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This article will share baby-related Korean vocabulary, from the stages of pregnancy to the early years of the baby, including some medical terms and Korean celebrations for babies. Whether you are a current or aspiring parent, a child’s relative, or just a person who loves babies, this article will be your go-to guide for talking about babies in Korean.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. The vocabulary below covers pregnancy, symptoms, medical visits, and birth; symptoms are not necessarily limited to the section in which they appear.
First trimester
Some Korean families give their unborn baby a nickname called 태명 [taemyeong]. This prenatal nickname can differ from the name chosen after birth.
A dream interpreted in Korean folklore as a sign of pregnancy is called 태몽 [taemong]. Parents or relatives may describe such dreams, but this is a cultural belief, not evidence of pregnancy.
태교 [taegyo] refers broadly to prenatal practices intended to support an unborn child’s development, such as reading or listening to music. Talking to the unborn baby is called 태담 [taedam].
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 임신 | imsin | Pregnancy |
| 임산부 | imsanbu | Pregnant woman / woman who has recently given birth |
| 유방 압통 | yubang aptong | Breast tenderness |
| 구역질 | guyeokjil | Retching / nausea |
| 먹고 싶은 것 | meokgo sipeun geot | Food one craves / wants to eat |
| 입덧 | ipdeot | Morning sickness |
| 기분 변화 | gibun byeonhwa | Mood changes |
| 변비 | byeonbi | Constipation |
| 피로 | piro | Fatigue |
| 두통 | dutong | Headache |
I am pregnant. = 저는 임신했어요. [jeoneun imsinhaesseoyo]
Parking area reserved for pregnant women = 임산부 전용 주차 구역 [imsanbu jeonyong jucha guyeok]
A visit to the doctor
You may hear “축하합니다 [chukahamnida]” (Congratulations).
Your doctor may discuss your pregnancy using words like these.
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 산전 검사 | sanjeon geomsa | Prenatal examination / testing |
| 산부인과 의사 | sanbuingwa uisa | Obstetrician-gynecologist |
| 마지막 월경일 | majimak wolgyeongil | Date of the last menstrual period |
| 출산 예정일 | chulsan yejeongil | Expected due date |
| 정상 | jeongsang | Normal condition / normal |
| 쌍둥이 | ssangdungi | Twins |
| 세쌍둥이 | sessangdungi | Triplets |
| 건강하다 | geonganghada | To be healthy |
| 위험하다 | wiheomhada | To be dangerous / risky |
| 안전하다 | anjeonhada | To be safe |
Words used in medical instructions
주의 사항 [juui sahang] means precautions or points to note. The following are vocabulary items, not a list of activities every pregnant person must avoid. Follow your clinician’s individual instructions.
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| ___을/를 피하세요 | ___eul/reul pihaseyo | Avoid ___. |
| 과도한 활동 | gwadohan hwaldong | Excessive activity |
| 계단 오르내리기 | gyedan oreunaerigi | Going up and down stairs |
| 하이힐 | haihil | High heels |
| 수은 함량이 높은 식품 | sueun hamnyangi nopeun sikpum | Foods high in mercury |
| 의사의 조언 없이 약을 복용하기 | uisaui joeon eopsi yageul bogyonghagi | Taking medicine without a doctor’s advice |
| 유산 | yusan | Miscarriage (in this context) |
| 출혈 | chulhyeol | Bleeding |
| 술 | sul | Alcohol |
| 담배 | dambae | Tobacco / cigarettes |
을/를 are object particles used in these expressions. 을[eul] is used when the word ends with a consonant and 를[reul] when the word ends with a vowel.
Pregnancy symptoms and changes
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 토하다 | tohada | To vomit |
| 다리에 쥐가 나다 | darie jwiga nada | To get a leg cramp |
| 허리가 아프다 | heoriga apeuda | To have back pain |
| 민감한 잇몸 | mingamhan inmom | Sensitive gums |
| 코가 막히다 | koga makida | To have a blocked nose |
| 발목과 발이 약간 붓다 | balmokgwa bari yakgan butda | Ankles and feet swell slightly |
| 정맥류 | jeongmaengnyu | Varicose veins |
| 식욕이 늘다 | sigyogi neulda | Appetite increases |
| 체중 증가 | chejung jeungga | Weight gain |
| 임신성 당뇨병 | imsinseong dangnyobyeong | Gestational diabetes |
Stillbirth is called 사산 [sasan]; 낙태 [naktae] refers to induced abortion.
