This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 10 min read

비상약

Examples 비상약 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 비상약 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn '비상약' as a basic noun related to health and travel. Think of it as 'emergency medicine.' It is a combination of '비상' (emergency) and '약' (medicine). You might use it in simple sentences like '비상약이 있어요?' (Do you have emergency medicine?). This level focuses on recognizing the word in a pharmacy or when packing a bag. You don't need to know complex grammar, just that it's something important to carry for safety. It is often linked with '여행' (travel) and '가방' (bag).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the A2 level, you begin to use '비상약' with basic action verbs like '사다' (to buy), '챙기다' (to pack), and '먹다' (to take/eat). You can describe why you need it: '배가 아파서 비상약을 먹었어요' (I took emergency medicine because my stomach hurt). You should also be aware that you can buy basic '비상약' at a '편의점' (convenience store) in Korea. At this stage, you are expected to understand simple instructions or questions about emergency supplies during travel or at home.
At the B1 level, you can discuss the necessity and preparation of '비상약' in more detail. You might use connectors like '-기 위해서' (in order to) or '-을 때를 대비해서' (in preparation for when...). For example: '만약의 사태를 대비해서 비상약을 구비해야 합니다' (You must have emergency medicine ready in case of an emergency). You should be able to distinguish between different types of emergency meds, such as '해열제' (fever reducer) or '소화제' (digestive aid), and explain their functions to others.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, you use '비상약' in more formal or abstract contexts. You might talk about public health policies regarding '안전상비의약품' (safe standing medicines) or the importance of checking '유효기간' (expiration dates). You can engage in discussions about whether certain medicines should be sold outside of pharmacies. Your vocabulary expands to include more formal verbs like '복용하다' (to ingest/take) and '비치하다' (to store/keep). You can also understand news reports about medicine shortages or safety warnings.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C1 level, '비상약' is used in nuanced discussions about healthcare systems, emergency management, and pharmaceutical regulations. You can analyze the social impact of making '비상약' accessible in non-pharmacy locations. You might explore the etymology of the word more deeply or use it metaphorically in literature or high-level journalism. You are expected to use complex sentence structures and precise terminology when discussing the chemical components or legal classifications of these medicines.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of the term '비상약' and its related concepts. You can discuss the historical evolution of emergency medicine in Korea, from traditional 'Hanyak' to modern pharmaceuticals. You can participate in professional debates about medical ethics, the distribution of '비상약' in disaster zones, and the pharmacological differences between various brands of emergency drugs. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, utilizing the word in academic papers, policy proposals, or complex creative writing.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

비상약 in 30 Seconds

  • 비상약 means emergency medicine kept for sudden illnesses or injuries.
  • It is a compound of '비상' (emergency) and '약' (medicine).
  • Commonly used when traveling or organizing a household first-aid kit.
  • Can be bought at pharmacies and some convenience stores in Korea.

The word 비상약 (bisang-yak) is a compound noun derived from two Hanja-based roots: bisang (emergency) and yak (medicine). At its core, it refers to medications that are kept on hand not for daily treatment of chronic conditions, but for unexpected, sudden ailments or injuries. Imagine you are packing for a hiking trip or a vacation to a remote island; the small pouch containing painkillers, digestive aids, and band-aids is your collection of bisang-yak. In Korean society, the concept of preparedness is deeply ingrained, and having a well-stocked kit of emergency medicine is considered a basic responsibility of a household head or a prudent traveler. This term isn't just about the chemicals themselves but about the peace of mind they provide during 'non-ordinary' (bisang) times.

Etymological Breakdown
비상 (非常 - Bi-sang): 'Bi' means 'not' and 'sang' means 'ordinary' or 'constant.' Thus, it refers to an extraordinary or emergency situation. 약 (藥 - Yak): This simply means medicine or drug.

