Exploring traditional Korean approaches to health often leads to 한방 (Hanbang), or traditional Korean medicine. This guide focuses on 한방다이어트 (Hanbang Diet), a popular weight management method in Korea rooted in these traditional principles. You’ll learn the core term, related concepts, essential phrases for consultation and treatment, cultural insights, and see a practical conversation example.
Table Of Content
Core Term
This is the primary term used when discussing this specific type of diet.
- Expression: 한방다이어트
Pronunciation: han-bang-da-i-eo-teu
Meaning: Hanbang Diet (Traditional Korean Medicine Diet)
Understanding Hanbang Diet Concepts
These terms are fundamental to understanding the principles behind the Hanbang diet.
- Expression: 한의원
Pronunciation: han-ui-won
Meaning: Traditional Korean Medicine Clinic - Expression: 한의사
Pronunciation: han-ui-sa
Meaning: Traditional Korean Medicine Doctor - Expression: 체질
Pronunciation: che-jil
Meaning: Body constitution (a key concept in Hanbang) - Expression: 진맥하다
Pronunciation: jin-maek-ha-da
Meaning: To check the pulse (a diagnostic method) - Expression: 한약
Pronunciation: han-yak
Meaning: Traditional Korean herbal medicine - Expression: 보약
Pronunciation: bo-yak
Meaning: Restorative herbal medicine (often used to strengthen the body) - Expression: 침 치료
Pronunciation: chim chi-ryo
Meaning: Acupuncture treatment - Expression: 뜸
Pronunciation: tteum
Meaning: Moxibustion - Expression: 부항
Pronunciation: bu-hang
Meaning: Cupping therapy - Expression: 기혈 순환
Pronunciation: gi-hyeol sun-hwan
Meaning: Qi and blood circulation - Expression: 노폐물 제거
Pronunciation: no-pye-mul je-geo
Meaning: Waste removal / Detoxification - Expression: 식단 조절
Pronunciation: sik-dan jo-jeol
Meaning: Diet control / Meal plan adjustment
Phrases for Consultation
Use these phrases when visiting a Hanbang clinic to discuss starting a diet program.
- Expression: 한방다이어트 상담받으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: han-bang-da-i-eo-teu sang-dam-ba-deu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came here for a Hanbang diet consultation. - Expression: 제 체질이 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: je che-jil-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is my body constitution? - Expression: 살을 빼고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sal-eul ppae-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to lose weight. - Expression: 어떤 방법이 저에게 맞을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bang-beob-i jeo-e-ge maj-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Which method would be suitable for me? - Expression: 다이어트 한약은 효과가 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-i-eo-teu han-yak-eun hyo-gwa-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the diet herbal medicine effective? - Expression: 부작용은 없나요?
Pronunciation: bu-jak-yong-eun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any side effects? - Expression: 비용은 얼마나 드나요?
Pronunciation: bi-yong-eun eol-ma-na deu-na-yo?
Meaning: How much does it cost? - Expression: 치료 기간은 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: chi-ryo gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the treatment period? - Expression: 식단은 어떻게 조절해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: sik-dan-eun eo-tteo-ke jo-jeol-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I adjust my diet? - Expression: 운동도 병행해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: un-dong-do byeong-haeng-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I also exercise concurrently? - Expression: 예약을 하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: ye-yak-eul ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to make an appointment. - Expression: 진료 시간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: jil-lyo si-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the clinic hours?
Discussing Treatments and Methods
These phrases are useful when talking about the specific treatments involved in a Hanbang diet.
- Expression: 다이어트 한약을 처방받았어요.
Pronunciation: da-i-eo-teu han-yak-eul cheo-bang-ba-da-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I received a prescription for diet herbal medicine. - Expression: 하루에 세 번 식후에 복용하세요.
Pronunciation: ha-ru-e se beon sik-hu-e bok-yong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Take it three times a day after meals. - Expression: 침을 맞으면 식욕이 억제되나요?
Pronunciation: chim-eul maj-eu-myeon sik-yok-i eok-je-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Does getting acupuncture suppress appetite? - Expression: 지방분해침 효과가 궁금해요.
Pronunciation: ji-bang-bun-hae-chim hyo-gwa-ga gung-geum-hae-yo.
Meaning: I’m curious about the effect of fat-dissolving acupuncture. - Expression: 일주일에 몇 번 와야 하나요?
Pronunciation: il-ju-il-e myeot beon wa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How many times a week should I come? - Expression: 뜸 치료는 처음 받아봐요.
Pronunciation: tteum chi-ryo-neun cheo-eum ba-da-bwa-yo.
Meaning: This is my first time receiving moxibustion treatment. - Expression: 부항 자국은 얼마나 가나요?
Pronunciation: bu-hang ja-guk-eun eol-ma-na ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How long do the cupping marks last? - Expression: 체질 개선에 도움이 되는 음식은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: che-jil gae-seon-e do-um-i doe-neun eum-sik-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What foods are helpful for improving my constitution? - Expression: 밀가루 음식은 피하는 것이 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: mil-ga-ru eum-sik-eun pi-ha-neun geo-si jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s better to avoid flour-based foods. - Expression: 물을 많이 마셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: mul-eul man-i ma-syeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to drink a lot of water. - Expression: 꾸준히 하는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: kku-jun-hi ha-neun geo-si jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Consistency is important. - Expression: 다음 진료는 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: da-eum jil-lyo-neun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the next appointment?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can provide context for Hanbang diets.
