Experiencing throat discomfort or losing your voice while in Korea requires knowing the right terminology to seek help. This guide covers essential Korean expressions related to laryngitis, from describing symptoms to discussing treatment with a doctor, ensuring you can communicate your health needs effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 후두염
Pronunciation: hu-du-yeom
Meaning: Laryngitis (후두 – larynx, 염 – inflammation)
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 목이 아파요.
Pronunciation: mok-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My throat hurts. -
Expression: 목소리가 쉬었어요.
Pronunciation: mok-so-ri-ga swi-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: My voice is hoarse. / I lost my voice. -
Expression: 목소리가 잘 안 나와요.
Pronunciation: mok-so-ri-ga jal an na-wa-yo.
Meaning: My voice doesn’t come out well. -
Expression: 기침이 나요.
Pronunciation: gi-chim-i na-yo.
Meaning: I have a cough. -
Expression: 마른 기침을 해요.
Pronunciation: ma-reun gi-chim-eul hae-yo.
Meaning: I have a dry cough. -
Expression: 열이 나요.
Pronunciation: yeol-i na-yo.
Meaning: I have a fever. -
Expression: 침 삼키기가 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: chim sam-ki-gi-ga him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s difficult to swallow saliva. -
Expression: 목이 칼칼해요.
Pronunciation: mok-i kal-kal-hae-yo.
Meaning: My throat feels scratchy/irritated. -
Expression: 목이 부었어요.
Pronunciation: mok-i bu-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: My throat is swollen. -
Expression: 목에 뭔가 걸린 느낌이에요.
Pronunciation: mok-e mwon-ga geol-lin neu-kkim-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It feels like something is stuck in my throat. -
Expression: 콧물도 나요.
Pronunciation: kon-mul-do na-yo.
Meaning: I also have a runny nose. -
Expression: 몸살 기운이 있어요.
Pronunciation: mom-sal gi-un-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have body aches.
At the Doctor’s Office
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Expression: 진료 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jin-ryo ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make a doctor’s appointment. -
Expression: 의사 선생님을 뵙고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-eul boep-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to see a doctor. -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you been feeling sick? (Doctor might ask this) -
Expression: 어제부터 목이 아팠어요.
Pronunciation: eo-je-bu-teo mok-i a-pass-eo-yo.
Meaning: My throat started hurting yesterday. -
Expression: 후두염인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: hu-du-yeom-in geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think it might be laryngitis. -
Expression: 증상이 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: jeung-sang-i eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: What are your symptoms? (Doctor might ask this) -
Expression: 약을 처방해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yak-eul cheo-bang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please prescribe medicine. -
Expression: 이 약은 어떻게 먹어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i yak-eun eo-tteo-ke meok-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I take this medicine? -
Expression: 얼마나 쉬어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na swi-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How long should I rest? -
Expression: 진단서가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a doctor’s note/medical certificate. -
Expression: 검사를 받아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: geom-sa-reul bad-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to get any tests? -
Expression: 언제 다시 와야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je da-si wa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When should I come back?
Self-Care and Prevention
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Expression: 목을 쉬게 해야 해요.
Pronunciation: mok-eul swi-ge hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to rest your voice. -
Expression: 말을 많이 하지 마세요.
Pronunciation: mal-eul man-i ha-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Don’t talk too much. -
Expression: 물을 충분히 마셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: mul-eul chung-bun-hi ma-syeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to drink plenty of water. -
Expression: 따뜻한 물을 마시는 것이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han mul-eul ma-si-neun geos-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s good to drink warm water. -
Expression: 가습기를 사용하는 것이 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: ga-seup-gi-reul sa-yong-ha-neun geos-i do-um-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: Using a humidifier is helpful. -
Expression: 소금물로 가글하세요.
Pronunciation: so-geum-mul-lo ga-geul-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Gargle with salt water. -
Expression: 담배 연기나 자극적인 것을 피하세요.
Pronunciation: dam-bae yeon-gi-na ja-geuk-jeok-in geos-eul pi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Avoid cigarette smoke and irritants. -
Expression: 충분히 휴식을 취하세요.
Pronunciation: chung-bun-hi hyu-sik-eul chwi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Get plenty of rest. -
Expression: 목을 따뜻하게 하세요.
Pronunciation: mok-eul tta-tteut-ha-ge ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Keep your throat warm. -
Expression: 손을 자주 씻으세요.
