If your furry friend gets sick while you’re in Korea, would you know what to say at the vet? 🐶🐱 Understanding basic health terms and how to communicate with a veterinarian in Korean can make a huge difference for your pet’s well-being.
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In this guide, you'll learn must-know phrases, real examples, and key vocabulary to help you speak confidently at the animal hospital. Whether you're describing symptoms or understanding medical advice, we've got you covered — all in simple Korean with romanization!
🏥 Visiting the Vet in Korea: What to Expect
Visiting a vet in Korea can feel intimidating if you don't speak the language — especially when your pet is sick or hurt. But don’t worry! With some basic vocabulary and knowledge of what happens during a visit, you can handle it smoothly and confidently. 🐶🐾
First, know that many animal hospitals in Korea are modern, clean, and very pet-friendly. Vets in cities like Seoul or Busan are often experienced, and some may even speak basic English. Still, most communication will be in Korean, especially at local clinics, so learning key phrases is helpful.
When you arrive at the clinic, you’ll usually check in by saying your name and your pet’s condition. You can say something like 예약했어요 (yeyakhaesseoyo) — "I have an appointment." Or if you're walking in without one, say 예약 없어요 (yeyak eopseoyo) — "I don't have an appointment."
Next, you’ll describe what’s wrong with your pet. This is where basic health terms become important. If your dog has diarrhea, you can say 강아지가 설사해요 (gangajiga seolsa haeyo). If your cat is limping, try 고양이가 절어요 (goyangiga jeoreoyo).
Vet visits in Korea are usually quick and efficient. You may need to fill out a simple form or just speak with the vet directly. Some clinics ask for your pet’s vaccination history, so keeping a photo of the records on your phone is a smart idea.
In Korean culture, people tend to trust professionals deeply, so you’ll often hear pet owners simply say 잘 부탁드립니다 (jal butak deurimnida) — "Please take good care of my pet." This respectful phrase shows trust and is commonly used at hospitals and grooming salons.
You can also use emotional words like 많이 아파 보여요 (mani apa boyeoyo) — "She looks like she’s in a lot of pain," or 걱정돼요 (geokjeong dwaeyo) — "I’m worried." These simple phrases help express your concern clearly, even if you’re a beginner in Korean.
The vet may ask follow-up questions such as, “When did this start?” or “Is your pet eating normally?” These questions are usually simple but fast, so it helps to understand keywords like 언제부터 (eonjebuteo) — "since when" or 식욕 (sigyok) — "appetite."
If your pet needs to stay at the hospital, the vet might say 입원해야 해요 (ibwon haeya haeyo) — "Your pet needs to be hospitalized." Don’t panic — this is often for observation or overnight care. Most clinics are well-equipped and provide daily updates.
After the consultation, you’ll receive a diagnosis and possibly some medication. We'll cover medical terms in a later section, but it helps to understand phrases like 약 주세요 (yak juseyo) — "Please give me medicine" or 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) — "How much is it?"
Remember, the staff at animal hospitals in Korea are generally kind and helpful. Even if you speak broken Korean, they’ll appreciate your effort and try to assist you. Many even use apps like Papago to translate with you.
To feel more confident, prepare by memorizing a few key sentences and writing down your pet’s symptoms in Korean before your visit. This makes communication smoother and shows respect for the clinic staff.
Learning Korean for vet visits not only helps your pet get better faster but also makes you feel more independent and empowered as a pet owner in a foreign country. 💪🐾
Here’s a quick table with practical phrases you’ll use during your vet visit. Memorizing just a few of these can make your entire experience smoother!
🗒️ Vet Clinic Phrases in Korean
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 예약했어요 | yeyak haesseoyo | I have an appointment |
| 잘 부탁드립니다 | jal butak deurimnida | Please take good care |
| 많이 아파 보여요 | mani apa boyeoyo | She looks very sick |
| 걱정돼요 | geokjeong dwaeyo | I’m worried |
| 입원해야 해요 | ibwon haeya haeyo | Needs hospitalization |
🤒 Common Symptoms and How to Say Them in Korean
When your pet is sick, describing their symptoms clearly can help the vet make the right diagnosis faster. In Korea, most vets ask owners to explain what they’ve observed. Even if you’re not fluent, knowing a few key symptom words can make a huge difference. 🐕🐾
For example, if your dog is vomiting, the Korean word is 토해요 (tohaeyo). If your cat has diarrhea, it’s 설사해요 (seolsa haeyo). These are simple but powerful phrases that get your message across without needing full sentences.
