Dealing with pain while in Korea requires knowing how to communicate effectively with healthcare providers. This guide covers essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to visiting a 통증클리닉 (tong-jeung-keul-li-nik), or pain clinic. You’ll learn how to make appointments, describe your symptoms, and understand basic interactions during your visit, helping you navigate pain management services in Korea more easily.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 통증클리닉
Pronunciation: tong-jeung-keul-li-nik
Meaning: Pain Clinic (This term directly borrows from English “clinic” combined with the Korean word for pain)
Basic Vocabulary for Pain Clinics
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Expression: 통증
Pronunciation: tong-jeung
Meaning: Pain -
Expression: 의사
Pronunciation: ui-sa
Meaning: Doctor -
Expression: 간호사
Pronunciation: gan-ho-sa
Meaning: Nurse -
Expression: 예약
Pronunciation: ye-yak
Meaning: Appointment / Reservation -
Expression: 진료
Pronunciation: jil-lyo
Meaning: Medical examination / Consultation / Treatment -
Expression: 처방전
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon
Meaning: Prescription -
Expression: 약
Pronunciation: yak
Meaning: Medicine -
Expression: 주사
Pronunciation: ju-sa
Meaning: Injection / Shot -
Expression: 물리치료
Pronunciation: mul-li-chi-ryo
Meaning: Physical therapy -
Expression: 허리
Pronunciation: heo-ri
Meaning: Back / Waist -
Expression: 어깨
Pronunciation: eo-kkae
Meaning: Shoulder -
Expression: 무릎
Pronunciation: mu-reup
Meaning: Knee
Making an Appointment
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Expression: 여보세요, 통증클리닉인가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, tong-jeung-keul-li-nik-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Hello, is this the pain clinic? -
Expression: 진료 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jil-lyo ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to make an appointment for a consultation. -
Expression: 오늘 예약 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul ye-yak ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to make an appointment today? -
Expression: 가장 빠른 시간이 언제예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ppa-reun si-gan-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the earliest available time? -
Expression: 내일 오후 2시 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: nae-il o-hu du-si gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Is 2 PM tomorrow okay? -
Expression: 네, 그 시간으로 예약할게요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu si-gan-eu-ro ye-yak-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll book for that time. -
Expression: 제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다.
Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun [Your Name]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My name is [Your Name]. -
Expression: 처음 방문이에요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum bang-mun-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s my first visit. -
Expression: 예약 확인 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: ye-yak hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Please confirm my appointment. -
Expression: 예약을 변경하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-eul byeon-gyeong-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to change my appointment. -
Expression: 예약을 취소해야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-eul chwi-so-hae-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to cancel my appointment.
Describing Your Pain
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Expression: 여기가 아파요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga a-pa-yo.
Meaning: It hurts here. (Point to the area) -
Expression: 허리가 아파요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-ga a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My back hurts. -
Expression: 어깨 통증이 있어요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae tong-jeung-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have shoulder pain. -
Expression: 무릎이 쑤셔요.
Pronunciation: mu-reup-i ssu-syeo-yo.
Meaning: My knee is throbbing/aching. -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you been hurting? (Doctor might ask this) -
Expression: 어제부터 아팠어요.
Pronunciation: eo-je-bu-teo a-pass-eo-yo.
Meaning: It started hurting yesterday. -
Expression: 찌르는 듯이 아파요.
Pronunciation: jji-reu-neun deus-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: It’s a sharp/stabbing pain. -
Expression: 욱신거려요 / 뻐근해요.
Pronunciation: uk-sin-geo-ryeo-yo / ppeo-geun-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s a dull ache / It feels stiff. -
Expression: 움직일 때 더 아파요.
Pronunciation: um-jik-il ttae deo a-pa-yo.
Meaning: It hurts more when I move. -
Expression: 통증이 심해요.
Pronunciation: tong-jeung-i sim-hae-yo.
Meaning: The pain is severe. -
Expression: 가만히 있어도 아파요.
Pronunciation: ga-man-hi iss-eo-do a-pa-yo.
Meaning: It hurts even when I’m still.
During the Consultation
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Expression: 어떤 치료가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon chi-ryo-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of treatment is needed? -
Expression: 주사를 맞아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ju-sa-reul maj-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need an injection? -
Expression: 물리치료를 받아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: mul-li-chi-ryo-reul bad-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need physical therapy? -
Expression: 약을 처방해 주실 건가요?
Pronunciation: yak-eul cheo-bang-hae ju-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Will you prescribe medicine? -
Expression: 이 약은 어떻게 먹어야 해요?
