Communicating technical issues like a printer jam can be tricky, especially in a noisy office environment where clear communication is essential. This guide provides practical Korean phrases and cultural insights for explaining a printer problem to a coworker, focusing on clarity despite background noise.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 프린터에 용지가 걸렸어요.
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo-e yong-ji-ga geol-lyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The paper is jammed in the printer. (This is the most common way to express a paper jam.)
Basic Phrases for Getting Attention and Explaining
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Expression: 저기요, 잠깐만요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, jam-kkan-man-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, just a moment. -
Expression: 이것 좀 보세요.
Pronunciation: i-geot jom bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take a look at this. -
Expression: 프린터에 문제가 생긴 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo-e mun-je-ga saeng-gin geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think there’s a problem with the printer. -
Expression: 인쇄가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: in-swae-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: It’s not printing. -
Expression: 갑자기 멈췄어요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi meom-chwoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It suddenly stopped. -
Expression: 제가 뭘 잘못 눌렀나 봐요.
Pronunciation: je-ga mwol jal-mot nul-leot-na bwa-yo.
Meaning: Maybe I pressed something wrong. -
Expression: 에러 메시지가 떴어요.
Pronunciation: e-reo me-si-ji-ga tteoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: An error message popped up. -
Expression: 용지를 제거해야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: yong-ji-reul je-geo-hae-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think we need to remove the paper. -
Expression: 어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know what to do. -
Expression: 혹시 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know?
Describing the Printer Jam
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Expression: 용지가 완전히 끼었어요.
Pronunciation: yong-ji-ga wan-jeon-hi kki-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The paper is completely stuck. -
Expression: 종이가 찢어졌어요.
Pronunciation: jong-i-ga jji-jeo-jeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The paper ripped. -
Expression: 여러 장이 같이 들어갔어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-reo jang-i ga-chi deu-reo-gass-eo-yo.
Meaning: Several sheets went in together. -
Expression: 프린터 내부에서 걸린 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo nae-bu-e-seo geol-lin geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: It seems to be jammed inside the printer. -
Expression: 용지함에 문제가 있는 걸까요?
Pronunciation: yong-ji-ham-e mun-je-ga it-neun geol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could there be a problem with the paper tray? -
Expression: 토너 부족은 아닌 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: to-neo bu-jok-eun a-nin geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I don’t think it’s low toner. -
Expression: 경고등이 깜빡거려요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-go-deung-i kkam-ppak-geo-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: The warning light is blinking. -
Expression: 이상한 소리가 나요.
Pronunciation: i-sang-han so-ri-ga na-yo.
Meaning: It’s making a strange noise. -
Expression: 전원을 껐다 켜봤는데도 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: jeon-won-eul kkeot-da kyeo-bwat-neun-de-do an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I tried turning it off and on again, but it still doesn’t work. -
Expression: 용지를 빼내려고 했는데 잘 안 빠져요.
Pronunciation: yong-ji-reul ppae-nae-ryeo-go haet-neun-de jal an ppa-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: I tried to pull the paper out, but it won’t come out easily.
Asking for Help or Suggestions
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Expression: 혹시 이것 좀 도와주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i-geot jom do-wa-ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly help me with this? -
Expression: 어떻게 해결해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-gyeol-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should we solve this? -
Expression: 이런 경우 어떻게 하세요?
Pronunciation: i-reon gyeong-u eo-tteo-ke ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What do you usually do in this situation? -
Expression: 제가 뭘 더 해볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga mwol deo hae-bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything else I can try? -
Expression: 같이 한번 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ga-chi han-beon bwa-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Would you mind taking a look together? -
Expression: 관리팀에 연락해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-tim-e yeol-lak-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should we contact the maintenance team? -
Expression: 프린터 설명서를 찾아볼까요?
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo seol-myeong-seo-reul cha-ja-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should we look for the printer manual? -
Expression: 혹시 경험 있으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si gyeong-heom iss-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any experience with this? -
Expression: 괜찮으시면 잠깐만 와주세요.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eu-si-myeon jam-kkan-man wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: If you don’t mind, please come here for a moment. -
Expression: 다른 프린터를 써야 할까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun peu-rin-teo-reul sseo-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I use a different printer?
Dealing with Office Noise
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Expression: 여기 너무 시끄러워서 잘 안 들려요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo jal an deul-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: It’s too noisy here, I can’t hear you well. -
Expression: 네? 뭐라고 하셨어요?
Pronunciation: ne? mwo-ra-go ha-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Sorry? What did you say? -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? -
Expression: 조금 더 크게 말씀해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo keu-ge mal-sseum-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you speak a little louder? -
Expression: 프린터 쪽으로 가서 얘기할까요?
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo jjo-geu-ro ga-seo yae-gi-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we go over to the printer to talk? -
Expression: 주변이 너무 소란스럽네요.
