Pharmacy & Health

1. 두통약 있어요?

   Du-tong-yak i-sseo-yo?

   Do you have headache medicine?

   Usage

   Ask for headache medicine at a pharmacy in Korea

   Grammar Note

   "...isseoyo?" = "do you have...?" Korean pharmacies (약국) encourage consultation with pharmacists

2. 위장약이 필요해요

   Wi-jang-yak-i pi-ryo-hae-yo

   I need stomach medicine

   Usage

   Use when you need stomach medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Pilyohada" = "is necessary". "...i/ga pilyohaeyo" = "I need..."

3. 지사제가 필요해요

   Ji-sa-je-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo

   I need anti-diarrhea medicine

   Usage

   Ask for anti-diarrhea medicine

   Grammar Note

   "Jisaje" is from Sino-Korean "止瀉劑" (antidiarrheal). "Seolsayak" (설사약) is a more colloquial alternative

4. 열이 나요

   Yeol-i na-yo

   I have a fever

   Usage

   Tell the pharmacist you have a fever

   Grammar Note

   "Yeori nada" = "fever comes out" — the standard expression for having a fever. "Nada" = come out/occur

5. 알레르기가 있어요

   Al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo

   I have an allergy

   Usage

   Inform the pharmacist about your allergy

   Grammar Note

   "Allereugi-ga isseoyo" = "I have an allergy". Add "...e allereugi-ga isseoyo" to specify the allergen

6. 반창고가 필요해요

   Ban-chang-go-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo

   I need bandages/plasters

   Usage

   Ask for bandages or plasters at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Banchango" is from Sino-Korean "絆瘡膏". "Baendeu" (band-aid) is also commonly used

7. 모기 기피제가 필요해요

   Mo-gi gi-pi-je-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo

   I need insect repellent

   Usage

   Ask for insect repellent at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Mogi gipije" (모기 기피제) is a mosquito repellent for use on skin; "beolle gipije" (벌레 기피제) also works. "Bangchungje" (방충제) means moth-proofing/pest-proofing for clothes and food, so do not use it for skin repellent

8. 자외선 차단제가 필요해요

   Ja-oe-seon cha-dan-je-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo

   I need sunscreen

   Usage

   Ask for sunscreen at a pharmacy

   Grammar Note

   "Jaoeseon chadanje" = "UV blocker". Korean skincare culture means excellent sunscreen variety is available at pharmacies

9. 이 약을 어떻게 먹나요?

   I ya-geul eo-tteo-ke meong-na-yo?

   How do I take this medicine?

   Usage

   Ask the pharmacist how to take the medicine

   Grammar Note

   Korean uses "meokda" (eat) for taking medicine, not "masida" (drink). This is standard usage

10. 처방전이 필요한가요?

    Cheo-bang-jeo-ni pi-ryo-han-ga-yo?

    Do I need a prescription?

    Usage

    Check if a prescription is needed

    Grammar Note

    "Cheobangjeon" = prescription (from Sino-Korean 處方箋). Korea has strict prescription requirements for antibiotics and many medicines

11. 처방전

    Cheo-bang-jeon

    Prescription

    Usage

    A doctor’s prescription; Korea requires one for antibiotics and many other medicines

12. 약국

    Yak-guk

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    The pharmacy itself; can also be shown when asking for directions

13. 체온계

    Che-on-gye

    Thermometer

    Usage

    For buying a thermometer at a pharmacy

14. 붕대

    Bung-dae

    Bandage

    Usage

    A roll bandage; an adhesive plaster is "반창고"

15. 소독약

    So-dong-nyak

    Antiseptic

    Usage

    Disinfectant for wounds; show it at the pharmacy counter

16. 마스크

    Ma-seu-keu

    Face mask

    Usage

    A hygiene mask, sold at pharmacies and convenience stores

17. 생리대

    Saeng-ni-dae

    Sanitary pads

    Usage

    The standard word in Korean shops; a tampon is "탬폰"

18. 콘돔

    Kon-dom

    Condom

    Usage

    Sold at pharmacies and convenience stores; useful precisely because you can show it without speaking

19. 안약

    A-nyak

    Eye drops

    Usage

    For asking a pharmacy for eye drops

20. 파스

    Pa-seu

    Medicated patch

    Usage

    The pain-relief patch you stick on a shoulder or back; understood in any Korean pharmacy

21. 해열제

    Hae-yeol-je

    Fever reducer

    Usage

    For asking for something to bring down a fever; a painkiller is "진통제"

22. 변비약 주세요

    Byeon-bi-yak ju-se-yo

    A laxative, please

    Usage

    Ask a pharmacy for medicine for constipation

    Grammar Note

    "변비약" is "변비" (constipation) + "약" (medicine). "~ 주세요" means "please give me ~", and the object particle can be dropped.

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