Discussing health issues like bronchitis in Korean requires specific vocabulary, especially when visiting a doctor or pharmacy. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to bronchitis, helping you communicate your symptoms and understand medical advice effectively in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term for Bronchitis
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Expression: 기관지염
Pronunciation: gi-gwan-ji-yeom
Meaning: Bronchitis
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 기침이 심해요.
Pronunciation: gi-chim-i sim-hae-yo.
Meaning: I have a severe cough. -
Expression: 가래가 많이 나와요.
Pronunciation: ga-rae-ga man-i na-wa-yo.
Meaning: I have a lot of phlegm. -
Expression: 노란색 가래가 나와요.
Pronunciation: no-ran-saek ga-rae-ga na-wa-yo.
Meaning: I have yellow phlegm. -
Expression: 열이 나요.
Pronunciation: yeol-i na-yo.
Meaning: I have a fever. -
Expression: 오한이 있어요.
Pronunciation: o-han-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have chills. -
Expression: 숨쉬기가 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: sum-swi-gi-ga him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s difficult to breathe. / I have shortness of breath. -
Expression: 가슴이 답답해요.
Pronunciation: ga-seum-i dap-dap-hae-yo.
Meaning: My chest feels tight / congested. -
Expression: 기침할 때 가슴이 아파요.
Pronunciation: gi-chim-hal ttae ga-seum-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My chest hurts when I cough. -
Expression: 목이 아파요.
Pronunciation: mok-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My throat hurts. / I have a sore throat. -
Expression: 몸살 기운이 있어요.
Pronunciation: mom-sal gi-un-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have body aches. / I feel like I’m coming down with something. -
Expression: 쌕쌕거리는 소리가 나요.
Pronunciation: ssaek-ssaek-geo-ri-neun so-ri-ga na-yo.
Meaning: I hear a wheezing sound (when breathing). -
Expression: 피곤해요.
Pronunciation: pi-gon-hae-yo.
Meaning: I feel tired / fatigued.
At the Doctor’s Office
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Expression: 의사 선생님, 진찰 좀 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim, jin-chal jom bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Doctor, I’d like to get a check-up. -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you been feeling sick? (Doctor’s question) -
Expression: 며칠 전부터 기침이 나기 시작했어요.
Pronunciation: myeo-chil jeon-bu-teo gi-chim-i na-gi si-jak-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I started coughing a few days ago. -
Expression: 증상이 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: jeung-sang-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are your symptoms? (Doctor’s question) -
Expression: 기관지염인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gi-gwan-ji-yeom-in geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think it might be bronchitis. -
Expression: 청진기로 들어볼게요.
Pronunciation: cheong-jin-gi-ro deul-eo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll listen with a stethoscope. (Doctor’s statement) -
Expression: 엑스레이를 찍어야 할까요?
Pronunciation: ek-seu-re-i-reul jjik-eo-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to get an X-ray? -
Expression: 진단이 뭔가요?
Pronunciation: jin-dan-i mwon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the diagnosis? -
Expression: 급성 기관지염입니다.
Pronunciation: geup-seong gi-gwan-ji-yeom-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s acute bronchitis. (Doctor’s diagnosis) -
Expression: 만성 기관지염일 수도 있어요.
Pronunciation: man-seong gi-gwan-ji-yeom-il su-do iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It could be chronic bronchitis. (Doctor’s diagnosis) -
Expression: 약 처방해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: yak cheo-bang-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll prescribe some medicine for you. (Doctor’s statement) -
Expression: 알레르기 있어요?
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any allergies? (Doctor’s question)
Medication and Treatment Phrases
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Expression: 처방전을 써 주세요.
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon-eul sseo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please write me a prescription. -
Expression: 이 약은 어떻게 먹어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i yag-eun eo-tteo-ke meog-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I take this medicine? -
Expression: 하루 세 번, 식후 30분에 드세요.
Pronunciation: ha-ru se beon, sik-hu sam-sip-bun-e deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Take it three times a day, 30 minutes after meals. -
Expression: 기침약이에요.
Pronunciation: gi-chim-yag-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s cough medicine. -
Expression: 가래를 묽게 하는 약입니다.
Pronunciation: ga-rae-reul mulk-ge ha-neun yag-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This medicine helps thin the phlegm (expectorant). -
Expression: 항생제가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: hang-saeng-je-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are antibiotics necessary? -
Expression: 충분히 쉬어야 합니다.