Pronunciation: i yak-eun eo-tteo-ke meog-eo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How should I take this medicine? -
Expression: 부작용은 없나요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-eun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any side effects? -
Expression: 얼마나 자주 와야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na ja-ju wa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How often do I need to come? -
Expression: 치료 기간은 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will the treatment period take? -
Expression: 주의해야 할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ju-ui-hae-ya hal jeom-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything I should be careful about? -
Expression: 진단서가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a medical certificate/doctor’s note. -
Expression: 보험 적용되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeok-yong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is insurance applicable? / Is it covered by insurance?
Korean Culture Notes
Specialized Clinics: Korea has many specialized clinics, including 통증클리닉 (tong-jeung-keul-li-nik). These are common and often focus on specific types of pain, like back pain (허리 통증 – heo-ri tong-jeung) or shoulder pain (어깨 통증 – eo-kkae tong-jeung), often utilizing both Western and sometimes traditional Korean medical approaches.
Appointments are Recommended: While walk-ins might be possible at some clinics, making an appointment (예약 – ye-yak) is highly recommended, especially for initial consultations or popular clinics. This ensures you can see the doctor without excessive waiting times.
Direct Communication: Korean doctors tend to be direct but professional. Be prepared to clearly and concisely explain your symptoms. Using the phrases for describing pain type (sharp, dull, aching) can be very helpful.
Physical Therapy and Injections: Physical therapy (물리치료 – mul-li-chi-ryo) and injections (주사 – ju-sa) are common treatments offered at pain clinics alongside medication. Don’t be surprised if these are recommended as part of your treatment plan.
National Health Insurance: If you are covered by the Korean National Health Insurance (국민건강보험 – guk-min-geon-gang-bo-heom), many treatments at pain clinics will be partially covered, significantly reducing the cost. Always present your insurance card (or Alien Registration Card) at the reception.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex needs to make an appointment at a pain clinic for persistent back pain.
Roles: A = Alex (Patient), B = Clinic Receptionist
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Expression: A: 여보세요, 거기 통증클리닉 맞나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, geo-gi tong-jeung-keul-li-nik maj-na-yo?
Meaning: Hello, is this the pain clinic? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, maj-seum-ni-da. mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, it is. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 진료 예약을 하고 싶어서 전화드렸어요. 허리가 계속 아파서요.
Pronunciation: jil-lyo ye-yak-eul ha-go sip-eo-seo jeon-hwa-deu-ryeoss-eo-yo. heo-ri-ga gye-sok a-pa-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m calling because I’d like to make an appointment. My back keeps hurting. -
Expression: B: 네, 성함과 연락처를 말씀해 주시겠어요? 처음 방문이신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, seong-ham-gwa yeol-lak-cheo-reul mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo? cheo-eum bang-mun-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Okay, could you please tell me your name and contact number? Is this your first visit? -
Expression: A: 제 이름은 알렉스이고, 전화번호는 010-1234-5678입니다. 네, 처음이에요.
Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun al-lek-seu-i-go, jeon-hwa-beon-ho-neun gong-il-gong-il-i-sam-sa-o-ryuk-chil-pal-im-ni-da. ne, cheo-eum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: My name is Alex, and my phone number is 010-1234-5678. Yes, it’s my first time. -
Expression: B: 네, 알렉스 님. 언제가 편하세요? 내일 오후 3시는 어떠신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, al-lek-seu nim. eon-je-ga pyeon-ha-se-yo? nae-il o-hu se-si-neun eo-tteo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Okay, Mr./Ms. Alex. When would be convenient for you? How about 3 PM tomorrow afternoon? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 3시로 예약할게요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. se-si-ro ye-yak-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s good. I’ll book for 3 o’clock. -
Expression: B: 네, 내일 오후 3시로 예약되었습니다. 신분증이나 외국인등록증 꼭 지참해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, nae-il o-hu se-si-ro ye-yak-doe-eoss-seum-ni-da. sin-bun-jjeung-i-na oe-guk-in-deung-nok-jjeung kkok ji-cham-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, you are booked for 3 PM tomorrow. Please make sure to bring your ID card or Alien Registration Card. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: al-gess-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Understood. Thank you!
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these terms before you need them is key! Try practicing the pronunciation of different body parts and types of pain~ Role-play making a phone call to book an appointment or describing your symptoms to a friend. Reviewing the vocabulary related to treatment options like 물리치료 (mul-li-chi-ryo) and 주사 (ju-sa) will also be helpful. Don’t hesitate to write down key phrases before your visit. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon!
