Discussing specific herbs or supplements like St. John’s Wort in Korean requires knowing the correct terminology. This guide provides the essential Korean name for St. John’s Wort, along with related vocabulary and practical phrases for discussing health supplements and herbal remedies in Korea, whether you’re at a pharmacy or talking about wellness.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 세인트존스워트
Pronunciation: se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu
Meaning: St. John’s Wort (This is the direct phonetic transcription used in Korean.)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 허브
Pronunciation: heo-beu
Meaning: Herb -
Expression: 약초
Pronunciation: yak-cho
Meaning: Medicinal herb -
Expression: 보충제
Pronunciation: bo-chung-je
Meaning: Supplement -
Expression: 건강기능식품
Pronunciation: geon-gang-gi-neung-sik-pum
Meaning: Health functional food (official term for supplements) -
Expression: 약국
Pronunciation: yak-guk
Meaning: Pharmacy -
Expression: 우울증
Pronunciation: u-ul-jjeung
Meaning: Depression -
Expression: 불안
Pronunciation: bul-an
Meaning: Anxiety -
Expression: 수면 장애
Pronunciation: su-myeon jang-ae
Meaning: Sleep disorder -
Expression: 기분 전환
Pronunciation: gi-bun jeon-hwan
Meaning: Mood improvement / Change of mood -
Expression: 천연 치료제
Pronunciation: cheon-yeon chi-ryo-je
Meaning: Natural remedy -
Expression: 부작용
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong
Meaning: Side effect -
Expression: 복용법
Pronunciation: bok-yong-beop
Meaning: Dosage instructions / How to take
Asking About St. John’s Wort
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Expression: 세인트존스워트 있어요?
Pronunciation: se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have St. John’s Wort? -
Expression: 세인트존스워트는 어디서 살 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu-neun eo-di-seo sal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy St. John’s Wort? -
Expression: 이거 세인트존스워트 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i-geo se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is this St. John’s Wort? -
Expression: 세인트존스워트는 어떤 효과가 있나요?
Pronunciation: se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu-neun eo-tteon hyo-gwa-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: What effects does St. John’s Wort have? -
Expression: 우울감에 도움이 되는 허브를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: u-ul-gam-e do-um-i doe-neun heo-beu-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for an herb that helps with feelings of depression. -
Expression: 세인트존스워트 복용법 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu bok-yong-beop jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to take St. John’s Wort. -
Expression: 부작용은 없나요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-eun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any side effects? -
Expression: 다른 약이랑 같이 먹어도 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: da-reun yak-i-rang ga-chi meo-geo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to take it with other medications? -
Expression: 이 제품은 세인트존스워트 함량이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: i je-pum-eun se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu ham-ryang-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the St. John’s Wort content in this product? -
Expression: 처방전 없이 살 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon eop-si sal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I buy it without a prescription? -
Expression: 액상 타입도 있어요? 아니면 캡슐만 있나요?
Pronunciation: aek-sang ta-ip-do i-sseo-yo? a-ni-myeon kaep-syul-man in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a liquid type? Or only capsules? -
Expression: 가격은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it?
Discussing Health and Supplements
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Expression: 요즘 기분이 좀 안 좋아요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum gi-bun-i jom an jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I’ve been feeling a bit down lately. -
Expression: 잠을 잘 못 자요.
Pronunciation: jam-eul jal mot ja-yo.
Meaning: I can’t sleep well. -
Expression: 스트레스를 많이 받아요.
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni ba-da-yo.
Meaning: I’m under a lot of stress. -
Expression: 건강 보충제를 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang bo-chung-je-reul chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend a health supplement? -
Expression: 천연 성분으로 된 제품을 선호해요.
Pronunciation: cheon-yeon seong-bun-eu-ro doen je-pum-eul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer products with natural ingredients. -
Expression: 이 보충제는 매일 먹어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i bo-chung-je-neun mae-il meo-geo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I take this supplement every day? -
Expression: 의사와 상담해 보는 것이 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: ui-sa-wa sang-dam-hae bo-neun geo-si jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be good to consult with a doctor? -
Expression: 혹시 이 허브에 알레르기가 있을 수도 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i heo-beu-e al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseul su-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to be allergic to this herb? -
Expression: 효과를 보려면 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: hyo-gwa-reul bo-ryeo-myeon eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to see the effects? -
Expression: 이거 먹고 졸릴 수도 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo meok-go jol-lil su-do i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could this make me drowsy? -
Expression: 어떤 브랜드가 가장 인기가 많아요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon beu-raen-deu-ga ga-jang in-gi-ga ma-na-yo?
