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식중독

A2 noun 11 min read

식중독

sikjungdok

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 식중독 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 식중독 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '식중독' (sik-jung-dok) means 'food poisoning.' It is a very important word for your health. If you eat bad food and your stomach hurts a lot, you can tell someone '식중독?' to ask if they think it's food poisoning. You should learn this word alongside other basic body parts and health words like '배' (stomach) and '아파요' (it hurts). Remember: 식 (food) + 독 (poison). When you see this word on a sign in a restaurant, it is usually a warning to wash your hands. It's a 'safety word' that helps you stay healthy while traveling in Korea. You don't need to use complex grammar yet; just knowing the noun is enough to get help from a doctor or a friend.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '식중독' in simple sentences. The most important thing to learn is the verb pairing: '식중독에 걸리다' (to catch food poisoning). Note the particle '에'. You can say '어제 식중독에 걸렸어요' (I got food poisoning yesterday). You should also know that this happens a lot in the '여름' (summer). You might use this word when talking about why you couldn't come to class or why you don't want to eat raw fish (회). You can also understand basic warnings like '식중독 조심하세요' (Be careful of food poisoning). At this level, you start to see the difference between a simple '배탈' (stomach ache) and '식중독' (illness from bad food).

At the B1 level, you can discuss the causes and prevention of '식중독.' You should be familiar with related terms like '상한 음식' (spoiled food), '증상' (symptom), and '예방' (prevention). You can explain a situation: '날씨가 더워서 음식이 빨리 상해 식중독에 걸리기 쉽습니다' (Since the weather is hot, food spoils quickly, making it easy to get food poisoning). You can also follow instructions on how to avoid it, such as '익혀 먹기' (eating cooked food) and '끓여 먹기' (drinking boiled water). You can describe your symptoms to a doctor using more detail, like '구토' (vomiting) or '설사' (diarrhea), and link them to the word '식중독.'

At the B2 level, you can understand news reports and articles about '식중독.' You should be able to comprehend terms like '식중독 지수' (food poisoning index) and '집단 식중독' (group/mass food poisoning). You can discuss public health issues, such as hygiene standards in school cafeterias or restaurants. You understand the nuance between '식중독' (the cause) and '장염' (the medical condition of enteritis). You can use formal structures like '식중독이 발생하다' (food poisoning occurs) instead of just '걸리다.' You are also able to give advice to others about food safety using varied vocabulary and complex sentence structures, explaining the risks of certain bacteria like '살모넬라' (Salmonella).

At the C1 level, you can engage in technical or academic discussions regarding '식중독.' You understand the Hanja roots deeply and can relate them to other words (e.g., '중독' meaning poisoning/addiction, '식품' meaning food products). You can read medical reports or legal documents regarding food safety violations. You understand the societal impact of '식중독' outbreaks on the economy and public trust. You can use advanced vocabulary like '위생 관리' (hygiene management), '잠복기' (incubation period), and '역학 조사' (epidemiological investigation). You can debate the effectiveness of government regulations on food safety and the responsibilities of the '식품의약품안전처' (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety).

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of the word and its contexts. You can understand metaphors or historical references involving '독' (poison) and food. You can analyze the evolution of food safety laws in Korea in response to major '식중독' incidents. You can discuss the microbiological aspects of foodborne pathogens and the biochemical reactions of toxins in the human body. You can write professional reports or deliver presentations on food safety policy. You are comfortable with the most formal and technical registers, and you can also understand subtle humor or irony in media headlines regarding food safety. Your understanding of '식중독' is integrated into a broad knowledge of Korean society, medicine, and law.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

식중독 in 30 Seconds

식중독 means food poisoning in Korean.
It is a Sino-Korean word: Food (식) + Hit/Affected (중) + Poison (독).
Commonly paired with the verb '걸리다' (to catch/get).
Most prevalent during the hot and humid Korean summer.

The Korean word 식중독 (Sik-jung-dok) is the standard medical and everyday term for food poisoning. Etymologically, it is a Sino-Korean word (Hanja) composed of three distinct characters that perfectly describe the condition. The first character, 식 (食), means 'food' or 'to eat.' The second, 중 (中), in this specific context, means to be 'hit by' or 'affected by' (similar to the '중' in '적중' meaning hitting a target). The final character, 독 (毒), means 'poison' or 'toxin.' Therefore, the literal translation is 'being hit by poison through food.'

Core Meaning: An illness caused by consuming food or water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins produced by these microorganisms.

In South Korea, this word becomes extremely common during the summer months (June to August) when the humidity and high temperatures create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria like Salmonella or Vibrio. You will see it on news banners, hear it in school announcements, and find it on public health posters near beaches and restaurants. It is a word that conveys both a medical diagnosis and a general warning about hygiene.

여름철에는 날것을 먹으면 식중독에 걸리기 쉽습니다. (In summer, you are likely to get food poisoning if you eat raw food.)

