Understanding medical terminology is crucial when discussing health concerns in a foreign language. This guide focuses on the Korean term for scoliosis, 척추측만증 (cheok-chu-cheuk-man-jeung), providing essential vocabulary and phrases for discussing symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment related to this condition in Korean healthcare settings.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 척추측만증
Pronunciation: cheok-chu-cheuk-man-jeung
Meaning: Scoliosis (literally: spine-side-bending-symptom)
Related Medical Terms
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Expression: 척추
Pronunciation: cheok-chu
Meaning: Spine, Vertebral column -
Expression: 등
Pronunciation: deung
Meaning: Back -
Expression: 허리
Pronunciation: heo-ri
Meaning: Waist, Lower back -
Expression: 어깨
Pronunciation: eo-kkae
Meaning: Shoulder -
Expression: 골반
Pronunciation: gol-ban
Meaning: Pelvis -
Expression: 정형외과
Pronunciation: jeong-hyeong-oe-gwa
Meaning: Orthopedics department -
Expression: 의사
Pronunciation: ui-sa
Meaning: Doctor -
Expression: 진단
Pronunciation: jin-dan
Meaning: Diagnosis -
Expression: 엑스레이
Pronunciation: ek-seu-re-i
Meaning: X-ray -
Expression: 물리치료
Pronunciation: mul-li-chi-ryo
Meaning: Physical therapy -
Expression: 보조기
Pronunciation: bo-jo-gi
Meaning: Brace (medical) -
Expression: 수술
Pronunciation: su-sul
Meaning: Surgery
Describing Symptoms
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Expression: 등이 아파요.
Pronunciation: deung-i a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My back hurts. -
Expression: 허리가 아파요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-ga a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My lower back hurts. -
Expression: 어깨 높이가 달라요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae nop-i-ga dal-la-yo.
Meaning: My shoulder heights are different. -
Expression: 골반이 틀어진 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gol-ban-i teu-reo-jin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like my pelvis is tilted/uneven. -
Expression: 척추가 휜 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: cheok-chu-ga hwin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like my spine is curved. -
Expression: 오래 서 있으면 허리가 아파요.
Pronunciation: o-rae seo i-sseu-myeon heo-ri-ga a-pa-yo.
Meaning: My lower back hurts if I stand for a long time. -
Expression: 자세가 안 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ja-se-ga an jo-a-yo.
Meaning: My posture is bad. -
Expression: 옷이 한쪽으로 기울어요.
Pronunciation: o-si han-jjok-eu-ro gi-u-reo-yo.
Meaning: My clothes hang unevenly (lean to one side). -
Expression: 숨쉬기 조금 불편해요.
Pronunciation: sum-swi-gi jo-geum bul-pyeon-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s slightly uncomfortable to breathe. -
Expression: 피로를 쉽게 느껴요.
Pronunciation: pi-ro-reul swip-ge neu-kkyeo-yo.
Meaning: I feel tired easily.
Asking Questions at the Hospital
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Expression: 척추측만증인가요?
Pronunciation: cheok-chu-cheuk-man-jeung-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it scoliosis? -
Expression: 정확한 진단을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-han jin-dan-eul bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get an accurate diagnosis. -
Expression: 엑스레이를 찍어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ek-seu-re-i-reul jji-geo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to get an X-ray? -
Expression: 척추가 얼마나 휘었나요?
Pronunciation: cheok-chu-ga eol-ma-na hwi-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: How much is the spine curved? (What is the degree of curvature?) -
Expression: 치료가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is treatment necessary? -
Expression: 어떤 치료 방법이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon chi-ryo bang-beop-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of treatment methods are there? -
Expression: 물리치료가 도움이 될까요?
Pronunciation: mul-li-chi-ryo-ga do-um-i doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will physical therapy help? -
Expression: 보조기를 착용해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: bo-jo-gi-reul chak-yong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to wear a brace? -
Expression: 수술 가능성도 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-sul ga-neung-seong-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a possibility of surgery? -
Expression: 일상생활에서 주의할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: il-sang-saeng-hwal-e-seo ju-ui-hal jeom-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any precautions I should take in daily life? -
Expression: 정기적으로 검사를 받아야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-gi-jeog-eu-ro geom-sa-reul ba-da-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to get regular check-ups?
Discussing Treatment
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Expression: 경과를 지켜봅시다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-gwa-reul ji-kyeo-bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s monitor the progress. (Observation) -
Expression: 운동 치료를 권장합니다.
Pronunciation: un-dong chi-ryo-reul gwon-jang-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I recommend exercise therapy. -
Expression: 물리치료를 꾸준히 받으세요.
Pronunciation: mul-li-chi-ryo-reul kku-jun-hi ba-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Please receive physical therapy consistently. -
Expression: 보조기를 하루에 몇 시간 착용해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: bo-jo-gi-reul ha-ru-e myeot si-gan chak-yong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to wear the brace for several hours a day. -
Expression: 자세 교정이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: ja-se gyo-jeong-i jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Posture correction is important. -
Expression: 심한 경우에는 수술을 고려해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sim-han gyeong-u-e-neun su-su-reul go-ryeo-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: In severe cases, surgery should be considered. -
Expression: 수술하면 척추를 교정할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: su-sul-ha-myeon cheok-chu-reul gyo-jeong-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Surgery can correct the spine. -
Expression: 수술 후 회복 기간이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: su-sul hu hoe-bok gi-gan-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A recovery period is needed after surgery. -
Expression: 치료 계획을 세워봅시다.
