Discussing sensitive topics like drug addiction requires careful language use in any culture. This guide provides the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases needed to talk about drug addiction (약물중독), related issues, and seeking help, ensuring you can communicate effectively and respectfully on this important subject in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 약물중독
Pronunciation: yak-mul-jung-dok
Meaning: Drug addiction (Literally: drug substance + poisoning/addiction)
Related Terms
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Expression: 중독자
Pronunciation: jung-dok-ja
Meaning: Addict -
Expression: 마약
Pronunciation: ma-yak
Meaning: Drugs (specifically illicit drugs/narcotics) -
Expression: 약물 남용
Pronunciation: yak-mul nam-yong
Meaning: Drug abuse -
Expression: 과다 복용
Pronunciation: gwa-da bok-yong
Meaning: Overdose -
Expression: 금단 증상
Pronunciation: geum-dan jeung-sang
Meaning: Withdrawal symptoms -
Expression: 재활
Pronunciation: jae-hwal
Meaning: Rehabilitation -
Expression: 재활 센터
Pronunciation: jae-hwal sen-teo
Meaning: Rehabilitation center -
Expression: 치료
Pronunciation: chi-ryo
Meaning: Treatment -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Counseling / Consultation -
Expression: 정신 건강
Pronunciation: jeong-sin geon-gang
Meaning: Mental health -
Expression: 의존성
Pronunciation: ui-jon-seong
Meaning: Dependence / Dependency -
Expression: 회복
Pronunciation: hoe-bok
Meaning: Recovery
Discussing Addiction
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Expression: 그는 약물중독과 싸우고 있어요.
Pronunciation: geu-neun yak-mul-jung-dok-gwa ssa-u-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: He is struggling with drug addiction. -
Expression: 약물중독은 심각한 문제입니다.
Pronunciation: yak-mul-jung-dok-eun sim-gak-han mun-je-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Drug addiction is a serious problem. -
Expression: 혹시 약물 문제가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yak-mul mun-je-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you possibly have a drug problem? (Use with extreme caution) -
Expression: 그녀가 약물에 의존하는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geu-nyeo-ga yak-mul-e ui-jon-ha-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like she is dependent on drugs. -
Expression: 약물중독은 치료가 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: yak-mul-jung-dok-eun chi-ryo-ga ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Drug addiction is treatable. -
Expression: 가족들이 그의 중독 문제 때문에 힘들어해요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-i geu-ui jung-dok mun-je ttae-mun-e him-deul-eo-hae-yo.
Meaning: His family is having a hard time because of his addiction problem. -
Expression: 중독에서 벗어나는 것은 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: jung-dok-e-seo beo-seo-na-neun geo-seun eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Getting out of addiction is difficult. -
Expression: 약물 사용을 멈춰야 합니다.
Pronunciation: yak-mul sa-yong-eul meom-chwo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You must stop using drugs. -
Expression: 그의 건강이 걱정됩니다.
Pronunciation: geu-ui geon-gang-i geok-jeong-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: I am worried about his health. -
Expression: 약물중독의 영향을 설명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yak-mul-jung-dok-ui yeong-hyang-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please explain the effects of drug addiction. -
Expression: 예방이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: ye-bang-i jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Prevention is important.
Seeking Help and Support
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Expression: 전문가의 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-ga-ui do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need professional help. / Professional help is needed. -
Expression: 상담을 받아보는 게 어때요?
Pronunciation: sang-dam-eul ba-da-bo-neun ge eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about getting counseling? -
Expression: 약물중독 치료 센터를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: yak-mul-jung-dok chi-ryo sen-teo-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a drug addiction treatment center. -
Expression: 지원 그룹에 참여할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-won geu-rup-e cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I participate in a support group? -
Expression: 익명으로 상담받을 수 있습니까?
Pronunciation: ik-myeong-eu-ro sang-dam-ba-deul su it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Can I receive counseling anonymously? -
Expression: 치료 과정은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo gwa-jeong-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the treatment process like? -
Expression: 도움이 필요하면 언제든지 말해주세요.
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mal-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me anytime if you need help. -
Expression: 혼자가 아니에요.
Pronunciation: hon-ja-ga a-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: You are not alone. -
Expression: 회복을 위해 노력합시다.
Pronunciation: hoe-bok-eul wi-hae no-ryeok-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s work towards recovery. -
Expression: 어디서 도움을 받을 수 있는지 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo do-um-eul ba-deul su it-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know where I can get help. -
Expression: 가족 상담도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jok sang-dam-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is family counseling also available?
Korean Culture Notes
Discussing drug addiction (약물중독) in Korea requires significant cultural sensitivity. There is often a strong social stigma associated with addiction and mental health issues, making open discussion challenging. People might be hesitant to admit struggles or seek help due to fear of judgment or shame (체면 – chaemyeon, saving face).
