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처방받다

A2 verb #4,500 most common 10 min read

처방받다

cheobangbatda Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 처방받다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 처방받다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand that '처방받다' means getting a 'doctor's note' for medicine. Think of it as 'Medicine + Receive.' You use it when you are sick and go to the hospital. A simple way to remember is: 'Hospital -> Doctor -> 처방받다 -> Pharmacy -> Medicine.' You will mostly use it in the past tense ('처방받았어요') to tell friends why you have a bag of medicine. It's a very useful word because it explains that your medicine is professional, not just something you bought at a convenience store. Just remember: I (patient) + 받다 (receive).

At the A2 level, you can start using '처방받다' in more complex sentences using connectors like '-아서/어서' (because/and) or '-고' (and). You should be able to specify what kind of medicine you received, such as '감기약' (cold medicine) or '안약' (eye drops). You also learn the polite honorific form '처방받으셨어요?' to ask others about their health. It's important at this level to distinguish between the place where you get the prescription (병원) and the place where you get the medicine (약국). You are building the foundation of medical vocabulary in Korean.

At the B1 level, you should use '처방받다' to describe medical routines or advice. You can use patterns like '처방받은 대로' (as prescribed) to show you are following instructions. You will also encounter this word in written forms, such as on medical receipts or signs in clinics. You should understand the difference between '처방받다' and '진단받다' (to be diagnosed), as you might receive a diagnosis but not necessarily a prescription. You can also start using the word in the context of health insurance or explaining specific symptoms to a pharmacist using the prescription as a reference point.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '처방받다' in formal and professional contexts. This includes discussing public health trends, the legalities of prescription drugs, or side effects. You might use the noun form '처방' in compound words like '처방전' (prescription slip). You should also understand the nuance of using this word metaphorically—for example, a 'prescription' for a failing economy or a 'prescription' for a broken relationship. Your ability to conjugate this verb into various advanced forms like '-어야 하다' (must) or '-을 수밖에 없다' (have no choice but to) should be fluid.

At the C1 level, you use '처방받다' in academic or highly technical discussions. You might analyze the '의약분업' (separation of prescribing and dispensing) system in Korea and use '처방받다' to describe patient behavior in sociological studies. You understand the historical etymology of the Hanja (處方) and how it relates to 'dealing with' a problem. You can discuss the ethics of 'over-prescription' (과다 처방) and the patient's right to know what they are being prescribed. Your usage is nuanced, recognizing that '처방받다' can also apply to non-medicinal professional advice in high-level literature.

At the C2 level, '처방받다' is a word you can manipulate with native-level precision. You can use it in philosophical discourse about the 'prescriptions' society gives to individuals. You are aware of the most obscure synonyms and can distinguish between '처방받다' and technical terms like '수급받다' in specific legal or insurance frameworks. You can write professional medical reports or critique healthcare policies using this term. You understand the full range of its registers, from the most humble patient's speech to the most authoritative medical journal's passive descriptions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

처방받다 in 30 Seconds

처방받다 means 'to receive a prescription' from a doctor.
It is used by patients in medical contexts like hospitals and clinics.
Commonly paired with '약' (medicine) and the location '병원' (hospital).
It is the passive/recipient counterpart to '처방하다' (to prescribe).

The Korean verb 처방받다 (cheobang-batda) is a compound word formed by combining the noun 처방 (cheobang), meaning 'prescription,' and the verb 받다 (batda), meaning 'to receive.' At its core, it describes the specific action of a patient receiving a medical directive or a formal prescription from a healthcare professional, typically a doctor. This word is fundamental to navigating the Korean healthcare system, which operates on a strict separation of prescribing and dispensing medicine (known as 의약분업). Understanding this word is not just about vocabulary; it is about understanding the protocol of visiting a clinic in Korea.

Medical Context: This term is used almost exclusively in medical or clinical settings. When you describe your visit to a hospital, you don't just 'get' medicine; you 'receive a prescription' first. This distinction is vital because, in Korea, you cannot obtain most potent medications without this formal step.

감기 기운이 있어서 병원에서 약을 처방받다. (I have a cold, so I received a prescription for medicine at the hospital.)

Beyond just pills and liquid medicine, 처방받다 can also apply to other medical orders. For instance, if a doctor prescribes a specific type of physical therapy, an ointment, or even a specific medical device like a CPAP machine for sleep apnea, the verb remains the same. It emphasizes the authoritative source (the doctor) and the recipient (the patient). It is a passive-action verb in terms of social hierarchy; the doctor 처방하다 (prescribes), and the patient 처방받다 (is prescribed/receives the prescription).

