Korean Dental Phrases: A Glossary for Foreigners (Hangul and Romanization)
In Korean, a dental clinic is 치과 (chigwa), a dentist is 치과의사 (chigwa uisa), and "My tooth hurts" is 이가 아파요 (Iga apayo). This glossary from Lucid Dental Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul lists key dental words and phrases in Hangul with Revised Romanization, from symptoms and treatments to insurance and payment terms.
Key facts
- 치과 (chigwa) means dental clinic; 치과의사 (chigwa uisa) means dentist.
- 이가 아파요 (Iga apayo) means "My tooth hurts."
- Porcelain veneers are usually called 라미네이트 (ramineiteu, laminate) in Korea.
- 급여 (geubyeo) means covered by NHIS; 비급여 (bigeubyeo) means not covered.
- Emergency ambulance number in Korea: 119.
- 1330 Korea Travel Helpline offers tourist interpretation (+82-2-1330 from overseas).
How do you say "dentist" in Korean?
A dental clinic is 치과 (chigwa) and a dentist is 치과의사 (chigwa uisa). On street signs you will see 치과 at the end of clinic names; Lucid Dental Clinic's Korean name is 루시드치과의원.
The romanizations on this page follow Korea's official Revised Romanization system, which spells words the way they sound. That is why 앞니 (front tooth) is written amni , not apni. Read each word as written and you will be understood in most cases.
Essential Korean words for the dental clinic
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 치과 | chigwa | dental clinic / dentistry |
| 치과의사 | chigwa uisa | dentist |
| 치과위생사 | chigwa wisaengsa | dental hygienist |
| 예약 | yeyak | appointment, booking |
| 접수 | jeopsu | reception, check-in |
| 이 / 치아 | i / chia | tooth |
| 잇몸 | inmom | gums |
| 앞니 | amni | front tooth |
| 어금니 | eogeumni | molar |
| 사랑니 | sarangni | wisdom tooth |
| 턱 | teok | jaw |
How do I describe tooth pain in Korean?
The simplest sentence is 이가 아파요 (Iga apayo), "My tooth hurts." Point to the spot and add 여기가 아파요 (Yeogiga apayo), "It hurts here."
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이가 아파요. | Iga apayo. | My tooth hurts. |
| 여기가 아파요. | Yeogiga apayo. | It hurts here. |
| 씹을 때 아파요. | Ssibeul ttae apayo. | It hurts when I chew. |
| 찬 거 먹으면 시려요. | Chan geo meogeumyeon siryeoyo. | It's sensitive when I eat cold things. |
| 잇몸에서 피가 나요. | Inmomeseo piga nayo. | My gums are bleeding. |
| 얼굴이 부었어요. | Eolguri bueosseoyo. | My face is swollen. |
| 이가 깨졌어요. | Iga kkaejyeosseoyo. | My tooth is chipped / broken. |
| 때운 게 빠졌어요. | Ttaeun ge ppajyeosseoyo. | My filling fell out. |
| 크라운이 빠졌어요. | Keurauni ppajyeosseoyo. | My crown came off. |
Useful describing words:
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 치통 | chitong | toothache |
| 충치 | chungchi | cavity, tooth decay |
| 시리다 | sirida | to feel sensitive (to cold) |
| 붓다 | butda | to swell |
| 깨지다 | kkaejida | to chip or break |
| 빠지다 | ppajida | to come out, fall out |
| 잇몸 염증 | inmom yeomjeung | gum inflammation |
What are the Korean names for common dental treatments?
Many treatment names are English loanwords written in Hangul, such as 스케일링 (scaling), 크라운 (crown) and 임플란트 (implant), so they may sound familiar once you hear them.
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 검진 | geomjin | check-up, exam |
| 엑스레이 | ekseurei | X-ray |
| 스케일링 | seukeilling | scaling (professional cleaning) |
| 마취 | machwi | anesthesia |
| 레진 | rejin | resin (tooth-colored) filling |
| 인레이 | inrei | inlay |
| 신경치료 | singyeong chiryo | root canal treatment |
| 크라운 | keuraun | crown |
| 발치 | balchi | extraction |
| 임플란트 | impeullanteu | dental implant |
| 라미네이트 | ramineiteu | porcelain veneer (laminate) |
| 미백 | mibaek | whitening |
| 교정 | gyojeong | orthodontics, braces |
| 틀니 | teulli | denture |
In Korea, porcelain veneers are usually called 라미네이트 (laminates). At Lucid Dental Clinic, the in-house veneer line is called LUCINATE. If you need treatment explained in plain English, see our English dental glossary.
Phrases to use in the dental chair
These help you communicate comfort, safety information and payment questions.
