매독
maedok[mɛdo̞k̚]
The English phrase "syphilis" is translated into Korean as 매독 (maedok).
매독 is a noun used to refer to the sexual disease caused by Treponema pallidum.
Meaning: sexual disease caused by Treponema pallidum (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as maedok.
Did you know?
- The character 매 in 매독 is shared with the word for 'plum blossom' 매화. This creates a linguistic irony where a symbol of purity and spring is used to name a venereal disease.
- The first character in 매독, 매, refers to the 'plum' tree. In traditional East Asian medicine, the disease was called the 'plum pox' because the skin rashes looked like the pitted surface of a plum.
- In Korean culture, discussing 매독 or other STIs remains a significant social taboo. People often use vague euphemisms like 성병, meaning 'sexual disease', to avoid the specific clinical term in public.
Examples in context
- 그는 매독 검사를 받았다.geuneun maedok geomsa-reul badatda.He took a syphilis test.
- 매독은 조기 치료가 중요하다.maedok-eun jogi chiryo-ga jungyo-hada.Early treatment of syphilis is important.
- 매독 증상이 나타날 수 있다.maedok jeungsang-i natanal su itda.Syphilis symptoms can appear.
Example conversation
A medical consultation at a clinic.
- 서연 Seo-yeon혹시 매독일 가능성이 있나요?hoksi maedok-il ganeungseong-i innayo?Is there a possibility it is syphilis?
- 도현 Do-hyeon검사를 해봐야 정확히 알 수 있습니다.geomsa-reul haebwaya jeonghwak-hi al su itseumnida.We can only know for sure after a test.
- 서연 Seo-yeon검사 결과는 언제 나와요?geomsa gyeolgwa-neun eonje nawayo?When will the test results be out?
- 도현 Do-hyeon내일 바로 알려드리겠습니다.naeil baro allyeodeurigesseumnida.I will let you know tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “syphilis” translations and entries 매독, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 매독, CC BY-SA 4.0.
