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의료비

A2 noun #7,500 most common 9 min read

의료비

uiryobi Top 7,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 의료비 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 의료비 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize '의료비' as a word related to the hospital (병원) and money (돈). You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember that '의료' means medical and '비' means fee. If you go to a hospital in Korea, you will see this word on your receipt. At this level, you can simply say '의료비가 비싸요' (Medical expenses are expensive) or '의료비를 내요' (I pay medical expenses). Think of it as the 'formal version' of '병원비' (hospital bill). You might see it in basic textbooks when learning about daily life and spending money. Focus on the fact that it is a noun that describes the cost of getting healthy.

At the A2 level, you are expected to use '의료비' in basic sentences about your lifestyle and budget. You should be able to say things like '지난달에 의료비가 많이 나왔어요' (A lot of medical expenses came out last month). You should also know common verbs that go with it, like '지출하다' (to spend) or '부담하다' (to bear/pay). You might encounter this word when talking about insurance (보험) or when you need to explain why you are visiting the hospital. It is important to distinguish between '의료비' (general medical costs) and '약값' (cost of medicine). You can use it to describe your health-related spending in a slightly more formal way than a beginner would.

At the B1 level, you can discuss '의료비' in the context of society and personal planning. You should be able to talk about the '의료비 부담' (burden of medical expenses) and how it affects families. You should also be familiar with '의료비 공제' (medical expense tax deduction), which is a common topic in Korea during January. You can use the word to compare healthcare costs between different countries or to explain the benefits of a specific insurance policy. At this level, you should understand that '의료비' is a comprehensive term that includes consultation fees, surgery costs, and medicine. You can participate in simple discussions about whether medical costs are rising or falling in your home country versus Korea.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use '의료비' in professional or academic contexts. You can discuss '국가 의료비' (national medical expenses) and the economic impact of an aging population on the healthcare system. You should be comfortable using the word in compound forms like '의료비 지원 정책' (medical expense support policy) or '의료비 지출 비중' (proportion of medical expense spending). You can analyze news articles that use '의료비' to describe social issues. Your use of the word should be precise, and you should be able to explain the difference between '의료비' and more specific terms like '진료비' or '요양비' in detail. You can also discuss the '의료비 실질 부담' (actual out-of-pocket medical expense burden) for citizens.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the nuances of '의료비'. You can use it in high-level debates about '의료비의 지속 가능성' (sustainability of medical expenses) within the National Health Insurance Service. You can write essays or give presentations about the correlation between '의료비 증가' (increase in medical expenses) and the quality of life. You should be able to use the word in idiomatic or highly formal settings, such as discussing '재난적 의료비' (catastrophic medical expenses) and the social safety nets designed to prevent them. Your vocabulary surrounding this word is vast, including terms like '비급여 의료비' (non-reimbursable medical expenses) and '공공 의료비' (public medical expenses).

At the C2 level, '의료비' is a tool for expert-level communication. You can critique national budgets, analyze complex healthcare economics, and discuss the philosophical implications of '의료비 배분' (allocation of medical expenses). You can understand and use the word in legal, medical, and economic papers with native-like precision. You are aware of the historical evolution of the term and how it relates to Korea's economic development and the establishment of the NHIS. You can navigate the most complex bureaucratic systems in Korea using this term, from challenging insurance payouts to advising on corporate health benefits. You use '의료비' naturally in any register, from informal chats to formal academic lectures.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

의료비 in 30 Seconds

의료비 refers to all costs related to medical treatment, including hospitals and medicine.
It is a formal Sino-Korean word (醫療費) used in insurance, taxes, and news.
Common verbs include '내다' (pay), '지출하다' (spend), and '부담하다' (bear/pay).
It is broader than '병원비', which specifically refers to hospital bills in casual speech.

The term 의료비 (Uiryo-bi) is a Sino-Korean noun that translates literally to 'medical treatment expense.' It is a fundamental word used to describe the financial costs incurred during the process of maintaining health, treating illnesses, or recovering from injuries. In the context of South Korea's advanced healthcare system, this word carries significant weight as it encompasses everything from the small co-pay at a local clinic to the large bills associated with major surgeries or long-term hospitalization.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is composed of three Hanja characters: 의 (醫 - medicine/doctor), 료 (療 - treat/cure), and 비 (費 - cost/expense). Together, they form a formal and comprehensive term for healthcare spending.