The word is used formally by doctors and health officials, but it is also the standard term used by laypeople. Unlike some English speakers who might vaguely say "I have a stomach bug" or "I ate something bad," Koreans are quite specific. If the symptoms include severe vomiting, diarrhea, and fever shortly after a meal, the term 식중독 is almost always employed. It is often paired with the verb 걸리다 (to catch/to fall ill with).

Usage Context: Public health warnings, hospital visits, school lunch safety reports, and news coverage of restaurant hygiene violations.

식중독 증상이 나타나면 바로 병원에 가세요. (If food poisoning symptoms appear, go to the hospital immediately.)

Understanding this word is crucial for survival in Korea, especially if you enjoy street food or raw seafood (Hoe). Knowing how to identify the word on a menu warning or in a news alert can save you from a very unpleasant experience. It is not just a vocabulary word; it is a safety essential. The concept of 'food safety' (식품 안전) is intrinsically linked to the prevention of 식중독.

Grammatical Note: It is a noun. To say 'to have food poisoning,' you use the construction: [식중독] + [에] (particle) + [걸리다] (verb).

어제 상한 우유를 마셔서 식중독에 걸린 것 같아요. (I think I got food poisoning because I drank spoiled milk yesterday.)

손을 잘 씻는 것만으로도 식중독을 예방할 수 있습니다. (You can prevent food poisoning just by washing your hands well.)

Using 식중독 in a sentence requires understanding its relationship with various verbs. Because it is a condition or a disease, the most common verb it pairs with is 걸리다 (to catch/suffer from). However, when talking about public health or personal safety, verbs like 예방하다 (to prevent), 주의하다 (to be careful of), and 일으키다 (to cause) are frequently used.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 식중독에 걸리다 (To get food poisoning)
2. 식중독을 예방하다 (To prevent food poisoning)
3. 식중독을 일으키다 (To cause food poisoning)
4. 식중독을 조심하다 (To be careful of food poisoning)

When you want to describe the cause, you often use the particle -때문에 (because of) or the connective -어서/아서. For example, '상한 음식을 먹어서 식중독에 걸렸어요' (I got food poisoning because I ate spoiled food). Notice how the focus is on the link between the action (eating) and the result (the illness).

굴을 먹고 식중독에 걸려 고생했어요. (I suffered after getting food poisoning from eating oysters.)

In formal settings, such as a doctor's office or a news report, you might hear the term 증상 (symptom) following the word. '식중독 증상' refers to the physical signs like nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. This is a very common compound noun in health-related discussions.

Descriptive Usage: To describe the severity, you can use adverbs like '심한' (severe). '심한 식중독' (severe food poisoning) is a phrase used when someone needs hospitalization.

학교 급식 때문에 학생들이 식중독에 걸렸습니다. (Students got food poisoning because of the school lunch.)

Another important context is the 'warning' context. In Korea, during hot weather, the government sends out emergency alerts on mobile phones. These alerts often contain the phrase '식중독 주의' (Food poisoning caution). This is a noun-noun compound that functions as a headline or a warning sign.

Compound Words: - 식중독균 (Food poisoning bacteria)
- 식중독 사고 (Food poisoning accident/outbreak)
- 식중독 지수 (Food poisoning index - a weather-based risk scale)

여름철 식중독 예방 수칙을 지킵시다. (Let's follow the food poisoning prevention rules for the summer season.)

Finally, when discussing the source of the illness, we use the word 원인 (cause). '식중독의 원인' (the cause of food poisoning) might be '상한 고기' (spoiled meat) or '오염된 물' (contaminated water). This structure is essential for explaining how the incident occurred.

보건소에서 식중독 원인을 조사하고 있습니다. (The public health center is investigating the cause of the food poisoning.)

The word 식중독 is a staple of Korean daily life, particularly appearing in specific environments. You will hear it most frequently in the media, medical settings, and educational institutions. Because South Korea has a very organized public health system, information about food safety is disseminated widely and frequently.

1. The Evening News: Whenever summer arrives, news anchors will start with phrases like "전국적으로 식중독 비상입니다" (Food poisoning emergency nationwide). They report on the '식중독 지수' (Food poisoning index), which ranges from 'Low' to 'Danger' based on the day's temperature and humidity.

In schools, 식중독 is a word that students and parents fear. If a student gets sick, the school administration must report it immediately. You might hear a teacher say, "급식을 먹은 후 식중독 증상이 있는 학생은 보건실로 오세요" (Students who have food poisoning symptoms after eating lunch, please come to the infirmary). This makes the word part of the vocabulary for even young children.

오늘 뉴스에서 식중독 사고 소식을 들었어요. (I heard news about a food poisoning accident today.)

Restaurants and cafeterias are another place where this word is prominent. Kitchen staff are often required to attend '식중독 예방 교육' (food poisoning prevention training). You might see certificates on the wall or signs in the kitchen that say '식중독 제로' (Zero food poisoning). For restaurant owners, this word is tied to their business's reputation and legal compliance.

