1. Introduction to the text
This reading lesson discusses the story of a Chinese female doctor who works as a scrap collector at night to supplement her low medical salary. The article highlights the challenges faced by doctors in China, where medical salaries are often not enough to cover living expenses.
2. Vocabulary
| Korean Word | Romanization | English Meaning | Contextual Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 의사 | uisa | doctor | She is a doctor during the day. |
| 병원 | byeongwon | hospital | She works at the hospital as a doctor. |
| 중국 | jungkuk | China | This story is about a doctor in China. |
| 쓰레기 | sseulegi | garbage, trash | She collects garbage at night to supplement her income. |
| 부업 | buup | side job, part-time job | She has a side job collecting scrap at night. |
| 고물상 | komulsang | scrap dealer | She works at a scrap dealer’s shop at night. |
| 수입 | suip | income, earnings | Her income from the scrap dealer job is higher than her doctor’s salary. |
| 생활비 | saengwhalbi | living expenses | She collects scrap to earn extra money for living expenses. |
| 퇴근 | toekkeun | to get off work, to leave work | After her shift at the hospital, she goes to work at the scrap dealer’s shop. |
| 월급 | wolgeum | monthly salary | The monthly salary for doctors in China is only about 300,000 won. |
3. The main text in both Korean and English
중국에서는 의사의 월급이 높지 않아 부업을 하는 경우가 많다. 이 기사는 생활비를 벌기 위해 쓰레기를 줍는 중국 여의사의 이야기를 다루고 있다.
In China, doctors’ salaries are not high, so many of them take on side jobs. This article tells the story of a Chinese female doctor who collects trash to earn extra money for living expenses.
낮에는 병원에서 의사로 일하고 밤에는 고물상에서 일하는 중국 여성이 있다. 웅씨(26)라는 이 여성은 낮에는 병원에서 근무하고 퇴근 후에는 고물상에 출근한다. 고물상에서 웅씨는 주로 금속 폐기물을 수거하고 분류하는 일을 한다.
There is a Chinese woman who works as a doctor during the day and at a scrap dealer’s shop at night. This 26-year-old woman, named Wung, works at the hospital during the day and then goes to the scrap dealer’s shop after her shift. At the scrap dealer’s, Wung is mainly responsible for collecting and sorting metal waste.
중국에서 의사의 월급은 30만원 정도에 불과하다. 이 정도의 월급으로는 청두 지역의 생활비를 충당하기 어렵다. 그래서 웅씨는 부업으로 고물상에서 일하며 생활비를 벌고 있다. 웅씨는 밤 9시에서 10시까지 고물상에서 일한 뒤 부모님과 함께 퇴근한다.
Doctors’ monthly salaries in China are only around 300,000 won. This amount is barely enough to cover living expenses in the Chengdu area. That is why Wung takes on a side job at the scrap dealer’s shop to earn extra money for living costs. Wung works at the scrap dealer’s from 9 PM to 10 PM and then goes home with her parents.
웅씨의 고물상 수입이 병원 월급보다 더 많다고 한다. 중국에서 의사 월급이 낮은 이유는 여러 가지가 있다. 의사 양성 교육 기간이 길고 취업 경쟁이 치열하기 때문이다. 또한 의료 시스템의 문제로 인해 의사 수입이 낮게 책정되어 있다.
It is reported that Wung’s income from the scrap dealer’s shop is higher than her hospital salary. There are several reasons why doctors’ salaries are low in China. The training period for doctors is long, and the competition for jobs is fierce. Additionally, issues with the medical system have resulted in low doctor salaries.
중국 의사들이 부업을 하는 이유는 생활비를 벌기 위해서다. 의사 월급만으로는 생활비를 충당하기 어려운 상황이 많다. 이번 기사는 중국 의료 현장의 어려운 현실을 보여주고 있다.
The reason Chinese doctors take on side jobs is to earn money for living expenses. Doctors’ salaries alone are often not enough to cover the cost of living. This article sheds light on the difficult realities faced by the medical profession in China.
4. Reading comprehension questions
- What is the main job of the woman in the story?
- What is the woman’s side job, and when does she work at it?
- Why does the woman have a side job?
- How much is the average monthly salary for doctors in China?
- What are some of the reasons why doctors’ salaries are low in China?
5. Cultural and historical notes
This story highlights the challenges faced by medical professionals in China, where doctor salaries are often not enough to cover the cost of living. Many doctors take on side jobs, such as collecting scrap, to supplement their incomes. This reflects broader issues in China’s healthcare system, including low investment in the medical field and the high competition for doctor positions.