Discussing medical procedures like plastic surgery requires specific vocabulary. This guide covers essential Korean terms and phrases related to breast augmentation, helping you navigate consultations or conversations about this topic in Korea. You’ll learn key vocabulary, useful questions for clinics, and expressions to convey your preferences and concerns.
Table Of Content
Core Term
-
Expression: 가슴성형
Pronunciation: ga-seum-seong-hyeong
Meaning: Breast augmentation (literally “chest plastic surgery”)
Related Vocabulary
-
Expression: 성형외과
Pronunciation: seong-hyeong-oe-gwa
Meaning: Plastic surgery clinic -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Consultation -
Expression: 수술
Pronunciation: su-sul
Meaning: Surgery -
Expression: 보형물
Pronunciation: bo-hyeong-mul
Meaning: Implant -
Expression: 가슴 확대
Pronunciation: ga-seum hwak-dae
Meaning: Breast enlargement -
Expression: 가슴 축소
Pronunciation: ga-seum chuk-so
Meaning: Breast reduction -
Expression: 회복 기간
Pronunciation: hoe-bok gi-gan
Meaning: Recovery period -
Expression: 마취
Pronunciation: ma-chwi
Meaning: Anesthesia -
Expression: 흉터
Pronunciation: hyung-teo
Meaning: Scar -
Expression: 부작용
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong
Meaning: Side effects -
Expression: 비용
Pronunciation: bi-yong
Meaning: Cost, Fee -
Expression: 전문의
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-ui
Meaning: Specialist (doctor)
Consultation Phrases
-
Expression: 가슴성형 상담받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ga-seum-seong-hyeong sang-dam-bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to have a consultation for breast augmentation. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 보형물을 사용하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui bo-hyeong-mu-reul sa-yong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of implants do you use? -
Expression: 수술 시간은 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: su-sul si-ga-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the surgery take? -
Expression: 회복 기간은 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: hoe-bok gi-ga-neun eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How long is the recovery period? -
Expression: 수술 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: su-sul bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does the surgery cost? -
Expression: 부작용은 어떤 것들이 있나요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-eun eo-tteon geot-deu-ri it-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the possible side effects? -
Expression: 마취는 어떻게 진행되나요?
Pronunciation: ma-chwi-neun eo-tteo-ke jin-haeng-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How is the anesthesia administered? (e.g., general, local) -
Expression: 수술 전에 준비해야 할 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-sul jeo-ne jun-bi-hae-ya hal geo-si it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I need to prepare before the surgery? -
Expression: 흉터는 많이 남나요?
Pronunciation: hyung-teo-neun ma-ni nam-na-yo?
Meaning: Will there be significant scarring? / Do scars remain much? -
Expression: 수술 후 관리는 어떻게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: su-sul hu gwan-ri-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I manage post-surgery care? -
Expression: 어떤 절개 방법을 사용하시나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jeol-gae bang-beo-beul sa-yong-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: What incision method do you use? -
Expression: 수술 후 정기 검진이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: su-sul hu jeong-gi geom-ji-ni pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are regular check-ups necessary after the surgery?
Expressing Desires and Concerns
-
Expression: 자연스러운 모양을 원해요.
Pronunciation: ja-yeon-seu-reo-un mo-yang-eul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want a natural look/shape. -
Expression: 좀 더 큰 사이즈를 원해요.
Pronunciation: jom deo keun sa-i-jeu-reul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want a slightly larger size. -
Expression: C컵 정도로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ssi-keop jeong-do-ro ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to be around a C-cup size. -
Expression: 통증이 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: tong-jeung-i geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried about the pain. -
Expression: 결과가 만족스러울지 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-ga man-jok-seu-reo-ul-ji geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried if I’ll be satisfied with the results. -
Expression: 안전이 가장 중요해요.
Pronunciation: an-jeo-ni ga-jang jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Safety is the most important thing. -
Expression: 수술 경험이 많으신가요?
Pronunciation: su-sul gyeong-heo-mi ma-neu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you (the doctor) have a lot of experience with this surgery? -
Expression: 수술 전후 사진을 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: su-sul jeon-hu sa-ji-neul bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see before and after photos? -
Expression: 이 보형물이 저에게 맞을까요?
