Discussing mental health requires sensitivity and the right vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to bipolar disorder (양극성장애), helping you navigate conversations about mental well-being in Korean with greater understanding and care. You’ll learn the core term, related vocabulary, phrases for describing symptoms, and how to talk about seeking help.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 양극성장애
Pronunciation: yang-geuk-seong-jang-ae
Meaning: Bipolar disorder (literally “two-pole disorder”)
Related Mental Health Vocabulary
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Expression: 정신 건강
Pronunciation: jeong-sin geon-gang
Meaning: Mental health -
Expression: 우울증
Pronunciation: u-ul-jeung
Meaning: Depression -
Expression: 조증
Pronunciation: jo-jeung
Meaning: Mania -
Expression: 기분 변화
Pronunciation: gi-bun byeon-hwa
Meaning: Mood swings -
Expression: 정신과 의사
Pronunciation: jeong-sin-gwa ui-sa
Meaning: Psychiatrist -
Expression: 심리 상담사
Pronunciation: sim-ni sang-dam-sa
Meaning: Psychologist / Counselor -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Counseling / Consultation -
Expression: 치료
Pronunciation: chi-ryo
Meaning: Treatment -
Expression: 약물 치료
Pronunciation: yak-mul chi-ryo
Meaning: Medication treatment -
Expression: 정신 질환
Pronunciation: jeong-sin jil-hwan
Meaning: Mental illness -
Expression: 스트레스
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu
Meaning: Stress -
Expression: 불안 장애
Pronunciation: bul-an jang-ae
Meaning: Anxiety disorder
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 기분이 오락가락해요.
Pronunciation: gi-bun-i o-rak-ga-rak-hae-yo.
Meaning: My mood goes back and forth. / I have mood swings. -
Expression: 기분이 너무 좋았다가 갑자기 우울해져요.
Pronunciation: gi-bun-i neo-mu jo-at-da-ga gap-ja-gi u-ul-hae-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: I feel extremely happy and then suddenly become depressed. -
Expression: 잠을 잘 못 자요. / 잠을 너무 많이 자요.
Pronunciation: jam-eul jal mot ja-yo. / jam-eul neo-mu man-i ja-yo.
Meaning: I can’t sleep well. / I sleep too much. -
Expression: 집중하기가 어려워요.
Pronunciation: jip-jung-ha-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s difficult to concentrate. -
Expression: 에너지가 넘치다가 갑자기 방전돼요.
Pronunciation: e-neo-ji-ga neom-chi-da-ga gap-ja-gi bang-jeon-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I have excessive energy and then suddenly feel drained. -
Expression: 충동적인 행동을 해요.
Pronunciation: chung-dong-jeok-in haeng-dong-eul hae-yo.
Meaning: I act impulsively. -
Expression: 식욕이 없어요. / 식욕이 너무 많아요.
Pronunciation: sik-yok-i eop-seo-yo. / sik-yok-i neo-mu man-a-yo.
Meaning: I have no appetite. / I have too much appetite. -
Expression: 매우 예민해져요.
Pronunciation: mae-u ye-min-hae-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: I become very sensitive/irritable. -
Expression: 말이 너무 빨라져요.
Pronunciation: mal-i neo-mu ppal-la-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: My speech becomes too fast. -
Expression: 무기력함을 느껴요.
Pronunciation: mu-gi-ryeok-ham-eul neu-kkyeo-yo.
Meaning: I feel lethargic. -
Expression: 자신감이 과도하게 넘쳐요.
Pronunciation: ja-sin-gam-i gwa-do-ha-ge neom-chyeo-yo.
Meaning: I have excessive self-confidence.
Seeking Professional Help
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Expression: 정신과 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-sin-gwa sang-dam-eul bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to receive psychiatric counseling. -
Expression: 병원에 가야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: byeong-won-e ga-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I should go to the hospital/clinic. -
Expression: 의사 선생님과 이야기하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-gwa i-ya-gi-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to talk with the doctor. -
Expression: 제 증상에 대해 설명해야 해요.
Pronunciation: je jeung-sang-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to explain my symptoms. -
Expression: 진단을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jin-dan-eul bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get a diagnosis. -
Expression: 치료 방법이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo bang-beop-i is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there treatment methods? -
Expression: 약을 처방받았어요.
Pronunciation: yak-eul cheo-bang-bat-as-seo-yo.
Meaning: I received a prescription for medication. -
Expression: 꾸준히 치료받는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: kku-jun-hi chi-ryo-bat-neun geos-i jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s important to receive treatment consistently. -
Expression: 전문가의 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-ga-ui do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need professional help. -
Expression: 정신 건강 센터에 연락해 보세요.