People use this word most frequently when preparing for travel, organizing their homes, or discussing safety protocols. For example, if a mother is sending her child to a summer camp, she might ask, "Did you pack your bisang-yak?" Similarly, in public service announcements regarding natural disasters like earthquakes or heavy snow, the Korean government often lists bisang-yak as one of the essential items in an emergency survival kit alongside water and flashlights. It covers a broad range of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs including antipyretics (fever reducers), analgesics (painkillers), and ointments. It is distinct from cheobang-yak (prescription medicine) because bisang-yak is usually something you can grab quickly without a specific, immediate doctor's visit for a new symptom.

여행을 가기 전에 꼭 비상약을 챙기세요. (Make sure to pack emergency medicine before you go on a trip.)

Culturally, the availability of bisang-yak has changed in Korea. Previously, one could only buy these at a pharmacy (yak-guk). However, due to regulations changed in the early 2010s, certain basic emergency medicines are now available in 24-hour convenience stores, often referred to as pyeon-ui-jeom sang-bi-yak. While 'sang-bi-yak' (standing medicine) is a near-synonym, bisang-yak emphasizes the 'emergency' aspect more strongly. When you hear this word, think of a safety net—something you hope you don't have to use, but are glad to have when the 'extraordinary' happens in the middle of the night or in a place far from medical help.

Common Categories
1. 해열제 (Antipyretics): For fevers. 2. 소화제 (Digestive aids): For indigestion. 3. 지사제 (Antidiarrheals): For stomach issues. 4. 소독약 (Antiseptics): For cuts.

집에 비상약이 하나도 없어서 편의점에 갔다 왔어요. (I didn't have any emergency medicine at home, so I went to the convenience store.)

Using 비상약 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and its typical verb pairings. Because it is an object you possess, carry, or buy, it most frequently appears with verbs like 챙기다 (to pack/take along), 구비하다 (to have ready/equip), 준비하다 (to prepare), and 사다 (to buy). In more formal or medical contexts, you might see 비치하다 (to keep/store for public use). Understanding the nuance of these verbs allows you to sound more like a native speaker. For instance, 챙기다 implies a personal level of care, like making sure you don't forget it in your suitcase.

Grammar: Object Particles
Since 'bisang-yak' ends in a consonant (ㄱ), you use the particle '을' when it is the object of a sentence. Example: 비상약을 샀어요 (I bought emergency medicine).

When talking about the purpose of the medicine, Koreans often use the pattern "[Reason] + 때문에 (because of) + 비상약" or "[Condition] + 을 때 (when) + 먹는 (to eat/take) + 비상약." This specifies exactly what the emergency medicine is for. For example, "감기 때문에 비상약을 먹었어요" (I took emergency medicine because of a cold). Note that in Korean, you 'eat' (meok-da) medicine, rather than 'taking' it as in English. This is a crucial distinction for learners to master early on to avoid awkward phrasing.

배가 아플 때를 대비해서 비상약을 가방에 넣었어요. (I put emergency medicine in my bag in case my stomach hurts.)

In complex sentences, 비상약 can be part of a conditional clause. For example: "비상약이 없으면 큰일 날 뻔했어요" (It would have been a big problem if I didn't have emergency medicine). Here, the medicine is treated as a vital necessity. You will also see it used in possessive forms like "우리 집 비상약 상자" (Our house's emergency medicine box/first-aid kit). This highlights the physical location where the medicine is stored. In workplace safety training, you might hear instructions like "비상약의 위치를 확인하십시오" (Please check the location of the emergency medicine).

Verb Collocations
- 비상약을 복용하다 (To take/ingest emergency medicine - formal) - 비상약을 구비하다 (To stock/equip with emergency meds) - 비상약을 확인하다 (To check the emergency meds)

캠핑 갈 때 어떤 비상약을 가져가야 할까요? (What kind of emergency medicine should I take when going camping?)

You will encounter the word 비상약 in several distinct environments in Korea. The most common is the local pharmacy (yak-guk). When you tell a pharmacist you are going abroad, they will often ask, "Have you prepared your bisang-yak?" and then proceed to recommend a bundle of medications. This bundle usually includes a painkiller, a digestive pill, and something for motion sickness (meol-mi-yak). This is a very practical, everyday use of the term where it functions as a category of purchase rather than a specific drug name.

