Understanding how to borrow books is essential for anyone wishing to utilize Korea’s excellent library system. This guide provides the core vocabulary and practical phrases needed to navigate the process of checking out books at a Korean library, from initial requests to understanding loan policies.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for expressing the action of borrowing a book.
- Expression: 책을 대출하다 (chaek-eul daechulhada)
Pronunciation: chaek-eul dae-chool-ha-da
Meaning: To borrow a book (library context)
Essential Library Vocabulary
Knowing these basic terms will help you understand and communicate within the library environment.
- Expression: 도서관 (doseogwan)
Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan
Meaning: Library - Expression: 책 (chaek)
Pronunciation: chaek
Meaning: Book - Expression: 사서 (saseo)
Pronunciation: sa-seo
Meaning: Librarian - Expression: 대출 (daechul)
Pronunciation: dae-chool
Meaning: Loan / Borrowing - Expression: 반납 (bannap)
Pronunciation: ban-nap
Meaning: Return - Expression: 회원증 (hoewonjeung)
Pronunciation: hwe-won-jeung
Meaning: Membership card / Library card - Expression: 신분증 (sinbunjeung)
Pronunciation: shin-boon-jeung
Meaning: ID card - Expression: 연장 (yeonjang)
Pronunciation: yeon-jang
Meaning: Extension / Renewal - Expression: 연체료 (yeoncheryo)
Pronunciation: yeon-che-ryo
Meaning: Overdue fine / Late fee - Expression: 검색대 (geomsaekdae)
Pronunciation: geom-saek-dae
Meaning: Search terminal / OPAC - Expression: 열람실 (yeollamsil)
Pronunciation: yeol-lam-shil
Meaning: Reading room - Expression: 자료실 (jaryosil)
Pronunciation: ja-ryo-shil
Meaning: Resource room / Stacks
At the Library Counter
Use these phrases when interacting with the librarian to borrow books.
- Expression: 책 대출하고 싶어요. (Chaek daechulhago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: chaek dae-chool-ha-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to borrow books. - Expression: 이 책들 빌려주세요. (I chaekdeul billyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: ee chaek-deul bil-lyeo-joo-se-yo
Meaning: Please let me borrow these books. - Expression: 회원증 여기 있습니다. (Hoewonjeung yeogi itseumnida.)
Pronunciation: hwe-won-jeung yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da
Meaning: Here is my library card. - Expression: 처음 왔는데 어떻게 대출하나요? (Cheoeum wanneunde eotteoke daechulhanayo?)
Pronunciation: cheo-eum wan-neun-de eo-tteo-ke dae-chool-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: It’s my first time here, how do I borrow books? - Expression: 회원 가입은 어떻게 하나요? (Hoewon gaibeun eotteoke hanayo?)
Pronunciation: hwe-won ga-ib-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I sign up for membership? - Expression: 몇 권까지 빌릴 수 있나요? (Myeot gwonkkaji billil su innayo?)
Pronunciation: myeot gwon-kka-ji bil-lil soo in-na-yo?
Meaning: How many books can I borrow? - Expression: 대출 기간은 며칠인가요? (Daechul giganeun myeochiringayo?)
Pronunciation: dae-chool gi-gan-eun myeo-chil-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the loan period? - Expression: 이 책 대출 가능한가요? (I chaek daechul ganeunghangayo?)
Pronunciation: ee chaek dae-chool ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this book available for loan? - Expression: 예약된 책인가요? (Yeyakdoen chaegingayo?)
Pronunciation: ye-yak-dwen chaek-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this book reserved? - Expression: 외국인도 회원 가입 가능한가요? (Oegugindo hoewon gaip ganeunghangayo?)
Pronunciation: we-gook-in-do hwe-won ga-ip ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners also sign up for membership? - Expression: 신분증 보여드리면 되나요? (Sinbunjeung boyeodeurimyeon doenayo?)
Pronunciation: shin-boon-jeung bo-yeo-deu-ri-myeon dwe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I show you my ID card? - Expression: 여기에 서명하면 되나요? (Yeogie seomyeonghamyeon doenayo?)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e seo-myeong-ha-myeon dwe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I sign here?
Asking Questions About Library Use
These questions will help you understand library policies and find what you need.
- Expression: 이 책은 어디에 있나요? (I chaegeun eodie innayo?)
