Finding specific items in a shared office space, like an IT room, requires clear communication. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for asking a coworker about a missing cable, ensuring you can locate necessary equipment smoothly in a Korean workplace.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 혹시 케이블 못 봤어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ke-i-beul mot bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, have you seen the cable? (A common and polite way to start the inquiry)
Basic Questions for Locating Items
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Expression: 케이블 어디 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: ke-i-beul eo-di it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know where the cable is? -
Expression: IT실에 케이블이 있었는데 없어졌어요.
Pronunciation: ai-ti-sil-e ke-i-beul-i is-seot-neun-de eop-seo-jyeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: There was a cable in the IT room, but it disappeared. -
Expression: 제가 케이블을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga ke-i-beul-eul chat-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a cable. -
Expression: 이 케이블 보신 적 있으세요?
Pronunciation: i ke-i-beul bo-sin jeok i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Have you ever seen this cable? (Useful if you have a similar one to show) -
Expression: 케이블이 어디로 갔을까요?
Pronunciation: ke-i-beul-i eo-di-ro gat-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where could the cable have gone? -
Expression: 혹시 누가 가져갔는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si nu-ga ga-jyeo-gat-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know if someone took it? -
Expression: 케이블이 필요해서 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ke-i-beul-i pil-yo-hae-seo chat-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I need the cable, so I’m looking for it. -
Expression: 마지막으로 케이블 본 사람 있어요?
Pronunciation: ma-ji-mak-eu-ro ke-i-beul bon sa-ram it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Is there anyone who saw the cable last? -
Expression: IT실 좀 같이 확인해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ai-ti-sil jom ga-chi hwa-gin-hae ju-sil su it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you check the IT room together with me?
Specifying the Cable and Location
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Expression: IT실에 있던 USB 케이블 말이에요.
Pronunciation: ai-ti-sil-e it-deon yu-e-seu-bi ke-i-beul mal-i-e-yo.
Meaning: I mean the USB cable that was in the IT room. -
Expression: 랜 케이블 하나가 안 보여요.
Pronunciation: raen ke-i-beul ha-na-ga an bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: One LAN cable is missing (can’t be seen). -
Expression: 모니터 전원 케이블을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: mo-ni-teo jeon-won ke-i-beul-eul chat-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for the monitor power cable. -
Expression: HDMI 케이블 못 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: ei-chi-di-em-ai ke-i-beul mot bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Haven’t you seen the HDMI cable? -
Expression: IT실 서랍 안에 있었는데요.
Pronunciation: ai-ti-sil seo-rap an-e is-seot-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: It was inside the drawer in the IT room. -
Expression: 서버 옆에 둔 케이블이에요.
Pronunciation: seo-beo yeop-e dun ke-i-beul-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s the cable that was placed next to the server. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 곳으로 옮기셨나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun go-seu-ro om-gi-syeot-na-yo?
Meaning: Did you perhaps move it somewhere else? -
Expression: 이 근처에서 케이블 보신 분?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e-seo ke-i-beul bo-sin bun?
Meaning: Anyone see a cable around here? (Slightly more informal, perhaps asking a group) -
Expression: IT실 케이블 정리함 확인해 봤어요?
Pronunciation: ai-ti-sil ke-i-beul jeong-ri-ham hwa-gin-hae bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Have you checked the cable organizer box in the IT room? -
Expression: 파란색 랜 케이블이었어요.
Pronunciation: pa-ran-saek raen ke-i-beul-i-eot-seo-yo.
Meaning: It was a blue LAN cable.
Explaining the Need and Situation
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Expression: 지금 당장 케이블이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum dang-jang ke-i-beul-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need the cable right now. -
Expression: 노트북을 연결해야 하는데 케이블이 없네요.
Pronunciation: no-teu-buk-eul yeon-gyeol-hae-ya ha-neun-de ke-i-beul-i eom-ne-yo.
