Help! Korean Phrases for When You Need Medicine
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Imagine you’re traveling in Seoul, having the time of your life, but suddenly you get a headache. What do you do? Today, we’ll learn some essential Korean phrases for exactly this kind of situation: telling someone you need to take medicine. Lately in Korea, as more people are enjoying outdoor festivals and traveling, knowing these simple health-related phrases has become more important than ever. Let’s get you prepared!
Core Expressions You Must Know
Here are three key phrases to remember when you’re not feeling well.
1. 약 (yak)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: yak
- English Meaning: Medicine / Drug
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most basic and important word for today. 약 (yak) is the general term for all kinds of medicine, from a simple painkiller to prescription drugs. It’s the keyword you need people to understand.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The final ‘ㄱ(k)’ sound in 약 (yak) is an “unreleased” consonant. This means you form the ‘k’ sound at the back of your throat but don’t release a strong puff of air like in the English word “kick“. It’s a soft, clipped sound.
2. 약 먹어야 돼요 (yak meogeoya dwaeyo)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Yak meogeoya dwaeyo
- English Meaning: I have to take medicine. / I need to take medicine.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most useful phrase to express your need. Let’s break it down: 약 (yak) means “medicine,” and 먹어야 돼요 (meogeoya dwaeyo) means “have to eat.” That’s right! In Korean, you “eat” medicine, not “take” it. This is a very natural and common expression. The ‘-요 (-yo)’ at the end makes it polite, so you can use it with anyone.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Listen closely to 먹어야 (meogeoya). The consonant ‘ㄱ(g)’ at the end of ‘먹’ links to the vowel ‘어’ that follows it. So, instead of a choppy “meok-eo-ya,” it flows smoothly as [meo-geo-ya]. This sound-linking rule, called 연음 (yeoneum), is key to sounding natural in Korean!
3. 어디에서 약을 살 수 있어요? (eodieseo yageul sal su isseoyo?)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Eodieseo yageul sal su isseoyo?
- English Meaning: Where can I buy medicine?
- Detailed Explanation: This is your go-to question for finding a pharmacy. 어디에서 (eodieseo) means “where,” 약을 (yageul) is “medicine” (with the object marker), and 살 수 있어요? (sal su isseoyo?) means “can I buy?”.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Just like in our last example, 연음 (yeoneum) happens in 약을 (yageul). The final consonant ‘ㄱ(k)’ from ‘약’ moves over to the next syllable, making the pronunciation [ya-geul], not “yak-eul.” Practice saying it smoothly!
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation. Imagine you are at a K-pop concert with a Korean friend.
- A: 너 괜찮아? 얼굴이 안 좋아 보여.
(Neo gwaenchana? Eolguri an joa boyeo.)
Are you okay? You don’t look well. -
B: 머리가 좀 아파. 약 먹어야 돼요.
(Meoriga jom apa. Yak meogeoya dwaeyo.)
*I have a bit of a headache. I have to take medicine. * -
A: 저기 편의점 있어! 어디에서 약을 살 수 있어요? 라고 물어보자.
(Jeogi pyeonuijeom isseo! Eodieseo yageul sal su isseoyo? rago mureoboja.)
There’s a convenience store over there! Let’s ask, “Where can I buy medicine?” -
B: 좋아! 고마워.
(Joa! Gomawo.)
Okay! Thanks.
Culture Tip & Trend Analysis
Where to Find 약 (yak) in Korea?
In Korea, the place to buy medicine is a 약국 (yakguk), which is a pharmacy. You can easily spot them by looking for a big green cross sign (십자가 – sipjaga).
However, here’s a modern tip for you! For the past few years, it’s become a huge trend for 편의점 (pyeonuijeom) – convenience stores like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven to sell basic over-the-counter medicine. This includes painkillers (like Tylenol), digestive aids, and cold medicine. This is incredibly helpful if you feel sick late at night when all the pharmacies are closed. So, if you have a simple ailment, you can confidently walk into a convenience store and ask for 약 (yak). This shows you know the modern, convenient side of Korean culture!
Wrap-up & Practice Time!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to say you need medicine in Korean. You now know:
* 약 (yak): Medicine
* 약 먹어야 돼요 (yak meogeoya dwaeyo): I have to take medicine.
* 어디에서 약을 살 수 있어요? (eodieseo yageul sal su isseoyo?): Where can I buy medicine?
Now, let’s check what you’ve learned!
Quick Quiz: Choose the correct sentence for “I have to take medicine.”
- 밥 먹어야 돼요. (Bap meogeoya dwaeyo.)
- 약 먹어야 돼요. (Yak meogeoya dwaeyo.)
- 학교에 가야 돼요. (Hakgyoe gaya dwaeyo.)
(The answer is 2!)
You’re now better prepared for an unexpected situation in Korea! Why not try making your own sentence? Please leave a comment using one of the phrases you learned today! See you next time