Scenario: At the Pharmacy
Pharmacist: "해외 여행 가세요? 비상약 세트 드릴까요?" (Are you going abroad? Shall I give you an emergency medicine set?)

Another frequent place is in domestic life, specifically between family members. Parents are often the ones reminding children to check the bisang-yak. In Korean dramas or variety shows, you might see a scene where a character suddenly gets sick at night, and someone else frantically searches the house, shouting, "Where is the bisang-yak?" (Bisang-yak eodi isseo?). This reinforces the word's association with urgency and household management. It’s a word that bridges the gap between the clinical medical world and the cozy, protective world of the home.

갑자기 밤에 열이 나서 비상약으로 사둔 해열제를 먹었어요. (I suddenly got a fever at night, so I took the antipyretic I had bought as emergency medicine.)

In the media, 비상약 appears during safety segments on the news. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, there were frequent reports about the shortage of bisang-yak (specifically Tylenol) as people rushed to stock up in case of post-vaccination fevers. This elevated the word from a simple household item to a matter of national supply and demand. You will also see it on posters in schools, offices, and gyms, usually near a first-aid kit. The word is ubiquitous in any context involving 'Safety First' (anjeon-je-il) protocols.

Scenario: Travel Planning
Friend A: "짐 다 쌌어?" (Did you pack everything?) Friend B: "응, 비상약만 좀 더 사면 돼." (Yeah, I just need to buy some more emergency medicine.)

학교 보건실에는 항상 다양한 비상약이 준비되어 있습니다. (The school infirmary always has various emergency medicines prepared.)

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 비상약 is confusing it with 상비약 (sang-bi-yak). While they are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference in nuance. Sang-bi-yak literally means 'medicine that is always prepared,' focusing on the state of readiness. Bisang-yak focuses on the 'emergency' (bisang) nature of the situation. Using bisang-yak when you mean a daily supplement like vitamins is a mistake; vitamins are yeong-yang-je (nutritional supplements), not emergency medicine. You only use bisang-yak for things that treat acute symptoms like pain, fever, or diarrhea.

Mistake: Daily Meds vs. Emergency Meds
Incorrect: "매일 비상약을 먹어요" (I take emergency medicine every day). Correct: "매일 영양제를 먹어요" (I take supplements every day) OR "비상약은 필요할 때만 먹어요" (I only take emergency medicine when needed).

Another linguistic pitfall is the verb choice. English speakers often want to say bisang-yak-eul gajigo itda (to have/hold emergency medicine) to mean they own it. While not grammatically 'wrong,' it sounds a bit stiff. Native speakers prefer bisang-yak-i itda (emergency medicine exists/there is...) or bisang-yak-eul chaeng-gi-da (to have packed/brought emergency medicine). Also, remember the 'eat' vs. 'take' rule mentioned before: always use meok-da (eat) or bok-yong-ha-da (ingest - formal) with bisang-yak, never chi-ha-da (which can mean 'to take' in other contexts but not medicine).

비상약은 복용하기 전에 유효기간을 확인해야 합니다. (You must check the expiration date before taking emergency medicine.)

Learners also sometimes forget that bisang-yak is a collective noun in many contexts. You don't usually say "a piece of emergency medicine" using a counter like gae unless you are talking about a specific pill. Instead, you talk about the kind of medicine or the set. If you are referring to the whole kit, bisang-yak sang-ja or gugeup-ham is more appropriate. Finally, be careful not to confuse bisang (emergency) with bisang (soaring/flying), which is a homonym but written with different Hanja and used in completely different contexts like 'a bird soaring'.

Common Confusion
- 비상약 (Emergency med) vs. 처방약 (Prescription med) - 비상약 (Emergency med) vs. 한약 (Traditional herbal med)

잘못된 비상약 사용은 오히려 건강을 해칠 수 있습니다. (Incorrect use of emergency medicine can actually harm your health.)