People use this word in various settings, ranging from personal financial planning to national policy debates. For an individual, 의료비 might refer to the out-of-pocket expenses paid after insurance. For a government official, it refers to the total national health expenditure. It is a more formal and broader term than '병원비' (hospital bill), which specifically focuses on the money paid directly to a hospital.

갑작스러운 사고로 인해 의료비 부담이 커졌습니다. (Due to a sudden accident, the burden of medical expenses has increased.)

When discussing family budgets, 의료비 is often categorized alongside food, housing, and education. Because Korea is an aging society, the topic of '노인 의료비' (medical expenses for the elderly) is a frequent subject in news reports and social discussions. It is also a key term during the tax settlement season (연말정산), where Koreans can receive deductions for the medical expenses they paid throughout the year.

Usage Contexts: 1. Personal Finance: Managing monthly savings for health emergencies.
2. Insurance: Discussing coverage limits for specific treatments.
3. Government: Analyzing the rise in national healthcare costs.

정부는 저소득층의 의료비를 지원하고 있습니다. (The government is supporting medical expenses for low-income groups.)

In summary, 의료비 is not just about paying a bill; it is about the economic aspect of health and well-being. Whether you are filling out an insurance claim, doing your taxes, or reading a newspaper article about the economy, this word will appear frequently. It bridges the gap between the medical world and the financial world, making it an essential term for anyone living or working in a Korean-speaking environment.

Using 의료비 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the specific verbs that naturally pair with it. In Korean, nouns related to money often follow specific collocations. For 의료비, the most common verbs are '지출하다' (to spend), '부담하다' (to bear/pay), '지원하다' (to support), and '공제받다' (to receive a tax deduction).

Common Verb Pairings

의료비를 내다: To pay medical expenses (Casual)
의료비를 지출하다: To spend on medical expenses (Formal)
의료비를 절약하다: To save on medical expenses
의료비가 나오다: To have medical expenses billed/incurred

When you want to say that medical expenses are high or low, you use the adjectives '비싸다' (expensive) or '싸다' (cheap) less frequently than '많다' (much/a lot) or '적다' (few/little). You might also say '의료비가 높다' (medical expenses are high) when talking about statistical trends. For example, '한국의 의료비는 다른 나라에 비해 낮은 편입니다' (Korea's medical expenses tend to be lower compared to other countries).

이번 달에는 의료비가 너무 많이 나왔어요. (This month, medical expenses came out to be quite a lot.)

In more complex sentences, 의료비 often acts as a compound noun. For instance, '의료비 공제' (medical expense deduction) or '의료비 지원 사업' (medical expense support project). When describing a situation where someone cannot afford treatment, you would say '의료비 부담 때문에 병원에 못 가요' (I can't go to the hospital because of the burden of medical expenses).

Sentence Structures

[Subject] + 의료비를 + [Verb]: '어머니가 의료비를 내셨어요.' (Mother paid the medical expenses.)

[Noun] + 중 + 의료비: '생활비 중 의료비가 가장 커요.' (Among living costs, medical expenses are the largest.)

실손 보험은 실제 지출한 의료비를 보장합니다. (Indemnity insurance covers the medical expenses actually spent.)

Finally, remember that in spoken Korean, people often shorten '의료비' to '병원비' if they are specifically talking about the bill they just received at the hospital. However, when discussing insurance, taxes, or general health costs over a year, 의료비 is the most accurate and natural choice. Mastery of this word allows you to navigate financial conversations regarding health with precision and confidence.

You will encounter 의료비 in several key areas of Korean life. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word immediately when you hear it. The most common places are the hospital administration desk, insurance advertisements, news broadcasts, and government offices.

1. At the Hospital (Administration): When you finish your treatment and go to the '수납' (payment) counter, the staff might mention the total costs. While they often use '수납하실 금액' (amount to be paid), the printed receipt will clearly list '의료비 총액' (total medical expenses) and '본인부담금' (your share).

In the media, 의료비 is a buzzword. News anchors frequently discuss how the '고령화 사회' (aging society) is leading to an explosion in national medical costs. You might hear phrases like '의료비 폭등' (skyrocketing medical costs) or '의료비 절감 대책' (measures to reduce medical costs). These reports often compare Korea's spending with other OECD countries.

뉴스: "정부는 내년부터 고령층의 의료비 혜택을 확대하기로 했습니다." (News: "The government has decided to expand medical expense benefits for the elderly starting next year.")

