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수술하다

A2 verb #6,000 most common 9 min read

수술하다

susulhada Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 수술하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 수술하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, students should recognize '수술' as a noun for 'surgery' and '수술하다' as the verb 'to do surgery.' The focus is on simple identification. You might learn it in the context of 'at the hospital' (병원에서). Example: '의사가 수술해요' (The doctor does surgery). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex difference between '수술하다' and '수술받다,' but you should know that it is a serious word related to doctors and hospitals. You might see it on a flashcard with a picture of a surgeon.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '수술하다' in basic sentences. You understand that the doctor is the subject. You learn to combine it with basic tenses: '수술했어요' (did surgery), '수술할 거예요' (will do surgery). You also start to differentiate between the doctor's action and the patient's experience, introducing '수술받다.' You can describe simple body parts being operated on: '다리를 수술해요.' This level focuses on practical communication in a medical emergency or a doctor's visit.

At the B1 level, you can use '수술하다' in more complex sentence structures. You can explain reasons for surgery using connectors like '~아서/어서' or '~기 때문에.' You might say, '배가 너무 아파서 수술해야 했어요' (My stomach hurt so much I had to have surgery). You also become familiar with specific types of surgery, such as '성형 수술' (plastic surgery) or '안과 수술' (eye surgery). You can follow a simple conversation in a medical drama and understand the basic plot involving a surgery.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of formality. You use '수술하시다' (honorific) when talking about a doctor's work. You can discuss the risks and benefits of surgery using more advanced vocabulary. You might encounter the word in news articles or longer reading passages about medical technology. You understand the difference between '수술' and '시술' and can explain why one might be preferred over the other. You can also use the word metaphorically, though this is less common.

At the C1 level, you can engage in detailed discussions about medical ethics or the healthcare system involving '수술하다.' You use professional terms like '집도하다' to describe a surgeon's expertise. You can read medical reports or legal documents (consent forms) that use the word. You understand the social implications of the high rate of '성형 수술' in Korea and can debate the topic fluently. Your use of particles and honorifics with this verb is flawless and natural.

At the C2 level, '수술하다' is just one of many tools in your medical vocabulary. You can understand highly technical medical lectures where the word is used in conjunction with specific anatomical and procedural terms. You can appreciate literature or high-level journalism that uses surgery as a metaphor for societal reform or deep personal change. You can navigate any medical situation in Korean with the same level of nuance and precision as a native speaker, understanding the emotional and technical weight of the word.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

수술하다 in 30 Seconds

수술하다 means to perform surgery. It is an active verb used mainly for doctors and medical professionals.
It comes from the Hanja words for 'hand' and 'skill,' emphasizing manual medical procedures.
Patients use '수술받다' (to receive surgery) rather than '수술하다' to describe their own medical experience.
It is a formal word used in hospitals, medical dramas, and discussing health issues formally.

The Korean verb 수술하다 (susul-hada) is a specialized yet common term used in medical contexts to describe the act of performing a surgical operation. Derived from the Hanja roots 手 (수 - hand) and 術 (술 - skill/method), it literally translates to 'hand skill' or 'manual technique,' which perfectly encapsulates the essence of surgery. In a modern hospital setting, this word is used primarily by medical professionals to describe their work, or by laypeople when discussing medical interventions that involve cutting or physical manipulation of the body to treat a condition.

Professional Context: Doctors and surgeons use this word to denote the technical execution of a procedure. For example, '의사가 환자를 수술하다' (The doctor operates on the patient).
Linguistic Nuance: It is an active verb. Crucially, in Korean, the direction of the action matters. While a doctor '수술하다' (performs surgery), a patient '수술받다' (receives surgery). Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences where the patient sounds like they are the one holding the scalpel.

내일 아침에 의사 선생님이 제 다리를 수술하실 거예요. (The doctor will operate on my leg tomorrow morning.)

Beyond major life-saving procedures, 수술하다 is also the standard term for cosmetic or plastic surgery, which is a significant part of contemporary Korean culture. Phrases like '성형 수술하다' (to have/perform plastic surgery) are very common in daily conversation. The word covers everything from minor outpatient procedures to complex multi-hour heart surgeries. In Korean media, especially the highly popular medical dramas (K-Dramas), you will hear this word constantly in high-stress emergency room scenes where characters shout '수술해야 합니다!' (We must operate!).