Exploring the synonyms and related terms for 비상약 helps refine your vocabulary and allows you to choose the most precise word for the situation. The most prominent alternative is 상비약 (sang-bi-yak). As mentioned, sang-bi means 'always ready.' In most households, the box of medicine in the cabinet is called the gajeong sang-bi-yak (household standing medicine). If you use bisang-yak, you are emphasizing that it's for a crisis. If you use sang-bi-yak, you are emphasizing that it is part of your standard home supplies.

Comparison Table
  • 비상약: Focus on 'Emergency' (Sudden need).
  • 상비약: Focus on 'Always Prepared' (Standard supply).
  • 구급약: Focus on 'First Aid' (Accidents/Injuries).

Another related term is 구급약 (gugeup-yak). The word gugeup means 'relief' or 'first aid' (as in gugeup-cha, an ambulance). Gugeup-yak usually refers specifically to things used for physical injuries—disinfectants, bandages, and ointments—rather than internal medicines like digestive pills. If you fall and scrape your knee, you look for gugeup-yak. If you have a sudden headache at 2 AM, you look for bisang-yak. However, in casual conversation, these boundaries are very fluid, and most people will understand you regardless of which one you use.

구급 상자 안에는 연고와 밴드 같은 구급약이 들어 있습니다. (The first-aid kit contains first-aid medicines like ointment and bandages.)

For more specific contexts, you might use 치료약 (chiryo-yak), which means 'treatment medicine' for a specific disease, or 예방약 (yebang-yak), which is 'preventative medicine' like a vaccine. These are more clinical. In a pinch, if you forget the word bisang-yak, you can simply say "급할 때 먹는 약" (medicine to eat when in a hurry/emergency). This descriptive phrase is perfectly natural and covers the same meaning. Understanding these alternatives ensures that you can navigate a pharmacy or a medical emergency in Korea with confidence and clarity.

Formal Alternatives
- 의약품 (Medicinal products - very formal) - 구급용품 (First aid supplies) - 상비의약품 (Standing medicinal products)

편의점에서 파는 상비약은 종류가 제한적입니다. (The standing medicines sold at convenience stores are limited in variety.)

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bi.saŋ.jak/
US /bi.sɑŋ.jɑk/
In Korean, syllables generally have equal stress, but there is a slight emphasis on the first syllable 'Bi' when starting the word.
Rhymes With
만약 (manyak - if) 서약 (seoyak - pledge) 계약 (gyeyak - contract) 마약 (mayak - drug/narcotic) 한약 (hanyak - herbal medicine) 안약 (anyak - eye drops) 보약 (boyak - restorative medicine) 치약 (chiyak - toothpaste)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'yak' as 'yack' with a very flat English 'a'. It should be more like 'yah-k'.
  • Missing the 'ng' sound in 'sang' and making it sound like 'san'.
  • Treating 'bi' as a long 'buy' sound. It is always 'bee'.
  • Dropping the final 'k' sound in 'yak'.
  • Adding an extra vowel at the end (e.g., 'yak-u').
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

비상약 있어요?

Do you have emergency medicine?

Simple question with '있어요?'

2

이것은 비상약입니다.

This is emergency medicine.

Identifying a noun with '입니다'.

3

비상약을 사요.

I buy emergency medicine.

Direct object with particle '을'.

4

가방에 비상약이 있어요.

There is emergency medicine in the bag.

Location particle '에' and subject particle '이'.

5

비상약 주세요.

Please give me emergency medicine.

Polite request with '주세요'.

6

비상약이 필요해요.

I need emergency medicine.

Adjective '필요하다' takes the subject particle '이'.

7

엄마, 비상약 어디 있어요?

Mom, where is the emergency medicine?

Interrogative '어디' (where).

8

비상약을 챙기세요.

Please pack the emergency medicine.

Imperative form '-(으)세요'.

1

여행 갈 때 비상약을 챙겼어요.

