
Understanding Speech Therapy in Korean
Discussing health and developmental support like speech therapy requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean terms and phrases related to “언어치료” (eoneochiryo), or speech therapy, enabling clear communication whether you are seeking services, discussing concerns, or working in the field in Korea. You’ll learn key vocabulary, practical sentences, and cultural context surrounding speech therapy in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term
- Expression: 언어치료
Pronunciation: eo-neo-chi-ryo
Meaning: Speech Therapy (literally “language treatment”)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 언어치료사
Pronunciation: eo-neo-chi-ryo-sa
Meaning: Speech Therapist -
Expression: 언어 발달
Pronunciation: eo-neo bal-dal
Meaning: Language Development -
Expression: 발음
Pronunciation: ba-reum
Meaning: Pronunciation -
Expression: 발음 문제
Pronunciation: ba-reum mun-je
Meaning: Pronunciation Problem -
Expression: 언어 장애
Pronunciation: eo-neo jang-ae
Meaning: Language Disorder/Impairment -
Expression: 말더듬
Pronunciation: mal-deo-deum
Meaning: Stuttering -
Expression: 의사소통
Pronunciation: ui-sa-so-tong
Meaning: Communication -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Consultation / Counseling -
Expression: 평가
Pronunciation: pyeong-ga
Meaning: Evaluation / Assessment -
Expression: 치료 계획
Pronunciation: chi-ryo gye-hoek
Meaning: Treatment Plan -
Expression: 연습
Pronunciation: yeon-seup
Meaning: Practice -
Expression: 아동 언어치료
Pronunciation: a-dong eo-neo-chi-ryo
Meaning: Child Speech Therapy
Phrases for Seeking Therapy
-
Expression: 언어치료가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: eo-neo-chi-ryo-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I/We need speech therapy. -
Expression: 아이가 발음이 부정확해요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga ba-reum-i bu-jeong-hwak-hae-yo.
Meaning: My child’s pronunciation is unclear. -
Expression: 언어 발달이 느린 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: eo-neo bal-dal-i neu-rin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like language development is slow. -
Expression: 언어치료사를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: eo-neo-chi-ryo-sa-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a speech therapist. -
Expression: 어디서 언어치료를 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo eo-neo-chi-ryo-reul ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I/we receive speech therapy? -
Expression: 언어치료 상담 예약을 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: eo-neo-chi-ryo sang-dam ye-yak-eul ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make an appointment for a speech therapy consultation. -
Expression: 치료 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does the therapy cost? -
Expression: 보험 적용이 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeok-yong-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it covered by insurance? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 치료를 제공하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui chi-ryo-reul je-gong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of therapy do you provide? -
Expression: 아이가 말을 더듬어요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga ma-reul deo-deum-eo-yo.
Meaning: My child stutters. -
Expression: 의사소통에 어려움이 있어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sa-so-tong-e eo-ryeo-um-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I/He/She has difficulty communicating. -
Expression: 언어 평가를 받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: eo-neo pyeong-ga-reul bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to receive a language assessment.
Phrases Used in Therapy Sessions
-
Expression: 이 소리를 따라 해 보세요.
Pronunciation: i so-ri-reul tta-ra hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try repeating this sound. -
Expression: 천천히 말해 보세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try speaking slowly. -
Expression: 입 모양을 잘 보세요.
Pronunciation: ip mo-yang-eul jal bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Look carefully at the mouth shape. -
Expression: 집에서 어떻게 연습했어요?
Pronunciation: jib-e-seo eo-tteo-ke yeon-seup-hae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How did you practice at home? -
Expression: 발음이 많이 좋아졌어요.
Pronunciation: ba-reum-i ma-ni jo-a-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Your pronunciation has improved a lot. -
Expression: 이 단어를 연습해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: i dan-eo-reul yeon-seup-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s practice this word. -
Expression: 다음 주에 다시 만나요.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-e da-si man-na-yo.
Meaning: See you again next week. -
Expression: 숙제가 있어요.
Pronunciation: suk-je-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There is homework. -
Expression: 오늘은 어떤 활동을 할까요?
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun eo-tteon hwal-dong-eul hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: What activity shall we do today? -
Expression: 숨을 깊게 쉬세요.
Pronunciation: sum-eul gip-ge swi-se-yo.
Meaning: Take a deep breath. -
Expression: 질문 있어요?
Pronunciation: jil-mun i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any questions? -
Expression: 아주 잘했어요!
Pronunciation: a-ju jal-hae-sseo-yo!
Meaning: You did very well!