Social Nuance: Using this word correctly shows a higher level of fluency than simply saying '약을 얻다' (to get medicine). It reflects an understanding of the formal process of healthcare. Koreans use this word to provide clarity on whether the medicine was over-the-counter or professionally mandated.

안과에서 안약을 처방받았어요. (I received a prescription for eye drops at the ophthalmologist.)

The word is also used metaphorically in some modern contexts, such as receiving a 'prescription' for a lifestyle change or a 'solution' to a complex problem, though this is secondary to its medical meaning. In a professional setting, if someone says they 'received a prescription' for their business woes, they are using the word to imply a professional, expert-led solution was provided to them. However, for A2 learners, focusing on the hospital context is most beneficial.

Grammar Tip: Since it is a verb ending in -받다, it behaves like a regular active verb. It takes the object particle -을/를 for the thing being prescribed (usually 약 - medicine) and the location particle -에서 for the hospital or clinic.

어떤 약을 처방받으셨어요? (What kind of medicine were you prescribed? - Polite form)

피부과에서 연고를 처방받으러 가요. (I am going to the dermatologist to get a prescription for ointment.)

Using 처방받다 correctly involves understanding its role as a transitive verb that describes a transaction of medical authority. The sentence structure typically follows: [Subject] + [Location]-에서 + [Object]-을/를 + 처방받다. In most everyday conversations, the subject 'I' is omitted. Because it is a verb ending in '받다', it conjugates like any other '다' verb. In the present tense polite form, it becomes '처방받아요', and in the past tense, it becomes '처방받았어요'.

병원에 가서 감기약을 처방받았습니다. (I went to the hospital and received a prescription for cold medicine.)

When talking about someone else, especially an elder or a person of higher status, you should use the honorific form 처방받으시다. This is constructed by adding the honorific infix -으시- before the verb ending. For example, '할머니께서 약을 처방받으셨어요' (Grandmother received a prescription). This shows proper respect and is essential in a medical context where hierarchy and politeness are often emphasized.

Common Objects: The most common object is 약 (medicine). However, you can be more specific: 항생제 (antibiotics), 진통제 (painkillers), 수면제 (sleeping pills), or 비타민 (vitamins - if prescribed medically).

의사 선생님께 새로운 약을 처방받기로 했어요. (I decided to get a new medicine prescribed by the doctor.)

Another important aspect is the use of particles. While -에서 is used for the location (hospital), -에게 or -께 (honorific) can be used to indicate the person from whom you received the prescription (the doctor). '의사 선생님께 처방받았어요' means 'I received it from the doctor.' This clarifies the source of the medical advice. In a sentence, you can combine these: '서울 병원에서 김 의사 선생님께 약을 처방받았어요.'

Tense Variations: Past: 처방받았다 (Received), Present: 처방받는다 (Receiving - narrative), Future: 처방받을 것이다 (Will receive), Intent: 처방받으러 가다 (Going to receive).

이 약은 반드시 의사에게 처방받아야 합니다. (This medicine must be prescribed by a doctor.)

In more advanced usage, 처방받다 can be part of a larger clause describing a condition. For instance, '약을 처방받은 후' (After receiving the prescription) or '처방받은 대로' (As prescribed). This helps in following medical instructions accurately. '처방받은 대로 약을 드세요' (Please take the medicine as prescribed) is a very common phrase you will hear from pharmacists.

Negative Form: To say you didn't receive one, use '처방받지 못했다' (could not receive) or '처방받지 않았다' (did not receive). '아직 약을 처방받지 못했어요' (I haven't been able to get the prescription yet).

약을 처방받지 않아도 되는 증상입니다. (It is a symptom that does not require a prescription.)

You will encounter 처방받다 in several high-frequency locations in South Korea. The most obvious place is within the walls of a 병원 (hospital) or 의원 (clinic). After a consultation with a doctor, the nurse or the doctor themselves might say, '밖에서 잠시 기다리시면 약 처방받으실 수 있게 도와드릴게요' (If you wait outside for a moment, we will help you receive your prescription). In this setting, the word signals the conclusion of the diagnostic phase and the beginning of the treatment phase.

간호사: '성함이 어떻게 되세요? 약 처방받으실 분 맞으시죠?' (Nurse: 'What is your name? You are the person here to receive a prescription, right?')

The word is also ubiquitous in pharmacies (약국). When you hand over your paper slip, the pharmacist might ask, '언제 처방받으셨어요?' (When did you receive this prescription?) to check for validity, as prescriptions in Korea often have an expiration date (usually 3 to 7 days). You might also hear other customers saying, '병원에서 처방받은 약인데, 부작용이 있는 것 같아요' (This is medicine I was prescribed at the hospital, but I think there are side effects).

