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직업병

B2 noun #9,500 most common 8 min read

직업병

jik-eopbyeong Top 9,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 직업병 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 직업병 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '직업' means 'job' or 'work' and '병' means 'sick' or 'disease'. You might not use the full word '직업병' yet, but you can understand that it combines these two ideas. If you have a job and your back hurts because you sit all day, you can think of it as a 'work sickness'. In simple Korean, you can say '일 때문에 아파요' (I am sick because of work). This level focuses on the basic building blocks of the word.

At the A2 level, you can start using '직업병' as a single noun. You can use it to describe physical pain caused by your job. For example, '요리사는 손목이 아픈 직업병이 있어요' (Cooks have an occupational disease where their wrists hurt). You can also use it to talk about simple habits. If you work in a store and you say 'Hello' to everyone you meet on the street by mistake, you can tell your friends, '이건 제 직업병이에요' (This is my occupational habit). It is a useful word to explain why you do certain things.

At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish between the medical and the humorous meanings of '직업병'. You can use it in more complex sentences with markers like '때문에' (because of) or '덕분에' (thanks to - used sarcastically). You can also begin to describe specific behaviors. For example, '저는 편집자라서 책을 읽을 때 오타만 보여요. 정말 피곤한 직업병이죠.' (Since I'm an editor, I only see typos when I read books. It's a really tiring professional habit). You can participate in conversations about work-life balance using this term.

At the B2 level, you can use '직업병' naturally in social situations to build rapport. You understand that this word often implies a sense of 'unavoidable habit' that comes with expertise. You can use it to describe societal trends, such as how many office workers in Korea suffer from 'turtle neck syndrome' as a common 직업병. You can also use it with more advanced verbs like '도지다' (to recur/flare up) or '시달리다' (to suffer from). You understand the cultural nuance that having a 직업병 can sometimes be a sign of being a 'pro' (professional).

At the C1 level, you can discuss the legal and social implications of '직업병'. You can talk about '산재 보험' (Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance) and how difficult it can be for workers to prove that their illness is a '직업병' rather than a personal health issue. You can use the term in academic or professional writing to analyze the psychological impact of certain careers on individuals. You also recognize the word when it's used in literature or high-level journalism to metaphorically describe 'societal ills' related to work culture.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '직업병', including its historical evolution from the industrial era to the digital age. You can use it to make sophisticated jokes or deep philosophical points about how our labor shapes our identity and even our physical bodies. You can debate the nuances between a 'professional habit' (직업적 습관) and a '직업병,' analyzing whether the latter implies a loss of agency. You are comfortable using the term in any context, from a medical consultation to a satirical essay about modern life.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

직업병 in 30 Seconds

직업병 means 'occupational disease' but is widely used to mean 'professional habits' that you can't stop doing in your free time.
It can refer to medical issues like back pain or social quirks like a teacher correcting grammar at a party.
The word is composed of 직업 (job) and 병 (disease/sickness), reflecting how work 'infects' daily life.
It's a very common term in Korea's high-intensity work culture to explain or excuse obsessive work-related behaviors.

The term 직업병 (Jigeopbyeong) is a fascinating linguistic window into the Korean work-centric culture. While its literal translation is 'occupational disease' or 'occupational hazard,' its usage in contemporary South Korea spans a spectrum from serious medical diagnoses to lighthearted social commentary. At its core, the word describes a condition where the habits, physical postures, or mental frameworks required by one's profession bleed into their private life, often involuntarily.

Medical Context: In a clinical sense, it refers to physical ailments like carpal tunnel syndrome for developers or vocal nodules for singers. This is the formal definition used in insurance and labor law.
Colloquial Context: In daily conversation, it refers to 'professional habits.' For example, a teacher who corrects their friends' grammar at a bar, or a police officer who instinctively scans everyone's hands in a crowd. It implies that the job has 'infected' the person's personality or behavior.

