Explanation at your level:
You use this word when you go to the hospital. If you are sick and a doctor needs to fix you, you 수술받다. It means you are the patient.
Use 수술받다 to talk about your medical history. For example, you can say 'I had surgery last year.' It is a very useful word for doctors' visits.
In intermediate Korean, you will use this verb to describe specific procedures. You can combine it with body parts or specific medical conditions to be more precise about your health.
At this level, you might use it in more complex sentences involving time clauses or reasons. For instance, 'Because I had surgery, I cannot exercise for a month.'
Advanced learners use this in professional contexts, such as discussing medical insurance, recovery timelines, or comparing different types of surgical interventions in a formal report.
At the mastery level, you understand the nuance between 수술받다 and other medical terms like 시술받다 (to undergo a minor procedure). You can discuss the cultural implications of surgery and healthcare systems.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Means to undergo surgery.
- Used by the patient.
- Standard Korean term.
- Commonly used in past tense.
The Korean verb 수술받다 is a combination of 수술 (surgery) and 받다 (to receive). When you say you are 'receiving surgery,' you are effectively saying you are undergoing an operation.
It is a very common term in daily life, especially when discussing health. Whether you are talking about a minor procedure or a major life-saving operation, this is the go-to word. Think of it as the passive act of letting a doctor perform their skilled work on you.
The term 수술 (手術) is derived from Sino-Korean roots. The character 수 (手) means 'hand' and 술 (術) means 'technique' or 'art.' Historically, this literally refers to the art of using one's hands to heal.
By adding 받다, the language creates a clear distinction between the person performing the surgery (the doctor) and the person receiving it (the patient). This structure is classic for Korean, where the recipient of an action is clearly marked by the verb 받다.
You use 수술받다 when you are the patient. If you are the doctor, you would say 수술하다 (to perform surgery). It is used in both formal medical reports and casual conversations with friends.
Commonly, it is paired with the body part being operated on, such as 무릎 수술을 받다 (to have knee surgery). It carries a neutral tone, though it can sound serious depending on the context of the medical condition being discussed.
While there aren't many 'idioms' for this specific medical term, we often use phrases like 수술대에 오르다 (to get on the operating table), which is a dramatic way of saying one is about to have surgery. Another is 수술이 잘 되다 (the surgery went well), which is a standard expression of relief after a procedure.
These phrases are used to soften the gravity of the situation or to express hope for a successful recovery.
Grammatically, 수술받다 functions as a standard transitive verb. You usually mark the object with -을/를, such as 맹장 수술을 받았다 (I had my appendix removed).
Pronunciation-wise, be careful with the double consonant 'ㅂ' and the 'ㄷ' sound. It is pronounced [수술빧따] due to the tense sound rule in Korean phonology. Practice saying it slowly to ensure the '받' part is crisp.
Fun Fact
The word for surgery in Korean is literally 'hand-art'.
Pronunciation Guide
Korean phonology does not change by region.
Focus on the tense double consonant 'ㄸ'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing '받' as '바'
- Ignoring the tense 'ㄸ' sound
- Adding extra vowels between syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple structure
Common
Clear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun + 을/를
수술을 받다
Past tense -았/었
수술받았다
Purpose -으러
수술받으러 가다
Examples by Level
저는 수술받아요.
I am having surgery.
Present tense.
수술받았어요.
I had surgery.
Past tense.
어디서 수술받아요?
Where do you have surgery?
Question form.
수술받고 싶어요.
I want to have surgery.
Desire form.
수술받지 마세요.
Do not have surgery.
Negative command.
언제 수술받아요?
When are you having surgery?
Time question.
수술받으러 가요.
I am going to have surgery.
Purpose clause.
수술받은 사람이에요.
I am a person who had surgery.
Adjective clause.
어제 무릎 수술을 받았어요.
병원에서 수술받는 것이 무서워요.
내일 큰 수술을 받으러 가요.
그는 어릴 때 수술받았어요.
수술받고 나서 많이 좋아졌어요.
의사 선생님께 수술받을 거예요.
수술받은 곳이 아직 아파요.
수술받을 준비가 다 되었어요.
심장 수술을 받기 위해 입원했어요.
수술받은 후에는 안정을 취해야 합니다.
그는 여러 번 수술받은 경험이 있어요.
수술받는 동안 가족들이 기다렸어요.
비싼 비용 때문에 수술받기가 망설여져요.
다행히 성공적으로 수술받았어요.
수술받을 병원을 신중하게 골라야 해요.
수술받고 나서 흉터가 남았어요.
긴급한 상황이라 즉시 수술받아야 했습니다.
수술받은 환자들을 위한 특별 병동이 있습니다.
그는 수술받은 후 빠르게 회복하고 있습니다.
수술받기 전에 의사와 충분히 상담하세요.
수술받을 필요가 없다는 진단을 받았어요.
수술받은 부위가 덧나지 않게 조심하세요.
보험 처리가 되어 저렴하게 수술받았어요.
수술받은 지 벌써 1년이 지났네요.
그 질환은 조기에 발견하여 수술받는 것이 가장 효과적입니다.
수술받은 환자의 예후를 관찰하는 것이 중요합니다.
최신 로봇 수술을 받을 수 있는 병원을 찾고 있습니다.
수술받는 과정에서 발생할 수 있는 부작용을 설명 들었습니다.
수술받은 부위의 통증을 완화하기 위해 약을 처방받았습니다.
전문적인 의료진에게 수술받는 것은 큰 안심이 됩니다.
