Navigating healthcare in a foreign country requires knowing specific medical terms. This guide focuses on essential Korean vocabulary related to the Digestive Disease Center, often called the Gastroenterology department. You’ll learn the core term, related symptoms, useful phrases for clinic visits, and how to ask for directions within a hospital, ensuring you can communicate your needs effectively when dealing with digestive health issues in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 소화기센터
Pronunciation: so-hwa-gi-sen-teo
Meaning: Digestive Disease Center / Gastroenterology Center (Often used in larger hospitals) -
Expression: 소화기내과
Pronunciation: so-hwa-gi-nae-gwa
Meaning: Department of Gastroenterology (Literally: Digestive Internal Medicine)
Related Medical Departments
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Expression: 내과
Pronunciation: nae-gwa
Meaning: Internal Medicine -
Expression: 외과
Pronunciation: oe-gwa
Meaning: Surgery Department -
Expression: 영상의학과
Pronunciation: yeong-sang-ui-hak-gwa
Meaning: Radiology Department -
Expression: 검진센터
Pronunciation: geom-jin-sen-teo
Meaning: Health Check-up Center -
Expression: 응급실
Pronunciation: eung-geup-sil
Meaning: Emergency Room -
Expression: 약국
Pronunciation: yak-guk
Meaning: Pharmacy -
Expression: 원무과
Pronunciation: won-mu-gwa
Meaning: Administration / Registration Office -
Expression: 진료실
Pronunciation: jil-lyo-sil
Meaning: Doctor’s Office / Consultation Room -
Expression: 입원실
Pronunciation: ip-won-sil
Meaning: Hospital Room / Ward -
Expression: 수술실
Pronunciation: su-sul-sil
Meaning: Operating Room
Symptoms and Conditions
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Expression: 배가 아파요.
Pronunciation: bae-ga a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My stomach hurts. -
Expression: 소화가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: so-hwa-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I have indigestion. / I can’t digest food well. -
Expression: 속이 쓰려요.
Pronunciation: sok-i sseu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: I have heartburn. -
Expression: 설사를 해요.
Pronunciation: seol-sa-reul hae-yo.
Meaning: I have diarrhea. -
Expression: 변비가 있어요.
Pronunciation: byeon-bi-ga iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have constipation. -
Expression: 토했어요.
Pronunciation: to-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I vomited. -
Expression: 속이 더부룩해요.
Pronunciation: sok-i deo-bu-ruk-hae-yo.
Meaning: I feel bloated. -
Expression: 위염
Pronunciation: wi-yeom
Meaning: Gastritis -
Expression: 식도염
Pronunciation: sik-do-yeom
Meaning: Esophagitis -
Expression: 위궤양
Pronunciation: wi-gwe-yang
Meaning: Stomach ulcer -
Expression: 장염
Pronunciation: jang-yeom
Meaning: Enteritis (Intestinal inflammation) -
Expression: 복통
Pronunciation: bok-tong
Meaning: Abdominal pain
Useful Phrases at the Clinic
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Expression: 소화기센터에서 진료받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: so-hwa-gi-sen-teo-e-seo jil-lyo-bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see a doctor at the Digestive Disease Center. -
Expression: 예약했어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have an appointment. -
Expression: 처음 왔어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: This is my first time here. -
Expression: 어디가 불편하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga bul-pyeon-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What is bothering you? / Where does it hurt? (Doctor/Nurse might ask) -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you been feeling pain? -
Expression: 위내시경 검사를 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: wi-nae-si-gyeong geom-sa-reul bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get an endoscopy (gastroscopy). -
Expression: 대장내시경 검사가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: dae-jang-nae-si-gyeong geom-sa-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a colonoscopy necessary? -
Expression: 처방전을 주세요.
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon-eul ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a prescription. -
Expression: 약은 어떻게 먹어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: yak-eun eo-tteo-ke meog-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I take this medicine? -
Expression: 다음 진료는 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum jil-lyo-neun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the next appointment? -
Expression: 진료비는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jil-lyo-bi-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the consultation fee? -
Expression: 보험 적용되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeog-yong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is insurance applicable?
Asking for Directions
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Expression: 실례합니다, 소화기센터가 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, so-hwa-gi-sen-teo-ga eo-di-e iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, where is the Digestive Disease Center? -
Expression: 소화기내과는 몇 층에 있어요?
Pronunciation: so-hwa-gi-nae-gwa-neun myeot cheung-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What floor is the Gastroenterology department on? -
Expression: 이쪽으로 가면 되나요?
