Making a Hospital Appointment in Korean

Booking a hospital or clinic appointment is a necessary skill when living in or visiting Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context to help you navigate the process of making a medical appointment (병원 예약). Learn how to inquire about availability, describe your needs, and confirm your visit smoothly.

Core Expression

This is the fundamental phrase for expressing the action of making a hospital appointment.

• Expression: 병원 예약하기
  Pronunciation: Byeongwon yeyakagi
  Meaning: Making a hospital appointment (병원 – hospital, 예약하기 – to make a reservation/appointment)

Basic Phrases for Appointments

Use these fundamental expressions when initiating contact to book your appointment.

• Expression: 여보세요, [병원 이름] 맞나요?
  Pronunciation: Yeoboseyo, [Byeongwon ireum] mannayo?
  Meaning: Hello, is this [Hospital Name]?
• Expression: 병원 예약 좀 하려고 하는데요.
  Pronunciation: Byeongwon yeyak jom haryeogo haneundeyo.
  Meaning: I’d like to make a hospital appointment.
• Expression: 진료 예약하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: Jillyo yeyakago sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I want to book a medical consultation/appointment.
• Expression: 오늘 예약 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: Oneul yeyak ganeungangayo?
  Meaning: Is it possible to make an appointment today?
• Expression: 내일 예약할 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: Naeil yeyakal su isseulkkayo?
  Meaning: Can I make an appointment for tomorrow?
• Expression: [의사 이름] 선생님께 예약하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: [Uisa ireum] seonsaengnimkke yeyakago sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I’d like to make an appointment with Dr. [Doctor’s Name].
• Expression: 가장 빠른 시간이 언제인가요?
  Pronunciation: Gajang ppareun sigani eonjeingayo?
  Meaning: When is the earliest available time?
• Expression: 오전/오후에 예약 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: Ojeon/Ohue yeyak ganeungangayo?
  Meaning: Is it possible to book in the morning/afternoon?
• Expression: 예약 가능한 시간을 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: Yeyak ganeungan siganeul allyeojuseyo.
  Meaning: Please tell me the available appointment times.
• Expression: 처음 방문입니다. (초진입니다)
  Pronunciation: Cheoeum bangmunimnida. (Chojinimnida)
  Meaning: This is my first visit. (It’s my first consultation).
• Expression: 전에 방문한 적이 있습니다. (재진입니다)
  Pronunciation: Jeone bangmunhan jeogi itseumnida. (Jaejinimnida)
  Meaning: I have visited before. (It’s a follow-up visit).
• Expression: 제 이름은 [이름]입니다.
  Pronunciation: Je ireumeun [ireum]imnida.
  Meaning: My name is [Name].

Explaining Your Symptoms

Clearly communicating your symptoms is crucial for getting the right care.

• Expression: 어디가 아프세요? (Question you might be asked)
  Pronunciation: Eodiga apeuseyo?
  Meaning: Where does it hurt? / What are your symptoms?
• Expression: 머리가 아파요.
  Pronunciation: Meoriga apayo.
  Meaning: I have a headache.
• Expression: 열이 나요.
  Pronunciation: Yeori nayo.
  Meaning: I have a fever.
• Expression: 기침을 해요.
  Pronunciation: Gichimeul haeyo.
  Meaning: I have a cough.
• Expression: 콧물이 나요.
  Pronunciation: Konmuri nayo.
  Meaning: I have a runny nose.
• Expression: 목이 아파요.
  Pronunciation: Mogi apayo.
  Meaning: I have a sore throat.
• Expression: 배가 아파요.
  Pronunciation: Baega apayo.
  Meaning: I have a stomachache.
• Expression: 감기에 걸린 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: Gamgie geollin geot gatayo.
  Meaning: I think I caught a cold.
• Expression: 몸살 기운이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: Momsal giuni isseoyo.
  Meaning: I have body aches / feel unwell all over.
• Expression: 어지러워요.
  Pronunciation: Eojireowoyo.
  Meaning: I feel dizzy.
• Expression: 토할 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: Tohal geot gatayo.
  Meaning: I feel like vomiting.
• Expression: 피부에 뭐가 났어요.
  Pronunciation: Pibue mwoga nasseoyo.
  Meaning: I have a rash / something on my skin.

Checking Availability and Confirming Details

Finalize your appointment by confirming the time and other necessary information.

• Expression: [날짜] [시간]에 예약 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: [Naljja] [sigan]e yeyak ganeungangayo?
  Meaning: Is an appointment available on [Date] at [Time]?
• Expression: 혹시 더 이른 시간은 없나요?
  Pronunciation: Hoksi deo ireun siganeun eomnayo?
  Meaning: Are there perhaps any earlier times available?
• Expression: 오후 3시 괜찮으신가요?
  Pronunciation: Ohu sesi gwaenchaneusingayo?
  Meaning: Is 3 PM okay?
• Expression: 네, 그 시간 괜찮아요.
  Pronunciation: Ne, geu sigan gwaenchanayo.
  Meaning: Yes, that time is fine.
• Expression: 다른 시간은 없나요?
  Pronunciation: Dareun siganeun eomnayo?
  Meaning: Are there no other times?
• Expression: [날짜] [시간]으로 예약해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: [Naljja] [sigan]euro yeyakae juseyo.
  Meaning: Please book it for [Date] at [Time].
• Expression: 예약 확인 부탁드립니다.
  Pronunciation: Yeyak hwagin butakdeurimnida.
  Meaning: Please confirm the appointment.
• Expression: 제 연락처는 [전화번호]입니다.
  Pronunciation: Je yeollakcheoneun [jeonhwabeonho]imnida.
  Meaning: My contact number is [Phone Number].
• Expression: 외국인 등록증 번호가 필요한가요?
  Pronunciation: Oegugin deungnokjeung beonhoga piryohangayo?
  Meaning: Do I need my Alien Registration Card number?
• Expression: 가져가야 할 것이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: Gajyeogaya hal geosi innayo?
  Meaning: Is there anything I need to bring?
• Expression: 예약 취소는 어떻게 하나요?
  Pronunciation: Yeyak chwisoneun eotteoke hanayo?
  Meaning: How do I cancel the appointment?
• Expression: 예약 변경하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: Yeyak byeongyeonghago sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I want to change the appointment.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding these points can make your hospital visits smoother.

