Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cancer" in Korean
“Cancer” in Korean is 암 (pronounced "am").
암
am
Usage & Context
암 is a leading cause of death in Korea and cancer screening is a major focus of Korean public health. The Korean government provides subsidized or free cancer screenings for stomach, colon, breast, cervical, and liver cancers. Korea has some of the highest survival rates in the world for certain cancers due to early detection programs.
Example Sentence
조기 발견이 암 치료의 핵심이에요.
Early detection is key to cancer treatment.
How to use 암 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cancer” is 암, romanized as am.
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 암.
Pronunciation Guide
암 (am) sounds exactly like the English word 'arm'. The 'a' is like in 'father', and the 'm' is a clear 'm' sound.
More Example Sentences
A public health announcement or doctor's advice.
암 예방을 위해 정기적인 검진이 중요해요.
Regular check-ups are important for cancer prevention.
Sharing personal concerns with a close friend.
가족 중에 암 환자가 있어서 걱정이에요.
I'm worried because there's a cancer patient in my family.
Describing someone's resilience in a difficult situation.
그는 암 투병 중에도 희망을 잃지 않았어요.
He didn't lose hope even while fighting cancer.
Cultural Context
Cancer is a very serious and widely discussed health issue in Korea. The government actively promotes and subsidizes screenings for common cancers (e.g., stomach, colon, breast). There's a strong emphasis on 'early detection' (조기 발견) and 'prevention' (예방). The term '암 투병' (am tubyeong - fighting cancer) is commonly used to describe a patient's struggle, and many celebrities participate in campaigns to raise awareness.
Editorial note
We review entries like 암 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
암에 걸리다
To get cancer
암 치료
Cancer treatment
암 투병
Fighting cancer
Related Expressions
암 환자
am hwanja
Cancer patient
암 예방
am yebang
Cancer prevention
암 검진
am geomjin
Cancer screening
종양
jongyang
Tumor
More Health & Medical Words
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