Visiting a Doctor in Korea Without Speaking Korean: A Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners

What really happens at a Korean clinic—and the Korean phrases you may actually need.

You are in Korea, and you do not feel well.

Maybe your throat has been hurting for three days.

Maybe your stomach suddenly feels worse.

Maybe your eye is painful, your knee is swollen, or a headache will not go away.

A pharmacy no longer feels like enough.

You need to see a doctor.

Then the questions start.

Should I go to a hospital or a clinic?
Do I need an appointment?
What do I say at reception?
Will the doctor speak English?
How do I explain where it hurts?
What happens after the consultation?
Do I take the prescription to a pharmacy?
What if it is an emergency?

For a first-time visitor, the medical system can feel intimidating even before language becomes a problem.

But many everyday clinic visits in Korea follow a simple sequence:

reception → registration → waiting → consultation → payment → prescription → pharmacy

Once you understand that flow, the experience becomes much easier to follow.

This guide will walk you through a typical non-emergency visit step by step and teach you the Korean words, questions, and short answers that can help you communicate.

Important: This article is a language and travel communication guide. It does not diagnose symptoms or replace medical advice. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, serious breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, major bleeding, or another emergency, call 119 or seek emergency care immediately.

1. Clinic or Hospital: Where Should You Go?

One of the first problems for English-speaking visitors is the word hospital.

In English, you may casually say, “I need to see a doctor.”

In Korea, you will see several different words for medical facilities.

Korean	Simple Meaning	What a Traveler Should Understand
의원	Clinic	A local clinic for outpatient medical care
병원	Hospital	A hospital or medical facility
종합병원	General hospital	A larger hospital with multiple departments
응급실	Emergency room	For emergency medical care
약국	Pharmacy	Where pharmacists dispense medicines and prescriptions

For a common non-emergency problem, you may visit a local clinic that matches your symptoms.

You may see signs such as:

내과 — internal medicine
이비인후과 — ear, nose, and throat clinic
안과 — eye clinic
피부과 — dermatology
정형외과 — orthopedics
소아청소년과 — pediatrics
치과 — dental clinic

You do not need to memorize every department before your trip.

But recognizing a few signs can help you avoid walking into an eye clinic for a stomach problem.

Quick Department Guide

If Your Main Problem Is...	You May See This Sign
Cold, fever, general internal symptoms	내과
Throat, ear, or nose problem	이비인후과
Eye problem	안과
Skin problem	피부과
Bone, joint, or musculoskeletal injury	정형외과
Dental problem	치과

Language tip: In everyday conversation, foreigners often use “hospital” for almost any place they see a doctor. Korean medical signs can be more specific, so learning the department name is useful.

2. How to Find Medical Help

If you are staying at a hotel, one practical option is to ask the front desk for help finding a nearby clinic.

You can say:

근처에 병원이 있나요?
Is there a hospital or clinic nearby?

영어 가능한 병원이 있나요?
Is there a medical facility where English is available?

병원에 가고 싶어요.
I want to go to a hospital or clinic.

If the situation may be an emergency, do not spend time trying to build a perfect Korean sentence. In Korea, call 119 for emergency assistance.

3. What Usually Happens at a Korean Clinic

A typical non-emergency outpatient visit may look like this:

Enter the clinic.
Go to the reception desk.
Explain that you want to see a doctor.
Provide the information or identification requested for registration.
Wait for your name or number.
See the doctor.
Explain your symptoms.
Complete the consultation and any tests or treatment required.
Return to reception or the payment desk.
Pay and receive documents, including a prescription if one is issued.
Take the prescription to a pharmacy.

The exact process varies by medical facility and by your medical needs.

But understanding these basic stages can reduce a lot of first-time anxiety.

4. Step 1: What to Say at Reception

You enter the clinic.

The first person you speak to may be at the reception desk.

The simplest opening sentence is:

진료받고 싶어요.
I would like to see a doctor / receive medical care.

You can also immediately explain the main problem:

목이 아파서 왔어요.
I came because my throat hurts.