Later-pregnancy and birth vocabulary
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 아랫배 통증 | araetbae tongjeung | Lower abdominal pain |
| 가진통 | gajintong | False labor / Braxton Hicks contractions |
| 튼살 | teunsal | Stretch marks |
| 깜빡깜빡하다 | kkamppakkkamppakada | To be forgetful / repeatedly forget |
| 양수 | yangsu | Amniotic fluid |
| 규칙적인 진통 | gyuchikjeogin jintong | Regular labor contractions |
| 태동 | taedong | Fetal movement |
| 진통 | jintong | Labor pains |
| 질식 분만 | jilsik bunman | Vaginal delivery |
| 제왕절개 | jewangjeolgae | Cesarean section |
Birth and postpartum care
A due date is an estimate. After birth, some families use a 산후조리원 [sanhujoriwon], a postpartum care center. Services, fees, and hospital affiliations vary. Others recover at home with support from family or other caregivers.
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 출산 | chulsan | Childbirth |
| 조산 | josan | Preterm birth |
| 양수가 터지다 | yangsuga teojida | One’s water breaks |
| 유도 분만 | yudo bunman | Induced labor |
| 경막외 마취 | gyeongmagoe machwi | Epidural anesthesia |
| 하혈 | hahyeol | Vaginal or rectal bleeding (depending on context) |
| 수혈 | suhyeol | Blood transfusion |
| 응급 제왕절개 | eunggeup jewangjeolgae | Emergency cesarean section |
| 회복 중 | hoebok jung | Recovering |
| 산후조리 | sanhujori | Postpartum care |
Baby’s growth stages and characteristics
From birth
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 신생아 | sinsaenga | Newborn |
| 조산아 | josana | Preterm baby |
| 미숙아 | misuga | Premature / immature newborn; not simply “underweight” |
| 우량아 | uryanga | A well-grown, healthy baby; not simply “overweight” |
| 유아 | yua | Young child |
| 아가 | aga | Baby (affectionate) |
| 아이 | ai | Child |
| 뒤집기 | dwijipgi | Rolling over |
| 기어가다 | gieogada | To crawl |
| 이가 나다 | iga nada | To get teeth / teethe |
Baby’s characteristics
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 순하다 | sunhada | To be gentle / easygoing |
| 예민하다 | yeminhada | To be sensitive |
| 착하다 | chakada | To be kind / well-behaved |
| 귀엽다 | gwiyeopda | To be cute |
| 포동포동하다 | podongpodonghada | To be plump / chubby |
| 활동적이다 | hwaldongjeogida | To be active |
| 고집이 세다 | gojibi seda | To be stubborn |
| 튼튼하다 | teunteunhada | To be strong / sturdy |
| 씩씩하다 | ssikssikada | To be spirited / confident |
| 무럭무럭 잘 자란다 | mureongmureok jal jaranda | Is growing well |
In the traditional Korean age-counting system, a baby is one at birth, and everyone adds a year on January 1. This can make a person’s traditional age one or two years higher than their age in completed years.
Since June 28, 2023, age in completed years has been the default for South Korean legal and administrative purposes, although some specific rules use other counting methods. 만 [man] marks completed years. 세 [se] and 살 [sal] are both age counters; they do not identify different age-counting systems. For example, 만 9살 [man ahop sal] means nine years old in completed years.
Illnesses and Medications
Illness
These are terms a parent or guardian might encounter when discussing a child’s health.
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 열 | yeol | Fever |
| 미열 | miyeol | Low-grade fever |
| 고열 | goyeol | High fever |
| 체하다 | chehada | To have indigestion |
| 홍역 | hongyeok | Measles |
| 수두 | sudu | Chickenpox |
| 독감 | dokgam | Flu |
| 설사 | seolsa | Diarrhea |
| 식중독 | sikjungdok | Food poisoning |
| 알레르기 | allereugi | Allergy |
| 감기 | gamgi | Common cold |
| 장염 | jangyeom | Enteritis / intestinal inflammation |
| 중이염 | jungiyeom | Middle-ear inflammation / infection |
| 아토피 피부염 | atopi pibuyeom | Atopic dermatitis |
| 황달 | hwangdal | Jaundice |
| 비염 | biyeom | Rhinitis |
| 천식 | cheonsik | Asthma |
| 변비 | byeonbi | Constipation |
| 폐렴 | pyeryeom | Pneumonia |
| 소아마비 | soamabi | Polio |
Medications
약사 [yaksa] means pharmacist, and 처방전 [cheobangjeon] means prescription. A pharmacist can explain whether a medicine requires a prescription. The table below translates medicine-related words; it does not recommend treatments.
