Discussing medical conditions and treatments requires specific vocabulary, especially for serious topics like anticancer treatment. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to 항암치료 (hang-am-chi-ryo), helping you navigate conversations about cancer treatment in Korean, whether discussing personal experiences or understanding others.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 항암치료
Pronunciation: hang-am-chi-ryo
Meaning: Anticancer treatment / Chemotherapy (often used interchangeably, though chemotherapy specifically is 화학 요법)
Related Medical Terms
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Expression: 암
Pronunciation: am
Meaning: Cancer -
Expression: 치료
Pronunciation: chi-ryo
Meaning: Treatment / Therapy -
Expression: 병원
Pronunciation: byeong-won
Meaning: Hospital -
Expression: 의사
Pronunciation: ui-sa
Meaning: Doctor -
Expression: 간호사
Pronunciation: gan-ho-sa
Meaning: Nurse -
Expression: 약
Pronunciation: yak
Meaning: Medicine / Medication -
Expression: 수술
Pronunciation: su-sul
Meaning: Surgery / Operation -
Expression: 방사선 치료
Pronunciation: bang-sa-seon chi-ryo
Meaning: Radiation therapy -
Expression: 화학 요법
Pronunciation: hwa-hak yo-beop
Meaning: Chemotherapy -
Expression: 부작용
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong
Meaning: Side effects -
Expression: 검사
Pronunciation: geom-sa
Meaning: Examination / Test -
Expression: 진단
Pronunciation: jin-dan
Meaning: Diagnosis
Phrases for Discussing Treatment
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Expression: 저는 항암치료를 받고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun hang-am-chi-ryo-reul bat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am receiving anticancer treatment. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 치료를 받으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui chi-ryo-reul ba-deu-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of treatment are you receiving? -
Expression: 치료는 어떻게 되어가고 있나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-eo-ga-go in-na-yo?
Meaning: How is the treatment going? -
Expression: 부작용은 없으신가요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-eun eop-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are there any side effects? -
Expression: 다음 병원 약속은 언제예요?
Pronunciation: da-eum byeong-won yak-so-geun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is your next hospital appointment? -
Expression: 병원에 가야 해요.
Pronunciation: byeong-won-e ga-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to go to the hospital. -
Expression: 의사 선생님께서 이 치료를 추천하셨어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-kke-seo i chi-ryo-reul chu-cheon-ha-syeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The doctor recommended this treatment. -
Expression: 치료에 대해 걱정이 돼요.
Pronunciation: chi-ryo-e dae-hae geok-jeong-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried about the treatment. -
Expression: 함께 이겨내요.
Pronunciation: ham-kke i-gyeo-nae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s overcome this together. -
Expression: 힘내세요.
Pronunciation: him-nae-se-yo.
Meaning: Stay strong. / Cheer up. -
Expression: 치료가 잘 되길 바라요.
Pronunciation: chi-ryo-ga jal doe-gil ba-ra-yo.
Meaning: I hope the treatment goes well. -
Expression: 회복에 집중하세요.
Pronunciation: hoe-bo-ge jip-jung-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please focus on your recovery.
Asking Questions at the Hospital
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Expression: 치료 방법에는 어떤 것들이 있나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo bang-beo-be-neun eo-tteon geot-deu-ri in-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the treatment options? -
Expression: 예상되는 부작용은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: ye-sang-doe-neun bu-jak-yong-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the potential side effects? -
Expression: 치료 기간은 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo gi-ga-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long will the treatment take? -
Expression: 치료 성공률은 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo seong-gong-nyu-reun eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the success rate of the treatment? -
Expression: 수술이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ri pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is surgery necessary? -
Expression: 언제부터 치료를 시작할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo chi-ryo-reul si-ja-kal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I start the treatment? -
Expression: 이 치료는 보험 적용이 되나요?