Meaning: I need to connect my laptop, but there’s no cable. -
Expression: 아까까지 분명히 여기 있었는데…
Pronunciation: a-kka-kka-ji bun-myeong-hi yeo-gi is-seot-neun-de…
Meaning: It was definitely here until a little while ago… -
Expression: 혹시 빌려 가신 분 있는지 여쭤봐 주세요.
Pronunciation: hok-si bil-lyeo ga-sin bun it-neun-ji yeo-jjwo-bwa ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please ask around if anyone borrowed it. -
Expression: 케이블이 없어서 일을 못 하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ke-i-beul-i eop-seo-seo il-eul mot ha-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t work because the cable is missing. -
Expression: IT실 비품 목록에는 있는데 실제로는 없어요.
Pronunciation: ai-ti-sil bi-pum mong-nok-e-neun it-neun-de sil-je-ro-neun eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s on the IT room inventory list, but it’s not actually here. -
Expression: 제가 마지막으로 사용하고 제자리에 뒀어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga ma-ji-mak-eu-ro sa-yong-ha-go je-ja-ri-e dwot-seo-yo.
Meaning: I was the last one to use it and put it back in its place. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 팀에서 가져갔을 수도 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun tim-e-seo ga-jyeo-gat-seul su-do it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could someone from another team have possibly taken it? -
Expression: 케이블을 못 찾으면 새로 구매해야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ke-i-beul-eul mot cha-jeu-myeon sae-ro gu-mae-hae-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: If I can’t find the cable, I think I’ll have to buy a new one.
Possible Responses from Coworker
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Expression: 아, 그거 제가 아까 봤어요. 저쪽에 있을 거예요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-geo je-ga a-kka bwat-seo-yo. jeo-jjok-e it-seul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I saw that earlier. It should be over there. -
Expression: 글쎄요, 저는 못 봤는데요.
Pronunciation: geul-sse-yo, jeo-neun mot bwat-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hmm, I haven’t seen it. -
Expression: 같이 한번 찾아볼까요?
Pronunciation: ga-chi han-beon cha-ja-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we look for it together? -
Expression: 혹시 김 대리님이 가져가지 않으셨을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gim dae-ri-nim-i ga-jyeo-ga-ji a-neu-syeot-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Perhaps Assistant Manager Kim took it? -
Expression: IT실은 자주 정리가 안 돼서 찾기 힘들어요.
Pronunciation: ai-ti-sil-eun ja-ju jeong-ri-ga an dwae-seo chat-gi him-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: The IT room isn’t often organized, so it’s hard to find things. -
Expression: 제가 다른 케이블 빌려 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga da-reun ke-i-beul bil-lyeo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I lend you a different cable? -
Expression: 마지막으로 본 게 언제예요?
Pronunciation: ma-ji-mak-eu-ro bon ge eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When was the last time you saw it? -
Expression: 그 케이블은 자주 없어지더라고요.
Pronunciation: geu ke-i-beul-eun ja-ju eop-seo-ji-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: That cable disappears often. -
Expression: IT 담당자에게 한번 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: ai-ti dam-dang-ja-e-ge han-beon mul-eo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try asking the IT person in charge. -
Expression: 네, 잠깐만요. 제가 확인해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: ne, jam-kkan-man-yo. je-ga hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, just a moment. I’ll check.
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Key: Even when asking a close coworker, starting with “혹시” (hok-si – by any chance) or using the polite “-요” (-yo) ending is standard practice in most Korean offices. It shows respect and consideration.
Indirectness: Instead of directly accusing someone (“Did you take the cable?”), Koreans often use softer, indirect questions like “혹시 케이블 못 봤어요?” (Haven’t you seen the cable?) or “케이블 어디 있는지 아세요?” (Do you know where the cable is?). This avoids putting the other person on the spot.
Offering Help: It’s common for coworkers to offer help, such as suggesting looking together (“같이 찾아볼까요?”) or offering an alternative (“다른 케이블 빌려 드릴까요?”). Accepting help graciously is appreciated.