Daily Conversations: Koreans talk about their health frequently. If a friend looks sick, you might ask, '병원 가서 약 처방받았어?' (Did you go to the hospital and get a prescription?). It's a way of showing concern and checking if they have seen a professional rather than just self-medicating.

친구: '너 목소리가 안 좋아. 병원 가서 약 좀 처방받아 와.' (Friend: 'Your voice doesn't sound good. Go to the hospital and get some medicine prescribed.')

In news reports and health documentaries, 처방받다 is used to discuss statistics or medical trends. For example, '최근 우울증 약을 처방받는 젊은 층이 늘고 있습니다' (Recently, the number of young people receiving prescriptions for depression medication is increasing). Here, the word takes on a more formal, sociological tone, describing a broad trend in public health and medication usage patterns.

Workplace Context: If you need to take a sick leave or bring medicine to work, you might tell your boss, '어제 병원에서 약을 처방받아서 지금 졸음이 좀 와요' (I received a prescription yesterday, so I'm a bit drowsy now). This provides a legitimate medical reason for your condition.

뉴스: '과다하게 약을 처방받는 사례가 늘고 있어 주의가 필요합니다.' (News: 'Cases of receiving excessive prescriptions are increasing, so caution is needed.')

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 처방받다 with 처방하다. In English, we often use the passive voice 'I was prescribed medicine,' but in Korean, the direction of the action is built into the verb ending. 하다 is for the giver (doctor), and 받다 is for the receiver (patient). Saying '의사가 약을 처방받았어요' would mean 'The doctor received a prescription (as a patient),' which is likely not what you intended if you meant the doctor gave one.

Wrong: 제가 환자에게 약을 처방받았어요. (I received a prescription from the patient. - Nonsensical)
Correct: 제가 의사에게 약을 처방받았어요. (I received a prescription from the doctor.)

Another common error is using 처방받다 when you actually mean 'buying' or 'getting' medicine at a pharmacy. While related, 처방받다 only refers to the act of the doctor authorizing the medicine. To describe picking up the physical pills at the pharmacy, Koreans often use 약을 타다 (literally 'to ride/pick up medicine') or 약을 조제하다 (to prepare medicine - used by pharmacists). If you say '약국에서 약을 처방받았어요,' it sounds slightly off because pharmacists don't prescribe; doctors do.

Wrong Particle Choice: Don't use the particle -를 for the doctor. It's not '의사를 처방받다' (to prescribe a doctor). Use -에게 or -께 for the doctor, and -을/를 for the medicine.

Wrong: 약국에서 처방받았어요. (I was prescribed at the pharmacy.)
Correct: 병원에서 처방받고 약국에서 약을 샀어요. (I got prescribed at the hospital and bought medicine at the pharmacy.)

Learners also sometimes forget the distinction between 진찰받다 (to receive a medical checkup) and 처방받다. 진찰받다 is the process of the doctor looking at you, while 처방받다 is the specific outcome of getting a prescription. You can receive a checkup without receiving a prescription. For example, '진찰은 받았지만 약은 처방받지 않았어요' (I got a checkup, but wasn't prescribed any medicine).

Confusion with '약을 짓다': '약을 짓다' means to 'make' or 'prepare' medicine, usually referring to the pharmacist's work or the traditional herbalist's work. Patients 'receive' (받다) the prescription, they don't 'make' it.

Wrong: 약을 처방받으러 약국에 가요. (I'm going to the pharmacy to get a prescription.)
Correct: 약을 처방받으러 병원에 가요. (I'm going to the hospital to get a prescription.)

While 처방받다 is the most accurate term for receiving a prescription, there are several related words that cover similar ground or specific nuances of the medical process. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

진찰받다 (To receive a medical examination): Comparison: 처방받다 focuses on the result (the prescription slip), whereas 진찰받다 focuses on the process of being examined by the doctor. You usually 진찰받다 first, then 처방받다.
진단받다 (To be diagnosed): Comparison: This word is used when you receive a specific name for your illness (e.g., 'I was diagnosed with the flu'). 처방받다 is about the treatment plan, not the name of the sickness.
약을 타다 (To pick up medicine): Comparison: This is a more casual, idiomatic expression used when you go to the pharmacy to get the physical medicine after being 처방받다. It's very common in spoken Korean.

Example: '의사에게 진찰받고 약을 처방받아서 약국에서 약을 탔어요.' (I was examined, got a prescription, and then picked up the medicine.)

In more formal or written contexts, you might see 조제받다 (to have medicine prepared for one). This specifically refers to the pharmacist preparing your medicine based on a prescription. While a patient 처방받다 from a doctor, they 조제받다 from a pharmacist. However, 약을 타다 is much more common in daily speech than 조제받다.