Another critical time to hear this word is during '연말정산' (year-end tax settlement) in January. Every worker in Korea looks for their '의료비 세액공제' (medical expense tax credit) to get money back from the government. Company HR departments will send emails saying, "의료비 영수증을 챙기세요" (Make sure to keep your medical expense receipts).

2. Insurance and Finance: Insurance agents will use this word to explain policy benefits. They might say, "암 치료 시 발생하는 의료비를 전액 보장합니다" (We cover all medical expenses that occur during cancer treatment). It sounds professional and reassures the customer about the scope of coverage.

보험 상담원: "이 상품은 의료비 걱정을 덜어드립니다." (Insurance agent: "This product will relieve your worries about medical expenses.")

In summary, 의료비 is a word that follows you from the hospital room to the insurance office and finally to the tax report. It is omnipresent in the financial life of a Korean resident, and hearing it usually triggers a thought about budgeting, insurance claims, or social welfare.

While 의료비 is a straightforward word, learners often make mistakes regarding its register, specific nuances, and pronunciation. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Korean sound more natural and precise.

Mistake 1: Confusing 의료비 with 병원비: Many learners use '의료비' in casual conversation when '병원비' would be more appropriate. If you are telling a friend, "I paid a lot at the hospital yesterday," saying '의료비를 많이 냈어' sounds a bit like you are reading a financial report. In casual speech, use '병원비'. Use '의료비' for formal contexts, insurance, or general categories of spending.

Another common error is using the wrong verb for 'paying' medical expenses. While '내다' is acceptable, learners sometimes try to use '지불하다' (to pay) in contexts where '부담하다' (to bear the burden/cost) or '지출하다' (to spend) would be more idiomatic in professional settings. For example, '의료비를 부담하다' is the standard way to talk about who is responsible for the costs.

Incorrect: 의료비가 비싸요. (The medical expense is expensive.)
Correct: 의료비가 많이 들어요. (Medical expenses cost a lot / take a lot.)

Learners also struggle with the scope of the word. Does 의료비 include medicine? Yes, it does. However, if you are specifically talking about the money spent at a pharmacy, '약값' (medicine price/cost) is the more common term. Using '의료비' for a single bottle of aspirin sounds overly dramatic. Use it for the total cost of the treatment process including the medicine.

Mistake 2: Particle Errors: Since '비' (cost) is often the subject of a sentence describing an increase, learners might forget to use the correct particles. Remember: '의료비가 올랐다' (Medical expenses rose) vs '의료비를 올렸다' (Someone raised the medical expenses).

Context: Talking about tax deductions.
Incorrect: 의료비를 공제해요. (I deduct medical expenses - sounds like you are the tax officer.)
Correct: 의료비를 공제받아요. (I receive a deduction for medical expenses.)

Lastly, avoid using '의료비' to mean the 'salary' of a doctor. That would be '연봉' or '월급'. 의료비 is strictly the expense for the service provided. By keeping these distinctions in mind—formal vs. casual, correct verbs, and proper scope—you will use the word accurately in every situation.

Korean has several words related to medical costs, each with a slightly different focus. Knowing when to use 의료비 versus its synonyms will elevate your fluency.

의료비 vs. 병원비: 의료비 (Medical Expenses): A formal, broad term. Includes doctors, medicine, equipment, and insurance. Used in taxes, news, and official documents.
병원비 (Hospital Bill): A common, everyday term. Specifically refers to the money you pay at the hospital building. Used in daily conversation with friends and family.

Another related term is 진료비 (Jinryo-bi). This specifically refers to the 'examination' or 'consultation' fee. When you see a doctor just for a check-up and a prescription, the specific fee for that time is the 진료비. 의료비 is the umbrella term that includes the 진료비, the cost of tests (검사비), and the cost of the hospital stay (입원비).

진료비: The fee for the doctor's time.
약값: The cost of medicine.
의료비: The sum of everything above.

For those interested in policy or economics, you might hear 보건의료비 (Public Health Medical Expense). This is an even more formal term used by the government to describe the total health spending of the entire nation. It includes public health initiatives, vaccinations, and infrastructure.

Comparison Table

치료비 (Chiryo-bi): Focuses on the cost of the actual 'treatment' or 'cure' for a specific injury.
요양비 (Yoyang-bi): Refers to the costs of 'recuperation' or long-term care, often in a nursing home.
수술비 (Susul-bi): Specifically the cost of a surgery.

Example: "수술비와 입원비를 합쳐서 전체 의료비가 500만 원 나왔습니다." (Adding the surgery fee and the hospitalization fee, the total medical expenses came to 5 million won.)