Pronunciation: i-jjok-eu-ro ga-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I go this way? -
Expression: 엘리베이터는 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: el-li-be-i-teo-neun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the elevator? -
Expression: 접수처는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: jeop-su-cheo-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the reception desk? -
Expression: 내시경실은 어디로 가야 해요?
Pronunciation: nae-si-gyeong-sil-eun eo-di-ro ga-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Where should I go for the endoscopy room? -
Expression: 화장실이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 저쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Please go that way. (Response you might hear) -
Expression: 오른쪽/왼쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok / oen-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Please go to the right/left. (Response you might hear) -
Expression: 3층으로 올라가세요.
Pronunciation: sam-cheung-eu-ro ol-la-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Please go up to the 3rd floor. (Response you might hear) -
Expression: 안내 데스크에 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: an-nae de-seu-keu-e mur-eo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please ask at the information desk. (Response you might hear)
Korean Healthcare Notes
Understanding the Korean healthcare system can be helpful. Large hospitals often have specialized centers like a 소화기센터 (so-hwa-gi-sen-teo), which groups related services for digestive issues. In smaller clinics or hospitals, you’ll more commonly find the 소화기내과 (so-hwa-gi-nae-gwa), the specific department.
Appointments (예약 – ye-yak) are generally recommended, especially at larger hospitals, to reduce waiting times. However, walk-ins are often possible at smaller neighborhood clinics (동네 병원 – dong-ne byeong-won).
When visiting for the first time, you’ll usually need to register (접수 – jeop-su) at the reception desk (접수처 – jeop-su-cheo) or the administration office (원무과 – won-mu-gwa). Bring your ID (Alien Registration Card if you’re a resident).
Korea has a National Health Insurance system (국민건강보험 – guk-min-geon-gang-bo-heom). If you are enrolled, ensure you present your insurance information, as it significantly reduces costs. Tourists may need travel insurance or pay out-of-pocket.
After seeing the doctor, you’ll typically receive a prescription (처방전 – cheo-bang-jeon) which you take to a nearby pharmacy (약국 – yak-guk) to get your medication. Pharmacies are usually located close to hospitals and clinics.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) arrives at a large hospital and asks an information desk staff member (B) for directions to the Digestive Disease Center.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 소화기센터를 찾고 있는데요, 어디로 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: A: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. so-hwa-gi-sen-teo-reul chat-go iss-neun-de-yo, eo-di-ro ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me. I’m looking for the Digestive Disease Center, where should I go? -
Expression: B: 네, 소화기센터는 본관 3층에 있습니다. 저쪽 엘리베이터를 이용하시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, so-hwa-gi-sen-teo-neun bon-gwan sam-cheung-e iss-seum-ni-da. jeo-jjok el-li-be-i-teo-reul i-yong-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, the Digestive Disease Center is on the 3rd floor of the main building. You can use the elevator over there. -
Expression: A: 아, 본관 3층이요? 알겠습니다. 엘리베이터 타고 3층에서 내리면 바로 보이나요?
Pronunciation: A: a, bon-gwan sam-cheung-i-yo? al-gess-seum-ni-da. el-li-be-i-teo ta-go sam-cheung-e-seo nae-ri-myeon ba-ro bo-i-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, the 3rd floor of the main building? Okay. If I take the elevator and get off on the 3rd floor, will I see it right away? -
Expression: B: 네, 3층에서 내리셔서 오른쪽으로 가시면 소화기센터 안내 표지판이 보일 겁니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, sam-cheung-e-seo nae-ri-syeo-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-si-myeon so-hwa-gi-sen-teo an-nae pyo-ji-pan-i bo-il geom-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, after getting off on the 3rd floor, go to the right, and you will see the sign for the Digestive Disease Center. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Thank you! -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕히 가세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, goodbye. (Go safely/well)
Practice Tips
Knowing how to say 소화기센터 (so-hwa-gi-sen-teo) or 소화기내과 (so-hwa-gi-nae-gwa) is crucial for health needs! Try practicing the symptom phrases like 배가 아파요 (bae-ga a-pa-yo) or 소화가 안 돼요 (so-hwa-ga an dwae-yo) out loud~
Role-play asking for directions within a building using phrases like 소화기센터가 어디에 있나요? (so-hwa-gi-sen-teo-ga eo-di-e iss-na-yo?). Familiarize yourself with floor numbers and directions like 오른쪽 (o-reun-jjok – right) and 왼쪽 (oen-jjok – left). The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel navigating Korean hospitals and clinics! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