When addressing this topic, use formal and respectful language. Avoid accusatory tones or overly direct questioning, especially initially. Expressing concern (걱정돼요 – geok-jeong-dwae-yo) is generally more acceptable than direct confrontation.
While resources exist, they might not be as widely advertised or easily accessible as in some Western countries. Confidentiality (비밀 보장 – bi-mil bo-jang) is crucial, and emphasizing anonymous options for help (익명 상담 – ik-myeong sang-dam) can be important.
Focusing on addiction as a treatable health issue (치료 가능한 질병 – chi-ryo ga-neung-han jil-byeong) rather than a moral failing can help reduce stigma and encourage individuals or families to seek support.
Support systems often heavily involve the family, but the family itself might also feel the burden of social stigma. Offering support to the family as well can be a culturally considerate approach.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Ji-hoon (A) and Min-seo (B), are talking privately about their mutual friend, Su-jin, who they suspect is struggling with drug addiction.
Characters:
A: Ji-hoon (Concerned friend)
B: Min-seo (Supportive friend)
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Expression: A: 민서야, 요즘 수진이 때문에 걱정이 많아.
Pronunciation: min-seo-ya, yo-jeum su-jin-i ttae-mun-e geok-jeong-i ma-na.
Meaning: Min-seo, I’m really worried about Su-jin lately. -
Expression: B: 나도 그래. 뭔가 힘든 일이 있는 것 같아 보여. 왜? 무슨 일 있었어?
Pronunciation: na-do geu-rae. mwon-ga him-deun il-i it-neun geot ga-ta bo-yeo. wae? mu-seun il i-sseo-sseo?
Meaning: Me too. She seems like she’s going through something difficult. Why? Did something happen? -
Expression: A: 확실하진 않지만… 혹시 약물 문제가 있는 건 아닐까 싶어. 너무 변했어.
Pronunciation: hwak-sil-ha-jin an-chi-man… hok-si yak-mul mun-je-ga it-neun geon a-nil-kka si-peo. neo-mu byeon-hae-sseo.
Meaning: I’m not sure, but… I wonder if maybe she has a drug problem. She’s changed so much. -
Expression: B: 약물중독 말이야? 정말? 그렇게 심각할 줄은 몰랐는데…
Pronunciation: yak-mul-jung-dok mal-i-ya? jeong-mal? geu-reo-ke sim-gak-hal jul-eun mol-lat-neun-de…
Meaning: Drug addiction, you mean? Really? I didn’t realize it might be that serious… -
Expression: A: 나도 그냥 추측일 뿐이야. 하지만 도움이 필요해 보여. 우리가 어떻게 도울 수 있을까?
Pronunciation: na-do geu-nyang chu-cheug-il ppun-i-ya. ha-ji-man do-um-i pil-yo-hae bo-yeo. u-ri-ga eo-tteo-ke do-ul su i-sseul-kka?
Meaning: It’s just a guess on my part too. But she looks like she needs help. How can we help her? -
Expression: B: 조심스럽게 이야기해 봐야 할 것 같아. 상담이나 재활 센터 같은 전문적인 도움을 받을 수 있도록 격려해 주는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: jo-sim-seu-reop-ge i-ya-gi-hae bwa-ya hal geot ga-ta. sang-dam-i-na jae-hwal sen-teo ga-teun jeon-mun-jeog-in do-um-eul ba-deul su it-do-rok gyeok-ryeo-hae ju-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: I think we need to talk to her carefully. How about encouraging her to get professional help, like counseling or a rehabilitation center? -
Expression: A: 좋은 생각이야. 혼자가 아니라는 걸 알려주고 싶어.
Pronunciation: jo-eun saeng-gag-i-ya. hon-ja-ga a-ni-ra-neun geol al-lyeo-ju-go si-peo.
Meaning: That’s a good idea. I want to let her know she’s not alone. -
Expression: B: 그래, 우리가 옆에 있다는 걸 알면 회복에 힘이 될 거야.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, u-ri-ga yeop-e it-da-neun geol al-myeon hoe-bog-e him-i doel geo-ya.
Meaning: Right, knowing we’re beside her will give her strength for recovery.
Practice Tips
Talking about drug addiction is sensitive, so practice these phrases with care and awareness~. Listen closely to how native speakers discuss health issues, paying attention to tone and indirectness, especially when dealing with potentially stigmatized topics!
Consider researching Korean resources for addiction support to better understand the context. Role-playing conversations where you express concern or offer support can be helpful, but always prioritize respect and sensitivity. Remember, using the right language is crucial when discussing such important matters. Keep practicing!