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 해열제 | haeyeolje | Fever-reducing medicine |
| 진통제 | jintongje | Pain reliever |
| 항생제 | hangsaengje | Antibiotic |
| 가루약 | garuyak | Powdered medicine |
| 안약 | anyak | Eye drops |
| 좌약 | jwayak | Suppository |
| 수액 | suaek | IV fluid |
| 주사 | jusa | Injection / shot |
| 백신 | baeksin | Vaccine |
| 약초 | yakcho | Medicinal herb |
Hospital departments and clinics
Doctor is 의사 [uisa]; 의사 선생님 [uisa seonsaengnim] is a respectful way to refer to one. Nurse is 간호사 [ganhosa], with the respectful form 간호사님 [ganhosanim].
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 소아청소년과 | soacheongsonyeongwa | Pediatrics |
| 치과 | chigwa | Dentistry |
| 내과 | naegwa | Internal medicine |
| 아동병원 | adongbyeongwon | Children’s hospital |
| 정형외과 | jeonghyeong-oegwa | Orthopedics |
| 응급실 | eunggeupsil | Emergency room |
| 보건소 | bogeonso | Public health center |
| 한의원 | hanuiwon | Korean medicine clinic |
| 입원 | ibwon | Hospital admission |
| 퇴원 | toewon | Hospital discharge |
| 이비인후과 | ibiinhugwa | Ear, nose and throat (ENT) department / clinic |
Phrases commonly said about a baby
To parents
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 엄마 많이 닮았다! | eomma mani dalmatda! | The baby looks a lot like Mom! |
| 아빠 붕어빵이네! | appa bungeoppang-ine! | The baby is the spitting image of Dad! |
| 너무 귀여워! | neomu gwiyeowo! | So cute! |
| 애 쌍꺼풀 봐라! | ae ssangkkeopul bwara! | Look at the baby’s double eyelids! |
| 깨물고 싶다! | kkaemulgo sipda! | So cute I could bite! (figurative) |
| 보조개도 있다! | bojogaedo itda! | The baby has dimples too! |
| 너무 잘생겼다! | neomu jalsaenggyeotda! | So handsome! |
| 사랑스럽다! | sarangseureopda! | So lovely! |
| 안아 줘도 돼요? | ana jwodo dwaeyo? | May I hold the baby? |
| 천사 같아! | cheonsa gata! | Like an angel! |
쌍꺼풀 [ssangkkeopul] means double eyelids. People sometimes comment on a baby’s features, but preferences vary. Most of the exclamations above are casual; use polite language with parents you do not know well.
To a baby
These expressions use casual speech suitable for a baby or young child you are caring for. They are not polite forms for addressing unfamiliar adults.
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 까꿍! | kkakkung! | Peekaboo! |
| 잘 자라라! | jal jarara! | Grow well! |
| 예쁘게 커라! | yeppeuge keora! | Grow up beautifully! |
| 엄마 아빠 말 잘 들어, 알았지? | eomma appa mal jal deureo, aratji? | Listen to Mom and Dad, okay? |
| 잠이 와? | jami wa? | Are you sleepy? |
| 배고파? | baegopa? | Are you hungry? |
| 물놀이할까? | mullorihalkka? | Shall we play in the water? |
| 기저귀 갈아 줄까? | gijeogwi gara julkka? | Shall I change your diaper? |
| 울지 마, 울지 마. | ulji ma, ulji ma. | Don’t cry, don’t cry. |
| 착하지? | chakaji? | You’re a good child, aren’t you? |
| 움직이지 마. | umjigiji ma. | Don’t move. |
| 가만있어. | gamanisseo. | Stay still. |
| 뛰지 마. | ttwiji ma. | Don’t run. |
| 하지 마. | haji ma. | Don’t do that. |
| 소리치지 마. | sorichiji ma. | Don’t shout. |
| 춤춰 봐. | chumchwo bwa. | Try dancing. |
| 이리 와 봐. | iri wa bwa. | Come over here. |
| 내 말 들어 봐. | nae mal deureo bwa. | Listen to me. |
| 장난치지 마. | jangnanchiji ma. | Stop fooling around. |
| 장난꾸러기 | jangnankkureogi | Little rascal / mischievous child |
Baby items
Clothes
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 배냇저고리 | baenaetjeogori | Newborn baby’s shirt |
| 손수건 | sonsugeon | Handkerchief |
| 우주복 | ujubok | One-piece baby suit |
| 천 기저귀 | cheon gijeogwi | Cloth diaper |