그 유명한 외과 의사가 직접 환자를 수술했다. (That famous surgeon personally operated on the patient.)

Cultural Note: In Korea, surgery is often seen as a last resort but also a highly advanced solution. Discussing one's surgery is common and usually met with deep sympathy and wishes for a '쾌유' (speedy recovery).

Understanding 수술하다 requires recognizing its position within the '하다' verb family. Since '수술' (surgery) is a noun, adding '하다' (to do) turns it into a verb. This is a very productive pattern in Korean. However, unlike some other '하다' verbs, 수술하다 is formal and technical. You wouldn't use it for minor first aid like putting on a bandage; it implies a level of medical expertise and physical intervention. Whether it is a '응급 수술' (emergency surgery) or a '예약된 수술' (scheduled surgery), the verb remains the primary way to express the action of the surgeon.

Using 수술하다 correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the roles of the participants in the medical procedure. Because it is a transitive verb (taking an object), you need to be careful with particles. The most common structure is [Surgeon] + [Patient/Body Part] + [을/를] + [수술하다].

Subject-Object Relationship: If the doctor is the subject: 의사가 환자의 눈을 수술했다 (The doctor operated on the patient's eyes). Here, the focus is on the doctor's action.
Passive vs. Active: If the patient is the subject, you MUST switch to '수술받다' (to receive surgery). For example, '저는 어제 수술했어요' is technically 'I performed surgery yesterday,' which is wrong unless you are a doctor. A patient should say '저는 어제 수술받았어요'.

어떤 부위를 수술하나요? (Which part are [you] operating on?)

Formality also plays a role. In a hospital, you will often hear honorific versions. Instead of just '수술하다', people might say '수술하시다' to show respect to the doctor, or '수술해 주시다' to emphasize that the doctor is performing the surgery for the benefit of the patient. For instance, '원장님께서 직접 수술해 주실 겁니다' (The head doctor will personally perform the surgery for you).

심장을 수술하는 것은 매우 어렵습니다. (Operating on the heart is very difficult.)

In complex sentences, 수술하다 can be combined with auxiliary verbs like ~고 있다 (is doing) or ~아야 하다 (must do). '지금 수술하고 있어요' (He is currently performing surgery). This is a common phrase heard in waiting rooms. Also, pay attention to the tense. '수술했어요' (performed surgery) vs '수술할 거예요' (will perform surgery) are vital for clear communication in medical emergencies.

Advanced Usage: In academic writing, you might see '수술을 집도하다' (to lead/perform a surgery), which is a more formal and professional way to say 수술하다, often used for lead surgeons in major operations.

The word 수술하다 is ubiquitous in several specific spheres of Korean life. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the weight and frequency of the word. The most obvious place is, of course, the 병원 (hospital). From the moment you enter a large university hospital (대학병원), you will see signs for '수술실' (operating room) and hear announcements or staff discussing schedules.

드라마에서 의사가 "지금 당장 수술해야 합니다!"라고 소리쳤어요. (In the drama, the doctor shouted, "We must operate right now!")

Korean Medical Dramas are a massive genre. Shows like 'Hospital Playlist' (슬기로운 의사생활) or 'Dr. Romantic' (낭만닥터 김사부) feature the word in almost every episode. In these shows, you'll hear the technical jargon surrounding surgery, but '수술하다' remains the core verb. Fans of these dramas quickly learn that surgery is the climax of many storylines, representing the high stakes of life and death.

Another common place is in the beauty and wellness industry. Korea is famous for its advanced plastic surgery. In neighborhoods like Apgujeong or Gangnam, advertisements for '쌍꺼풀 수술' (double eyelid surgery) or '코 수술' (nose surgery) are everywhere. In this context, 수술하다 loses some of its life-and-death intensity and becomes a term for self-improvement and aesthetic enhancement.

Daily Conversations: People often discuss the health of their elderly parents. '우리 아버지가 무릎을 수술하셨어' (My father had his knee operated on - Note: here the speaker uses the honorific of 'to do' even if the father was the recipient, but grammatically '수술받으셨어' is better).

요즘은 로봇을 이용해서 수술하는 병원이 많아요. (These days, there are many hospitals that operate using robots.)

Finally, you will encounter this word in legal and insurance documents. When signing a '수술 동의서' (surgery consent form), the verb 수술하다 is used to define the scope of the medical action. Understanding this word is therefore not just a matter of vocabulary, but also of practical safety and legal awareness in Korea.