퇴근 후에도 자꾸 사람들의 말투를 평가하게 돼. 정말 직업병인가 봐.
— Even after work, I keep evaluating people's way of speaking. It must be a professional habit.

The prevalence of this word in Korean society reflects the high intensity of the Korean labor market. Because Koreans often spend long hours at their workplaces, the boundaries between their 'work self' and 'private self' frequently blur. When someone says 'It is a 직업병,' they are often seeking empathy or explaining a quirky behavior that they cannot seem to switch off. It serves as a social lubricant to excuse obsessive or repetitive actions that might otherwise seem strange to others.

Historically, the term gained traction during Korea's rapid industrialization period when physical occupational diseases were common. However, as the economy shifted toward service and information sectors, the meaning evolved. Today, you will hear it used by YouTubers, office workers, and even students. It has become a badge of dedication, albeit a slightly painful or annoying one. If you have a 직업병, it implies you have spent so much time mastering your craft that it has become a part of your DNA.

Using 직업병 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a noun. It most commonly functions as the subject or the object of a sentence, but it can also be used as a predicate when combined with the copula '이다' (to be).

Subject Marker (이/가): Used when the 'occupational disease' is the thing performing an action or being described. Example: 직업병이 무서워요 (The occupational disease is scary).
Object Marker (을/를): Used when someone 'has' or 'gets' the condition. Example: 직업병을 얻었어요 (I got an occupational disease).

프로그래머인 그는 주말에도 코드를 분석하려 드는데, 이건 명백한 직업병이다.
— As a programmer, he tries to analyze code even on weekends; this is clearly a professional habit.

One of the most common sentence patterns involves the structure '[Profession] + -(이)라서 그런지' (Maybe because I am a [Profession]...). This sets the stage for the 직업병 to appear. For example, '의사라서 그런지 사람들을 볼 때마다 어디 아픈 데는 없는지 살피는 직업병이 생겼어요' (Maybe because I'm a doctor, I've developed a professional habit of checking if people look sick whenever I see them).

In formal reports, you might see '직업병 예방' (prevention of occupational diseases). In this context, the word is strictly medical. However, in a variety show, a comedian might say '제 직업병은 리액션을 너무 크게 하는 거예요' (My professional habit is overreacting). The tone is entirely determined by the verb that follows and the overall context of the conversation. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between the clinic and the comedy club.

You will encounter 직업병 in three primary environments in Korea: the workplace, media/entertainment, and social gatherings. Each environment utilizes a different nuance of the word.

The Modern Office: Colleagues will often complain about '거북목' (turtle neck/tech neck) or '손목 터널 증후군' (carpal tunnel) as their '직업병.' Here, it is used to bond over the shared physical toll of their labor.
Variety Shows (예능): Celebrities often discuss their 직업병 to make themselves more relatable. A singer might mention they always check the acoustics of a room before speaking, or an actor might say they subconsciously monitor their facial expressions in a mirror.

“디자이너들은 간판만 보면 폰트가 뭔지 맞히려고 해요. 그것도 일종의 직업병이죠.”
— Designers try to guess the font whenever they see a sign. That's a kind of professional habit.

In YouTube vlogs (especially 'Work-vlogs'), creators use this word to highlight the unique aspects of their jobs. A delivery driver might show how they instinctively look for house numbers even when they are off duty. This usage helps the audience understand the psychological impact of the profession. It transforms a mundane habit into a storytelling element that defines the character's professional identity.

Socially, it is a common topic during 'Hoe-sik' (company dinners). When workers from different departments gather, they compare their 직업병. An accountant might joke about calculating the split bill to the fourth decimal point, while a salesperson might joke about being 'too polite' to the waiter. It is a way of saying, 'My job is a big part of who I am.'

While 직업병 is a common word, learners often make specific errors in its application, particularly regarding the 'type' of illness or habit it describes.

