Korean OB-GYN Vocabulary: Useful Korean Phrases for Your Appointment in Daegu
Phrases for reception, symptoms, pregnancy, birth control, tests, and receipts
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yeo Jun-young, MD, PhD, board-certified OB-GYN · Last updated September 2026
Seeing a gynecologist abroad is easier with a few key words. This guide gives foreigners in Daegu the Korean OB-GYN vocabulary they'll need, from the front desk to the pharmacy.
Quick answer The most useful Korean OB-GYN vocabulary covers six areas: reception (산부인과, 접수, 외국인등록증), symptoms (분비물, 질염, 부정출혈), your period (생리, 생리통), pregnancy (임신 테스트, 초음파), contraception (피임약, 사후피임약), and paperwork (처방전, 영수증, 진료비 세부내역서). Show the Hangul on your phone if pronunciation feels hard. Staff will understand the written word.
How do you say "OB-GYN" in Korean?
An OB-GYN clinic is called 산부인과 (san-bu-in-gwa). The word combines 산과 (obstetrics) and 부인과 (gynecology), so the same sign covers both pregnancy care and women's health.
Many clinics also use 여성의원 (yeoseong-uiwon), meaning "women's clinic." Either term on Naver or Kakao Map will help you find a gynecologist in Daegu. You don't need perfect pronunciation: screenshot the tables below and point to the Hangul.
What should you say at reception?
At reception, you register (접수), show ID, and fill out a short questionnaire. These phrases cover almost every first visit.
- 접수하려고요 — Romanization: jeopsu-haryeogoyo; English: I'd like to check in / register
- 처음 왔어요 — Romanization: cheoeum wasseoyo; English: This is my first visit
- 예약했어요 — Romanization: yeyak-haesseoyo; English: I have an appointment
- 예약 안 했어요 — Romanization: yeyak an haesseoyo; English: I don't have an appointment
- 외국인등록증 — Romanization: oegugin deungnokjeung; English: Alien Registration Card (ARC)
- 여권 — Romanization: yeogwon; English: Passport
- 문진표 — Romanization: munjinpyo; English: Medical questionnaire / intake form
- 영어 가능한 분 계세요? — Romanization: yeong-eo ganeunghan bun gyeseyo?; English: Is there someone who speaks English?
- 여자 선생님이세요? — Romanization: yeoja seonsaengnim-iseyo?; English: Is the doctor a woman?
Doctors are addressed as 선생님 (seonsaengnim).
What ID should foreigners bring?
Bring your ARC (외국인등록증) if you have one, or your passport if you don't. Your ARC links your visit to National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) records, so staff can apply your insurance rate at check-in.
How do you describe gynecological symptoms in Korean?
Start with the body part or symptom, then add how long it has lasted. Short sentences work best.
- 아랫배가 아파요 — Romanization: araetbae-ga apayo; English: My lower abdomen hurts
- 가려워요 — Romanization: garyeowoyo; English: It itches
- 분비물이 많아요 — Romanization: bunbimul-i manayo; English: I have a lot of discharge
- 분비물에서 냄새가 나요 — Romanization: bunbimul-eseo naemsae-ga nayo; English: The discharge has an odor
- 질염 — Romanization: jiryeom; English: Vaginitis / vaginal infection
- 소변 볼 때 따가워요 — Romanization: sobyeon bol ttae ttagawoyo; English: It stings when I urinate
- 방광염 — Romanization: banggwang-yeom; English: Bladder infection (cystitis)
- 성관계할 때 아파요 — Romanization: seonggwangye-hal ttae apayo; English: It hurts during sex
- 일주일 됐어요 — Romanization: iljuil dwaesseoyo; English: It's been one week
Swap in 한 달 (han dal) for one month.
What Korean words do you need to talk about your period?
The everyday word for a period is 생리 (saengni). Doctors almost always ask for the first day of your last period, so have that date ready.
- 생리 — Romanization: saengni; English: Period / menstruation
- 마지막 생리 시작일 — Romanization: majimak saengni sijagil; English: First day of last period
- 생리통 — Romanization: saengnitong; English: Menstrual cramps
- 생리불순 — Romanization: saengni bulsun; English: Irregular periods
- 생리가 늦어요 — Romanization: saengni-ga neujeoyo; English: My period is late
- 생리량이 많아요 — Romanization: saengniryang-i manayo; English: My period is heavy
- 부정출혈 — Romanization: bujeong chulhyeol; English: Abnormal bleeding / spotting between periods
부정출혈 is a key term. Use it for any bleeding outside your normal period, including spotting after sex or after menopause.
