Knowing how to communicate during an emergency is crucial, especially when you are in a foreign country. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary needed to explain various emergency situations effectively in Korea. Learning these expressions can help you get assistance quickly and navigate unexpected events with more confidence.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental term for the topic of explaining emergency situations.
- Expression: 비상 상황 설명하기
Pronunciation: bi-sang sang-hwang seol-myeong-ha-gi
Meaning: Explaining an emergency situation
Basic Emergency Phrases
Use these fundamental phrases to get immediate attention or request help.
-
Expression: 도와주세요!
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Help me! -
Expression: 비상 상황이에요!
Pronunciation: bi-sang sang-hwang-i-e-yo!
Meaning: It’s an emergency situation! -
Expression: 긴급 상황입니다.
Pronunciation: gin-geup sang-hwang-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s an urgent situation. -
Expression: 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need help. -
Expression: 경찰을 불러주세요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chal-eul bul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call the police. -
Expression: 119에 전화해 주세요. (일일구에 전화해 주세요)
Pronunciation: il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call 119 (Emergency services for fire/medical). -
Expression: 112에 전화해 주세요. (일일이에 전화해 주세요)
Pronunciation: il-il-i-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call 112 (Police). -
Expression: 구급차를 불러주세요.
Pronunciation: gu-geup-cha-reul bul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call an ambulance. -
Expression: 소방서를 불러주세요.
Pronunciation: so-bang-seo-reul bul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call the fire department. -
Expression: 위험해요!
Pronunciation: wi-heom-hae-yo!
Meaning: It’s dangerous! -
Expression: 빨리요!
Pronunciation: ppal-li-yo!
Meaning: Hurry! -
Expression: 저 좀 도와주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jeo jom do-wa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please help me?
Describing Specific Emergencies
Use these phrases to explain the nature of the emergency.
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Expression: 불이야! / 화재가 났어요.
Pronunciation: bul-i-ya! / hwa-jae-ga na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Fire! / There’s a fire. -
Expression: 사고가 났어요.
Pronunciation: sa-go-ga na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s been an accident. -
Expression: 교통사고가 났어요.
Pronunciation: gyo-tong-sa-go-ga na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s been a traffic accident. -
Expression: 사람이 쓰러졌어요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-i sseu-reo-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Someone collapsed. -
Expression: 누가 다쳤어요.
Pronunciation: nu-ga da-chyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Someone is injured. -
Expression: 지갑을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: ji-gap-eul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my wallet. -
Expression: 여권을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-eul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my passport. -
Expression: 길을 잃었어요.
Pronunciation: gil-eul il-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m lost. -
Expression: 도둑이야! / 도둑 맞았어요.
Pronunciation: do-duk-i-ya! / do-duk ma-ja-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Thief! / I’ve been robbed. -
Expression: 싸움이 났어요.
Pronunciation: ssa-um-i na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A fight broke out. -
Expression: 아이를 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: a-i-reul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my child. -
Expression: 핸드폰을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: haen-deu-pon-eul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my cell phone.
Providing Details
Be ready to provide specific information about the situation.
-
Expression: 여기가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is this? / What is this location? -
Expression: 제 위치는 [장소]입니다.
Pronunciation: je wi-chi-neun [jang-so]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My location is [Place]. -
Expression: 주소는 [주소]입니다.
Pronunciation: ju-so-neun [ju-so]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The address is [Address]. -
Expression: 부상자가 있나요?
Pronunciation: bu-sang-ja-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any injured people? -
Expression: 네, [숫자]명 다쳤어요.
Pronunciation: ne, [sut-ja]-myeong da-chyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, [Number] people are injured. -
Expression: 아니요, 다친 사람은 없어요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, da-chin sa-ram-eun eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: No, no one is injured. -
Expression: 상태가 심각해요.
Pronunciation: sang-tae-ga sim-gak-hae-yo.
Meaning: The condition is serious. -
Expression: 의식이 없어요.
