Understanding healthcare options in Korea includes knowing about traditional Korean medicine, known as Hanbang. This guide introduces the essential Korean term for an Oriental Medicine Hospital, along with related vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate a visit, describe symptoms, and understand cultural aspects of Hanbang treatment.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Oriental Medicine Hospital
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Expression: 한방병원
Pronunciation: han-bang byeong-won
Meaning: Oriental Medicine Hospital (A hospital specializing in traditional Korean medicine treatments like acupuncture, herbal medicine, etc.)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 한의사
Pronunciation: han-ui-sa
Meaning: Oriental Medicine Doctor -
Expression: 침
Pronunciation: chim
Meaning: Acupuncture -
Expression: 뜸
Pronunciation: tteum
Meaning: Moxibustion -
Expression: 한약
Pronunciation: han-yak
Meaning: Korean Herbal Medicine -
Expression: 진료
Pronunciation: jin-ryo
Meaning: Medical Examination/Consultation -
Expression: 예약
Pronunciation: ye-yak
Meaning: Reservation/Appointment -
Expression: 접수
Pronunciation: jeop-su
Meaning: Reception/Registration -
Expression: 처방전
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon
Meaning: Prescription -
Expression: 보험
Pronunciation: bo-heom
Meaning: Insurance -
Expression: 통증
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung
Meaning: Pain -
Expression: 치료
Pronunciation: chi-ryo
Meaning: Treatment -
Expression: 체질
Pronunciation: che-jil
Meaning: Body Constitution (An important concept in Hanbang)
Basic Phrases for Visiting
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Expression: 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to make an appointment. -
Expression: 처음 왔어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum wat-sseo-yo
Meaning: It’s my first time here. -
Expression: 어디가 아프세요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga a-peu-se-yo?
Meaning: Where does it hurt? (Common question from staff/doctor) -
Expression: 진료 받으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: jin-ryo ba-deu-reo wat-sseo-yo
Meaning: I came for a consultation/treatment. -
Expression: 침 맞고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: chim mat-go sip-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to get acupuncture. -
Expression: 한약 처방 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: han-yak cheo-bang ba-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a prescription for herbal medicine? -
Expression: 진료비는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jin-ryo-bi-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the consultation fee? -
Expression: 보험 적용되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeok-yong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is insurance applicable? / Is this covered by insurance? -
Expression: 언제 다시 와야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je da-si wa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When should I come back? -
Expression: 접수 좀 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: jeop-su jom do-wa-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please help me with the registration. -
Expression: 외국인 등록증 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in deung-nok-jjeung yeo-gi it-sseo-yo
Meaning: Here is my Alien Registration Card. -
Expression: 얼마나 기다려야 해요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na gi-da-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How long do I have to wait?
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 허리가 아파요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-ga a-pa-yo
Meaning: My back hurts. -
Expression: 목이 뻣뻣해요.
Pronunciation: mok-i ppeot-ppeot-hae-yo
Meaning: My neck is stiff. -
Expression: 어깨가 결려요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae-ga gyeol-lyeo-yo
Meaning: My shoulders are stiff/sore. -
Expression: 무릎이 시큰거려요.
Pronunciation: mu-reup-i si-keun-geo-ryeo-yo
Meaning: My knee aches/throbs. -
Expression: 소화가 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: so-hwa-ga jal an dwae-yo
Meaning: I have indigestion. / My digestion isn’t good. -
Expression: 기운이 없어요.
Pronunciation: gi-un-i eop-seo-yo
Meaning: I have no energy. / I feel weak. -
Expression: 잠을 잘 못 자요.
Pronunciation: jam-eul jal mot ja-yo
Meaning: I can’t sleep well. / I have trouble sleeping. -
Expression: 손발이 차가워요.
Pronunciation: son-bal-i cha-ga-wo-yo
Meaning: My hands and feet are cold. -
Expression: 자주 피곤해요.
Pronunciation: ja-ju pi-gon-hae-yo
Meaning: I feel tired often. -
Expression: 머리가 아파요.
Pronunciation: meo-ri-ga a-pa-yo
Meaning: I have a headache. -
Expression: 스트레스를 많이 받아요.
