At the Korean Hospital or Pharmacy: Saying Where It Hurts
10-Second Answer
The one pattern that unlocks everything: BODY PART + 이/가 아파요 ("my ~ hurts") — 머리가 아파요 (my head hurts), 배가 아파요 (my stomach hurts). Add 열이 나요 (I have a fever) and 감기에 걸렸어요 (I caught a cold) and you can handle most clinic visits. Prescriptions (처방전) from the 병원 get filled at a separate 약국 (pharmacy) — usually right next door.
Describing Symptoms
머리가 아파요.
meoriga apayo.
My head hurts.
The universal pattern: body part + 이/가 + 아파요. 배 (stomach), 목 (throat/neck), 이 (tooth) all slot in.
열이 나요.
yeori nayo.
I have a fever.
나다 (to arise) — the same verb from 기억나다. 기침이 나요 = I have a cough; 콧물이 나요 = runny nose.
감기에 걸렸어요.
gamgie geollyeosseoyo.
I caught a cold.
걸리다 = to catch (an illness) — always with 에.
어디가 아프세요?
eodiga apeuseyo?
Where does it hurt? (what the doctor asks YOU)
어디 + honorific -세요 — recognize it so you can answer.
How the System Works: 병원 → 약국
In Korea, the clinic and the pharmacy are separate stops: the doctor at the 병원 issues a 처방전 (prescription), which you take to a 약국 (pharmacy) — almost always located right next to the clinic. For minor things, you can skip the clinic entirely: pharmacists at the 약국 recommend over-the-counter medicine freely, and convenience stores carry a small set of basic medicines (fever reducers, cold tablets) around the clock.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 병원 (byeongwon) | Hospital/clinic — even small neighborhood clinics are called 병원 |
| 약국 (yakguk) | Pharmacy — look for the 약 sign |
| 처방전 (cheobangjeon) | Prescription |
| 약 (yak) | Medicine |
| 진통제 (jintongje) | Painkiller |
| 응급실 (eunggeupsil) | Emergency room |
Emergency numbers: 119 is fire AND ambulance (not 911), 112 is police. For medical help in English, the 1339 health hotline and the 1330 tourist line both offer interpretation.
At the Pharmacy
감기약 있어요?
gamgiyak isseoyo?
Do you have cold medicine?
Symptom word + 약 (medicine) + 있어요? covers most requests: 두통약 (headache medicine), 소화제 (digestive aid).
하루에 몇 번 먹어요?
harue myeot beon meogeoyo?
How many times a day do I take it?
몇 + 번 — the counter for occurrences. Korean "takes" medicine with 먹다 (eat).
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Dialing 911
Korea's ambulance/fire number is 119, police is 112. Worth memorizing before you need it.
Mistake #2 — Saying 약을 마셔요 (drink medicine)
Korean eats medicine: 약을 먹어요 — even for liquid medicine.
Mini Quiz
1. How do you say "my head hurts"?
2. What is Korea's ambulance number?
3. Where do you take a 처방전 (prescription)?
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Asking for Directions in Korean
Health covered — next, finding your way to the clinic (or anywhere else) in the first place.
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Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-11 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.