Mistake 1: Using it for temporary sickness: If you catch a cold from a coworker, that is not a 직업병. A 직업병 must be caused by the *nature* of the work itself (e.g., dust in a factory), not just an infectious disease caught at the office.
Mistake 2: Confusing it with '취미' (Hobby): A 직업병 is usually involuntary. If you enjoy coding on weekends because you love it, it's a hobby. If you find yourself thinking in 'if-then' statements while talking to your spouse against your will, that's a 직업병.

❌ 어제 사무실이 추워서 감기에 걸렸어요. 완전 직업병이에요.
— Incorrect: I caught a cold because the office was cold. It's totally an occupational disease.

Another nuance is the level of 'seriousness.' You should be careful not to use it lightheartedly if someone is discussing a serious industrial accident. In those cases, '산업 재해' (Industrial Disaster) or '산재' is the more appropriate, respectful term. Using '직업병' in a joking manner when someone has lost a limb or has a chronic lung condition is highly insensitive.

Lastly, learners often forget that '병' (disease) in this word functions as a metaphor for a 'habit that is hard to fix.' Don't try to use '약' (medicine) to 'cure' a metaphorical 직업병. Instead of saying 'I took medicine for my professional habit,' you should say 'I'm trying to change my habit' (습관을 고치려고 노력 중이에요).

To truly master 직업병, you need to know the words that surround it and how they differ in nuance and register.

습관 (Habit): A general word for habit. Unlike 직업병, it doesn't have to be related to work. You can have a 'habit' of biting your nails, but it's only a '직업병' if you are a nail technician who does it because of work stress.
고질병 (Chronic Illness/Deep-rooted Evil): This refers to a long-standing illness or a bad habit that is very hard to fix. While a 직업병 can become a 고질병, a 고질병 is usually more negative and doesn't necessarily have a professional origin.

“이건 제 오래된 습관이에요.” vs “이건 제 직업병이에요.”
— 'This is my old habit' (General) vs 'This is my professional habit' (Work-related).

Another important comparison is with '산업 재해' (Industrial Accident). While '직업병' is a type of industrial health issue, '산업 재해' is the broad legal term for any injury or illness occurring due to work. If you are applying for government compensation, you are dealing with '산재' (short for 산업 재해).

In some contexts, you might use '특성' (characteristic) or '전문성' (professionalism). For example, if a lawyer is very logical, you might call it a 'professional characteristic' (전문가적 특성) in a formal setting, rather than a '직업병,' which sounds a bit more like an uncontrollable symptom.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word was originally used for physical illnesses in factories, but Koreans started using it humorously in the late 20th century to describe the quirks of office life.

Pronunciation Guide

UK t͡ɕi.ɡʌp̚.pjʌŋ

US t͡ʃi.ɡʌp̚.pjʌŋ

The stress is balanced, but the second syllable 'eop' is slightly shorter due to the stop consonant.

Rhymes With

전염병 (Jeon-yeom-byeong) 불치병 (Bul-chi-byeong) 유행병 (Yu-haeng-byeong) 심장병 (Sim-jang-byeong) 상사병 (Sang-sa-byeong) 우울병 (U-ul-byeong) 화병 (Hwa-byeong) 만성병 (Man-seong-byeong)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'byeong' as 'be-yong' (it should be one syllable).
Missing the 'p' sound at the end of 'jig-eop'.
Pronouncing 'jig' like 'zig' (it should be a 'ch' or 'j' sound).
Over-emphasizing the 'eo' sound.
Merging the two words into 'jig-eob-yeong' without the stop.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to read but requires context to understand the nuance.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of particles and common verb collocations.

Speaking 3/5

Very common in casual speech; easy to use once learned.

Listening 3/5

Often spoken quickly in variety shows or dramas.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

직업 병 일 습관 아프다

Learn Next

산업 재해 근로 기준법 워라밸 번아웃 퇴사

Advanced

고착화 매너리즘 직업 윤리 사회적 통념 각인

Grammar to Know

-(이)라서 그런지

직업병이라서 그런지 자꾸 고치게 돼요.

