Understanding concepts related to health and wellness is crucial when learning Korean, especially those rooted in traditional medicine. This guide focuses on the term 기혈순환 (gi-hyeol-sun-hwan), explaining its meaning and providing essential vocabulary and phrases to discuss related health topics in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 기혈순환
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan
Meaning: Circulation of Qi (vital energy) and blood. This is a fundamental concept in traditional Korean/East Asian medicine referring to the healthy flow of energy and blood throughout the body.
Related Concepts
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Expression: 기
Pronunciation: gi
Meaning: Qi, vital energy, life force -
Expression: 혈
Pronunciation: hyeol
Meaning: Blood -
Expression: 순환
Pronunciation: sun-hwan
Meaning: Circulation, flow -
Expression: 한의학
Pronunciation: han-eui-hak
Meaning: Traditional Korean Medicine -
Expression: 한의원
Pronunciation: han-eui-won
Meaning: Traditional Korean Medicine clinic -
Expression: 건강
Pronunciation: geon-gang
Meaning: Health -
Expression: 체질
Pronunciation: che-jil
Meaning: Body constitution (in traditional medicine) -
Expression: 원기
Pronunciation: won-gi
Meaning: Vigor, stamina, vital energy -
Expression: 혈액순환
Pronunciation: hyeol-aek-sun-hwan
Meaning: Blood circulation (more general term, often used interchangeably in casual contexts) -
Expression: 막히다
Pronunciation: mak-hi-da
Meaning: To be blocked, clogged -
Expression: 흐름
Pronunciation: heu-reum
Meaning: Flow, stream -
Expression: 신진대사
Pronunciation: sin-jin-de-sa
Meaning: Metabolism
Phrases for Discussing Circulation
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Expression: 기혈순환이 잘 돼요.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-i jal dwae-yo.
Meaning: My Qi and blood circulation is good. -
Expression: 기혈순환이 잘 안 되는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-i jal an doe-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think my Qi and blood circulation isn’t good. -
Expression: 기혈순환을 개선하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-eul gae-seon-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to improve my Qi and blood circulation. -
Expression: 기혈순환에 좋은 음식이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-e jo-eun eum-sik-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What foods are good for Qi and blood circulation? -
Expression: 기혈순환 장애가 있는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan jang-ae-ga it-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I have a Qi and blood circulation disorder. -
Expression: 이것은 기혈순환을 돕습니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-eul dop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This helps Qi and blood circulation. -
Expression: 기혈순환이 원활하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-i won-hwal-ha-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: The Qi and blood circulation is not smooth. -
Expression: 기혈순환 촉진에 도움이 됩니다.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan chok-jin-e do-um-i doem-ni-da.
Meaning: It helps promote Qi and blood circulation. -
Expression: 나이가 들면서 기혈순환이 나빠졌어요.
Pronunciation: na-i-ga deul-myeon-seo gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-i na-ppa-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My Qi and blood circulation got worse as I aged. -
Expression: 기혈순환 문제로 한의원에 갔어요.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan mun-je-ro han-eui-won-e ga-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I went to a traditional Korean medicine clinic because of circulation problems. -
Expression: 기혈순환을 활발하게 해야 해요.
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-eul hwal-bal-ha-ge hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to make your Qi and blood circulation active. -
Expression: 스트레스는 기혈순환에 안 좋아요.
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu-neun gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-e an jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Stress is bad for Qi and blood circulation.
Symptoms of Poor Circulation
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Expression: 손발이 차가워요.
Pronunciation: son-bal-i cha-ga-wo-yo.
Meaning: My hands and feet are cold. -
Expression: 몸이 자주 부어요.
Pronunciation: mom-i ja-ju bu-eo-yo.
Meaning: My body swells often. -
Expression: 쉽게 피로해요.
Pronunciation: swip-ge pi-ro-hae-yo.
Meaning: I get tired easily. -
Expression: 어깨가 자주 결려요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae-ga ja-ju gyeol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: My shoulders often feel stiff. -
Expression: 소화가 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: so-hwa-ga jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I have poor digestion. -
Expression: 피부가 건조해요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu-ga geon-jo-hae-yo.
Meaning: My skin is dry. -
Expression: 머리가 자주 아파요.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga ja-ju a-pa-yo.
Meaning: I often have headaches. -
Expression: 다리가 저려요.
Pronunciation: da-ri-ga jeo-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: My legs feel numb / tingle. -
Expression: 집중력이 떨어져요.
Pronunciation: jip-jung-nyeok-i tteo-reo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: My concentration has decreased. -
Expression: 몸이 무거워요.
Pronunciation: mom-i mu-geo-wo-yo.
Meaning: My body feels heavy. -
Expression: 자도 잔 것 같지 않아요.
Pronunciation: ja-do jan geot gat-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: Even when I sleep, it doesn’t feel like I’ve slept. -
Expression: 변비가 있어요.
Pronunciation: byeon-bi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have constipation.
Ways to Improve Circulation
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Expression: 규칙적으로 운동하세요.
Pronunciation: gyu-chik-jeok-eu-ro un-dong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Exercise regularly. -
Expression: 반신욕을 하는 것이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ban-sin-yok-eul ha-neun geo-si jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Taking a half-bath (lower body bath) is good. -
Expression: 따뜻한 차를 자주 마시세요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan cha-reul ja-ju ma-si-se-yo.
Meaning: Drink warm tea often. -
Expression: 스트레칭을 꾸준히 하세요.
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-ching-eul kku-jun-hi ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Stretch consistently. -
Expression: 건강한 식단을 유지하세요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-han sik-dan-eul yu-ji-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Maintain a healthy diet. -
Expression: 충분한 수면을 취하세요.