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu-reul man-i ba-da-yo
Meaning: I am under a lot of stress. -
Expression: 몸살 기운이 있어요.
Pronunciation: mom-sal gi-un-i it-sseo-yo
Meaning: I feel like I have body aches (like from a cold or flu).
Korean Culture Notes
Traditional Korean Medicine (Hanbang) coexists with Western medicine in Korea and is a widely accepted form of healthcare. Many Koreans visit Hanbang clinics (한의원 – han-ui-won) or hospitals (한방병원 – han-bang byeong-won) for various ailments, especially chronic pain, digestive issues, fatigue, and general wellness.
Common treatments include acupuncture (침 – chim), moxibustion (뜸 – tteum – burning mugwort on or near the skin), cupping (부항 – bu-hang), and personalized herbal medicine (한약 – han-yak).
Hanbang emphasizes holistic health, considering the balance of the body’s energy (Qi or 기 – gi) and the individual’s body constitution (체질 – che-jil). Doctors often ask detailed questions about lifestyle, diet, and stress levels.
Some Hanbang treatments, like acupuncture or cupping for certain conditions, may be partially covered by the National Health Insurance (건강보험 – geon-gang-bo-heom). However, herbal medicine (한약) is often not covered and can be relatively expensive. It’s always best to inquire about insurance coverage and costs beforehand.
You can find Hanbang clinics easily throughout Korean cities and towns, often specializing in areas like spine health, women’s health, or internal medicine.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex (B) is visiting a Hanbang Hospital for the first time due to persistent back pain and approaches the reception desk where Ji-hye (A) is working.
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 어떻게 오셨어요?
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteo-ke o-syeot-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Welcome. How can I help you? / What brings you here? -
Expression: B: 안녕하세요. 진료 받으러 왔는데요. 처음이에요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jin-ryo ba-deu-reo wan-neun-de-yo. cheo-eum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: Hello. I came for a consultation. It’s my first time. -
Expression: A: 네, 성함이랑 연락처 좀 알려주시겠어요? 외국인 등록증 있으시면 같이 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, seong-ham-i-rang yeol-lak-cheo jom al-lyeo-ju-si-get-sseo-yo? oe-guk-in deung-nok-jjeung it-seu-si-myeon ga-chi ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, could you please tell me your name and contact number? If you have an Alien Registration Card, please give it to me as well. -
Expression: B: 네, 이름은 알렉스이고, 전화번호는 010-1234-5678이에요. 여기 등록증이요.
Pronunciation: ne, i-reum-eun al-lek-seu-i-go, jeon-hwa-beon-ho-neun gong-il-gong-il-i-sam-sa-o-yuk-chil-pal-i-e-yo. yeo-gi deung-nok-jjeung-i-yo.
Meaning: Yes, my name is Alex, and my phone number is 010-1234-5678. Here is my registration card. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 어디가 불편해서 오셨어요?
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. eo-di-ga bul-pyeon-hae-seo o-syeot-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Thank you. What symptoms brought you here? / Where are you experiencing discomfort? -
Expression: B: 허리가 계속 아파서 왔어요. 침 치료를 좀 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-ga gye-sok a-pa-seo wat-sseo-yo. chim chi-ryo-reul jom bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I came because my back keeps hurting. I’d like to receive some acupuncture treatment. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 잠시만 앉아서 기다려주시면, 곧 원장님 진료 안내해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man an-ja-seo gi-da-ryeo-ju-si-myeon, got won-jang-nim jin-ryo an-nae-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. If you could please take a seat and wait for a moment, I will guide you to the doctor’s consultation soon. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you.
Practice Tips
Getting familiar with these terms and phrases will make visiting a 한방병원 much smoother! Try practicing the pronunciation, focusing on the syllable breaks provided~ Reading the conversation example aloud with a friend can be really helpful!
Don’t hesitate to use simple sentences when you visit. Pointing to where it hurts and saying “여기 아파요” (yeo-gi a-pa-yo – It hurts here) along with the main symptom word (like 허리 – heo-ri for back) can communicate a lot. Good luck, and hope you feel better soon!