For English speakers learning Korean, 수술하다 presents a few common pitfalls, primarily revolving around directionality and confusing it with similar-sounding medical terms.

The 'Do' vs. 'Get' Confusion: In English, we often say 'I had surgery' or 'I did a surgery.' If you translate 'I did surgery' literally into Korean as '내가 수술했다', it sounds like YOU were the surgeon. To say you were the patient, you must use 수술받다 (to receive surgery) or 수술당하다 (to undergo surgery - though less common). This is the most frequent error.
Confusing 수술 (Surgery) with 시술 (Procedure): In Korean medical terminology, 시술하다 (sisul-hada) refers to non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures (like injections or laser treatments), while 수술하다 is for invasive surgery. Calling a simple Botox injection a '수술' sounds overly dramatic and technically incorrect.

Wrong: 어제 제가 친구를 수술했어요. (Implies you are a doctor who operated on a friend.)
Correct: 어제 제 친구가 수술받았어요. (My friend had surgery.)

Another mistake is the misuse of particles. Learners often forget that the body part being operated on takes the object particle '을/를'. For example, '다리에 수술하다' (operate on the leg) is common but '다리를 수술하다' is more standard when '수술하다' is treated as a transitive unit. Also, avoid using '수술하다' for animals without specifying the context; while it's the same word, in a veterinary context, you might see '집도하다' or specific terms like '중성화 수술' (neutering).

의사가 환자에게 수술하다 (Correct: The doctor performs surgery on the patient.)
의사가 환자를 수술하다 (Also Correct: The doctor operates on the patient.)

Finally, tense usage can be tricky. Because surgery is a completed action once it's over, '수술했다' is standard. However, if you are talking about the state of having had surgery, you might need more complex grammar like '~한 적이 있다' (to have the experience of...). Saying '저는 수술해요' (I do surgery) as a general statement makes you sound like a professional surgeon by trade.

To truly master Korean medical vocabulary, you should know the synonyms and related terms that can be used instead of or alongside 수술하다. Depending on the level of formality and the specific medical action, different words are appropriate.

집도하다 (Jip-do-hada): This is a very formal term meaning 'to perform/lead a surgery.' It is almost exclusively used for the main surgeon. You will hear this in news reports about famous doctors or in medical dramas during high-stakes scenes. '유명한 박사님이 집도하신 수술입니다' (This is a surgery performed by the famous doctor).
시술하다 (Si-sul-hada): As mentioned before, this is for 'procedures' rather than 'surgeries.' It implies something less invasive. In beauty clinics, you will see '쁘띠 시술' (petit procedures like fillers) as opposed to '성형 수술' (plastic surgery).

의사: "제가 직접 집도하겠습니다." (Doctor: "I will personally lead the surgery.")

Other related terms include 치료하다 (chiryo-hada), which means 'to treat' or 'to cure.' This is a broader term that includes surgery, medication, and therapy. If you aren't sure if a procedure counts as surgery, '치료하다' is a safe, broader alternative. Also, 개복하다 (gaebok-hada) specifically means 'to perform abdominal surgery' (literally 'to open the stomach').

상처를 치료하는 것과 수술하는 것은 다릅니다. (Treating a wound and performing surgery are different.)

In some contexts, you might hear 칼을 대다 (kal-eul daeda), which is an idiomatic expression literally meaning 'to put a knife to.' This is a more colloquial and sometimes slightly negative or apprehensive way of saying 'to undergo surgery.' For example, '몸에 칼 대는 거 아니야' (Don't let them put a knife to your body/Don't get surgery). This highlights the physical reality of the act.

Summary Table: - 수술하다: Standard, general.
- 집도하다: Professional, high-level.
- 시술하다: Minor, non-invasive.
- 치료하다: General treatment.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, surgery was seen as a craft or a manual trade rather than a high-science medicine, which is why the character for 'hand' is used. This mirrors the English word 'surgery' which comes from Greek 'cheirourgia' (hand-work).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /su.sul.ha.da/

US /su.sul.ha.da/

The primary stress is usually on the first syllable 'su', but in 'hada' verbs, the 'ha' also carries a secondary rhythmic beat.