2. Hospitals and Pharmacies: If you go to a clinic with a stomach ache, the doctor might ask, "식중독에 걸린 적이 있나요?" (Have you ever had food poisoning?) or state, "식중독인 것 같네요" (It seems to be food poisoning). Pharmacists will also use the word when explaining why they are giving you certain antibiotics or rehydration salts.

의사 선생님이 식중독이니까 며칠 쉬라고 하셨어요. (The doctor said it's food poisoning, so I should rest for a few days.)

Socially, Koreans use this word when warning friends about certain foods. If you are about to eat at a place that looks unhygienic, a friend might warn you, "거기서 먹으면 식중독 걸려!" (If you eat there, you'll get food poisoning!). It is used as a strong deterrent. Even in casual conversation, it carries a weight of seriousness that words like 'upset stomach' (배탈) do not.

3. Public Service Announcements (PSAs): In subways or on public billboards, you'll see the '3 Rules to Prevent Food Poisoning': 1. 손 씻기 (Wash hands), 2. 익혀 먹기 (Cook thoroughly), 3. 끓여 먹기 (Boil water). The word '식중독' is always the headline of these posters.

지하철 광고에서 식중독 예방 캠페인을 봤어요. (I saw a food poisoning prevention campaign in a subway advertisement.)

Lastly, in the workplace, particularly in companies that provide 'Gupsik' (cafeteria meals), the manager might send an email titled '[공지] 식중독 예방 및 위생 관리' (Notice: Food poisoning prevention and hygiene management). It is a formal, actionable word in the corporate world as well.

여름 휴가 가서 식중독에 걸리면 정말 속상하죠. (It's really upsetting if you get food poisoning while on summer vacation.)

When learners use the word 식중독, they often run into two main types of errors: grammatical mistakes involving particles and verbs, and conceptual confusion with other similar Korean words for stomach issues.

Mistake 1: Wrong Verb/Particle Pairing: Many learners say "식중독을 있어요" (I have food poisoning) or "식중독을 했어요." In Korean, illnesses are almost always 'caught' using the verb 걸리다. The correct phrase is 식중독에 걸리다. The particle '에' is mandatory here to indicate the condition you've fallen into.

Another common confusion is between 식중독 and 배탈 (Bae-tal). While both involve stomach pain, 배탈 is a much broader, lighter term. You can get 배탈 from eating too much, eating too fast, or having a cold stomach. 식중독, however, specifically implies toxins or bacteria from food. Using 식중독 when you just have a mild stomach ache from overeating sounds overly dramatic to native speakers.

단순한 배탈이 아니라 식중독인 것 같아요. (It seems like food poisoning, not just a simple stomach ache.)

There is also the term 장염 (Jang-yeom), which means 'enteritis' or inflammation of the intestines. While 식중독 often causes 장염, they are not exactly the same. 장염 is the medical condition of the organ, while 식중독 is the cause (the 'poison' in the food). However, in casual speech, people often use them interchangeably, which can be confusing for learners trying to be precise.

Mistake 2: Pronunciation Errors: Learners often pronounce '식중독' as three distinct, flat syllables: [sik-jung-dok]. However, due to Korean phonological rules (tensification), the '중' becomes '쭝'. It should sound more like [식쭝독]. Failing to do this makes the word sound unnatural.

어제 식중독을 걸렸어요 (X) -> 식중독에 걸렸어요 (O)

Lastly, don't confuse 식중독 with 중독 (Jung-dok). While 식중독 contains the word 중독, the latter on its own usually means 'addiction' (like 게임 중독 - game addiction) or 'poisoning' in a general sense (like 일산화탄소 중독 - carbon monoxide poisoning). If you just say "중독에 걸렸어요," people will ask, "Addicted to what?" You must keep the '식' (food) part to be clear about the illness.

Summary of Nuance: - 배탈: General stomach ache (casual)
- 장염: Intestinal inflammation (medical condition)
- 식중독: Illness from contaminated food (cause and illness)

식중독은 전염되지 않지만, 조심해야 합니다. (Food poisoning is not contagious, but you should be careful.)

상한 음식을 먹고 식중독 증세가 나타났습니다. (After eating spoiled food, food poisoning symptoms appeared.)

In Korean, there are several words related to stomach distress and food-related illnesses. Choosing the right one depends on the severity, the cause, and the clinical context. While 식중독 is the most accurate term for food poisoning, you might encounter these alternatives.

배탈 (Bae-tal): This is the most common casual word. It translates to 'stomach ache' or 'upset stomach.' It doesn't necessarily imply bacteria; you can get 배탈 from eating too much ice cream or feeling nervous. Use this with friends for minor issues.

Compared to 식중독, 배탈 is much less serious. You wouldn't usually go to the emergency room for a simple 배탈. However, if a 배탈 persists, it might actually be 식중독.

과식해서 배탈이 났어요. (I have a stomach ache because I overate.)

장염 (Jang-yeom): This means 'enteritis' (inflammation of the intestines). It is a medical diagnosis. While 식중독 is the *cause*, 장염 is the *condition* of the organ. Doctors often diagnose food poisoning patients with '급성 장염' (acute enteritis).

