Korean Dictionary
How to say "Arthritis" in Korean
“Arthritis” in Korean is 관절염 (pronounced "gwanjeoryeom").
관절염
gwanjeoryeom
Usage & Context
관절염 is a common condition among older Koreans particularly affecting the knees and hands. Korean traditional medicine offers acupuncture and herbal treatments for 관절염 pain management. Cold weather is believed by many Koreans to worsen 관절염 symptoms especially in the elderly.
Example Sentence
날이 추워지면 관절염이 더 심해져요.
Arthritis gets worse when the weather gets cold.
How to use 관절염 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Arthritis” is 관절염, romanized as gwanjeoryeom.
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 관절염.
Pronunciation Guide
'관' (gwan) sounds like 'gwan' in 'Gwangju', similar to 'gwaan'. '절' (jeol) is like 'juhl', rhyming with 'doll' but with a softer 'j'. '염' (yeom) is like 'yuhm', similar to the 'um' in 'hum' with a slight 'y' sound at the beginning. The syllables flow together smoothly.
More Example Sentences
A grandchild talking about their grandmother's health.
할머니는 겨울만 되면 관절염 때문에 힘들어하세요.
My grandmother struggles with arthritis every winter.
A doctor explaining treatment options.
관절염 초기에는 물리치료가 도움이 될 수 있습니다.
In the early stages of arthritis, physical therapy can be helpful.
A friend giving advice on activities for someone with joint pain.
등산은 무릎 관절염 환자에게 좋지 않을 수 있어요.
Hiking might not be good for patients with knee arthritis.
Cultural Context
'관절염' is a very common ailment among older Koreans, often associated with aging and hard physical labor. There's a widespread belief that cold and damp weather worsens '관절염' symptoms, leading many to seek warmth and avoid drafts. Traditional Korean medicine, such as acupuncture and herbal remedies, is frequently sought for pain management alongside Western medical treatments. It's a topic often discussed within families, especially concerning elderly parents or grandparents.
Editorial note
We review entries like 관절염 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
관절염 치료
arthritis treatment
관절염 예방
arthritis prevention
관절염에 좋다
good for arthritis
Related Expressions
무릎 통증
mureup tongjeung
knee pain
연골
yeongol
cartilage
물리치료
mullichiryo
physical therapy
류마티스
ryumatiseu
rheumatism
More Health & Medical Words
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