Finding healthcare for children in a foreign country requires knowing specific terminology. This guide covers essential Korean expressions related to pediatric clinics (소아과 – so-a-gwa), helping you navigate appointments, describe symptoms, and communicate effectively with medical staff when seeking care for your child in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Pediatrics
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Expression: 소아과
Pronunciation: so-a-gwa
Meaning: Pediatrics / Pediatric clinic (This is the primary term used.)
Visiting the Pediatric Clinic
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Expression: 소아과에 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: so-a-gwa-e ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make an appointment at the pediatric clinic. -
Expression: 오늘 진료 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul jil-lyo ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to see a doctor today? -
Expression: 아이가 아파서 왔어요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga a-pa-seo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I came because my child is sick. -
Expression: 처음 왔어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s my first time here. -
Expression: 접수해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeop-su-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please register me / Check me in. -
Expression: 보험증 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: bo-heom-jeung yeo-gi iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Here is the insurance card. -
Expression: 얼마나 기다려야 해요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na gi-da-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How long do I have to wait? -
Expression: 진료실이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: jil-lyo-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the examination room? -
Expression: 의사 선생님 만나러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa seon-saeng-nim man-na-reo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I came to see the doctor. -
Expression: 예방 접종하러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: ye-bang jeop-jong-ha-reo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I came for a vaccination. -
Expression: 건강 검진 받으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang geom-jin bat-eu-reo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I came for a health check-up. -
Expression: 다음 예약은 언제로 할까요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ye-yak-eun eon-je-ro hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: When should I make the next appointment?
Describing Child’s Symptoms
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Expression: 아이가 열이 나요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga yeol-i na-yo.
Meaning: My child has a fever. -
Expression: 기침을 해요.
Pronunciation: gi-chim-eul hae-yo.
Meaning: He/She is coughing. -
Expression: 콧물이 나요.
Pronunciation: kon-mul-i na-yo.
Meaning: He/She has a runny nose. -
Expression: 배가 아프대요.
Pronunciation: bae-ga a-peu-dae-yo.
Meaning: He/She says his/her stomach hurts. -
Expression: 토했어요.
Pronunciation: to-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: He/She vomited. -
Expression: 설사를 해요.
Pronunciation: seol-sa-reul hae-yo.
Meaning: He/She has diarrhea. -
Expression: 피부에 뭐가 났어요.
Pronunciation: pi-bu-e mwo-ga nass-eo-yo.
Meaning: Something appeared on his/her skin. / He/She has a rash. -
Expression: 목이 아프대요.
Pronunciation: mok-i a-peu-dae-yo.
Meaning: He/She says his/her throat hurts. -
Expression: 힘이 없어요.
Pronunciation: him-i eops-eo-yo.
Meaning: He/She has no energy / is lethargic. -
Expression: 잠을 잘 못 자요.
Pronunciation: jam-eul jal mot ja-yo.
Meaning: He/She can’t sleep well. -
Expression: 밥을 잘 안 먹어요.
Pronunciation: bap-eul jal an meok-eo-yo.
Meaning: He/She isn’t eating well. -
Expression: 언제부터 아팠어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-pass-eo-yo?
Meaning: Since when has he/she been sick?
Asking Questions to the Doctor
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Expression: 어디가 안 좋은 건가요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga an jo-eun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is wrong? / What’s the problem? -
Expression: 진단명이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: jin-dan-myeong-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the diagnosis? -
Expression: 심각한 건가요?
Pronunciation: sim-gak-han geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it serious? -
Expression: 어떻게 치료해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke chi-ryo-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should it be treated? -
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 meok-eo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How should this medicine be taken? -
Expression: 부작용은 없나요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-eun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any side effects? -
Expression: 언제 다시 와야 해요?
Pronunciation: eon-je da-si wa-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: When should I come back? -
Expression: 주의할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ju-ui-hal jeom-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any precautions I should take? -
Expression: 전염성이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-yeom-seong-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it contagious? -
Expression: 검사가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: geom-sa-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are any tests needed? -
Expression: 진단서를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo-reul bat-eul su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a doctor’s note/certificate?