배가 아파서 왔어요.
I came because my stomach hurts.

눈이 아파서 왔어요.
I came because my eye hurts.

For beginners, an even simpler version is completely fine:

목이 아파요.
My throat hurts.

Best beginner opening:

안녕하세요. 진료받고 싶어요.
Hello. I would like to see a doctor.

Useful Reception Phrases

English	Korean
I would like to see a doctor.	진료받고 싶어요.
It is my first visit.	처음 왔어요.
I do not have an appointment.	예약 안 했어요.
Can I see a doctor today?	오늘 진료 가능할까요?
Do you speak English?	영어 가능하세요?
I do not speak Korean well.	한국어를 잘 못해요.

5. Step 2: Registration and Identification

At reception, staff may need information to register you.

The exact information requested can vary.

You may hear:

처음 오셨어요?
Is this your first visit?

성함이 어떻게 되세요?
What is your name?

생년월일이 어떻게 되세요?
What is your date of birth?

신분증 있으세요?
Do you have identification?

If you are a visitor, keep your identification and travel information accessible. Follow the clinic's instructions about what documents are required.

Words to Recognize

Korean	Meaning
접수	Reception / registration
진료	Medical consultation / care
예약	Appointment / reservation
성함	Name, polite form
생년월일	Date of birth
신분증	Identification

If you do not understand what document the staff wants, ask:

뭐가 필요한가요?
What do I need?

Or show your available identification and ask:

이거면 되나요?
Is this okay?

6. Step 3: Waiting for Your Name or Number

After registration, you may need to wait.

You may hear:

잠시 기다려 주세요.
Please wait a moment.

이름 부르면 들어가세요.
Go in when your name is called.

대기해 주세요.
Please wait.

Useful words:

대기 — waiting
대기실 — waiting room
진료실 — consultation room
이름 — name
번호 — number

If you are unsure where to wait:

어디에서 기다리면 돼요?
Where should I wait?

7. Step 4: Talking to the Doctor

Now you enter the consultation room.

The doctor may begin with one of these questions:

어디가 아프세요?
Where does it hurt?

어디가 불편하세요?
What is bothering you?

어떻게 오셨어요?
What brings you in?

That last question can confuse beginners.

어떻게 오셨어요? literally looks like “How did you come?”

In a medical context, however, it can be used to ask why you came or what problem brought you to the clinic.

You do not need to explain your bus route.

Answer with your symptom.

목이 아파요.
My throat hurts.

배가 아파요.
My stomach hurts.

머리가 계속 아파요.
My head keeps hurting.

8. How to Explain Where It Hurts

The most useful pattern is:

[Body part] + 이/가 + 아파요

English	Korean
My head hurts.	머리가 아파요.
My throat hurts.	목이 아파요.
My stomach hurts.	배가 아파요.
My back hurts.	허리가 아파요.
My eye hurts.	눈이 아파요.
My ear hurts.	귀가 아파요.
My knee hurts.	무릎이 아파요.

If you do not know the Korean body-part word, point and say:

여기가 아파요.
It hurts here.

For a deeper explanation of the pattern, read How to Say “It Hurts” in Korean: 아파요 Explained for Real-Life Situations.

You can also learn the Korean body parts you actually need at a doctor, pharmacy, or hospital.

9. How to Explain When the Problem Started

A doctor may ask:

언제부터 아팠어요?
Since when has it hurt?

Short answers are enough.

Korean	Meaning
오늘부터요.	Since today.
오늘 아침부터요.	Since this morning.
어제부터요.	Since yesterday.
이틀 전부터요.	Since two days ago.
삼 일 전부터요.	Since three days ago.
일주일 전부터요.	Since a week ago.

You can combine time and symptom:

어제부터 목이 아파요.
My throat has hurt since yesterday.

삼 일 전부터 배가 아파요.
My stomach has hurt for about three days / since three days ago.

오늘 아침부터 머리가 아파요.
My head has hurt since this morning.

