Learn Must-Know Words, Useful Phrases, and Cultural Tips for Navigating Pregnancy and Birth in Korea (μμ κ³Ό μΆμ°)
Whether you’re expecting a child in Korea, supporting someone who is, or simply expanding your life vocabulary, this guide covers the most important Korean words and expressions related to pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care.
πΌ Must-Know Vocabulary for Pregnancy & Childbirth in Korean
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| μμ | im-sin | Pregnancy |
| μμ°λΆ | im-san-bu | Pregnant woman |
| μΆμ° | chul-san | Childbirth |
| νμ | tae-a | Fetus |
| μ°λͺ¨ | san-mo | Mother after childbirth |
| μ μμ | sin-saeng-a | Newborn baby |
| μκΈ° | a-gi | Baby |
| μ΄μν κ²μ¬ | cho-eum-pa geom-sa | Ultrasound |
| μ°λΆμΈκ³Ό | san-bu-in-gwa | OB-GYN |
| μ λ§ | ip-deot | Morning sickness |
| μμ μΌ | ye-jeong-il | Due date |
| μμ | yang-su | Amniotic fluid |
| μ§ν΅ | jin-tong | Labor pain |
| μ μμ κ° | je-wang-jeol-gae | C-section |
| μμ°λΆλ§ | ja-yeon-bun-man | Natural birth |
| μ°ν쑰리μ | san-hu-jo-ri-won | Postnatal care center |
| λͺ¨μ μμ | mo-yu su-yu | Breastfeeding |
| λΆμ | bun-yu | Baby formula |
| κΈ°μ κ· | gi-jeo-gwi | Diaper |
| μ λͺ¨μ°¨ | yu-mo-cha | Stroller |
π£οΈ Common Korean Expressions Related to Pregnancy
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| μμ νμ΄μ. | im-sin-hae-sseo-yo | Iβm pregnant. |
| λͺ μ£Όμ°¨μμ? | myeot ju-cha-ye-yo? | How many weeks along are you? |
| μΆνλλ €μ! | chuk-ha-deu-ryeo-yo! | Congratulations! |
| 건κ°νκ² μ μλΌκ³ μμ΄μ. | geon-gang-ha-ge jal ja-ra-go iss-eo-yo | The baby is growing well. |
| μ λ§μ΄ μ¬ν΄μ. | ip-deot-i sim-hae-yo | I have severe morning sickness. |
| λ³μμ λ€λ μμ΄μ. | byeong-won-e da-nyeo-wass-eo-yo | I went to the hospital. |
| μ°ν쑰리 μ€μ΄μμ. | san-hu-jo-ri jung-i-e-yo | I’m recovering after childbirth. |
| μμ μ€μ΄μμ. | su-yu jung-i-e-yo | I’m breastfeeding. |
| μκΈ° μ΄λ¦μ μμ§ λͺ» μ νμ΄μ. | a-gi i-reum-eun a-jik mot jeong-haess-eo-yo | We havenβt decided on a baby name yet. |
π§Έ Baby Essentials Vocabulary in Korean
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| μκΈ° μ· | a-gi ot | Baby clothes |
| μμΈκ° | sok-ssa-gae | Swaddle blanket |
| μ λ³ | jeot-byeong | Baby bottle |
| μκΈ° μΉ¨λ | a-gi chim-dae | Baby crib |
| ν±λ°μ΄ | teok-ba-ji | Bib |
| λΆμ ν΅ | bun-yu-tong | Formula container |
| μκΈ°λ | a-gi-tti | Baby carrier |
| κΈ°μ κ· κ°λ°© | gi-jeo-gwi ga-bang | Diaper bag |
| λ¬Όν°μ | mul-ti-syu | Wet wipes |
| 체μ¨κ³ | che-on-gye | Thermometer |
π Cultural Notes & Tips on Pregnancy in Korea
π₯ 1. Prenatal Checkups Are Regular
- Most expecting mothers go to μ°λΆμΈκ³Ό every 4β6 weeks. Ultrasounds (μ΄μν) are standard.
- Government offers μμ°λΆ μ첩 (pregnancy booklet) and subsidies for prenatal care.
π§ 2. Sanhujoriwon (μ°ν쑰리μ) Is Popular
- Many mothers stay in postnatal care centers after giving birth, usually 2β4 weeks.
- Includes recovery support, newborn care, meals, and massage therapy.
π² 3. Diet & Food Beliefs
- Traditional dishes like λ―Έμκ΅ (seaweed soup) are eaten daily after birth for recovery and milk production.
- Cold drinks or raw food are often avoided during and after pregnancy.
ποΈ 4. Baby Celebrations
- λ°±μΌ (100-day celebration) and λμμΉ (first birthday party) are important milestones.
- Itβs common to give μ λ¬Ό (gifts) such as baby clothes, gold rings, or cash in envelopes.
π 5. Baby Shower = Less Common
- Western-style baby showers are not widely practiced, but κ°λ¨ν μ λ¬Ό μ λ¬ (simple gift-giving) is growing.
π Bonus Vocabulary for Related Terms
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| μ μ° | yu-san | Miscarriage |
| λμ | nan-im | Infertility |
| μνκ΄ μκΈ° | si-heom-gwan a-gi | IVF (test-tube baby) |
| νκ΅ | tae-gyo | Prenatal education / bonding |
| μκΈ° μ΄λ¦ μ§κΈ° | a-gi i-reum jit-gi | Naming a baby |
| λμ§Έ | dul-jjae | Second child |
| μ‘°μ° | jo-san | Premature birth |
| λ§μ | man-sak | Full-term pregnancy |
| μμ μ΄κΈ° | im-sin cho-gi | Early pregnancy |
| μμ νκΈ° | im-sin hu-gi | Late pregnancy |
π― Vocabulary Quiz
- How do you say “pregnant woman” in Korean?
- Whatβs the Korean word for βdiaperβ?
- Translate: βIβm going to the OB-GYN.β
π¬ Comment your answers and test your Korean baby-related vocabulary!
π Want to Learn More?
βοΈ Texting vocabulary
βοΈ Reparing clothes and shoes
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