How to Say Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Korean

Discussing health conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Korean requires specific vocabulary, whether you’re visiting a doctor or explaining your situation to others. This guide provides the essential Korean term for IBS and related phrases to help you communicate effectively about symptoms, doctor visits, and dietary needs associated with this condition.

Core Expression

• Expression: 과민대장증후군
  Pronunciation: gwa-min-dae-jang-jeung-hu-gun
  Meaning: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (Literally: oversensitive-large intestine-syndrome)

Describing Symptoms

Understanding how to describe common IBS symptoms is crucial for accurate communication, especially with healthcare professionals.

• Expression: 배가 아파요.
  Pronunciation: bae-ga a-pa-yo.
  Meaning: My stomach hurts.

• Expression: 설사를 자주 해요.
  Pronunciation: seol-sa-reul ja-ju hae-yo.
  Meaning: I have diarrhea often.

• Expression: 변비가 있어요.
  Pronunciation: byeon-bi-ga i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I have constipation.

• Expression: 배에 가스가 차요.
  Pronunciation: bae-e ga-seu-ga cha-yo.
  Meaning: My stomach is gassy/bloated.

• Expression: 속이 더부룩해요.
  Pronunciation: sok-i deo-bu-ruk-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I feel bloated / have indigestion.

• Expression: 배에서 꾸르륵 소리가 나요.
  Pronunciation: bae-e-seo kku-reu-reuk so-ri-ga na-yo.
  Meaning: My stomach is rumbling/gurgling.

• Expression: 화장실에 급하게 가고 싶을 때가 많아요.
  Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-e geup-ha-ge ga-go sip-eul ttae-ga man-a-yo.
  Meaning: I often have a sudden urge to go to the restroom.

• Expression: 스트레스를 받으면 증상이 심해져요.
  Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu-reul ba-deu-myeon jeung-sang-i sim-hae-jyeo-yo.
  Meaning: My symptoms get worse when I’m stressed.

• Expression: 특정 음식을 먹으면 배가 불편해요.
  Pronunciation: teuk-jeong eum-sik-eul meo-geu-myeon bae-ga bul-pyeon-hae-yo.
  Meaning: My stomach feels uncomfortable when I eat certain foods.

• Expression: 점액변이 나올 때도 있어요.
  Pronunciation: jeom-aek-byeon-i na-ol ttae-do i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: Sometimes there is mucus in my stool.

• Expression: 복부 팽만감이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: bok-bu paeng-man-gam-i i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I have abdominal bloating.

• Expression: 식사 후에 증상이 나타나요.
  Pronunciation: sik-sa hu-e jeung-sang-i na-ta-na-yo.
  Meaning: Symptoms appear after meals.

Talking to a Doctor

Use these phrases when visiting a clinic or hospital to discuss your IBS symptoms and treatment options.

• Expression: 의사 선생님 진료를 받고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim jil-lyo-reul bat-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I’d like to see a doctor.

• Expression: 과민대장증후군인 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: gwa-min-dae-jang-jeung-hu-gun-in geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: I think I might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

• Expression: 증상이 언제부터 시작됐나요?
  Pronunciation: jeung-sang-i eon-je-bu-teo si-jak-dwaen-na-yo?
  Meaning: When did the symptoms start? (Doctor’s question)

• Expression: 어떤 음식이 증상을 악화시키나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon eum-sik-i jeung-sang-eul ak-hwa-si-ki-na-yo?
  Meaning: Which foods worsen the symptoms? (Doctor’s question)

• Expression: 검사를 받아야 할까요?
  Pronunciation: geom-sa-reul ba-da-ya hal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Should I get tested?

• Expression: 약을 처방해 주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: yak-eul cheo-bang-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can you prescribe medication?

• Expression: 식단 조절이 필요할까요?
  Pronunciation: sik-dan jo-jeol-i pil-yo-hal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Is dietary adjustment necessary?

• Expression: 생활 습관을 어떻게 바꿔야 할까요?
  Pronunciation: saeng-hwal seup-gwan-eul eo-tteo-ke ba-kkwo-ya hal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: How should I change my lifestyle habits?

• Expression: 이 증상 때문에 일상생활이 불편해요.
  Pronunciation: i jeung-sang ttae-mun-e il-sang-saeng-hwal-i bul-pyeon-hae-yo.
  Meaning: These symptoms make my daily life uncomfortable.

• Expression: 진단서를 발급해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo-reul bal-geup-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please issue a medical certificate.

• Expression: 정기적으로 병원에 와야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: jeong-gi-jeok-eu-ro byeong-won-e wa-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to come to the hospital regularly?

• Expression: 치료 방법에는 어떤 것들이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: chi-ryo bang-beop-e-neun eo-tteon geot-deul-i in-na-yo?
  Meaning: What treatment options are available?

Explaining Your Condition to Others

These phrases can help you explain your condition to friends, colleagues, or acquaintances if needed.

• Expression: 저는 과민대장증후군이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun gwa-min-dae-jang-jeung-hu-gun-i i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

• Expression: 그래서 가끔 배가 아프거나 화장실에 자주 가요.
  Pronunciation: geu-rae-seo ga-kkeum bae-ga a-peu-geo-na hwa-jang-sil-e ja-ju ga-yo.
  Meaning: That’s why sometimes my stomach hurts or I go to the restroom frequently.

• Expression: 특정 음식을 피해야 해요.
  Pronunciation: teuk-jeong eum-sik-eul pi-hae-ya hae-yo.
  Meaning: I need to avoid certain foods.

• Expression: 매운 음식이나 기름진 음식을 잘 못 먹어요.
  Pronunciation: mae-un eum-sik-i-na gi-reum-jin eum-sik-eul jal mot meo-geo-yo.
  Meaning: I can’t handle spicy or oily foods well.

