Misplacing personal items like chargers at work can happen easily, especially in shared spaces like break rooms. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for politely asking a colleague if they have seen your lost charger, helping you navigate this common workplace situation smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 혹시 제 충전기 못 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si je chung-jeon-gi mot bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, have you seen my charger? (Polite)
Basic Phrases to Start
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Expression: 저기요…
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo…
Meaning: Excuse me… (Used to get someone’s attention politely) -
Expression: [이름]-씨, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: [i-reum]-ssi, jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: [Name]-ssi, do you have a moment? -
Expression: 뭐 좀 여쭤볼 게 있어서요.
Pronunciation: mwo jom yeo-jjwo-bol ge it-seo-seo-yo.
Meaning: I have something to ask you. -
Expression: 혹시 탕비실에 계셨어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si tang-bi-sil-e gye-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Were you perhaps in the break room? -
Expression: 제 충전기가 없어졌어요.
Pronunciation: je chung-jeon-gi-ga eop-seo-jyeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: My charger has disappeared / is missing. -
Expression: 충전기를 잃어버린 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: chung-jeon-gi-reul il-eo-beo-rin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I lost my charger. -
Expression: 여기 뒀었는데 안 보이네요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi dwot-seot-neun-de an bo-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: I left it here, but I don’t see it. -
Expression: 아무리 찾아도 없어요.
Pronunciation: a-mu-ri cha-ja-do eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t find it no matter how much I look. -
Expression: 혹시 보셨는지 해서요.
Pronunciation: hok-si bo-syeot-neun-ji hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: I was wondering if perhaps you saw it. -
Expression: 실례지만, 혹시…
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ji-man, hok-si…
Meaning: Excuse me, but by any chance… -
Expression: 바쁘신데 죄송해요.
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-sin-de joe-song-hae-yo.
Meaning: Sorry to bother you when you’re busy. -
Expression: 제 충전기 못 봤어요?
Pronunciation: je chung-jeon-gi mot bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Didn’t you see my charger? (Slightly more direct/casual than 못 보셨어요?)
Asking About the Charger
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Expression: 혹시 제 충전기 어디 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si je chung-jeon-gi eo-di it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, do you know where my charger is? -
Expression: 제 충전기 보신 분 계세요?
Pronunciation: je chung-jeon-gi bo-sin bun gye-se-yo?
Meaning: Is there anyone who saw my charger? -
Expression: 탕비실에서 충전기 못 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: tang-bi-sil-e-seo chung-jeon-gi mot bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you happen to see a charger in the break room? -
Expression: 여기 있던 제 충전기 혹시 가져가셨어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi it-deon je chung-jeon-gi hok-si ga-jyeo-ga-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you perhaps take my charger that was here? (Use cautiously, can sound accusatory) -
Expression: 혹시 비슷한 충전기 보셨나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si bi-seu-tan chung-jeon-gi bo-syeon-na-yo?
Meaning: Did you perhaps see a similar charger? -
Expression: 제 충전기가 안 보여서 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: je chung-jeon-gi-ga an bo-yeo-seo chat-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for my charger because I can’t see it. -
Expression: 혹시 잘못 가져가신 건 아닌지 해서요.
Pronunciation: hok-si jal-mot ga-jyeo-ga-sin geon a-nin-ji hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: I was wondering if maybe someone took it by mistake. -
Expression: 제 거랑 비슷한 충전기 쓰세요?
Pronunciation: je geo-rang bi-seu-tan chung-jeon-gi sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you use a charger similar to mine? -
Expression: 충전기 때문에 좀 찾고 있었어요.
Pronunciation: chung-jeon-gi ttae-mun-e jom chat-go it-seot-seo-yo.
Meaning: I was looking around because of the charger. -
Expression: 혹시 여기 충전기 있는 거 못 봤어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yeo-gi chung-jeon-gi it-neun geo mot bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: By chance, didn’t you see a charger here? -
Expression: 제 충전기 못 보셨는지 여쭤보려고요.
Pronunciation: je chung-jeon-gi mot bo-syeon-neun-ji yeo-jjwo-bo-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: I wanted to ask if you perhaps saw my charger. -
Expression: 혹시 제 충전기 소식 아시는 거 있으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si je chung-jeon-gi so-sik a-si-neun geo it-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know anything about my charger?
Describing the Lost Item
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Expression: 하얀색 충전기예요.
Pronunciation: ha-yan-saek chung-jeon-gi-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s a white charger. -
Expression: 검은색 케이블이 달린 충전기인데요.