Pronunciation: chung-bun-hi swi-eo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to get plenty of rest. -
Expression: 물을 많이 마시세요.
Pronunciation: mul-eul man-i ma-si-se-yo.
Meaning: Drink plenty of water. -
Expression: 가습기를 사용하는 것이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ga-seup-gi-reul sa-yong-ha-neun geos-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s good to use a humidifier. -
Expression: 증상이 나아지지 않으면 다시 오세요.
Pronunciation: jeung-sang-i na-a-ji-ji an-eu-myeon da-si o-se-yo.
Meaning: Come back if your symptoms don’t improve. -
Expression: 약국은 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: yak-gug-eun eo-di-e iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the pharmacy? -
Expression: 부작용이 있나요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any side effects?
Korean Culture Notes
When visiting a doctor in Korea, it’s common to directly state your main symptoms. Doctors often ask specific questions about the duration and nature of symptoms. Addressing the doctor as 의사 선생님 (ui-sa seon-saeng-nim) is standard polite practice.
Pharmacies (약국 – yak-guk) are usually located near clinics and hospitals. You’ll need a prescription (처방전 – cheo-bang-jeon) from a doctor for most medications beyond basic over-the-counter drugs. Pharmacists often provide detailed instructions on how to take the medication.
Koreans generally take respiratory illnesses seriously. Wearing a mask when you have a cough or cold, even before the pandemic, was considered courteous to others, especially in crowded places or when visiting medical facilities.
It’s common for doctors to prescribe several types of medication together (e.g., cough suppressant, expectorant, anti-inflammatory) packaged per dose. Follow the pharmacist’s instructions carefully.
Rest and hydration are commonly emphasized treatments alongside medication for conditions like bronchitis.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) visits a doctor (B) complaining of bronchitis symptoms.
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Expression: A: 의사 선생님, 기침이 너무 심하고 가래도 많이 나와요.
Pronunciation: A: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim, gi-chim-i neo-mu sim-ha-go ga-rae-do man-i na-wa-yo.
Meaning: A: Doctor, I have a very severe cough and a lot of phlegm. -
Expression: B: 언제부터 그러셨어요? 열은 없고요?
Pronunciation: B: eon-je-bu-teo geu-reo-syeoss-eo-yo? yeol-eun eops-go-yo?
Meaning: B: Since when has this been happening? Do you have a fever? -
Expression: A: 한 3일 됐어요. 어제부터는 열도 조금 나는 것 같아요. 숨쉬기도 약간 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: A: han sam-il dwaess-eo-yo. eo-je-bu-teo-neun yeol-do jo-geum na-neun geot gat-a-yo. sum-swi-gi-do yak-gan him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: It’s been about 3 days. Since yesterday, I think I’ve had a slight fever too. It’s also a bit difficult to breathe. -
Expression: B: 제가 청진기로 확인해 볼게요. 숨 크게 쉬어보세요. … 네, 기관지염 증상이 보이네요.
Pronunciation: B: je-ga cheong-jin-gi-ro hwak-in-hae bol-ge-yo. sum keu-ge swi-eo-bo-se-yo. … ne, gi-gwan-ji-yeom jeung-sang-i bo-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Let me check with the stethoscope. Take a deep breath. … Yes, it looks like symptoms of bronchitis. -
Expression: A: 약 먹으면 괜찮아질까요?
Pronunciation: A: yak meog-eu-myeon gwaen-chan-a-jil-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Will I get better if I take medicine? -
Expression: B: 네, 약 처방해 드릴게요. 충분히 쉬시고 물 많이 드세요. 증상이 심해지면 다시 오시고요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, yak cheo-bang-hae deu-ril-ge-yo. chung-bun-hi swi-si-go mul man-i deu-se-yo. jeung-sang-i sim-hae-ji-myeon da-si o-si-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’ll prescribe medicine for you. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of water. Come back if your symptoms worsen.
Practice Tips
Being able to talk about health issues is crucial when living or traveling abroad! Try practicing these phrases by role-playing a visit to the doctor~ You can also listen to Korean medical dramas or videos to get used to the pronunciation and flow of conversation. Remember the core term 기관지염 (gi-gwan-ji-yeom) and key symptom descriptions like 기침 (gi-chim) and 가래 (ga-rae). Stay healthy, and keep practicing! Fighting!~
