Finding a mailbox (우체통) in Korea is essential if you need to send letters or postcards. This guide provides the key Korean phrases and vocabulary you’ll need to ask for directions to the nearest mailbox and understand the responses you receive. Learn these expressions to confidently navigate mailing needs during your time in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 우체통 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: u-che-tong eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the mailbox?
Basic Questions
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Expression: 이 근처에 우체통 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e u-che-tong in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a mailbox near here? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 우체통은 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un u-che-tong-eun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest mailbox? -
Expression: 우체통 좀 찾아 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: u-che-tong jom cha-ja ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please help me find a mailbox? -
Expression: 우체국 안에 우체통이 있나요?
Pronunciation: u-che-guk an-e u-che-tong-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a mailbox inside the post office? -
Expression: 길 건너편에 우체통이 보이나요?
Pronunciation: gil geon-neo-pyeon-e u-che-tong-i bo-i-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you see a mailbox across the street? -
Expression: 편지를 보내고 싶은데, 우체통이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: pyeon-ji-reul bo-nae-go si-peun-de, u-che-tong-i pi-ryo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want to send a letter, so I need a mailbox. -
Expression: 이 건물에 우체통이 설치되어 있습니까?
Pronunciation: i geon-mul-e u-che-tong-i seol-chi-doe-eo i-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Is there a mailbox installed in this building? -
Expression: 저기 빨간색 통이 우체통 맞아요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi ppal-gan-saek tong-i u-che-tong ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is that red box over there the mailbox? -
Expression: 실례지만, 우체통 위치 좀 알려주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ji-man, u-che-tong wi-chi jom al-lyeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, could you tell me the location of a mailbox? -
Expression: 우체통 찾는 것을 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: u-che-tong chan-neun geo-seul do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me find a mailbox.
Understanding Directions
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Expression: 저쪽으로 쭉 가세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro jjuk ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight that way. -
Expression: 길 건너편에 있어요.
Pronunciation: gil geon-neo-pyeon-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s across the street. -
Expression: 오른쪽/왼쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok / oen-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn right/left. -
Expression: 모퉁이에 있습니다.
Pronunciation: mo-tung-i-e it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s on the corner. -
Expression: 우체국 바로 앞에 있어요.
Pronunciation: u-che-guk ba-ro ap-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s right in front of the post office. -
Expression: 편의점 옆에 보시면 있어요.
Pronunciation: pyeon-ui-jeom yeop-e bo-si-myeon i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: You’ll see it next to the convenience store. -
Expression: 건물 안으로 들어가세요.
Pronunciation: geon-mul an-eu-ro deu-reo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go inside the building. -
Expression: 여기서 멀지 않아요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo meol-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: It’s not far from here. -
Expression: 지하철역 입구 근처에 하나 있어요.
Pronunciation: ji-ha-cheol-yeok ip-gu geun-cheo-e ha-na i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s one near the subway station entrance. -
Expression: 저기 보이는 빨간색 통입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi bo-i-neun ppal-gan-saek tong-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s that red box you see over there. -
Expression: 걸어서 5분 거리에 있어요.
Pronunciation: geo-reo-seo o-bun geo-ri-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s about a 5-minute walk away.
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 우체통
Pronunciation: u-che-tong
Meaning: Mailbox (street collection box) -
Expression: 우체국
Pronunciation: u-che-guk
Meaning: Post office -
Expression: 편지
Pronunciation: pyeon-ji
Meaning: Letter -
Expression: 엽서
Pronunciation: yeop-seo
Meaning: Postcard -
Expression: 우표
Pronunciation: u-pyo
Meaning: Stamp -
Expression: 봉투
Pronunciation: bong-tu
Meaning: Envelope -
Expression: 주소
Pronunciation: ju-so
Meaning: Address -
Expression: 보내다
Pronunciation: bo-nae-da
Meaning: To send -
Expression: 국내 우편
Pronunciation: guk-nae u-pyeon
Meaning: Domestic mail -
Expression: 국제 우편
Pronunciation: guk-je u-pyeon
Meaning: International mail -
Expression: 위치
Pronunciation: wi-chi
Meaning: Location -
Expression: 근처
Pronunciation: geun-cheo
Meaning: Nearby area
Cultural Tips
Korean mailboxes (우체통) are typically bright red, making them relatively easy to spot. They often have two slots: one for domestic mail (국내 우편) and one for international mail (국제 우편) or mail destined for Seoul/other areas. Check the labels carefully before inserting your mail.
You can usually find mailboxes near post offices, but they are also commonly located near major subway stations, bus stops, large apartment complexes, and sometimes outside convenience stores or public buildings.
Mail collection times are usually posted on the mailbox itself. Be sure to check these times if your mail is urgent. If you need to buy stamps (우표) or send parcels, you will need to visit a post office (우체국).
While less common than before due to digital communication, sending postcards (엽서) is still a nice gesture, and knowing how to find a mailbox is useful for travelers.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) wants to mail a postcard and asks a local resident (B) for directions to a mailbox.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 이 근처에 우체통 어디 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. i geun-cheo-e u-che-tong eo-di it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. Do you know where a mailbox is around here? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 저기 길 건너편 편의점 앞에 하나 있어요. 빨간색 통이에요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. jeo-gi gil geon-neo-pyeon pyeon-ui-jeom ap-e ha-na i-sseo-yo. ppal-gan-saek tong-i-e-yo.
Meaning: Oh, yes. There’s one across the street in front of the convenience store. It’s a red box. -
Expression: A: 아, 보여요! 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: a, bo-yeo-yo! gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Ah, I see it! Thank you! -
Expression: B: 네, 별말씀을요.
Pronunciation: ne, byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you’re welcome.
Practice Tips
Practice asking “우체통 어디 있어요?” (u-che-tong eo-di i-sseo-yo?) out loud! Try combining it with location words like “이 근처에” (i geun-cheo-e – near here). When you’re in Korea, keep an eye out for the red mailboxes and practice describing their location using phrases like “편의점 앞에” (pyeon-ui-jeom ap-e – in front of the convenience store) or “길 건너편에” (gil geon-neo-pyeon-e – across the street). Listening practice is key too, so pay attention to direction words like “오른쪽” (o-reun-jjok – right) and “왼쪽” (oen-jjok – left). Good luck~!