By choosing the right word, you show that you understand the nuances of the Korean language. While a beginner might use '병원비' for everything, an intermediate or advanced learner will use 의료비 when discussing finances, insurance, and broader health issues, and '진료비' or '수술비' when being specific about a single event.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 醫 (의) originally depicted a container of arrows and a shaman, representing ancient medicine which involved extracting arrows and spiritual healing. Later, it was replaced with the character for 'alcohol/tincture' at the bottom.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɰi.ɾjo.bi/

US /wi.ɾjo.bi/

The stress is even across all syllables, as is typical in Korean phonology.

Rhymes With

교육비 (Gyoyuk-bi - education fee) 교통비 (Gyotong-bi - transport fee) 생활비 (Saenghwal-bi - living expenses) 재료비 (Jaeryo-bi - material costs) 관리비 (Gwalli-bi - management fee) 식비 (Sik-bi - food costs) 유비 (Yubi - preparation) 비 (Bi - rain/fee)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '의' as '이' (i) – common in spoken Korean but 'ui' is standard.
Pronouncing '의' as '에' (e) – only correct when '의' is a possessive particle.
Confusing '의료' with '유료' (paid/fee-based).
Over-emphasizing the 'bi' sound like 'bee' in English.
Mispronouncing 'ryo' as 'lyo' or 'rio'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts once you know '의료' and '비'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of Hanja-based compounds to use correctly in formal writing.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation of 'ui' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Clearly articulated in news and hospital settings.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

병원 (hospital) 돈 (money) 건강 (health) 비용 (cost) 보험 (insurance)

Learn Next

진료비 (consultation fee) 공제 (deduction) 환급 (refund) 부담금 (co-pay) 실손보험 (indemnity insurance)

Advanced

수가 (medical fee schedule) 비급여 (non-benefit) 급여 (benefit/reimbursable) 재정 (finance/fiscal)

Grammar to Know

Noun + 때문에 (Because of)

의료비 때문에 힘들어요. (It's hard because of medical expenses.)

Noun + 보다 (Than)

작년보다 의료비가 더 나왔어요. (More medical expenses came out than last year.)

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (Can)

의료비 지원을 받을 수 있어요. (You can receive medical expense support.)

-아/어/여야 하다 (Must)

의료비를 내야 해요. (I must pay the medical expenses.)

-ㄴ/은 편이다 (Tend to)

의료비가 싼 편이에요. (Medical expenses tend to be cheap.)

Examples by Level

의료비가 얼마예요?

How much is the medical expense?

Basic subject marker -가 used with a question word.

의료비를 내요.

I pay the medical expenses.

Direct object marker -를 with the verb 내다.

의료비가 비싸요.

Medical expenses are expensive.

Adjective 비싸다 describing the noun.

의료비가 없어요.

I don't have money for medical expenses.

Negative existence verb 없다.

의료비는 중요해요.

Medical expenses are important.

Topic marker -는 for general statements.

병원이 의료비를 받아요.

The hospital receives the medical expenses.

Subject-Object-Verb structure.

의료비가 조금 나왔어요.

A little bit of medical expenses came out.

Adverb 조금 (a little) modifying the verb.

의료비를 걱정해요.

I worry about medical expenses.

Verb 걱정하다 expressing emotion.

지난달에 의료비를 많이 지출했어요.

I spent a lot on medical expenses last month.

Past tense -았/었/였다.

의료비가 생각보다 적게 들었어요.

Medical expenses cost less than I thought.

-보다 (than) for comparison.

보험이 있으면 의료비 부담이 적어요.

If you have insurance, the burden of medical expenses is small.

Conditional ending -(으)면.

의료비 영수증을 꼭 챙기세요.

Make sure to keep your medical expense receipts.

Imperative ending -(으)세요.

의료비 때문에 저축을 못 했어요.

I couldn't save money because of medical expenses.

Noun + 때문에 (because of).

부모님 의료비를 제가 내요.

I pay for my parents' medical expenses.

Possessive relationship implied by context.

의료비가 비싸서 병원에 안 갔어요.

I didn't go to the hospital because medical expenses are expensive.

Causal ending -아서/어서.

의료비 지원을 받을 수 있나요?

Can I receive support for medical expenses?

Potentiality -(으)ㄹ 수 있다.

연말정산 때 의료비 공제를 받았어요.

I received a medical expense deduction during the year-end tax settlement.

Professional terminology: 공제 (deduction).