• Expression: 스트레스 관리가 중요해요.
  Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu gwal-li-ga jung-yo-hae-yo.
  Meaning: Stress management is important for me.

• Expression: 식단 조절을 하고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: sik-dan jo-jeol-eul ha-go i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I am managing my diet.

• Expression: 이해해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: i-hae-hae ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-sseum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I would appreciate your understanding.

• Expression: 제 건강 상태 때문에 그래요.
  Pronunciation: je geon-gang sang-tae ttae-mun-e geu-rae-yo.
  Meaning: It’s because of my health condition.

• Expression: 컨디션이 안 좋을 때가 있어요.
  Pronunciation: keon-di-syeon-i an jo-eul ttae-ga i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: There are times when I don’t feel well.

• Expression: 갑자기 화장실에 가야 할 수도 있어요.
  Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi hwa-jang-sil-e ga-ya hal su-do i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I might need to go to the restroom suddenly.

• Expression: 이건 만성 질환이에요.
  Pronunciation: i-geon man-seong jil-hwan-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: This is a chronic condition.

• Expression: 크게 걱정할 병은 아니에요.
  Pronunciation: keu-ge geok-jeong-hal byeong-eun a-ni-e-yo.
  Meaning: It’s not a disease to worry greatly about.

Korean Culture Notes

• Emphasis on Digestion: In Korean culture, digestive health (“속” – sok, meaning inside/stomach) is often seen as central to overall well-being. Phrases like “속이 편하다” (sok-i pyeon-ha-da – stomach is comfortable) are common.
• Openness about Bodily Functions: Compared to some Western cultures, Koreans might discuss digestive issues or needing the restroom more openly, though chronic conditions like IBS might still be kept private depending on the context.
• Dietary Importance: Diet is strongly linked to health. People with digestive issues often pay close attention to food triggers. Fermented foods like kimchi are staples, but individuals with IBS might need to identify specific triggers even within traditional cuisine.
• Healthcare Accessibility: Seeing a doctor for digestive issues is common and relatively easy in Korea due to the accessible healthcare system. People often visit neighborhood clinics (의원 – ui-won) for initial consultations.
• Stress Factor: Stress is widely recognized as a factor affecting health, including digestion. Discussing stress as a trigger for IBS symptoms is generally understood.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A patient (A) is visiting a doctor (B) to discuss recurring digestive problems.
Roles: A: 환자 (Patient), B: 의사 (Doctor)

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 의사 선생님. 요즘 계속 배가 아프고 설사를 자주 해요.
  Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ui-sa seon-saeng-nim. yo-jeum gye-sok bae-ga a-peu-go seol-sa-reul ja-ju hae-yo.
  Meaning: A: Hello, Doctor. Lately, my stomach keeps hurting and I have frequent diarrhea.

• Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요. 언제부터 그러셨어요? 다른 증상은 없으시고요?
  Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. eon-je-bu-teo geu-reo-syeot-sseo-yo? da-reun jeung-sang-eun eop-seu-si-go-yo?
  Meaning: B: Oh, I see. Since when has this been happening? Are there any other symptoms?

• Expression: A: 한두 달 정도 된 것 같아요. 배에 가스도 자주 차고, 스트레스 받으면 더 심해져요.
  Pronunciation: A: han-du dal jeong-do doen geot ga-ta-yo. bae-e ga-seu-do ja-ju cha-go, seu-teu-re-seu ba-deu-myeon deo sim-hae-jyeo-yo.
  Meaning: A: It’s been about one or two months. I also get gassy often, and it gets worse when I’m stressed.

• Expression: B: 식사 후에 더 불편하신가요? 특정 음식을 드셨을 때 증상이 나타나나요?
  Pronunciation: B: sik-sa hu-e deo bul-pyeon-ha-sin-ga-yo? teuk-jeong eum-sik-eul deu-syeot-sseul ttae jeung-sang-i na-ta-na-na-yo?
  Meaning: B: Do you feel more uncomfortable after meals? Do symptoms appear when you eat specific foods?

• Expression: A: 네, 특히 기름진 음식을 먹으면 바로 신호가 와요. 혹시 과민대장증후군일까요?
  Pronunciation: A: ne, teu-ki gi-reum-jin eum-sik-eul meo-geu-myeon ba-ro sin-ho-ga wa-yo. hok-si gwa-min-dae-jang-jeung-hu-gun-il-kka-yo?
  Meaning: A: Yes, especially when I eat oily food, I feel it right away. Could it possibly be Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

• Expression: B: 증상을 들어보니 가능성이 있습니다. 정확한 진단을 위해 몇 가지 검사를 고려해 볼 수 있고, 우선 증상 완화를 위한 약과 생활 습관 조절에 대해 이야기해 봅시다.
  Pronunciation: B: jeung-sang-eul deul-eo-bo-ni ga-neung-seong-i it-sseum-ni-da. jeong-hwak-han jin-dan-eul wi-hae myeot ga-ji geom-sa-reul go-ryeo-hae bol su it-go, u-seon jeung-sang wan-hwa-reul wi-han yak-gwa saeng-hwal seup-gwan jo-jeol-e dae-hae i-ya-gi-hae bop-si-da.
  Meaning: B: Based on your symptoms, it’s a possibility. We can consider some tests for an accurate diagnosis, but first, let’s discuss medication for symptom relief and lifestyle adjustments.

Practice Tips

Knowing the term 과민대장증후군 (gwa-min-dae-jang-jeung-hu-gun) is the first step! Try practicing the symptom and explanation phrases out loud~ You could even role-play a doctor’s visit with a friend or language partner. Keeping a simple symptom diary in Korean (e.g., 날짜: [Date], 증상: [Symptom], 먹은 음식: [Food eaten]) can also be helpful practice! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)