치료받다 (To receive treatment): Comparison: This is a broad term that includes surgery, physical therapy, and medication. 처방받다 is a subset of 치료받다. If you say '치료받았어요,' it covers everything the doctor did to help you.

비교: '약을 샀어요' (Bought medicine - OTC) vs '약을 처방받았어요' (Received a prescription - Rx).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the past, '처방' could also refer to any general method for handling a difficult administrative or social task, not just medical ones. This is why we still use it metaphorically today.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɕʰʌ.baŋ.bat.t͈a/

US /tʃɔ.bɑŋ.bɑt.dɑ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable '방' (bang), and the third syllable '받' (bat) is pronounced forcefully.

Rhymes With

사랑받다 (sarang-batda) 인정받다 (injeong-batda) 허락받다 (heorak-batda) 선택받다 (seontaek-batda) 칭찬받다 (chingchan-batda) 고통받다 (gotong-batda) 영향받다 (yeonghyang-batda) 주목받다 (jumok-batda)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eo' as 'o'. It should be more open.
Failing to tense the 'd' in 'da' to 'tta'.
Not aspirating the first 'ch' sound enough.
Pronouncing 'bang' like 'bang' in English (it should be more like 'bong').
Softening the 't' at the end of 'bat'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in medical contexts once you know '처방'.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct conjugation and understanding of the '받다' vs '하다' distinction.

Speaking 2/5

Commonly used in daily life; pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 2/5

Very common in clinics and pharmacies.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

병원 (Hospital) 의사 (Doctor) 약 (Medicine) 받다 (To receive) 아프다 (To be sick)

Learn Next

약국 (Pharmacy) 조제하다 (To prepare medicine) 복용하다 (To take medicine) 부작용 (Side effect) 진찰 (Checkup)

Advanced

의약분업 (Separation of medical/pharmaceutical roles) 전문의약품 (Prescription-only drugs) 일반의약품 (OTC drugs) 처방전 (Prescription slip)

Grammar to Know

Noun + 받다 (Passive Construction)

사랑받다 (be loved), 선물받다 (receive a gift), 처방받다 (be prescribed).

-(으)러 가다 (Going to do something)

약을 처방받으러 병원에 가요.

-(으)ㄴ 대로 (As/Like something)

의사가 처방받은 대로 약을 먹으라고 했어요.

-(으)시- (Honorific Infix)

선생님께서 약을 처방받으셨어요.

-(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (Seems like)

약을 잘못 처방받은 것 같아요.

Examples by Level

병원에서 약을 처방받았어요.

I received a prescription for medicine at the hospital.

Past tense of 처방받다.

어제 처방받은 약이에요.

This is the medicine I was prescribed yesterday.

Noun-modifying form: 처방받은 + 약.

약을 처방받으러 가요.

I am going to get a prescription for medicine.

-(으)러 가다 (going in order to...).

의사 선생님께 약을 처방받아요.

I receive a prescription from the doctor.

Present tense polite form.

어디에서 처방받았어요?

Where did you receive the prescription?

Question form in past tense.

감기약을 처방받고 싶어요.

I want to be prescribed cold medicine.

-고 싶다 (want to).

이 약은 처방받아야 해요.

You must get a prescription for this medicine.

-아야 하다 (must/have to).

처방받은 약을 먹었어요.

I took the prescribed medicine.

Object phrase with modifying verb.

배가 아파서 약을 처방받았어요.

My stomach hurt, so I got a prescription.

-아서/어서 (reason/cause).

어떤 약을 처방받으셨어요?

What kind of medicine were you prescribed?

Honorific past tense question.

병원에 가서 처방받은 약을 약국에서 샀어요.

I went to the hospital, got a prescription, and bought the medicine at the pharmacy.

Sequential actions with -고.

안과에서 안약을 처방받아야 해요.

I need to get eye drops prescribed at the eye clinic.

Specific medical department (안과).

이 약은 처방받지 않으면 살 수 없어요.

You can't buy this medicine unless you get a prescription.

-지 않으면 (if not/unless).

할머니께서 병원에서 약을 처방받으셨습니다.

Grandmother received a prescription at the hospital.

Honorific subject and verb.

피부과에서 연고를 처방받으려고 해요.

I intend to get an ointment prescribed at the dermatologist.

-(으)려고 하다 (intention).

처방받은 약이 아직 많이 남았어요.

There is still a lot of the prescribed medicine left.

Subject phrase with modifying verb.

의사 선생님이 처방받은 대로 약을 먹으라고 했어요.

The doctor told me to take the medicine as prescribed.

Indirect speech (-라고 하다).

이 약을 처방받을 때 주의할 점이 있나요?