Pronunciation: i bo-hyeong-mu-ri jeo-e-ge ma-jeul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will this implant be suitable for me? -
Expression: 회복 중에 주의할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hoe-bok jung-e ju-ui-hal jeo-mi it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any precautions (things to be careful about) during recovery? -
Expression: 비용에 대한 자세한 설명을 듣고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bi-yong-e dae-han ja-se-han seol-myeong-eul deut-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like a detailed explanation of the costs. -
Expression: 흉터가 최소화되었으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: hyung-teo-ga choe-so-hwa-doe-eo-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I hope the scarring can be minimized.
Korean Culture Notes
Plastic surgery, including breast augmentation (가슴성형), is relatively common and openly discussed in South Korea compared to many Western countries. Aesthetics play a significant role in society, and pursuing cosmetic procedures is often viewed as a form of self-improvement.
Clinics (성형외과) often advertise heavily, and it’s crucial to research thoroughly to find a reputable clinic and experienced surgeon (전문의). Consultations (상담) are standard practice, where potential patients discuss desired outcomes, view before-and-after photos, and learn about procedures, risks, and costs.
While acceptance is high, it’s still a significant medical procedure. Patients are expected to ask detailed questions about the surgeon’s experience, implant types (보형물), potential side effects (부작용), and the recovery process (회복 기간).
Medical tourism for plastic surgery is also popular in Korea, so many top clinics have staff who can communicate in English or other languages. However, knowing basic Korean terms can be very helpful during the process.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A potential patient (A) is consulting with a plastic surgeon (B) about breast augmentation.
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 가슴성형 상담받으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ga-seum-seong-hyeong sang-dam-ba-deu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’m here for a breast augmentation consultation. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 점이 궁금하신가요? 원하시는 크기나 모양이 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon jeo-mi gung-geum-ha-sin-ga-yo? won-ha-si-neun keu-gi-na mo-yang-i i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What are you curious about? Do you have a desired size or shape? -
Expression: A: 네, 좀 더 자연스러우면서도 볼륨감 있는 모양을 원해요. C컵 정도 생각하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jom deo ja-yeon-seu-reo-u-myeon-seo-do bol-lyum-gam it-neun mo-yang-eul won-hae-yo. ssi-keop jeong-do saeng-ga-ka-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I want a shape that’s more natural but still has volume. I’m thinking around a C-cup. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 저희는 다양한 종류의 보형물을 사용하고 있습니다. 환자분의 체형에 맞는 보형물과 수술 방법을 추천해 드릴 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: al-get-sseum-ni-da. jeo-hui-neun da-yang-han jong-nyu-ui bo-hyeong-mu-reul sa-yong-ha-go it-sseum-ni-da. hwan-ja-bu-nui che-hyeong-e mat-neun bo-hyeong-mul-gwa su-sul bang-beo-beul chu-cheon-hae deu-ril su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Understood. We use various types of implants. I can recommend an implant and surgical method suitable for your body type. -
Expression: A: 회복 기간은 얼마나 걸리고, 부작용은 어떤 게 있을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hoe-bok gi-ga-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-go, bu-jak-yong-eun eo-tteon ge it-sseul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the recovery period, and what kind of side effects might there be? -
Expression: B: 보통 큰 붓기는 1-2주 정도 가고, 완전한 회복은 몇 달이 걸릴 수 있습니다. 부작용으로는 감염, 출혈, 보형물 관련 문제 등이 있을 수 있지만, 발생 빈도는 낮습니다. 자세히 설명해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: bo-tong keun but-gi-neun il-i-ju jeong-do ga-go, wan-jeon-han hoe-bo-geun myeot da-ri geol-lil su it-sseum-ni-da. bu-jak-yong-eu-ro-neun gam-yeom, chul-hyeol, bo-hyeong-mul gwal-lyeon mun-je deung-i it-sseul su it-ji-man, bal-saeng bin-do-neun nat-sseum-ni-da. ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Usually, major swelling lasts about 1-2 weeks, and full recovery can take several months. Possible side effects include infection, bleeding, and implant-related issues, but their occurrence is low. I will explain in detail.
Practice Tips
Learning vocabulary related to medical procedures like 가슴성형 takes practice! Try reviewing the terms for implants (보형물), consultation (상담), and recovery period (회복 기간) often~.
You can practice the consultation phrases by role-playing with a friend or language partner. Imagine you are explaining your desired outcome or asking about potential risks (부작용) and costs (비용). Pay close attention to the syllable-by-syllable pronunciation to ensure clarity!
While this topic is specific, understanding how to discuss preferences and ask detailed questions is a valuable skill in many situations in Korea. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more confident! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