-기 마련이다

오래 일하면 직업병이 생기기 마련이다.

-ㄴ/는 것이다

이건 제 직업병인 것이에요.

-을/를 달고 살다

그는 허리 통증을 직업병으로 달고 산다.

-고 말다

나도 모르게 또 일을 하고 말았다.

Examples by Level

직업이 뭐예요?

What is your job?

Basic noun + 이/가

병에 걸렸어요.

I caught a disease.

Noun + 에 걸리다

일이 힘들어요.

Work is hard.

Subject + Adjective

손목이 아파요.

My wrist hurts.

Body part + 이/가 아프다

이건 직업병이에요.

This is an occupational disease.

Noun + 이에요

병원이 어디예요?

Where is the hospital?

Location + 어디예요

약이 필요해요.

I need medicine.

Noun + 이/가 필요하다

저는 요리사예요.

I am a chef.

Noun + 예요

직업병 때문에 힘들어요.

I am having a hard time because of an occupational disease.

Noun + 때문에

컴퓨터를 많이 해서 직업병이 생겼어요.

I developed an occupational disease because I use the computer a lot.

Reason + 아/어/여서

선생님은 직업병이 있어요?

Do you have an occupational habit, teacher?

Subject + 이/가 있다

제 직업병은 말을 많이 하는 거예요.

My professional habit is talking a lot.

Noun + 는 것

이건 모든 가수의 직업병이에요.

This is an occupational disease for all singers.

Determiner + Noun

직업병을 조심하세요.

Please be careful of occupational diseases.

Object + 을/를 조심하다

그는 직업병으로 손을 떨어요.

He has shaky hands due to an occupational disease.

Noun + (으)로

직업병이 무섭네요.

Occupational diseases are scary, I see.

Sentence ending -네요

직업병이라서 그런지 자꾸 확인하게 돼요.

Maybe because it's a professional habit, I keep checking.

-이라서 그런지

그의 직업병은 주말에도 쉬지 못하는 것이다.

His occupational disease is not being able to rest even on weekends.

Plain style -ㄴ/는 것이다

운동을 하면 직업병이 나아질까요?

If I exercise, will my occupational disease get better?

Conditional -(으)면

직업병도 일종의 습관이라고 생각해요.

I think occupational disease is also a kind of habit.

Indirect speech -고 생각하다

그녀는 직업병 때문에 휴가를 냈어요.

She took a vacation because of an occupational disease.

Noun + 때문에

직업병을 예방하기 위해 스트레칭을 해요.

I do stretching to prevent occupational diseases.

-기 위해

누구나 하나쯤은 직업병이 있기 마련이죠.

Everyone is bound to have at least one professional habit.

-기 마련이다

직업병이 도져서 또 일을 하고 말았어요.

My professional habit flared up, so I ended up working again.

-고 말다

현대인들에게 거북목은 흔한 직업병 중 하나입니다.

Turtle neck syndrome is one of the common occupational diseases for modern people.

Noun + 중 하나

직업병이 일상생활에 지장을 줄 때가 많아요.

There are many times when professional habits interfere with daily life.

Noun + 에 지장을 주다

그는 직업병을 고치기 위해 상담을 받기로 했다.

He decided to get counseling to fix his professional habit.

-기로 하다

직업병이라고 하기엔 너무 심각한 상태예요.

It's too serious to just call it an occupational habit.

-기엔

직업병은 전문가가 되어가는 과정에서 생기는 훈장 같아요.

An occupational habit is like a medal earned in the process of becoming an expert.

Simile - 같아요

택시 기사님들은 허리 통증이라는 직업병을 달고 사십니다.

Taxi drivers live with the occupational disease of back pain.

-을/를 달고 살다

그의 유난스러운 깔끔함은 호텔리어 시절 얻은 직업병이다.

His excessive cleanliness is a professional habit he picked up during his days as a hotelier.

