Understanding how to ask for assistance with smartphone applications is crucial in tech-savvy Korea, where apps are used for everything from navigation and communication to banking and ordering food. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context to help you confidently seek help when navigating unfamiliar apps. You’ll learn how to ask basic questions, inquire about specific functions, and understand the guidance provided.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 앱 사용법 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: aep sa-yong-beop jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to use this app. (This is a polite and common way to ask for general instructions.)
Basic Questions about Apps
- Expression: 이 앱 어떻게 다운로드 받아요?
Pronunciation: i aep eo-tteo-ke da-un-no-deu ba-da-yo?
Meaning: How do I download this app? - Expression: 이 앱 어떻게 설치해요?
Pronunciation: i aep eo-tteo-ke seol-chi-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I install this app? - Expression: 로그인 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: ro-geu-in eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I log in? - Expression: 회원가입은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: hoe-won-ga-i-beun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I sign up (for membership)? - Expression: 이 버튼은 뭐예요? / 무슨 기능이에요?
Pronunciation: i beo-teu-neun mwo-ye-yo? / mu-seun gi-neung-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What is this button? / What function does it perform? - Expression: [기능]은 어디서 찾아요? (예: 설정 메뉴는 어디서 찾아요?)
Pronunciation: [gi-neung]-eun eo-di-seo cha-ja-yo? (ye: seol-jeong me-nyu-neun eo-di-seo cha-ja-yo?)
Meaning: Where can I find the [feature]? (Example: Where can I find the settings menu?) - Expression: 이 앱은 무료인가요?
Pronunciation: i ae-beun mu-ryo-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this app free? - Expression: 설정 메뉴는 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: seol-jeong me-nyu-neun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the settings menu? - Expression: 앱 업데이트는 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: aep eop-de-i-teu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I update the app? - Expression: 이 앱 어떻게 삭제해요?
Pronunciation: i aep eo-tteo-ke sak-je-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I delete this app? - Expression: 와이파이 연결해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i yeon-gyeol-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to connect to Wi-Fi? - Expression: 데이터 사용량이 많은가요?
Pronunciation: de-i-teo sa-yong-nyang-i ma-neun-ga-yo?
Meaning: Does it use a lot of data?
Asking for Specific Help
- Expression: 이 기능을 어떻게 사용하는지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: i gi-neung-eul eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-ha-neun-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to use this function. - Expression: [동작]하는 것 좀 보여주시겠어요? (예: 메시지 보내는 것 좀 보여주시겠어요?)
Pronunciation: [dong-jak]-ha-neun geot jom bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? (ye: me-si-ji bo-nae-neun geot jom bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?)
Meaning: Could you show me how to [action]? (Example: Could you show me how to send a message?) - Expression: 앱이 제대로 작동하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: ae-bi je-dae-ro jak-dong-ha-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: The app isn’t working properly. - Expression: 오류 메시지가 떴어요.
Pronunciation: o-ryu me-si-ji-ga tteo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: An error message appeared. - Expression: 앱이 자꾸 꺼져요. (튕겨요 – informal)
Pronunciation: ae-bi ja-kku kkeo-jyeo-yo. (twing-gyeo-yo)
Meaning: The app keeps closing. (crashing) - Expression: 언어 설정은 어떻게 바꿔요?
Pronunciation: eo-neo seol-jeong-eun eo-tteo-ke ba-kkwo-yo?
Meaning: How do I change the language settings? - Expression: 알림은 어떻게 꺼요?
Pronunciation: al-li-meun eo-tteo-ke kkeo-yo?
Meaning: How do I turn off notifications? - Expression: [항목] 메뉴를 못 찾겠어요.
Pronunciation: [hang-mok] me-nyu-reul mot chat-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t find the [item] menu. - Expression: 이 부분을 다시 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i bu-bu-neul da-si seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain this part again? - Expression: 여기서 뭘 눌러야 해요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo mwol nul-leo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: What should I press here? - Expression: 결제는 어떻게 진행하나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke jin-haeng-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I proceed with the payment? - Expression: 사진/파일 첨부는 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin/pa-il cheom-bu-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I attach a photo/file?
Understanding Instructions
- Expression: 아, 네. / 아, 그렇군요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. / a, geu-reo-kun-yo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. / Ah, I see. - Expression: 이제 알겠어요.
Pronunciation: i-je al-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I understand now. - Expression: 조금 더 천천히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo cheon-cheon-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it a bit more slowly? - Expression: 그럼, 이걸 먼저 누르면 되나요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom, i-geol meon-jeo nu-reu-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: So, should I press this first? - Expression: 이걸 누르면 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: i-geol nu-reu-myeon eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: What happens if I press this? - Expression: 이게 다예요?
Pronunciation: i-ge da-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is that all? - Expression: 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining. - Expression: 좀 복잡하네요.
Pronunciation: jom bok-ja-pa-ne-yo.