Pronunciation: ee chaek-eun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is this book located? - Expression: [주제] 관련 책은 어디서 찾을 수 있나요? ([Juje] gwallyeon chaegeun eodiseo chajeul su innayo?)
Pronunciation: [joo-je] gwal-lyeon chaek-eun eo-di-seo cha-jeul soo in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find books related to [topic]? - Expression: 컴퓨터를 사용하고 싶어요. (Keompyuteoreul sayonghago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo-reul sa-yong-ha-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to use a computer. - Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요? (Waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password? - Expression: 복사/인쇄는 어디서 할 수 있나요? (Boksa/inswaeneun eodiseo hal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: bok-sa/in-swe-neun eo-di-seo hal soo in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I make copies/print? - Expression: 열람실은 몇 시까지 하나요? (Yeollamsireun myeot sikkaji hanayo?)
Pronunciation: yeol-lam-shil-eun myeot shi-kka-ji ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Until what time is the reading room open? - Expression: 도서관 운영 시간이 어떻게 되나요? (Doseogwan unyeong sigani eotteoke doenayo?)
Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan oon-yeong shi-gan-i eo-tteo-ke dwe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the library’s operating hours? - Expression: 대출 연장은 어떻게 하나요? (Daechul yeonjangeun eotteoke hanayo?)
Pronunciation: dae-chool yeon-jang-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I renew the loan? - Expression: 온라인으로도 연장할 수 있나요? (Ollaineurodo yeonjanghal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro-do yeon-jang-hal soo in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I renew it online? - Expression: 이 책을 예약하고 싶어요. (I chaegeul yeyakhago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: ee chaek-eul ye-yak-ha-go ship-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to reserve this book. - Expression: 책이 도착하면 연락 주시나요? (Chaegi dochakhamyeon yeollak jusinayo?)
Pronunciation: chaek-i do-chak-ha-myeon yeol-lak joo-shi-na-yo?
Meaning: Will you contact me when the book arrives? - Expression: 잡지/신문은 어디에 있나요? (Japji/sinmuneun eodie innayo?)
Pronunciation: jap-ji/shin-moon-eun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the magazines/newspapers?
Returning Books
Use these expressions when returning borrowed items.
- Expression: 책 반납하러 왔어요. (Chaek bannapareo wasseoyo.)
Pronunciation: chaek ban-nap-ha-reo wass-eo-yo
Meaning: I came to return books. - Expression: 이 책들 반납할게요. (I chaekdeul bannapalkeyo.)
Pronunciation: ee chaek-deul ban-nap-hal-ke-yo
Meaning: I’ll return these books. - Expression: 반납 기한이 언제까지였나요? (Bannap gihani eonjekkajiyeonayo?)
Pronunciation: ban-nap gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-yeot-na-yo?
Meaning: When was the return due date? - Expression: 조금 늦었는데 연체료 있나요? (Jogeum neujeonneunde yeoncheryo innayo?)
Pronunciation: jo-geum neu-jeot-neun-de yeon-che-ryo in-na-yo?
Meaning: I’m a little late, is there an overdue fine? - Expression: 연체료는 얼마인가요? (Yeoncheryoneun eolmaingayo?)
Pronunciation: yeon-che-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the late fee? - Expression: 여기서 연체료를 내면 되나요? (Yeogiseo yeoncheryoreul naemyeon doenayo?)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo yeon-che-ryo-reul ne-myeon dwe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay the late fee here? - Expression: 무인 반납기가 있나요? (Muin bannapgiga innayo?)
Pronunciation: moo-in ban-nap-gi-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an automated return machine? - Expression: 다른 도서관에서 빌린 책도 여기서 반납 가능한가요? (Dareun doseogwaneseo billin chaekdo yeogiseo bannap ganeunghangayo?)
Pronunciation: da-reun do-seo-gwan-e-seo bil-lin chaek-do yeo-gi-seo ban-nap ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Can I return books borrowed from other libraries here? (Check policy) - Expression: 반납 확인증 받을 수 있을까요? (Bannap hwaginjeung badeul su isseulkkayo?)
Pronunciation: ban-nap hwa-gin-jeung bad-eul soo iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a return receipt? - Expression: 책 상태가 괜찮은지 확인해주세요. (Chaek sangtaega gwaenchaneunji hwaginhaejuseyo.)