Is there anything to be careful about when receiving this prescription?

-(으)ㄹ 때 (when).

비타민도 병원에서 처방받을 수 있어요?

Can vitamins also be prescribed at the hospital?

-(으)ㄹ 수 있다 (can/ability).

처방받은 약의 이름을 알고 싶어요.

I want to know the name of the prescribed medicine.

Possessive marker -의.

지난번에 처방받은 약이 효과가 좋았어요.

The medicine I was prescribed last time was very effective.

Noun phrase as subject.

약을 처방받기 전에 알레르기가 있다고 말했어요.

Before getting the prescription, I said I had an allergy.

-기 전에 (before).

처방받은 약을 다 먹은 후에 다시 오세요.

Please come back after you have finished the prescribed medicine.

-(으)ㄴ 후에 (after).

너무 독한 약을 처방받은 것 같아요.

I think I was prescribed medicine that is too strong.

-(으)ㄴ 것 같다 (seems like/I think).

환자는 자신의 증상에 맞는 약을 처방받을 권리가 있습니다.

Patients have the right to be prescribed medicine that suits their symptoms.

Formal declarative sentence.

처방받은 약이 보험 처리가 되는지 확인해 보세요.

Check if the prescribed medicine is covered by insurance.

-는지 확인하다 (check whether).

항생제를 처방받을 때는 끝까지 다 복용해야 합니다.

When prescribed antibiotics, you must take them until the end.

Habitual or mandatory instruction.

잘못된 약을 처방받는 바람에 부작용이 생겼어요.

Because I was prescribed the wrong medicine, I had side effects.

-는 바람에 (unexpected negative cause).

의사의 진단 없이 약을 처방받는 것은 불가능합니다.

It is impossible to receive a prescription without a doctor's diagnosis.

Gerund form (-는 것).

최근에는 비대면으로도 약을 처방받을 수 있는 서비스가 생겼어요.

Recently, services have emerged where you can receive prescriptions remotely.

Modifier with -는 (current trend).

처방받은 내역을 스마트폰 앱으로 확인할 수 있습니다.

You can check your prescription history through a smartphone app.

Passive-like active structure.

병이 심해지기 전에 미리 약을 처방받는 것이 좋습니다.

It is good to get a prescription before the illness gets worse.

Comparative 'better to...' structure.

의약분업 이후 환자가 약국에서 직접 약을 처방받는 일은 없어졌습니다.

Since the separation of prescribing and dispensing, patients no longer receive prescriptions directly at pharmacies.

Socio-political context.

그는 인생의 위기에서 철학이라는 처방을 받은 셈이다.

He essentially received a 'prescription' called philosophy during his life crisis.

Metaphorical usage with -은 셈이다.

과다하게 처방받는 약물 오남용 문제는 사회적 이슈가 되고 있습니다.

The issue of drug abuse due to excessive prescriptions is becoming a social issue.

Complex noun phrases.

전문의에게 처방받지 않은 약을 함부로 복용해서는 안 됩니다.

You should not carelessly take medicine that has not been prescribed by a specialist.

-어서는 안 된다 (prohibition).

심리 상담을 통해 마음의 약을 처방받은 기분이었어요.

Through psychological counseling, I felt as if I had been prescribed medicine for my soul.

Abstract usage.

정기적으로 처방받는 약이 있다면 출국 전 의사 소견서를 챙기세요.

If you have medicine you are prescribed regularly, bring a doctor's note before leaving the country.

Conditional with -다면.

해당 약물은 엄격한 기준에 따라 처방받아야 하는 전문의약품입니다.

The drug in question is a specialized medicine that must be prescribed according to strict standards.

Technical terminology.

환자의 체질을 고려하여 약을 처방받는 것이 부작용을 줄이는 길입니다.

Receiving a prescription that considers the patient's constitution is the way to reduce side effects.

-는 길이다 (the way to/method).

현대 사회의 병폐를 치유하기 위해 우리에게는 어떤 처방이 내려져야 하는가?

What kind of prescription should be given to us to heal the ills of modern society?

Rhetorical question in formal writing.

그는 의사로부터 사형 선고나 다름없는 처방을 받았다.

He received a prescription from the doctor that was no different from a death sentence.

Idiomatic comparison -나 다름없는.

무분별하게 처방받는 항생제가 슈퍼박테리아의 원인이 될 수 있다는 경고가 잇따르고 있다.

Warnings are following one after another that indiscriminately prescribed antibiotics can be the cause of superbacteria.

Advanced journalistic style.

문학은 고독이라는 질병을 처방받은 이들에게 가장 따뜻한 위로가 된다.

Literature becomes the warmest comfort for those who have been prescribed the disease called loneliness.

