Korean Pharmacy 101: From Prescription to Pills!
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever visited a doctor in Korea and left with a piece of paper you couldn’t quite understand? That paper is your ticket to getting better: a prescription! Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean phrases you need to confidently visit a pharmacy, get your medicine, and understand the instructions.
Lately in Korea, with the seasons changing, many people are catching colds. You might see more people wearing masks and heading to the pharmacy. This is the perfect time to learn how to navigate this situation like a local, so you’ll be prepared if you ever need to! Let’s get started!
Key Expressions for the Pharmacy
Here are the must-know phrases for your pharmacy visit.
1. 처방전 여기 있습니다. (Cheobangjeon yeogi isseumnida.)
- Romanization: [Cheobangjeon yeogi isseumnida.]
- English Meaning: Here is my prescription.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the first and most important sentence you’ll use. It’s a polite and direct way to hand your prescription to the pharmacist.
- 처방전 (cheobangjeon): Prescription
- 여기 (yeogi): Here
- 있습니다 (isseumnida): There is / Here is (formal, polite form)
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The syllable ‘전’ (jeon) is not pronounced like ‘je-on’. Think of it as one smooth sound, like the ‘jeon’ in the Korean food word pajeon (파전). Keep your tongue relaxed!
2. 약은 어떻게 먹어야 돼요? (Yageun eotteoke meogeoya dwaeyo?)
- Romanization: [Yageun eotteoke meogeoya dwaeyo?]
- English Meaning: How should I take this medicine?
- Detailed Explanation: This is a crucial question to ask if you’re unsure about the instructions. It’s a natural and polite way to ask for clarification.
- 약 (yak): Medicine
- 어떻게 (eotteoke): How
- 먹어야 돼요? (meogeoya dwaeyo?): Should I eat/take? (In Korean, you “eat” medicine.)
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The word ‘어떻게’ is written with an ‘ㅎ(h)’ but it’s not pronounced strongly. The ‘ㅎ(h)’ and ‘ㄱ(g)’ combine to make a stronger ‘ㅋ(k)’ sound. So, instead of ‘eot-heo-ge’, it sounds like [eotteoke]. It’s a common rule that helps you sound much more natural!
3. 식후 30분에 드세요. (Sikhu samsipbune deuseyo.)
- Romanization: [Sikhu samsipbune deuseyo.]
- English Meaning: Take it 30 minutes after a meal.
- Detailed Explanation: This is one of the most common instructions you will hear from a Korean pharmacist.
- 식후 (sikhu): After a meal (식 = meal, 후 = after)
- 30분 (samsipbun): 30 minutes
- 드세요 (deuseyo): Please eat / Please take (This is the honorific, polite version of 먹다, ‘to eat’.)
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- Listen closely to ’30분’ [samsippun]. The final consonant ‘ㅂ(b)’ in ‘십(sip)’ makes the first consonant ‘ㅂ(b)’ in ‘분(bun)’ tense, so it sounds like the strong ‘ㅃ(pp)’. This is called ‘tensification’ and happens often in Korean. So, it’s not sam-sip-bun, but more like [sam-si-ppun].
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation at a pharmacy.
- A: (You) 안녕하세요. 처방전 여기 있습니다.
- [Annyeonghaseyo. Cheobangjeon yeogi isseumnida.]
- (Hello. Here is my prescription.)
- B: (Pharmacist) 네, 감사합니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요. … 약 나왔습니다. 이 약은 하루 세 번, 식후 30분에 드세요.
- [Ne, gamsahamnida. Jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo. … Yak nawasseumnida. I yageun haru se beon, sikhu samsipbune deuseyo.]
- (Yes, thank you. Please wait a moment. … Your medicine is ready. Take this medicine three times a day, 30 minutes after meals.)
- A: (You) 알겠습니다. 그런데 약은 어떻게 먹어야 돼요? 물이랑 같이 먹으면 되나요?
- [Algesseumnida. Geureonde yageun eotteoke meogeoya dwaeyo? Murirang gachi meogeumyeon doenayo?]
- (I understand. But how should I take the medicine? Is it okay with water?)
- B: (Pharmacist) 네, 물이랑 충분히 드세요.
- [Ne, murirang chungbunhi deuseyo.]
- (Yes, take it with plenty of water.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
Welcome to the world of convenient Korean pharmacies!
- The “Same Building” Pharmacy: In Korea, it’s extremely common to find a pharmacy on the first floor of the same building as the doctor’s clinic you just visited. This system is designed for maximum convenience—no need to search for a pharmacy across town!
- Pre-Packaged Doses: Here’s something you’ll love! Instead of giving you bottles of pills, Korean pharmacists often prepare your medicine in small, individual packets. Each packet contains the exact pills you need for one dose (e.g., for morning, noon, or night). They even print the instructions right on the packet, like “아침 식후 30분” (30 mins after breakfast). It makes taking medicine incredibly easy and mistake-proof!
- 환절기 감기 (Hwanjeolgi Gamgi): The trend we mentioned earlier, “seasonal change colds,” has its own name in Korean! It’s called 환절기 감기 (hwanjeolgi gamgi). If you tell a Korean friend you have this, they will understand immediately and probably offer you some warm tea.
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to handle a pharmacy visit in Korea. Remember these key phrases:
* 처방전 여기 있습니다. (Here is my prescription.)
* 약은 어떻게 먹어야 돼요? (How should I take this medicine?)
* 식후 30분에 드세요. (Take it 30 minutes after a meal.)
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
- Fill in the blank: You want to ask the pharmacist how to take your medicine.
- 약은 ___________ 먹어야 돼요?
- Make a sentence: You need to hand your prescription to the pharmacist. What do you say politely?
Leave your answers in the comments below using the phrases you learned today! We’d love to see you practice. Stay healthy and see you next time