Koreans often use 장염 in daily conversation to sound slightly more medical than 배탈, but slightly less 'accidental' than 식중독. If you tell your boss "장염에 걸렸어요," it sounds like a legitimate reason to take a sick day.

병원에 갔더니 의사가 장염이라고 하네요. (I went to the hospital and the doctor said it's enteritis.)

소화불량 (Sohwa-bullyang): This means 'indigestion.' It's that heavy, bloated feeling you get when food doesn't sit right. It's not an illness caused by bacteria like 식중독, but rather a functional issue with digestion.

If you are feeling nauseous but don't have a fever or diarrhea, you might just have 소화불량. In Korea, people often drink a small medicinal soda called 'Gas Whal-myung-su' to treat this, whereas 식중독 requires more serious medical attention.

점심을 너무 빨리 먹어서 소화불량에 걸렸어요. (I have indigestion because I ate lunch too quickly.)

독소 (Dok-so): This means 'toxin.' You will hear this word when people explain *why* 식중독 happens. For example, "세균이 내뿜는 독소 때문에 식중독이 생깁니다" (Food poisoning occurs because of toxins emitted by bacteria).

이 음식에 독소가 있을지도 몰라요. (There might be toxins in this food.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The '중' (中) in 식중독 is the same '중' used in '중풍' (stroke), which literally means being 'hit by wind.' It denotes a sudden attack or being affected by something external.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɕik.t͈uŋ.dok/

US /ʃik.t͈uŋ.dok/

The primary stress is on the first syllable '식', with a secondary emphasis on the tensed '중'.

Rhymes With

독 (Dok - poison) 속 (Sok - inside) 복 (Bok - luck) 목 (Mok - neck) 곡 (Gok - song) 폭 (Pok - width) 녹 (Nok - rust) 족 (Jok - foot)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '중' as a soft 'j' instead of a tense 'jj'.
Missing the final 'k' sound in '독'.
Pronouncing it as 'sik-jung-dog' with a voiced 'g' at the end.
Failing to link the sounds smoothly.
Over-emphasizing the 'i' in 'sik'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The Hanja characters are common, and the word is frequently seen in public signs.

Writing 3/5

Spelling is straightforward, but remembering the '에 걸리다' pattern is key.

Speaking 3/5

Requires attention to the tensification of '중' to '쭝'.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, commonly heard in news and health announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

음식 (Food) 독 (Poison) 아프다 (To be sick/hurt) 병원 (Hospital) 여름 (Summer)

Learn Next

장염 (Enteritis) 위생 (Hygiene) 세균 (Bacteria) 증상 (Symptom) 예방 (Prevention)

Advanced

역학 조사 (Epidemiological investigation) 잠복기 (Incubation period) 살균 (Sterilization) 병원균 (Pathogen)

Grammar to Know

-에 걸리다 (To catch a disease)

감기에 걸리다, 식중독에 걸리다.

-때문에 (Because of a noun)

상한 음식 때문에 아파요.

-아/어서 (Because of a verb/reason)

음식이 상해서 식중독에 걸렸어요.

-ㄹ 수 있다 (Possibility/Can)

식중독을 예방할 수 있습니다.

-아/어야 하다 (Obligation/Must)

손을 씻어야 합니다.

Examples by Level

식중독 조심하세요.

Be careful of food poisoning.

조심하세요 is the polite 'please be careful' form.

이것은 식중독이에요?

Is this food poisoning?

A simple Noun + 이에요? question structure.

여름에는 식중독이 많아요.

There is a lot of food poisoning in summer.

많아요 means 'to be many' or 'to be a lot'.

식중독 때문에 아파요.

I am sick because of food poisoning.

때문에 indicates a cause or reason.

식중독? 병원에 가요.

Food poisoning? Go to the hospital.

가요 is the polite 'go' command or suggestion.

우유가 상해서 식중독.

The milk is spoiled, so food poisoning.

상해서 is the 'so/because' form of 'to spoil'.

손을 씻으면 식중독 없어요.

If you wash hands, no food poisoning.

-(으)면 means 'if'.

식중독은 무서워요.

Food poisoning is scary.

무서워요 means 'to be scary'.

어제 상한 김밥을 먹고 식중독에 걸렸어요.

I got food poisoning after eating spoiled kimbap yesterday.

식중독에 걸리다 is the standard phrase for 'getting food poisoning'.

여름에는 음식을 꼭 익혀서 드세요. 식중독을 예방할 수 있어요.

In summer, make sure to cook food thoroughly. You can prevent food poisoning.

-ㄹ 수 있어요 means 'can' or 'to be able to'.

식중독 증상이 있으면 물을 많이 마셔야 해요.

If you have food poisoning symptoms, you must drink a lot of water.

-아/어야 해요 means 'must' or 'should'.

학교 친구들이 단체로 식중독에 걸렸어요.

School friends got food poisoning as a group.

단체로 means 'as a group'.

이 식당은 위생이 안 좋아서 식중독이 걱정돼요.

I'm worried about food poisoning because this restaurant's hygiene is bad.

