Korean phrases for hospitals, pharmacies and police

Call first when delay could be dangerous

For severe breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, major bleeding, a serious injury, fire or another possible life-threatening condition, call 119. For violence, a threatening person, theft in progress, a missing vulnerable person or another immediate police danger, call 112. Give the Korean address, building, floor, station exit or visible landmark first.

Say ‘English please’ or ask for an interpreter after connection. Keep the line open, answer the operator's questions and follow instructions. Do not drive an unstable patient, confront a suspect or delay dispatch while completing a translation card.

• 구급차를 보내주세요 — gu-geup-cha-reul bo-nae-ju-se-yo — Please send an ambulance.
• 경찰을 보내주세요 — gyeong-cha-reul bo-nae-ju-se-yo — Please send the police.
• 여기가 제 위치예요 — yeo-gi-ga je wi-chi-ye-yo — This is my location.
• 주소는 ___입니다 — ju-so-neun ___im-ni-da — The address is ___.
• 영어 통역 부탁드립니다 — yeong-eo tong-yeok bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da — English interpretation, please.
• 숨을 쉬기 어려워요 — su-meul swi-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo — It is difficult to breathe.
• 의식이 없어요 — ui-si-gi eop-seo-yo — The person is unconscious.
• 심한 출혈이 있어요 — sim-han chu-ryeo-ri i-sseo-yo — There is severe bleeding.

Register for stable medical care precisely

For a stable problem, contact the facility before traveling to confirm its current hours, specialty, age restrictions and available language support. A clinic, hospital, emergency department and pharmacy provide different services; a listing that mentions international care does not guarantee an interpreter at every hour.

At registration, give only the identity and contact details the facility requests. Show insurance information and ask about direct billing or payment, but do not delay emergency care solely for insurer approval.

• 진료를 받고 싶어요 — jin-ryo-reul bat-kko si-peo-yo — I would like medical care.
• 예약이 필요한가요? — ye-ya-gi pi-ryo-han-ga-yo? — Is an appointment required?
• 영어로 진료가 가능한가요? — yeong-eo-ro jin-ryo-ga ga-neung-han-ga-yo? — Is medical care available in English?
• 의료 통역이 필요한데 가능할까요? — ui-ryo tong-yeo-gi pi-ryo-han-de ga-neung-hal-kka-yo? — I need medical interpretation; is it available?
• 여권 원본이 필요한가요? — yeo-gwon won-bo-ni pi-ryo-han-ga-yo? — Is the original passport required?
• 여행자 보험이 있어요 — yeo-haeng-ja bo-heo-mi i-sseo-yo — I have travel insurance.
• 먼저 비용을 내야 하나요? — meon-jeo bi-yong-eul nae-ya ha-na-yo? — Do I need to pay first?
• 보호자와 함께 들어가도 돼요? — bo-ho-ja-wa ham-kke deu-reo-ga-do dwae-yo? — May my companion come in with me?

Describe symptoms with time, location and change

Point to the body area and state when the symptom began, whether it was sudden or gradual, how it has changed and what makes it better or worse. Use a zero-to-ten pain score only as your own report, not as a diagnosis. Mention a fall, impact, bite, food, medicine or exposure when relevant.

Tell the clinician immediately about known allergies, pregnancy possibility, chronic conditions, recent procedures and every medicine or supplement currently taken. Show generic names, strengths and doses from the original label rather than relying on a foreign brand.

• ___부터 아팠어요 — ___bu-teo a-pa-sseo-yo — It has hurt since ___.
• 갑자기 시작됐어요 — gap-jja-gi si-jak-dwae-sseo-yo — It started suddenly.
• 점점 심해지고 있어요 — jeom-jeom sim-hae-ji-go i-sseo-yo — It is getting worse.
• 여기가 아파요 — yeo-gi-ga a-pa-yo — It hurts here.
• 통증은 10점 만점에 ___점이에요 — tong-jjeung-eun sip-jeom man-jeo-me ___jeo-mi-e-yo — The pain is ___ out of 10.
• 이 약에 알레르기가 있어요 — i ya-ge al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo — I am allergic to this medicine.
• 현재 복용 중인 약이 있어요 — hyeon-jae bo-gyong jung-in ya-gi i-sseo-yo — I am currently taking medicine.
• 임신 중이거나 가능성이 있어요 — im-sin jung-i-geo-na ga-neung-seong-i i-sseo-yo — I am pregnant or may be pregnant.