Pronunciation: ju-byeon-i neo-mu so-ran-seu-reom-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s very noisy around here. -
Expression: 잠깐 조용한 곳으로 갈까요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan jo-yong-han go-seu-ro gal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we go somewhere quiet for a moment? -
Expression: 제 목소리 잘 들리세요?
Pronunciation: je mok-so-ri jal deul-li-se-yo?
Meaning: Can you hear me okay? -
Expression: 시끄러워서 집중이 안 되네요.
Pronunciation: si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo jip-jung-i an doe-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s hard to concentrate because it’s so noisy. -
Expression: 이따가 다시 얘기할까요?
Pronunciation: i-tta-ga da-si yae-gi-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should we talk again later?
Korean Culture Notes
When asking for help in a Korean office, especially from a senior colleague (선배 – seon-bae) or someone older, it’s important to be polite and mindful of hierarchy. Use formal language (like the -요/-세요 endings) and phrases like “혹시” (hok-si – perhaps/by any chance) or “괜찮으시면” (gwaen-chan-eu-si-myeon – if you don’t mind) to soften your request.
Koreans often value teamwork and helping colleagues. Explaining the problem clearly and showing you’ve already tried basic troubleshooting (like restarting) is appreciated. Avoid blaming the equipment or others directly; focus on the problem itself and seeking a solution together.
In noisy environments, non-verbal cues like pointing or gesturing towards the printer can be helpful. If communication is difficult, suggesting moving to the printer or a quieter area is a practical and considerate approach.
Acknowledging the noise (“시끄럽네요” – si-kkeu-reom-ne-yo) shows awareness and can make the interaction smoother. Don’t hesitate to politely ask someone to repeat themselves if you couldn’t hear properly due to the noise.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun notices the office printer is jammed while trying to print a report. The office is quite noisy with phones ringing and people talking. He asks his coworker, Ji-hye, for help.
Roles: A = Min-jun (Worker experiencing the jam), B = Ji-hye (Coworker)
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Expression: A: 저기요, 지혜 씨! 잠깐만요!
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, ji-hye ssi! jam-kkan-man-yo!
Meaning: A: Excuse me, Ji-hye! Just a moment! -
Expression: B: 네? 민준 씨, 무슨 일이에요? 잘 안 들려요!
Pronunciation: ne? min-jun ssi, mu-seun i-ri-e-yo? jal an deul-lyeo-yo!
Meaning: B: Yes? Min-jun, what’s up? I can’t hear you well! -
Expression: A: 아, 네! 프린터에 용지가 걸린 것 같아요! 인쇄가 안 돼요!
Pronunciation: a, ne! peu-rin-teo-e yong-ji-ga geol-lin geot gat-a-yo! in-swae-ga an dwae-yo!
Meaning: A: Ah, yes! I think the paper is jammed in the printer! It’s not printing! -
Expression: B: 용지가 걸렸다고요? 어디요?
Pronunciation: yong-ji-ga geol-lyeot-da-go-yo? eo-di-yo?
Meaning: B: Paper jam, you said? Where? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기요! 제가 빼려고 했는데 잘 안 빠져요. 시끄러워서 그런데, 프린터 쪽으로 가서 같이 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi-yo! je-ga ppae-ryeo-go haet-neun-de jal an ppa-jyeo-yo. si-kkeu-reo-wo-seo geu-reon-de, peu-rin-teo jjo-geu-ro ga-seo ga-chi bwa-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, here! I tried to pull it out, but it won’t come out easily. It’s noisy, so would you mind going over to the printer and taking a look together? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 그럽시다. 어디 한번 봅시다. 아, 이거 완전히 끼었네요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. geu-reop-si-da. eo-di han-beon bop-si-da. a, i-geo wan-jeon-hi kki-eon-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, okay. Let’s do that. Let’s take a look. Ah, this is really stuck in there. -
Expression: A: 네, 어떻게 해야 할지 모르겠어요. 혹시 이런 경험 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-ji mo-reu-gess-eo-yo. hok-si i-reon gyeong-heom iss-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, I don’t know what to do. Do you happen to have experience with this? -
Expression: B: 네, 가끔 이래요. 이쪽 덮개를 열고 조심스럽게 빼내야 해요. 제가 해볼게요.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-kkeum i-rae-yo. i-jjok deop-gae-reul yeol-go jo-sim-seu-reop-ge ppae-nae-ya hae-yo. je-ga hae-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, this happens sometimes. You need to open this cover and carefully pull it out. I’ll try it.
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases requires practice! Try role-playing the conversation example with a study partner, imagining the noisy office environment~ You can also practice describing different kinds of printer problems using the vocabulary lists. Pay close attention to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks. Listen to Korean office vlogs or dramas to get a feel for natural workplace interactions. Don’t be afraid to use gestures alongside your words, especially when noise is a factor! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