Pronunciation: chaek sang-tae-ga gwen-chan-eun-ji hwa-gin-he-joo-se-yo
Meaning: Please check if the book’s condition is okay. - Expression: 다 반납되었습니다. (Da bannapdoeeotsseumnida.)
Pronunciation: da ban-nap-dwe-eot-seum-ni-da
Meaning: Everything has been returned. (Librarian might say this) - Expression: 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요. (Gamsahamnida. Annyeonghi gyeseyo.)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo
Meaning: Thank you. Goodbye. (Formal)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can enhance your library experience in Korea.
- Membership Requirements: Public libraries often require proof of local residency (like an Alien Registration Card with a local address) for full membership, though policies vary. University libraries usually require student/faculty status. Some libraries offer temporary memberships for short-term visitors.
- Quiet Zones: Korean libraries, especially
열람실(yeollamsil – reading rooms), are strictly quiet zones intended for focused study. Talking, phone calls, or noisy eating are highly discouraged. General areas and resource rooms (자료실– jaryosil) may be slightly more relaxed, but maintaining a quiet demeanor is expected. - Digital Resources: Many Korean libraries offer extensive digital resources, including e-books, audiobooks, and online databases. Access often requires library membership. Check the library’s website for available digital services.
- Shoe Etiquette: Some smaller libraries or specific rooms (like traditional
온돌– ondol floor reading areas) might require you to remove your shoes before entering. Look for signs or shoe racks near the entrance. - Self-Checkout/Return: Larger libraries often have self-checkout (
자가 대출– jaga daechul) and automated return machines (무인 반납기– muin bannapgi) for convenience, especially outside regular hours. Instructions are usually available in Korean and sometimes English.
Real Conversation Example
This dialogue illustrates a typical interaction when borrowing books.
- Situation: A person (A) wants to borrow two books at the library counter.
- Roles: A: Library User, B: Librarian
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 책 두 권 대출하고 싶어요. (Annyeonghaseyo. I chaek du gwon daechulhago sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ee chaek doo gw-on dae-chool-ha-go ship-eo-yo.
Meaning: Hello. I’d like to borrow these two books. - Expression: B: 네, 회원증 보여주시겠어요? (Ne, hoewonjeung boyeojusigesseoyo?)
Pronunciation: ne, hwe-won-jeung bo-yeo-joo-shi-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, could I see your library card, please? - Expression: A: 네, 여기 있습니다. (Ne, yeogi itseumnida.)
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, here it is. - Expression: B: (Scanning card and books) 네, 확인되었습니다. 대출 기간은 2주이고, 반납 예정일은 [Date]입니다. (Ne, hwagindoeeotsseumnida. Daechul giganeun ijuigo, bannap yejeongireun [Date]imnida.)
Pronunciation: ne, hwa-gin-dwe-eot-seum-ni-da. dae-chool gi-gan-eun ee-joo-ee-go, ban-nap ye-jeong-il-eun [Date]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Okay, confirmed. The loan period is 2 weeks, and the due date is [Date]. - Expression: A: 감사합니다. 연장도 가능한가요? (Gamsahamnida. Yeonjangdo ganeunghangayo?)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeon-jang-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Thank you. Is renewal possible? - Expression: B: 네, 예약이 없으면 1회 연장 가능합니다. 도서관 홈페이지나 앱에서도 하실 수 있어요. (Ne, yeyagi eopseumyeon ilhoe yeonjang ganeunghamnida. Doseogwan hompeijina aebe-seodo hasil su isseoyo.)
Pronunciation: ne, ye-yak-i eop-seu-myeon il-hwe yeon-jang ga-neung-ham-ni-da. do-seo-gwan hom-pe-i-ji-na eb-e-seo-do ha-shil soo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you can renew once if there are no reservations. You can also do it on the library website or app. - Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다! (Algesseumnida. Gamsahamnida!)
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: I understand. Thank you! - Expression: B: 네, 안녕히 가세요. (Ne, annyeonghi gaseyo.)
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, goodbye.
Practice Tips
Now that you have the essential phrases, try practicing them! Visit a local library in Korea if you can, even just to observe or ask a simple question~ Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner is also a great way to build confidence. Don’t be afraid to use the self-checkout machines if available; they often have English options! The more you use these expressions, the more natural they’ll become. 화이팅! (Fighting!)
