Korean Dictionary
How to say "Nurse" in Korean
“Nurse” in Korean is 간호사 (pronounced "ganhosa").
간호사
ganhosa
Usage & Context
간호사 are essential healthcare workers in Korean hospitals and clinics who assist doctors and provide direct patient care. The nursing profession is highly regarded in Korea and competition for nursing school enrollment is fierce. Korean 간호사 play a critical role in patient education and medication administration.
Example Sentence
간호사가 혈압을 측정하고 체온을 재줬어요.
The nurse measured my blood pressure and took my temperature.
How to use 간호사 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Nurse” is 간호사, romanized as ganhosa.
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 간호사.
Pronunciation Guide
간 (gan) sounds like 'gan' in 'gang'. 호 (ho) sounds like 'ho' in 'hotel'. 사 (sa) sounds like 'sa' in 'sad'. Combine them as 'gan-ho-sah' with fairly even stress.
More Example Sentences
A patient recalling their experience at a hospital.
수술 전에 간호사 선생님이 친절하게 설명해주셨어요.
Before the surgery, the nurse kindly explained everything.
Someone talking about their parent's career.
저희 엄마는 30년 넘게 간호사로 일하셨어요.
My mom worked as a nurse for over 30 years.
Observing the demanding work of hospital staff.
응급실 간호사들은 정말 바쁘고 힘들어 보여요.
Emergency room nurses look really busy and tired.
Cultural Context
Like doctors, nurses (간호사) in Korea are highly respected and play a vital role in the healthcare system. It is common to address them respectfully as '간호사 선생님' (ganhosa seonsaengnim). Korean nurses often work long hours in demanding environments, especially in large hospitals, and are crucial for patient education, medication administration, and direct care. Their dedication is often highlighted in medical K-dramas.
Editorial note
We review entries like 간호사 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
간호사 선생님
Nurse (respectful address)
간호 기록
nursing record
병동 간호사
ward nurse
Related Expressions
간호
ganho
nursing care
간호학과
ganhohakgwa
nursing department/school
조무사
jomusa
nursing assistant
의료진
euryojin
medical staff
More Health & Medical Words
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