• Appointments vs. Walk-ins: While appointments are preferred, especially at larger hospitals or for specialists, many smaller neighborhood clinics (의원 – uiwon) accept walk-ins, particularly for common ailments like colds. However, wait times can vary.
• Resident Registration Number: For residents (including foreigners with an Alien Registration Card), you’ll often be asked for your 주민등록번호 (jumin deungnok beonho – resident registration number) or 외국인등록번호 (oegugin deungnok beonho – alien registration number) when making an appointment or registering. Tourists might need to show their passport.
• Types of Medical Facilities: Korea has various levels: small local clinics (의원 – uiwon), slightly larger hospitals (병원 – byeongwon), and large general/university hospitals (종합병원/대학병원 – jonghap byeongwon/daehak byeongwon). For simple issues, start with a local clinic. Larger hospitals often require referrals for specialist consultations to be covered by national health insurance.
• Punctuality: Being on time for your appointment is expected. If you anticipate being late or need to cancel, call the clinic or hospital as soon as possible.
• Specialty Clinics: It’s common to go directly to a specialist clinic for specific issues, e.g., an ENT clinic (이비인후과 – ibiinhugwa) for a sore throat or ear infection, or an orthopedics clinic (정형외과 – jeonghyeongoegwa) for a sprain.

Real Conversation Example

This example demonstrates a typical phone call to make a clinic appointment.

• Situation: A patient (A) calls a local internal medicine clinic (내과 – naegwa) to make an appointment for cold symptoms.

• Roles:

  • A: Patient (환자 – hwanja)
  • B: Clinic Receptionist (접수원 – jeopsuwon)

• Expression: B: 네, [클리닉 이름] 내과입니다.
  Pronunciation: Ne, [Keullinik ireum] naegwaimnida.
  Meaning: Yes, this is [Clinic Name] Internal Medicine.

• Expression: A: 여보세요, 진료 예약 좀 하려고 하는데요.
  Pronunciation: Yeoboseyo, jillyo yeyak jom haryeogo haneundeyo.
  Meaning: Hello, I’d like to make an appointment for a consultation.
• Expression: B: 네, 성함과 연락처를 말씀해 주시겠어요? 처음 방문이신가요?
  Pronunciation: Ne, seonghamgwa yeollakcheoreul malsseumhae jusigesseoyo? Cheoeum bangmunisingayo?
  Meaning: Yes, could you please tell me your name and contact number? Is this your first visit?
• Expression: A: 이름은 김민지이고, 연락처는 010-1234-5678입니다. 네, 처음이에요.
  Pronunciation: Ireumeun Kim Minji-igo, yeollakcheoneun gong-il-gong-il-i-sam-sa-o-ryuk-chil-pal-imnida. Ne, cheoeumieyo.
  Meaning: My name is Kim Minji, and my number is 010-1234-5678. Yes, it’s my first time.
• Expression: B: 네, 김민지 님. 어디가 불편하셔서 오시나요?
  Pronunciation: Ne, Kim Minji nim. Eodiga bulpyeonhasyeoseo osinayo?
  Meaning: Okay, Ms. Kim Minji. What symptoms bring you here?
• Expression: A: 감기 기운이 있어서요. 열도 나고 목도 아파요.
  Pronunciation: Gamgi giuni isseoseoyo. Yeoldo nago mokdo apayo.
  Meaning: I have cold symptoms. I have a fever and a sore throat too.
• Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 오늘 오후 3시 괜찮으신가요?
  Pronunciation: Algesseumnida. Oneul ohu sesi gwaenchaneusingayo?
  Meaning: I understand. Is 3 PM today okay for you?
• Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 3시로 예약해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: Ne, joayo. Sesiro yeyakae juseyo.
  Meaning: Yes, that’s good. Please book it for 3 o’clock.
• Expression: B: 네, 김민지 님, 오늘 오후 3시로 예약되었습니다. 오셔서 접수해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: Ne, Kim Minji nim, oneul ohu sesiro yeyakdoeosseumnida. Osyeoseo jeopsuhae juseyo.
  Meaning: Okay, Ms. Kim Minji, you are booked for 3 PM today. Please come and register at the reception desk.
• Expression: A: 감사합니다!
  Pronunciation: Gamsahamnida!
  Meaning: Thank you!

Practice Tips

Making appointments gets easier with practice~! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner. Listen carefully to how Koreans make calls in dramas or real life. Don’t be afraid to ask the receptionist to speak slowly (천천히 말해주세요 – cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo) if needed. You can do it! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwaiting!)