Understanding how to manage utility bills is a practical necessity when living in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for inquiring about electricity bill payment methods, locations, and details. Learning these expressions will help you handle your electricity payments smoothly and avoid confusion.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 전기요금 납부 방법
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum nap-bu bang-beop
Meaning: Electricity bill payment method
Basic Inquiry Phrases
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Expression: 전기요금 어떻게 내요?
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum eo-tteo-ke nae-yo?
Meaning: How do I pay the electricity bill? -
Expression: 전기요금 납부 방법을 알고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum nap-bu bang-beop-eul al-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to know how to pay the electricity bill. -
Expression: 전기세 고지서 받았어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-se go-ji-seo bad-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I received the electricity bill. -
Expression: 이 전기요금 고지서 좀 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i jeon-gi-yo-geum go-ji-seo jom seol-myeong-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain this electricity bill to me? -
Expression: 전기요금 납부 기한이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum nap-bu gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the due date for the electricity bill? -
Expression: 전기요금 어디서 낼 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum eo-di-seo nael su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I pay the electricity bill? -
Expression: 이번 달 전기요금이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-beon dal jeon-gi-yo-geum-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the electricity bill for this month? -
Expression: 전기요금 납부 관련해서 문의할 게 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum nap-bu gwal-lyeon-hae-seo mun-ui-hal ge iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have an inquiry regarding the electricity bill payment. -
Expression: 전기요금 고지서를 아직 못 받았어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum go-ji-seo-reul a-jik mot bad-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t received the electricity bill yet. -
Expression: 전기요금 납부 확인증이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum nap-bu hwa-gin-jeung-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need proof of payment for the electricity bill.
Payment Methods and Locations
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Expression: 은행에서 납부할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eun-haeng-e-seo nap-bu-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay at the bank? -
Expression: 인터넷 뱅킹으로 납부 가능해요?
Pronunciation: in-teo-net baeng-king-eu-ro nap-bu ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to pay via internet banking? -
Expression: 자동이체 신청하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ja-dong-i-che sin-cheong-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to apply for automatic withdrawal (direct debit). -
Expression: 편의점에서도 납부할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: pyeon-ui-jeom-e-seo-do nap-bu-hal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I also pay at a convenience store? -
Expression: 지로 용지로 납부해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ji-ro yong-ji-ro nap-bu-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I have to pay using a Giro form? -
Expression: 신용카드로 결제할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-yong-ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay with a credit card? -
Expression: 모바일 앱으로 납부하는 방법 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: mo-ba-il aeb-eu-ro nap-bu-ha-neun bang-beop al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to pay using the mobile app. -
Expression: ATM 기계로 납부할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ei-ti-em gi-gye-ro nap-bu-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay using an ATM machine? -
Expression: 어떤 은행에서 납부할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon eun-haeng-e-seo nap-bu-hal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Which banks accept the payment? -
Expression: 계좌 이체로 납부해도 되나요?
Pronunciation: gye-jwa i-che-ro nap-bu-hae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay via bank transfer? -
Expression: 가상계좌 번호가 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: ga-sang-gye-jwa beon-ho-ga eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the virtual account number?
Questions About the Bill Details
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Expression: 전기 사용량이 왜 이렇게 많이 나왔어요?
Pronunciation: jeon-gi sa-yong-ryang-i wae i-reo-ke man-i na-wass-eo-yo?
Meaning: Why is the electricity usage so high? -
Expression: 지난달 요금보다 많이 나왔어요.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-dal yo-geum-bo-da man-i na-wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s much higher than last month’s bill. -
Expression: 요금 계산이 잘못된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: yo-geum gye-san-i jal-mot-doen geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think the bill calculation might be wrong. -
Expression: 납부 기한이 지났는데 어떻게 해야 해요?
Pronunciation: nap-bu gi-han-i ji-nass-neun-de eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: The due date has passed, what should I do? -
Expression: 연체료가 붙나요?
Pronunciation: yeon-che-ryo-ga but-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a late fee? -
Expression: 고객 번호가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: go-gaek beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the customer number? -
Expression: 상세 내역을 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: sang-se nae-yeok-eul bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the detailed breakdown? -
Expression: 이 요금 항목은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i yo-geum hang-mok-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this charge item? -
Expression: 다음 달 요금은 언제 나와요?
