Understanding medical terminology is crucial when discussing health matters, especially specialized procedures like genetic testing. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to 유전자검사 (yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa), or genetic testing. You’ll learn how to discuss getting tested, understand results, and ask relevant questions in Korean, equipping you for healthcare conversations in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 유전자검사
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa
Meaning: Genetic testing (literally “gene examination”)
Basic Vocabulary
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Expression: 유전자
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja
Meaning: Gene -
Expression: DNA (디엔에이)
Pronunciation: di-en-e-i
Meaning: DNA -
Expression: 유전
Pronunciation: yu-jeon
Meaning: Heredity, inheritance -
Expression: 유전 질환
Pronunciation: yu-jeon jil-hwan
Meaning: Genetic disorder, hereditary disease -
Expression: 가족력
Pronunciation: ga-jok-ryeok
Meaning: Family history (medical) -
Expression: 염색체
Pronunciation: yeom-saek-che
Meaning: Chromosome -
Expression: 돌연변이
Pronunciation: dol-yeon-byeon-i
Meaning: Mutation -
Expression: 검사 결과
Pronunciation: geom-sa gyeol-gwa
Meaning: Test results -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Consultation, counseling -
Expression: 위험도
Pronunciation: wi-heom-do
Meaning: Risk level -
Expression: 예방
Pronunciation: ye-bang
Meaning: Prevention -
Expression: 진단
Pronunciation: jin-dan
Meaning: Diagnosis
Phrases for Discussing Genetic Testing
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Expression: 유전자검사를 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa-reul bat-go sip-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to get genetic testing. -
Expression: 유전자검사가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is genetic testing necessary? -
Expression: 가족 중에 유전 질환이 있어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok jung-e yu-jeon jil-hwan-i iss-eo-yo
Meaning: There is a genetic disorder in my family. -
Expression: 유전자검사 결과는 언제 나와요?
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je na-wa-yo?
Meaning: When will the genetic test results be available? -
Expression: 검사 결과에 대해 상담받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: geom-sa gyeol-gwa-e dae-hae sang-dam-bat-go sip-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to have a consultation about the test results. -
Expression: 이 검사로 어떤 질병의 위험도를 알 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geom-sa-ro eo-tteon jil-byeong-ui wi-heom-do-reul al su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: What disease risks can be known through this test? -
Expression: 유전자검사는 어떻게 진행되나요?
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa-neun eo-tteo-ke jin-haeng-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How is the genetic testing procedure carried out? -
Expression: 유전자 정보는 비밀이 보장되나요?
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja jeong-bo-neun bi-mil-i bo-jang-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the genetic information kept confidential? -
Expression: 특정 유전자 돌연변이가 발견되었습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-jeong yu-jeon-ja dol-yeon-byeon-i-ga bal-gyeon-doe-eot-seum-ni-da
Meaning: A specific gene mutation has been found. -
Expression: 예방적 조치를 고려해 볼 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ye-bang-jeok jo-chi-reul go-ryeo-hae bol su it-seum-ni-da
Meaning: We can consider preventive measures. -
Expression: 유전자 상담사와 이야기해 보세요.
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja sang-dam-sa-wa i-ya-gi-hae bo-se-yo
Meaning: Please talk with a genetic counselor. -
Expression: 이 결과가 자녀에게 미칠 영향은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i gyeol-gwa-ga ja-nyeo-e-ge mi-chil yeong-hyang-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What impact will these results have on my children?
Asking Questions about Genetic Testing
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Expression: 유전자검사 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does genetic testing cost? -
Expression: 보험 적용이 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeok-yong-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it covered by insurance? -
Expression: 검사 전에 금식해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: geom-sa jeon-e geum-sik-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fast before the test? -
Expression: 검사는 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: geom-sa-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the test take? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 샘플이 필요한가요? (예: 피, 타액)
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui saem-peul-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo? (ye: pi, ta-aek)
Meaning: What kind of sample is needed? (e.g., blood, saliva) -
Expression: 검사 결과의 정확도는 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: geom-sa gyeol-gwa-ui jeong-hwak-do-neun eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How accurate are the test results? -
Expression: 결과가 나오면 어떻게 알려주시나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-ga na-o-myeon eo-tteo-ke al-lyeo-ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: How will you inform me when the results are ready? -
Expression: 유전자검사의 장단점은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa-ui jang-dan-jeom-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the pros and cons of genetic testing? -
Expression: 이 병원에서 유전자검사를 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i byeong-won-e-seo yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa-reul hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get genetic testing at this hospital? -
Expression: 유전자 상담을 먼저 받아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: yu-jeon-ja sang-dam-eul meon-jeo bad-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to receive genetic counseling first? -
Expression: 결과 해석을 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa hae-seok-eul do-wa-ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me interpret the results? -
Expression: 다른 검사 옵션도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun geom-sa op-syeon-do iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other testing options?