Poetic/Literary usage.

정부는 경제 활성화를 위해 금리 인하라는 처방을 내놓았으나, 국민들은 다른 처방을 받길 원했다.

The government put forward the prescription of lowering interest rates to revitalize the economy, but the people wanted to receive a different prescription.

Political metaphor.

의료 정보의 비대칭성으로 인해 환자는 자신이 무엇을 처방받는지 정확히 알기 어렵다.

Due to the asymmetry of medical information, it is difficult for patients to know exactly what they are being prescribed.

Academic discourse.

약물을 중복으로 처방받는 행위는 건강에 치명적인 위협이 될 수 있음을 명심해야 한다.

One must keep in mind that the act of receiving overlapping prescriptions can be a fatal threat to health.

-음을 명심하다 (keep in mind that...).

그의 시는 아픈 영혼들에게 처방받은 한 권의 약전과도 같았다.

His poems were like a volume of pharmacopoeia prescribed to hurting souls.

Sophisticated simile.

Common Collocations

약을 처방받다

병원에서 처방받다

의사에게 처방받다

항생제를 처방받다

안약을 처방받다

처방받은 대로

처방받은 약

연고를 처방받다

다시 처방받다

정기적으로 처방받다

Common Phrases

약 처방받으셨어요?

— Did you get a prescription for medicine? Used to ask about someone's health status.

얼굴이 안 좋네요. 약 처방받으셨어요?

어디서 처방받았어요?

— Where did you get it prescribed? Asking for the hospital location.

그 약 효과 좋네요. 어디서 처방받았어요?

처방받은 약이 있어요.

— I have medicine that was prescribed. Explaining why you are taking medicine.

술은 못 마셔요. 처방받은 약이 있어요.

처방받으러 가야 해요.

— I need to go get a prescription. Stating an upcoming medical task.

오늘 오후에 병원에 처방받으러 가야 해요.

처방받은 지 얼마 안 됐어요.

— It hasn't been long since I got the prescription. Discussing recent medical visits.

이 약은 처방받은 지 얼마 안 됐어요.

처방받기 힘들어요.

— It's hard to get a prescription. Referring to restricted drugs.

그 약은 처방받기 힘들어요.

처방받은 게 없어요.

— I didn't receive any prescription. Clarifying that no medicine was ordered.

검사는 했지만 처방받은 게 없어요.

처방받은 대로 복용하세요.

— Please take it as prescribed. A standard instruction from pharmacists.

식후 30분에 처방받은 대로 복용하세요.

잘못 처방받았어요.

— I received the wrong prescription. Reporting a medical error.

다른 사람 약을 잘못 처방받았어요.

처방받은 약을 다 먹었어요.

— I finished all the prescribed medicine. Reporting completion of treatment.

처방받은 약을 다 먹었는데 아직 아파요.

Often Confused With

처방받다 vs 처방하다

This is what the doctor does (to prescribe). Patients use '받다'.

처방받다 vs 진찰받다

This is the checkup process. '처방받다' is getting the resulting prescription.

처방받다 vs 약을 타다

This is specifically getting the physical medicine from a pharmacy.

Idioms & Expressions

"인생의 처방을 받다"

— To receive a solution or direction for one's life problems.

그 책을 읽고 인생의 처방을 받은 것 같았다.

Literary

"마음의 약을 처방받다"

— To receive comfort or psychological healing.

친구의 위로에 마음의 약을 처방받은 기분이었다.

Poetic

"쓴 약을 처방받다"

— To receive harsh but necessary advice or consequences.

실패를 통해 쓴 약을 처방받았다고 생각하자.

Metaphorical

"특효약을 처방받다"

— To find a perfect, quick solution to a difficult problem.

이 위기를 넘길 특효약을 처방받은 기분이다.

Journalistic

"맞춤 처방을 받다"

— To receive a solution perfectly tailored to one's needs.

전문가에게 맞춤 처방을 받아 사업이 잘 풀렸다.

Business

"뒤늦은 처방을 받다"

— To receive a solution that comes too late to be effective.

문제가 터진 후에야 뒤늦은 처방을 받았다.

Political

"응급 처방을 받다"

— To receive a temporary, quick fix for an urgent problem.

임시방편으로 응급 처방을 받았지만 근본적인 해결이 필요하다.

General

"잘못된 처방을 받다"

— To be given the wrong advice or approach to a situation.

컨설팅 결과 잘못된 처방을 받아 손해를 보았다.

Business

"처방전 없는 약을 받다"

— To get a solution without formal authority or proper channels.

그는 처방전 없는 약을 받듯 비공식적인 도움을 받았다.

Metaphorical

"스스로 처방을 내리고 받다"

— To self-diagnose and decide on one's own course of action.