Which Korean phrases help during pregnancy visits?
The core word is 임신 (imsin), meaning pregnancy. At an OB-GYN in Daegu, pregnancy is usually confirmed with a urine or blood test plus an ultrasound.
- 임신 테스트 — Romanization: imsin teseuteu; English: Pregnancy test
- 임신한 것 같아요 — Romanization: imsinhan geot gatayo; English: I think I'm pregnant
- 테스트기 두 줄이에요 — Romanization: teseuteugi du jul-ieyo; English: My home test shows two lines
- 초음파 — Romanization: choeumpa; English: Ultrasound
- 임신 몇 주예요? — Romanization: imsin myeot ju-yeyo?; English: How many weeks pregnant am I?
- 예정일 — Romanization: yejeong-il; English: Due date
- 산모수첩 — Romanization: sanmo sucheop; English: Maternal handbook
- 임신확인서 — Romanization: imsin hwaginseo; English: Pregnancy confirmation form
The 임신확인서 matters for insurance. Pregnant women with NHIS receive a reduced 10% outpatient copay at clinic (의원) level, and the confirmation is also used to apply for the pregnancy voucher on the National Happiness Card (국민행복카드), worth KRW 1,000,000 per single pregnancy as of 2026.
How do you ask about birth control in Korean?
The general word for contraception is 피임 (piim). Add 약 (yak, medicine) to get "birth control pill."
- 피임 상담 받고 싶어요 — Romanization: piim sangdam batgo sipeoyo; English: I'd like birth control counseling
- 피임약 — Romanization: piimyak; English: Birth control pill
- 사후피임약 — Romanization: sahu piimyak; English: Emergency contraceptive ("morning-after") pill
- 어제 피임에 실패했어요 — Romanization: eoje piim-e silpae-haesseoyo; English: My contraception failed yesterday
- 자궁내장치 (루프) — Romanization: jagungnae jangchi (rupeu); English: IUD ("loop")
- 미레나 — Romanization: mirena; English: Mirena (hormonal IUD)
- 임플라논 — Romanization: impeullanon; English: Implanon (implant)
- 피임 주사 — Romanization: piim jusa; English: Birth control injection
Do you need a prescription for birth control pills in Korea?
It depends on the pill. Some low-dose combined pills are sold over the counter at pharmacies, while others need a prescription. Emergency contraception (사후피임약) always requires a doctor's prescription in Korea, so go to a clinic as soon as possible.
What are the Korean words for exams and tests?
Most routine gynecology visits include one or more of these tests.
- 자궁경부암 검사 — Romanization: jagung-gyeongbu-am geomsa; English: Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear)
- 질 초음파 — Romanization: jil choeumpa; English: Transvaginal ultrasound
- 내진 — Romanization: naejin; English: Pelvic (internal) exam
- 성병 검사 — Romanization: seongbyeong geomsa; English: STI test
- 피검사 — Romanization: pigeomsa; English: Blood test
- 소변검사 — Romanization: sobyeon geomsa; English: Urine test
- 조직검사 — Romanization: jojik geomsa; English: Biopsy
- 결과 언제 나와요? — Romanization: gyeolgwa eonje nawayo?; English: When will the results be ready?
Under NHIS, women aged 20 and over can receive a Pap smear for cervical cancer screening every two years through the National Cancer Screening Program.
What should you say at the pharmacy and when getting results?
After your visit, you'll usually receive a 처방전 (cheobangjeon), or prescription. In Korea, clinics generally don't hand out medicine directly. You take the prescription to a nearby 약국 (yakguk), a pharmacy.
- 처방전 — Romanization: cheobangjeon; English: Prescription
- 약국 — Romanization: yakguk; English: Pharmacy
- 하루 세 번, 식후 — Romanization: haru se beon, sikhu; English: Three times a day, after meals
- 부작용 — Romanization: bujagyong; English: Side effects
- 정상이에요 — Romanization: jeongsang-ieyo; English: It's normal
- 재검사 — Romanization: jae-geomsa; English: Retest / follow-up test
How do Korean prescriptions and pharmacy receipts work?
A Korean prescription lists the medicine name, dose, and number of days. The pharmacist fills it and gives you a medication bag with instructions printed in Korean. Ask "영어로 설명해 주세요" (yeong-eo-ro seolmyeong-hae juseyo), "Please explain in English," if you need help.
