Discussing sensitive health topics like palliative care requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to palliative care, helping you navigate conversations about comfort-focused medical support for serious illnesses in Korea. Learn how to discuss options, ask questions, and understand the cultural context surrounding end-of-life care.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 완화의료
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo
Meaning: Palliative Care (Medical care focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses)
Key Terms
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Expression: 호스피스
Pronunciation: ho-seu-pi-seu
Meaning: Hospice -
Expression: 통증 관리
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung gwal-li
Meaning: Pain Management -
Expression: 증상 완화
Pronunciation: jeung-sang wan-hwa
Meaning: Symptom Relief -
Expression: 삶의 질
Pronunciation: sal-mui jil
Meaning: Quality of Life -
Expression: 말기 환자
Pronunciation: mal-gi hwan-ja
Meaning: Terminal Patient -
Expression: 간병인
Pronunciation: gan-byeong-in
Meaning: Caregiver -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Counseling / Consultation -
Expression: 지원
Pronunciation: ji-won
Meaning: Support -
Expression: 의료진
Pronunciation: ui-ryo-jin
Meaning: Medical Staff / Healthcare Team -
Expression: 가족 회의
Pronunciation: ga-jok hoe-ui
Meaning: Family Meeting -
Expression: 사전연명의료의향서
Pronunciation: sa-jeon yeon-myeong ui-ryo ui-hyang-seo
Meaning: Advance Directive / Living Will -
Expression: 임종
Pronunciation: im-jong
Meaning: End of Life / Deathbed
Discussing Palliative Care
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Expression: 완화의료에 대해 알아보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo-e dae-hae ar-a-bo-go sip-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to learn about palliative care. -
Expression: 환자의 고통을 줄이는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: hwan-ja-ui go-tong-eul jul-i-neun geos-i jung-yo-hae-yo
Meaning: Reducing the patient’s suffering is important. -
Expression: 완화의료는 삶의 질 향상에 중점을 둡니다.
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo-neun sal-mui jil hyang-sang-e jung-jeom-eul dum-ni-da
Meaning: Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life. -
Expression: 통증 관리가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung gwal-li-ga pil-yo-hae-yo
Meaning: Pain management is needed. -
Expression: 가족들에게 정서적 지원도 제공됩니다.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-e-ge jeong-seo-jeok ji-won-do je-gong-doem-ni-da
Meaning: Emotional support is also provided to families. -
Expression: 완화의료팀과 상담하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo-tim-gwa sang-dam-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da
Meaning: I would like to consult with the palliative care team. -
Expression: 호스피스 병동으로 옮기는 것을 고려하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ho-seu-pi-seu byeong-dong-eu-ro om-gi-neun geos-eul go-ryeo-ha-go iss-eo-yo
Meaning: We are considering moving to the hospice ward. -
Expression: 환자의 의사를 존중해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: hwan-ja-ui ui-sa-reul jon-jung-hae-ya ham-ni-da
Meaning: We must respect the patient’s wishes. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 지원을 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui ji-won-eul bad-eul su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of support can we receive? -
Expression: 완화의료는 치료 포기가 아닙니다.
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo-neun chi-ryo po-gi-ga a-nim-ni-da
Meaning: Palliative care is not giving up on treatment. -
Expression: 증상 조절에 집중하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeung-sang jo-jeol-e jip-jung-ha-go sip-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to focus on symptom control. -
Expression: 편안하게 지내실 수 있도록 돕겠습니다.
Pronunciation: pyeon-an-ha-ge ji-nae-sil su iss-do-rok dop-gess-seum-ni-da
Meaning: We will help them stay comfortable.
Asking Questions
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Expression: 완화의료 대상 기준이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo dae-sang gi-jun-i eo-tteoh-ge doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the eligibility criteria for palliative care? -
Expression: 완화의료 비용은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo bi-yong-eun eo-tteoh-ge doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How much does palliative care cost? -
Expression: 건강보험 적용이 되나요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang-bo-heom jeog-yong-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it covered by health insurance? -
Expression: 완화의료팀에는 누가 포함되나요?
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo-tim-e-neun nu-ga po-ham-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Who is included in the palliative care team? -
Expression: 어떤 서비스를 제공하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seo-bi-seu-reul je-gong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What services do you provide? -
Expression: 가족 상담도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jok sang-dam-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is family counseling available? -
Expression: 집에서도 완화의료를 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jib-e-seo-do wan-hwa ui-ryo-reul bad-eul su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can palliative care be received at home? -
Expression: 통증 조절은 어떻게 이루어지나요?
Pronunciation: tong-jjeung jo-jeol-eun eo-tteoh-ge i-ru-eo-ji-na-yo?
Meaning: How is pain control managed? -
Expression: 환자의 상태가 변하면 어떻게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: hwan-ja-ui sang-tae-ga byeon-ha-myeon eo-tteoh-ge hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What should we do if the patient’s condition changes? -
Expression: 사전연명의료의향서 작성을 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jeon yeon-myeong ui-ryo ui-hyang-seo jak-seong-eul do-wa-ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help with writing an advance directive? -
Expression: 응급 상황 시 연락처는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: eung-geup sang-hwang si yeol-lak-cheo-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the contact number for emergencies? -
Expression: 방문 간호 서비스가 있나요?
Pronunciation: bang-mun gan-ho seo-bi-seu-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there home nursing services?
