Body Parts and Disease Names
Knowing the exact names of body parts and diseases keeps a consultation clear. Korean disease names are largely Sino-Korean, so learning the patterns lets you infer many meanings on your own.
Internal Organs
| Organ | Romaja | English |
|---|---|---|
| μ¬μ₯ | simjang | heart |
| κ° | gan | liver |
| 콩ν₯ / μ μ₯ | kongpat / sinjang | kidney |
| μ / λμ₯ | wi / daejang | stomach / large intestine |
| ν / κΈ°κ΄μ§ | pye / gigwanji | lungs / bronchi |
μκ° μ°λ¦¬κ³ λͺ
μΉ λΆκ·Όμ΄ λ΅λ΅ν΄μ.
wi-ga sseurigo myeongchi bugeun-i dapdap-haeyo.
My stomach burns and the area around my solar plexus feels tight.
μ€λ₯Έμͺ½ κ°λΉλΌ μλκ° λ¬΅μ§νκ² μνμ.
oreunjjok galbippyeo arae-ga mukjik-hage apayo.
I have a heavy ache below my right ribs.
External Body Parts
Names for joints, ligaments, and muscles matter especially in orthopedics. Also learn "ppida" (to sprain) and "jeopjillida" (to twist).
| Part | Romaja | English |
|---|---|---|
| μλͺ© / λ°λͺ© | sonmok / balmok | wrist / ankle |
| λ¬΄λ¦ / νκΏμΉ | mureup / palkkumchi | knee / elbow |
| ν리 / μ²μΆ | heori / cheokchu | lower back / spine |
| κ·Όμ‘ / μΈλ | geunyuk / indae | muscle / ligament |
κ³λ¨μμ λ°λͺ©μ μ μ§λ €μ νν λΆμμ΄μ.
gyedan-eseo balmog-eul jeopjillyeoseo tungtung bueosseoyo.
I twisted my ankle on the stairs and it's badly swollen.
Common Disease Names
The suffix "-yeom" marks inflammation, while "-jeung" indicates a symptom or condition. Recognize these and words like gastritis, arthritis, and anemia fall into place.
κ²μ¬ κ²°κ³Ό μμΌκ³Ό μλ₯μ± μλμΌ μ§λ¨μ λ°μμ΄μ.
geomsa gyeolgwa wiyeom-gwa yeongnyuseong sikdoyeom jindan-eul badasseoyo.
The test results diagnosed me with gastritis and reflux esophagitis.
κ³ νμκ³Ό λΉλ¨λ λνμ μΈ λ§μ± μ§νμ΄μμ.
gohyeolap-gwa dangnyo-neun daepyojeok-in manseong jirhwan-ieyo.
Hypertension and diabetes are classic chronic diseases.
λ°©κ΄μΌμΈ κ² κ°μ λΉλ¨κΈ°κ³Όμ κ° λ³΄λ €κ³ μ.
banggwangnyeom-in geot gata binyogi-gwa-e ga boryeogoyo.
I think it's a bladder infection, so I'm going to see a urologist.
| Disease | Romaja | English |
|---|---|---|
| κ°κΈ° / λ κ° | gamgi / dokgam | cold / influenza |
| νλ ΄ | pyeryeom | pneumonia |
| κ΄μ μΌ | gwanjeoryeom | arthritis |
| λΉν | binhyeol | anemia |
| 골μ | goljeol | bone fracture |
π‘ Tip: If Sino-Korean names feel hard, memorize native Korean terms too, like "baetal" (upset stomach) and "momsal" (body aches). They come up far more often in everyday conversation.