Understanding health-related terms is crucial when living or traveling abroad. This guide focuses on how to discuss mineral supplements in Korean, covering essential vocabulary and phrases you might need when shopping at a pharmacy, talking to a doctor, or discussing health topics in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Mineral Supplement
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Expression: 미네랄 보충제
Pronunciation: mi-ne-ral bo-chung-je
Meaning: Mineral supplement
Types of Supplements
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Expression: 비타민
Pronunciation: bi-ta-min
Meaning: Vitamin -
Expression: 영양제
Pronunciation: yeong-yang-je
Meaning: Nutritional supplement (general term) -
Expression: 칼슘
Pronunciation: kal-syum
Meaning: Calcium -
Expression: 철분제
Pronunciation: cheol-bun-je
Meaning: Iron supplement -
Expression: 마그네슘
Pronunciation: ma-geu-ne-syum
Meaning: Magnesium -
Expression: 아연
Pronunciation: a-yeon
Meaning: Zinc -
Expression: 종합 비타민
Pronunciation: jong-hap bi-ta-min
Meaning: Multivitamin -
Expression: 오메가 3
Pronunciation: o-me-ga ssam
Meaning: Omega 3 -
Expression: 유산균
Pronunciation: yu-san-gyun
Meaning: Probiotics (Lactic acid bacteria) -
Expression: 단백질 보충제
Pronunciation: dan-baek-jil bo-chung-je
Meaning: Protein supplement -
Expression: 식이섬유
Pronunciation: si-gi-seom-yu
Meaning: Dietary fiber
Shopping for Supplements
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Expression: 미네랄 보충제 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: mi-ne-ral bo-chung-je chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for mineral supplements. -
Expression: 어떤 종류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: What kinds do you have? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 거 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything you would recommend? -
Expression: 이 제품 성분이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: i je-pum seong-bun-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the ingredients of this product? -
Expression: 복용법 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: bok-yong-beop jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to take it (dosage instructions). -
Expression: 하루에 몇 번 먹어야 해요?
Pronunciation: ha-ru-e myeot beon meo-geo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How many times a day should I take it? -
Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 어린이용 미네랄 보충제 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-rin-i-yong mi-ne-ral bo-chung-je in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have mineral supplements for children? -
Expression: 임산부용 영양제는 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: im-san-bu-yong yeong-yang-je-neun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where are the nutritional supplements for pregnant women? -
Expression: 유통기한 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yu-tong-gi-han hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the expiration date. -
Expression: 이걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take this one.
Discussing Supplements
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Expression: 요즘 피곤해서 미네랄 보충제를 먹으려고 해요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum pi-gon-hae-seo mi-ne-ral bo-chung-je-reul meo-geu-ryeo-go hae-yo.
Meaning: I’ve been tired lately, so I’m thinking of taking mineral supplements. -
Expression: 의사 선생님과 상담해 보세요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-gwa sang-dam-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: You should consult with a doctor. -
Expression: 어떤 미네랄이 부족한 것 같아요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon mi-ne-ral-i bu-jok-han geot ga-ta-yo?
Meaning: Which mineral do you think you are deficient in? -
Expression: 이 보충제 부작용은 없나요?
Pronunciation: i bo-chung-je bu-jak-yong-eun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this supplement have any side effects? -
Expression: 식사와 함께 복용해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: sik-sa-wa ham-kke bok-yong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I take it with meals? -
Expression: 권장 복용량이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gwon-jang bok-yong-nyang-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the recommended dosage? -
Expression: 다른 약이랑 같이 먹어도 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: da-reun ya-gi-rang ga-chi meo-geo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to take it with other medications? -
Expression: 건강 검진 결과 미네랄이 부족하다고 나왔어요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang geom-jin gyeol-gwa mi-ne-ral-i bu-jok-ha-da-go na-wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My health checkup results showed that I am deficient in minerals. -
Expression: 뼈 건강을 위해 칼슘 보충제를 먹고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ppyeo geon-gang-eul wi-hae kal-syum bo-chung-je-reul meok-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am taking calcium supplements for bone health. -
Expression: 면역력을 높이는 데 도움이 되는 영양제가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: myeon-yeong-nyeok-eul no-pi-neun de do-um-i doe-neun yeong-yang-je-ga i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there any supplements that help boost immunity?