Noun + 시절

직업병이 무서운 이유는 무의식적으로 나오기 때문입니다.

The reason occupational habits are scary is because they come out unconsciously.

Reason -기 때문이다

직업병 판정을 받는 과정이 매우 까다롭고 복잡합니다.

The process of getting a diagnosis of an occupational disease is very strict and complex.

Adjective + -고

그 작가는 창작의 고통을 직업병이라 부르며 웃어넘겼다.

The author laughed off the pain of creation, calling it an occupational disease.

Quotative -라 부르다

직업병은 단순히 신체적 질병을 넘어 심리적 고착을 의미하기도 한다.

Occupational disease goes beyond simple physical illness and sometimes means psychological fixation.

-을/를 넘어

그는 은퇴 후에도 직업병을 버리지 못해 괴로워하고 있다.

He is suffering because he cannot get rid of his professional habits even after retirement.

-지 못해

직업병 예방을 위한 기업의 책임이 법적으로 강화되었습니다.

The legal responsibility of corporations for the prevention of occupational diseases has been strengthened.

Passive voice -어지다

번아웃 증후군은 현대 사회의 가장 치명적인 직업병이라 할 수 있다.

Burnout syndrome can be said to be the most fatal occupational disease of modern society.

-라 할 수 있다

직업병의 유무가 그 사람의 경력을 증명해주기도 합니다.

The presence or absence of professional habits sometimes proves a person's career.

Noun + 의 유무

그는 자신의 직업병을 예술적 영감의 원천으로 승화시켰다.

He sublimated his professional habit into a source of artistic inspiration.

Noun + (으)로 승화시키다

직업병은 노동의 흔적이 신체와 정신에 각인된 결과물이다.

Occupational disease is the result of the traces of labor being engraved on the body and mind.

Noun + 이다

자본주의 체제 하에서 직업병은 피할 수 없는 숙명처럼 여겨지곤 한다.

Under the capitalist system, occupational disease is often regarded like an unavoidable fate.

-곤 하다

그의 냉철한 분석력은 검사 생활 수십 년이 남긴 지독한 직업병이었다.

His cold analytical power was a severe professional habit left by decades of living as a prosecutor.

Noun + 이 남긴

직업병을 호소하는 노동자들의 목소리가 점차 거세지고 있습니다.

The voices of workers complaining of occupational diseases are gradually becoming stronger.

Present progressive -고 있다

사회의 구조적 모순이 개인의 직업병으로 발현되는 경우가 허다하다.

There are numerous cases where the structural contradictions of society manifest as an individual's occupational disease.

-는 경우가 허다하다

직업병은 때로 한 인간의 정체성을 규정하는 강력한 잣대가 된다.

Occupational disease sometimes becomes a powerful yardstick that defines a human being's identity.

Noun + 이/가 되다

그는 직업병조차도 자신의 삶의 일부로 껴안으며 살아가고 있다.

He is living his life, embracing even his occupational disease as a part of his life.

Particle -조차

직업병의 정의는 시대의 흐름에 따라 끊임없이 재구성되어 왔다.

The definition of occupational disease has been constantly reconstructed according to the flow of the times.

-어 왔다

Synonyms

산업재해 노동질환

Common Collocations

직업병이 도지다

직업병이 생기다

직업병을 얻다

직업병을 앓다

직업병을 고치다

흔한 직업병

무서운 직업병

일종의 직업병

지독한 직업병

직업병 예방

Common Phrases

직업병인가 봐요

— Used when you realize you are doing a work habit in private. 'I guess it's a professional habit.'

친구 얘기를 듣다가 저도 모르게 메모를 했네요. 직업병인가 봐요.

이것도 직업병이죠

— Used to explain a quirk. 'This is also a professional habit.'

음식점에 가면 위생 상태부터 봐요. 이것도 직업병이죠.

직업병은 못 속여

— Used when a professional habit reveals someone's job. 'You can't hide professional habits.'