갑작스러운 사고로 의료비가 폭증했습니다.

Medical expenses skyrocketed due to a sudden accident.

Formal verb 폭증하다 (to skyrocket).

정부는 저소득층의 의료비 부담을 줄여야 합니다.

The government must reduce the burden of medical expenses for low-income groups.

Obligation -아/어/여야 하다.

실손 보험은 실제 발생한 의료비를 보상해 줍니다.

Indemnity insurance compensates for the medical expenses actually incurred.

Benefactive -아/어 주다.

한국은 의료비가 비교적 저렴한 편입니다.

Korea tends to have relatively cheap medical expenses.

Noun-modifying ending -ㄴ 편이다 (tend to).

의료비 지출 내역을 확인해 보세요.

Please check the details of your medical expense spending.

Compound noun: 지출 내역 (spending details).

노후에는 의료비가 가장 큰 걱정거리입니다.

Medical expenses are the biggest concern in old age.

Superlative 가장 (the most).

의료비가 가계 경제에 큰 타격을 주었습니다.

Medical expenses dealt a big blow to the household economy.

Metaphorical expression: 타격을 주다 (give a blow).

고령화로 인해 국가 전체의 의료비가 상승하고 있습니다.

Due to aging, the medical expenses of the entire country are rising.

-로 인해 (due to) used in formal contexts.

비급여 항목은 의료비 부담을 가중시키는 원인이 됩니다.

Non-reimbursable items are a cause that aggravates the burden of medical expenses.

Causative/Aggravative verb 가중시키다.

의료비 지원 대상인지 확인하기 위해 서류를 제출했습니다.

I submitted documents to check if I am eligible for medical expense support.

-기 위해 (in order to).

의료비 절감을 위한 효율적인 대책이 시급합니다.

Efficient measures to reduce medical expenses are urgent.

Adjective 시급하다 (to be urgent).

그 환자는 재난적 의료비 지원을 신청했습니다.

The patient applied for catastrophic medical expense support.

Specialized term: 재난적 의료비 (catastrophic medical expenses).

의료비 지출이 소득 수준에 비해 과도합니다.

Medical expense spending is excessive compared to income levels.

Adjective 과도하다 (to be excessive).

의료비는 공공복지의 핵심적인 부분입니다.

Medical expenses are a core part of public welfare.

Noun-modifying -ㄴ/은.

과잉 진료는 불필요한 의료비 상승을 초래합니다.

Overtreatment leads to an unnecessary rise in medical expenses.

Verb 초래하다 (to cause/result in).

의료비의 급격한 증가는 건강보험 재정의 건전성을 위협합니다.

The rapid increase in medical expenses threatens the fiscal health of health insurance.

Abstract noun: 건전성 (soundness/healthiness).

정부는 의료비 본인부담 상한제를 시행하고 있습니다.

The government is implementing a ceiling system for out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Policy term: 본인부담 상한제.

의료비 지출의 효율성을 높이기 위해 지불 제도 개편이 필요합니다.

To increase the efficiency of medical expense spending, a reform of the payment system is necessary.

Noun: 개편 (reform/reorganization).

만성 질환 관리는 장기적인 관점에서 의료비를 절감하는 방법입니다.

Chronic disease management is a way to reduce medical expenses from a long-term perspective.

Determiner: 장기적인 (long-term).

의료비의 사회적 배분이 공정하게 이루어져야 합니다.

The social allocation of medical expenses must be carried out fairly.

Passive structure: 이루어지다 (to be accomplished).

기술의 발전이 반드시 의료비 하락으로 이어지는 것은 아닙니다.

The development of technology does not necessarily lead to a decrease in medical expenses.

Partial negation: 반드시 ... 것은 아니다.

의료비 부담 완화는 저출산 문제 해결의 실마리가 될 수 있습니다.

Alleviating the burden of medical expenses can be a clue to solving the low birth rate problem.

Noun: 실마리 (clue/lead).

민간 보험의 확대가 의료비 양극화를 심화시킬 우려가 있습니다.

There is a concern that the expansion of private insurance will deepen medical expense polarization.

Expression of concern: -(으)ㄹ 우려가 있다.

의료비 총액의 GDP 대비 비중은 국가의 보건 지표를 나타냅니다.

The ratio of total medical expenses to GDP represents a nation's health indicators.

Economic term: 대비 (versus/compared to).

의료비 수렴 현상은 선진국들 사이에서 공통적으로 관찰됩니다.