Understand an examination, test or treatment

Ask what the clinician is checking, why a test or procedure is recommended, what important risks or alternatives need discussion and what happens next. A phrase card cannot provide informed consent; request a qualified interpreter when the decision is material or the explanation is unclear.

Before leaving, repeat the plan back in your own words. Ask which warning signs require urgent return, where results will appear and who to contact. Do not represent a machine translation as a complete medical record.

• 무슨 검사예요? — mu-seun geom-sa-ye-yo? — What test is this?
• 왜 필요한지 설명해 주세요 — wae pi-ryo-han-ji seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo — Please explain why it is needed.
• 위험과 부작용을 설명해 주세요 — wi-heom-gwa bu-ja-gyong-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo — Please explain the risks and side effects.
• 다른 선택 방법이 있어요? — da-reun seon-taek bang-beo-bi i-sseo-yo? — Are there alternatives?
• 통역과 함께 다시 설명해 주세요 — tong-yeok-kwa ham-kke da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo — Please explain it again with an interpreter.
• 지금 결정해야 하나요? — ji-geum gyeol-jeong-hae-ya ha-na-yo? — Must I decide now?
• 결과는 언제 어떻게 확인해요? — gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je eo-tteo-ke hwa-gin-hae-yo? — When and how do I check the results?
• 어떤 증상이 생기면 바로 돌아와야 해요? — eo-tteon jeung-sang-i saeng-gi-myeon ba-ro do-ra-wa-ya hae-yo? — What symptoms mean I should return immediately?

Collect medical and insurance records before leaving

Ask the insurer in advance what document names and detail it requires when the situation allows. The facility may issue an itemized bill, receipt, prescription, medical certificate or other record, but availability, language, fee and issuance time differ. Ensure the patient name and date are correct.

Keep original records and a separate secure copy. Do not post diagnosis, passport, insurance membership or receipt identifiers publicly while asking for reimbursement help.

• 진료비 세부 내역서를 주세요 — jin-ryo-bi se-bu nae-yeok-seo-reul ju-se-yo — Please give me an itemized medical bill.
• 영수증을 주세요 — yeong-su-jeung-eul ju-se-yo — Please give me a receipt.
• 처방전 사본을 받을 수 있어요? — cheo-bang-jeon sa-bo-neul ba-deul su i-sseo-yo? — May I receive a copy of the prescription?
• 진단서가 필요한데 발급할 수 있어요? — jin-dan-seo-ga pi-ryo-han-de bal-geu-pal su i-sseo-yo? — I need a medical certificate; can it be issued?
• 영문 서류가 가능한가요? — yeong-mun seo-ryu-ga ga-neung-han-ga-yo? — Is an English document available?
• 서류 비용이 있어요? — seo-ryu bi-yong-i i-sseo-yo? — Is there a document fee?
• 이름과 날짜를 확인해 주세요 — i-reum-gwa nal-jja-reul hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo — Please check the name and date.
• 추후 진료는 어디에서 받아요? — chu-hu jin-ryo-neun eo-di-e-seo ba-da-yo? — Where should I receive follow-up care?

Ask a pharmacist about the active ingredient first

Show the symptom and any clinician's prescription, then provide the generic ingredient, strength and dose of medicines already used. A Korean product with similar packaging or purpose may contain a different ingredient or combination. Ask the pharmacist to compare active ingredients and avoid duplicate dosing.

A pharmacist can explain the product and refer the traveler to medical care. Severe, persistent or worsening symptoms, a child, pregnancy, a chronic condition, a serious allergy history or a possible interaction may need clinical assessment rather than trial-and-error purchasing.

• 약사님과 상담하고 싶어요 — yak-sa-nim-gwa sang-dam-ha-go si-peo-yo — I would like to consult the pharmacist.
• 처방전이 있어요 — cheo-bang-jeo-ni i-sseo-yo — I have a prescription.
• 이 성분의 약이 있나요? — i seong-bu-ne ya-gi in-na-yo? — Do you have medicine with this active ingredient?
• 성분과 용량을 확인해 주세요 — seong-bun-gwa yong-nyang-eul hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo — Please check the ingredient and strength.
• 이미 이 약을 먹었어요 — i-mi i ya-geul meo-geo-sseo-yo — I already took this medicine.
• 같은 성분이 들어 있어요? — ga-teun seong-bu-ni deu-reo i-sseo-yo? — Does it contain the same ingredient?
• 복용 중인 약과 같이 먹어도 돼요? — bo-gyong jung-in yak-kwa ga-chi meo-geo-do dwae-yo? — Can I take it with my current medicine?
• 병원에 가야 할까요? — byeong-wo-ne ga-ya hal-kka-yo? — Should I seek medical care?

