The Four Body Types in Korean and English
Each type name combines a size (태 太 tae, "greater", or 소 少 so, "lesser") with a side of yin and yang (양 陽 yang or 음 陰 eum), plus 인 人 in, "person". Sasang itself, 사상 四象, means "four images", the four combinations of greater and lesser yin and yang in classical East Asian cosmology.
| Korean | Hanja | Romanised | Also written | Literal meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 태양인 | 太陽人 | Taeyangin | Tae-Yang, Taeyang | Greater yang person |
| 소양인 | 少陽人 | Soyangin | So-Yang, Soyang | Lesser yang person |
| 태음인 | 太陰人 | Taeeumin | Tae-Eum, Taeumin, Taeeum | Greater yin person |
| 소음인 | 少陰人 | Soeumin | So-Eum, Soumin, Soeum | Lesser yin person |
Which spelling is right? Taeyangin, Soyangin, Taeeumin, Soeumin follow South Korea's official Revised Romanization and are what most English-language research papers use. Hyphenated forms such as So-Eum drop the "-in" (person) and are common in English wellness writing, including on this site, because they are easier to read. Older texts using McCune–Reischauer write T'aeŭmin and Soŭmin. All refer to the same four types.
The Organ Pattern Behind Each Type
Lee Je-ma defined each type by which of four organ systems is naturally large (strong) and which is small (weak). Korean sources often quote these four-character phrases:
| Type | Korean phrase | Hanja | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tae-Yang | 폐대간소 | 肺大肝小 | Large lung, small liver |
| Tae-Eum | 간대폐소 | 肝大肺小 | Large liver, small lung |
| So-Yang | 비대신소 | 脾大腎小 | Large spleen, small kidney |
| So-Eum | 신대비소 | 腎大脾小 | Large kidney, small spleen |
These are functional systems in Korean medicine, not a claim about the physical size of organs on a scan. "Spleen" (비 脾), for example, roughly means the digestive and transforming function.
Korean Medicine Words, Translated
| Korean | Hanja | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 사상체질 | 四象體質 | sasang chejil | Sasang constitution; "four-image constitution" |
| 사상의학 | 四象醫學 | sasang uihak | Sasang (constitutional) medicine |
| 체질 | 體質 | chejil | Constitution; inborn body type |
| 음양 | 陰陽 | eumyang | Yin and yang (see the Eum Yang test) |
| 한방 | 韓方 | hanbang | Korean medicine; herbal (as in hanbang skincare). See what is hanbang? |
| 한의학 | 韓醫學 | hanuihak | Korean medicine as a discipline |
| 한의사 | 韓醫師 | hanuisa | Korean medicine doctor (a licensed profession in Korea) |
| 한의원 | 韓醫院 | hanuiwon | Korean medicine clinic |
| 한약 | 韓藥 | hanyak | Korean herbal medicine |
| 한약방 | 韓藥房 | hanyakbang | Traditional herbal medicine shop or dispensary |
| 보약 | 補藥 | boyak | Tonic; restorative herbal formula |
| 기 | 氣 | gi | Qi; vital energy |
| 열 / 한 | 熱 / 寒 | yeol / han | Heat / cold (as in a hot or cold constitution) |
| 비위 | 脾胃 | biwi | Spleen and stomach; digestion |
| 인삼 / 홍삼 | 人蔘 / 紅蔘 | insam / hongsam | Ginseng / red ginseng. See ginseng side effects |
| 이제마 | 李濟馬 | I Je-ma | Lee Je-ma (also Yi Je-ma, 1837–1900), founder of Sasang medicine |
| 동의수세보원 | 東醫壽世保元 | Dongui Suse Bowon | Lee Je-ma's 1894 book, "Longevity and Life Preservation in Eastern Medicine" |
| 8체질 | 八體質 | pal chejil | Eight Constitution Medicine, a separate 20th-century system. See Sasang vs Eight Constitution |
Useful Phrases for a Korean Medicine Clinic
If you visit a 한의원 (Korean medicine clinic) in Korea, these phrases cover the basics. Many clinics in Seoul have English-speaking staff, but a few words of Korean go a long way.
체질 진단을 받고 싶어요.
Chejil jindaneul batgo sipeoyo.
I'd like a constitution diagnosis.
제 체질이 뭐예요?
Je chejiri mwoyeyo?
What is my constitution?
제 체질은 소음인이에요.
Je chejireun soeuminieyo.
My constitution is So-Eum (Soeumin).
어떤 음식이 제 체질에 맞아요?
Eotteon eumsigi je chejire majayo?
Which foods suit my constitution?
인삼이 저한테 안 맞는 것 같아요.
Insami jeohante an manneun geot gatayo.
I don't think ginseng agrees with me.
복용 중인 약이 있어요.
Bogyong jungin yagi isseoyo.
I'm taking medication. (Always mention this before herbal treatment.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say 사상체질 in English?
사상체질 is "Sasang constitution" in English, and 사상의학 is "Sasang constitutional medicine". Sasang (四象) literally means "four images", referring to greater and lesser yin and yang.
What is 소음인 in English?
소음인 is written Soeumin in official romanization and means "lesser yin person". In English it is often shortened to So-Eum. It is the cold-leaning type with delicate digestion.
What is 태음인 in English?
태음인 is Taeeumin, "greater yin person", often written Tae-Eum or Taeumin. It is the sturdy type that stores energy easily and is the most common of the four in Korea.
What is 한의원 in English?
A 한의원 (hanuiwon) is a Korean medicine clinic, run by a licensed Korean medicine doctor (한의사, hanuisa). A 한약방 (hanyakbang) is a traditional herbal medicine shop.
Is Tae-Eum the same as Taeeumin?
Yes. Taeeumin is the full romanized name including "-in" (person); Tae-Eum is a shortened, hyphenated form common in English writing. The same applies to So-Eum/Soeumin, So-Yang/Soyangin and Tae-Yang/Taeyangin.
Find Your Own Type
Now that you know the words, find out which one describes you. The free assessment takes about three minutes.