Rhymes With

구출하다 (guchulhada - to rescue) 수출하다 (suchulhada - to export) 부출하다 (buchulhada - to assist) 분출하다 (bunchulhada - to erupt) 호출하다 (hochulhada - to call) 제출하다 (jechulhada - to submit) 배출하다 (baechulhada - to emit) 연출하다 (yeonchulhada - to direct)

Common Errors

Confusing 'su-sul' with 'su-chul' (export).
Pronouncing 'sul' like 'soul' (keep the 'u' sound like 'oo' in 'book').
Missing the 'h' in 'hada' making it sound like 'su-sul-ada'.
Over-emphasizing the 'l' so it sounds like two syllables.
Pronouncing 'su' like 'shoe' (it should be a flat 's' sound).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in medical and news contexts.

Writing 3/5

Need to remember the 'ㄹ' at the end of '술' and the '하다' structure.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is clear but the 'ㅅ' sounds require precision.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, though can be confused with '수출'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

병원 (hospital) 의사 (doctor) 아프다 (to be sick) 몸 (body) 하다 (to do)

Learn Next

수술받다 (to receive surgery) 치료 (treatment) 회복 (recovery) 입원하다 (to be hospitalized) 퇴원하다 (to be discharged)

Advanced

집도하다 (to lead surgery) 시술하다 (to perform a procedure) 마취과 (anesthesiology) 합병증 (complications) 예후 (prognosis)

Grammar to Know

~기로 하다 (Decide to)

의사 선생님이 내일 수술하기로 했어요.

~어야 하다 (Must/Have to)

환자가 너무 아파서 수술해야 해요.

~는 동안 (While)

수술하는 동안 기다려 주세요.

~기 위해 (In order to)

병을 고치기 위해 수술하기로 결정했습니다.

~한 적이 있다 (Have experience of)

이 의사는 심장을 수술한 적이 많아요.

Examples by Level

의사가 수술해요.

The doctor performs surgery.

Basic subject + verb structure.

병원에서 수술해요.

They perform surgery at the hospital.

Location particle '에서' used.

수술은 무서워요.

Surgery is scary.

Surgery (noun) + adjective.

내일 수술해요.

I have surgery tomorrow. (Context: Doctor speaking)

Present tense used for near future.

누가 수술해요?

Who is performing the surgery?

Interrogative '누가'.

수술이 끝났어요.

The surgery is finished.

Past tense '끝났다'.

의사 선생님, 수술해 주세요.

Doctor, please perform the surgery.

Request form '~해 주세요'.

수술은 잘 됐어요.

The surgery went well.

Adverb '잘' + '되다'.

의사 선생님이 제 다리를 수술하셨어요.

The doctor operated on my leg.

Honorific '시' added to the verb.

어디를 수술해야 합니까?

Where (which part) must we operate?

Must form '~해야 하다'.

어제 세 시간 동안 수술했어요.

They operated for three hours yesterday.

Duration '동안'.

수술하기 전에 밥을 먹지 마세요.

Don't eat before performing/having surgery.

Before form '~기 전에'.

강아지가 아파서 수술해야 해요.

The dog is sick, so it needs surgery.

Reason connector '~아서'.

수술하고 나서 푹 쉬어야 해요.

After surgery, you must rest well.

After form '~하고 나서'.

이 병원은 수술을 아주 잘 해요.

This hospital performs surgery very well.

Adverb '아주 잘'.

언제 수술하기로 했어요?

When did you decide to perform the surgery?

Decision form '~하기로 하다'.

눈이 나빠서 라식 수술을 하기로 했어요.

My eyes are bad, so I decided to have LASIK surgery.

Specific noun '라식 수술'.

수술하는 동안 가족들은 밖에서 기다렸어요.

While the surgery was being performed, the family waited outside.

While form '~는 동안'.

의사는 환자를 수술하기 위해 준비를 마쳤습니다.

The doctor finished preparations to operate on the patient.

Purpose form '~하기 위해'.

수술하지 않고 고칠 수 있는 방법이 있을까요?

Is there a way to fix it without operating?

Without doing form '~하지 않고'.

그 의사는 심장 수술을 많이 해 본 경험이 있어요.

That doctor has a lot of experience performing heart surgeries.

Experience form '~해 본 적/경험'.

수술한 부위가 아직 조금 아파요.

The part that was operated on still hurts a bit.

Noun modifying form '~한'.