말투만 들어도 선생님인 걸 알겠어요. 직업병은 못 속여요.

직업병이 무섭다

— Used when a habit is surprisingly strong. 'Professional habits are scary.'

자다가도 전화를 받는 걸 보니 직업병이 무섭긴 하네요.

직업병 때문에 미치겠어

— Used when a work habit is annoying. 'I'm going crazy because of this professional habit.'

쉬는 날에도 일 생각이 나니 직업병 때문에 미치겠어요.

직업병을 달고 살다

— To live with a professional habit/ailment constantly. 'Living with a professional habit.'

개발자들은 다들 손목 통증을 직업병으로 달고 살아요.

명백한 직업병

— Clearly a professional habit. 'A clear professional habit.'

그의 꼼꼼함은 명백한 직업병이다.

직업병의 일환

— As part of a professional habit. 'A part of professional habit.'

질문을 많이 하는 건 제 직업병의 일환입니다.

직업병이 아닐까 싶다

— I wonder if it's a professional habit. 'I suspect it's a professional habit.'

자꾸 숫자를 계산하는 게 직업병이 아닐까 싶어요.

직업병이라 어쩔 수 없다

— Can't help it because it's a professional habit. 'It's unavoidable due to professional habit.'

자꾸 가르치려 드는 건 직업병이라 어쩔 수 없나 봐요.

Often Confused With

직업병 vs 산업 재해

Industrial accident. This is a broader legal term, while 직업병 is a specific type of health issue.

직업병 vs 습관

General habit. 직업병 is specifically caused by one's job.

직업병 vs 후유증

After-effect. Usually used for the aftermath of an event, whereas 직업병 is ongoing during the career.

Idioms & Expressions

"직업병이 도지다"

— A professional habit resurfacing at an inappropriate time.

휴가 중에도 이메일을 체크하는 걸 보니 직업병이 도졌네.

Casual

"뼈속까지 [직업]"

— Being a [profession] to the bone; often used with 직업병.

그는 뼈속까지 기자라 직업병이 심해요.

Metaphorical

"일 중독"

— Workaholism; often the root cause of 직업병.

일 중독이 직업병으로 이어졌어요.

Neutral

"몸에 배다"

— To be ingrained in one's body (habits).

직업병이 몸에 배어서 고치기 힘들어요.

Common

"눈에 밟히다"

— To keep seeing something (usually work errors) even when not working.

오타가 눈에 밟히는 건 직업병이에요.

Emotional

"손을 놓다"

— To stop doing something; hard for someone with a 직업병.

직업병 때문에 일을 손에서 놓지 못해요.

Idiomatic

"발을 벗고 나서다"

— To take an active role; often a 직업병 of managers.

남의 일인데도 직업병 때문에 발을 벗고 나섰다.

Idiomatic

"귀에 못이 박히다"

— To have heard something so much it's like a nail in the ear; often relates to repetitive work talk.

직업병에 대한 얘기를 귀에 못이 박히게 들었다.

Idiomatic

"입에 달고 살다"

— To say something constantly; a verbal 직업병.

그는 '효율'이라는 말을 입에 달고 사는 직업병이 있다.

Common

"가슴에 새기다"

— To engrave on one's heart; professional ethics becoming a 직업병.

직업병처럼 책임감을 가슴에 새기고 산다.

Literary

Easily Confused

직업병 vs 버릇

Both mean habit.

버릇 is usually a personal mannerism, often negative. 직업병 is linked to a profession.

손톱 깨무는 버릇 vs. 가르치려 드는 직업병

직업병 vs 고질병

Both mean a hard-to-cure sickness/habit.

고질병 is any long-term problem. 직업병 is only from work.

지각하는 고질병 vs. 목이 아픈 직업병

직업병 vs 취미

Doing work tasks in free time.

취미 is for pleasure. 직업병 is involuntary.

사진 찍는 취미 vs. 구도를 맞추려는 직업병

직업병 vs 특기

Being good at something.