걱정돼요 means 'to be worried'.

식중독 예방을 위해 손을 깨끗이 씻으세요.

Wash your hands cleanly to prevent food poisoning.

-을 위해 means 'for the sake of' or 'in order to'.

어떤 음식이 식중독을 일으켰나요?

Which food caused the food poisoning?

일으키다 means 'to cause' or 'to trigger'.

식중독 때문에 며칠 동안 학교에 못 갔어요.

I couldn't go to school for a few days because of food poisoning.

못 indicates inability to do something.

식중독에 걸리면 구토와 설사 증상이 나타날 수 있습니다.

If you get food poisoning, symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea may appear.

나타나다 means 'to appear' or 'to manifest'.

여름철 해산물을 먹을 때는 식중독을 특히 주의해야 합니다.

You should be especially careful of food poisoning when eating seafood in summer.

특히 means 'especially'.

식중독균은 고온다습한 환경에서 잘 번식합니다.

Food poisoning bacteria multiply well in hot and humid environments.

고온다습한 means 'hot and humid'.

남은 음식을 실온에 두면 식중독의 위험이 커집니다.

If you leave leftovers at room temperature, the risk of food poisoning increases.

실온 means 'room temperature'.

식중독 사고를 막기 위해 조리 도구를 소독해야 해요.

To prevent food poisoning accidents, you must disinfect cooking utensils.

소독하다 means 'to disinfect'.

보건소에서는 이번 식중독의 원인을 조사하고 있습니다.

The public health center is investigating the cause of this food poisoning.

조사하고 있다 is the present progressive 'is investigating'.

식중독 예방 3대 수칙은 손 씻기, 익혀 먹기, 끓여 먹기입니다.

The three major rules for food poisoning prevention are washing hands, cooking thoroughly, and boiling.

수칙 means 'rules' or 'regulations'.

가벼운 식중독은 휴식을 취하면 금방 나을 수 있어요.

Mild food poisoning can get better quickly if you take a rest.

나을 수 있어요 is the 'can recover' form of '낫다'.

최근 한 초등학교에서 집단 식중독 의심 증세가 발생했습니다.

Recently, suspected symptoms of group food poisoning occurred at an elementary school.

의심 증세 means 'suspicious symptoms'.

기온이 급격히 올라가면서 식중독 지수가 '경고' 단계로 격상되었습니다.

As the temperature rose sharply, the food poisoning index was upgraded to the 'Warning' level.

격상되다 means 'to be upgraded' or 'to be raised'.

식중독을 유발하는 주요 세균에는 살모넬라와 노로바이러스가 있습니다.

Major bacteria that cause food poisoning include Salmonella and Norovirus.

유발하다 means 'to induce' or 'to cause'.

식재료의 유통기한을 확인하는 것은 식중독 예방의 기본입니다.

Checking the expiration date of food ingredients is the basis of food poisoning prevention.

유통기한 means 'expiration date'.

식중독 환자가 발생하면 즉시 관할 보건소에 신고해야 합니다.

If a food poisoning patient occurs, it must be reported immediately to the local health center.

관할 means 'jurisdiction'.

냉장고에 보관된 음식이라도 장기간 방치하면 식중독의 원인이 될 수 있습니다.

Even food stored in the refrigerator can cause food poisoning if left for a long time.

방치하다 means 'to leave unattended'.

식중독은 개인 위생뿐만 아니라 조리 환경의 청결도 매우 중요합니다.

For food poisoning, not only personal hygiene but also the cleanliness of the cooking environment is very important.

뿐만 아니라 means 'not only... but also'.

식중독 예방을 위한 정부의 대대적인 단속이 시작되었습니다.

The government's extensive crackdown for food poisoning prevention has begun.

단속 means 'crackdown' or 'inspection'.

식중독의 역학 조사를 통해 오염원을 파악하는 과정이 필수적입니다.

The process of identifying the source of contamination through an epidemiological investigation of food poisoning is essential.

역학 조사 means 'epidemiological investigation'.

기후 변화에 따른 기온 상승은 식중독 발생 빈도를 높이는 요인이 됩니다.

The rise in temperature due to climate change is a factor that increases the frequency of food poisoning occurrences.

빈도 means 'frequency'.

식품 안전 관리 인증인 HACCP은 식중독 예방을 위한 핵심적인 제도입니다.

HACCP, a food safety management certification, is a key system for preventing food poisoning.

핵심적인 means 'core' or 'key'.

잠복기가 긴 식중독의 경우, 원인 식품을 찾아내는 데 어려움이 따릅니다.

In the case of food poisoning with a long incubation period, it is difficult to find the causative food.

잠복기 means 'incubation period'.

식중독 사고 발생 시 해당 업소에 대한 행정 처분이 내려질 수 있습니다.

When a food poisoning accident occurs, administrative measures can be taken against the establishment.

행정 처분 means 'administrative disposition/punishment'.

대량 조리 시설에서의 교차 오염은 식중독의 주요 경로 중 하나입니다.