Other common symptoms include coughing (기침해요, gichim haeyo), sneezing (재채기해요, jaechaegi haeyo), and limping (절어요, jeoreoyo). These can be caused by infections, injuries, or seasonal allergies — issues many Korean pet owners also face.
If your pet refuses to eat, you can say 밥을 안 먹어요 (babeul an meogeoyo). This is one of the first questions the vet may ask: “Is your pet eating normally?” Knowing how to answer that builds trust between you and the clinic staff.
Let’s say your dog keeps scratching. The phrase 계속 긁어요 (gyesok geulgeoyo) means “keeps scratching.” This could indicate fleas, allergies, or a skin issue — and saying it clearly helps the vet narrow down the cause.
Breathing problems? Try saying 숨쉬기 힘들어해요 (sumswigi himdeureohaeyo) — “He has trouble breathing.” This phrase is especially important in emergencies, like heatstroke or respiratory illness.
Other warning signs include shaking (떨고 있어요, tteolgo isseoyo), whining (낑낑거려요, kkingking georyeoyo), and being unusually quiet (조용해요, joyonghaeyo). Each of these can show stress or discomfort, and it’s useful to name them.
You don’t need perfect grammar — even listing the symptom and pointing to the body part can help. Vets are trained to interpret what you mean. Using correct symptom terms just makes the process faster and safer for your pet.
Most animal hospitals keep charts, so even if you pronounce a word incorrectly, the staff may understand and ask you to point or confirm. Saying one correct symptom word can often lead to better treatment decisions.
Here’s a table of the most common symptoms you might need to describe. Memorizing just five or six can make your vet visit much easier.
📋 Symptom Vocabulary Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 토해요 | tohaeyo | vomiting |
| 설사해요 | seolsa haeyo | has diarrhea |
| 기침해요 | gichim haeyo | coughing |
| 계속 긁어요 | gyesok geulgeoyo | keeps scratching |
| 밥을 안 먹어요 | babeul an meogeoyo | won’t eat |
| 숨쉬기 힘들어해요 | sumswigi himdeureohaeyo | trouble breathing |
🦴 Basic Anatomy Terms for Pets in Korean
When your pet is injured or not feeling well, pointing to the right body part and naming it in Korean can help the vet understand faster. You don’t need to be a biology expert, but knowing a few pet anatomy words can really help when you’re at a Korean animal hospital. 🐾🩺
For example, if your dog is limping, it’s useful to know that “leg” is 다리 (dari). If there’s something wrong with their ears, you can say 귀 (gwi). These simple words help narrow down the problem and show the vet exactly where the issue is.
Let’s say your cat has an eye infection. Knowing that “eye” is 눈 (nun) helps a lot. You can say something like 눈에 문제가 있어요 (nune munjega isseoyo) — “There’s a problem with the eye.” Clear and easy!
If your pet is licking or biting its paw, that’s often a sign of discomfort or itchiness. “Paw” is 발바닥 (balbadak) and “foot” is 발 (bal). You can say 발을 자꾸 핥아요 (bareul jakku halhayo) — “He keeps licking his foot.”
Other commonly used body words include 배 (bae) for “stomach,” 목 (mok) for “neck,” and 등 (deung) for “back.” These come up often when describing pain, rashes, or swelling.
In many clinics, vets will ask, 어디가 아파요? (eodiga apayo?) — “Where does it hurt?” Being able to answer with the body part helps tremendously. For example, you can say, 다리가 아파요 (dariga apayo) — “His leg hurts.”
Knowing body parts also helps when applying medication. If the vet says, “Apply this to the ear,” you’ll understand it’s for the 귀 (gwi). Learning these terms isn’t just about vocabulary — it helps protect your pet!
One cultural tip: Koreans often use soft and affectionate words when talking about their pets’ bodies. Instead of technical terms, many pet owners use slightly “cuter” language, especially when talking to the animal in front of the vet.