Shared Resources: In many Korean offices, items in common areas like IT rooms are shared resources. While borrowing is usually fine, it’s good etiquette to return items promptly or inform someone if you need to borrow something for an extended period. Losing shared items can be inconvenient for everyone.
Hierarchy Awareness: While the example uses peer-to-peer language, be mindful of hierarchy. If asking a senior colleague, use more formal language and potentially honorifics (e.g., adding “-님” (-nim) to their title).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun needs an HDMI cable from the IT room to connect his laptop for a presentation but can’t find it. He asks his coworker, Sora, who is working nearby.
Roles:
A: Minjun (민준)
B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 혹시 IT실에 있던 HDMI 케이블 못 봤어요?
Pronunciation: A: so-ra ssi, hok-si ai-ti-sil-e it-deon ei-chi-di-em-ai ke-i-beul mot bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: A: Sora, by any chance, have you seen the HDMI cable that was in the IT room? -
Expression: B: HDMI 케이블이요? 글쎄요, 저는 못 본 것 같은데요. 왜요?
Pronunciation: B: ei-chi-di-em-ai ke-i-beul-i-yo? geul-sse-yo, jeo-neun mot bon geot ga-teun-de-yo. wae-yo?
Meaning: B: An HDMI cable? Hmm, I don’t think I’ve seen it. Why? -
Expression: A: 지금 회의실에서 노트북 연결해야 하는데 케이블이 안 보이네요. 아까까지 분명히 있었거든요.
Pronunciation: A: ji-geum hoe-ui-sil-e-seo no-teu-buk yeon-gyeol-hae-ya ha-neun-de ke-i-beul-i an bo-i-ne-yo. a-kka-kka-ji bun-myeong-hi is-seot-geo-deun-yo.
Meaning: A: I need to connect my laptop in the meeting room now, but I can’t see the cable. It was definitely there until a little while ago. -
Expression: B: 아, 그래요? 혹시 다른 분이 잠깐 빌려 가셨을 수도 있어요. 같이 한번 찾아볼까요?
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-rae-yo? hok-si da-reun bun-i jam-kkan bil-lyeo ga-syeot-seul su-do it-seo-yo. ga-chi han-beon cha-ja-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, really? Maybe someone else borrowed it for a moment. Shall we look for it together? -
Expression: A: 네, 그럼 너무 감사하죠! IT실 서랍이랑 선반 쪽 좀 같이 봐주세요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, geu-reom neo-mu gam-sa-ha-jyo! ai-ti-sil seo-rap-i-rang seon-ban jjok jom ga-chi bwa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, that would be great, thank you! Please help me check the drawers and shelves in the IT room. -
Expression: B: 네. 어? 여기 있네요! 책상 밑에 떨어져 있었어요.
Pronunciation: B: ne. eo? yeo-gi it-ne-yo! chaek-sang mit-e tteol-eo-jyeo is-seot-seo-yo.
Meaning: B: Okay. Oh? Here it is! It had fallen under the desk. -
Expression: A: 아, 찾았다! 정말 감사합니다, 소라 씨! 덕분에 회의 늦지 않겠어요.
Pronunciation: A: a, cha-jat-da! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da, so-ra ssi! deok-bun-e hoe-ui neut-ji an-ket-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Ah, found it! Thank you so much, Sora! Thanks to you, I won’t be late for the meeting. -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 얼른 가보세요!
Pronunciation: B: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. eol-leun ga-bo-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Don’t mention it. Hurry and go!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially with workplace communication! Try role-playing the conversation example with a study partner~ Imagine different scenarios: maybe the cable is truly lost, or perhaps someone borrowed it without asking. Use the phrases for specifying the type of cable (USB, LAN, HDMI, 전원 – jeon-won – power) and the location (서랍 – seo-rap – drawer, 선반 – seon-ban – shelf, 책상 밑 – chaek-sang mit – under the desk).
Listen carefully to how native speakers ask for things or report missing items in Korean dramas or workplace vlogs. Pay attention to the tone and politeness levels used! Good luck finding those cables! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