특기 is a skill you are proud of. 직업병 is a habit you might find annoying.

계산이 특기 vs. 모든 걸 계산하는 직업병

직업병 vs 성격

Professional traits becoming personality.

성격 is who you are. 직업병 is what the job made you.

꼼꼼한 성격 vs. 꼼꼼해야만 하는 직업병

Sentence Patterns

[Job]은/는 [Body Part]이/가 아픈 직업병이 있어요.

요리사는 손목이 아픈 직업병이 있어요.

[Job]이라서 그런지 [Habit]하는 직업병이 생겼어요.

교사라서 그런지 자꾸 가르치려는 직업병이 생겼어요.

이건 일종의 직업병이라고 볼 수 있죠.

음식을 분석하는 건 일종의 직업병이라고 볼 수 있죠.

직업병을 단순한 습관으로 치부하기에는 무리가 있다.

직업병이 도져서 [Action]하고 말았어요.

직업병이 도져서 휴가 때도 노트북을 켜고 말았어요.

제 직업병은 [Noun]이에요.

제 직업병은 깔끔함이에요.

[Job]들은 [Condition]을 직업병으로 달고 삽니다.

운전기사들은 요통을 직업병으로 달고 삽니다.

직업병은 노동이 인간에게 남기는 지울 수 없는 흔적이다.

Word Family

Nouns

직업 (Occupation)

병 (Disease)

직업인 (Professional)

병명 (Name of disease)

Verbs

직업을 갖다 (To have a job)

병들다 (To get sick)

일하다 (To work)

Adjectives

직업적인 (Professional)

병적인 (Pathological/Obsessive)

산업 재해 (Industrial accident)

노동 (Labor)

근무 (Work/Duty)

건강 (Health)

습관 (Habit)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both workplace and social conversations.

Common Mistakes

Using it for a cold caught at work. → 일하다 감기에 걸렸어요.
A cold is not a 직업병 because it's not caused by the specific nature of the job tasks.
Using '낫다' for a humorous habit. → 습관을 고치고 싶어요.
You 'fix' (고치다) a habit; you 'recover' (낫다) from a real disease.
Saying '직업병을 해요'. → 직업병이 있어요.
You 'have' or 'get' a 직업병, you don't 'do' it.
Using it for a one-time mistake. → 실수했어요.
A 직업병 is a recurring habit, not a single error.
Confusing it with '직장병' (not a common word). → 직업병
While '직장' is workplace, the standard term is '직업병'.

Tips

Embrace the quirk

Koreans love using this word to show they are dedicated to their work. Don't be afraid to use it to explain your own quirks!

Verb pairing

Always pair it with '생기다' (to develop) or '도지다' (to flare up) for the most natural sound.

Bonding tool

Use it as a conversation starter at dinners. Ask others what their 직업병 is to break the ice.

Serious side

Remember that in a news context, it's a serious topic about workers' rights.

Not just for jobs

Sometimes people use it for long-term roles, like '엄마 직업병' (a mother's habit of worrying).

Hanja roots

Learning '직업' and '병' separately will help you understand dozens of other words.

The 'p' sound

Make sure to clip the 'eop' sound short. It's a 'p' stop, not a full 'p' with air release.

Topic marker

Use '직업병은' when introducing it as a general concept in your writing.

Variety show gold

Watch Korean talk shows; you'll hear this word almost every episode when guests talk about their lives.

Job-Sickness

Just keep the English literal translation 'Job Sickness' in mind to remember the meaning instantly.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of your JOB (직업) making you SICK (병) with habits you can't stop.

Visual Association

Imagine a teacher at a party holding a red pen and correcting the host's invitation card.

Word Web

Work Habit Sickness Chef Doctor Teacher Subconscious Professional

Challenge

Try to identify one habit you have from your studies or work and call it your '직업병' in a sentence today.

Word Origin

Derived from the Sino-Korean words 職業 (직업 - Jigeop) and 病 (병 - Byeong).