Meaning: It seems a bit complicated. - Expression: 제가 한번 해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga han-beon hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Let me try it myself. - Expression: 네, 이해했어요. 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i-hae-hae-sseo-yo. go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understood. Thank you. - Expression: 혹시 다른 방법은 없나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun bang-beo-beun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps another way? - Expression: 따라 해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: tta-ra hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll try following along.
Korean Culture Notes
- Politeness is Key: Always use polite language (using -요/-ㅂ니다 endings) when asking for help, especially from strangers or older individuals. Phrases like “죄송하지만 (joe-song-ha-ji-man – Excuse me, but…)” or “실례지만 (sil-lye-ji-man – Excuse me, but…)” can be good starting points.
- Offering Help: Koreans are generally helpful, especially towards foreigners trying to navigate local systems. Don’t hesitate to ask, but be mindful of their time.
- Specific Apps: Familiarize yourself with essential Korean apps like KakaoTalk (messaging), Naver Map/Kakao Map (navigation), Coupang/Baemin (shopping/delivery), and banking apps. Knowing the app’s name helps when asking for assistance.
- Patience and Gratitude: Technology can sometimes be frustrating. Maintain patience, and always express sincere gratitude (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) after receiving help. A slight bow often accompanies thanks.
- Visual Aids: Pointing to the screen or specific buttons while asking your question can overcome language barriers and make your request clearer.
Real Conversation Example
- Situation: Person A is visiting Korea and trying to use a popular food delivery app (like Baemin or Yogiyo) for the first time. They ask their Korean friend, Person B, for help.
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Roles:
- A: Foreigner needing help with the app.
- B: Korean friend explaining the app.
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Expression: A: 이 배달 앱 어떻게 쓰는지 좀 알려줄 수 있어?
Pronunciation: i bae-dal aep eo-tteo-ke sseu-neun-ji jom al-lyeo-jul su i-sseo?
Meaning: Can you tell me how to use this delivery app? - Expression: B: 응, 그럼. 먼저, 주소부터 설정해야 해. 여기 ‘주소 설정’ 눌러봐.
Pronunciation: eung, geu-reom. meon-jeo, ju-so-bu-teo seol-jeong-hae-ya hae. yeo-gi ‘ju-so seol-jeong’ nul-leo-bwa.
Meaning: Yeah, sure. First, you need to set your address. Press ‘Address Setting’ here. - Expression: A: 아, 여기? 누르고… 주소 입력하면 되는 거야?
Pronunciation: a, yeo-gi? nu-reu-go… ju-so im-nyeok-ha-myeon doe-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: Ah, here? Press it and… then I just enter the address? - Expression: B: 맞아. 상세 주소까지 정확하게 입력해야 배달이 잘 와. 그 다음엔 원하는 음식 카테고리를 선택하면 돼.
Pronunciation: ma-ja. sang-se ju-so-kka-ji jeong-hwak-ha-ge im-nyeok-hae-ya bae-da-ri jal wa. geu da-eu-men won-ha-neun eum-sik ka-te-go-ri-reul seon-taek-ha-myeon dwae.
Meaning: Right. You need to enter the detailed address accurately for the delivery to arrive properly. After that, you can select the food category you want. - Expression: A: 치킨 카테고리 누르고… 가게를 고르면 되는구나. 결제는 어떻게 해?
Pronunciation: chi-kin ka-te-go-ri nu-reu-go… ga-ge-reul go-reu-myeon doe-neun-gu-na. gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke hae?
Meaning: Press the chicken category and… then choose a restaurant. How do I pay? - Expression: B: 장바구니에 담고 ‘주문하기’ 누르면 결제 방법 선택 화면이 나와. 카드 결제나 휴대폰 소액결제 등을 선택할 수 있어.
Pronunciation: jang-ba-gu-ni-e dam-go ‘ju-mun-ha-gi’ nu-reu-myeon gyeol-je bang-beop seon-taek hwa-myeo-ni na-wa. ka-deu gyeol-je-na hyu-dae-pon so-aek-gyeol-je deung-eul seon-taek-hal su i-sseo.
Meaning: Add items to the cart and press ‘Order’. Then the payment method selection screen will appear. You can choose options like card payment or mobile micropayment. - Expression: A: 아하, 알겠어! 고마워. 덕분에 이제 주문할 수 있겠다!
Pronunciation: a-ha, al-ge-sseo! go-ma-wo. deok-bu-ne i-je ju-mun-hal su it-get-da!
Meaning: Aha, I get it! Thanks. Thanks to you, I think I can order now! - Expression: B: 천만에! 필요하면 언제든지 다시 물어봐~
Pronunciation: cheon-ma-ne! pi-ryo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun-ji da-si mu-reo-bwa~
Meaning: You’re welcome! Ask me again anytime if you need help~
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases requires practice! Try using Korean apps with the language set to Korean to immerse yourself~ Don’t be afraid to ask for help in real situations, like at a mobile phone store or even asking a younger person who might be tech-savvy. Practice with Korean friends or language exchange partners by simulating scenarios where you need help with an app. Watching Korean tech tutorials or app reviews online can also expose you to relevant vocabulary and phrasing. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
