자폐증
japyejeung[t͡ɕa̠pʰje̞t͡ɕ͈ɯŋ]
The English phrase "autism" is translated into Korean as 자폐증 (japyejeung).
자폐증 is used to refer to the neurological disorder of autism. In certain contexts, you may encounter the term 자폐아, which refers to an autistic child. While common, this latter term is increasingly being replaced by person-first language in formal settings.
Meaning: neurological disorder (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 자폐증 is composed of 자폐 (autism or self-closure) and 증 (symptom, condition or disorder).
Which one should you use?
While 자폐증 is the standard term for autism, the more modern and clinically precise term for autism spectrum disorder is 자폐 스펙트럼 장애.
How do you pronounce it?
japyejeung
Did you know?
- The word 자폐 is composed of the characters for 'self' and 'close', mirroring the Greek roots of the English word 'autism' from 'autos' meaning 'self'.
- In casual conversation, Koreans may refer to someone with 자폐증 as being 세상의 문을 닫은 사람, meaning 'a person who closed the door to the world'.
- The suffix 증 in 자폐증 is used for many medical conditions, but it can also be used colloquially to describe an obsession, such as 'workaholic' symptoms.
Examples in context
- 톰은 세 살 때 자폐증으로 진단받았어.Tom was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old.This sentence shows how to use 자폐증 when discussing a medical diagnosis.Tatoeba #8358541 by Eunhee, translation #6578125 by deniko
- '고기능 자폐증'은 의학용어나 진단명이 아니야."High-functioning autism" isn't an official medical term or diagnosis.This sentence illustrates the use of 자폐증 when discussing medical terminology.Tatoeba #8358524 by Eunhee, translation #8033384 by deniko
- 여자애보다는 남자애들이 더 자주 자폐증으로 진단받아.Boys are more often diagnosed with autism than girls.This sentence uses 자폐증 in the context of diagnostic frequency between genders.Tatoeba #8445226 by Eunhee, translation #8374352 by deniko
- 그 아이는 자폐증이 있어요.That child has autism.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are talking about a documentary they watched.
- 민지 Min-ji그 다큐멘터리 정말 감동적이었어.Geu dakyumenteori jeongmal gamdongjeogieosseo.That documentary was really touching.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아, 자폐증에 대해 더 잘 알게 됐어.Maj-a, japejeung-e daehae deo jal alge dwaesseo.Right, I learned more about autism.
- 민지 Min-ji이해하는 게 정말 중요할 것 같아.Ihae-haneun ge jeongmal jung-yohal geot gata.I think it's really important to understand it.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo나도 그렇게 생각해, 민지야.Nado geureoke saenggak-hae, Minji-ya.I think so too, Minji.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “autism” translations and entries 자폐증, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