갑자기 사고가 나서 응급 수술을 해야 했습니다.

There was a sudden accident, so an emergency surgery had to be performed.

Past necessity '~해야 했습니다'.

요즘은 성형 수술을 하는 사람들이 늘고 있어요.

These days, the number of people getting plastic surgery is increasing.

Ongoing change '~고 있다/늘고 있다'.

수술을 한다고 해서 무조건 건강해지는 것은 아닙니다.

Just because you perform surgery doesn't mean you'll unconditionally become healthy.

Quoting/Reasoning form '~한다고 해서'.

환자의 상태가 나빠져서 수술을 서둘러야 했습니다.

The patient's condition worsened, so the surgery had to be rushed.

Worsening form '~아/어지다'.

수술하기에 앞서 환자의 동의를 받는 것이 필수적입니다.

Prior to performing surgery, it is essential to get the patient's consent.

Prior to form '~하기에 앞서'.

첨단 로봇 기술을 이용해 수술하는 병원이 늘어나고 있습니다.

Hospitals that operate using advanced robot technology are increasing.

Using form '~을 이용해'.

그 의사는 수술하는 실력이 뛰어나기로 유명합니다.

That doctor is famous for having outstanding surgical skills.

Famous for form '~기로 유명하다'.

수술할 때 발생할 수 있는 부작용에 대해 설명해 주세요.

Please explain the side effects that can occur when performing surgery.

Potential form '~을 수 있는'.

복잡한 수술일수록 의사의 집중력이 중요합니다.

The more complex the surgery, the more important the doctor's concentration.

The more... the more... '~을수록'.

그는 무릎을 수술한 이후로 운동을 다시 시작했습니다.

Since performing/having surgery on his knee, he started exercising again.

Since form '~한 이후로'.

이번 수술은 성공 확률이 매우 낮아서 신중하게 결정해야 합니다.

This surgery has a very low success rate, so we must decide carefully.

Probability '확률'.

의료 사고 없이 수술을 마치는 것이 모든 의사의 바람입니다.

Finishing surgery without medical accidents is the wish of all doctors.

Without form '~ 없이'.

전신 마취를 하고 수술하는 것은 환자의 몸에 큰 부담을 줍니다.

Performing surgery under general anesthesia puts a great burden on the patient's body.

Burden '부담'.

수술하는 과정에서 예상치 못한 문제가 발생할 수도 있습니다.

Unexpected problems may arise during the surgical process.

Unexpected '예상치 못한'.

최근에는 개복하지 않고 내시경으로 수술하는 경우가 많습니다.

Recently, there are many cases of operating with an endoscope without opening the abdomen.

Opening the abdomen '개복하다'.

수술하기로 결정한 이상, 의료진을 믿고 따르는 것이 좋습니다.

Now that you've decided to have surgery, it's best to trust and follow the medical team.

Now that/Since form '~한 이상'.

그 의사는 수천 번의 수술을 집도한 베테랑입니다.

That doctor is a veteran who has performed thousands of surgeries.

Formal term '집도하다'.

장기 이식 수술을 하는 것은 윤리적으로 복잡한 문제를 야기할 수 있습니다.

Performing organ transplant surgery can cause ethically complex issues.

Ethically '윤리적으로'.

현대 의학의 발전은 과거에 불가능했던 수술을 가능하게 만들었습니다.

The development of modern medicine has made surgeries possible that were impossible in the past.

Causative structure '~하게 만들다'.

수술하는 행위 자체보다 그 이후의 사후 관리가 환자의 예후에 더 큰 영향을 미칩니다.

The post-operative care following the surgery itself has a greater impact on the patient's prognosis.

Prognosis '예후'.

인간의 생명을 다루는 수술을 할 때는 한 치의 오차도 허용되지 않습니다.

When performing surgery that deals with human life, not even a single inch of error is permitted.

Not even a... '한 치의 ~도'.

뇌 수술을 하는 것은 인간의 정체성과 직결될 수 있는 민감한 영역입니다.

Operating on the brain is a sensitive area that can be directly linked to human identity.

Directly linked '직결되다'.

원격 수술을 하는 기술이 상용화되면 의료 격차를 해소할 수 있을 것입니다.

If remote surgery technology is commercialized, it will be able to bridge the medical gap.

Remote surgery '원격 수술'.