| 일회용 기저귀 | ilhoeyong gijeogwi | Disposable diaper |
| 잠옷 | jamot | Pajamas |
| 내복 | naebok | Long underwear / thermal underwear |
| 바지 | baji | Pants |
| 아기 이불 | agi ibul | Baby blanket / bedding |
| 속싸개 | sokssagae | Swaddling wrap |
| 턱받이 | teokbaji | Bib |
| 손싸개 | sonssagae | Baby mittens |
| 발싸개 | balssagae | Baby foot coverings / booties |
| 모자 | moja | Hat / cap |
| 머리띠 | meoritti | Headband |
| 머리핀 | meoripin | Hairpin |
| 돌반지 | dolbanji | First-birthday ring |
| 목걸이 | mokgeori | Necklace |
| 팔찌 | paljji | Bracelet |
| 귀걸이 | gwigeori | Earrings |
Foods and formula
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 분유 | bunyu | Powdered milk / infant formula |
| 모유 | moyu | Breast milk |
| 젖병 | jeotbyeong | Feeding bottle |
| 미음 | mieum | Thin rice gruel |
| 이유식 | iyusik | Complementary baby food / weaning food |
| 쌀가루 이유식 | ssalgaru iyusik | Rice-based baby food |
| 죽 | juk | Porridge |
| 아기 간식 | agi gansik | Baby snacks |
| 유기농 | yuginong | Organic farming / organic (in product descriptions) |
| 유산균 | yusangyun | Lactic acid bacteria |
Baby equipment and childcare
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 포대기 | podaegi | Traditional cloth baby carrier |
| 아기 침대 | agi chimdae | Crib / baby bed |
| 유모차 | yumocha | Stroller |
| 카시트 | kasiteu | Car seat |
| 보행기 | bohaenggi | Baby walker |
| 모빌 | mobil | Mobile (hanging decoration) |
| 딸랑이 | ttallangi | Rattle |
| 쪽쪽이 | jjokjjogi | Pacifier / dummy |
| 장난감 | jangnangam | Toy(s) |
| 치발기 | chibalgi | Teether |
| 자장가 | jajangga | Lullaby |
| 동요 | dongyo | Children’s song / nursery rhyme |
| 동화책 | donghwachaek | Children’s storybook |
| 아기용 | agiyong | For babies |
| 아기 용품 | agi yongpum | Baby products |
| 아기 의자 | agi uija | Baby chair; a high chair in context |
| 영유아 건강검진 | yeongyua geonganggeomjin | Infant and young-child health screening |
| 어린이집 | eorinijip | Daycare center |
| 유치원 | yuchiwon | Kindergarten |
| 아이돌보미 | aidolbomi | Childcare provider |
Games and playground
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 놀이터 | noriteo | Playground |
| 놀이방 | noribang | Playroom |
| 미끄럼틀 | mikkeureomteul | Slide |
| 그네 | geune | Swing |
| 시소 | siso | Seesaw |
| 숨바꼭질 | sumbakkokjil | Hide-and-seek |
| 술래잡기 | sullaejapgi | Tag |
| 블록 쌓기 | beullok ssaki | Stacking blocks |
| 박수 쳐! | baksu chyeo! | Clap your hands! |
| 날 잡아 봐라! | nal jaba bwara! | Catch me! |
Events
| Korean | Revised Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 50일 | osibil | 50 days |
| 100일 | baegil | 100 days |
| 첫돌 잔치 | cheotdol janchi | First-birthday celebration |
Many Korean families celebrate a baby’s first 100 days, called 백일 [baegil]. The tradition is associated with hopes for the child’s health and survival at a time when infant mortality was higher.
Today, families may mark the occasion with photographs, food, or a gathering to celebrate the baby’s growth.
Other resources you could check out:
Conclusion
Baby-related words are a vast topic, and I am hoping we were able to discuss the parts you were expecting from this article.
If there is anything I didn’t cover, please ask away. I would be more than happy to provide a response to your inquiries. And if you want to practice your pronunciation, you can use the phrases to talk with kids or babies around you.
And don’t forget to share on your Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or by email to your friends and family. Thank you.