Discussing health topics like weight and obesity requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to 비만 (biman), meaning obesity, helping you navigate conversations about health, diet, and doctor visits in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 비만
Pronunciation: bi-man
Meaning: Obesity
Basic Health Terms
-
Expression: 건강
Pronunciation: geon-gang
Meaning: Health -
Expression: 체중
Pronunciation: che-jung
Meaning: Body weight -
Expression: 과체중
Pronunciation: gwa-che-jung
Meaning: Overweight -
Expression: 다이어트
Pronunciation: da-i-eo-teu
Meaning: Diet (often implies weight loss diet) -
Expression: 운동
Pronunciation: un-dong
Meaning: Exercise -
Expression: 식단
Pronunciation: sik-dan
Meaning: Meal plan, diet (general eating habits) -
Expression: 칼로리
Pronunciation: kal-lo-ri
Meaning: Calorie -
Expression: 영양
Pronunciation: yeong-yang
Meaning: Nutrition -
Expression: 병원
Pronunciation: byeong-won
Meaning: Hospital, clinic -
Expression: 의사
Pronunciation: ui-sa
Meaning: Doctor -
Expression: 혈압
Pronunciation: hyeo-rap
Meaning: Blood pressure -
Expression: 당뇨병
Pronunciation: dang-nyo-byeong
Meaning: Diabetes
Discussing Weight and Health
-
Expression: 요즘 살이 좀 쪘어요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum sa-ri jom jjyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’ve gained some weight recently. -
Expression: 체중 관리가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: che-jung gwan-ri-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to manage my weight. -
Expression: 건강 검진을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang geom-ji-neul bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get a health check-up. -
Expression: 의사 선생님이 비만이라고 하셨어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-ni-mi bi-ma-ni-ra-go ha-syeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The doctor said I have obesity. -
Expression: 다이어트를 시작해야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: da-i-eo-teu-reul si-ja-kae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to start a diet. -
Expression: 규칙적으로 운동하는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: gyu-chik-jeo-geu-ro un-dong-ha-neun geo-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s important to exercise regularly. -
Expression: 건강한 식단을 유지하려고 노력 중이에요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-han sik-da-neul yu-ji-ha-ryeo-go no-ryeok jung-i-e-yo.
Meaning: I’m trying to maintain a healthy diet. -
Expression: 체중 때문에 건강이 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: che-jung ttae-mu-ne geon-gang-i geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried about my health because of my weight. -
Expression: 어떤 운동이 체중 감량에 도움이 될까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon un-dong-i che-jung gam-nyang-e do-u-mi doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: What kind of exercise is helpful for weight loss? -
Expression: 고칼로리 음식을 피해야 해요.
Pronunciation: go-kal-lo-ri eum-si-geul pi-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to avoid high-calorie foods. -
Expression: 영양 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-yang sang-da-meul bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get nutritional counseling. -
Expression: 생활 습관을 바꿔야 해요.
Pronunciation: saeng-hwal seup-gwa-neul ba-kkwo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to change my lifestyle habits.
Visiting a Doctor
-
Expression: 의사 선생님, 건강 상담 좀 받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim, geon-gang sang-dam jom bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Doctor, I’d like to have a health consultation. -
Expression: 제 체질량 지수(BMI)가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: je che-jil-lyang ji-su-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is my Body Mass Index (BMI)? -
Expression: 비만으로 인한 합병증이 걱정됩니다.
Pronunciation: bi-ma-neu-ro i-nan hap-byeong-jeung-i geok-jeong-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m worried about complications due to obesity. -
Expression: 어떤 치료 방법이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon chi-ryo bang-beo-bi i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: What treatment options are available? -
Expression: 식단 조절에 대해 조언해 주세요.
Pronunciation: sik-dan jo-jeo-re dae-hae jo-eo-nae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please advise me on diet control. -
Expression: 운동 처방을 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: un-dong cheo-bang-eul ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get an exercise prescription? -
Expression: 혈압이랑 혈당 검사를 해주세요.
Pronunciation: hyeo-ra-bi-rang hyeol-dang geom-sa-reul hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check my blood pressure and blood sugar. -
Expression: 약물 치료가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: yak-mul chi-ryo-ga pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is medication necessary? -
Expression: 정기적으로 병원에 와야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-gi-jeo-geu-ro byeong-wo-ne wa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to come to the hospital regularly? -
Expression: 체중 감량 목표를 어떻게 세워야 할까요?