- Holistic Approach: Hanbang medicine views the body holistically. Diets often aim not just for weight loss but also for improving overall balance (기혈 순환 – gi-hyeol sun-hwan) and addressing the root cause according to one’s 체질 (che-jil).
- Personalization: Hanbang treatments, including diets, are highly personalized based on individual constitution (체질 – che-jil), symptoms, and pulse diagnosis (진맥 – jin-maek). What works for one person might not be recommended for another.
- Trust in Tradition: Traditional medicine holds a significant place in Korean culture alongside Western medicine. Many Koreans trust 한의원 (han-ui-won) for various ailments and wellness programs, including weight management.
- Herbal Medicine Focus: 한약 (han-yak) is a cornerstone of Hanbang treatment. Diet-related herbal medicines often aim to boost metabolism, suppress appetite, and detoxify the body, tailored to the individual’s needs.
- Beyond Weight Loss: While weight loss is the goal, Hanbang diets often emphasize improving digestion, reducing bloating, increasing energy levels, and achieving better overall health as part of the process.
Real Conversation Example
This conversation simulates a patient consulting a Hanbang doctor about a diet program.
Situation: A patient (A) visits a Hanbang clinic for the first time to inquire about a Hanbang diet.
Roles: A: Patient, B: Hanbang Doctor (한의사 – han-ui-sa)
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 한방다이어트 상담 좀 받고 싶어서 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, han-bang-da-i-eo-teu sang-dam jom bat-go sip-eo-seo wa-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I came here because I’d like to get a consultation for a Hanbang diet. - Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어디가 불편하신가요? 아니면 단순히 체중 감량이 목적이신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-di-ga bul-pyeon-ha-sin-ga-yo? a-ni-myeon dan-sun-hi che-jung gam-ryang-i mok-jeok-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. Are you experiencing any discomfort? Or is your goal simply weight loss? - Expression: A: 최근에 살이 좀 쪄서요. 건강하게 살을 빼고 싶어서 한방다이어트에 관심이 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: choe-geun-e sal-i jom jjyeo-seo-yo. geon-gang-ha-ge sal-eul ppae-go sip-eo-seo han-bang-da-i-eo-teu-e gwan-sim-i saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’ve gained some weight recently. I became interested in the Hanbang diet because I want to lose weight healthily. - Expression: B: 잘 오셨습니다. 우선 환자분의 체질을 알아야 합니다. 제가 진맥을 좀 해보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jal o-syeot-seum-ni-da. u-seon hwan-ja-bun-ui che-jil-eul ar-a-ya ham-ni-da. je-ga jin-maek-eul jom hae-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: You’ve come to the right place. First, I need to understand your body constitution. Let me check your pulse. - Expression: A: 네, 제 체질은 어떤 편인가요?
Pronunciation: ne, je che-jil-eun eo-tteon pyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Okay, what kind of constitution do I have? - Expression: B: 약간 몸이 차고 소화 기능이 약한 편이시네요. 체질에 맞춰 한약을 처방하고, 식단 조절과 함께 침 치료를 병행하면 효과적일 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: yak-gan mom-i cha-go so-hwa gi-neung-i yak-han pyeon-i-si-ne-yo. che-jil-e mat-chwo han-yak-eul cheo-bang-ha-go, sik-dan jo-jeol-gwa ham-kke chim chi-ryo-reul byeong-haeng-ha-myeon hyo-gwa-jeok-il geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Your body tends to be slightly cold, and your digestive function is a bit weak. Prescribing herbal medicine tailored to your constitution and combining it with diet control and acupuncture treatment seems like it would be effective. - Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 비용이랑 치료 기간은 대략 어느 정도 생각하면 될까요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. bi-yong-i-rang chi-ryo gi-gan-eun dae-ryak eo-neu jeong-do saeng-gak-ha-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Oh, I see. Approximately how much should I expect for the cost and treatment duration? - Expression: B: 프로그램에 따라 다르지만, 보통 1~3개월 정도 진행하며, 자세한 비용은 상담 후에 안내해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: peu-ro-geu-raem-e tta-ra da-reu-ji-man, bo-tong il-e-seo sam-gae-wol jeong-do jin-haeng-ha-myeo, ja-se-han bi-yong-eun sang-dam hu-e an-nae-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It varies depending on the program, but it usually proceeds for about 1 to 3 months, and I will provide detailed costs after the consultation.
Practice Tips
Now you have a good foundation for understanding and discussing 한방다이어트 (han-bang-da-i-eo-teu)! Try using these phrases when talking about health or diet with Korean friends~ If you’re in Korea, consider visiting a 한의원 (han-ui-won) for a consultation to practice what you’ve learned. Remember, understanding your 체질 (che-jil) is key in Hanbang! Good luck with your practice! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!)