Original meaning: A disease resulting from one's profession.

Sino-Korean (Hanja)

Cultural Context

Be careful not to joke about '직업병' if someone is talking about a serious, life-altering medical condition caused by their work.

The closest English equivalent is 'Professional Hazard' or 'Occupational Hazard,' but 'Professional Habit' is often more accurate for the colloquial sense.

Infinite Challenge (TV show) where members often joke about their 'variety show 직업병'. The movie 'Veteran' where the detective's 직업병 is not letting go of a case. Many K-Dramas feature characters whose 직업병 leads to romantic misunderstandings.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a restaurant with friends

나도 모르게 세팅을 하고 있네.
이거 직업병이야.
너도 직업병 있니?
직업병은 못 속인다.

At the doctor's office

이거 직업병인가요?
직업 때문에 생긴 병이에요.
어떻게 예방하죠?
산재 신청이 되나요?

During a job interview

제 직업병은 꼼꼼함입니다.
직업병이 생길 정도로 열심히 했습니다.
책임감이 직업병이 되었어요.
전문가로서의 직업병입니다.

Watching a variety show

저 사람 직업병 웃기다.
연예인들 직업병인가 봐.
리액션이 직업병이네.
나도 저런 직업병 있는데.

Talking about health

현대인의 직업병 거북목.
스트레칭이 직업병에 좋아요.
직업병을 방치하면 안 돼요.
건강이 최고예요.

Conversation Starters

"혹시 본인만의 독특한 직업병이 있으세요? (Do you happen to have a unique professional habit?)"

"직업병 때문에 곤란했던 적이 있나요? (Have you ever been in trouble because of a professional habit?)"

"한국 사람들에게 가장 흔한 직업병은 뭐라고 생각하세요? (What do you think is the most common occupational disease for Koreans?)"

"직업병이 전문성의 증거라고 생각하시나요? (Do you think professional habits are evidence of expertise?)"

"친구의 직업병을 보고 웃었던 적이 있나요? (Have you ever laughed seeing a friend's professional habit?)"

Journal Prompts

나의 직업이나 전공 때문에 생긴 습관(직업병)에 대해 써보세요. (Write about a habit (professional habit) you developed because of your job or major.)

직업병이 내 일상생활에 어떤 영향을 주는지 설명해 보세요. (Explain how your professional habit affects your daily life.)

만약 직업병을 하나 고칠 수 있다면 무엇을 고치고 싶나요? (If you could fix one professional habit, what would it be?)

직업병이라는 단어가 한국 사회에서 왜 자주 쓰이는지 생각해 보세요. (Think about why the word 'Jigeopbyeong' is frequently used in Korean society.)

내가 미래에 갖고 싶은 '기분 좋은 직업병'은 무엇인가요? (What is a 'pleasant professional habit' you want to have in the future?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Not necessarily. While '병' means disease, in casual use, it just means a habit. Sometimes it shows you are very good at your job, like a 'medal of honor.' However, medical 직업병 is always negative.

It's a bit awkward because 'student' isn't usually called a '직업' (profession) in this context. They usually say '공부 습관' or '수험생 병'.

You can say '직업병인가 봐요' (I guess it's a professional habit) or '직업병이 생겼어요' (I developed a professional habit).

Common ones include Turtle Neck (거북목), Carpal Tunnel (손목 터널 증후군), and Varicose Veins (하지정맥류) for those who stand all day.

Yes, in medical or legal contexts, '직업성 질환' (occupational disease) is used.

Yes! For example, a counselor might say their 직업병 is listening too deeply to everyone's problems even at home.

Yes, if the habit remains after they stop working, it's often called a 'remnant of their 직업병'.

Yes, it's generally safe and can even be a good way to bond over shared work experiences.

You can say '직업병들' but it's much more common to use it as a collective noun '직업병'.

A workaholic (일 중독자) is a person. 직업병 is the symptom or habit the person has.