Here's a helpful table with the most common pet body parts in Korean, complete with romanization and English meaning. Use it to prepare before your vet visit or simply to bond with your furry companion. 🐶🐱
📍 Pet Anatomy Vocabulary Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 눈 | nun | eye |
| 귀 | gwi | ear |
| 배 | bae | stomach |
| 다리 | dari | leg |
| 목 | mok | neck |
| 등 | deung | back |
🚨 Korean Phrases for Emergency Situations
Emergencies happen when we least expect them — your dog eats chocolate, your cat has a seizure, or your pet suddenly collapses. In these urgent moments, being able to say the right thing in Korean can literally save your pet’s life. 🆘🐶
One of the most useful emergency phrases is 응급상황이에요 (eunggeup sanghwang-ieyo) — “It’s an emergency.” You can say this immediately when entering a clinic or calling a vet. It tells the staff to prioritize your case without delay.
If your pet stops breathing or loses consciousness, you can yell 숨을 안 쉬어요! (sumeul an swieoyo!) — “(They’re) not breathing!” This phrase will cause immediate action from the vet team.
For poisoning or accidents, say 뭔가 잘못 먹었어요 (mwonga jalmot meogeosseoyo) — “(They) ate something bad.” This covers food poisoning, toxic plants, or even swallowed objects like toys or socks.
Seizures can be terrifying. The phrase 발작하고 있어요 (baljak hago isseoyo) means “(My pet) is having a seizure.” If you can’t remember the word, acting it out while using this phrase can help too.
Bleeding is another common emergency. You can say 피가 나요 (piga nayo) — “(It’s) bleeding.” It’s short, clear, and immediately recognizable. Pointing to the bleeding area helps too.
If your pet has difficulty walking or suddenly collapses, use 걷지 못해요 (geotji mothaeyo) — “(They) can’t walk.” If they’re shaking, try 몸이 떨려요 (momi tteollyeoyo) — “Their body is shaking.”
Emergency clinics (야간 동물 병원, yagan dongmul byeongwon) are available in large cities. Always have one or two locations saved on your phone — and practice saying the clinic name and address in Korean just in case you need to call a taxi or ask someone for help.
Another tip: If you’re in a panic and can’t recall a phrase, use a translation app like Papago or Google Translate. Say “Emergency! Animal Hospital!” or show the Korean text 응급! 동물병원! (eunggeup! dongmul byeongwon!)
But ideally, memorize a few essential Korean phrases so you don’t waste precious time. Every second counts during emergencies — and showing calm communication can speed up treatment decisions.
Here’s a practical list of emergency phrases every pet owner in Korea should know. Keep these saved in your phone or wallet, or even better — memorize them.
📋 Emergency Vocabulary Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 응급상황이에요 | eunggeup sanghwang-ieyo | It’s an emergency |
| 숨을 안 쉬어요 | sumeul an swieoyo | Not breathing |
| 피가 나요 | piga nayo | Bleeding |
| 발작하고 있어요 | baljak hago isseoyo | Having a seizure |
| 뭔가 잘못 먹었어요 | mwonga jalmot meogeosseoyo | Ate something wrong |
🗓️ Routine Check-up Expressions in Korean
Taking your pet for a regular health check-up is part of responsible pet parenting. Whether it's for vaccinations, dental cleaning, or just a general health update, knowing what to say in Korean will help you feel more confident and prepared at the clinic. 🐕🐾
Most Korean animal hospitals offer a variety of routine services, and they often ask if you came for a specific reason or just a check-up. You can say 건강검진 왔어요 (geongang geomjin wasseoyo) — “I came for a health check-up.”
If you're there for vaccines, try saying 예방접종 하러 왔어요 (yebang jeopjong hareo wasseoyo) — “I came for a vaccination.” Many Korean vets will recommend a vaccine schedule, especially for puppies and kittens.
Other routine services include nail trimming (발톱 자르기, baltop jareugi), ear cleaning (귀 청소, gwi cheongso), and anal gland expression (항문낭 짜기, hangmunnang jjagi) — yes, it sounds strange, but it’s common in Korean vet care.
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You might also hear the vet ask if your pet is eating well. Be ready to say 잘 먹어요 (jal meogeoyo) — “He/She eats well” or 식욕이 없어요 (sigyoki eopseoyo) — “(They) have no appetite.”
Sometimes you’ll be asked about energy levels. You can reply with 기운이 없어요 (giuni eopseoyo) — “They have no energy,” or 활발해요 (hwalbalhaeyo) — “They’re active.” These words help the vet assess your pet’s condition beyond just visible symptoms.