그는 수술하는 도중에 환자의 심장이 멈추는 절체절명의 위기를 겪었습니다.

He experienced a desperate crisis where the patient's heart stopped during the surgery.

Desperate crisis '절체절명'.

수술을 집도하는 의사의 심리적 압박감은 상상을 초월합니다.

The psychological pressure on the surgeon leading the operation is beyond imagination.

Beyond imagination '상상을 초월하다'.

유전자 수술을 하는 것이 인류의 미래에 어떤 영향을 미칠지는 아직 미지수입니다.

It remains to be seen what impact performing genetic surgery will have on the future of humanity.

Unknown '미지수'.

Common Collocations

수술을 집도하다

응급 수술을 하다

성형 수술을 하다

재수술을 하다

수술을 예약하다

수술을 집도받다

눈을 수술하다

무료로 수술하다

직접 수술하다

성공적으로 수술하다

Common Phrases

수술해야 합니다

— We must operate. Used in emergency or diagnosis.

환자 상태가 심각해서 지금 바로 수술해야 합니다.

수술 잘 되길 빌게요

— I'll pray/hope the surgery goes well. A common well-wish.

내일 수술이라면서요? 수술 잘 되길 빌게요.

수술 중입니다

— Surgery is in progress. Seen on signs outside ORs.

지금 교수님은 수술 중이라 전화를 받을 수 없습니다.

수술 동의서

— Surgery consent form. A legal document.

수술하기 전에 수술 동의서에 서명해 주세요.

수술 부작용

— Surgery side effects. Important medical topic.

수술 부작용에 대해서 미리 알고 있어야 합니다.

수술 경과

— The progress/outcome after surgery.

수술 경과가 좋아서 곧 퇴원하실 수 있어요.

수술실

— Operating room. The place where surgery happens.

환자가 수술실로 옮겨졌습니다.

수술비

— Surgery costs/fees.

수술비가 생각보다 많이 나왔어요.

수술 날짜

— Surgery date.

수술 날짜를 잡으러 병원에 가요.

수술 흉터

— Surgery scar.

수술 흉터가 남지 않게 조심하세요.

Often Confused With

수술하다 vs 수출하다

Means 'to export.' Sounds similar but has a 'ch' sound (ㅊ) instead of 's' (ㅅ).

수술하다 vs 수집하다

Means 'to collect.' Also starts with 'su' but refers to gathering items.

수술하다 vs 시술하다

Means 'to perform a procedure.' Used for minor treatments like fillers or laser work.

Idioms & Expressions

"몸에 칼을 대다"

— To undergo surgery. Used colloquially to express fear or a major decision.

아무리 아파도 몸에 칼을 대는 것은 싫어요.

Informal

"뼈를 깎는 수술"

— Literally 'bone-shaving surgery,' but often used metaphorically for extreme reform or effort.

회사를 살리기 위해 뼈를 깎는 수술이 필요합니다.

Metaphorical

"수술대에 오르다"

— To be on the operating table. Often used for people or projects facing a critical test.

그 예산안이 드디어 국회 수술대에 올랐다.

Journalistic

"메스를 대다"

— To apply the scalpel. Metaphorically means to start a radical fix or investigation.

검찰이 부패 문제에 메스를 대기 시작했다.

Journalistic

"수술을 집도하는 심정"

— A feeling like leading a surgery; expressing extreme nervousness and responsibility.

중요한 발표를 앞두고 수술을 집도하는 심정이었어요.

Literary

"칼자루를 쥐다"

— To hold the knife handle. Means to have the power to decide (like a surgeon).

이번 협상에서는 우리가 칼자루를 쥐고 있다.

Idiomatic

"환부를 도려내다"

— To cut out the affected part. Used for removing the root cause of a problem.

조직 내의 비리를 과감하게 도려내야 합니다.

Metaphorical

"생살을 째다"

— To cut into raw flesh. Used to describe a painful but necessary action.

생살을 째는 고통을 참고 개혁을 단행했다.

Emotive

"마취도 없이 수술하다"

— To operate without anesthesia. Used for very harsh or cruel situations.

그건 마취도 없이 수술하는 것만큼 잔인한 일이에요.

Colloquial

"수술이 반이다"

— Surgery is half the battle. Implies that the operation is the most critical part.

일단 수술만 잘 끝내면 돼요. 수술이 반이니까요.

