Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is a common issue, especially for those who spend long hours working at a computer or performing repetitive tasks. Knowing how to discuss RSI symptoms and seek help in Korean is crucial if you live, work, or study in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to RSI, from describing pain to discussing prevention with healthcare professionals.
Table Of Content
Core Term for RSI
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Expression: 반복성 긴장 증후군
Pronunciation: ban-bok-seong gin-jang jeung-hu-gun
Meaning: Repetitive Strain Injury (Syndrome) – This is the direct translation and medical term for RSI.
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 손목이 아파요.
Pronunciation: son-mok-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My wrist hurts. -
Expression: 팔이 저려요.
Pronunciation: pal-i jeo-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: My arm feels numb / tingles. -
Expression: 손가락이 뻣뻣해요.
Pronunciation: son-ga-rak-i ppeot-ppeot-hae-yo.
Meaning: My fingers feel stiff. -
Expression: 어깨가 결려요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae-ga gyeol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: My shoulder feels stiff / tight. -
Expression: 목 뒤가 뻐근해요.
Pronunciation: mok dwi-ga ppeo-geun-hae-yo.
Meaning: The back of my neck feels stiff / sore. -
Expression: 팔에 힘이 없어요.
Pronunciation: pal-e him-i eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: I have no strength in my arm / My arm feels weak. -
Expression: 타이핑할 때 통증이 있어요.
Pronunciation: ta-i-ping-hal ttae tong-jeung-i it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I feel pain when typing. -
Expression: 손목이 욱신거려요.
Pronunciation: son-mok-i uk-sin-geo-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: My wrist is throbbing. -
Expression: 밤에 통증이 더 심해져요.
Pronunciation: bam-e tong-jeung-i deo sim-hae-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: The pain gets worse at night. -
Expression: 손을 사용할 때 불편해요.
Pronunciation: son-eul sa-yong-hal ttae bul-pyeon-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s uncomfortable when I use my hand. -
Expression: 팔꿈치 안쪽이 아파요.
Pronunciation: pal-kkum-chi an-jjok-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: The inside of my elbow hurts. -
Expression: 근육이 뭉친 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geun-yuk-i mung-chin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It feels like my muscles are knotted.
Visiting a Doctor
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Expression: 정형외과에 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-hyeong-oe-gwa-e ga-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go to an orthopedic clinic. -
Expression: 언제부터 아프셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo a-peu-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Since when have you been in pain? (Doctor might ask this) -
Expression: 컴퓨터 작업을 많이 해요.
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo jak-eop-eul man-i hae-yo.
Meaning: I do a lot of computer work. -
Expression: 어떤 치료가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon chi-ryo-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of treatment is needed? -
Expression: 물리치료를 받아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: mul-li-chi-ryo-reul bad-a-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need physical therapy? -
Expression: 진단서를 써 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jin-dan-seo-reul sseo ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please write me a medical certificate? -
Expression: 이 통증 때문에 잠을 잘 못 자요.
Pronunciation: i tong-jeung ttae-mun-e jam-eul jal mot ja-yo.
Meaning: I can’t sleep well because of this pain. -
Expression: 약을 처방해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yak-eul cheo-bang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please prescribe medication. -
Expression: 주사를 맞으면 나아질까요?
Pronunciation: ju-sa-reul maj-eu-myeon na-a-jil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will it get better if I get an injection? -
Expression: 업무 환경을 바꿔야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eom-mu hwan-gyeong-eul ba-kkwo-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I change my work environment? -
Expression: 엑스레이 검사가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: ek-seu-re-i geom-sa-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is an X-ray examination necessary? -
Expression: 손목 보호대를 착용하는 것이 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: son-mok bo-ho-dae-reul chak-yong-ha-neun geos-i jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be good to wear a wrist brace?
Prevention and Management Phrases
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Expression: 자주 휴식을 취하세요.
Pronunciation: ja-ju hyu-sik-eul chwi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Take breaks often. -
Expression: 스트레칭을 꾸준히 하세요.
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-ching-eul kku-jun-hi ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Stretch regularly. -
Expression: 바른 자세를 유지하세요.
Pronunciation: ba-reun ja-se-reul yu-ji-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Maintain correct posture. -
Expression: 손목 운동을 하는 것이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: son-mok un-dong-eul ha-neun geos-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s good to do wrist exercises. -
Expression: 인체공학적 키보드를 사용해 보세요.
Pronunciation: in-che-gong-hak-jeok ki-bo-deu-reul sa-yong-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try using an ergonomic keyboard. -
Expression: 책상과 의자 높이를 조절하세요.