Meaning: Which brand is the most popular? -
Expression: 유기농 제품인가요?
Pronunciation: yu-gi-nong je-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it an organic product?
Korean Culture Notes
Herbal Remedies and Traditional Medicine: Korea has a long history of using herbal remedies (한약, han-yak). While Western supplements are common, traditional Korean medicine stores (한약방, han-yak-bang) and doctors (한의사, han-ui-sa) are also respected sources for health advice and natural treatments.
Supplements as ‘Health Functional Food’: Supplements are officially categorized as 건강기능식품 (geon-gang-gi-neung-sik-pum). This term is widely used on packaging and in stores. While available in pharmacies (약국, yak-guk), they are also sold in department stores, supermarkets, and dedicated health food stores.
Consultation is Key: While self-medicating with supplements is common, Koreans often consult pharmacists (약사, yak-sa) or doctors before trying new supplements, especially if they have existing health conditions or are taking other medications. Pharmacists in Korea are generally knowledgeable and helpful.
Openness about Mental Wellness: While discussions about mental health are becoming more open, some stigma can still exist. Using terms like ‘mood improvement’ (기분 전환, gi-bun jeon-hwan) or ‘stress relief’ (스트레스 해소, seu-teu-re-seu hae-so) might sometimes feel more comfortable than directly mentioning depression (우울증, u-ul-jjeung) depending on the context and relationship.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is asking a pharmacist (B) about St. John’s Wort at a pharmacy.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 혹시 세인트존스워트 있어요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, hok-si se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello, do you happen to have St. John’s Wort? -
Expression: B: 네, 세인트존스워트 성분 들어간 건강기능식품 몇 가지 있습니다. 어떤 효과를 원하세요?
Pronunciation: ne, se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu seong-bun deu-reo-gan geon-gang-gi-neung-sik-pum myeot ga-ji it-seum-ni-da. eo-tteon hyo-gwa-reul weon-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, we have a few health functional foods containing St. John’s Wort ingredients. What effects are you looking for? -
Expression: A: 요즘 기분이 좀 가라앉고 스트레스를 많이 받아서요. 기분 전환에 도움이 된다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum gi-bun-i jom ga-ra-an-go seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni ba-da-seo-yo. gi-bun jeon-hwan-e do-um-i doen-da-go deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: I’ve been feeling a bit down and stressed lately. I heard it helps with mood improvement. -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 세인트존스워트가 그런 부분에 도움이 될 수 있습니다. 이 제품이 가장 많이 찾으시는 제품이에요. 복용법은 하루에 한 번, 식후에 드시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu-ga geu-reon bu-bun-e do-um-i doel su it-seum-ni-da. i je-pum-i ga-jang ma-ni cha-jeu-si-neun je-pum-i-e-yo. bok-yong-beo-beun ha-ru-e han beon, sik-hu-e deu-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s right. St. John’s Wort can help with that. This is the product most people look for. The dosage is once a day, after a meal. -
Expression: A: 혹시 부작용은 없나요? 제가 다른 영양제도 먹고 있어서요.
Pronunciation: hok-si bu-jak-yong-eun eom-na-yo? je-ga da-reun yeong-yang-je-do meok-go i-sseo-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Are there any side effects? I’m also taking other supplements. -
Expression: B: 일반적으로는 안전한 편이지만, 드물게 광과민성이나 소화불량이 있을 수 있어요. 드시는 다른 약이나 영양제가 있다면 상호작용 가능성이 있으니 알려주시는 게 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: il-ban-jeo-geu-ro-neun an-jeon-han pyeon-i-ji-man, deu-mul-ge gwang-gwa-min-seong-i-na so-hwa-bul-lyang-i i-sseul su i-sseo-yo. deu-si-neun da-reun yak-i-na yeong-yang-je-ga it-da-myeon sang-ho-jak-yong ga-neung-seong-i i-sseu-ni al-lyeo-ju-si-neun ge jot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Generally, it’s quite safe, but rarely, photosensitivity or indigestion can occur. If you are taking other medications or supplements, it’s best to let me know as there could be potential interactions. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 이걸로 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. i-geol-lo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay, I understand. I’ll take this one, please.
Practice Tips
Knowing specific terms like 세인트존스워트 (se-in-teu-jon-seu-weo-teu) is useful when discussing health needs! Try practicing the phrases for asking about availability and effects at a pharmacy or health store setting~ Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner can be very helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask pharmacists (약사님, yak-sa-nim) questions; they are usually happy to assist. Good luck! Fighting!
