Understanding healthcare terms is crucial when living or traveling in Korea, especially for important procedures like cancer screenings. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to scheduling, undergoing, and discussing cancer screenings (암검진 – am-geom-jin), helping you navigate the Korean healthcare system more effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 암검진
Pronunciation: am-geom-jin
Meaning: Cancer screening (A compound word: 암 (am) means cancer, and 검진 (geom-jin) means medical checkup or screening)
Basic Phrases for Appointments
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Expression: 암검진 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: am-geom-jin ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to schedule a cancer screening appointment. -
Expression: 국가 암검진 대상자인가요?
Pronunciation: guk-ga am-geom-jin dae-sang-ja-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Am I eligible for the national cancer screening program? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 암검진을 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui am-geom-jin-eul bad-eul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: What types of cancer screenings can I receive? -
Expression: 검진 전에 준비해야 할 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: geom-jin jeon-e jun-bi-hae-ya hal geot-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I need to prepare before the screening? -
Expression: 검진 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: geom-jin bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does the screening cost? -
Expression: 가장 빠른 예약 가능일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ppa-reun ye-yak ga-neung-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the earliest available appointment? -
Expression: 예약을 변경하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-eul byeon-gyeong-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to change my appointment. -
Expression: 검진은 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: geom-jin-eun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the screening take? -
Expression: 건강보험 적용되나요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang-bo-heom jeok-yong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is health insurance applicable? -
Expression: 예약 확인 문자를 보내주세요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak hwak-in mun-ja-reul bo-nae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please send me a text message confirming the appointment.
Discussing Screening Results
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Expression: 검진 결과는 언제 나오나요?
Pronunciation: geom-jin gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
Meaning: When will the screening results be available? -
Expression: 결과를 들으러 다시 와야 하나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-reul deul-eu-reo da-si wa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to come back to hear the results? -
Expression: 결과에 대해 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the results to me? -
Expression: 이상이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-sang-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any abnormalities? / Is there anything wrong? -
Expression: 추가 검사가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga geom-sa-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are additional tests necessary? -
Expression: 결과지를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-ji-reul bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I receive a copy of the results report? -
Expression: 다음 검진은 언제 받아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: da-eum geom-jin-eun eon-je bad-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When should I get the next screening? -
Expression: 결과가 정상입니다.
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-ga jeong-sang-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The results are normal. -
Expression: 정밀 검사가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mil geom-sa-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A detailed examination is needed. -
Expression: 결과는 우편으로 보내주시나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-neun u-pyeon-eu-ro bo-nae-ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Will the results be sent by mail?
Types of Cancer Screenings
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Expression: 위암 검진
Pronunciation: wi-am geom-jin
Meaning: Stomach cancer screening -
Expression: 대장암 검진
Pronunciation: dae-jang-am geom-jin
Meaning: Colorectal cancer screening -
Expression: 간암 검진
Pronunciation: gan-am geom-jin
Meaning: Liver cancer screening -
Expression: 유방암 검진
Pronunciation: yu-bang-am geom-jin
Meaning: Breast cancer screening -
Expression: 자궁경부암 검진
Pronunciation: ja-gung-gyeong-bu-am geom-jin
Meaning: Cervical cancer screening -
Expression: 폐암 검진
Pronunciation: pye-am geom-jin
Meaning: Lung cancer screening -
Expression: 갑상선암 검진
Pronunciation: gap-sang-seon-am geom-jin
Meaning: Thyroid cancer screening -
Expression: 위 내시경
Pronunciation: wi nae-si-gyeong
Meaning: Gastroscopy (often used for stomach cancer screening) -
Expression: 대장 내시경
Pronunciation: dae-jang nae-si-gyeong
Meaning: Colonoscopy (often used for colorectal cancer screening) -
Expression: 분변 잠혈 검사
Pronunciation: bun-byeon jam-hyeol geom-sa
Meaning: Fecal occult blood test (for colorectal cancer screening) -
Expression: 유방 촬영술
Pronunciation: yu-bang chwal-yeong-sul
Meaning: Mammography (for breast cancer screening)
Korean Culture Notes
National Cancer Screening Program (국가 암검진 사업 – guk-ga am-geom-jin sa-eop): South Korea has a well-established national program that provides free or subsidized screenings for common cancers (stomach, colorectal, liver, breast, cervical, and recently lung cancer for high-risk groups) to eligible citizens based on age and risk factors. Expats enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) are often eligible too.