10. Essential Symptom Phrases

Pain is not the only thing you may need to explain.

English	Korean
I have a fever.	열이 있어요.
I have a cough.	기침이 나요.
I have a runny nose.	콧물이 나요.
I feel nauseous.	속이 메스꺼워요.
I have diarrhea.	설사를 해요.
I feel dizzy.	어지러워요.
I cannot sleep well.	잠을 잘 못 자요.
I cannot breathe well.	숨쉬기가 힘들어요.
I have an allergy.	알레르기가 있어요.
I am taking another medicine.	다른 약을 먹고 있어요.

Safety note: Difficulty breathing can be an emergency symptom. Do not delay urgent medical help just to practice Korean.

11. Questions a Doctor May Ask You

Doctor May Ask	Meaning	Simple Response
언제부터 아팠어요?	Since when has it hurt?	어제부터요.
열이 있어요?	Do you have a fever?	네. / 아니요.
기침하세요?	Are you coughing?	네, 기침이 나요.
많이 아파요?	Does it hurt a lot?	네, 많이 아파요.
계속 아파요?	Does it keep hurting?	네, 계속 아파요.
알레르기 있어요?	Do you have any allergies?	네. / 아니요.
먹고 있는 약 있어요?	Are you taking any medicine?	네. / 아니요.
전에 이런 적 있어요?	Has this happened before?	네. / 아니요.
다쳤어요?	Were you injured?	네. / 아니요.

If a question is medically important and you are not sure you understood it, do not guess.

Ask the person to repeat it or use written translation.

12. What to Say If You Do Not Understand Korean

This may be the most important section in the entire guide.

You are not required to pretend that you understand.

Use these phrases:

한국어를 잘 못해요.
I do not speak Korean well.

천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Please speak slowly.

다시 말씀해 주세요.
Please say that again.

적어 주세요.
Please write it down.

영어 가능하세요?
Do you speak English?

번역기로 보여 드릴게요.
I will show you using a translation app.

A Better Way to Prepare Your Phone

Before entering the clinic, write down:

your main symptom
when it started
whether it is getting worse
medicine you are currently taking
known medicine allergies
important medical information relevant to the visit

A short, clear list is often more useful than trying to create a long Korean speech while you are nervous.

13. Step 5: Payment and the Prescription

After the consultation, you may return to the reception or payment desk.

Useful words include:

Korean	Meaning
수납	Payment at a medical facility
진료비	Medical consultation or treatment cost
처방전	Prescription
영수증	Receipt
진단서	Medical certificate / doctor's certificate

You may hear:

수납 도와드릴게요.
I will help you with payment.

처방전 받아 가세요.
Please take your prescription.

Useful questions:

카드 돼요?
Can I pay by card?

영수증 주세요.
Please give me a receipt.

처방전은 어디에서 받아요?
Where do I get the prescription?

If you need documents for travel insurance or another purpose, ask the medical facility what documentation is available and what fees or procedures apply.

14. Step 6: Going to the Pharmacy

If the doctor issues a prescription, the next step may be a pharmacy.

The Korean word for prescription is:

처방전

The Korean word for pharmacy is:

약국

At the pharmacy, you can hand over the prescription and say:

처방전 여기 있습니다.
Here is my prescription.

The pharmacist may explain how to take the medicine.

You may hear:

하루 세 번 드세요.
Take it three times a day.

식후에 드세요.
Take it after meals.

If you do not understand:

복용 방법 적어 주실 수 있나요?
Could you write down how to take it?

For the complete pharmacy process, read How to Visit a Pharmacy in Korea Without Speaking Korean.

15. Real Doctor and Clinic Conversations

Conversation 1: First Visit at Reception

Receptionist: 안녕하세요. 처음 오셨어요?
Hello. Is this your first visit?

Traveler: 네, 처음 왔어요.
Yes, it is my first time here.

Receptionist: 어디가 불편하세요?
What is bothering you?

Traveler: 목이 아파요.
My throat hurts.