Pronunciation: chung-bun-han su-myeon-eul chwi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Get enough sleep. -
Expression: 몸을 따뜻하게 유지하세요.
Pronunciation: mom-eul tta-tteu-ta-ge yu-ji-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Keep your body warm. -
Expression: 침을 맞는 것도 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: chim-eul mat-neun geot-do do-um-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: Getting acupuncture also helps. -
Expression: 마사지를 받으면 순환이 좋아져요.
Pronunciation: ma-sa-ji-reul ba-deu-myeon sun-hwan-i jo-a-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: Getting a massage improves circulation. -
Expression: 족욕을 해보세요.
Pronunciation: jok-yok-eul hae-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try a foot bath. -
Expression: 물을 충분히 마시는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: mul-eul chung-bun-hi ma-si-neun geo-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Drinking enough water is important. -
Expression: 한약을 복용하는 것을 고려해 보세요.
Pronunciation: han-yak-eul bok-yong-ha-neun geo-seul go-ryeo-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Consider taking traditional Korean herbal medicine.
Korean Culture Notes
The concept of 기혈순환 (gi-hyeol-sun-hwan) is deeply ingrained in Korean culture and approaches to health. It’s considered fundamental for overall well-being. Poor circulation is often cited as the root cause of various ailments, from minor aches to more serious conditions.
Many daily habits and folk remedies in Korea aim to promote good 기혈순환. This includes eating warming foods (like ginger tea or ginseng), regular bathing or visiting public bathhouses (찜질방 – jjim-jil-bang), and specific exercises or stretches.
Visiting a 한의원 (han-eui-won – traditional Korean medicine clinic) is common for addressing issues believed to be related to poor 기혈순환. Treatments often involve acupuncture (침 – chim), moxibustion (뜸 – tteum), cupping (부항 – bu-hang), and herbal medicine (한약 – han-yak), all aimed at restoring the proper flow of Qi and blood.
Understanding 기혈순환 provides insight into how many Koreans perceive health, illness, and the connection between lifestyle and well-being. It emphasizes balance and flow within the body.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) visits a traditional Korean medicine doctor (B – 한의사) complaining about fatigue and cold extremities.
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Expression: A: 선생님, 요즘 너무 피곤하고 손발이 계속 차가워요.
Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim, yo-jeum neo-mu pi-gon-ha-go son-bal-i gye-sok cha-ga-wo-yo.
Meaning: Doctor, I’ve been very tired lately, and my hands and feet are constantly cold. -
Expression: B: 네, 그러시군요. 다른 불편한 점은 없으신가요? 예를 들어 몸이 붓거나 어깨가 결린다거나요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. da-reun bul-pyeon-han jeom-eun eop-seu-sin-ga-yo? ye-reul deu-reo mom-i but-geo-na eo-kkae-ga gyeol-lin-da-geo-na-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I see. Are there any other discomforts? For example, swelling in the body or stiff shoulders? -
Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 아침에 일어나면 얼굴이랑 다리가 좀 붓고, 어깨도 자주 뭉쳐요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. a-chim-e i-reo-na-myeon eol-gul-i-rang da-ri-ga jom but-go, eo-kkae-do ja-ju mung-chyeo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. When I wake up in the morning, my face and legs are a bit swollen, and my shoulders often feel tight. -
Expression: B: 진맥을 좀 해보겠습니다. 전반적으로 기혈순환이 원활하지 않으신 것 같네요. 특히 말초 순환이 약하신 편입니다.
Pronunciation: jin-maek-eul jom hae-bo-get-seum-ni-da. jeon-ban-jeok-eu-ro gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-i won-hwal-ha-ji a-neu-sin geot gan-ne-yo. teuk-hi mal-cho sun-hwan-i yak-ha-sin pyeon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Let me check your pulse. Overall, it seems your Qi and blood circulation isn’t smooth. Peripheral circulation seems particularly weak. -
Expression: A: 아, 그래서 그렇군요. 어떻게 하면 기혈순환을 좋게 할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-rae-seo geu-reot-gun-yo. eo-tteo-ke ha-myeon gi-hyeol-sun-hwan-eul jo-ke hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Ah, so that’s why. How can I improve my Qi and blood circulation? -
Expression: B: 생활 습관 개선이 중요합니다. 꾸준한 운동과 함께 몸을 따뜻하게 해주는 음식을 드시고, 필요하면 침 치료나 한약을 병행하는 것이 도움이 될 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: saeng-hwal seup-gwan gae-seon-i jung-yo-ham-ni-da. kku-jun-han un-dong-gwa ham-kke mom-eul tta-tteu-ta-ge hae-ju-neun eum-sik-eul deu-si-go, pi-ryo-ha-myeon chim chi-ryo-na han-yak-eul byeong-haeng-ha-neun geo-si do-um-i doel su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Improving lifestyle habits is important. Along with consistent exercise, eat foods that warm the body, and if necessary, combining acupuncture or herbal medicine can be helpful.
Practice Tips
Understanding 기혈순환 (gi-hyeol-sun-hwan) opens up conversations about health and well-being in Korean! Try using these phrases when discussing how you feel or asking about health tips~ You can practice describing symptoms like 손발이 차갑다 (son-bal-i cha-gap-da) or talking about ways to improve circulation like 반신욕을 하다 (ban-sin-yok-eul ha-da). Listening to Koreans talk about health, especially older generations or in the context of traditional medicine, will expose you to these terms frequently. Keep practicing, and you’ll be discussing health like a native speaker soon! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
