Getting official identification photos (증명사진 – jeungmyeong sajin) taken in Korea involves visiting a specialized photo studio (사진관 – sajingwan). This guide covers the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases you’ll need to navigate the process smoothly, from making requests to understanding retouching options and collection times. Knowing these expressions will help you communicate your needs clearly at any Korean photo studio.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for expressing the purpose of your visit.
- Expression: 증명사진 찍다
Pronunciation: jeungmyeong sajin jjikda
Meaning: To take an ID photo / To get an ID photo taken
Initial Interaction and Basic Requests
Use these phrases when you first arrive at the photo studio or when making initial inquiries.
- Expression: 증명사진 찍으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: jeungmyeong sajin jjigeureo wasseoyo.
Meaning: I came here to get an ID photo taken. - Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: yeyak-haeya hanayo?
Meaning: Do I need to make an appointment? - Expression: 지금 찍을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jigeum jjigeul su innayo?
Meaning: Can I get it taken now? - Expression: 증명사진 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jeungmyeong sajin gagyeogi eolmayeyo?
Meaning: How much does an ID photo cost? - Expression: 사진 나오는 데 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: sajin naoneun de eolmana geollyeoyo?
Meaning: How long does it take to get the photos? - Expression: 어떤 종류의 증명사진이 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: eotteon jongnyu-ui jeungmyeong sajini piryohaseyo?
Meaning: What type of ID photo do you need? (Photographer might ask this) - Expression: 사진관이 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: sajingwani eodi-e isseoyo?
Meaning: Where is the photo studio? - Expression: 이력서 사진도 찍으시나요?
Pronunciation: iryeokseo sajindo jjigeusinayo?
Meaning: Do you also take resume photos? - Expression: 여권 사진 규정 아세요?
Pronunciation: yeogwon sajin gyujeong aseyo?
Meaning: Do you know the passport photo regulations? - Expression: 배경 색깔 선택할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: baegyeong saekkal seontaekhal su isseoyo?
Meaning: Can I choose the background color? - Expression: 옷 갈아입을 곳 있어요?
Pronunciation: ot garaibeul got isseoyo?
Meaning: Is there a place to change clothes? - Expression: 머리 정리 좀 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: meori jeongni jom haedo doelkayo?
Meaning: May I fix my hair?
Specifying Photo Requirements
Clearly state the type, size, and purpose of the photo you need.
- Expression: 여권 사진 필요해요.
Pronunciation: yeogwon sajin piryohaeyo.
Meaning: I need a passport photo. - Expression: 주민등록증 사진 찍어야 해요.
Pronunciation: jumin deungnokjjeung sajin jjigeoya haeyo.
Meaning: I need to take a photo for my resident registration card. - Expression: 운전면허증 사진이요.
Pronunciation: unjeon myeonheojeung sajiniyo.
Meaning: It’s for a driver’s license photo. - Expression: 이력서에 붙일 사진이에요.
Pronunciation: iryeokseo-e buchil sajini-eyo.
Meaning: It’s a photo to attach to my resume. - Expression: 비자 신청용 사진이에요.
Pronunciation: bija sincheong-yong sajini-eyo.
Meaning: It’s a photo for a visa application. - Expression: 사이즈는 3.5cm x 4.5cm로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: saijeu-neun sam-jeom-o senti x sa-jeom-o sentiro haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please make the size 3.5cm by 4.5cm. - Expression: 배경은 흰색으로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: baegyeong-eun huinsaeg-euro haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please make the background white. - Expression: 배경은 파란색으로 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: baegyeong-eun paransaeg-euro ganeunghalkkayo?
Meaning: Is a blue background possible? - Expression: 귀가 보여야 해요.
Pronunciation: gwi-ga boyeoya haeyo.
Meaning: My ears need to be visible. - Expression: 안경 벗고 찍어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: angyeong beotgo jjigeoya hanayo?
Meaning: Do I need to take off my glasses? - Expression: 정면 보고 찍어주세요.
Pronunciation: jeongmyeon bogo jjigeojuseyo.