Write down the exact medicine schedule

Ask the pharmacist to mark each package with the dose, frequency, duration and relation to food. Confirm whether the medicine can cause drowsiness, affects driving or alcohol use, or requires special storage. Do not infer instructions from packet color or another traveler's prescription.

If a dose is missed, a side effect occurs or symptoms worsen, use the pharmacist, prescribing facility or emergency service appropriate to the severity. The phrase page does not tell a traveler to stop, repeat or double a dose.

• 한 번에 몇 알이에요? — han beo-ne myeot a-ri-e-yo? — How many tablets per dose?
• 하루에 몇 번 먹어요? — ha-ru-e myeot beon meo-geo-yo? — How many times per day?
• 며칠 동안 먹어요? — myeot chil dong-an meo-geo-yo? — For how many days?
• 식전이에요, 식후예요? — sik-jjeo-ni-e-yo, si-gu-ye-yo? — Is it before or after food?
• 복용법을 써 주세요 — bo-gyong-beo-beul sseo ju-se-yo — Please write down how to take it.
• 졸릴 수 있어요? — jol-lil su i-sseo-yo? — Can it cause drowsiness?
• 운전하면 안 돼요? — un-jeon-ha-myeon an dwae-yo? — Must I avoid driving?
• 부작용이 생기면 어떻게 해요? — bu-ja-gyong-i saeng-gi-myeon eo-tteo-ke hae-yo? — What should I do if side effects occur?

Choose police, LOST112 or a venue report correctly

Call 112 for an incident in progress, immediate danger or urgent police response. For property probably left on transport or at a venue, contact the operator and search LOST112 while preserving route, time and item details. Do not call a loss theft merely to obtain a document; state the facts and let police classify the case.

If a phone location points to a private or unsafe place, do not confront anyone or go alone. Preserve the screenshot, move to a staffed place and ask police what to do.

• 신고하려고 왔어요 — sin-go-ha-ryeo-go wa-sseo-yo — I came to make a report.
• 지금 위험해요 — ji-geum wi-heom-hae-yo — I am in danger now.
• 위협을 받고 있어요 — wi-hyeo-beul bat-kko i-sseo-yo — I am being threatened.
• 물건을 잃어버렸어요 — mul-geo-neul i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo — I lost an item.
• 도난당한 것 같아요 — do-nan-dang-han geot ga-ta-yo — I think it may have been stolen.
• 마지막으로 본 곳은 ___예요 — ma-ji-ma-geu-ro bon go-seun ___ye-yo — The last place I saw it was ___.
• 이 시간과 장소를 확인해 주세요 — i si-gan-gwa jang-so-reul hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo — Please check this time and place.
• 어디에 신고해야 해요? — eo-di-e sin-go-hae-ya hae-yo? — Where should I report this?

Build a factual police report

State what you directly saw, heard or received, then label estimates and second-hand information. Give the time range, exact location, direction of travel, description, transaction, vehicle, witness and available image without editing the original evidence.

Ask a venue or officer whether relevant CCTV may exist and how preservation must be requested; a traveler cannot assume access or retention. Keep the original device locked except when an officer instructs how to provide a specific item, and do not publish suspect images or personal data online.

• 사건은 ___시에 일어났어요 — sa-geo-neun ___si-e i-reo-na-sseo-yo — The incident happened at ___.
• 장소는 여기예요 — jang-so-neun yeo-gi-ye-yo — The location is here.
• 직접 본 내용은 이것이에요 — jik-jeop bon nae-yong-eun i-geo-si-e-yo — This is what I saw directly.
• 정확한 시간은 모르지만 이 사이예요 — jeong-hwa-kan si-ga-neun mo-reu-ji-man i sa-i-ye-yo — I do not know the exact time, but it was within this period.
• 사진과 결제 기록이 있어요 — sa-jin-gwa gyeol-je gi-ro-gi i-sseo-yo — I have photos and payment records.
• 목격자가 있어요 — mok-gyeok-jja-ga i-sseo-yo — There is a witness.
• CCTV가 있는지 확인해 주세요 — si-si-ti-bi-ga in-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo — Please check whether CCTV exists.
• 원본 자료를 어떻게 제출해요? — won-bon ja-ryo-reul eo-tteo-ke je-chu-rae-yo? — How do I submit the original evidence?

