-teo geu-reo-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. Where and how does it hurt? Since when has it been like this? -
Expression: A: 오른쪽 어깨가 계속 뻐근하고 결려요. 한 일주일 정도 된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok eo-kkae-ga gye-sok ppeo-geun-ha-go gyeol-lyeo-yo. han il-jju-il jeong-do doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: My right shoulder feels constantly dull/achy and stiff. I think it’s been about a week. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 잠시 진맥 좀 해볼게요. 이쪽으로 와서 누우세요.
Pronunciation: al-get-sseum-ni-da. jam-si jin-maek jom hae-bol-ge-yo. i-jjog-eu-ro wa-seo nu-u-se-yo.
Meaning: I understand. Let me check your pulse for a moment. Please come over here and lie down. -
Expression: B: (침을 놓으며) 침 놓겠습니다. 약간 따끔할 수 있어요. 긴장 푸세요.
Pronunciation: (chim-eul no-eu-myeo) chim no-ket-sseum-ni-da. yak-gan tta-kkeum-hal su i-sseo-yo. gin-jang pu-se-yo.
Meaning: (While placing needles) I will place the needles now. It might sting a little. Please relax. -
Expression: A: 네. 아… 조금 뻐근하네요.
Pronunciation: ne. a… jo-geum ppeo-geun-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: Okay. Ah… it feels a bit dull/achy. -
Expression: B: 네, 그건 정상적인 반응입니다. 약 15분 정도 이렇게 계시면 됩니다. 불편하시면 바로 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-geon jeong-sang-jeog-in ban-eung-im-ni-da. yak sip-o-bun jeong-do i-reo-ke gye-si-myeon doem-ni-da. bul-pyeon-ha-si-myeon ba-ro mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s a normal reaction. You’ll stay like this for about 15 minutes. Please tell me immediately if you feel uncomfortable.
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these terms and phrases will be very helpful if you ever need acupuncture in Korea! Try practicing the pronunciation out loud~ You can role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Knowing how to describe your symptoms (어디가 아파요 – eo-di-ga a-pa-yo) and understand the doctor’s instructions is key. Don’t hesitate to use these expressions if you visit a 한의원! Good luck! 화이팅!