Pronunciation: i chi-ryo-neun bo-heom jeok-yong-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this treatment covered by insurance? -
Expression: 치료 과정에 대해 다시 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo gwa-jeong-e dae-hae da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the treatment process again? -
Expression: 치료는 어디서 받나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo-neun eo-di-seo ban-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do I receive the treatment? -
Expression: 문제가 생기면 누구에게 연락해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: mun-je-ga saeng-gi-myeon nu-gu-e-ge yeol-la-kae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Who should I contact if there is a problem? -
Expression: 식단 조절이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: sik-dan jo-jeo-ri pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to adjust my diet? -
Expression: 치료 중 일상생활은 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo jung il-sang-saeng-hwa-reun ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Can I maintain my daily life during treatment?
Korean Culture Notes
Discussing serious health issues like cancer involves cultural sensitivity in Korea. Family involvement is typically very high; decisions about treatment are often made collectively, not just by the patient. Showing respect (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) to doctors and medical staff is crucial.
While awareness is growing, there can still be some societal stigma or reluctance to openly discuss cancer. People might prefer more indirect language or focus on recovery and positive outcomes. Offering support (힘내세요 – him-nae-se-yo) is common and appreciated.
Support systems, including family, friends, and sometimes religious communities, play a significant role in a patient’s journey. Practical help, like accompanying someone to appointments or preparing meals, is a common way to show care.
While Western medicine is the standard for cancer treatment, some individuals may also explore complementary traditional Korean medicine (한의학 – han-ui-hak) for managing side effects or improving overall well-being, often alongside conventional treatments.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Friend A tells Friend B about their upcoming anticancer treatment.
Roles:
- A: Friend who will undergo treatment
- B: Supportive friend
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Expression: A: 나 다음 주부터 항암치료 시작해.
Pronunciation: na da-eum ju-bu-teo hang-am-chi-ryo si-ja-kae.
Meaning: I’m starting anticancer treatment next week. -
Expression: B: 정말? 많이 힘들겠다. 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal? ma-ni him-deul-get-da. gwaen-cha-na?
Meaning: Really? That must be tough. Are you okay? -
Expression: A: 응, 좀 걱정되긴 하는데… 의사 선생님 믿고 잘 받아보려고.
Pronunciation: eung, jom geok-jeong-doe-gin ha-neun-de… ui-sa seon-saeng-nim mit-go jal ba-da-bo-ryeo-go.
Meaning: Yeah, I’m a bit worried… but I trust the doctor and plan to receive it well. -
Expression: B: 그래, 긍정적으로 생각하고 힘내! 부작용 같은 거 있으면 언제든 나한테 말하고.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, geung-jeong-jeo-geu-ro saeng-ga-ka-go him-nae! bu-jak-yong ga-teun geo i-sseu-myeon eon-je-deun na-han-te ma-ra-go.
Meaning: Right, think positively and stay strong! If you have any side effects or anything, tell me anytime. -
Expression: A: 고마워. 치료받는 동안 자주 연락할게.
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo. chi-ryo-bat-neun dong-an ja-ju yeol-la-kal-ge.
Meaning: Thanks. I’ll contact you often during the treatment. -
Expression: B: 응, 꼭 그래. 내가 도울 일 있으면 뭐든지 말하고. 같이 이겨내자!
Pronunciation: eung, kkok geu-rae. nae-ga do-ul il i-sseu-myeon mwo-deun-ji ma-ra-go. ga-chi i-gyeo-nae-ja!
Meaning: Yes, please do. Tell me anything if there’s something I can help with. Let’s overcome this together!
Practice Tips
Dealing with medical topics in a foreign language can be daunting, but practice helps build confidence! Try reviewing the terms and phrases regularly~ Focus on the pronunciation, breaking down each syllable as shown.
You could practice role-playing conversations with a language partner, taking turns being the patient, doctor, or supportive friend. Listening to Korean medical dramas might expose you to related vocabulary, but remember that real-life conversations are often less dramatic!
Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Learning medical terminology takes time. Focus on understanding and being understood in essential situations. 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
