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Living in Korea
Going to the Doctor or Pharmacy in Korea: What to Say When You’re Unwell
Every phrase below is tappable — press it and your browser speaks it aloud, so you can practise the exact sound before you actually need it at a clinic or 약국.
Korean pharmacies (약국) can often help directly with minor issues, without needing a doctor’s visit first.
Describing How You Feel
These are the phrases that actually get used when explaining a symptom.
몸이 안 좋아요
momi an joayo
I’m not feeling well
머리가 아파요
meoriga apayo
I have a headache
배가 아파요
baega apayo
My stomach hurts
열이 나요
yeori nayo
I have a fever
목이 아파요
mogi apayo
My throat hurts
어제부터 아팠어요
eojebuteo apasseoyo
I’ve been feeling unwell since yesterday
Handy pattern: [body part] + 가/이 아파요 covers most complaints — swap in 이 (tooth), 무릎 (knee), 허리 (lower back) and the sentence still works.
At the Pharmacy (약국)
For over-the-counter medicine without a full clinic visit.
두통약 있어요?
dutongyak isseoyo?
Do you have headache medicine?
감기약 주세요
gamgiyak juseyo
Cold medicine, please
하루에 몇 번 먹어요?
harue myeot beon meogeoyo?
How many times a day do I take it?
밴드 있어요?
baendeu isseoyo?
Do you have plasters/band-aids?
At the Clinic (병원)
If it’s more than the pharmacy can handle.
진료 받고 싶어요
jillyo batgo sipeoyo
I’d like to see a doctor
건강보험 있어요
geonganbheom isseoyo
I have health insurance
영어 하시는 분 계세요?
yeongeo hasineun bun gyeseyo?
Is there someone who speaks English?
Worth knowing: many clinics in bigger cities have at least one English-speaking staff member, and larger hospitals often have a dedicated international clinic desk — asking never hurts.
These phrases are just the start
A short list of survival phrases gets you through an appointment — real understanding of what’s said back to you needs an actual foundation.
START LEARNING KOREAN →
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