The phenomenon of medical expense convergence is commonly observed among developed countries.

Academic term: 수렴 현상 (convergence phenomenon).

가계의 가처분 소득 중 의료비가 차지하는 비율이 임계점을 넘었습니다.

The proportion of medical expenses in household disposable income has passed the critical point.

Advanced term: 임계점 (critical point/threshold).

의료비 지출 구조의 비대칭성은 시장 실패의 전형적인 사례입니다.

The asymmetry of the medical expense spending structure is a typical example of market failure.

Theoretical term: 비대칭성 (asymmetry).

지속 가능한 의료비 보장 체계를 구축하는 것은 시대적 과제입니다.

Building a sustainable medical expense guarantee system is a task of our times.

Abstract term: 시대적 과제 (task of the era).

의료비의 기회비용을 고려할 때 예방 의학의 중요성이 강조됩니다.

When considering the opportunity cost of medical expenses, the importance of preventive medicine is emphasized.

Economic concept: 기회비용 (opportunity cost).

정밀 의료의 도입이 의료비의 한계 효용을 극대화할 수 있을까요?

Can the introduction of precision medicine maximize the marginal utility of medical expenses?

Philosophical/Economic term: 한계 효용 (marginal utility).

의료비 지출의 소득 탄력성에 관한 연구가 활발히 진행되고 있습니다.

Research on the income elasticity of medical expense spending is being actively conducted.

Statistical term: 탄력성 (elasticity).

Synonyms

병원비 진료비 약값 치료비 수술비 입원비 검사비 보건비

Antonyms

수입 이익 무료 진료 공짜

Common Collocations

의료비 부담

의료비 공제

의료비 지원

의료비 지출

의료비 영수증

의료비 환급

의료비 혜택

의료비 절감

의료비 청구

의료비 폭등

Common Phrases

의료비가 들다

— To cost medical expenses.

치료에 많은 의료비가 듭니다.

의료비를 아끼다

— To save on medical expenses.

건강 관리를 잘해서 의료비를 아꼈어요.

의료비가 나오다

— Medical expenses are billed/incurred.

생각보다 의료비가 적게 나왔어요.

의료비를 마련하다

— To prepare/raise money for medical expenses.

급하게 의료비를 마련해야 해요.

의료비를 감당하다

— To afford/handle medical expenses.

혼자서는 의료비를 감당하기 힘들어요.

의료비를 충당하다

— To cover/supplement medical expenses.

보험금으로 의료비를 충당했습니다.

의료비가 상승하다

— Medical expenses are rising.

매년 의료비가 꾸준히 상승하고 있습니다.

의료비를 환급받다

— To get a refund for medical expenses.

초과 지불한 의료비를 환급받았습니다.

의료비가 발생하다

— Medical expenses occur.

입원하면 추가 의료비가 발생합니다.

의료비를 정산하다

— To settle medical expenses.

퇴원하기 전에 의료비를 정산하세요.

Often Confused With

의료비 vs 유료비

Sounds similar but '유료' means 'paid/not free'. Confusing them makes no sense in Korean.

의료비 vs 임료

Refers to 'rent', but has the 'ryo' sound. Entirely different meaning.

의료비 vs 교육비

Education expenses. Only similar in the 'bi' suffix.

Idioms & Expressions

"의료비 폭탄"

— A 'medical bill bomb'; an unexpectedly huge medical expense.

수술 후에 의료비 폭탄을 맞았어요.

Colloquial

"의료비가 등골을 휘게 하다"

— Medical expenses make one's back bend; meaning they are a crushing burden.

비싼 의료비가 서민들의 등골을 휘게 합니다.

Metaphorical

"의료비 한 푼이 아쉽다"

— Even a single penny of medical expenses is precious (when in financial trouble).

형편이 어려우니 의료비 한 푼이 아쉽네요.

Emotional

"의료비 구멍"

— A 'medical expense hole'; a situation where money keeps disappearing into health costs.

병간호 때문에 의료비 구멍이 났어요.

Colloquial

"의료비로 가산을 탕진하다"

— To squander all family assets on medical expenses.

오랜 투병 생활로 의료비에 가산을 탕진했습니다.

Literary/Dramatic

"의료비가 하늘 높은 줄 모르고 치솟다"

— Medical expenses are soaring as if they don't know how high the sky is.

미국의 의료비는 하늘 높은 줄 모르고 치솟고 있어요.

Journalistic

"의료비 걱정에 밤잠을 설치다"

— To lose sleep worrying about medical expenses.