Korean Culture Notes
Health and wellness are significant concerns in South Korea. Many Koreans regularly take various supplements (영양제 – yeong-yang-je) as part of their daily routine to maintain health and prevent illness. It’s common to see a wide variety of vitamins, minerals, ginseng products, and probiotics readily available.
Supplements can be purchased at pharmacies (약국 – yak-guk), health food stores, department stores, large supermarkets, and increasingly, online. Pharmacists (약사 – yak-sa) are generally knowledgeable and can offer recommendations based on your needs.
Gift-giving culture often includes health products. High-quality supplement sets are popular gifts for parents, elders, or during holidays like Chuseok and Seollal, reflecting the cultural emphasis on health and showing care for loved ones.
While self-prescribing supplements is common, it’s always advisable to consult a doctor (의사 – ui-sa) or pharmacist, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications, to avoid potential interactions or side effects.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer is at a pharmacy looking for mineral supplements.
Roles: A: Customer, B: Pharmacist (약사 – yak-sa)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 미네랄 보충제 좀 보려고 하는데요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, mi-ne-ral bo-chung-je jom bo-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’d like to look at some mineral supplements. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 특별히 찾으시는 종류가 있으신가요? 아니면 어떤 증상 때문에 필요하신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. teuk-byeol-hi cha-jeu-si-neun jong-nyu-ga i-sseu-sin-ga-yo? a-ni-myeon eo-tteon jeung-sang ttae-mu-ne pil-yo-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. Is there a specific type you’re looking for? Or what symptoms make you need them? -
Expression: A: 요즘 계속 피곤하고 가끔 다리에 쥐가 나서요. 종합 미네랄 같은 게 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum gye-sok pi-gon-ha-go ga-kkeum da-ri-e jwi-ga na-seo-yo. jong-hap mi-ne-ral ga-teun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’ve been constantly tired lately and sometimes get leg cramps. Would something like a multi-mineral be good? -
Expression: B: 네, 피로 회복과 근육 기능에 도움이 되는 마그네슘이나 칼슘이 포함된 종합 미네랄 제품이 좋겠네요. 이 제품 한번 보세요. 하루 한 알 식후에 드시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, pi-ro hoe-bok-gwa geun-yuk gi-neung-e do-um-i doe-neun ma-geu-ne-syum-i-na kal-syum-i po-ham-doen jong-hap mi-ne-ral je-pum-i jo-ken-ne-yo. i je-pum han-beon bo-se-yo. ha-ru han al sik-hu-e deu-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, a multi-mineral product containing magnesium or calcium, which helps with fatigue recovery and muscle function, would be good. Take a look at this product. You can take one tablet a day after meals. -
Expression: A: 아, 네. 성분도 괜찮아 보이네요. 이걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. seong-bun-do gwaen-chan-a bo-i-ne-yo. i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Ah, okay. The ingredients look good too. I’ll take this one. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 35,000원입니다. 꾸준히 드셔보세요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-sseum-ni-da. sam-man-o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. kku-jun-hi deu-syeo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, understood. It’s 35,000 won. Try taking it consistently.
Practice Tips
Knowing how to talk about supplements like 미네랄 보충제 (mi-ne-ral bo-chung-je) can be very useful! Try practicing the pronunciations out loud~ You can visit a Korean pharmacy (약국 – yak-guk) and try asking about different types of supplements using the phrases learned today. Don’t be shy to ask the pharmacist (약사 – yak-sa) for recommendations (추천 – chu-cheon)! Discussing health topics with Korean friends is also great practice. Keep reviewing, and soon you’ll feel more confident discussing health needs in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
