Dealing with a computer breakdown can be stressful, especially in a foreign country. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for describing computer problems, requesting repairs, and understanding the diagnosis at a service center in Korea. Learning these expressions will help you communicate effectively when your computer needs attention.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 컴퓨터가 고장 났어요.
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo-ga go-jang nat-seo-yo.
Meaning: My computer is broken / has malfunctioned.
Describing the Problem
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Expression: 전원이 안 켜져요.
Pronunciation: jeon-won-i an kyeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: It doesn’t turn on. -
Expression: 부팅이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: bu-ting-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: It doesn’t boot up. -
Expression: 화면이 안 나와요.
Pronunciation: hwa-myeon-i an na-wa-yo.
Meaning: The screen isn’t displaying anything / The screen is blank. -
Expression: 컴퓨터가 너무 느려요.
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo-ga neo-mu neu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: The computer is very slow. -
Expression: 인터넷 연결이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-net yeon-gyeol-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The internet connection isn’t working. -
Expression: 갑자기 꺼져요.
Pronunciation: gap-ja-gi kkeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: It suddenly turns off. -
Expression: 이상한 소리가 나요.
Pronunciation: i-sang-han so-ri-ga na-yo.
Meaning: It’s making a strange noise. -
Expression: 바이러스에 걸린 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ba-i-reo-seu-e geol-lin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think it has a virus. -
Expression: 키보드가 작동하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: ki-bo-deu-ga jak-dong-ha-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: The keyboard isn’t working. -
Expression: 마우스가 안 움직여요.
Pronunciation: ma-u-seu-ga an um-jik-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The mouse isn’t moving. -
Expression: 특정 프로그램이 실행되지 않아요.
Pronunciation: teuk-jeong peu-ro-geu-raem-i sil-haeng-doe-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: A specific program won’t run. -
Expression: 화면이 깨져 보여요.
Pronunciation: hwa-myeon-i kkae-jyeo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The screen looks broken/pixelated/garbled.
Asking for Help and Repair
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Expression: 컴퓨터 수리받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo su-ri-bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get my computer repaired. -
Expression: 점검 좀 해주세요.
Pronunciation: jeom-geom jom hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check it / take a look at it. -
Expression: 수리 비용이 얼마 정도 나올까요?
Pronunciation: su-ri bi-yong-i eol-ma jeong-do na-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: About how much will the repair cost? -
Expression: 수리하는 데 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: su-ri-ha-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does the repair take? -
Expression: 오늘 수리 가능해요?
Pronunciation: o-neul su-ri ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is repair possible today? -
Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make an appointment? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 서비스 센터가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un seo-bi-seu sen-teo-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest service center? -
Expression: 보증 기간이 아직 남았어요.
Pronunciation: bo-jeung gi-gan-i a-jik na-mat-seo-yo.
Meaning: The warranty period is still valid. -
Expression: 데이터 백업 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: de-i-teo bae-geop ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is data backup possible? -
Expression: 출장 서비스도 되나요?
Pronunciation: chul-jang seo-bi-seu-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is an on-site service (house call) available too? -
Expression: 언제쯤 완료될까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum wan-ryo-doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: About when will it be finished? -
Expression: 수리가 끝나면 연락 주세요.
Pronunciation: su-ri-ga kkeun-na-myeon yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please contact me when the repair is finished.
Understanding the Diagnosis
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Expression: 뭐가 문제인가요? / 원인이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: mwo-ga mun-je-in-ga-yo? / won-in-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the problem? / What’s the cause? -
Expression: 어떤 부품을 교체해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bu-pum-eul gyo-che-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Which part needs to be replaced? -
Expression: 수리 비용 견적서를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: su-ri bi-yong gyeon-jeok-seo-reul ba-deul su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a written estimate for the repair cost? -
Expression: 이 부품은 재고가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i bu-pum-eun jae-go-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this part in stock? -
Expression: 데이터는 안전한가요? / 데이터는 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: de-i-teo-neun an-jeon-han-ga-yo? / de-i-teo-neun gwaen-cha-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the data safe? / Is the data okay? -
Expression: 포맷해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: po-maet-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it need to be formatted? -
Expression: 수리하지 않고 그냥 가져가도 될까요?
