Korean Emergency Phrases for Tourists: Medical Help & 119
Travel Korean · Emergency & Medical
Korean Emergency Phrases for Tourists: Medical Help & 119
Call for urgent help, describe symptoms, share essential medical information, and communicate at a hospital or pharmacy in South Korea.
Important Medical Notice
This language guide is not medical advice and cannot diagnose a condition or replace professional care. For a serious or life-threatening medical emergency in Korea, call 119 immediately. Do not delay emergency care to translate every sentence. Follow instructions from emergency professionals and your own clinician-approved medical plan.
Quick Emergency Answer
For an ambulance or fire emergency, call 119. For police, call 112. State your location first, describe what happened, say how many people need help, and follow the operator’s instructions.
Say: 응급 상황이에요. 구급차를 보내 주세요.
It is an emergency. Please send an ambulance.
Explore More Korean
Emergency Numbers in South Korea
| Number | Service | Use It For | Important Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 119 | Fire and emergency medical services | Ambulance, fire, life-threatening medical emergency | Say “English please” or “Interpreter please” if needed. |
| 112 | Police | Crime, violence, immediate public-safety threat | Give your location and immediate danger first. |
| 1330 | Korea Travel Helpline | General travel information and language assistance | Not a substitute for 119 or 112 during an emergency. |
| 1339 | Infectious-disease inquiries | Current infectious-disease guidance | For an ambulance or medical emergency, call 119. |
Korean Medical Words to Recognize
응급실 — Emergency Room
Romanization: eung-geup-sil · Related word: 응급 (emergency)
eung · ㅇ+ㅡ+ㅇ
geup · ㄱ+ㅡ+ㅂ
sil · ㅅ+ㅣ+ㄹ
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 병원 | byeong-won | Hospital / medical facility |
| 의원 | ui-won | Clinic |
| 응급실 | eung-geup-sil | Emergency room |
| 약국 | yak-guk | Pharmacy |
| 구급차 | gu-geup-cha | Ambulance |
| 의사 / 간호사 / 약사 | ui-sa / gan-ho-sa / yak-sa | Doctor / nurse / pharmacist |
Body Parts and Common Symptoms
Example: 머리가 아파요. — “My head hurts.”
| Symptom | Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headache | 머리가 아파요. | meo-ri-ga a-pa-yo | My head hurts. |
| Abdominal pain | 배가 아파요. | bae-ga a-pa-yo | My stomach hurts. |
| Fever | 열이 나요. | yeo-ri na-yo | I have a fever. |
| Cough | 기침이 나요. | gi-chi-mi na-yo | I have a cough. |
| Dizziness | 어지러워요. | eo-ji-reo-wo-yo | I feel dizzy. |
| Vomiting | 토했어요. | to-hae-sseo-yo | I vomited. |
| Diarrhea | 설사를 해요. | seol-sa-reul hae-yo | I have diarrhea. |
| Allergy | 알레르기가 있어요. | al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo | I have an allergy. |
Phrases for Potentially Serious Symptoms
Use direct phrases and call 119 when symptoms are serious, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening. Do not rely on this list to decide whether care is necessary.
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 숨쉬기 힘들어요. | sum-swigi him-deu-reo-yo | It is difficult to breathe. |
| 가슴 통증이 있어요. | ga-seum tong-jeung-i i-sseo-yo | I have chest pain. |
| 의식이 없어요. | ui-si-gi eop-seo-yo | The person is unconscious. |
| 피가 많이 나요. | pi-ga ma-ni na-yo | There is heavy bleeding. |
| 경련을 해요. | gyeong-nyeo-neul hae-yo | The person is having a seizure. |
| 심한 알레르기 반응이에요. | sim-han al-le-reu-gi ba-neung-i-e-yo | It is a severe allergic reaction. |
Essential Korean Emergency Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | English | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요! | do-wa-ju-se-yo | Please help me! | Get nearby attention. |
| 119에 전화해 주세요. | il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo | Please call 119. | Ask another person to call. |
| 구급차를 보내 주세요. | gu-geup-cha-reul bo-nae ju-se-yo | Please send an ambulance. | Request ambulance dispatch. |
| 여기 주소는 [주소]예요. | yeo-gi ju-so-neun [ju-so]-ye-yo | The address here is [address]. | State your location. |
| 영어 통역을 부탁드립니다. | yeong-eo tong-yeo-geul bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da | I need English interpretation, please. | Request language assistance. |
| 가장 가까운 응급실이 어디예요? | ga-jang ga-kka-un eung-geup-si-ri eo-di-ye-yo | Where is the nearest emergency room? | For non-dispatch directions; call 119 for emergencies. |
Medical Details to Prepare in Korean
Keep a phone note or card with accurate information checked before travel. Do not translate medicine names from memory; copy the generic and brand names from the original prescription or package.