Pronunciation: ui-sik-i eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: He/She is unconscious. -
Expression: 피가 많이 나요.
Pronunciation: pi-ga man-i na-yo.
Meaning: There’s a lot of bleeding. -
Expression: 숨을 못 쉬어요.
Pronunciation: sum-eul mot swi-eo-yo.
Meaning: He/She can’t breathe. -
Expression: 제 이름은 [이름]입니다.
Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun [i-reum]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My name is [Name]. -
Expression: 제 전화번호는 [번호]입니다.
Pronunciation: je jeon-hwa-beon-ho-neun [beon-ho]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My phone number is [Number].
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can be helpful during emergencies in Korea.
- Emergency Numbers: Remember the key numbers: 119 (일일구 – il-il-gu) for fire and medical emergencies, and 112 (일일이 – il-il-i) for police matters. Calling the correct number saves time.
- Stay Calm: While difficult, try to remain as calm as possible when explaining the situation. Speak clearly and provide essential information first (location, type of emergency).
- Public Assistance: Koreans are generally very helpful, especially in emergencies. Don’t hesitate to ask bystanders for help using phrases like “도와주세요” (do-wa-ju-se-yo).
- Simplicity is Key: If your Korean isn’t fluent, use simple sentences and keywords. Pointing or using gestures can also help convey the message.
- Information Ready: Emergency operators will ask for your location, the nature of the emergency, and if anyone is hurt. Try to have this information ready, especially the exact address or nearby landmarks if possible.
Real Conversation Example
This dialogue demonstrates how to report an emergency over the phone.
Situation: A person (A) witnesses a car accident and calls 119 for help.
Roles: A: Witness, B: 119 Emergency Operator
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Expression: B: 119입니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: il-il-gu-im-ni-da. mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: This is 119. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 교통사고가 났어요! 빨리 와주세요!
Pronunciation: gyo-tong-sa-go-ga na-sseo-yo! ppal-li wa-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: There’s been a traffic accident! Please come quickly! -
Expression: B: 네, 침착하시고 위치가 어디입니까?
Pronunciation: ne, chim-chak-ha-si-go wi-chi-ga eo-di-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: Okay, please calm down. What is the location? -
Expression: A: 여기는 강남역 사거리 근처예요. OO 빌딩 바로 앞입니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-neun gang-nam-yeok sa-geo-ri geun-cheo-ye-yo. OO bil-ding ba-ro ap-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is near Gangnam Station intersection. Right in front of the OO Building. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 부상자가 있습니까?
Pronunciation: al-ge-sseum-ni-da. bu-sang-ja-ga i-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Understood. Are there any injured people? -
Expression: A: 네, 운전자 한 명이 다친 것 같아요. 의식이 희미해요.
Pronunciation: ne, un-jeon-ja han myeong-i da-chin geot ga-ta-yo. ui-sik-i hui-mi-hae-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I think one driver is injured. He/She is barely conscious. -
Expression: B: 네, 구급차와 경찰을 바로 보내겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요. 전화 끊지 마세요.
Pronunciation: ne, gu-geup-cha-wa gyeong-chal-eul ba-ro bo-nae-ge-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo. jeon-hwa kkeun-chi ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, we will dispatch an ambulance and police immediately. Please wait a moment. Don’t hang up the phone. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, understood. Thank you.
Practice Tips
Knowing these phrases is the first step, but practice makes perfect, especially for stressful situations!
- Memorize Key Phrases: Focus on essential phrases like “도와주세요,” “119 불러주세요,” and how to state your location~.
- Role-Playing: Practice different emergency scenarios with a friend or language partner. This helps you react more quickly under pressure!
- Listen and Repeat: Find videos or audio clips of emergency dialogues in Korean to get used to the speed and intonation.
- Use Flashcards: Create flashcards for vocabulary and phrases. Review them regularly.
- Stay Prepared: Save the emergency numbers (119, 112) and maybe the address of your accommodation in Korean on your phone.
Being prepared can make a huge difference in an emergency. Keep practicing these phrases! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
