Korean phrases to use at the pharmacy
Updated September 7, 2026
Symptom sentences in Korean with a pronunciation guide, the same cards shown on every pharmacy page, plus sentences about who it is for, dose questions, the questions a pharmacist may ask, and the words on signs.
How to use the cards
You do not need to pronounce anything. Point at the Korean sentence, or open the pharmacy you are standing in front of on this site: every pharmacy page has a "Say it in Korean" section, and tapping a card fills the screen at a size the pharmacist can read from across the counter. Each card says what you want, not a medical diagnosis; the pharmacist decides which product fits. The pronunciation is approximate and written for English speakers.
The polite ending 주세요 (ju-se-yo) means "please give me". Adding it to almost any noun turns it into a courteous request.
More symptoms
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I have a cough. | 기침이 나요. | Gi-chim-i na-yo |
| I have a runny nose. | 콧물이 나요. | Kon-mul-i na-yo |
| I have period pain. | 생리통약 주세요. | Saeng-ri-tong-yak ju-se-yo |
| I have heartburn. | 속이 쓰려요. 제산제 주세요. | Sok-i sseu-ryeo-yo. Je-san-je ju-se-yo |
| I am constipated. | 변비약 주세요. | Byeon-bi-yak ju-se-yo |
| I need eye drops. | 안약 주세요. | An-yak ju-se-yo |
Who it is for, and safety
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I am breastfeeding. | 수유 중이에요. | Su-yu jung-i-e-yo |
| I am taking this medicine. (show it) | 이 약을 먹고 있어요. | I yak-eul meok-go iss-eo-yo |
| Nothing that makes me sleepy, please. | 졸리지 않는 약으로 주세요. | Jol-li-ji an-neun yak-eu-ro ju-se-yo |
Always say if you are pregnant or taking other medication before the pharmacist chooses. Many Korean cold remedies combine several ingredients, and the pharmacist will pick differently if they know. The cards above cover pregnancy, allergies and children.
Dose and practicalities
| English | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How many times a day? | 하루에 몇 번 먹어요? | Ha-ru-e myeot beon meok-eo-yo? |
| How many at a time? | 한 번에 몇 개요? | Han beon-e myeot gae-yo? |
| Before or after meals? | 식전이에요, 식후예요? | Sik-jeon-i-e-yo, sik-hu-ye-yo? |
| Please write it down. | 적어 주세요. | Jeok-eo ju-se-yo |
| The smallest pack, please. | 제일 작은 걸로 주세요. | Je-il jak-eun geol-lo ju-se-yo |
| Do you take cards? | 카드 돼요? | Ka-deu dwae-yo? |
| Thank you. | 감사합니다. | Gam-sa-ham-ni-da |
Questions the pharmacist may ask
| Korean | Meaning | Useful answers |
|---|---|---|
| 어디가 아프세요? | Where does it hurt? / What is wrong? | Point to the phrase card |
| 언제부터요? | Since when? | 오늘 (today), 어제 (yesterday), 3일 전 (3 days ago) |
| 열 있어요? | Do you have a fever? | 네 (yes), 아니요 (no) |
| 드시는 약 있어요? | Are you taking any medicine? | 없어요 (none), or show the box |
| 알레르기 있어요? | Any allergies? | 없어요 (none), or show the allergy card |
| 임신 중이세요? | Are you pregnant? | 네 / 아니요 |
| 몇 살이에요? | How old (is the child)? | Write the number |
| 식후에 드세요. | Take after meals. | Directions, not a question |
| 하루 세 번이에요. | Three times a day. | Directions |
Words you will see on signs
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 약국 | Pharmacy |
| 약 | Medicine (the big character on the sign) |
| 심야약국 · 공공심야약국 | Late-night pharmacy · public late-night pharmacy (open to midnight) |
| 24시 | 24 hours |
| 연중무휴 | Open every day of the year |
| 영업중 / 영업종료 | Open / closed |
| 점심시간 | Lunch break |
| 처방 | Prescription |
| 병원 · 의원 | Hospital · clinic |
| 응급실 | Emergency room |
This guide is general information for travellers, not medical advice. A pharmacist or doctor decides what is right for you, and opening hours are as registered and may differ on the day.