Textbook두통이 있고 체온이 높습니다du-tong-i it-go che-on-i nop-seup-ni-daI have a headache and high temperature
Real머리 아프고 열도 있는 것 같아요meo-ri a-peu-go yeol-do it-neun geot gat-a-yoMy head hurts and I think I have a fever too🏷️ Any casual setting
At Korean clinics, ~것 같아요 (I think/seems like) is how patients describe symptoms. Being too definitive sounds like you're self-diagnosing. Let the doctor be the expert.
Pain description words (의성어/의태어)
At the doctor's office
여기가 아파요 (pointing)It hurts here
○○일 전부터 아팠어요It's been hurting since ○○ days ago
점점 심해지고 있어요It's gradually getting worse
어떻게 아프세요?How does it hurt? (doctor asks this)
알레르기 있으세요?Do you have any allergies? (doctor asks)
약 드시는 거 있으세요?Are you taking any medication? (doctor asks)
Korean doctors are efficient — appointments last 5-10 minutes. Be ready to describe WHERE, SINCE WHEN, and HOW it hurts. Use the pain words above for 'how.'
Korean healthcare is shockingly affordable. A basic clinic visit costs 5,000-15,000 won (~$4-12). Even without insurance, a specialist visit is often under 50,000 won. Don't avoid the doctor to save money — you'll spend more on pharmacy trips guessing what's wrong.
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