Receptionist: 잠시 기다려 주세요.
Please wait a moment.

Traveler: 네, 감사합니다.
Okay, thank you.

Conversation 2: Explaining a Symptom to the Doctor

Doctor: 어떻게 오셨어요?
What brings you in?

Patient: 어제부터 배가 아파요.
My stomach has hurt since yesterday.

Doctor: 많이 아파요?
Does it hurt a lot?

Patient: 네, 오늘 더 아파요.
Yes. It hurts more today.

Doctor: 열이 있어요?
Do you have a fever?

Patient: 아니요.
No.

Conversation 3: You Do Not Understand

Doctor: 다른 약 복용하고 계세요?
Are you taking any other medicine?

Traveler: 죄송하지만 한국어를 잘 못해요. 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Sorry, I do not speak Korean well. Please speak slowly.

Doctor: 다른 약 먹어요?
Do you take other medicine?

Traveler: 아, 네. 이 약을 먹고 있어요.
Ah, yes. I am taking this medicine.

Conversation 4: One Side Hurts

Doctor: 어느 쪽이 아파요?
Which side hurts?

Patient: 오른쪽이요.
The right side.

Doctor: 여기요?
Here?

Patient: 네, 거기가 많이 아파요.
Yes, it hurts a lot there.

Conversation 5: Payment and Prescription

Staff: 수납 도와드릴게요.
I will help you with payment.

Traveler: 카드 돼요?
Can I pay by card?

Staff: 네.
Yes.

Traveler: 처방전은 어디에서 받아요?
Where do I get the prescription?

Staff: 여기 있습니다.
Here it is.

16. Common First-Time Visitor Mistakes

Mistake 1: Going to the First Medical Department You See

A sign says 안과, 피부과, or 정형외과, but you do not know what it means.

Before entering, check that the clinic matches your main problem.

Mistake 2: Trying to Give a Five-Minute Korean Speech

You do not need to explain your entire medical history in beginner Korean.

Start with:

어제부터 목이 아파요.

Then answer the doctor's questions one by one.

Mistake 3: Saying “Yes” When You Did Not Understand

In a medical conversation, guessing can create confusion.

Use:

다시 말씀해 주세요.

or:

적어 주세요.

Mistake 4: Forgetting Medicine and Allergy Information

If relevant, prepare the names or active ingredients of medicines you take and information about known medicine allergies.

Do not rely on remembering everything while you are nervous.

Mistake 5: Thinking the Prescription Is the Medicine

처방전 is the prescription document.

약 is medicine.

If you receive a prescription, you may need to take it to a pharmacy to have the prescribed medicine dispensed.

Mistake 6: Treating an Emergency Like a Normal Clinic Visit

A normal clinic guide is not appropriate for a serious emergency.

If the situation is urgent, call 119 or seek emergency medical assistance.

17. Korean Clinic Culture Tips

The Visit May Feel Fast

Some outpatient consultations can feel direct and efficient.

Be ready to state your main symptom and when it started early in the conversation.

Reception Is an Important Part of the Process

Do not walk past the front desk because you see a doctor's room.

Start with 접수—registration or reception.

Short Answers Are Completely Useful

You do not need a perfect sentence for every question.

These short answers can carry a conversation:

어제부터요. — Since yesterday.
오른쪽이요. — The right side.
조금요. — A little.
네. — Yes.
아니요. — No.

Translation on Your Phone Can Be Practical

For important medical information, written communication can help reduce misunderstandings.

Prepare the facts before the visit instead of translating a long emotional explanation at the reception desk.

Opening Hours and Services Vary

Do not assume every clinic or pharmacy is open late, on Sundays, or during a public holiday.

Check current local information before traveling to a specific facility whenever the situation is not an emergency.

18. Emergency Korean You Should Know

For an emergency in Korea, call:

119

Useful emergency phrases include:

도와주세요.
Please help me.

응급 상황이에요.
It is an emergency.

숨쉬기가 힘들어요.
I am having difficulty breathing.

의식이 없어요.
They are unconscious.