Pronunciation: jeong-sin geon-gang sen-teo-e yeol-lak-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try contacting a mental health center. -
Expression: 가족에게 제 상태를 이야기했어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-e-ge je sang-tae-reul i-ya-gi-haes-seo-yo.
Meaning: I told my family about my condition.
Korean Culture Notes
Discussing mental health, including conditions like bipolar disorder, can still carry some stigma in South Korea, though awareness and openness are gradually increasing. Historically, mental health issues were often seen as personal weaknesses or family problems rather than medical conditions requiring professional help.
When talking about 양극성장애 or other mental health concerns, it’s crucial to be sensitive and respectful. Avoid judgmental language and focus on offering support. Using terms like 힘들겠다 (him-deul-get-da – That must be tough) or 내가 도울 일이 있을까? (nae-ga do-ul il-i is-seul-kka? – Is there anything I can do to help?) can show empathy.
While younger generations are generally more open about mental health, older generations might be less familiar or comfortable with the topic. Accessing professional help like psychiatrists (정신과 의사) or counseling (상담) is becoming more common, but some individuals may still feel hesitant due to social pressures or fear of judgment.
Understanding these cultural nuances helps in approaching conversations about mental well-being with care and appropriately using the Korean language related to conditions like bipolar disorder.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun (A) is talking to his close friend, Sora (B), about his recent diagnosis.
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Expression: A: 소라야, 할 말이 있어. 사실 나 얼마 전에 병원에 갔었는데…
Pronunciation: So-ra-ya, hal mal-i is-seo. Sa-sil na eol-ma jeon-e byeong-won-e gat-seot-neun-de…
Meaning: Sora, I have something to tell you. Actually, I went to the clinic a while ago… -
Expression: B: 어, 민준아. 무슨 일이야? 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: Eo, Min-jun-a. Mu-seun il-i-ya? Gwaen-chan-a?
Meaning: Oh, Minjun. What’s wrong? Are you okay? -
Expression: A: 의사 선생님이 나보고 양극성장애가 있는 것 같다고 하셨어.
Pronunciation: Ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-i na-bo-go yang-geuk-seong-jang-ae-ga it-neun geot gat-da-go ha-syeos-seo.
Meaning: The doctor said it seems like I have bipolar disorder. -
Expression: B: 양극성장애? 아… 그래서 요즘 기분 변화가 심했구나. 힘들었겠다.
Pronunciation: Yang-geuk-seong-jang-ae? A… Geu-rae-seo yo-jeum gi-bun byeon-hwa-ga sim-haet-gu-na. Him-deul-eot-get-da.
Meaning: Bipolar disorder? Ah… So that’s why your mood swings were severe lately. That must have been tough. -
Expression: A: 응. 기분이 오락가락해서 나도 힘들었어. 이제 치료 시작하려고.
Pronunciation: Eung. Gi-bun-i o-rak-ga-rak-hae-seo na-do him-deul-eot-eo. I-je chi-ryo si-jak-ha-ryeo-go.
Meaning: Yeah. It was hard for me too because my mood was all over the place. I’m planning to start treatment now. -
Expression: B: 그랬구나. 꾸준히 치료받는 게 중요하대. 내가 도울 일 있으면 언제든지 말해줘!
Pronunciation: Geu-raet-gu-na. Kku-jun-hi chi-ryo-bat-neun ge jung-yo-ha-dae. Nae-ga do-ul il is-seu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mal-hae-jwo!
Meaning: I see. They say consistent treatment is important. If there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me anytime! -
Expression: A: 고마워, 소라야. 네가 이해해 주니 마음이 좀 놓인다.
Pronunciation: Go-ma-wo, So-ra-ya. Ne-ga i-hae-hae ju-ni ma-eum-i jom no-in-da.
Meaning: Thanks, Sora. I feel a bit relieved that you understand.
Practice Tips
Discussing mental health topics like bipolar disorder requires care. Practice these phrases, paying close attention to pronunciation and nuance~ Remember that 양극성장애 (yang-geuk-seong-jang-ae) is a specific medical term.
Try using the symptom descriptions or phrases about seeking help in hypothetical situations. Consider how you would offer support to a friend using phrases like 힘들었겠다 (him-deul-eot-get-da) or 내가 도울 일이 있을까? (nae-ga do-ul il-i is-seul-kka?). Being familiar with this vocabulary allows for more supportive and informed conversations about mental well-being in Korean. Keep practicing and approach these topics with sensitivity!
