How to See a Doctor in Korea Without Speaking Korean
I had a skin reaction in Korea. Red, itchy, spreading across my arm. I did not know the Korean word for allergy. I did not know the word for rash. I did not know anything useful. I walked into the nearest dermatology clinic, held out my arm, and said ow and pointed. The doctor looked at it, typed something into Google Translate, showed me the screen (allergic reaction, probably contact dermatitis), wrote a prescription, and I was out with cream and antihistamines in 25 minutes. Total cost: 18,000 won. Zero Korean spoken. Completely fine.
Here is the actual process for seeing a doctor in Korea without knowing Korean.
Step One: Download These Apps Before You Need Them
Google Translate with Korean downloaded for offline use. Papago — a Korean-made translation app that is often more accurate for Korean than Google Translate, especially for medical vocabulary. Both are free.
The camera translation feature is the most useful function. Point your camera at Korean text — prescription labels, clinic forms, doctor instructions — and it translates in real time. This works for reading the clinic registration form, understanding the prescription directions, and reading the medication packaging.
Step Two: Know the Body Part Words
A few Korean body part words go a long way at a clinic:
- 머리 (meori) — head
- 목 (mok) — throat or neck
- 배 (bae) — stomach or abdomen
- 가슴 (gaseum) — chest
- 등 (deung) — back
- 다리 (dari) — leg
- 팔 (pal) — arm
- 눈 (nun) — eye
- 귀 (gwi) — ear
Point at the affected area and say the word. That plus a pained expression communicates 80% of what the doctor needs to start the conversation. Korean doctors are very accustomed to this with foreign patients.
Step Three: The Registration Form
When you arrive at a Korean clinic, the receptionist gives you a form. It asks for: name, date of birth, contact number, symptoms (주증상), and whether you have taken any medication today.
Fill in your name and birthdate in English — that is fine. For the symptoms section, you can write in English or leave it blank and describe your symptoms in person. The receptionist will usually ask a few questions. Pointing at the area and using your translation app works here.
Bring your passport. Most clinics ask for ID at registration. Some clinics that see foreign patients regularly have staff who speak basic English at reception.
Step Four: In the Doctor’s Room
Korean doctors are direct and efficient. They will ask about your symptom, examine the affected area, and form a diagnosis quickly. The consultation itself is short — 5 to 10 minutes for a routine problem.
Have your translation app ready on your phone. Show the doctor a typed or spoken description of your symptom in Korean via the app. Most Korean doctors can read English reasonably well even if they do not speak it fluently — typing your symptom in English and showing them the text sometimes works better than the translated audio.
Common useful phrases to show on your phone screen:
- 알레르기가 있어요 (allergi ga isseoyo) — I have an allergy
- 임신 중이에요 (imsin jungieyo) — I am pregnant
- 현재 복용 중인 약이 있어요 (hyeonjae bogyong jungin yagi isseoyo) — I am currently taking medication
- 처방전이 필요해요 (cheopangjeon i piryohaeyo) — I need a prescription
Step Five: The Prescription and Pharmacy
The doctor writes a prescription on paper or digitally. Take it to the pharmacy (약국) adjacent to or near the clinic. Korean clinics almost always have a pharmacy within 30 seconds walk — this is by design.
Hand the prescription to the pharmacist. They prepare the medication, usually in small individual-dose packets. The pharmacist will often write the dosage instructions in English on the packet for foreign patients without being asked. If they do not, point at the packet and use your translation app on their typed or written instructions.
Have you managed a clinic visit in Korea without Korean? What worked best for communication? Drop your tip in the comments.