Emphasis on Regular Checkups: Regular health checkups (건강검진 – geon-gang-geom-jin), often including cancer screenings, are highly encouraged and common in Korean society. Many companies provide annual or biennial checkups for their employees.
Efficiency in Healthcare: The Korean healthcare system is known for its efficiency. Scheduling appointments and receiving results for screenings is often quicker compared to many Western countries. However, this can sometimes mean less time for detailed discussion during the initial consultation, so be prepared with specific questions.
Direct Communication Style: Doctors might communicate results directly, which can sometimes feel blunt. If results indicate abnormalities, they will usually explain the next steps clearly, such as the need for further tests (추가 검사 – chu-ga geom-sa) or referral to a specialist.
Importance of Early Detection: There’s a strong cultural awareness of the importance of early cancer detection, driven by public health campaigns and the national screening program. This contributes to relatively high screening participation rates.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A person (A) calls a hospital or clinic to inquire about and schedule a national cancer screening.
Roles: A = Patient, B = Clinic Staff
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Expression: A: 여보세요, 암검진 예약 문의하려고 전화드렸습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, am-geom-jin ye-yak mun-ui-ha-ryeo-go jeon-hwa-deu-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I’m calling to inquire about scheduling a cancer screening. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 어떤 암검진을 원하시나요? 국가 암검진 대상자이신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-tteon am-geom-jin-eul won-ha-si-na-yo? guk-ga am-geom-jin dae-sang-ja-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, hello. What type of cancer screening would you like? Are you eligible for the national cancer screening program? -
Expression: A: 네, 올해 위암 검진 대상자라고 안내받았습니다. 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne, ol-hae wi-am geom-jin dae-sang-ja-ra-go an-nae-bad-at-seum-ni-da. ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I received notification that I’m eligible for stomach cancer screening this year. I’d like to make an appointment. -
Expression: B: 성함과 생년월일을 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: seong-ham-gwa saeng-nyeon-wol-il-eul mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please tell me your name and date of birth? -
Expression: A: 김민지, 1980년 5월 10일입니다.
Pronunciation: gim-min-ji, cheon-gu-baek-pal-sim-nyeon o-wol sip-il-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Kim Minji, May 10th, 1980. -
Expression: B: 네, 확인되었습니다. 가장 빠른 예약 가능일은 다음 주 수요일 오전 10시입니다. 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, hwak-in-doe-eot-seum-ni-da. ga-jang ppa-reun ye-yak ga-neung-il-eun da-eum ju su-yo-il o-jeon yeol-si-im-ni-da. gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, confirmed. The earliest available appointment is next Wednesday at 10 AM. Is that okay for you? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋습니다. 검진 전에 주의할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ne, jo-sseum-ni-da. geom-jin jeon-e ju-ui-hal jeom-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, that’s good. Are there any precautions I should take before the screening? -
Expression: B: 네, 검사 전날 밤 10시 이후부터 금식하셔야 합니다. 물도 드시면 안 됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, geom-sa jeon-nal bam yeol-si i-hu-bu-teo geum-sik-ha-syeo-ya ham-ni-da. mul-do deu-si-myeon an doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, you must fast from 10 PM the night before the test. You shouldn’t drink water either. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. Thank you.
Practice Tips
Knowing these phrases related to 암검진 (am-geom-jin) is very helpful for managing your health in Korea! Try practicing the appointment phrases by role-playing with a friend or language partner~ You can also familiarize yourself with the different types of screenings offered. Don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions at the clinic using phrases like 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요? (da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo? – Could you explain that again?). Being prepared will make the process much smoother!
