Your Korean Pharmacy Guide: “How Much Is It?” and More!
Hello! This is [Maeil Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Ever felt a little nervous about going into a pharmacy in a foreign country? Don’t worry! Today, we’re going to learn some essential Korean phrases for buying medicine and paying at a pharmacy.
These days in Korea, health and self-care are a huge trend! From K-pop idols taking breaks for their health to everyone stocking up on vitamins, taking care of yourself is cool. You’ll find pharmacies (약국 – yakguk) on almost every corner. Knowing these simple phrases will make you feel super confident and prepared for any situation. Let’s get started!
Key Expressions for the Pharmacy
Here are three must-know phrases that will make your trip to the Korean pharmacy a breeze.
1. 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Igeo eolmayeyo?
- English Meaning: How much is this?
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most fundamental question for shopping anywhere in Korea! 이거 (igeo) means “this,” 얼마 (eolma) means “how much,” and 예요 (yeyo) is the polite form of “is.” You can simply point at what you want to buy and say this phrase.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
When you say이거 (igeo), theㄱ (g)sound is very soft, almost between a ‘g’ and a ‘k’. For얼마예요 (eolmayeyo), try to say it smoothly as one word, not “eolma… yeyo.” It flows together naturally: [eol-ma-ye-yo].
2. 처방전 여기 있어요. (Here is my prescription.)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Cheobangjeon yeogi isseoyo.
- English Meaning: Here is my prescription.
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Detailed Explanation: If you’ve been to a hospital or clinic, the doctor will give you a 처방전 (cheobangjeon), which is a prescription. 여기 (yeogi) means “here,” and 있어요 (isseoyo) means “there is” or “I have.” You simply hand over the paper to the pharmacist and say this phrase.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Theㅂ (b)sound in처방전 (cheobangjeon)is softer than an English ‘b’. It’s pronounced without a strong puff of air. Also, the finalㄴ (n)sound in전 (jeon)should be clear. Practice saying [cheo-bang-jeon].
3. 카드 돼요? (Do you take credit card?)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Kadeu dwaeyo?
- English Meaning: Do you take (credit) card? / Can I pay by card?
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Detailed Explanation: This is a super useful phrase for any payment situation. 카드 (kadeu) is the Korean way of saying “card,” and 돼요? (dwaeyo?) means “Is it possible?” or “Does it work?”. While most places in Korea accept cards, it’s always polite to ask.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The word돼요 (dwaeyo)can be tricky. It’s a combination of the vowels ‘ㅗ (o)’ and ‘ㅐ (ae)’. Think of it as a quick “dwae” sound, almost like “dway” in English. The pronunciation is [dwae-yo].
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation. Imagine you just came from the clinic to get medicine for a cold.
- A: 약사 (Pharmacist)
- B: 당신 (You)
A: 어서 오세요. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
(Eoseo oseyo. Mueoseul dowadeurilkkayo?)
Welcome. How may I help you?B: 안녕하세요. 병원에서 받았어요. 처방전 여기 있어요.
(Annyeonghaseyo. Byeong-woneseo badasseoyo. Cheobangjeon yeogi isseoyo.)
Hello. I got this from the hospital. Here is my prescription.A: 네, 잠시만 기다려주세요. … 약 나왔습니다. 12,000원입니다.
(Ne, jamsiman gidaryeojuseyo. … Yak nawatsseumnida. Man-icheon-wonimnida.)
Okay, please wait a moment. … Here is your medicine. It’s 12,000 won.B: 카드 돼요?
(Kadeu dwaeyo?)
Can I pay by card?A: 네, 그럼요.
(Ne, geureomyo.)
Yes, of course.
See? Simple and effective!
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
Your Pharmacy is Your Friend!
In Korea, pharmacists are highly respected and can give you advice for minor health issues. You don’t always need a prescription to get help!
- Two Types of Medicine: There are two main categories. 일반의약품 (ilban-uiyakpum) are over-the-counter drugs you can buy freely, like pain relievers or vitamin drinks. 전문의약품 (jeonmun-uiyakpum) are prescription drugs that require a
처방전 (cheobangjeon). - More Than Just Pills: As part of the wellness trend, many Koreans visit pharmacies to buy popular energy drinks like 박카스 (Bacchus), vitamin supplements, and even face masks! So don’t be surprised to see people buying things other than medicine.
- Look for the Sign: Korean pharmacies are marked with a big green cross and the word 약 (yak). You can’t miss them!
Knowing this, you can confidently walk into any pharmacy not just for medicine, but also to grab a vitamin drink like a true local!
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! We learned how to ask for the price, present a prescription, and ask to pay by card. These are essential skills for your life in Korea.
Now, let’s test your knowledge! Fill in the blanks for the situations below.
- You are pointing at a box of vitamins and want to know the price. You say:
“_______ 얼마예요?” -
You want to pay for your medicine with a credit card. You ask the pharmacist:
“_______ 돼요?”
Leave your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see you practice today’s phrases. Until next time, stay healthy and keep learning