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 의사
Pronunciation: ui-sa
Meaning: Doctor -
Expression: 간호사
Pronunciation: gan-ho-sa
Meaning: Nurse -
Expression: 병원
Pronunciation: byeong-won
Meaning: Hospital / Clinic -
Expression: 약국
Pronunciation: yak-guk
Meaning: Pharmacy -
Expression: 약
Pronunciation: yak
Meaning: Medicine -
Expression: 처방전
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon
Meaning: Prescription -
Expression: 예방 접종
Pronunciation: ye-bang jeop-jong
Meaning: Vaccination / Immunization -
Expression: 건강 검진
Pronunciation: geon-gang geom-jin
Meaning: Health check-up -
Expression: 체온
Pronunciation: che-on
Meaning: Body temperature -
Expression: 증상
Pronunciation: jeung-sang
Meaning: Symptom -
Expression: 알레르기
Pronunciation: al-le-reu-gi
Meaning: Allergy -
Expression: 아기 수첩
Pronunciation: a-gi su-cheop
Meaning: Baby health record book
Korean Culture Notes
Appointments Recommended: While walk-ins are sometimes possible, especially for urgent issues, making an appointment (예약 – ye-yak) is highly recommended for pediatric clinics (소아과 – so-a-gwa) to minimize waiting times. Clinics can get very busy, particularly during cold and flu season.
Bring the “Baby Handbook”: Parents in Korea often use an 아기 수첩 (a-gi su-cheop), a small handbook recording the child’s growth, vaccination history, and past illnesses. Bringing this, or your own equivalent health record, is helpful for the doctor.
Pharmacy is Separate: Unlike in some countries, pharmacies (약국 – yak-guk) in Korea are usually separate establishments, often located near clinics or hospitals. You will receive a prescription (처방전 – cheo-bang-jeon) from the doctor and take it to a pharmacy to get the medication.
Efficiency is Key: Korean medical consultations can sometimes feel brief compared to Western standards. Doctors aim for efficiency due to high patient volumes. Prepare your questions beforehand and state the main symptoms clearly.
Parental Involvement: It’s common for parents to be very involved in describing symptoms and asking questions. Don’t hesitate to voice your concerns clearly to the doctor (의사 선생님 – ui-sa seon-saeng-nim).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (A) calls a pediatric clinic (소아과 – so-a-gwa) to make an appointment for their sick child.
Roles: A = Parent, B = Clinic Receptionist
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Expression: B: 네, 행복 소아과입니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, haeng-bok so-a-gwa-im-ni-da. mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, this is Haengbok Pediatrics. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 아이 진료 예약을 하고 싶어서요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, a-i jil-lyo ye-yak-eul ha-go sip-eo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’d like to make an appointment for my child. -
Expression: B: 네, 아이 이름과 생년월일이 어떻게 되나요? 처음 방문이신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, a-i i-reum-gwa saeng-nyeon-wol-il-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo? cheo-eum bang-mun-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Okay, what is the child’s name and date of birth? Is this your first visit? -
Expression: A: 이름은 김민준이고, 2021년 5월 10일생이에요. 네, 처음이에요.
Pronunciation: i-reum-eun gim-min-jun-i-go, i-cheon-i-sip-il-nyeon o-wol sip-il-saeng-i-e-yo. ne, cheo-eum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: His name is Kim Minjun, born May 10, 2021. Yes, it’s our first time. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 아이 증상이 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. a-i jeung-sang-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Understood. What are the child’s symptoms? -
Expression: A: 어젯밤부터 열이 나고 기침을 좀 해요.
Pronunciation: eo-jet-bam-bu-teo yeol-i na-go gi-chim-eul jom hae-yo.
Meaning: He’s had a fever since last night and is coughing a bit. -
Expression: B: 네, 오늘 오후 3시 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, o-neul o-hu se-si gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Okay, is 3 PM today convenient for you? -
Expression: A: 네, 괜찮아요. 3시로 예약해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, gwaen-chan-a-yo. se-si-ro ye-yak-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s fine. Please book the appointment for 3 PM. -
Expression: B: 네, 김민준 어린이, 오늘 오후 3시 예약되었습니다. 10분 전에 오셔서 접수해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, gim-min-jun eo-rin-i, o-neul o-hu se-si ye-yak-doe-eot-seum-ni-da. sip-bun jeon-e o-syeo-seo jeop-su-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, Kim Minjun is booked for 3 PM today. Please come 10 minutes early to register. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Okay, thank you.
Practice Tips
Knowing how to say 소아과 (so-a-gwa) and related phrases is crucial when caring for children in Korea! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or practice saying the symptom descriptions aloud~ Familiarize yourself with the vocabulary for common childhood illnesses. Don’t be afraid to use these phrases when needed; clinics are used to assisting non-Korean speakers, and clear communication is key for your child’s health. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
