B1Korean

At the Dentist

These phrases will help you explain your dental issues clearly and understand the dentist's instructions and treatment options.

Key Phrases

Explaining a toothache · 2 ways to say it

나 요새 이빨이 너무 아파서 밤에 잠을 못 잤어.

casual

na yosae ibbari neomu apaseo bame jameul mot jasseo.

I've had such a bad toothache lately that I couldn't sleep at night.

Use '이빨' (tooth - informal) and 반말 (casual speech) only when complaining to close friends.

오른쪽 아래 어금니가 욱신거리고 아파서 진통제를 먹었어요.

neutral

oreunjjok arae eogeumniga uksingeorigo apaseo jintongjereul meogeosseoyo.

My lower right molar is throbbing and hurting, so I took a painkiller.

The safe, standard way to describe your symptoms to the dentist or receptionist.

Describing tooth sensitivity

찬물을 마시거나 단 것을 먹을 때 이가 심하게 시려요.

neutral

chanmureul masigeona dan geoseul meogeul ttae iga simhage siryeoyo.

My teeth are severely sensitive when I drink cold water or eat sweet things.

'이가 시리다' is the set phrase for tooth sensitivity.

Asking about treatment options · 2 ways to say it

충치가 깊게 생겼는데 레진으로 때우면 얼마나 오래가나요?

neutral

chungchiga gipge saenggyeonneunde rejineuro ttaeumyeon eolmana oraeganayo?

I have a deep cavity, but if I get a resin filling, how long will it last?

A natural way to ask about the durability of a specific dental material.

금으로 씌우는 것이 레진보다 훨씬 더 튼튼합니까?

polite

geumeuro ssuiuneun geosi rejinboda hwolssin deo teunteunhamnikka?

Is getting a gold crown much stronger than resin?

Using the formal 합쇼체 makes this sound like a serious consultation.

Discussing wisdom teeth

사랑니가 누워 있어서 옆에 이를 누르는데 꼭 빼야 해요?

neutral

sarangniga nuwo isseoseo yeope ireul nureuneunde kkok ppaeya haeyo?

My wisdom tooth is impacted and pressing on the next tooth, so do I really have to extract it?

Korean literally describes impacted teeth as 'lying down' (누워 있다).

Asking about recovery

오늘 발치를 하고 나면 밥은 언제부터 먹을 수 있습니까?

polite

oneul balchireul hago namyeon babeun eonjebuteo meogeul su isseumnikka?

If I get it extracted today, from when can I eat?

Asking for stronger anesthetic

제가 치과를 무서워하는데 치료할 때 마취를 좀 세게 해 주시겠어요?

polite

jega chigwareul museowohaneunde chiryohal ttae machwireul jom sege hae jusigesseoyo?

I'm scared of the dentist, so could you give me a stronger anesthetic during treatment?

Asking the patient to open mouth · 2 ways to say it

자, 아프지 않으니까 입을 크게 아 벌려 보세요.

neutral

ja, apeuji aneunikka ibeul keuge a beollyeo boseyo.

Now, it won't hurt, so please open your mouth wide, saying 'ah'.

A gentler instruction often used by dentists to reassure patients.

자, 이제 긴장을 푸시고 입을 크게 벌려 보십시오.

polite

ja, ije ginjangeul pusigo ibeul keuge beollyeo bosipsio.

Now, please relax and open your mouth wide.

The formal, professional instruction standard in medical settings.

Telling the patient how to signal pain · 2 ways to say it

스케일링을 할 때 아프면 참지 말고 손을 드세요.

neutral

seukeillingeul hal ttae apeumyeon chamji malgo soneul deuseyo.

When getting scaling, if it hurts, don't hold it in and raise your hand.

치료를 받는 중에 많이 아프시면 왼손을 번쩍 들어 주십시오.

polite

chiryoreul banneun junge mani apeusimyeon oensoneul beonjjeok deureo jusipsio.

If it hurts a lot while receiving treatment, please raise your left hand up high.

Explaining post-treatment care

마취가 완전히 풀릴 때까지는 절대로 음식을 씹으면 안 됩니다.

polite

machwiga wanjeonhi pullil ttaekkajineun jeoldaero eumsigeul ssibeumyeon an doemnida.

You must absolutely not chew food until the numbness completely wears off.

Asking about cost and insurance · 2 ways to say it

비용이 생각보다 비싸서 오늘은 검사만 먼저 받고 싶어요.

neutral

biyongi saenggakboda bissaseo oneureun geomsaman meonjeo batgo sipeoyo.

The cost is more expensive than I expected, so I just want to get the checkup first today.

신경 치료를 받게 되면 건강 보험이 전부 적용됩니까?

polite

singyeong chiryoreul batge doemyeon geongang boheomi jeonbu jeogyongdoemnikka?

If I get a root canal, is it fully covered by health insurance?

Practice Dialogue

Patient
선생님, 어제부터 오른쪽 아래 어금니가 너무 아파서 잠을 못 잤어요.
seonsaengnim, eojebuteo oreunjjok arae eogeumniga neomu apaseo jameul mot jasseoyo.
Dentist
어디 봅시다. 자, 입을 크게 벌리고 아 해 보십시오.
eodi bopsida. ja, ibeul keuge beolligo a hae bosipsio.
Patient
아... 여기가 욱신거리고 단 것을 먹을 때 이가 심하게 시려요.
a... yeogiga uksingeorigo dan geoseul meogeul ttae iga simhage siryeoyo.
Dentist
충치가 꽤 깊게 생겼는데, 신경 치료를 하고 금으로 씌우는 것이 좋겠습니다.
chungchiga kkwae gipge saenggyeonneunde, singyeong chiryoreul hago geumeuro ssuiuneun geosi jogesseumnida.
Patient
신경 치료를 받게 되면 건강 보험이 적용됩니까? 비용이 걱정돼서요.
singyeong chiryoreul batge doemyeon geongang boheomi jeogyongdoemnikka? biyongi geokjeongdwaeseoyo.
Dentist
네, 신경 치료는 보험이 적용되니까 너무 걱정하지 마십시오.
ne, singyeong chiryoneun boheomi jeogyongdoenikka neomu geokjeonghaji masipsio.
Patient
다행이네요. 제가 치과를 무서워하는데 마취를 좀 세게 해 주시겠어요?
dahaengineyo. jega chigwareul museowohaneunde machwireul jom sege hae jusigesseoyo?
Dentist
네, 조금 아플 수 있으니까 많이 아프시면 왼손을 번쩍 들어 주십시오.
ne, jogeum apeul su isseunikka mani apeusimyeon oensoneul beonjjeok deureo jusipsio.

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