Cross-contamination in large-scale cooking facilities is one of the main routes for food poisoning.

교차 오염 means 'cross-contamination'.

식중독 예방을 위한 시민들의 의식 개선과 적극적인 참여가 요구됩니다.

Improvement of citizens' awareness and active participation are required for food poisoning prevention.

요구된다 is the passive 'is required'.

독소형 식중독은 세균이 증식하면서 생성한 독소를 섭취함으로써 발생합니다.

Toxin-type food poisoning occurs by consuming toxins produced as bacteria multiply.

-함으로써 means 'by doing'.

식중독의 사회적 비용은 의료비뿐만 아니라 노동 생산성 저하까지 포함합니다.

The social cost of food poisoning includes not only medical expenses but also a decrease in labor productivity.

사회적 비용 means 'social cost'.

식품 위생법의 엄격한 준수는 식중독으로부터 국민의 건강을 보호하는 보루입니다.

Strict compliance with the Food Sanitation Act is a bulwark protecting public health from food poisoning.

보루 means 'bastion' or 'bulwark'.

미생물학적 관점에서 식중독은 병원성 미생물의 섭취와 그에 따른 생체 반응의 결과입니다.

From a microbiological perspective, food poisoning is the result of the ingestion of pathogenic microorganisms and the subsequent biological response.

병원성 means 'pathogenic'.

식중독의 대규모 확산을 방지하기 위해 실시간 모니터링 시스템의 구축이 시급합니다.

To prevent the large-scale spread of food poisoning, the establishment of a real-time monitoring system is urgent.

시급하다 means 'to be urgent'.

식중독 유발 인자의 다양화에 따라 보다 정밀한 검출 기법이 개발되고 있습니다.

As food poisoning-inducing factors diversify, more precise detection techniques are being developed.

정밀한 means 'precise'.

식중독 관련 판례를 분석하면 영업자의 주의 의무 위반 여부가 쟁점이 되는 경우가 많습니다.

Analyzing precedents related to food poisoning, the issue of whether the business operator violated their duty of care is often a point of contention.

쟁점 means 'point of contention' or 'issue'.

글로벌 식품 공급망의 복잡성은 수입 식품으로 인한 식중독 추적을 어렵게 만듭니다.

The complexity of global food supply chains makes it difficult to track food poisoning caused by imported foods.

공급망 means 'supply chain'.

식중독 예방 교육의 실효성을 높이기 위해서는 대상별 맞춤형 콘텐츠가 필요합니다.

In order to increase the effectiveness of food poisoning prevention education, customized content for each target group is necessary.

실효성 means 'effectiveness'.

Synonyms

장염 배탈 수인성 전염병 식독 중독 급성 위장염 식품 매개 질환 속병

Antonyms

건강 무독 해독 청결

Common Collocations

식중독에 걸리다

식중독을 예방하다

식중독 증상

식중독 지수

집단 식중독

식중독을 일으키다

식중독 주의보

식중독균

식중독 사고

심한 식중독

Common Phrases

식중독 조심해

— Be careful of food poisoning. Used as a friendly warning.

날씨가 더우니까 식중독 조심해.

식중독인 것 같아

— I think it's food poisoning. Used to describe one's condition.

배가 너무 아픈데 식중독인 것 같아.

식중독 비상

— Food poisoning emergency. Common news headline.

전국 학교 급식 식중독 비상!

식중독 예방 수칙

— Food poisoning prevention rules. Seen on posters.

식중독 예방 수칙을 잘 지킵시다.

식중독 원인 물질

— Substance causing food poisoning. Formal/Medical.

식중독 원인 물질을 분석 중입니다.

식중독에 취약하다

— To be vulnerable to food poisoning. Used for kids/elderly.

어린이는 식중독에 취약합니다.

식중독이 의심되다

— To suspect food poisoning. Formal.

식중독이 의심되는 환자가 발생했습니다.

식중독을 피하다

— To avoid food poisoning.

식중독을 피하려면 음식을 익혀 드세요.

식중독 치료

— Food poisoning treatment.

식중독 치료를 위해 병원을 찾았습니다.

식중독 위험

— Risk of food poisoning.

여름철에는 식중독 위험이 높습니다.

Often Confused With

식중독 vs 중독

Means addiction or general poisoning. Must add '식' for food poisoning.

식중독 vs 배탈

General stomach ache. Less severe than 식중독.

식중독 vs 장염

Enteritis. The condition of the organ, while 식중독 is the cause.

Idioms & Expressions

"입이 짧다"

— To have a small appetite or be a picky eater. Picky eaters might avoid certain foods to prevent issues like food poisoning.

그는 입이 짧아서 식중독에 잘 안 걸려요.

Casual

"배가 뒤틀리다"

— To have a twisting pain in the stomach. Often used to describe the pain of food poisoning.

식중독 때문에 배가 뒤틀리는 것 같아요.

Neutral

"속이 뒤집히다"

— One's stomach is turned upside down. Describes nausea from food poisoning.

상한 음식을 먹었더니 속이 뒤집혔어요.