The pharmacy issues its own receipt, often called 약제비 계산서·영수증 (yakjebi gyesanseo·yeongsujeung). Keep it separate from your clinic receipt.
What Korean words do you need for insurance and payment?
The key terms are 건강보험 (geon-gang boheom), national health insurance, and 영수증 (yeongsujeung), receipt. Payment happens at the front desk after your visit.
- 건강보험 — Romanization: geon-gang boheom; English: National Health Insurance (NHIS)
- 급여 — Romanization: geubyeo; English: Covered by NHIS (clinic copay 30%)
- 비급여 — Romanization: bigeubyeo; English: Not covered by NHIS (you pay 100%)
- 본인부담금 — Romanization: bonin budamgeum; English: Patient copay
- 카드 돼요? — Romanization: kadeu dwaeyo?; English: Can I pay by card?
- 영수증 — Romanization: yeongsujeung; English: Receipt
- 진료비 세부내역서 — Romanization: jillyobi sebu naeyeokseo; English: Itemized bill
- 진단서 — Romanization: jindanseo; English: Medical certificate (diagnosis)
- 영문 진단서 — Romanization: yeongmun jindanseo; English: Medical certificate in English
- 진료의뢰서 — Romanization: jillyo uiroeseo; English: Referral letter
What is the difference between a receipt and an itemized bill?
A 영수증 shows the total you paid, split into covered and non-covered amounts. A 진료비 세부내역서 lists every individual item, such as each test or procedure. Private or overseas insurers often ask for both, so request them before you leave.
When do you need a referral letter?
You need a 진료의뢰서 if you want to see a specialist at a tertiary university hospital at NHIS rates. A clinic can write one if your condition calls for hospital-level care. Y Lady is an outpatient clinic and does not deliver babies, so delivery also happens at a hospital.
How can foreigners make an OB-GYN visit easier in Daegu?
The easiest approach is to prepare in advance and choose an English-speaking OB-GYN when possible.
- Check your NHIS status. Since April 3, 2024, most foreigners must live in Korea for six months before joining NHIS as regional members.
- Write down key dates, like your last period and when symptoms began.
- Bring your ARC or passport.
- Ask for your 영수증 and 진료비 세부내역서 if you plan to claim insurance.
If you're looking for an OB-GYN for foreigners, Y Lady Women's Clinic in Jung-gu has three female, board-certified OB-GYNs and takes English inquiries by WhatsApp. The Korean address for taxis is 대구광역시 중구 공평로8길 11-1 2층.
FAQ
Do I need to speak Korean to see a gynecologist in Daegu? No. Many clinics can communicate in basic English, and some have English-speaking doctors. Knowing a few words like 생리 and 부정출혈 still helps you explain your symptoms clearly.
What is the Korean word for a Pap smear? A Pap smear is usually called 자궁경부암 검사 (jagung-gyeongbu-am geomsa), meaning "cervical cancer screening." Some staff also say 자궁경부 세포검사 (cervical cell test).
How do I say "morning-after pill" in Korean? The term is 사후피임약 (sahu piimyak). It requires a doctor's prescription in Korea, so visit a clinic first and then take the prescription to a pharmacy.
What does 비급여 mean on my receipt? 비급여 (bigeubyeo) means the item isn't covered by National Health Insurance. You pay the full cost for these items.
What is 진료비 세부내역서? It's an itemized bill listing each service from your visit. Insurers often request it along with your regular receipt (영수증).
Can I show Korean text on my phone instead of speaking? Yes, and it's common. Showing the Hangul avoids pronunciation mix-ups, especially for medical terms.
Key Takeaways
- 산부인과 means OB-GYN; 여성의원 means women's clinic.
- The most useful symptom words are 분비물 (discharge), 질염 (vaginitis), and 부정출혈 (abnormal bleeding).
- Emergency contraception (사후피임약) needs a prescription (처방전) in Korea.
- Ask for both a 영수증 (receipt) and a 진료비 세부내역서 (itemized bill) for insurance claims.
- At clinic level, NHIS members pay 30% of covered costs; 비급여 items are paid in full.
- A 진료의뢰서 (referral letter) is needed to use university hospitals at NHIS rates.
Visit an English-Speaking OB-GYN in Daegu
If you'd like to skip the phrasebook, our team at Y Lady Women's Clinic can help in English. Message us on WhatsApp with your question or preferred appointment time. We reply within 24 hours, except on Sundays and public holidays.
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