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 영어 하실 수 있어요? | Yeongeo hasil su isseoyo? | Can you speak English? |
| 아파요. 잠깐만요. | Apayo. Jamkkanmanyo. | It hurts. Please wait a moment. |
| 마취가 덜 된 것 같아요. | Machwiga deol doen geot gatayo. | I don't think I'm fully numb yet. |
| 알레르기가 있어요. | Allereugiga isseoyo. | I have an allergy. |
| 약을 먹고 있어요. | Yageul meokgo isseoyo. | I'm taking medication. |
| 임신 중이에요. | Imsin jungieyo. | I'm pregnant. |
| 건강보험 적용돼요? | Geongang boheom jeogyongdwaeyo? | Is this covered by national health insurance? |
| 얼마예요? | Eolmayeyo? | How much is it? |
| 영수증 주세요. | Yeongsujeung juseyo. | Can I have a receipt, please? |
What will the dentist or hygienist say to me?
You will hear short instructions ending in -seyo , the polite request form. Here are the ones that come up most during an exam or cleaning.
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 입 벌리세요. | Ip beolliseyo. | Open your mouth. |
| 입 다무세요. | Ip damuseyo. | Close your mouth. |
| 헹구세요. | Henguseyo. | Rinse, please. |
| 꽉 물어 보세요. | Kkwak mureo boseyo. | Bite down firmly. |
| 아프면 왼손 드세요. | Apeumyeon oenson deuseyo. | Raise your left hand if it hurts. |
| 두 시간 동안 드시지 마세요. | Du sigan dongan deusiji maseyo. | Don't eat for two hours. |
Insurance and payment words
These are the words you will see on forms and receipts. NHIS-covered items (급여) and non-covered items (비급여) are usually listed separately on Korean receipts.
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 건강보험 | geongang boheom | National Health Insurance (NHIS) |
| 급여 / 비급여 | geubyeo / bigeubyeo | covered / not covered by NHIS |
| 본인부담금 | bonin budamgeum | patient copay |
| 외국인등록증 | oegugin deungnokjeung | Residence Card (Alien Registration Card) |
| 영수증 | yeongsujeung | receipt |
| 진료비 세부산정내역서 | jillyobi sebu sanjeong naeyeokseo | itemized statement of charges |
| 통역 | tongyeok | interpretation |
For what NHIS typically covers, including one scaling per calendar year for adults 19 and over, see NHIS dental coverage for foreigners. If you are claiming from a private insurer, our guide to insurance claim paperwork lists which documents to request.
How to use this glossary at your appointment
- Screenshot the tables you need so you can show them without internet access.
- Point, then speak. Showing the Hangul on your phone is often clearer than pronunciation alone.
- Write down key details before you go: allergies, medicines, pregnancy and past treatment.
- Ask for English if you need it. At Lucid Dental Clinic, English, Japanese and Chinese consultations are available, so the glossary is a backup, not a requirement.
- Confirm costs before treatment. Ask 얼마예요? (How much is it?) and whether it is 급여 or 비급여.
Emergency numbers and help lines
- 119: ambulance and fire. Call for spreading facial swelling, trouble breathing or bleeding that will not stop.
- 1330 Korea Travel Helpline: run by the Korea Tourism Organization, offering tourist information and interpretation (+82-2-1330 from overseas).
- NHIS English consultant line: 033-811-2000, for questions about your health insurance.
For a toothache that is not an emergency, see our emergency dentist in Gangnam page.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Park Hyun-min, Prosthodontist, Lucid Dental Clinic. Last reviewed September 27, 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis; individual results vary, and a consultation and exam are required.
Book a consultation
No Korean needed: write to us in English. More help for visitors is on our international patients page. Message us on WhatsApp at +82-10-8354-2975 or use our WhatsApp booking link. Lucid Dental Clinic is on the 3rd–4th floors of the COWAY Building, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, directly in front of Exit 3 of Eonju Station (Line 9).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Korean to see a dentist in Seoul?
No. Many clinics in Seoul serve foreign patients, and Lucid Dental Clinic offers English, Japanese and Chinese consultations. Knowing a few phrases still helps at reception and in the chair.
What does 스케일링 mean?
스케일링 (seukeilling) is scaling, the professional removal of tartar. For adults 19 and over enrolled in NHIS, one scaling per calendar year is typically covered with a copay.
How do I say "root canal" in Korean?
Root canal treatment is 신경치료 (singyeong chiryo), which literally means "nerve treatment." You may also hear the dentist mention 마취 (machwi), anesthesia, before it starts.
Why does the romanization not match the spelling?
Revised Romanization follows how Korean is pronounced, and sounds change between syllables. For example, 잇몸 (gums) is read inmom. Saying the romanized form aloud is usually understood.
How do I ask for a receipt for insurance?
Say 영수증 주세요 (Yeongsujeung juseyo) for a receipt. For an itemized breakdown, ask for the 진료비 세부산정내역서 (jillyobi sebu sanjeong naeyeokseo).
What is the Korean name of Lucid Dental Clinic?
It is 루시드치과의원. Showing this name and the address, 606 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, helps taxi drivers find it.