Knowing how to talk about medical needs is crucial when living or traveling abroad. This guide focuses on essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to 내과 (Naegwa), or Internal Medicine, a common starting point for many health concerns in Korea. You’ll learn how to express symptoms, ask for help, and navigate a visit to an internal medicine clinic.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Internal Medicine
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Expression: 내과
Pronunciation: nae-gwa
Meaning: Internal Medicine (the medical specialty)
Basic Phrases for Visiting the Doctor
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Expression: 몸이 안 좋아요.
Pronunciation: mom-i an jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I don’t feel well. / I feel sick. -
Expression: 병원에 가야 해요.
Pronunciation: byeong-won-e ga-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to go to the hospital/clinic. -
Expression: 내과에 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: nae-gwa-e ga-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go to Internal Medicine. -
Expression: 의사 선생님을 만나고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-eul man-na-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see a doctor. -
Expression: 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make an appointment. -
Expression: 진찰받으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: jin-chal-ba-deu-reo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I came for a check-up/consultation. -
Expression: 어디가 아프세요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga a-peu-se-yo?
Meaning: Where does it hurt? (Common question from staff/doctor) -
Expression: 증상이 어떻게 되세요?
Pronunciation: jeung-sang-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
Meaning: What are your symptoms? (Common question from staff/doctor) -
Expression: 보험 있어요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have insurance? -
Expression: 외국인 등록증 있어요?
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in deung-rok-jjeung iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have your Alien Registration Card? -
Expression: 여기 처음 왔어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi cheo-eum wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s my first time here. -
Expression: 진료비는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jil-lyo-bi-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the consultation fee?
Describing Your Symptoms
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Expression: 열이 나요.
Pronunciation: yeol-i na-yo.
Meaning: I have a fever. -
Expression: 기침을 해요.
Pronunciation: gi-chim-eul hae-yo.
Meaning: I have a cough. -
Expression: 콧물이 나요.
Pronunciation: kon-mul-i na-yo.
Meaning: I have a runny nose. -
Expression: 목이 아파요.
Pronunciation: mok-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: I have a sore throat. -
Expression: 머리가 아파요.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga a-pa-yo.
Meaning: I have a headache. -
Expression: 배가 아파요.
Pronunciation: bae-ga a-pa-yo.
Meaning: I have a stomachache. -
Expression: 토했어요.
Pronunciation: to-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I vomited. -
Expression: 설사를 해요.
Pronunciation: seol-sa-reul hae-yo.
Meaning: I have diarrhea. -
Expression: 몸살이 났어요.
Pronunciation: mom-sal-i nass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have body aches (often from fatigue or cold). -
Expression: 어지러워요.
Pronunciation: eo-ji-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I feel dizzy. -
Expression: 숨쉬기 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: sum-swi-gi him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s hard to breathe. -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you been feeling sick? (Question from doctor)
Phrases for the Clinic or Hospital
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Expression: 접수해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeop-su-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please register me. / Check me in, please. -
Expression: 여기서 기다리면 되나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo gi-da-ri-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I wait here? -
Expression: 제 차례는 언제예요?
Pronunciation: je cha-rye-neun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is my turn? -
Expression: 진료실이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: jil-lyo-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the consultation room? -
Expression: 주사 맞아야 해요?
Pronunciation: ju-sa maj-a-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Do I need an injection/shot? -
Expression: 약을 처방해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yak-eul cheo-bang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please prescribe medicine. -
Expression: 처방전 주세요.
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the prescription. -
Expression: 약국은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: yak-guk-eun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the pharmacy? -
Expression: 이 약은 어떻게 먹어요?
Pronunciation: i yak-eun eo-tteo-ke meok-eo-yo?
Meaning: How should I take this medicine? -
Expression: 하루에 몇 번 먹어요?
Pronunciation: ha-ru-e myeot beon meok-eo-yo?
Meaning: How many times a day should I take it? -
Expression: 식후 30분에 드세요.
Pronunciation: sik-hu sam-sip-bun-e deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Take it 30 minutes after meals. (Common instruction) -
Expression: 진단서 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a doctor’s note/medical certificate.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the Korean healthcare system can make your visit smoother. Unlike some Western countries where you typically see a General Practitioner first, in Korea, it’s common to go directly to a specialist clinic, like a 내과 (Naegwa) for internal issues, 이비인후과 (Ibiinhugwa) for ear/nose/throat, or 피부과 (Pibugwa) for skin problems. Walk-ins are generally accepted at smaller clinics, though appointments might be needed for popular doctors or larger hospitals.
Pharmacies (약국 – yakguk) are usually located very close to clinics and hospitals, often in the same building or just across the street. You’ll take the prescription (처방전 – cheobangjeon) from the doctor directly to the pharmacy to get your medication. The pharmacist will typically package the pills per dose and provide instructions.
Be prepared to present your ID (Passport or Alien Registration Card) and Korean National Health Insurance card (if applicable) when registering at a clinic or hospital. Payment is usually made after the consultation but before receiving the prescription.
Doctors in Korea are generally efficient and may seem brief compared to doctors in some other cultures. They focus on diagnosing the issue and prescribing treatment quickly. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need clarification, using phrases like “다시 한번 설명해 주세요” (da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo – Please explain one more time).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex is feeling unwell and visits a local internal medicine clinic (내과).
Characters:
A: Alex (Patient)
B: Receptionist (접수원 – Jeopsuwon)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 진찰받으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jin-chal-ba-deu-reo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came for a consultation. -
Expression: B: 네, 성함이랑 생년월일 말씀해 주세요. 처음 오셨어요?
Pronunciation: ne, seong-ham-i-rang saeng-nyeon-wol-il mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo. cheo-eum o-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, please tell me your name and date of birth. Is this your first time here? -
Expression: A: 네, 처음이에요. 이름은 알렉스 스미스, 생년월일은 1995년 3월 10일이에요.
Pronunciation: ne, cheo-eum-i-e-yo. i-reum-eun al-lek-seu seu-mi-seu, saeng-nyeon-wol-il-eun cheon-gu-baek-gu-sip-o-nyeon sam-wol sip-il-i-e-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s my first time. My name is Alex Smith, date of birth is March 10, 1995. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 어디가 불편하세요?
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. eo-di-ga bul-pyeon-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Okay, I understand. What is bothering you? / Where do you feel uncomfortable? -
Expression: A: 어제부터 열이 나고 기침을 해요. 목도 좀 아파요.
Pronunciation: eo-je-bu-teo yeol-i na-go gi-chim-eul hae-yo. mok-do jom a-pa-yo.
Meaning: Since yesterday, I have a fever and a cough. My throat hurts a bit too. -
Expression: B: 네, 잠시만 기다려 주세요. 성함 부르면 진료실로 들어가세요.
Pronunciation: ne, jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo. seong-ham bu-reu-myeon jil-lyo-sil-lo deu-reo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, please wait a moment. When we call your name, please go into the consultation room. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you.
Practice Tips
Feeling sick is never fun, especially in a foreign country! Knowing these phrases for visiting a 내과 (Naegwa) can make a stressful situation much more manageable~ Practice saying the symptom phrases aloud, perhaps even role-playing a visit to the doctor with a friend or language partner. Try describing common cold or flu symptoms using the Korean expressions you learned today. Being prepared will give you confidence when you need medical help in Korea. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