Meaning: Please take it facing forward. - Expression: 총 몇 장 필요해요.
Pronunciation: chong myeot jang piryohaeyo.
Meaning: I need [number] photos in total. (e.g., 총 여덟 장 필요해요 – I need 8 photos total)
During the Photoshoot
These phrases might be used by you or the photographer during the session.
- Expression: 여기에 앉으면 되나요?
Pronunciation: yeogi-e anjeumyeon doenayo?
Meaning: Should I sit here? - Expression: 고개를 살짝 들어주세요.
Pronunciation: gogae-reul saljjak deureojuseyo.
Meaning: Please lift your head slightly. (Photographer) - Expression: 턱을 조금만 내려주세요.
Pronunciation: teogeul jogeumman naeryeojuseyo.
Meaning: Please lower your chin just a bit. (Photographer) - Expression: 어깨를 펴세요.
Pronunciation: eokkae-reul pyeoseyo.
Meaning: Straighten your shoulders. (Photographer) - Expression: 살짝 웃어보세요.
Pronunciation: saljjak useoboseyo.
Meaning: Try smiling slightly. (Photographer) - Expression: 입은 다물어 주세요.
Pronunciation: ibeun damureo juseyo.
Meaning: Please close your mouth. (Photographer) - Expression: 시선은 카메라를 봐주세요.
Pronunciation: siseon-eun kamera-reul bwajuseyo.
Meaning: Please look at the camera. (Photographer) - Expression: 머리카락 좀 정리할게요.
Pronunciation: meorikarak jom jeongnihalkkeyo.
Meaning: I’ll just fix your hair a bit. (Photographer) - Expression: 눈 크게 떠보세요.
Pronunciation: nun keuge tteoboseyo.
Meaning: Try opening your eyes wide. (Photographer) - Expression: 한번 더 찍을게요.
Pronunciation: hanbeon deo jjigeulkkeyo.
Meaning: I’ll take one more shot. (Photographer) - Expression: 잘 나왔나요?
Pronunciation: jal nawannayo?
Meaning: Did it come out well? - Expression: 사진 한번 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: sajin hanbeon bol su isseulkkayo?
Meaning: Can I see the photo?
Retouching, Payment, and Collection
Discussing photo editing, payment, and when to pick up the finished photos.
- Expression: 사진 수정도 해주시나요?
Pronunciation: sajin sujeongdo haejusinayo?
Meaning: Do you also do photo retouching? - Expression: 피부 보정 좀 해주세요.
Pronunciation: pibu bojeong jom haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please touch up my skin a little. - Expression: 너무 과하게 수정하지 말아주세요.
Pronunciation: neomu gwahage sujeonghaji marajuseyo.
Meaning: Please don’t retouch it too much. - Expression: 자연스럽게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: jayeonseureopge haejuseyo.
Meaning: Please make it look natural. - Expression: 언제 찾으러 오면 돼요?
Pronunciation: eonje chajeureo omyeon dwaeyo?
Meaning: When can I come to pick it up? - Expression: 파일로도 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: paillo-do badeul su innayo?
Meaning: Can I receive it as a digital file too? - Expression: 이메일로 보내주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: imeil-lo bonaejusil su isseoyo?
Meaning: Can you send it via email? - Expression: 계산은 어떻게 할까요?
Pronunciation: gyesan-eun eotteoke halkkayo?
Meaning: How should I pay? - Expression: 카드 돼요?
Pronunciation: kadeu dwaeyo?
Meaning: Do you accept credit cards? - Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-euro gyesanhalkkeyo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. - Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeongsujeung juseyo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. - Expression: 사진 찾으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: sajin chajeureo wasseoyo.
Meaning: I came to pick up my photos.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can enhance your experience at a Korean photo studio.
- Ubiquitous Studios: Photo studios (사진관 – sajingwan) are very common in Korea, especially near universities and business districts, reflecting the importance of photos for resumes, IDs, and applications.
