Knowing how to refer to an emergency medical center is crucial when facing unexpected health situations in Korea. This guide provides the essential Korean term “응급의료센터” (Emergency Medical Center) and related vocabulary and phrases to help you navigate medical emergencies effectively. Understanding these expressions can make a significant difference in urgent situations.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 응급의료센터
Pronunciation: eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo
Meaning: Emergency Medical Center (This term specifically refers to a designated center equipped for comprehensive emergency care, often within a larger hospital.)
Related Medical Terms
- Expression: 응급실
Pronunciation: eung-geup-sil
Meaning: Emergency Room (A more general term, often used interchangeably with 응급의료센터 in conversation, but technically can refer to smaller ERs.) - Expression: 병원
Pronunciation: byeong-won
Meaning: Hospital - Expression: 구급차
Pronunciation: gu-geup-cha
Meaning: Ambulance - Expression: 의사
Pronunciation: ui-sa
Meaning: Doctor - Expression: 간호사
Pronunciation: gan-ho-sa
Meaning: Nurse - Expression: 약국
Pronunciation: yak-guk
Meaning: Pharmacy - Expression: 환자
Pronunciation: hwan-ja
Meaning: Patient - Expression: 증상
Pronunciation: jeung-sang
Meaning: Symptom(s) - Expression: 진료
Pronunciation: jil-lyo
Meaning: Medical examination/treatment - Expression: 처방전
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon
Meaning: Prescription - Expression: 수술
Pronunciation: su-sul
Meaning: Surgery - Expression: 입원
Pronunciation: ip-won
Meaning: Hospitalization
Essential Phrases for Emergencies
- Expression: 도와주세요!
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Please help me! - Expression: 응급 상황이에요.
Pronunciation: eung-geup sang-hwang-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s an emergency situation. - Expression: 구급차를 불러주세요.
Pronunciation: gu-geup-cha-reul bul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call an ambulance. - Expression: 여기 아파요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi a-pa-yo.
Meaning: It hurts here. (Point to the location) - Expression: 숨쉬기 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: sum-swi-gi him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s difficult to breathe. - Expression: 어지러워요.
Pronunciation: eo-ji-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I feel dizzy. - Expression: 피가 나요.
Pronunciation: pi-ga na-yo.
Meaning: I’m bleeding. - Expression: 의사가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a doctor. - Expression: 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi-ga it-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have allergies. - Expression: 제 친구가 다쳤어요.
Pronunciation: je chin-gu-ga da-chyeot-eo-yo.
Meaning: My friend got hurt. - Expression: 의식이 없어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sig-i eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: He/She is unconscious. - Expression: 열이 나요.
Pronunciation: yeol-i na-yo.
Meaning: I have a fever.
Asking for Directions to the Emergency Center
- Expression: 응급의료센터가 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo-ga eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the Emergency Medical Center? - Expression: 가장 가까운 응급의료센터는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest Emergency Medical Center? - Expression: 이 근처에 응급실이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e eung-geup-sil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an emergency room near here? - Expression: 병원에 가야 해요.
Pronunciation: byeong-won-e ga-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to go to the hospital. - Expression: 응급의료센터로 가는 길을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo-ro ga-neun gil-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the way to the Emergency Medical Center. - Expression: 택시를 불러주실 수 있나요? 응급의료센터로 가려고요.
Pronunciation: taek-si-reul bul-leo-ju-sil su it-na-yo? eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo-ro ga-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: Could you call a taxi for me? I need to go to the Emergency Medical Center. - Expression: 여기서 응급의료센터까지 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo-kka-ji eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to get to the Emergency Medical Center from here? - Expression: 저쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go that way. - Expression: 똑바로 가세요.
Pronunciation: ttok-ppa-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight. - Expression: 오른쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn right. - Expression: 왼쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: oen-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn left. - Expression: 이 주소를 택시 기사님께 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: i ju-so-reul taek-si gi-sa-nim-kke bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show this address to the taxi driver.
Korean Culture Notes
- 119 is the Emergency Number: In Korea, dial 119 for fire, medical emergencies, and rescue services. Operators often speak basic English, especially in major cities, but knowing key Korean phrases is helpful.
- Emergency Room (응급실) vs. Emergency Medical Center (응급의료센터): While often used interchangeably, 응급의료센터 usually refers to larger, better-equipped facilities designated by the government for serious emergencies, often located within university hospitals or major general hospitals. 응급실 can refer to any hospital’s ER. For severe issues, aiming for an 응급의료센터 is advisable.
- Cost and Insurance: Emergency care can be expensive. Foreign residents with National Health Insurance (NHI) will have much of the cost covered. Tourists should ensure they have adequate travel insurance, as costs without insurance can be very high. Payment is typically required upon discharge.
- Triage System: Like in many countries, Korean emergency rooms use a triage system. Patients with more severe conditions are seen first, so wait times can vary depending on the urgency of your situation and how busy the ER is.
- Bring ID and Information: Always carry identification (like your passport or Alien Registration Card) and any relevant medical information (allergies, current medications) when seeking medical help.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) suddenly feels severe chest pain while walking on the street and asks a passerby (B) for help finding an emergency medical center.
Roles: A: Tourist, B: Local Resident
- Expression: A: 저기요… 죄송한데, 좀 도와주세요. 가슴이 너무 아파요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo… joe-song-han-de, jom do-wa-ju-se-yo. ga-seum-i neo-mu a-pa-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me… I’m sorry, but please help me. My chest hurts so much. - Expression: B: 네? 괜찮으세요? 어디가 아프세요?
Pronunciation: ne? gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo? eo-di-ga a-peu-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes? Are you okay? Where does it hurt? - Expression: A: 가슴이요… 숨쉬기도 좀 힘들어요. 응급의료센터에 가야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ga-seum-i-yo… sum-swi-gi-do jom him-deul-eo-yo. eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo-e ga-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: My chest… It’s also a bit difficult to breathe. I think I need to go to an Emergency Medical Center. - Expression: B: 아, 네. 바로 119에 전화할게요! 잠시만요. 아니면, 가장 가까운 대학병원 응급의료센터가 저쪽으로 가면 있어요. 택시 잡아드릴까요?
Pronunciation: a, ne. ba-ro il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hal-kke-yo! jam-si-man-yo. a-ni-myeon, ga-jang ga-kka-un dae-hak-byeong-won eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo-ga jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-myeon it-eo-yo. taek-si jab-a-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Oh, okay. I’ll call 119 right away! Just a moment. Alternatively, the nearest university hospital’s Emergency Medical Center is that way. Shall I get a taxi for you? - Expression: A: 네, 택시가 좋겠어요. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: ne, taek-si-ga jo-ket-eo-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Yes, a taxi would be good. Thank you! - Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 금방 잡아 드릴게요. 조금만 참으세요!
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. geum-bang jab-a deu-ril-kke-yo. jo-geum-man cham-eu-se-yo!
Meaning: Okay. I’ll catch one right away. Please hang in there!
Practice Tips
Memorizing “응급의료센터” (eung-geup-ui-ryo-sen-teo) and “도와주세요” (do-wa-ju-se-yo) is a great start! Try practicing the phrases for asking directions and describing basic symptoms~ Role-playing scenarios with a friend can really help build confidence. Knowing these terms might seem daunting, but being prepared can make a huge difference in an emergency. Stay safe and practice well!
