Korean Pharmacy 101: Get Your Medicine Like a Pro!

Korean Pharmacy 101: Get Your Medicine Like a Pro!

Hello! This is Maeil Hangeul (매일한글), here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Have you ever felt a little nervous about what to do if you get sick in Korea? Don’t worry! Going to a pharmacy is much easier than you think. Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean phrases you need to get your prescription medicine with confidence.

Lately in Korea, with the seasons changing, it feels like everyone is catching a cold! You might even see your favorite K-drama characters or idols sniffling. So, this is the perfect time to learn how to visit a pharmacy (약국) like a local. Let’s get started!

Core Expressions for the Pharmacy

Here are the key phrases that will make your pharmacy visit smooth and stress-free.

1. 처방전 여기 있습니다. (Cheobangjeon yeogi itseumnida.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Cheobangjeon yeogi isseumnida.
• English Meaning: Here is my prescription.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the very first thing you’ll say to the pharmacist (약사). 처방전 (cheobangjeon) means “prescription,” and 여기 있습니다 (yeogi isseumnida) is a polite way to say “here it is” while handing something over. It’s formal and perfect for this situation.

2. 이 약은 어떻게 먹어요? (I yageun eotteoke meogeoyo?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: I yageun eotteoke meogeoyo?
• English Meaning: How do I take this medicine?
• Detailed Explanation: This is a crucial question! 이 약 (i yak) means “this medicine,” and 어떻게 먹어요? (eotteoke meogeoyo?) means “how do I eat/take it?”. In Korean, you use the verb 먹다 (meokda - to eat) for taking medicine. This is a standard, polite question.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The word 어떻게 is spelled eo-tteoh-ge but is pronounced [eo-tteo-ke]. The final ㅎ(h) in a syllable block often combines with the next consonant. Here, ㅎ(h) + ㄱ(g) merges to create a strong, aspirated ㅋ(k) sound. So instead of “eotteoh-ge,” it sounds like “eotteoke.”

3. 하루에 세 번, 식후 30분에 드세요. (Harue se beon, sikhu samsipbune deuseyo.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Harue se beon, sikhu samsipbune deuseyo.
• English Meaning: Take it three times a day, 30 minutes after meals.
• Detailed Explanation: This is a very common instruction you will hear from the pharmacist. Let’s break it down:
  • 하루에 세 번 (harue se beon): Three times a day
  • 식후 30분 (sikhu samsipbun): 30 minutes after a meal
  • 드세요 (deuseyo): Please take/eat (the honorific form of 먹다).
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Notice 식후 (sikhu). It is spelled sik-hu but is pronounced [si-ku]. Just like our last example, the final consonant ㄱ(k) combines with the following ㅎ(h) to become an aspirated ㅋ(k) sound. It’s a small change that makes you sound much more natural!

4. 부작용은 없나요? (Bujagyong-eun eomnnayo?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Bujagyongeun eomnnayo?
• English Meaning: Are there any side effects?
• Detailed Explanation: A great question to ask for your safety. 부작용 (bujagyong) means “side effects,” and 없나요? (eomnnayo?) is a gentle way of asking “are there none?” or “do you not have any?”.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The word 없나요 is spelled eobs-na-yo but is pronounced [eom-na-yo]. This is due to a rule called nasalization. When a final consonant like ㅂ(b/p) is followed by a nasal sound like ㄴ(n) or ㅁ(m), the ㅂ(b/p) sound changes to an ㅁ(m) sound to make it easier to pronounce. So eop-nayo smoothly becomes eom-nayo.

Example Dialogue

Let’s see these phrases in a real conversation at a pharmacy!

• A: 약사 (Pharmacist)
• B: 학습자 (Learner)

A: 어서 오세요. (Eoseo oseyo. / Welcome.)
B: 안녕하세요. 처방전 여기 있습니다. (Annyeonghaseyo. Cheobangjeon yeogi itseumnida. / Hello. Here is my prescription.)
A: 네, 잠시만요… 약 나왔습니다. (Ne, jamsimanyo… Yak nawatseumnida. / Okay, just a moment… Here is your medicine.)
B: 감사합니다. 이 약은 어떻게 먹어요? (Gamsahamnida. I yageun eotteoke meogeoyo? / Thank you. How do I take this medicine?)
A: 하루에 세 번, 식후 30분에 드세요. (Harue se beon, sikhu samsipbune deuseyo. / Take it three times a day, 30 minutes after meals.)
B: 알겠습니다. 혹시 부작용은 없나요? (Algesseumnida. Hoksi bujagyong-eun eomnnayo? / I understand. By any chance, are there any side effects?)
A: 조금 졸릴 수 있어요. 운전은 조심하세요. (Jogeum jollil su isseoyo. Unjeoneun josimhaseyo. / You might get a little drowsy. Be careful when driving.)
B: 네, 감사합니다! (Ne, gamsahamnida! / Yes, thank you!)

Culture Tip: The Korean Medicine Pouch!

When you get prescription medicine in Korea, don’t be surprised if you don’t receive a bottle of pills!

It’s very common for pharmacists to package your medicine into individual doses in small, connected paper pouches. Each pouch contains the exact pills you need for one dose. They are often clearly printed with when to take them:

• 아침 (achim): Morning
• 점심 (jeomsim): Lunch
• 저녁 (jeonyeok): Evening

This system is super convenient! You just tear one off and take it at the designated time. It’s a unique part of the Korean healthcare experience that many foreigners find incredibly efficient. Knowing this will make you look like you’ve been living in Korea for years!

Let’s Review & Practice!

Great job today! You’ve learned how to confidently get prescription medicine in Korea. You now know how to present your prescription, ask how to take the medicine, understand the instructions, and even ask about side effects.

Practice Time!

Fill in the blank to complete the question you would ask a pharmacist.

• Question: 이 약은 ___________ 먹어요? (How do I take this medicine?)

Leave your answer in the comments below using the phrases you learned today! We’d love to see you try them out. Stay healthy, and see you in the next lesson