Korean Dictionary
How to say "MRI" in Korean
“MRI” in Korean is 자기공명영상 (pronounced "jagi gongmyeong yeongsang").
자기공명영상
jagi gongmyeong yeongsang
Usage & Context
자기공명영상 or MRI is used in Korean hospitals for detailed imaging of soft tissues, joints, and the brain. Korea has one of the highest rates of MRI usage in the world due to its comprehensive national health insurance system. Many large Korean hospitals have multiple MRI machines to handle high patient volumes.
Example Sentence
무릎 통증으로 자기공명영상 검사를 받았어요.
I had an MRI scan done for knee pain.
How to use 자기공명영상 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “MRI” is 자기공명영상, romanized as jagi gongmyeong yeongsang.
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 자기공명영상.
Pronunciation Guide
For 자기공명영상 (jagi gongmyeong yeongsang), say "ja-gi" like "jag-ee." "Gong-myeong" is like "gong" (as in a musical instrument) followed by "myung" (like "myung-bak"). "Yeong-sang" is like "young" (as in a young person) then "sang" (as in sang a song).
More Example Sentences
Discussing a medical diagnosis for a neurological issue.
뇌 자기공명영상 검사를 통해 정확한 진단을 받았어요.
I received an accurate diagnosis through a brain MRI scan.
Making a medical appointment for persistent pain.
어깨 통증이 심해서 자기공명영상 촬영을 예약했어요.
My shoulder pain is severe, so I booked an MRI scan.
Explaining the benefits of MRI technology.
자기공명영상은 뼈보다는 연조직을 더 자세히 볼 수 있어요.
MRI can show soft tissues in more detail than bones.
Cultural Context
자기공명영상 (jagi gongmyeong yeongsang) is the full Korean term for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, though it's very common to simply use the English abbreviation 'MRI' (엠알아이, em-a-rai) in daily conversation. This advanced imaging technique is widely used in Korean hospitals for detailed visualization of soft tissues, such as the brain, spinal cord, joints, and internal organs. Thanks to Korea's national health insurance, MRI scans are relatively accessible, contributing to high rates of usage for accurate diagnosis of complex conditions.
Editorial note
We review entries like 자기공명영상 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
MRI 찍다
to take an MRI
MRI 검사
MRI examination
MRI 결과
MRI results
Related Expressions
MRI (엠알아이)
em-a-rai
MRI (abbreviation)
CT 촬영
CT chwaryeong
CT scan
엑스레이
ekseurei
X-ray
초음파
choumpa
Ultrasound
More Health & Medical Words
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