수술받은 후 재활 치료를 병행하는 것이 필수적입니다.
복잡한 수술을 받아야 해서 전문의와 상의 중입니다.
수술받은 환자의 심리적 안정을 도모하는 것이 치료의 핵심입니다.
고난도의 수술을 받아야 하는 상황에서 최선의 선택을 고민했습니다.
수술받은 후의 장기적인 경과를 추적하는 연구가 진행 중입니다.
의료 사고를 방지하기 위해 수술받기 전 철저한 검사가 선행됩니다.
수술받는 환자에게 충분한 정보를 제공하는 것은 의료인의 의무입니다.
수술받은 조직을 검사하여 정확한 병명을 확진했습니다.
수술받을 당시의 상황을 회상하며 그는 깊은 한숨을 내쉬었습니다.
수술받은 지 수십 년이 흘렀지만 여전히 그때의 기억이 선명합니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"수술대에 오르다"
To undergo surgery
내일 드디어 수술대에 올라요.
casual"칼을 대다"
To have surgery (literally: to touch with a knife)
결국 칼을 대기로 결정했어요.
casual"수술이 잘 되다"
The surgery was successful
다행히 수술이 잘 됐어요.
neutral"수술 자국"
Surgical scar
배에 수술 자국이 있어요.
neutral"수술 경과"
Post-surgical progress
수술 경과가 좋아요.
formal"수술 날짜를 잡다"
To schedule a surgery
다음 달로 수술 날짜를 잡았어요.
neutralEasily Confused
Both involve medical procedures.
시술 is minor, 수술 is major.
점 빼는 건 시술이에요.
Both are medical.
치료 is general treatment.
감기 치료받았어요.
Same base word.
수술하다 is for doctors.
의사가 수술하다.
Both are at a hospital.
진료 is a consultation.
의사에게 진료받다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Noun(body part) + 을/를 + 수술받다
나는 다리를 수술받았다.
Subject + 수술받기 + 위해 + 병원에 가다
수술받기 위해 병원에 갔다.
Subject + 수술받은 + 후 + 회복하다
수술받은 후 회복하고 있다.
Subject + 수술받을 + 예정입니다
내일 수술받을 예정입니다.
Subject + 긴급하게 + 수술받다
그는 긴급하게 수술받았다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
수술하다 means the doctor is doing it.
You don't 'eat' surgery.
You go to receive surgery.
Surgery is the object received.
Use '수술받았다' for past tense.
Tips
Hand Art
Remember 'Hand' (수) + 'Art' (술).
Patient vs Doctor
Always check who is doing the work.
Respect
Use polite forms when talking to elders about their health.
Object Marker
Use -을/를 before 수술받다.
Tense Sounds
Practice the double 'ㄸ' sound.
Don't say '수술하다' for yourself
Unless you are a surgeon!
Sino-Korean roots
Most medical terms in Korean are Sino-Korean.
Flashcards
Use pictures of hospitals.
Tense usage
Usually used in past tense.
Hospital culture
People often bring fruit for recovery.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a doctor using their 'hands' (수) to perform a 'technique' (술) on you.
Visual Association
A hospital bed with a bright light overhead.
Word Web
Challenge
Write a sentence about a time you or someone you know had a procedure.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: Hand technique
Cultural Context
Surgery is a serious topic; be empathetic when discussing.
In English, we say 'have surgery' or 'undergo surgery'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Hospital visit
- 수술받으러 왔어요
- 수술받고 싶어요
- 언제 수술받아요
Talking to family
- 수술받아야 해요
- 수술받았어요
- 수술받고 잘 지내요
Work/School absence
- 수술받아서 못 가요
- 수술받고 쉬는 중이에요
Medical consultation
- 수술받아야 하나요?
- 수술받는 게 좋아요?
Conversation Starters
"수술받아본 적 있어요?"
"큰 수술을 받아본 적 있나요?"
"주변에 수술받은 사람이 있나요?"
"수술받는 게 무섭지 않나요?"
"어떤 부위를 수술받았어요?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were in a hospital.
How do you feel about medical procedures?
What would you do if you needed surgery?
Write about a friend's recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually for actual surgery, not just a check-up.
Yes, 시술 is a minor procedure.
Use '수술하다'.
It can be any tense.
You can say '수술받기가 무서워요'.
It's standard Korean.
In hospitals or talking about health.
Yes, '강아지가 수술받았어요'.
Test Yourself
저는 어제 ___.
Used past tense for the patient.
What does '수술받다' mean?
받다 means to receive.
Only doctors use '수술받다'.
Patients use it.
Word
Meaning
Literal breakdown.
Subject-Time-Object-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
수술받다 is the essential verb for any patient undergoing a medical operation in Korea.
- Means to undergo surgery.
- Used by the patient.
- Standard Korean term.
- Commonly used in past tense.
Hand Art
Remember 'Hand' (수) + 'Art' (술).
Patient vs Doctor
Always check who is doing the work.
Respect
Use polite forms when talking to elders about their health.
Object Marker
Use -을/를 before 수술받다.
Related Content
More health words
비정상적이다
B1Deviating from what is normal or usual; abnormal.
비정상이다
A2To be abnormal or irregular.
에 대해서
A2Indicating the topic or subject; about, concerning.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2General body aches and fatigue, often accompanying a cold or flu.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1To have a dull, throbbing pain; to ache.
에취
A2Achoo! (onomatopoeia for sneezing).
급성적이다
A2To be acute or sudden (e.g., an illness).
급성이다
A2Having a rapid onset and short course; to be acute (illness).
