Korean Dictionary
How to say "Appendicitis" in Korean
“Appendicitis” in Korean is 맹장염 (pronounced "maengjangyeom").
맹장염
maengjangyeom
Usage & Context
맹장염 is a common surgical emergency in Korea and appendectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgeries at Korean hospitals. Korean parents are well aware of the symptoms of 맹장염 and typically rush to the emergency room if lower right abdominal pain is severe. Laparoscopic appendectomy is the standard treatment at most Korean hospitals.
Example Sentence
오른쪽 아랫배가 너무 아파서 맹장염인 줄 알았어요.
The lower right abdomen hurt so much I thought it was appendicitis.
How to use 맹장염 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Appendicitis” is 맹장염, romanized as maengjangyeom.
Usage tip
When describing symptoms, combine the word with where it hurts, when it started, and how severe it is.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 맹장염.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'maeng-jahng-yuhm.' 'Maeng' rhymes with the English word 'mang' (as in 'mangle'), 'jang' rhymes with 'pong,' and 'yeom' is a soft 'yuhm' — one light syllable, not 'yee-ohm.'
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
충수염
chungsuyeom
The medically correct term — 'cecum/appendix inflammation' — used by doctors and on hospital charts
Casual (반말)
맹장
maengjang
In spoken Korean, people often just say '맹장 터졌다' ('my appendix burst') without the '-염' ending
More Example Sentences
recounting a hospital emergency to family
응급실에서 바로 맹장염 수술 받았어요.
I had appendicitis surgery right there in the ER.
a doctor advising a patient
맹장염은 하루만 늦어도 터질 수 있어서 위험해요.
Appendicitis can rupture if you delay even a day, so it's dangerous.
texting a friend about a scare
배가 너무 아파서 맹장인 줄 알고 병원 갔는데 장염이래요.
My stomach hurt so badly I thought it was appendicitis, but the hospital said it was just gastroenteritis.
Cultural Context
Technically, 맹장 is the cecum and the correct medical term is 충수염 ('appendicitis'), but everyday Koreans — and even most dramas and news — use 맹장염. Appendectomy (맹장 수술) is one of the most common surgeries Koreans undergo in their 10s–20s, often as a memorable 'rite of passage' story, and Korea's universal health insurance (국민건강보험) covers it cheaply, typically with a 2-3 day hospital stay. Laparoscopic (복강경) surgery is the default now, leaving only three small scars. Parents recognize the hallmark lower-right-abdomen pain instantly and will push kids straight to the ER.
Editorial note
We review entries like 맹장염 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
맹장 수술 받았어요.
I had appendix surgery.
맹장 터질 뻔했어요.
My appendix almost burst.
오른쪽 아랫배가 아파요.
My lower right abdomen hurts.
Related Expressions
수술
susul
surgery
응급실
eunggeupsil
emergency room
복통
boktong
abdominal pain
복강경 수술
bokgang-gyeong susul
laparoscopic surgery
More Health & Medical Words
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