Proverbial/Hospital Slang

Easily Confused

수술하다 vs 시술하다

Both are medical interventions.

수술하다 involves cutting and is invasive; 시술하다 is for minor, non-invasive procedures.

심장은 수술하고, 보톡스는 시술해요.

수술하다 vs 치료하다

Both mean 'to treat.'

치료하다 is a general term for any treatment (pills, rest, etc.); 수술하다 is specifically surgery.

감기는 치료하지만, 맹장은 수술해요.

수술하다 vs 진찰하다

Both happen in hospitals.

진찰하다 means 'to examine' or 'check up' before deciding on surgery.

의사가 먼저 진찰하고 나서 수술하기로 했어요.

수술하다 vs 입원하다

Often happens together.

입원하다 is 'to be hospitalized' (staying in the room); 수술하다 is the operation.

수술을 하기 위해 병원에 입원했어요.

수술하다 vs 완치하다

The goal of surgery.

완치하다 means 'to cure completely.' Surgery is the method, cure is the result.

수술을 해서 병을 완치했어요.

Sentence Patterns

N(의사)이 V(수술해요).

의사가 수술해요.

N(부위)을/를 V(수술해요).

다리를 수술해요.

V(수술하)기 위해 N이 필요해요.

수술하기 위해 동의서가 필요해요.

V(수술하)는 것보다 N이 중요해요.

수술하는 것보다 관리가 중요해요.

V(수술하)는 과정에서 N이 발생해요.

수술하는 과정에서 문제가 발생했어요.

V(수술하)ㄴ 적이 있는 N(의사).

수술한 적이 있는 의사를 찾아요.

V(수술하)는 행위의 윤리적 N.

수술하는 행위의 윤리적 책임을 져야 합니다.

N에 메스를 대다 (V-수술하다 idiom).

경제 개혁에 메스를 대야 합니다.

Word Family

Nouns

수술 (surgery)

수술실 (operating room)

수술비 (surgery cost)

수술복 (scrubs)

수술대 (operating table)

Verbs

수술받다 (to receive surgery)

수술시키다 (to have someone operated on)

재수술하다 (to re-operate)

Adjectives

수술적인 (surgical)

수술 가능한 (operable)

의사 (doctor)

외과 (surgery department)

마취 (anesthesia)

흉터 (scar)

회복 (recovery)

How to Use It

frequency

High (especially in medical, beauty, and news domains).

Common Mistakes

제가 어제 수술했어요. → 제가 어제 수술받았어요.
If you were the patient, you must use '받다' (receive). '했어요' means you were the doctor.
의사가 환자를 수출했어요. → 의사가 환자를 수술했어요.
You mixed up '수술' (surgery) with '수출' (export). Doctors don't export patients!
다리에 수술해요. → 다리를 수술해요.
In Korean, the body part is treated as the object of the surgery, so '를' is more natural than the location particle '에'.
얼굴에 보톡스 수술을 했어요. → 얼굴에 보톡스 시술을 받았어요.
Botox is a minor procedure, so '시술' is the correct term, not '수술'.
의사님이 수술했어요. → 의사 선생님께서 수술하셨어요.
When talking about a doctor's professional action, it's better to use honorifics ('선생님', '께서', '하셨어요').

Tips

Subject-Object Rule

Always remember: Doctor + Object + 수술하다. Patient + 수술받다. This is the most important rule for this word.

Hanja Roots

Remember 手 (Hand) + 術 (Skill). It helps you remember that surgery is a 'hand skill' performed by a doctor.

Beauty Context

Don't be surprised to hear this word in beauty contexts. Plastic surgery is very common and discussed openly in Korea.

Well-wishing

If someone's family member is having surgery, always say '수술 잘 되길 빌게요' (I hope the surgery goes well). It is very polite.

Watch for 'ㄹ'

Pay attention to the 'ㄹ' in '수술'. If you hear '수출', they are talking about trade/exports, not medicine!

Medical Dramas

Watch K-Dramas like 'Hospital Playlist' to hear this word used in many different medical and emotional contexts.

Honorifics

When writing about a doctor you respect, always add '-시-' to make it '수술하시다'.

Flat 'S'

The 'S' in 'Su' is flat, like 'suit'. Don't make it a 'sh' sound like 'shoe'.

Invasive vs Non-invasive

Use '수술' for big things (cutting) and '시술' for small things (needles, lasers).