Pronunciation: chaek-sang-gwa ui-ja nop-i-reul jo-jeol-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Adjust the height of your desk and chair. -
Expression: 무리한 작업은 피하세요.
Pronunciation: mu-ri-han jak-eop-eun pi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Avoid overly strenuous tasks. -
Expression: 찜질을 하면 도움이 될 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: jjim-jil-eul ha-myeon do-um-i doel su it-seo-yo.
Meaning: Applying a hot or cold compress might help. -
Expression: 작업 환경을 개선해야 해요.
Pronunciation: jak-eop hwan-gyeong-eul gae-seon-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to improve your work environment. -
Expression: 마사지를 받는 것도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ma-sa-ji-reul bat-neun geot-do jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Getting a massage is also good. -
Expression: 손목 사용을 줄여야 해요.
Pronunciation: son-mok sa-yong-eul jul-yeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to reduce the use of your wrist. -
Expression: 의사와 상담하는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa-wa sang-dam-ha-neun geos-i jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s important to consult with a doctor.
Korean Culture Notes
In Korea, long working hours are common in many industries, potentially increasing the risk of RSI (반복성 긴장 증후군 – ban-bok-seong gin-jang jeung-hu-gun). While awareness is growing, some may still hesitate to report pain or take frequent breaks due to workplace culture (직장 문화 – jik-jang mun-hwa).
Seeking medical help for pain is generally encouraged. Orthopedic clinics (정형외과 – jeong-hyeong-oe-gwa) and rehabilitation medicine departments (재활의학과 – jae-hwal-ui-hak-gwa) are common places to seek treatment for RSI symptoms. Physical therapy (물리치료 – mul-li-chi-ryo) is a widely accepted treatment method.
Traditional Korean medicine clinics (한의원 – han-ui-won) also offer treatments like acupuncture (침 – chim) or moxibustion (뜸 – tteum), which some people find helpful for musculoskeletal pain relief.
Obtaining a medical certificate (진단서 – jin-dan-seo) from a doctor might be necessary for work accommodations or taking sick leave, depending on company policy.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An office worker (A) tells their colleague (B) about their wrist pain.
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Expression: A: 아, 요즘 계속 손목이 아프네.
Pronunciation: A, yo-jeum gye-sok son-mok-i a-peu-ne.
Meaning: A: Ah, my wrist has been hurting continuously lately. -
Expression: B: 왜 그래요? 컴퓨터 너무 많이 사용해서 그런가 봐요.
Pronunciation: wae geu-rae-yo? keom-pyu-teo neo-mu man-i sa-yong-hae-seo geu-reon-ga bwa-yo.
Meaning: B: Why is that? Maybe it’s because you use the computer too much. -
Expression: A: 그런 것 같아요. 타이핑할 때 특히 더 아파요. 약간 저리기도 하고요.
Pronunciation: geu-reon geot ga-ta-yo. ta-i-ping-hal ttae teuk-i deo a-pa-yo. yak-gan jeo-ri-gi-do ha-go-yo.
Meaning: A: I think so. It hurts more especially when I type. It feels a bit numb/tingly too. -
Expression: B: 반복성 긴장 증후군일 수도 있어요. 병원에 가보는 게 어때요? 정형외과 가보세요.
Pronunciation: ban-bok-seong gin-jang jeung-hu-gun-il su-do it-seo-yo. byeong-won-e ga-bo-neun ge eo-ttae-yo? jeong-hyeong-oe-gwa ga-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: It might be Repetitive Strain Injury. How about going to the hospital? Try visiting an orthopedic clinic. -
Expression: A: 네, 그래야겠어요. 스트레칭도 좀 하고 쉬어야겠네요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-rae-ya-get-seo-yo. seu-teu-re-ching-do jom ha-go swi-eo-ya-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, I should do that. I need to do some stretching and rest too. -
Expression: B: 맞아요. 너무 무리하지 마세요!
Pronunciation: maj-a-yo. neo-mu mu-ri-ha-ji ma-se-yo!
Meaning: B: That’s right. Don’t overdo it!
Practice Tips
Being able to talk about physical discomfort like RSI is important for your well-being in Korea! Try practicing these phrases by describing imaginary symptoms or role-playing a visit to the doctor~
Pay attention to how Koreans describe pain – words like 아프다 (a-peu-da – to hurt), 저리다 (jeo-ri-da – to be numb/tingle), 뻐근하다 (ppeo-geun-ha-da – to be stiff/sore), and 욱신거리다 (uk-sin-geo-ri-da – to throb) are very common. Listening to native speakers talk about aches and pains can also help you internalize these expressions!
Remember to take breaks and stretch if you work long hours! Your health is important~ 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