- Retouching is Standard: Digital retouching (보정 – bojeong, often called 뽀샵 – pposyap, from Photoshop) is a standard part of the service for ID photos. It usually includes skin smoothing, minor blemish removal, and sometimes subtle facial feature adjustments. Don’t be surprised if it’s done automatically unless you specify otherwise.
- Specify “Natural”: If you prefer minimal retouching, explicitly ask for it to be done “naturally” (자연스럽게 – jayeonseureopge). Most photographers are happy to accommodate, showing you the before and after.
- Quick Turnaround: Many studios offer very fast service, sometimes providing the finished, retouched photos within 15-30 minutes or a few hours, especially for standard ID photos.
- Digital Files: It’s common to receive both printed photos and the digital file, often sent via email or KakaoTalk, which is convenient for online applications.
Real Conversation Example
This example shows a typical interaction at a photo studio.
- Situation: A customer (A) enters a photo studio to get photos taken for their resume. The photographer (B) assists them.
- Roles: A: Customer, B: Photographer
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 이력서 사진 찍으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: annyeonghaseyo, iryeokseo sajin jjigeureo wasseoyo.
Meaning: Hello, I came to get a resume photo taken. - Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 이쪽에 앉으시겠어요? 배경은 어떤 색으로 하시겠어요? 보통 파란색이나 회색 많이 하세요.
Pronunciation: ne, eoseo oseyo. ijjoge anjeusigesseoyo? baegyeong-eun eotteon saeg-euro hasigesseoyo? botong paransaegina hoesaek mani haseyo.
Meaning: Yes, welcome. Would you like to sit here? What background color would you like? People usually choose blue or gray. - Expression: A: 파란색으로 해주세요. 그리고 사진 수정도 해주시나요? 자연스럽게 부탁드려요.
Pronunciation: paransaeg-euro haejuseyo. geurigo sajin sujeongdo haejusinayo? jayeonseureopge butakdeuryeoyo.
Meaning: Please make it blue. And do you also do retouching? Please make it look natural. - Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 기본 보정 해드려요. 자, 준비되셨으면 찍겠습니다. 정면 보시고, 턱 살짝만 내려주세요. 네, 좋습니다! 하나, 둘, 셋!
Pronunciation: ne, geureomyo. gibon bojeong haedeuryeoyo. ja, junbi doesyeosseumyeon jjikketsseumnida. jeongmyeon bosigo, teok saljjakman naeryeojuseyo. ne, josseumnida! hana, dul, set!
Meaning: Yes, of course. We do basic retouching. Okay, if you’re ready, I’ll take the picture. Look straight ahead, and lower your chin just slightly. Yes, that’s good! One, two, three! - Expression: A: 사진 한번 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: sajin hanbeon bol su isseulkkayo?
Meaning: Can I see the photo? - Expression: B: 네, 이쪽 모니터로 확인해보세요. 보정 후에 바로 인화해 드릴게요. 20분 정도 걸릴 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ne, ijjok moniteoro hwaginhaeboseyo. bojeong hu-e baro inhwa-hae deurilkkeyo. isip bun jeongdo geollil geot gatayo.
Meaning: Yes, please check it on this monitor. I’ll print it right after retouching. It should take about 20 minutes. - Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다. 파일로도 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ne, gamsahamnida. paillo-do badeul su innayo?
Meaning: Okay, thank you. Can I receive it as a digital file too? - Expression: B: 네, 이메일 주소 적어주시면 보내드릴게요. 총 8장에 파일 포함해서 2만 원입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, imeil juso jeogeojusimyeon bonaedeurilkkeyo. chong yeodeol jang-e pail pohamhaeseo iman wonimnida.
Meaning: Yes, if you write down your email address, I’ll send it to you. It’s 20,000 won total for 8 prints including the file.
Practice Tips
Getting your ID photo taken is a common task, so these phrases are really useful~! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or practice saying the requests out loud. Pay attention to the specific requirements (passport, resume, etc.) as they often have different rules. Don’t hesitate to ask the photographer questions using phrases like “수정은 어떻게 되나요?” (How will the retouching be done?) or “언제 찾으러 올까요?” (When should I come pick it up?). Good luck! 화이팅!