Pronunciation: son-eul ja-ju ssis-eu-se-yo.
Meaning: Wash your hands frequently. -
Expression: 목에 좋은 차를 마셔요.
Pronunciation: mok-e jo-eun cha-reul ma-syeo-yo.
Meaning: Drink tea that is good for the throat. -
Expression: 속삭이지 마세요. 목에 더 안 좋아요.
Pronunciation: sok-sak-i-ji ma-se-yo. mok-e deo an jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Don’t whisper. It’s worse for your throat.
Korean Culture Notes
When visiting a doctor in Korea, it’s common to go to smaller, specialized clinics (like an 이비인후과 – i-bi-in-hu-gwa – Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic) for issues like laryngitis, rather than a large general hospital, unless it’s severe or requires specialized testing.
Koreans often rely on pharmacies (약국 – yak-guk) for minor ailments. You can describe your symptoms to the pharmacist (약사 – yak-sa), and they can provide over-the-counter medication or recommend seeing a doctor.
Warm beverages like ginger tea (생강차 – saeng-gang-cha) or pear and bellflower root tea (배도라지차 – bae-do-ra-ji-cha) are popular home remedies for sore throats and coughs in Korea.
It’s generally expected to pay for medical services at the time of visit. While national health insurance covers a significant portion for residents, foreigners might have different coverage or payment requirements.
Wearing a mask when you are sick, especially with respiratory symptoms like coughing or a sore throat, is considered polite and common practice in Korea to prevent spreading illness.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun calls an ENT clinic (이비인후과 – i-bi-in-hu-gwa) because he suspects he has laryngitis.
Characters:
A: Minjun (Patient)
B: Clinic Receptionist
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Expression: B: 네, 행복 이비인후과입니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, haeng-bok i-bi-in-hu-gwa-im-ni-da. mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, this is Haengbok ENT Clinic. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 진료 예약을 하고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jin-ryo ye-yak-eul ha-go sip-eun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello. I’d like to make an appointment to see a doctor. -
Expression: B: 네, 성함과 연락처를 말씀해 주시겠어요? 그리고 어떤 증상이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, seong-ham-gwa yeol-lak-cheo-reul mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo? geu-ri-go eo-tteon jeung-sang-i iss-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, could you please tell me your name and contact number? And what symptoms do you have? -
Expression: A: 이름은 김민준이고, 전화번호는 010-1234-5678입니다. 어제부터 목이 너무 아프고 목소리가 잘 안 나와요. 후두염인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i-reum-eun gim-min-jun-i-go, jeon-hwa-beon-ho-neun gong-il-gong-il-i-sam-sa-o-ryuk-chil-pal-im-ni-da. eo-je-bu-teo mok-i neo-mu a-peu-go mok-so-ri-ga jal an na-wa-yo. hu-du-yeom-in geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: My name is Kim Minjun, and my phone number is 010-1234-5678. Since yesterday, my throat hurts a lot and my voice isn’t coming out well. I think it might be laryngitis. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요. 목소리가 쉬셨군요. 다른 증상은 없으시고요? 열이나 기침 같은 거요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. mok-so-ri-ga swi-syeot-gun-yo. da-reun jeung-sang-eun eops-eu-si-go-yo? yeol-i-na gi-chim gat-eun geo-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. Your voice is hoarse. Do you have any other symptoms? Like a fever or cough? -
Expression: A: 열은 조금 있고, 마른 기침도 약간 해요.
Pronunciation: yeol-eun jo-geum it-go, ma-reun gi-chim-do yak-gan hae-yo.
Meaning: I have a slight fever, and also a bit of a dry cough. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 오늘 오후 3시에 예약 가능하신데, 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, al-gess-seum-ni-da. o-neul o-hu se-si-e ye-yak ga-neung-ha-sin-de, gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Okay, I understand. We have an opening today at 3 PM, would that work for you? -
Expression: A: 네, 3시 괜찮아요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, se-si gwaen-chan-a-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, 3 PM is fine. Thank you.
Practice Tips
Feeling unwell is never fun, especially in a foreign country! Practice these phrases by reading them aloud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Try role-playing a visit to the doctor or explaining your symptoms to a friend. Listening to Korean dialogues about visiting clinics can also help you get used to the natural flow of conversation. Remember, knowing how to say “후두염” (hu-du-yeom) and describe your symptoms is the first step to getting the help you need. Stay healthy!