Cultural Tips
Genetic testing (유전자검사) is becoming more accessible in Korea, but cultural attitudes and practices are important to understand. While awareness is growing, discussions about genetic predispositions might still be sensitive, especially concerning hereditary diseases within families.
Privacy (사생활 보호 – sa-saeng-hwal bo-ho) is a significant concern. Koreans value confidentiality, particularly regarding personal health information. Hospitals and clinics adhere to strict privacy laws, but patients often seek reassurance about how their genetic data will be stored and used.
Family history (가족력 – ga-jok-ryeok) plays a crucial role in decisions about genetic testing. There’s often a strong sense of familial connection, and test results might be seen as relevant not just to the individual but to the entire family. Discussing results with family members might require sensitivity.
Beyond medical applications, direct-to-consumer genetic testing for ancestry or general wellness traits is also available, though less common than in some Western countries. Understanding the distinction between clinical diagnostic testing and wellness testing is important.
Genetic counseling (유전 상담 – yu-jeon sang-dam) is often recommended before and after testing to help individuals understand the implications, limitations, and potential emotional impact of the results. This reflects a careful approach to handling potentially life-altering information.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) is consulting with a doctor (B) about the possibility of genetic testing due to a family history of a specific illness.
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Expression: A: 의사 선생님, 저희 가족 중에 유전 질환이 있어서 걱정이 됩니다. 유전자검사를 받아보는 게 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim, jeo-hui ga-jok jung-e yu-jeon jil-hwan-i iss-eo-seo geok-jeong-i doem-ni-da. yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa-reul bad-a-bo-neun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Doctor, I’m worried because there’s a genetic disorder in my family. Would it be good to get genetic testing? -
Expression: B: 네, 가족력이 있으시다면 유전자검사를 고려해 볼 수 있습니다. 어떤 질환인지 자세히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, ga-jok-ryeok-i iss-eu-si-da-myeon yu-jeon-ja-geom-sa-reul go-ryeo-hae bol su it-seum-ni-da. eo-tteon jil-hwan-in-ji ja-se-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, if you have a family history, we can consider genetic testing. Could you tell me more details about the disorder? -
Expression: A: 어머니와 이모가 특정 암 진단을 받으셨어요. 저도 위험이 높을까 봐 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: eo-meo-ni-wa i-mo-ga teuk-jeong am jin-dan-eul bad-eu-syeoss-eo-yo. jeo-do wi-heom-i nop-eul-kka bwa geok-jeong-doe-yo.
Meaning: My mother and aunt were diagnosed with a specific type of cancer. I’m worried that my risk might be high too. -
Expression: B: 그렇군요. 해당 암과 관련된 유전자 변이가 있는지 확인하는 검사가 있습니다. 검사를 원하시면 절차와 비용에 대해 설명해 드릴게요. 유전 상담도 받아보시는 것이 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. hae-dang am-gwa gwan-lyeon-doen yu-jeon-ja byeon-i-ga iss-neun-ji hwak-in-ha-neun geom-sa-ga it-seum-ni-da. geom-sa-reul won-ha-si-myeon jeol-cha-wa bi-yong-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo. yu-jeon sang-dam-do bad-a-bo-si-neun geo-si jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I see. There is a test to check for gene mutations related to that cancer. If you want the test, I can explain the procedure and cost. It’s also advisable to receive genetic counseling. -
Expression: A: 네, 설명 부탁드립니다. 검사 결과는 얼마나 정확한가요?
Pronunciation: ne, seol-myeong bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da. geom-sa gyeol-gwa-neun eol-ma-na jeong-hwak-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, please explain. How accurate are the test results? -
Expression: B: 검사 자체의 정확도는 매우 높습니다. 하지만 결과 해석에는 전문가의 도움이 필요하며, 결과가 의미하는 바를 충분히 이해하시는 것이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: geom-sa ja-che-ui jeong-hwak-do-neun mae-u nop-seum-ni-da. ha-ji-man gyeol-gwa hae-seok-e-neun jeon-mun-ga-ui do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeo, gyeol-gwa-ga ui-mi-ha-neun ba-reul chung-bun-hi i-hae-ha-si-neun geo-si jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The accuracy of the test itself is very high. However, interpreting the results requires expert help, and it’s important that you fully understand what the results mean.
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these terms is the first step! Try creating flashcards with the Korean word, pronunciation, and meaning~ You can practice saying the phrases aloud, focusing on the correct syllable pronunciation. Imagine different scenarios where you might need to discuss genetic testing, like talking to a doctor or explaining your family history. Role-playing with a language partner can be very helpful too! Don’t worry about perfection, just keep practicing consistently! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