Informal

"골골하다"

— To be sickly or weak. Someone who is '골골' might easily catch food poisoning.

그는 몸이 골골해서 식중독도 자주 걸려요.

Casual

"눈앞이 캄캄하다"

— To feel hopeless. Used when a restaurant owner faces a food poisoning outbreak.

식중독 사고가 터지자 사장님은 눈앞이 캄캄해졌어요.

Neutral

"진땀을 빼다"

— To have a hard time or sweat profusely. Describes the physical struggle of food poisoning.

식중독 증상 때문에 밤새 진땀을 뺐어요.

Informal

"뼈저리게 느끼다"

— To feel something to the bone (to learn a hard lesson). Often said after recovering from food poisoning.

위생의 중요성을 뼈저리게 느꼈어요.

Neutral

"불 보듯 뻔하다"

— To be as obvious as seeing a fire. Used for obvious hygiene risks.

이런 날씨에 음식을 밖에 두면 식중독 걸릴 게 불 보듯 뻔해요.

Neutral

"뒷수습을 하다"

— To clean up the mess. Used after a food poisoning incident.

사고 후 식당은 식중독 사건의 뒷수습을 하느라 바빴어요.

Neutral

"울며 겨자 먹기"

— To do something reluctantly. Like paying medical bills for food poisoning.

울며 겨자 먹기로 비싼 치료비를 냈어요.

Informal

Easily Confused

식중독 vs 식품

Both start with '식' (food).

식품 is the food product/item, 식중독 is the illness.

식품 안전 (Food safety) vs 식중독 예방 (Food poisoning prevention).

식중독 vs 감독

Sounds similar.

There is no common word '감독'. You might be thinking of '감독' (director/supervision).

영화 감독 (Movie director).

식중독 vs 약중독

Similar structure.

Drug poisoning or addiction.

그는 약중독 치료를 받고 있다.

식중독 vs 물중독

Similar structure.

Water intoxication (rarely used, usually '수인성 질병').

오염된 물로 인한 질병.

식중독 vs 독감

Contains '독' (poison/virus).

Means influenza (flu).

독감 예방 주사를 맞았어요.

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] 조심하세요.

식중독 조심하세요.

[Noun]에 걸렸어요.

식중독에 걸렸어요.

[Reason] 때문에 [Noun]에 걸리기 쉬워요.

더운 날씨 때문에 식중독에 걸리기 쉬워요.

[Noun] 증상이 나타나면 [Action].

식중독 증상이 나타나면 병원에 가야 합니다.

[Noun] 예방을 위해 [Action]이 필수적입니다.

식중독 예방을 위해 철저한 위생 관리가 필수적입니다.

[Noun] 발생 빈도는 [Factor]와 밀접한 관련이 있다.

식중독 발생 빈도는 기온 및 습도와 밀접한 관련이 있다.

[Noun]을 예방하는 방법은 [Method]입니다.

식중독을 예방하는 방법은 손을 씻는 것입니다.

[Noun]인가요?

식중독인가요?

Word Family

Nouns

식중독균 (Food poisoning bacteria)

식중독 지수 (Food poisoning index)

식중독 사고 (Food poisoning accident)

식중독 예방 (Food poisoning prevention)

집단 식중독 (Mass food poisoning)

Verbs

식중독에 걸리다 (To catch food poisoning)

식중독을 일으키다 (To cause food poisoning)

식중독을 예방하다 (To prevent food poisoning)

Adjectives

식중독이 심하다 (Food poisoning is severe)

음식 (Food)

독 (Poison)

위생 (Hygiene)

상하다 (To spoil)

세균 (Bacteria)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high during summer, low during winter.

Common Mistakes

식중독을 걸렸어요 → 식중독에 걸렸어요
The verb '걸리다' (to catch an illness) requires the particle '에', not '을/를'.
식중독을 있어요 → 식중독이에요 / 식중독에 걸렸어요
You don't 'have' an illness with '있다' in Korean in the same way as English. Use 'to be' or 'to catch'.
중독에 걸렸어요 → 식중독에 걸렸어요
Without '식', '중독' usually implies addiction (like drugs or games).
배탈 and 식중독 used interchangeably for serious illness. → Use 식중독 for bacterial poisoning.
Calling a serious hospital-level poisoning '배탈' is too casual/weak.
Pronouncing it [sik-jung-dok] → [식쭝독]
The 'k' sound at the end of '식' causes the 'j' in '중' to become tense 'jj'.

Tips

Use the right particle

Always use '에' with '걸리다'. '식중독에 걸리다' is the only natural way to say you caught it.

Check the Index

In summer, check the '식중독 지수' on weather apps. If it's red, avoid raw fish and street food.

Sik means Food

Remembering that '식' (食) means food helps you distinguish it from other '중독' (poisoning/addiction) types.

Go to the Hospital

In Korea, food poisoning is taken seriously. Don't hesitate to visit a '내과' (internal medicine clinic) if you have symptoms.