I packed emergency medicine when I went on a trip.

Past tense '-(으)ㄴ/었/였다'.

2

편의점에서 비상약을 살 수 있어요.

You can buy emergency medicine at a convenience store.

Ability form '-ㄹ 수 있다'.

3

머리가 아파서 비상약을 먹었어요.

I took emergency medicine because my head hurt.

Reasoning connector '-아서/어서'.

4

비상약 상자가 너무 작아요.

The emergency medicine box is too small.

Noun modification '상자' (box).

5

집에 어떤 비상약이 있어요?

What kind of emergency medicine do you have at home?

Question word '어떤' (what kind of).

6

이 비상약은 아주 비싸요.

This emergency medicine is very expensive.

Topic particle '은' and adverb '아주'.

7

비상약을 꼭 가져가야 해요.

You must definitely take emergency medicine.

Obligation form '-아/어야 하다'.

8

비상약이 어디에 있는지 몰라요.

I don't know where the emergency medicine is.

Indirect question '-는지 모르다'.

1

갑작스러운 사고를 대비해서 비상약을 준비했습니다.

I prepared emergency medicine in preparation for sudden accidents.

Noun + 대비해서 (in preparation for).

2

비상약의 유효기간을 주기적으로 확인해야 합니다.

You must periodically check the expiration date of emergency medicine.

Adverb '주기적으로' (periodically).

3

해외에서는 한국 비상약을 구하기 어려울 수 있어요.

It might be difficult to get Korean emergency medicine abroad.

Adjective '어렵다' with '-기' nominalizer.

4

아이들이 만지지 못하는 곳에 비상약을 두세요.

Put the emergency medicine in a place where children cannot touch it.

Negative ability '-지 못하다'.

5

비상약 중에는 해열제와 소화제가 가장 기본입니다.

Among emergency medicines, fever reducers and digestive aids are the most basic.

Comparison '중에' (among).

6

어제 산 비상약이 효과가 아주 좋네요.

The emergency medicine I bought yesterday is very effective.

Exclamatory ending '-네요'.

7

비상약을 먹기 전에 설명서를 꼭 읽어보세요.

Please make sure to read the instructions before taking the emergency medicine.

Sequence '-기 전에' (before doing).

8

산행을 할 때는 비상약이 필수적인 준비물입니다.

When hiking, emergency medicine is an essential item.

Noun '준비물' (prepared item).

1

정부는 편의점에서 판매하는 비상약의 종류를 확대하기로 했습니다.

The government decided to expand the types of emergency medicines sold in convenience stores.

Decision form '-기로 하다'.

2

비상약을 복용할 때는 권장 용량을 초과하지 않도록 주의하십시오.

When taking emergency medicine, be careful not to exceed the recommended dosage.

Formal imperative '-(으)십시오'.

3

최근 비상약 품귀 현상으로 인해 많은 사람들이 불편을 겪고 있습니다.

Due to the recent shortage of emergency medicine, many people are experiencing inconvenience.

Cause/reason '-로 인해'.

4

비상약은 직사광선을 피하고 서늘한 곳에 보관하는 것이 좋습니다.

It is best to store emergency medicine in a cool place away from direct sunlight.

Recommendation '-는 것이 좋다'.

5

재난 상황에서 비상약의 확보는 생존과 직결되는 문제입니다.

In disaster situations, securing emergency medicine is a matter directly linked to survival.

Noun phrase '직결되는 문제' (directly linked problem).

6

비상약을 오남용할 경우 심각한 부작용이 발생할 수 있습니다.

If emergency medicine is misused or abused, serious side effects can occur.

Conditional '-ㄹ 경우' (in case of).

7

이번 여행에는 특히 고산병 관련 비상약을 챙겨가야 할 것 같아요.

I think I should especially pack emergency medicine related to altitude sickness for this trip.

Speculation '-ㄹ 것 같다'.

8

그 약국은 24시간 운영되어 언제든지 비상약을 구할 수 있습니다.