그는 남의 말 대신 스스로 처방을 내리고 받기로 했다.

Philosophical

Easily Confused

처방받다 vs 조제하다

Both involve prescriptions and medicine.

조제하다 is the act of mixing and preparing the medicine, done by a pharmacist. 처방받다 is the act of receiving the order, done by a patient.

약사가 약을 조제하고, 환자는 약을 처방받습니다.

처방받다 vs 진단받다

Both happen at a hospital.

진단받다 is receiving the name of the illness (e.g., 'You have a cold'). 처방받다 is receiving the treatment (e.g., 'Take this medicine').

감기로 진단받고 약을 처방받았어요.

처방받다 vs 약을 먹다

Both are related to medication.

약을 먹다 is the act of consuming the medicine. 처방받다 is the administrative act of getting the permission to have that medicine.

처방받은 약을 아침마다 먹어요.

처방받다 vs 치료하다

General medical terms.

치료하다 is what the doctor does to treat the patient. 처방받다 is what the patient receives as part of that treatment.

의사는 치료하고 환자는 처방을 받습니다.

처방받다 vs 구매하다

Both involve getting something.

구매하다 is simply 'to buy' (often OTC). 처방받다 specifically requires medical authorization.

처방받은 약을 약국에서 구매했습니다.

Sentence Patterns

[Medicine]을 처방받았어요.

감기약을 처방받았어요.

[Location]에서 [Medicine]을 처방받았어요.

병원에서 안약을 처방받았어요.

처방받은 대로 [Action].

처방받은 대로 약을 드세요.

[Medicine]을 처방받는 바람에 [Result].

수면제를 처방받는 바람에 늦잠을 잤어요.

[Problem]에 대한 처방을 받다.

경제 위기에 대한 처방을 받았습니다.

[Person]께 처방받으셨어요?

의사 선생님께 처방받으셨어요?

처방받기 전에 [Action].

처방받기 전에 증상을 말하세요.

처방받은 약이 [Condition].

처방받은 약이 너무 독해요.

Word Family

Nouns

처방 (Prescription)

처방전 (Prescription slip)

처방약 (Prescribed medicine)

처방료 (Prescription fee)

Verbs

처방하다 (To prescribe)

처방되다 (To be prescribed - passive status)

의사 (Doctor)

약국 (Pharmacy)

조제 (Preparation of medicine)

복용 (Taking medicine)

진단 (Diagnosis)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily health-related communication.

Common Mistakes

의사가 약을 처방받았어요. → 의사가 약을 처방했어요.
The doctor gives the prescription (하다), the patient receives it (받다).
약국에서 약을 처방받아요. → 병원에서 약을 처방받아요.
Prescriptions come from hospitals/doctors, not pharmacies.
약을 처방받은 후에 의사를 만나요. → 의사를 만난 후에 약을 처방받아요.
The doctor's consultation must happen before the prescription.
처방받는 약을 먹었어요. → 처방받은 약을 먹었어요.
Use the past modifier '받은' because you already received the medicine before eating it.
의사 선생님을 처방받았어요. → 의사 선생님께 처방받았어요.
You receive 'medicine' (을), but you receive it 'from' the doctor (께/에게).

Tips

Particle Use

Remember to use -에서 for the hospital where you were prescribed. Example: '서울병원에서 처방받았어요.' This clarifies the location of the medical service.

The Pharmacy Walk

In Korea, after you '처방받다', look for the nearest pharmacy. They are almost always right outside the hospital doors because of the separation of roles.

Specific Medicines

Pair this word with specific types of medicine like 항생제 (antibiotics) or 진통제 (painkillers) to sound more like a native speaker.

Tensed 'T'

The '다' at the end of '처방받다' sounds like 'tta'. Make sure to pause slightly on the '받' to build up the tension for the '다'.

Hanja Roots

The 'Bang' (方) in 'Cheobang' means 'method'. Think of a prescription as a 'method' for fixing your health.

Honorifics

When talking about your parents' health, always say '처방받으셨어요' instead of '처방받았어요'. It shows you respect their status.

Metaphors

Don't be afraid to use it for non-medical solutions in advanced conversations, like '좋은 책에서 인생의 처방을 받았다'.

Hospital Paging

Listen for your name followed by '처방전' or '처방' at the clinic desk. That's your cue that you are about to '처방받다'.

Noun Modifiers

The phrase '처방받은 약' (the medicine I was prescribed) is extremely common. Use it as a single unit in your writing.

Pharmacy Confusion

Don't say you '처방받다' at the pharmacy. You '처방받다' at the doctor's office, then '약을 타다' or '사다' at the pharmacy.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Cheo-bang' as a 'Chore' (it's a chore to go to the hospital) and 'Bang' (the medicine hits the illness with a bang). You 'Badda' (Receive) this chore-bang.