For puppies or new rescues, you may want to ask for a full-body exam. Try saying 전체 검진 해주세요 (jeonche geomjin haejuseyo) — “Please give a full check-up.” Vets in Korea usually do a head-to-tail exam.
If it’s your first visit, you might say 처음 왔어요 (cheoeum wasseoyo) — “It’s our first visit.” This often leads to the staff being extra kind and informative. Koreans generally love animals and treat pet owners with respect.
You can also ask about preventive care using the phrase 예방 치료가 필요해요 (yebang chiryoga piryohaeyo) — “I need preventive care.” This could include flea/tick medication or deworming treatment.
Routine check-ups are usually quick and affordable in Korea. Most clinics accept walk-ins, but making a 예약 (yeyak, appointment) is always appreciated. You can say 예약했어요 (yeyak haesseoyo) to confirm your booking.
Here’s a helpful table of check-up related expressions in Korean. With just a few of these phrases, your regular vet visits will feel a lot less stressful!
📋 Check-up Vocabulary Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 건강검진 왔어요 | geongang geomjin wasseoyo | Came for a check-up |
| 예방접종 하러 왔어요 | yebang jeopjong hareo wasseoyo | Here for vaccination |
| 전체 검진 해주세요 | jeonche geomjin haejuseyo | Full-body exam, please |
| 기운이 없어요 | giuni eopseoyo | Has no energy |
| 활발해요 | hwalbalhaeyo | Active / energetic |
💊 Medication and Treatment Vocabulary in Korean
After diagnosis, your vet may prescribe medication or suggest treatment options. Understanding basic Korean terms for medicine and care instructions is key to keeping your pet healthy and safe. 💉🐶
One of the most common words you’ll hear is 약 (yak) — it simply means “medicine.” You might hear the vet say, 약 드릴게요 (yak deurilgeyo) — “I’ll give you medicine.” If it’s in pill form, it’s called 알약 (allyak), and liquid form is 액체약 (aekcheyak).
When asking how often to give the medicine, say 하루에 몇 번이에요? (harue myeot beonieyo?) — “How many times a day?” You’ll usually get instructions like 하루 두 번 주세요 (haru du beon juseyo) — “Give it twice a day.”
For topical medication, you may hear 바르는 약이에요 (bareuneun yag-ieyo) — “This is topical medication.” If the vet says 상처에 발라주세요 (sangcheoe ballajuseyo), it means “Apply to the wound.”
Injections are also common. If your pet gets a shot, the vet may say 주사 맞았어요 (jusa majasseoyo) — “(They) got a shot.” For follow-ups, they may tell you 일주일 후에 다시 오세요 (ilju-il hue dasi oseyo) — “Come back in a week.”
If your pet needs to wear a cone, it’s called 넥카라 (nek-kara) in Korean. You may hear 넥카라 착용해주세요 (nek-kara chakyong haejuseyo) — “Please put on the cone.”
When treatment involves daily tasks like cleaning a wound, say 상처 소독해야 해요 (sangcheo sodok haeya haeyo) — “You need to disinfect the wound.” The vet may also provide gauze (거즈, geojeu) or antiseptic (소독약, sodokyak).
If you don’t understand the instructions, it’s okay to ask: 다시 설명해주세요 (dasi seolmyeong haejuseyo) — “Please explain again.” Most vets will slow down or even write it out for you.
Some pets are picky about taking pills. You can ask, 어떻게 먹여야 해요? (eotteoke meogyeoya haeyo?) — “How should I give this?” The vet might suggest mixing it with food: 사료에 섞어주세요 (saryoe seokkeojuseyo) — “Mix it into their food.”
Here’s a table of essential treatment and medication vocabulary. Keep it on hand so you’ll never miss a dose or misunderstanding at the clinic.
📋 Medication & Treatment Vocabulary Table
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 약 주세요 | yak juseyo | Please give me medicine |
| 하루 두 번 주세요 | haru du beon juseyo | Give twice a day |
| 상처에 발라주세요 | sangcheoe ballajuseyo | Apply to the wound |
| 주사 맞았어요 | jusa majasseoyo | Got a shot |
| 넥카라 착용해주세요 | nek-kara chakyong haejuseyo | Put on the cone |
🙋 FAQ: Talking to a Vet in Korean
Q1. How do I say "medicine" in Korean?