Pronunciation: chi-ryo gye-hoek-eul se-wo-bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s set up a treatment plan. -
Expression: 다음 진료는 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum jil-lyo-neun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the next appointment?
Korean Culture Notes
When visiting a hospital (병원 – byeong-won) in Korea, especially a larger one, it’s common to first go to the reception desk (접수처 – jeop-su-cheo) to register or state your purpose. You’ll likely be directed to the specific department, such as Orthopedics (정형외과 – jeong-hyeong-oe-gwa).
Doctors (의사 선생님 – ui-sa seon-saeng-nim, often used respectfully) are highly respected. It’s customary to listen attentively and ask questions politely. While directness is increasing, sometimes diagnoses or prognoses might be delivered slightly indirectly, so don’t hesitate to ask for clarification using phrases like “다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?” (da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? – Could you explain that again?).
Follow-up appointments (다음 진료 – da-eum jil-lyo) and adherence to treatment plans, like physical therapy (물리치료 – mul-li-chi-ryo) or wearing a brace (보조기 – bo-jo-gi), are taken seriously. Be sure to understand the schedule and instructions clearly.
While discussing costs upfront isn’t always common in the initial consultation, you can inquire about expected expenses (치료 비용 – chi-ryo bi-yong) at the administration or payment counter (수납 – su-nap) afterwards.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (B) visits an orthopedic doctor (A) concerned about potential scoliosis.
Roles: A = Doctor (의사), B = Patient (환자)
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Expression: A: 어떻게 오셨어요? 어디가 불편하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke o-syeo-sseo-yo? eo-di-ga bul-pyeon-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: How can I help you? What seems to be the problem? -
Expression: B: 최근에 허리 통증이 좀 있고, 어깨 높이가 다른 것 같아서 왔어요. 척추측만증이 아닐까 걱정돼서요.
Pronunciation: choe-geun-e heo-ri tong-jeung-i jom it-go, eo-kkae nop-i-ga da-reun geot ga-ta-seo wa-sseo-yo. cheok-chu-cheuk-man-jeung-i a-nil-kka geok-jeong-dwae-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’ve had some lower back pain recently, and my shoulder heights seem different, so I came. I’m worried it might be scoliosis. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 잠시 검사를 해보겠습니다. 앞으로 숙여보세요… 네, 약간의 척추 만곡이 보이네요. 정확한 진단을 위해 엑스레이를 찍어보는 것이 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. jam-si geom-sa-reul hae-bo-get-seum-ni-da. a-peu-ro su-gyeo-bo-se-yo… ne, yak-gan-ui cheok-chu man-gok-i bo-i-ne-yo. jeong-hwak-han jin-dan-eul wi-hae ek-seu-re-i-reul jji-geo-bo-neun geo-si jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. Let me examine you briefly. Please bend forward… Yes, there seems to be a slight spinal curvature. It would be best to take an X-ray for an accurate diagnosis. -
Expression: B: 엑스레이 결과는 어떤가요? 심한가요?
Pronunciation: ek-seu-re-i gyeol-gwa-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo? sim-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: How are the X-ray results? Is it severe? -
Expression: A: 결과를 보니 경미한 척추측만증이 맞습니다. 각도가 크지 않아서 당장 수술이나 보조기가 필요하진 않습니다. 우선 운동 치료와 자세 교정을 꾸준히 해보는 것이 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-reul bo-ni gyeong-mi-han cheok-chu-cheuk-man-jeung-i mat-seum-ni-da. gak-do-ga keu-ji a-na-seo dang-jang su-sul-i-na bo-jo-gi-ga pil-yo-ha-jin an-seum-ni-da. u-seon un-dong chi-ryo-wa ja-se gyo-jeong-eul kku-jun-hi hae-bo-neun geo-si jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Looking at the results, it is indeed mild scoliosis. The angle isn’t large, so surgery or a brace isn’t immediately necessary. For now, it would be good to consistently try exercise therapy and posture correction. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 어떤 운동을 해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. eo-tteon un-dong-eul hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Okay, I understand. What kind of exercises should I do? -
Expression: A: 물리치료실과 연계해서 맞춤 운동법을 알려드릴게요. 그리고 6개월 후에 다시 엑스레이를 찍어서 경과를 확인해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: mul-li-chi-ryo-sil-gwa yeon-gye-hae-seo mat-chum un-dong-beop-eul al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo. geu-ri-go yuk-gae-wol hu-e da-si ek-seu-re-i-reul jji-geo-seo gyeong-gwa-reul hwag-in-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: I’ll connect you with the physical therapy department to teach you customized exercises. And let’s take another X-ray in 6 months to check the progress.
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with medical terms like 척추측만증 takes practice! Try using the symptom phrases when describing general back discomfort, even if just to yourself~ Role-play the conversation example with a friend or practice partner. Listening to Korean medical dramas (with caution, they can be dramatic!) might also expose you to related vocabulary in context. Don’t be afraid to write down key phrases before a potential doctor’s visit. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