Pronunciation: geom-eun-saek ke-i-beul-i dal-lin chung-jeon-gi-in-de-yo.
Meaning: It’s a charger with a black cable. -
Expression: 아이폰 충전기예요.
Pronunciation: a-i-pon chung-jeon-gi-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s an iPhone charger. -
Expression: 삼성 정품 충전기예요.
Pronunciation: sam-seong jeong-pum chung-jeon-gi-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s a genuine Samsung charger. -
Expression: C타입 충전기인데 못 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: ssi-ta-ip chung-jeon-gi-in-de mot bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: It’s a USB-C type charger, have you seen it? -
Expression: 아까 여기 콘센트에 꽂아 뒀어요.
Pronunciation: a-kka yeo-gi kon-sen-teu-e kko-ja dwot-seo-yo.
Meaning: I plugged it into the outlet here earlier. -
Expression: 테이블 위에 올려놨었는데…
Pronunciation: te-i-beul wi-e ol-lyeo-nwa-sseot-neun-de…
Meaning: I had placed it on the table… -
Expression: 제 이름 스티커가 붙어 있어요.
Pronunciation: je i-reum seu-ti-keo-ga bu-teo it-seo-yo.
Meaning: It has my name sticker on it. -
Expression: 조금 오래된 모델이에요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum o-rae-doen mo-del-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a slightly older model. -
Expression: 케이블이 좀 짧아요.
Pronunciation: ke-i-beul-i jom jjal-ba-yo.
Meaning: The cable is a bit short. -
Expression: 어댑터만 있었어요. 케이블은 없고요.
Pronunciation: eo-daep-teo-man it-seot-seo-yo. ke-i-beul-eun eop-go-yo.
Meaning: It was just the adapter. There was no cable. -
Expression: 혹시 이런 모양 충전기 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i-reon mo-yang chung-jeon-gi bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Have you perhaps seen a charger shaped like this?
Possible Responses from Teammate
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Expression: 아니요, 못 봤는데요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, mot bwan-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: No, I haven’t seen it. -
Expression: 글쎄요, 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: geul-sse-yo, jal mo-reu-get-seo-yo.
Meaning: Well, I’m not sure. -
Expression: 저는 못 본 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun mot bon geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I don’t think I saw it. -
Expression: 아까 누가 충전기 찾던데요?
Pronunciation: a-kka nu-ga chung-jeon-gi chat-deon-de-yo?
Meaning: Someone was looking for a charger earlier? (Implying maybe that person took it) -
Expression: 혹시 저기 서랍 안에 한번 보세요.
Pronunciation: hok-si jeo-gi seo-rap an-e han-beon bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Maybe check inside that drawer over there. -
Expression: 아, 그거 아까 제가 잠깐 썼어요! 여기요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-geo a-kka je-ga jam-kkan sseot-seo-yo! yeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Ah, I used that for a moment earlier! Here you go. -
Expression: 이거 말씀하시는 건가요?
Pronunciation: i-geo mal-sseum-ha-si-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you talking about this one? -
Expression: 분실물 보관함에 한번 가보세요.
Pronunciation: bun-sil-mul bo-gwan-ham-e han-beon ga-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try checking the lost and found box. -
Expression: 저도 아까 탕비실에 있었는데 못 봤어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-do a-kka tang-bi-sil-e it-seot-neun-de mot bwat-seo-yo.
Meaning: I was also in the break room earlier, but I didn’t see it. -
Expression: 같이 찾아볼까요?
Pronunciation: ga-chi cha-ja-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we look for it together? -
Expression: 혹시 다른 사람이 가져간 거 아닐까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun sa-ram-i ga-jyeo-gan geo a-nil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Maybe someone else took it? -
Expression: 네, 본 것 같아요. 저기 창가 쪽에 있었어요.
Pronunciation: ne, bon geot ga-ta-yo. jeo-gi chang-ga jjok-e it-seot-seo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I think I saw it. It was over there by the window.
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Key: In Korean workplaces, maintaining politeness (예의 – ye-ui) is crucial. When asking a colleague about a lost item, always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal). Start with phrases like 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo) or 실례지만 (sil-lye-ji-man) and use the -요 (-yo) or -(스)ㅂ니다 (-(seu)m-ni-da) endings.
