Achieving a brighter smile is a common goal, and knowing how to discuss teeth whitening in Korean is essential if you’re considering the procedure at a dental clinic in Korea. This guide covers the key term for teeth whitening and related vocabulary and phrases you’ll need when visiting a dentist.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 치아미백
Pronunciation: chi-a-mi-baek
Meaning: Teeth Whitening (치아 chi-a = teeth, 미백 mi-baek = whitening)
Basic Vocabulary
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Expression: 치과
Pronunciation: chi-gwa
Meaning: Dental clinic / Dentist’s office -
Expression: 치과의사
Pronunciation: chi-gwa-ui-sa
Meaning: Dentist -
Expression: 치아
Pronunciation: chi-a
Meaning: Teeth -
Expression: 이
Pronunciation: i
Meaning: Tooth / Teeth (more colloquial) -
Expression: 예약
Pronunciation: ye-yak
Meaning: Appointment / Reservation -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Consultation -
Expression: 비용 / 가격
Pronunciation: bi-yong / ga-gyeok
Meaning: Cost / Price -
Expression: 시술
Pronunciation: si-sul
Meaning: Procedure / Treatment -
Expression: 효과
Pronunciation: hyo-gwa
Meaning: Effect / Result -
Expression: 부작용
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong
Meaning: Side effect -
Expression: 시리다
Pronunciation: si-ri-da
Meaning: To be sensitive (often used for teeth) -
Expression: 주의사항
Pronunciation: ju-ui-sa-hang
Meaning: Precautions / Things to note
At the Dentist
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Expression: 치아미백 상담받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: chi-a-mi-baek sang-dam-bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to have a consultation for teeth whitening. -
Expression: 치아미백 예약하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: chi-a-mi-baek ye-yak-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to make an appointment for teeth whitening. -
Expression: 치아미백 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: chi-a-mi-baek bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does teeth whitening cost? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 미백 시술이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui mi-baek si-sul-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kinds of whitening procedures are available? -
Expression: 시술 시간은 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: si-sul si-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the procedure take? -
Expression: 효과는 얼마나 지속되나요?
Pronunciation: hyo-gwa-neun eol-ma-na ji-sok-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long do the effects last? -
Expression: 아픈가요? / 시술 중 통증이 있나요?
Pronunciation: a-peun-ga-yo? / si-sul jung tong-jjeung-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it painful? / Is there pain during the procedure? -
Expression: 부작용은 없나요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-eun eop-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any side effects? -
Expression: 제 치아 상태에 미백이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: je chi-a sang-tae-e mi-baek-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is teeth whitening possible for my teeth condition? -
Expression: 보험 적용이 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeok-yong-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it covered by insurance? (Note: Cosmetic procedures like whitening usually aren’t.) -
Expression: 오늘 바로 시술받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: o-neul ba-ro si-sul-bat-eul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get the procedure done today? -
Expression: 미백 전에 스케일링이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: mi-baek jeon-e seu-ke-il-ling-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is scaling (cleaning) necessary before whitening?
Discussing Results and Aftercare
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Expression: 시술 후에 이가 시릴 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: si-sul hu-e i-ga si-ril su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can my teeth be sensitive after the procedure? -
Expression: 얼마나 하얘질까요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na ha-yae-jil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How much whiter will they get? -
Expression: 결과가 마음에 들어요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-ga ma-eum-e deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m happy with the results. -
Expression: 생각보다 효과가 적은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-bo-da hyo-gwa-ga jeok-eun geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think the effect is less than I expected. -
Expression: 시술 후 주의사항이 있나요?
Pronunciation: si-sul hu ju-ui-sa-hang-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any precautions after the procedure? -
Expression: 어떤 음식을 피해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon eum-sik-eul pi-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What foods should I avoid? -
Expression: 커피나 카레 같은 색소 있는 음식은 피하세요.
Pronunciation: keo-pi-na ka-re ga-teun saek-so it-neun eum-sik-eun pi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please avoid foods with pigments like coffee or curry. -
Expression: 얼마나 오랫동안 주의해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na o-raet-dong-an ju-ui-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How long should I be careful? -
Expression: 이가 너무 시려요.
Pronunciation: i-ga neo-mu si-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: My teeth are very sensitive. -
Expression: 추가 미백이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga mi-baek-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is additional whitening needed? -
Expression: 정기적으로 검진받으러 와야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-gi-jeok-eu-ro geom-jin-bat-eu-reo wa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to come for regular check-ups?
Korean Culture Notes
Appearance, including a bright smile, is often considered important in South Korea. As a result, cosmetic dental procedures like teeth whitening are quite common and readily available.
Korean dental clinics (치과 – chi-gwa) are known for their modern technology and efficient service. Many clinics, especially in larger cities like Seoul, have staff who can speak some English, but knowing basic Korean phrases is always helpful.
Teeth whitening is generally considered a cosmetic procedure and is typically not covered by the national health insurance. Be prepared to pay the full cost out-of-pocket.
It’s common for clinics to recommend scaling (스케일링 – seu-ke-il-ling) before a whitening procedure for better results. This is often offered as part of a package or as a separate service.
Don’t hesitate to ask detailed questions about the procedure, potential sensitivity (시림 – si-rim), expected results, and aftercare. Dentists are usually thorough in their explanations.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A patient (A) calls a dental clinic to inquire about teeth whitening.
Roles: A: Patient, B: Clinic Receptionist
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Expression: A: 여보세요, 거기 XX치과 맞나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, geo-gi XX-chi-gwa mat-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello, is this XX Dental Clinic? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, it is. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 치아미백에 대해서 문의하고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: chi-a-mi-baek-e dae-hae-seo mun-ui-ha-go sip-eun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: I’d like to inquire about teeth whitening. -
Expression: B: 네, 치아미백 상담 원하시는군요. 혹시 처음 방문이신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, chi-a-mi-baek sang-dam won-ha-si-neun-gun-yo. hok-si cheo-eum bang-mun-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, you’d like a consultation for teeth whitening. Is this your first visit? -
Expression: A: 네, 처음이에요. 미백 비용은 대략 얼마 정도 하나요?
Pronunciation: ne, cheo-eum-i-e-yo. mi-baek bi-yong-eun dae-ryak eol-ma jeong-do ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, it’s my first time. Approximately how much does whitening cost? -
Expression: B: 미백 종류에 따라 다른데요, 보통 XX만원부터 시작합니다. 정확한 비용은 상담 후에 안내해 드릴 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: mi-baek jong-nyu-e tta-ra da-reun-de-yo, bo-tong XX-man-won-bu-teo si-jak-ham-ni-da. jeong-hwak-han bi-yong-eun sang-dam hu-e an-nae-hae deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: It depends on the type of whitening, but it usually starts from XX thousand won. We can give you the exact cost after a consultation. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 상담 예약을 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom sang-dam ye-yak-eul ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: I understand. Then I’d like to book a consultation appointment. -
Expression: B: 네, 언제가 편하신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, eon-je-ga pyeon-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Okay, when would be convenient for you?
Practice Tips
Getting familiar with dental terms is key! Try using flashcards for vocabulary like 치아미백 (chi-a-mi-baek), 치과 (chi-gwa), and 시리다 (si-ri-da)~
Role-play the conversation example with a friend or practice saying the phrases out loud. Imagine you’re actually calling a clinic to make an appointment!
Listen to Korean dramas or vlogs where characters might visit a dentist – you might hear some of these terms used naturally. Pay attention to pronunciation and intonation!
Don’t be afraid to use these phrases if you visit a dentist in Korea. Even simple sentences show effort and can make the experience smoother. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
