Korean Dictionary
How to say "Doctor" in Korean
“Doctor” in Korean is 의사 (pronounced "uisa").
의사
uisa
Usage & Context
의사 is the formal term for a licensed medical doctor in Korea. Korean 의사 are highly respected professionals who go through an intensive 6-year medical school program followed by residency training. The title 선생님 (teacher) is also commonly used when addressing 의사 in Korea as a form of respect.
Example Sentence
의사 선생님이 약을 3일 치 처방해 주셨어요.
The doctor prescribed me medication for 3 days.
How to use 의사 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Doctor” is 의사, romanized as uisa.
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 의사.
Pronunciation Guide
의 (ui) sounds like 'wee' in 'week' but with a subtle 'oo' sound at the start, similar to 'eui' in 'fluid'. 사 (sa) sounds like 'sa' in 'sad'. Combine them as 'wee-sah' or 'oo-ee-sah' with fairly even stress.
More Example Sentences
A parent discussing their child's health.
아이가 열이 나서 의사 선생님께 진찰받으러 가야 해요.
My child has a fever, so we need to go see the doctor.
Someone talking about their childhood aspirations.
저는 어릴 때부터 의사가 되는 게 꿈이었어요.
It was my dream to become a doctor since I was young.
A pharmacist or friend explaining medication rules.
이 약은 의사 처방 없이 살 수 없어요.
You can't buy this medicine without a doctor's prescription.
Cultural Context
In Korea, doctors (의사) are highly respected professionals. It's common and respectful to address them as '의사 선생님' (uisa seonsaengnim), adding '선생님' (teacher) to their title. This reflects the high regard for their knowledge and dedication, often portrayed in popular K-dramas featuring medical themes where doctors are seen as intelligent, hardworking, and sometimes overworked individuals.
Editorial note
We review entries like 의사 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
의사 선생님
Doctor (respectful address)
의사 진료
Doctor's consultation/treatment
주치의
attending physician / primary doctor
Related Expressions
의료진
euryojin
medical staff
환자
hwanja
patient
병원
byeongwon
hospital
진료
jillyo
medical examination/treatment
More Health & Medical Words
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