Avoid Direct Accusations: Directly asking “Did you take my charger?” (제 충전기 가져갔어요? – je chung-jeon-gi ga-jyeo-ga-sseo-yo?) can sound confrontational. It’s better to use softer, indirect phrasing like 혹시 제 충전기 못 보셨어요? (hok-si je chung-jeon-gi mot bo-syeot-seo-yo? – By any chance, have you seen my charger?) or frame it as a possibility of mistake: 혹시 잘못 가져가신 건 아닌지… (hok-si jal-mot ga-jyeo-ga-sin geon a-nin-ji… – Wondering if perhaps it was taken by mistake…).
Using Titles and Names: Address colleagues appropriately. Use their job title (직함 – jik-ham) followed by -님 (-nim), like 김 대리님 (Kim dae-ri-nim – Assistant Manager Kim). If you are closer or of similar rank, you might use their name followed by -씨 (-ssi), like 민지 씨 (Min-ji-ssi). Avoid using just their first name unless you are very close friends outside of work.
Shared Space Etiquette: Break rooms (탕비실 – tang-bi-sil) are shared spaces. While asking colleagues is fine, also check common areas like countertops, near outlets, or any designated lost and found spot before interrupting others too much.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun realizes his phone charger is missing from the break room where he left it earlier. He approaches his colleague, Sora, who is also in the break room.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 저기, 소라 씨. 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi, so-ra ssi. jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me, Sora-ssi. Do you have a moment? -
Expression: B: 네, 민준 씨. 무슨 일 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, min-jun ssi. mu-seun il it-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Minjun-ssi. What’s up? -
Expression: A: 제가 아까 여기 탕비실 테이블에 충전기를 꽂아 뒀는데, 혹시 못 보셨어요? 하얀색 아이폰 충전기인데…
Pronunciation: je-ga a-kka yeo-gi tang-bi-sil te-i-beul-e chung-jeon-gi-reul kko-ja dwot-neun-de, hok-si mot bo-syeot-seo-yo? ha-yan-saek a-i-pon chung-jeon-gi-in-de…
Meaning: A: I plugged my charger into the outlet on the break room table here earlier, but by any chance, have you seen it? It’s a white iPhone charger… -
Expression: B: 하얀색 충전기요? 글쎄요… 저는 못 본 것 같은데요. 언제쯤 두셨어요?
Pronunciation: ha-yan-saek chung-jeon-gi-yo? geul-sse-yo… jeo-neun mot bon geot ga-teun-de-yo. eon-je-jjeum du-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: B: A white charger? Hmm… I don’t think I saw it. Around when did you leave it? -
Expression: A: 한 시간 전쯤에요. 잠깐 자리를 비운 사이에 없어졌네요.
Pronunciation: han si-gan jeon-jjeum-e-yo. jam-kkan ja-ri-reul bi-un sa-i-e eop-seo-jyeon-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: About an hour ago. It seems to have disappeared while I stepped away for a moment. -
Expression: B: 아… 그럼 혹시 다른 분이 급해서 잠깐 빌려 가셨을 수도 있겠네요. 저기 분실물 바구니도 한번 확인해 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: a… geu-reom hok-si da-reun bun-i geup-hae-seo jam-kkan bil-lyeo ga-syeot-seul su-do it-gen-ne-yo. jeo-gi bun-sil-mul ba-gu-ni-do han-beon hwa-gin-hae bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: B: Ah… Then maybe someone else borrowed it quickly because they were in a hurry. Have you checked the lost and found basket over there? -
Expression: A: 아, 맞다. 거기도 확인해 봐야겠네요. 알려주셔서 감사합니다, 소라 씨.
Pronunciation: a, mat-da. geo-gi-do hwa-gin-hae bwa-ya-gen-ne-yo. al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da, so-ra ssi.
Meaning: A: Oh, right. I should check there too. Thanks for letting me know, Sora-ssi. -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 꼭 찾으시길 바랄게요!
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-lyo. kkok cha-jeu-si-gil ba-ral-ge-yo!
Meaning: B: Don’t mention it. I hope you find it!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing this situation with a study partner or even by yourself. Imagine you lost your charger (충전기 – chung-jeon-gi) or maybe earphones (이어폰 – i-eo-pon) in a shared space like the break room (탕비실 – tang-bi-sil) or meeting room (회의실 – hoe-ui-sil).
Focus on using polite introductory phrases and clearly describing the item. Remember to use 혹시 (hok-si – perhaps, by any chance) to soften your question! Pay attention to the pronunciation, breaking down each syllable. Good luck finding your items! 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