Cultural Tips
Family-Centered Decisions: End-of-life care decisions in Korea often heavily involve the family, not just the patient. Open communication within the family and with the medical team is crucial, though direct discussion about death can sometimes be avoided.
Respect for Elders and Authority: Decisions may be influenced by the opinions of elder family members or the perceived authority of doctors. Healthcare professionals often take a guiding role in discussions.
Concept of ‘Hyo’ (Filial Piety): The cultural value of 효 (hyo), or filial piety, strongly influences care decisions. Children often feel a deep responsibility to provide the best possible care for their parents, which can sometimes conflict with the patient’s own wishes for comfort care over aggressive treatment.
Changing Attitudes: While traditionally discussions about death were often taboo, awareness and acceptance of palliative care and advance directives (사전연명의료의향서 – sa-jeon yeon-myeong ui-ryo ui-hyang-seo) are growing, especially with legal frameworks supporting patient autonomy.
Importance of Comfort: While aggressive treatments might be pursued initially, the focus on providing comfort and minimizing suffering in the final stages is increasingly recognized as an important aspect of care in Korea.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A daughter (B) is talking to a doctor (A) about palliative care options for her elderly father.
Roles: A = Doctor (의사 – ui-sa), B = Daughter (딸 – ttal)
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Expression: A: 아버님의 현재 상태를 고려했을 때, 완화의료에 대해 논의해 볼 시점인 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: a-beo-nim-ui hyeon-jae sang-tae-reul go-ryeo-haess-eul ttae, wan-hwa ui-ryo-e dae-hae non-ui-hae bol si-jeom-in geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Considering your father’s current condition, it seems like it’s time to discuss palliative care. -
Expression: B: 완화의료요? 그게 정확히 뭔가요? 치료를 포기하는 건가요?
Pronunciation: wan-hwa ui-ryo-yo? geu-ge jeong-hwak-hi mwon-ga-yo? chi-ryo-reul po-gi-ha-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Palliative care? What exactly is that? Does it mean giving up on treatment? -
Expression: A: 아닙니다. 완화의료는 치료 포기가 아니라, 환자분의 통증과 증상을 적극적으로 관리해서 삶의 질을 높이는 데 집중하는 것입니다.
Pronunciation: a-nim-ni-da. wan-hwa ui-ryo-neun chi-ryo po-gi-ga a-ni-ra, hwan-ja-bun-ui tong-jjeung-gwa jeung-sang-eul jeok-geuk-jeog-eu-ro gwal-li-hae-seo sal-mui jil-eul nop-i-neun de jip-jung-ha-neun geos-im-ni-da.
Meaning: No, palliative care isn’t giving up on treatment. It focuses on actively managing the patient’s pain and symptoms to improve their quality of life. -
Expression: B: 아… 그럼 아버지가 좀 더 편안하게 지내실 수 있도록 돕는 거군요.
Pronunciation: a… geu-reom a-beo-ji-ga jom deo pyeon-an-ha-ge ji-nae-sil su iss-do-rok dom-neun geo-gun-yo.
Meaning: Ah… so it’s about helping my father be more comfortable. -
Expression: A: 네, 맞습니다. 통증 관리, 호흡 곤란 완화, 그리고 환자와 가족분들을 위한 심리적, 사회적 지원도 포함됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, maj-seum-ni-da. tong-jjeung gwal-li, ho-heup gol-lan wan-hwa, geu-ri-go hwan-ja-wa ga-jok-bun-deul-eul wi-han sim-ni-jeok, sa-hoe-jeok ji-won-do po-ham-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, that’s correct. It includes pain management, easing breathing difficulties, and also psychological and social support for the patient and family. -
Expression: B: 가족들과 상의해 봐야겠어요. 어떤 절차가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-gwa sang-ui-hae bwa-ya-gess-eo-yo. eo-tteon jeol-cha-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: I need to discuss this with my family. What procedures are required? -
Expression: A: 먼저 저희 완화의료팀과 상담을 진행하고, 아버님과 가족분들의 동의 하에 계획을 세우게 됩니다. 자세한 안내 자료를 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo jeo-hui wan-hwa ui-ryo-tim-gwa sang-dam-eul jin-haeng-ha-go, a-beo-nim-gwa ga-jok-bun-deul-ui dong-ui ha-e gye-hoek-eul se-u-ge doem-ni-da. ja-se-han an-nae ja-ryo-reul deu-ri-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: First, you’ll have a consultation with our palliative care team, and then we’ll create a plan with the consent of your father and the family. I will give you detailed information materials. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 잘 읽어보고 다시 연락드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jal il-geo-bo-go da-si yeol-lak-deu-ri-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. I will read it carefully and contact you again.
Practice Tips
Discussing palliative care involves sensitive topics. Practice these phrases focusing on clear pronunciation and a calm, respectful tone~.
Role-play conversations with a language partner or tutor, imagining scenarios like talking to a doctor or family member about 완화의료 (wan-hwa ui-ryo). This helps build confidence for real situations!
Review the key terms regularly. Understanding words like 통증 관리 (tong-jjeung gwal-li – pain management) and 삶의 질 (sal-mui jil – quality of life) is crucial for meaningful conversations!
While potentially difficult, watching Korean dramas or documentaries that touch upon hospital settings or family health issues might offer context (use discretion, as portrayals can be dramatized). Listen for how these terms are used.
Remember, using the correct terminology shows respect and facilitates clearer communication during potentially difficult times. Keep practicing these important expressions!