수술을 앞두고 의료비 걱정에 밤잠을 설치고 있습니다.

Emotional

"의료비 혜택의 사각지대"

— A blind spot in medical expense benefits (people who don't get help).

복지 정책에도 불구하고 의료비 혜택의 사각지대가 존재합니다.

Formal/Policy

"의료비가 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기다"

— Paying medical expenses is like pouring water into a bottomless pot (never-ending).

만성 질환이라 의료비가 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기예요.

Metaphorical

"의료비로 발목을 잡히다"

— To be held back (financially) by medical expenses.

과도한 의료비로 발목을 잡혀 생활이 어렵습니다.

Colloquial

Easily Confused

의료비 vs 병원비

Both mean medical costs.

의료비 is formal/broad; 병원비 is casual/specific to the hospital building.

의료비 공제 (Tax) vs 병원비 내러 가요 (Daily).

의료비 vs 진료비

Both involve hospital money.

진료비 is specifically the consultation fee; 의료비 includes everything (tests, medicine).

진료비는 5천 원이에요.

의료비 vs 약값

Both are health costs.

약값 is just for medicine; 의료비 is the whole treatment cost.

약값이 너무 올랐어요.

의료비 vs 치료비

Synonymous in many cases.

치료비 emphasizes the 'act of curing' a specific wound or disease.

교통사고 치료비.

의료비 vs 수수료

Both end in a 'fee' sound.

수수료 is a service commission/fee (like at a bank), not related to health.

은행 수수료.

Sentence Patterns

의료비가 [Adjective].

의료비가 비싸요.

[Time]에 의료비를 냈어요.

어제 의료비를 냈어요.

[Noun] 때문에 의료비가 많이 들어요.

수술 때문에 의료비가 많이 들어요.

[Noun]은 의료비를 지원합니다.

보험은 의료비를 지원합니다.

의료비 공제를 받기 위해 [Action].

의료비 공제를 받기 위해 영수증을 제출했다.

의료비의 [Noun]은 사회적 이슈입니다.

의료비의 양극화는 사회적 이슈입니다.

의료비를 [Verb] 수 있어요.

의료비를 환급받을 수 있어요.

의료비가 [Amount] 나왔어요.

의료비가 만 원 나왔어요.

Word Family

Nouns

의료 (medical care)

의사 (doctor)

의원 (clinic)

의약품 (medicine)

비용 (cost)

Verbs

의료하다 (to treat/provide medical care - rare, usually 진료하다)

비용을 지출하다 (to spend costs)

Adjectives

의료적인 (medical)

비싸다 (expensive)

부담스럽다 (burdensome)

건강보험 (health insurance)

병원 (hospital)

약국 (pharmacy)

수술 (surgery)

환자 (patient)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in administrative, financial, and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

의료비가 비싸다 → 의료비가 많이 들다
In Korean, costs 'take' or 'enter' (들다) rather than being 'expensive' (비싸다), though 비싸다 is understood.
의료비를 빌려주다 → 의료비를 빌려주다 (Wait, this is correct, but context matters)
If you are paying for someone else, '의료비를 대신 내주다' is more common.
의료비의 월급 → 의사의 월급
의료비 is the expense, not the salary of the provider.
유료비를 냈어요 → 의료비를 냈어요
Pronunciation error between 'ui' and 'yu'.
의료비를 공제하다 → 의료비를 공제받다
The patient 'receives' (받다) the deduction; the government 'does' (하다) it.

Tips

Use it for Taxes

Always use '의료비' when searching for tax-related information in Korea.

Receipts are Key

In Korea, keep every '의료비 영수증' because they are automatically linked to your tax ID in most cases.

Verb Choice

Pair '의료비' with '나오다' when a bill is issued. '의료비가 10만원 나왔어요'.

Broad Scope

Remember that '의료비' covers everything from a 3,000 won clinic visit to a 30 million won surgery.

Sound Professional

Using '의료비' instead of '병원비' makes you sound more educated and financially literate.

News Keywords

When you hear '의료비' on the news, it's almost always followed by '상승' (rise) or '부담' (burden).

Compound Nouns

Don't use spaces in common terms like '의료비공제' in titles, though '의료비 공제' is fine in sentences.

Claiming Insurance

When calling an insurance company, say '의료비 청구하려고요' (I want to claim medical expenses).

Hanja Power

Knowing '비' (fee) helps you understand '교통비', '식비', and '생활비' instantly.

