Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 치료사 | chiryosa |
| 세라피스트 | serapiseuteu |
The term 치료사 is used to describe one who provides therapy. You can use specific terms to describe different types of therapists, such as 물리치료사 for a physical therapist, 작업치료사 for an occupational therapist, 언어치료사 for a speech therapist or 결혼 상담사 for a marriage therapist. While 치료사 is a standard term, 상담사 is also used specifically as a formal term for a therapist.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 치료사 is composed of 치료, meaning treatment or therapy and 사, meaning a specialist or professional.
Which one should you use?
In contrast, 세라피스트 is a loanword from English that is used more frequently in specific wellness or niche therapeutic settings.
How do you pronounce it?
chiryosa
When do people say it?
If you are looking for professional help, you might use the phrase 상담사 추천해 주세요 to say 'Please recommend a therapist' or ask 좋은 상담사 아시나요? to mean 'Do you know a good therapist?'
Did you know?
- When referring to a therapist in a hospital, Koreans often append the title 선생님 (teacher) to the role, regardless of whether the person is actually a teacher.
- While 치료사 literally means 'treatment professional', Koreans often use 상담사 (counselor) for mental health professionals to avoid the stigma associated with the word 'treatment' or 'cure'.
- In modern skincare and spa culture, the loanword 세라피스트 is used to sound more luxurious and 'global' than the clinical-sounding 치료사.
Examples in context
- 로렌조는 행동 치료사로 일해.Lorenzo works as a behavioral therapist.This sentence shows the use of 치료사 in the context of a professional role.Tatoeba #13755171 by qlTmalffk, translation #11709684 by Amastan
- 상담사 선생님께서는 학생들에게 많은 도움을 주셨어요.The therapist (teacher) provided a lot of help to the students.
- 내 친구는 심리 상담사에게 조언을 구한다.My friend seeks advice from a therapist.
- 그는 전문적인 미술 치료사예요.geuneun jeonmunjeogin misul chiryosa-ye-yo.He is a professional art therapist.
- 물리 치료사가 환자를 도와줘요.mulli chiryosaga hwanjareul dowajwoyo.A physical therapist helps the patient.
Example conversation
Ji-hun and Min-ji are discussing health care.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 치료사를 만나본 적 있어요?Min-ji ssi, chiryosareul mannabon jeok isseoyo?Min-ji, have you ever seen a therapist?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 작년에 잠깐 다녔어요.ne, jangnyeone jamkkan danyeosseoyo.Yes, I went for a while last year.
- 지훈 Ji-hun효과가 정말 좋았나요?hyogwaga jeongmal joatnayo?Was it really effective?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 좋은 치료사를 만나서 다행이었어요.ne, joeun chiryosareul mannaseo dahaeng-ieosseoyo.Yes, I was lucky to meet a good therapist.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “therapist” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