That pharmacy is open 24 hours, so you can get emergency medicine anytime.

Passive form '운영되어'.

1

비상약의 접근성을 높이는 것은 공공 보건의 중요한 과제 중 하나입니다.

Increasing the accessibility of emergency medicine is one of the important tasks of public health.

Nominalizer '-는 것'.

2

약사법 개정안은 비상약의 판매처 확대를 둘러싼 논란을 불러일으켰습니다.

The amendment to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act sparked controversy surrounding the expansion of sales outlets for emergency medicine.

Idiom '논란을 불러일으키다' (to spark controversy).

3

비상약의 성분을 꼼꼼히 따져보고 본인에게 맞는 것을 선택해야 합니다.

You must carefully examine the ingredients of emergency medicine and choose the one that suits you.

Sequential action '-어 보고'.

4

응급 상황에서 비상약의 적절한 투여는 환자의 상태 악화를 막을 수 있습니다.

In emergency situations, the appropriate administration of emergency medicine can prevent the worsening of a patient's condition.

Formal noun '투여' (administration/dosage).

5

가정 내 비상약 관리 소홀로 인한 사고가 매년 빈번하게 발생하고 있습니다.

Accidents due to neglect in managing emergency medicine at home occur frequently every year.

Adverb '빈번하게' (frequently).

6

비상약 비치는 단순한 준비를 넘어 타인에 대한 배려의 표현이기도 합니다.

Keeping emergency medicine ready is not just simple preparation but also an expression of consideration for others.

Connector '-를 넘어' (beyond...).

7

전쟁이나 자연재해 시 비상약의 보급망이 끊기면 치명적인 결과가 초래될 수 있습니다.

If the supply chain for emergency medicine is cut off during war or natural disasters, fatal consequences can result.

Passive '초래될 수 있다' (can be caused/resulted).

8

해당 비상약은 특정 질환자에게 치명적일 수 있으므로 주의가 요구됩니다.

Since that emergency medicine can be fatal to patients with specific diseases, caution is required.

Formal reason '-으므로'.

1

비상약의 사회적 분배 문제는 의료 정의의 관점에서 재조명될 필요가 있습니다.

The issue of the social distribution of emergency medicine needs to be re-examined from the perspective of medical justice.

Passive '재조명될' (to be re-illuminated/re-examined).

2

현대 의학의 발전은 비상약의 범주를 단순한 진통제에서 정밀 의약품으로 확장시켰습니다.

The development of modern medicine has expanded the category of emergency medicine from simple painkillers to precision pharmaceuticals.

Causative '확장시켰다' (expanded/made to expand).

3

비상약의 오남용 방지를 위한 대국민 홍보 캠페인이 범정부 차원에서 전개되고 있습니다.

A national public relations campaign to prevent the misuse and abuse of emergency medicine is being carried out at the pan-governmental level.

Formal structure '범정부 차원에서' (at a pan-governmental level).

4

고립된 지역사회에서 비상약은 단순한 약품 이상의 심리적 안전장치 역할을 수행합니다.

In isolated communities, emergency medicine functions as a psychological safety net beyond just being a medication.

Noun '안전장치' (safety device/net).

5

비상약의 유효성 논란은 종종 정치적 이해관계와 맞물려 복잡한 양상을 띱니다.

Controversies over the effectiveness of emergency medicine often take on complex aspects as they are intertwined with political interests.

Idiom '양상을 띠다' (to take on an aspect/appearance).

6

약물의 상호작용을 고려하지 않은 무분별한 비상약 섭취는 독이 될 수 있음을 명심해야 합니다.

One must keep in mind that the indiscriminate intake of emergency medicine without considering drug interactions can become poison.

Nominalized clause '...있음을 명심해야 합니다'.

7

비상약 비축량의 적정 수준에 관한 학술적 논의가 활발히 진행 중입니다.

Academic discussions regarding the appropriate level of emergency medicine stockpiles are actively underway.

Noun '비축량' (stockpile amount).