Pronunciation: che-jung gam-nyang mok-pyo-reul eo-tteo-ke se-wo-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should I set my weight loss goals? -
Expression: 건강 상태를 자세히 설명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang sang-tae-reul ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please explain my health condition in detail. -
Expression: 다음 진료는 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum jil-lyo-neun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the next appointment?
Cultural Tips
Discussing weight can be a sensitive topic in Korea, as it is elsewhere. While people might comment on weight more directly than in some Western cultures, it’s often framed around concern for health rather than solely appearance.
Using terms like 건강 (geon-gang – health) when discussing weight can make the conversation feel less judgmental. For example, saying “건강을 위해 체중 관리가 필요해요” (geon-gang-eul wi-hae che-jung gwan-ri-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo – I need to manage my weight for my health).
Doctors and health professionals will use the term 비만 (bi-man – obesity) clinically. It’s a medical term, so don’t be alarmed if you hear it in a healthcare setting; it’s used for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Compliments about weight loss are common, but direct criticism about weight gain, while sometimes occurring between close friends or family, should generally be avoided in polite conversation unless framed carefully around health concerns.
When visiting a doctor, be prepared to discuss lifestyle habits like diet (식단 – sik-dan) and exercise (운동 – un-dong) openly, as these are key factors in managing weight and overall health in Korean medical practice.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) is visiting a doctor (B) for a health check-up and discussing weight concerns.
-
Expression: A: 의사 선생님, 안녕하세요. 건강 검진 결과가 나왔나요?
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. geon-gang geom-jin gyeol-gwa-ga na-wan-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello, Doctor. Are my health check-up results ready? -
Expression: B: 네, 결과 나왔습니다. 전반적으로 괜찮으신데, 체중이 좀 늘으셨네요. BMI 수치상으로는 경도 비만입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gyeol-gwa na-wat-seum-ni-da. jeon-ban-jeo-geu-ro gwaen-cha-neu-sin-de, che-jung-i jom neu-reu-syeon-ne-yo. BMI su-chi-sang-eu-ro-neun gyeong-do bi-man-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, the results are here. Overall, you’re fine, but your weight has increased a bit. According to your BMI, it’s mild obesity. -
Expression: A: 아, 네… 요즘 운동을 거의 못 해서 살이 찐 것 같아요. 건강이 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: a, ne… yo-jeum un-dong-eul geo-ui mot hae-seo sa-ri jjin geot ga-ta-yo. geon-gang-i geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: A: Ah, yes… I think I gained weight because I haven’t been able to exercise much lately. I’m worried about my health. -
Expression: B: 네, 체중 관리가 필요해 보입니다. 식단 조절과 규칙적인 운동을 시작하시는 게 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, che-jung gwan-ri-ga pi-ryo-hae bo-im-ni-da. sik-dan jo-jeol-gwa gyu-chik-jeo-gin un-dong-eul si-ja-ka-si-neun ge jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, weight management seems necessary. It would be good to start controlling your diet and exercising regularly. -
Expression: A: 어떤 운동이 좋을까요? 그리고 식단은 어떻게 조절해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon un-dong-i jo-eul-kka-yo? geu-ri-go sik-da-neun eo-tteo-ke jo-jeol-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: What kind of exercise would be good? And how should I adjust my diet? -
Expression: B: 우선 걷기나 조깅 같은 유산소 운동을 일주일에 3번 이상 하시고, 고칼로리 음식과 야식은 피하시는 게 좋습니다. 자세한 내용은 영양 상담을 연결해 드릴 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: u-seon geot-gi-na jo-ging ga-teun yu-san-so un-dong-eul il-ju-i-re sam-beon i-sang ha-si-go, go-kal-lo-ri eum-sik-gwa ya-si-geun pi-ha-si-neun ge jo-seum-ni-da. ja-se-han nae-yong-eun yeong-yang sang-da-meul yeon-gyeol-hae deu-ril su-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Firstly, do aerobic exercises like walking or jogging at least 3 times a week, and it’s good to avoid high-calorie foods and late-night snacks. I can also connect you for nutritional counseling for more details.
Practice Tips
Understanding terms related to health and weight like 비만 (bi-man) is important for navigating healthcare in Korea or discussing health concerns. Try using these phrases when talking about your own health goals or understanding advice from professionals~!
Practice saying the terms aloud, focusing on the syllable pronunciation. You can role-play a doctor’s visit or a conversation with a friend about starting a diet (다이어트 – da-i-eo-teu) or exercise (운동 – un-dong) routine. Good luck with your Korean studies and stay healthy!