Visual Association

Visualize a white doctor's coat and a hand reaching out to take a small piece of paper with scribbles on it.

Word Web

병원 (Hospital) 의사 (Doctor) 약 (Medicine) 진찰 (Checkup) 약국 (Pharmacy) 처방전 (Paper slip) 부작용 (Side effect) 치료 (Treatment)

Challenge

Try to use '처방받다' in a sentence that includes the name of a specific hospital and a specific type of medicine you have taken before.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja word 處方 (Cheobang) meaning 'to deal with' (處) and 'method/recipe' (方). In ancient times, it referred to the specific method or formula used by a physician to treat an illness.

Original meaning: A method or formula for managing a disease.

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Always use honorifics when discussing prescriptions for elders or superiors, as health is a sensitive and respectful topic.

In English, we say 'get a prescription.' In Korean, 'receive' (받다) is the standard formal way to express this transaction.

The K-Drama 'Hospital Playlist' features many scenes where doctors explain what they are '처방하다' and patients '처방받다'. Health-related variety shows like 'Vitamin' often discuss the dangers of '과다 처방' (over-prescription). Popular songs sometimes use '처방' as a metaphor for love being the cure for a broken heart.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Clinic Reception

처방받으러 왔어요.
약 처방받을 수 있나요?
처방받은 약이 안 맞아요.
전에 처방받은 기록이 있어요.

At the Pharmacy

여기서 처방받은 약 주세요.
언제 처방받으셨어요?
처방받은 대로 조제해 주세요.
처방받은 약이랑 같이 먹어도 돼요?

Talking to Friends

병원 가서 약 처방받아.
무슨 약 처방받았어?
처방받은 약 먹고 쉬어.
나 어제 처방받았어.

At Work (Sick Leave)

처방받은 약 때문에 졸려요.
처방받으러 병원 좀 다녀올게요.
처방받은 내역서 제출할게요.
약을 처방받아서 먹고 있어요.

Insurance Claims

처방받은 비용 청구할게요.
처방받은 약도 보험 되나요?
처방 내역이 필요해요.
병원에서 처방받은 영수증이에요.

Conversation Starters

"어제 병원 가서 무슨 약 처방받았어요?"

"감기가 심한데 병원 가서 처방받는 게 어때요?"

"이 약은 처방받지 않아도 약국에서 살 수 있어요?"

"처방받은 약을 먹고 기분이 좀 나아졌나요?"

"어떤 병원에서 약을 처방받는 게 좋을까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 병원에 가서 어떤 약을 처방받았는지, 그리고 기분이 어땠는지 적어보세요.

한국의 병원에서 약을 처방받은 경험이 있다면 그 과정을 설명해 보세요.

만약 당신이 의사라면 환자에게 어떤 생활 습관을 '처방'해주고 싶나요?

처방받은 약을 제때 챙겨 먹는 것이 왜 중요한지 당신의 생각을 써보세요.

최근에 처방받은 약의 부작용이나 효과에 대해 상세히 기록해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, if a doctor formally prescribes them for a deficiency. If you just buy them at a store, use '사다' (to buy). For example, '의사에게 비타민 D를 처방받았어요' is correct if it was part of a treatment.

Not exactly. It specifically means receiving the prescription note. You still need to go to the pharmacy to actually 'get' the physical medicine. In English, we often combine these steps, but in Korean, they are linguistically distinct.

You use '처방받았어요'. Korean doesn't use the passive voice 'was prescribed' in the same way; instead, it uses the 'receive' (받다) verb to indicate the patient was the recipient.

'처방전' is the noun (the prescription slip itself), while '처방받다' is the verb (the act of receiving it). You can say '처방전을 받았어요' (I received the slip) or simply '처방받았어요'.

Yes! If you go to an eye doctor and they give you a lens prescription, you can say '안경 처방을 받았어요' or '안경을 처방받았어요'.

It depends on how close you are. Generally, it's seen as a sign of concern among friends or family, but with strangers, it might be too personal.

Mostly, but it can also involve physical therapy, exercise routines, or lifestyle changes if ordered by a doctor in a formal medical capacity.

No. If you are the doctor, you must use '처방하다' (to prescribe). Only the patient 'receives' (받다) the prescription.

In Korea, it's usually valid for 3 to 7 days. You should use the verb '처방받다' to describe when you first got it: '3일 전에 처방받았어요'.

In a functional sense, '처방하다' (to prescribe) is the opposite role. In a literal sense, '처방받지 않다' (not receive a prescription) is the negation.