Dictionary — Entry No. 0889
병원
byeongwon · noun
병원
byeongwon
[byung-WUN]
nounbeginner
Meaning
Means ‘hospital,’ the medical facility for healthcare and treatment. Carries dramatic weight in Korean narratives, often representing crisis, healing, and life-changing moments beyond mere medical function.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Hospital scenes are pivotal in K-dramas—’Descendants of the Sun’ features extensive hospital sequences during the war scenes. K-pop idols discuss health challenges in hospitals, making 병원 (byeongwon) emotionally resonant. Medical K-dramas like ‘Romantic Doctor Kim Sabu’ center entirely on hospital life and interpersonal relationships.
Example Sentences
병원에 가야 해.
Byeongwon-e gaya hae.
I have to go to the hospital (medical necessity)
엄마가 병원에 입원했어.
Eomma-ga byeongwon-e ibyeon-haesseo.
Mom was admitted to the hospital (family concern)
병원에서 오래 기다렸어.
Byeongwon-eseo orae gidaryeosseo.
I waited a long time at the hospital (common experience)
⚠️ Don’t use byeongwon when…
Byeongwon (병원) is a compound noun (병 = sickness + 원 = place); don’t break it apart. When visiting, use ‘병원을 가다’ (go to hospital), not just ‘병원 가다.’ Don’t confuse with ‘약국’ (yakguk), which means pharmacy, a separate healthcare location.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Descendants of the Sun — The military hospital setting becomes central to the romance and survival storyline, with critical medical scenes.
- K-Pop: Stray Kids — Members have discussed health challenges in hospital contexts, showing the vulnerability behind idol life.
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.