The Tense 'J'

Don't forget the [쭝] sound. Flat pronunciation might make it harder for locals to understand quickly in an emergency.

Hanja Knowledge

Knowing 食(food) 中(hit) 毒(poison) makes the word impossible to forget. It's literally 'Food-Hit-Poison'.

News Keywords

If you hear '여름철' (summer season) and '주의' (caution), the next word is very likely '식중독'.

Gupsik Context

If you work at a school, '식중독' is a critical word for safety reports and meetings.

Sick-Jung-Dok

Think: I am SICK because the food was JUNK and had toxic DOCKs of bacteria.

Don't over-use it

If you just ate too much, say '배탈'. Only say '식중독' if you think the food was actually bad.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'SICK' (식) person who 'JUMPED' (중) into a 'DOCK' (독) filled with poison. 식-중-독.

Visual Association

Visualize a piece of food (식) with a target in the middle (중) and a skull and crossbones (독) on it.

Word Web

식중독 여름 (Summer) 상한 음식 (Spoiled food) 배탈 (Stomach ache) 병원 (Hospital) 세균 (Bacteria) 구토 (Vomiting) 설사 (Diarrhea)

Challenge

Try to find the '식중독 지수' (Food Poisoning Index) on a Korean weather website like Naver Weather or KMA.go.kr.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean (Hanja). Derived from Chinese characters.

Original meaning: 食 (Food) + 中 (Hit/Affected) + 毒 (Poison). Meaning 'affected by poison in food.'

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Be careful not to blame a specific restaurant for '식중독' unless it's confirmed, as it can lead to legal issues for defamation in Korea.

In English, people often say 'I have a stomach bug' or 'stomach flu,' which are broader. '식중독' is more specific to the food source.

News reports on summer school cafeteria outbreaks. Public health posters featuring 'Pororo' teaching kids to wash hands. The movie 'Deranged' (Yeongasi) touches on waterborne/foodborne fears.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Pharmacy

식중독 약 좀 주세요.
식중독인 것 같아요.
배가 계속 아파요.
설사를 많이 해요.

In the News

식중독 주의보 발령
집단 식중독 발생
식중독 지수 위험
위생 관리 철저

At School

급식 먹고 식중독
보건실에 가야 해요
손을 깨끗이 씻자
음식을 남기지 마세요

At a Restaurant

이 음식 상한 것 같아요
식중독 걸리면 어떡해요?
신선한 재료인가요?
위생 등급이 높네요

Talking to Friends

식중독 조심해라
나 어제 식중독 때문에 죽는 줄 알았어
여름엔 회 먹지 마
음식 꼭 냉장고에 넣어

Conversation Starters

"여름에 식중독에 걸려 본 적이 있어요? (Have you ever had food poisoning in the summer?)"

"어떤 음식을 먹고 식중독에 걸렸나요? (What food did you eat when you got food poisoning?)"

"식중독을 예방하기 위해 무엇을 하나요? (What do you do to prevent food poisoning?)"

"식중독 증상이 있을 때 어떻게 치료해요? (How do you treat it when you have food poisoning symptoms?)"

"한국의 식중독 지수에 대해 들어본 적이 있어요? (Have you heard about Korea's food poisoning index?)"

Journal Prompts

내가 식중독에 걸렸던 경험에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about your experience of having food poisoning.)

식중독을 예방하기 위한 나만의 위생 습관을 설명해 보세요. (Explain your own hygiene habits to prevent food poisoning.)

여름철 음식 관리가 왜 중요한지 식중독과 관련지어 써 보세요. (Write about why food management in summer is important in relation to food poisoning.)

식중독 사고가 뉴스에 나오면 어떤 기분이 드나요? (How do you feel when a food poisoning accident appears in the news?)

식당을 고를 때 식중독 위험을 피하기 위해 무엇을 확인하나요? (What do you check to avoid the risk of food poisoning when choosing a restaurant?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It means food poisoning. It comes from Hanja: 식 (food) + 중 (hit/affected) + 독 (poison). It's used for illnesses caused by contaminated food.

Not exactly. A stomach ache is '배탈'. 식중독 is a specific type of illness caused by bacteria or toxins in food. It's usually more severe.

You say '식중독에 걸렸어요' (Sik-jung-dok-e geol-lyeot-eo-yo). Never use '식중독을 있어요'.

Korea's summer is hot and humid, which helps bacteria grow quickly in food. This increases the '식중독 지수' (food poisoning index).

No. For alcohol poisoning, use '알코올 중독' (alcoholism) or '급성 알코올 중독' (acute alcohol poisoning).

Common symptoms are 구토 (vomiting), 설사 (diarrhea), and 복통 (abdominal pain).

Usually no, but some viral types like Norovirus (노로바이러스) can be spread from person to person.

It means 'mass food poisoning' or 'group food poisoning,' often occurring at schools or companies.

You can ask '식중독인가요?' (Is it food poisoning?) or '식중독 증상인가요?' (Is it a food poisoning symptom?)

The most common tip is '손 씻기' (washing hands), followed by '익혀 먹기' (eating cooked food).