Request interpretation before a statement or signature

Ask what kind of statement or document is being prepared and request interpretation before agreeing to material wording. Read names, dates, amounts, locations and the description of events carefully. Do not sign merely because a translated summary sounds close.

Police decide what record can be issued. Ask for the report, receipt, case or management number needed by an embassy or insurer, but verify that organization's exact requirement separately.

• 통역사가 필요해요 — tong-yeok-sa-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo — I need an interpreter.
• 이 문서를 이해하지 못했어요 — i mun-seo-reul i-hae-ha-ji mo-tae-sseo-yo — I do not understand this document.
• 통역 후에 서명할게요 — tong-yeok hu-e seo-myeong-hal-ge-yo — I will sign after interpretation.
• 제 진술과 다른 부분이 있어요 — je jin-sul-gwa da-reun bu-bu-ni i-sseo-yo — A part differs from my statement.
• 수정한 내용을 다시 읽어주세요 — su-jeong-han nae-yong-eul da-si il-geo-ju-se-yo — Please read the corrected content again.
• 접수증을 받을 수 있어요? — jeop-su-jeung-eul ba-deul su i-sseo-yo? — May I receive a report receipt?
• 사건 번호를 알려주세요 — sa-geon beon-ho-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo — Please give me the case number.
• 보험 제출용 서류가 무엇인지 알려주세요 — bo-heom je-chul-lyong seo-ryu-ga mu-eo-sin-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo — Please tell me what document can be provided for insurance.

Ask for privacy and support in a sensitive report

Move to a safe place and call 112 when violence, stalking, sexual harm or another threat is immediate. Ask to speak in a private area and say whether urgent medical care, an interpreter or a trusted companion is needed. Available personnel and procedures vary, so make the request without assuming a particular officer or service is guaranteed.

Preserve messages, clothing, location history or other possible evidence according to professional instructions, but immediate health and safety come first. Do not let fear of imperfect evidence delay emergency care or a police call.

• 안전한 곳에서 이야기하고 싶어요 — an-jeon-han go-seo i-ya-gi-ha-go si-peo-yo — I want to speak in a safe place.
• 다른 사람에게 들리지 않게 이야기하고 싶어요 — da-reun sa-ra-me-ge deul-li-ji an-ke i-ya-gi-ha-go si-peo-yo — I want to speak without others hearing.
• 믿을 수 있는 사람과 함께 있고 싶어요 — mi-deul su in-neun sa-ram-gwa ham-kke it-kko si-peo-yo — I want a trusted person with me.
• 의료 도움이 필요해요 — ui-ryo do-u-mi pi-ryo-hae-yo — I need medical help.
• 증거를 어떻게 보존해야 해요? — jeung-geo-reul eo-tteo-ke bo-jon-hae-ya hae-yo? — How should I preserve evidence?
• 연락받을 안전한 방법은 ___예요 — yeol-lak-ba-deul an-jeon-han bang-beo-beun ___ye-yo — A safe way to contact me is ___.

Save three offline show-the-screen cards

Emergency card: 119/112에 전화해 주세요. 여기는 ___이고, ___이 발생했습니다. 영어 통역이 필요합니다. It asks someone to call the appropriate emergency service, gives the location and incident, and requests English interpretation.

Medical card: 증상은 ___부터 시작됐고 지금 ___합니다. 알레르기는 ___이고 현재 복용 중인 약은 ___입니다. 검사, 치료와 비용을 통역과 함께 설명해 주세요. It provides onset, current symptom, allergy and medicines, then requests an interpreted explanation.

Police card: ___시경 ___에서 ___이 발생했습니다. 직접 본 사실과 증거를 설명하고 싶습니다. 통역 후에 진술서를 확인하고 사건 번호를 받고 싶습니다. It gives the time, place and event, then requests interpretation, statement review and a case number. Show only relevant data and keep passport, health, contact and financial identifiers covered.

• Store the Korean address of the current accommodation and insurer contact offline.
• Keep medicine labels, allergies and emergency contacts available without unlocking every account.
• Preserve originals and share copies only through verified medical, police or insurance channels.
• A translation card supports communication; it does not replace dispatch, examination, informed consent or legal interpretation.

Official sources to re-check

• National Institute of Korean Language — Korean-English Learners' Dictionary
• Visit Korea — disaster safety services for international visitors
• Seoul Metropolitan Government — medical facilities and emergency services
• Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency — 1339 Call Center
• Visit Korea — 1330 Travel Helpline and Complaint Center
• Korean National Police Agency — LOST112 English guide
• Korean National Police Agency — lost-item reporting process