Compound Words

Learn words like '수술실' (OR) and '수술비' (Fee) together with '수술하다' to build your vocabulary faster.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SU-SUL' as 'SOON-SOUL'. You need surgery SOON to save your SOUL (or body).

Visual Association

Imagine a surgeon's HANDS (수) using a special SKILL (술) to fix a heart.

Word Web

Hospital Scalpel Doctor Anesthesia Patient Recovery Scar Emergency

Challenge

Try to say '의사가 수술해요' five times fast without mixing up the 's' sounds. Then, write a sentence about a robot performing surgery.

Word Origin

Sino-Korean word composed of two Hanja characters: 手 (수) and 術 (술).

Original meaning: 手 means 'hand' and 術 means 'skill' or 'method.' Together, they mean 'hand skill' or 'manual technique.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Cultural Context

When discussing surgery in Korea, it is polite to use honorifics if the patient is older than you, and always express wishes for a '쾌유' (speedy recovery).

In English-speaking cultures, surgery is often discussed with more privacy or gravity unless it is minor. People might say 'I'm going under the knife' as a more casual expression.

Hospital Playlist (K-Drama) - focusing on the lives of five surgeons. Dr. Romantic (K-Drama) - a famous show about a genius surgeon in a countryside hospital. The Good Doctor (Korean original) - about a surgeon with autism.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

수술실이 어디예요?
수술은 언제 시작해요?
수술 동의서가 필요해요.
수술이 잘 끝났습니다.

Discussing Plastic Surgery

성형 수술을 하고 싶어요.
쌍꺼풀 수술을 했어요.
수술한 티가 안 나요.
수술 비용이 얼마예요?

Emergency Situation

응급 수술이 필요합니다!
지금 바로 수술해 주세요.
수술하지 않으면 위험해요.
수술 준비를 하세요.

Post-Surgery Recovery

수술 부위가 아파요.
수술 흉터가 남았어요.
수술 후에는 안정이 필요해요.
수술 경과를 지켜봅시다.

Medical Dramas

제가 직접 수술하겠습니다.
어려운 수술이 될 겁니다.
수술 성공 확률은 10%입니다.
수술 중 출혈이 심해요!

Conversation Starters

"어제 병원에서 수술하는 의사를 봤어요."

"요즘은 로봇으로 수술하는 게 정말 신기해요."

"혹시 주변에 수술한 사람이 있어요?"

"드라마에서 수술하는 장면을 보면 어때요?"

"수술하기 전에는 어떤 준비를 해야 할까요?"

Journal Prompts

만약 내가 의사라면 어떤 수술을 제일 잘하고 싶을지 써 보세요.

최근에 본 메디컬 드라마에서 가장 기억에 남는 수술 장면을 묘사해 보세요.

수술 기술의 발전이 우리 삶에 어떤 영향을 미치는지 자신의 생각을 적어 보세요.

성형 수술에 대한 한국 사회의 인식에 대해 어떻게 생각하는지 써 보세요.

가족이나 친구가 수술을 받게 되었을 때 해주고 싶은 위로의 말을 적어 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Only if you are a surgeon performing the surgery. If you are the patient, you must say '수술받다' (to receive surgery). For example, 'I had surgery' is '저는 수술받았어요'.

수술 (surgery) is usually invasive, involves cutting, and requires an operating room. 시술 (procedure) is for smaller, less invasive things like laser treatment or injections.

Yes, it is the most common term. '성형' means shaping or molding, and '수술' is surgery. You can also say '성형하다' for short.

You say '응급 수술' (eung-geup su-sul). To use it as a verb, say '응급 수술을 하다'.

Use the object particle '을/를'. For example, '다리를 수술하다' (operate on the leg) or '심장을 수술하다' (operate on the heart).

Use the honorific form '수술하시다'. For example, '의사 선생님께서 수술하셨어요' (The doctor performed the surgery).

Yes, it is used for both humans and animals. '강아지를 수술하다' means 'to operate on a dog'.

It means 'currently in surgery' or 'undergoing surgery.' You will see this on signs outside operating rooms.

There isn't a specific slang word, but people use '칼 대다' (to put a knife to) as a more colloquial or slightly scary way to say it.

There is no direct opposite verb, but '보존 치료하다' (conservative treatment) is the medical alternative to surgery.