Understanding the Process
-
Expression: 초기 상담
Pronunciation: cho-gi sang-dam
Meaning: Initial Consultation -
Expression: 진단 평가
Pronunciation: jin-dan pyeong-ga
Meaning: Diagnostic Evaluation -
Expression: 치료 목표 설정
Pronunciation: chi-ryo mok-pyo seol-jeong
Meaning: Setting Treatment Goals -
Expression: 정기적인 치료 세션
Pronunciation: jeong-gi-jeo-gin chi-ryo se-syeon
Meaning: Regular Therapy Sessions -
Expression: 경과 보고
Pronunciation: gyeong-gwa bo-go
Meaning: Progress Report -
Expression: 부모 상담
Pronunciation: bu-mo sang-dam
Meaning: Parent Counseling/Consultation -
Expression: 가정 연계 활동
Pronunciation: ga-jeong yeon-gye hwal-dong
Meaning: Home-based Activities / Carryover Activities -
Expression: 치료 종결
Pronunciation: chi-ryo jong-gyeol
Meaning: Termination of Therapy -
Expression: 필요시 재평가
Pronunciation: pi-ryo-si jae-pyeong-ga
Meaning: Re-evaluation if needed -
Expression: 전문가 소견서
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-ga so-gyeon-seo
Meaning: Specialist’s Written Opinion/Report -
Expression: 언어 발달 검사
Pronunciation: eo-neo bal-dal geom-sa
Meaning: Language Development Test -
Expression: 조음 음운 평가
Pronunciation: jo-eum eum-un pyeong-ga
Meaning: Articulation and Phonological Assessment
Korean Culture Notes
- Growing Awareness: While awareness of speech therapy has grown significantly in Korea, especially for children, there might still be some lingering stigma or lack of understanding compared to Western countries. Emphasis is often placed on academic achievement, sometimes overshadowing developmental support needs.
- Focus on Children: Speech therapy services are more commonly sought for children with developmental delays or pronunciation issues. Adult speech therapy, while available, might be less common or openly discussed.
- Role of Education System: Schools often play a role in identifying children who may need support, and some schools or educational support centers offer therapy services.
- Parental Involvement: Parental involvement is highly encouraged and often seen as crucial for successful therapy outcomes, particularly with children. Therapists frequently provide guidance and activities for parents to practice at home.
- Referral System: Often, individuals are referred to speech therapy by pediatricians, neurologists, ENT doctors, or school counselors after initial concerns are raised. Direct self-referral is also possible.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (A) is having a consultation with a speech therapist (B) about their child’s pronunciation difficulties.
Roles:
* A: Parent (학부모 – hak-bu-mo)
* B: Speech Therapist (언어치료사 – eo-neo-chi-ryo-sa)
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 저희 아이 발음 때문에 상담받으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jeo-hui a-i ba-reum ttae-mun-e sang-dam-ba-deu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came for a consultation because of my child’s pronunciation. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 아이 이름과 나이가 어떻게 되나요? 구체적으로 어떤 점이 걱정되시는지 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. a-i i-reum-gwa na-i-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo? gu-che-jeo-geu-ro eo-tteon jeom-i geok-jeong-doe-si-neun-ji mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What is the child’s name and age? Could you tell me specifically what concerns you? -
Expression: A: 이름은 민준이고, 5살이에요. ‘ㅅ’ 발음이랑 ‘ㄹ’ 발음이 잘 안 되는 것 같아요. 친구들이 가끔 놀린다고 하더라고요.
Pronunciation: i-reum-eun min-jun-i-go, da-seot-sal-i-e-yo. ‘siot’ ba-reum-i-rang ‘rieul’ ba-reum-i jal an doe-neun geot ga-ta-yo. chin-gu-deul-i ga-kkeum nol-lin-da-go ha-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: His name is Minjun, and he’s 5 years old. It seems he has trouble with the ‘S’ and ‘L/R’ sounds. He mentioned that friends sometimes tease him. -
Expression: B: 그렇군요. 5살이면 아직 발달 과정일 수도 있지만, 정확한 평가를 해보는 것이 좋겠습니다. 간단한 언어 평가를 진행해서 발음 상태를 확인해 볼까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ku-nyo. da-seot-sal-i-myeon a-jik bal-dal gwa-jeong-il su-do it-ji-man, jeong-hwak-han pyeong-ga-reul hae-bo-neun geo-si jo-ket-seum-ni-da. gan-dan-han eo-neo pyeong-ga-reul jin-haeng-hae-seo ba-reum sang-tae-reul hwa-gin-hae bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: I see. At 5 years old, it could still be part of the developmental process, but it would be good to conduct an accurate assessment. Shall we proceed with a simple language evaluation to check the pronunciation status? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 평가는 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. pyeong-ga-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, please. How long does the evaluation take? -
Expression: B: 보통 30분에서 1시간 정도 소요됩니다. 평가 후에 결과를 설명해 드리고, 필요하다면 치료 계획에 대해 상의드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: bo-tong sam-sip-bun-e-seo han-si-gan jeong-do so-yo-doem-ni-da. pyeong-ga hu-e gyeol-gwa-reul seol-myeong-hae deu-ri-go, pi-ryo-ha-da-myeon chi-ryo gye-hoek-e dae-hae sang-ui-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour. After the evaluation, I will explain the results and, if necessary, discuss a treatment plan.
Practice Tips
Understanding terms related to 언어치료 (eo-neo-chi-ryo) is the first step! Try using the vocabulary lists to create flashcards~ Practice saying the phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation guides. You can role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if you encounter these situations in Korea – clear communication is key when discussing health and development! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it!)!