A1. It’s 약 (yak). For example, 약 주세요 (yak juseyo) means “Please give me medicine.”
Q2. How can I say "My dog is vomiting"?
A2. Use 강아지가 토해요 (gangajiga tohaeyo) — “My dog is vomiting.”
Q3. What does "응급상황이에요" mean?
A3. It means “It’s an emergency.” Romanization: eunggeup sanghwang-ieyo.
Q4. How do I say "Apply this to the wound"?
A4. Say 상처에 발라주세요 (sangcheoe ballajuseyo).
Q5. How do I ask "How many times a day?"
A5. Use 하루에 몇 번이에요? (harue myeot beonieyo?).
Q6. What’s the Korean word for "vaccination"?
A6. It’s 예방접종 (yebang jeopjong).
Q7. How can I say "He has a fever"?
A7. Say 열이 있어요 (yeori isseoyo) — “(He) has a fever.”
Q8. How do I ask "When should I come back?"
A8. Use 언제 다시 와야 해요? (eonje dasi wayahaeyo?).
Q9. How do I say “He’s not eating”?
A9. Say 밥을 안 먹어요 (babeul an meogeoyo).
Q10. What’s “shot” or “injection” in Korean?
A10. It’s 주사 (jusa). “She got a shot” = 주사 맞았어요 (jusa majasseoyo).
Q11. How do I say “My pet has diarrhea”?
A11. Say 설사해요 (seolsa haeyo) — “(My pet) has diarrhea.” This is a very common symptom phrase at Korean vet clinics.
Q12. What does “검사해야 해요” mean?
A12. 검사해야 해요 (geomsa haeya haeyo) means “(We) need to do an examination.” Vets often say this before blood tests or scans.
Q13. How do I say “He is coughing”?
A13. Use 기침해요 (gichim haeyo) — “(He/She) is coughing.”
Q14. How can I say “My pet looks very sick”?
A14. Say 많이 아파 보여요 (mani apa boyeoyo) — “(My pet) looks very sick.”
Q15. What does “입원해야 해요” mean?
A15. 입원해야 해요 (ibwon haeya haeyo) means “(Your pet) needs to be hospitalized.”
Q16. How do I say “Please explain again”?
A16. Say 다시 설명해주세요 (dasi seolmyeong haejuseyo).
Q17. How do I ask “Is this serious?”
A17. Use 심각해요? (simgakhaeyo?) — “Is it serious?”
Q18. How do I say “He needs surgery”?
A18. Say 수술해야 해요 (susul haeya haeyo) — “(He) needs surgery.”
Q19. What is “recovery” in Korean?
A19. Recovery is 회복 (hoebok). “Recovery period” is 회복 기간 (hoebok gigan).
Q20. How do I say “He is getting better”?
A20. Say 많이 좋아졌어요 (mani joajyeosseoyo).
Q21. How do I ask “Can he eat now?”
A21. Use 지금 먹어도 돼요? (jigeum meogeodo dwaeyo?).
Q22. How do I say “He needs rest”?
A22. Say 쉬어야 해요 (swieoya haeyo) — “(He) needs to rest.”
Q23. What does “부작용” mean?
A23. 부작용 (bujagyong) means “side effects.”
Q24. How do I say “There are side effects”?
A24. Say 부작용이 있어요 (bujagyongi isseoyo).
Q25. How do I ask “Is this safe?”
A25. Use 안전해요? (anjeonhaeyo?).
Q26. How do I say “He needs follow-up treatment”?
A26. Say 추가 치료가 필요해요 (chuga chiryo-ga piryohaeyo).
Q27. How do I ask “When is the next visit?”
A27. Say 다음 방문은 언제예요? (daeum bangmun-eun eonjeyeyo?).
Q28. How do I say “Please be careful”?
A28. Use 조심해주세요 (josimhaejuseyo).
Q29. How do I say “Thank you for taking care of my pet”?
A29. Say 잘 봐주셔서 감사합니다 (jal bwajusyeoseo gamsahamnida).
Q30. How do I say “I’m very relieved”?
A30. Use 안심이 돼요 (ansimi dwaeyo) — “I feel relieved.”
Disclaimer: This blog content is intended for educational purposes only. It is designed to help Korean language learners better understand and communicate with veterinarians in pet-related situations. It should not replace professional medical advice. For accurate diagnosis and treatment, always consult a licensed veterinarian.
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