피가 많이 나요.
There is a lot of bleeding.

응급실이 어디예요?
Where is the emergency room?

구급차가 필요해요.
I need an ambulance.

Korean	Meaning
응급	Emergency
응급실	Emergency room
구급차	Ambulance
의식	Consciousness
호흡	Breathing / respiration
출혈	Bleeding

Remember: In a real emergency, getting help is more important than speaking perfect Korean.

19. Doctor Visit Survival Checklist

Before you visit a clinic in Korea, prepare:

Your identification and relevant travel documents
Your main symptom
When the symptom started
Where it hurts
Whether it is getting worse
Current medicines, if relevant
Known medicine allergies, if relevant
A translation app or written symptom note
Payment method
Insurance documentation or requirements you may need to handle separately

Remember these five phrases:

진료받고 싶어요. — I would like to see a doctor.
여기가 아파요. — It hurts here.
어제부터 아파요. — It has hurt since yesterday.
한국어를 잘 못해요. — I do not speak Korean well.
천천히 말씀해 주세요. — Please speak slowly.

Quick Korean Medical Vocabulary Review

Korean	English	When You Need It
병원	Hospital / medical facility	Finding medical care
의원	Clinic	Local outpatient care
접수	Reception / registration	When you arrive
진료	Medical consultation / care	Seeing a doctor
증상	Symptom	Explaining the problem
아파요	It hurts / I am sick	Explaining pain
처방전	Prescription	After the consultation
약국	Pharmacy	Getting prescribed medicine
응급실	Emergency room	Emergency care
119	Emergency number	Urgent emergencies

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a doctor in Korea if I do not speak Korean?

Yes, but language support varies by medical facility. Prepare a short written description of your symptoms, when they started, current medicines, and relevant allergies. You can also ask 영어 가능하세요?, meaning “Do you speak English?”

How do I say “I want to see a doctor” in Korean?

Say 진료받고 싶어요. This means “I would like to receive medical care” or “I would like to see a doctor.”

How do I say “Where does it hurt?” in Korean?

어디가 아프세요? means “Where does it hurt?”

How do I explain pain in Korean?

Use [body part] + 이/가 + 아파요. For example, 머리가 아파요 means “My head hurts,” and 배가 아파요 means “My stomach hurts.”

How do I say “It hurts here” in Korean?

Say 여기가 아파요 and point to the painful area.

What does 접수 mean at a Korean clinic?

접수 means reception or registration. It is usually where you begin the clinic process.

What does 처방전 mean?

처방전 means prescription. If a doctor issues one, you may need to take it to a pharmacy to receive the prescribed medicine.

What is the Korean word for pharmacy?

Pharmacy in Korean is 약국.

What should I say if I do not understand the doctor?

Say 다시 말씀해 주세요 for “Please say that again,” or 천천히 말씀해 주세요 for “Please speak slowly.” You can also ask for important information to be written down.

What is the emergency number in Korea?

For fire, rescue, and medical emergencies in Korea, call 119.

Should I go to a pharmacy or a clinic?

A pharmacy can help with pharmacy services and medicines within its role, while a clinic or hospital is appropriate when you need medical assessment, diagnosis, tests, treatment, or a prescription that requires a doctor's consultation. If symptoms are severe or urgent, seek emergency medical help.

Final Thoughts

Seeing a doctor in another country can feel frightening.

The unfamiliar signs, the reception desk, the medical questions, and the language barrier can make a simple clinic visit feel much more complicated than it really is.

But you do not need to speak perfect Korean to begin communicating.

Start with:

진료받고 싶어요.
I would like to see a doctor.

Then explain the main problem:

목이 아파요.

배가 아파요.

여기가 아파요.

Add one time detail:

어제부터요.

And if you do not understand:

천천히 말씀해 주세요.

That is already real communication.

Real Korean is not about memorizing a medical dictionary before your trip.

It is about knowing what to say when a real person asks you a real question at the exact moment you need help.

Continue Learning Korean Through Real Life

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