Pronunciation: da-eum dal yo-geum-eun eon-je na-wa-yo?
Meaning: When will next month’s bill be issued? -
Expression: 전기요금 감면 혜택이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-gi-yo-geum gam-myeon hye-taeg-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any electricity bill reduction benefits? -
Expression: 이사 가는데 전기요금 정산은 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: i-sa ga-neun-de jeon-gi-yo-geum jeong-san-eun eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: I’m moving out, how do I settle the final electricity bill?
Cultural Tips
Automatic Withdrawal (자동이체 – ja-dong-i-che): Setting up automatic withdrawal from a Korean bank account is the most common and convenient way to pay utility bills. Many Koreans prefer this method to avoid missing due dates.
Giro System (지로 – ji-ro): Utility bills often come as ‘Giro’ forms. These can be paid at banks, post offices, ATMs, convenience stores, or online through banking apps using the Giro number printed on the bill.
Online/Mobile Banking: Paying bills via internet banking or mobile banking apps is extremely popular and efficient in tech-savvy Korea. Most banks offer robust platforms for bill payments.
Bill Delivery: Bills are typically mailed physically, but many utility companies offer electronic billing options sent via email or accessible through their apps or websites, which is becoming increasingly common.
Customer Service: If you have questions, you can call the customer service number (고객센터 – go-gaek-sen-teo) listed on the bill. While English support might be limited depending on the company, major providers often have some English service available.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreign resident (A) visits their local community center (주민센터 – ju-min-sen-teo) or calls the electricity company (한국전력공사 – KEPCO) customer service (B) to ask about paying their bill.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 전기요금 납부 방법에 대해 여쭤볼 게 있어서요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jeon-gi-yo-geum nap-bu bang-beop-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bol ge iss-eo-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, I have a question about how to pay the electricity bill. -
Expression: B: 네, 무엇을 도와드릴까요? 고지서 가지고 계신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo? go-ji-seo ga-ji-go gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, how may I help you? Do you have the bill with you? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 있어요. 이걸 어떻게 내야 하는지 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, yeo-gi iss-eo-yo. i-geol eo-tteo-ke nae-ya ha-neun-ji jal mo-reu-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, here it is. I’m not sure how I should pay this. -
Expression: B: 납부 방법은 여러 가지가 있습니다. 은행 창구나 ATM, 인터넷 뱅킹, 모바일 앱, 편의점 등에서 납부하실 수 있어요. 자동이체를 신청하시면 가장 편리합니다.
Pronunciation: B: nap-bu bang-beop-eun yeo-reo ga-ji-ga iss-seum-ni-da. eun-haeng chang-gu-na ei-ti-em, in-teo-net baeng-king, mo-ba-il aep, pyeon-ui-jeom deung-e-seo nap-bu-ha-sil su iss-eo-yo. ja-dong-i-che-reul sin-cheong-ha-si-myeon ga-jang pyeol-li-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: There are several payment methods. You can pay at a bank counter or ATM, via internet banking, mobile app, or at a convenience store. Applying for automatic withdrawal is the most convenient. -
Expression: A: 자동이체는 어떻게 신청하나요?
Pronunciation: A: ja-dong-i-che-neun eo-tteo-ke sin-cheong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: How do I apply for automatic withdrawal? -
Expression: B: 은행에 직접 방문하시거나, 저희 고객센터 또는 웹사이트/앱을 통해서 신청 가능합니다. 신분증과 통장 사본이 필요할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: B: eun-haeng-e jik-jeop bang-mun-ha-si-geo-na, jeo-hui go-gaek-sen-teo tto-neun wep-sa-i-teu/aeb-eul tong-hae-seo sin-cheong ga-neung-ham-ni-da. sin-bun-jjeung-gwa tong-jang sa-bon-i pil-yo-hal su iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: You can apply by visiting the bank directly, or through our customer center or website/app. You might need your ID card and a copy of your bankbook. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: al-gess-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: I understand. Thank you!
Practice Tips
Dealing with bills is a part of daily life, so these phrases are super useful! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ You can also practice by looking at your own electricity bill (if you have one) and trying to identify the customer number (고객 번호), due date (납부 기한), and amount (금액). Don’t hesitate to ask for help at a bank or community center using these phrases if you need to pay in person. 화이팅! (Fighting!)