| Information | Korean Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Allergy | [물질]에 알레르기가 있어요. | I am allergic to [substance]. |
| Current medicine | 복용 중인 약은 [약 이름]이에요. | The medicine I currently take is [name]. |
| Medical condition | [질환]이 있어요. | I have [condition]. |
| Pregnancy | 임신 중이에요. | I am pregnant. |
| Symptom start | [시간] 전부터 아팠어요. | It started hurting [time] ago. |
| Emergency contact | 긴급 연락처는 [번호]예요. | My emergency contact is [number]. |
At a Korean Pharmacy: 약국
A pharmacist can assess whether an available nonprescription product is appropriate or whether you should see a doctor. Show your current medicines, allergies, conditions, and symptoms. Ask for written dosage instructions and confirm whether the medicine causes drowsiness.
| Korean | Meaning | Why Ask |
|---|---|---|
| 처방전 없이 살 수 있는 약이 있나요? | Is there medicine I can buy without a prescription? | Availability depends on the medicine and your situation. |
| 어떻게 복용해야 하나요? | How should I take it? | Confirm dose, timing, and duration. |
| 이 약은 졸리게 하나요? | Does this medicine cause drowsiness? | Important before driving or other activities. |
| 이 약과 같이 먹어도 되나요? | Can I take it with this medicine? | Show the exact medicine or package. |
| 병원에 가야 하나요? | Should I go to a hospital? | Ask when symptoms need medical evaluation. |
At a Hospital or Clinic
Language support varies by facility, time, and department. Large hospitals may operate international healthcare centers, but do not assume an English-speaking clinician or interpreter will always be immediately available.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 접수는 어디에서 하나요? | Where do I register? |
| 여권을 가지고 있어요. | I have my passport. |
| 영어를 할 수 있는 분이 계신가요? | Is there someone who speaks English? |
| 통역이 필요해요. | I need an interpreter. |
| 진료비 영수증과 진단서가 필요해요. | I need a medical-expense receipt and medical certificate. |
Real-Life Practice Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Calling 119
Caller: 응급 상황이에요. 구급차를 보내 주세요.
It is an emergency. Please send an ambulance.
Operator: 위치가 어디예요?
Where are you?
Caller: 서울역 1번 출구 앞이에요.
I am in front of Exit 1 at Seoul Station.
Operator: 환자 상태가 어떤가요?
What is the patient’s condition?
Caller: 의식이 없고 숨을 쉬고 있어요.
The person is unconscious and breathing.
Dialogue 2: At a Pharmacy
Traveler: 어제부터 머리가 아프고 열이 나요.
Since yesterday, I have had a headache and fever.
Pharmacist: 알레르기나 복용 중인 약이 있나요?
Do you have any allergies or medicines you currently take?
Traveler: 페니실린에 알레르기가 있어요. 이 약을 복용 중이에요.
I am allergic to penicillin. I currently take this medicine.
Traveler: 어떻게 복용해야 하나요? 병원에 가야 하나요?
How should I take it? Should I go to a hospital?
Emergency Korean Practice
Select each question to reveal the answer.
1. Which number should you call for an ambulance in Korea?
Answer: 119.
2. How do you say “Please send an ambulance”?
Answer: 구급차를 보내 주세요.
3. What does “숨쉬기 힘들어요” mean?
Answer: It is difficult to breathe.
4. How do you tell medical staff you currently take a medicine?
Answer: 복용 중인 약은 [약 이름]이에요. Show the original prescription or package.
5. Is 1330 a replacement for 119 during a medical emergency?
Answer: No. Call 119 for emergency medical services. Use 1330 for general travel and language assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call 119 if I do not speak Korean?
Yes. Say “English please” or “Interpreter please” after the call connects. Give your location and the nature of the emergency as clearly as possible.
What is the difference between 병원, 의원, and 약국?
병원 is a hospital or larger medical facility, 의원 is a clinic, and 약국 is a pharmacy. An 응급실 is an emergency room.
Can I buy medicine at a Korean convenience store?
Some registered convenience stores sell a limited group of designated nonprescription medicines. Selection and stock vary. For advice, interactions, allergies, pregnancy, or persistent symptoms, consult a pharmacist or doctor.
Will every Korean hospital have English-speaking staff?
No. Language support varies. Some larger hospitals have international healthcare centers or interpreters, but availability can depend on the facility, department, and time. Ask for 통역 or 영어 support.
Should I use a taxi or call 119?
For a serious, life-threatening, rapidly worsening, or uncertain emergency, call 119 and follow the operator’s instructions. Do not ask hotel staff to choose between an ambulance and taxi for you during a critical event.
Key Takeaway
Save 119, 112, your Korean address, allergies, current medicines, medical conditions, and emergency contact. In a serious medical emergency, state your location first, call 119, and follow professional instructions.