8

기술의 진보는 자가 진단 키트와 비상약이 결합된 새로운 형태의 응급 의료 체계를 예고하고 있습니다.

Technological progress is foreshadowing a new form of emergency medical system combined with self-diagnosis kits and emergency medicine.

Verb '예고하다' (to foreshadow/predict).

Common Collocations

비상약을 챙기다
비상약을 구비하다
비상약을 복용하다
비상약 상자
비상약 세트
비상약이 떨어지다
비상약을 비치하다
여행용 비상약
비상약 유효기간
비상약을 사다

Common Phrases

비상약 있어요?

— Do you have emergency medicine? Used when someone is suddenly unwell.

속이 안 좋은데 비상약 있어요?

비상약 좀 주세요.

— Please give me some emergency medicine. A common request in a pharmacy.

머리가 너무 아픈데 비상약 좀 주세요.

비상약은 필수예요.

— Emergency medicine is a must. Emphasizing the necessity of preparation.

산에 갈 때 비상약은 필수예요.

비상약 챙겼어?

— Did you pack the emergency medicine? A common question before travel.

얘야, 캠핑 가는데 비상약 챙겼어?

비상약이 어디 있지?

— Where is the emergency medicine? Used when searching during a crisis.

갑자기 열이 나네. 비상약이 어디 있지?

비상약 덕분에 살았어요.

— I was saved thanks to the emergency medicine. Expressing gratitude.

비상약 덕분에 여행 중에 고생 안 했어요.

비상약을 미리 사두세요.

— Please buy emergency medicine in advance. Advice for preparedness.

이사하면 비상약을 미리 사두세요.

비상약이 하나도 없네.

— There's not a single emergency medicine. Expressing lack of supply.

상자를 열어보니 비상약이 하나도 없네.

비상약은 상온 보관하세요.

— Store emergency medicine at room temperature. Storage instruction.

대부분의 비상약은 상온 보관하세요.

비상약 좀 사다 줄래?

— Can you go buy some emergency medicine for me? A request for help.

나 너무 아파서 그런데 비상약 좀 사다 줄래?

Idioms & Expressions

"약방의 감초"

— Licorice in a pharmacy. Refers to something or someone that is indispensable and always present.

그는 우리 모임에서 약방의 감초 같은 존재다.

Common
"약 주고 병 준다"

— To give the medicine and then give the disease. To hurt someone and then offer a small comfort.

그는 나를 비웃고 나서 비상약을 챙겨주며 약 주고 병을 주었다.

Common
"입에 쓴 약이 병에는 좋다"

— Medicine that is bitter to the mouth is good for the disease. Harsh advice is often helpful.

비상약처럼 그의 조언도 입에 썼지만 도움이 되었다.

Common
"양약고구 (良藥苦口)"

— Good medicine tastes bitter. Similar to the above, used in more formal contexts.

양약고구라더니, 그 비상약은 정말 맛이 없었지만 효과는 좋았다.

Literary
"약이 되다"

— To become medicine. To be a helpful experience or lesson.

이번 실패가 너에게는 좋은 약이 될 것이다.

Common
"약을 올리다"

— To tease or irritate someone (not literally medicine, but related to the word).

동생이 내 약을 올려서 화가 났다.

Slang/Informal
"약발이 듣다"

— For the medicine's effect to work. Can also refer to an argument or plan working.

비상약을 먹었더니 이제야 약발이 듣네.

Informal
"죽 쒀서 개 준다"

— To make porridge and give it to a dog. To do all the work and have someone else get the benefit.

비상약까지 다 챙겨줬더니 다른 사람이 홀랑 가져가 버렸네.

Common
"제 버릇 개 못 준다"

— A dog cannot give away its habit. Old habits die hard.

그는 비상약을 챙기지 않는 습관을 고치지 못했다.

Common
"하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍이 있다"

— Even if the sky falls, there is a hole to escape through. There is always hope.

비상약이 없어도 어떻게든 해결할 방법이 있을 거야.

Common
Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!