What does 병원 mean?

병원 (byeong-won, byeongwon)

병원 (byeongwon) means a place you go when sick. It's commonly used in daily life and business.

Hospital building with a red cross

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

병원(byeong-won, byeongwon)

병원 refers to a medical institution where doctors and nurses treat patients.

Nuances

  • Not only for sick people (e.g., health checkups)
  • Varies by size and type: general hospital vs clinic
  • Understanding difference between ‘병원’ and ‘의원’ is important

When to use

Everyday conversation, Visiting hospital, Business health consultation

In context

병원 is a noun commonly used with verbs like ‘가다’ (to go) or ‘진료받다’ (to receive treatment). It's appropriate in both formal and everyday contexts.

Real-world examples

  • 아파서 병원에 갔어요.

    a-pa-seo byeong-won-e gass-eo-yo., a pa seo byeong won e gass eo yo.

    ‘Going to 병원’ is a natural expression.

  • 병원에서 진료를 받았어요.

    byeong-won-e-seo jin-ryo-reul bat-ass-eo-yo., byeong won e seo jin ryo reul bat ass eo yo.

    ‘Receiving treatment at 병원’ is correct.

  • 나는 병원을 방문했어요.

    na-neun byeong-won-eul bang-mun-haess-eo-yo., na neun byeong won eul bang mun haess eo yo.

    ‘Visiting 병원’ is formal and natural.

  • 병원에서 밥을 먹었어요.

    byeong-won-e-seo bap-eul meok-eoss-eo-yo., byeong won e seo bap eul meok eoss eo yo.

    Eating at a hospital cafeteria is natural depending on context.

  • 나는 병원에 공부하러 갔어요.

    na-neun byeong-won-e gong-bu-ha-reo gass-eo-yo., na neun byeong won e gong bu ha reo gass eo yo.

    병원 is not a place for studying; this is unnatural.

  • 병원은 학교입니다.

    byeong-won-eun hak-gyo-ip-ni-da., byeong won eun hak gyo ip ni da.

    병원 is a medical institution, not a school.

Quick quiz

  1. What does ‘병원’ mean?

    ‘병원’은 무엇을 의미하나요?(‘byeong-won’eunmu-eos-eului-mi-ha-na-yo?, ‘byeongwon’eunmueoseuluimihanayo?)
  2. Which sentence is correct?

    다음 중 올바른 문장은?(da-eumjungol-ba-reunmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungolbareunmunjangeun?)
  3. When do you use ‘병원에 가다’?

    ‘병원에 가다’는 어떤 상황에서 쓰이나요?(‘byeong-won-ega-da’neuneo-tteonsang-hwang-e-seosseu-i-na-yo?, ‘byeongwonegada’neuneotteonsanghwangeseosseuinayo?)

More meaning guides

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