Empathy

When someone mentions high '의료비', a good response is '부담이 크시겠어요' (That must be a big burden).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'UI' (User Interface) for your body, 'RYO' (Rio de Janeiro) where you get a tan, and 'BI' (Bill). You get a Bill for your body's UI in Rio! Uiryo-bi.

Visual Association

Imagine a hospital receipt that has a giant stethoscope and a dollar sign printed on it.

Word Web

병원 보험 돈 건강 약 수술 영수증 공제

Challenge

Try to find the '의료비' section on your next Korean bank statement or hospital receipt.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean word derived from three Hanja characters: 醫 (의), 療 (료), and 費 (비).

Original meaning: The cost of medical healing/treatment.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when discussing medical expenses with others, as it often implies someone is sick or struggling financially.

In the US, medical expenses are often associated with debt and high insurance premiums, whereas in the UK or Canada, the term might be less common in daily life due to single-payer systems. In Korea, it's a mix: public coverage is high, but supplemental private insurance is very common.

Korean news headlines often feature '의료비 100조 시대' (The era of 100 trillion won in medical expenses). K-Dramas often use '의료비' as a plot device where a protagonist struggles to pay for a family member's surgery. The 'National Health Insurance Service' (NHIS) website is the primary source for '의료비' statistics.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

의료비는 어디서 내요?
의료비 영수증 주세요.
의료비가 얼마 나왔어요?
의료비 카드 결제 돼요?

Insurance Talk

의료비 보장이 돼요?
의료비를 청구하고 싶어요.
실제 의료비만 보상해요.
의료비 혜택이 커요.

Tax Season

의료비 공제 신청하세요.
의료비 내역서가 필요해요.
의료비가 공제 대상인가요?
의료비로 세금을 줄여요.

Family Budgeting

의료비를 따로 모아야 해.
이번 달 의료비가 너무 많아.
의료비를 좀 줄여보자.
의료비 부담이 너무 커.

News/Society

의료비가 매년 상승해요.
고령화와 의료비 문제.
의료비 지원 정책 발표.
국가 의료비 통계.

Conversation Starters

"요즘 의료비가 너무 비싸진 것 같지 않아요? (Don't you think medical expenses have become too expensive lately?)"

"한국 의료비에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요? (What do you think about Korean medical expenses?)"

"연말정산 때 의료비 공제 많이 받으셨어요? (Did you get a lot of medical expense deductions during the year-end tax settlement?)"

"보험이 의료비를 얼마나 커버해 주나요? (How much does your insurance cover medical expenses?)"

"의료비 때문에 병원 가기 망설여진 적 있나요? (Have you ever hesitated to go to the hospital because of medical expenses?)"

Journal Prompts

이번 달에 지출한 의료비 내역을 적어보고, 건강 관리 계획을 세워보세요. (Write down the details of the medical expenses you spent this month and make a health management plan.)

자신의 나라와 한국의 의료비를 비교하는 글을 써보세요. (Write a comparison of medical expenses between your country and Korea.)

만약 의료비 걱정이 없다면, 어떤 치료를 받고 싶나요? (If you didn't have to worry about medical expenses, what kind of treatment would you want to receive?)

의료비 지원 정책이 왜 중요한지 자신의 생각을 정리해 보세요. (Summarize your thoughts on why medical expense support policies are important.)

미래의 노후 의료비를 위해 지금 무엇을 준비하고 있나요? (What are you preparing now for your future medical expenses in old age?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

의료비 is a formal term used in insurance, taxes, and news, covering all medical costs. 병원비 is more casual and refers specifically to the bill paid at a hospital.

Yes, 의료비 is a comprehensive term that includes consultation, surgery, hospitalization, and pharmacy costs.

It is '의료비 공제' (uiryo-bi gong-je). This is commonly used during tax season.

Use '내다' for paying, '지출하다' for spending, and '부담하다' for being responsible for the cost.

Compared to many countries, basic 의료비 is low due to national insurance, but '비급여' (non-covered) items can be expensive.

It refers to 'catastrophic medical expenses' that exceed a household's ability to pay, often triggering government support.

Yes, any medical service cost is categorized as 의료비.

It is grammatically correct, but '의료비가 많이 들어요' (Medical expenses cost a lot) or '의료비 부담이 커요' (The burden is big) is more idiomatic.

You can say '의료비 영수증 좀 주세요' (Please give me a medical expense receipt).

It means the portion of medical expenses that the patient must pay out of their own pocket after insurance.