Pronunciation: su-ri-ha-ji an-ko geu-nyang ga-jyeo-ga-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I just take it back without getting it repaired? -
Expression: 새로 사는 게 더 나을까요?
Pronunciation: sae-ro sa-neun ge deo na-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be better to buy a new one? -
Expression: 수리 보증 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: su-ri bo-jeung gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the repair warranty period? -
Expression: 결제는 어떻게 하나요? (카드로/현금으로)
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo? (ka-deu-ro / hyeon-geum-eu-ro)
Meaning: How do I pay? (By card / With cash) -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it in detail?
Cultural Tips
Politeness is Key: Always use polite language endings like -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/-seumnida) when speaking with service staff. Being polite can often lead to better service.
Official Service Centers vs. Local Shops: For major brands (like Samsung, LG), visiting their official service centers (서비스 센터 – seo-bi-seu sen-teo) is usually recommended, especially if your device is under warranty. Local repair shops might be quicker or cheaper for older devices or specific issues, but quality can vary.
Warranty Check: Always check if your computer is still under warranty (보증 기간 – bo-jeung gi-gan) before seeking repairs, as warranty repairs are often free. Keep your proof of purchase handy.
Data Backup: Technicians may need to format your hard drive during repairs. It’s highly recommended to back up your important data (데이터 백업 – de-i-teo bae-geop) yourself before taking your computer in, as data loss is always a possibility and service centers may not be responsible for it.
Be Specific: Clearly explaining the symptoms (언제부터 그랬어요? – eon-je-bu-teo geu-raet-seo-yo? – Since when has it been like this?, 어떤 상황에서 문제가 발생해요? – eo-tteon sang-hwang-e-seo mun-je-ga bal-saeng-hae-yo? – Under what circumstances does the problem occur?) helps technicians diagnose the issue faster.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) brings their malfunctioning laptop to a computer repair shop and speaks with the technician (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 컴퓨터가 고장 나서 왔어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. keom-pyu-teo-ga go-jang na-seo wat-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I came because my computer is broken. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 문제가 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon mun-je-ga i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. What seems to be the problem? -
Expression: A: 어제부터 갑자기 전원이 안 켜져요. 버튼을 눌러도 반응이 없어요.
Pronunciation: A: eo-je-bu-teo gap-ja-gi jeon-won-i an kyeo-jyeo-yo. beo-teun-eul nul-leo-do ba-neung-i eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Since yesterday, it suddenly won’t turn on. There’s no response even when I press the button. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 제가 한번 점검해 볼게요. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: al-get-seum-ni-da. je-ga han-beon jeom-geom-hae bol-ge-yo. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: I understand. Let me check it out. Please wait a moment. -
Expression: B: (잠시 후) 점검해 보니 메인보드에 문제가 있는 것 같습니다. 교체가 필요할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: B: (jam-si hu) jeom-geom-hae bo-ni me-in-bo-deu-e mun-je-ga it-neun geot gat-seum-ni-da. gyo-che-ga pil-yo-hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: B: (After a moment) After checking, it seems there’s a problem with the motherboard. It looks like it will need replacement. -
Expression: A: 아, 그래요? 수리 비용은 얼마 정도 나올까요? 그리고 시간은 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-rae-yo? su-ri bi-yong-eun eol-ma jeong-do na-ol-kka-yo? geu-ri-go si-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, really? About how much will the repair cost? And how long will it take? -
Expression: B: 부품 비용이랑 공임비 포함해서 약 15만 원 정도 예상됩니다. 부품이 있으면 오늘 바로 수리 가능하고, 2시간 정도 걸릴 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: B: bu-pum bi-yong-i-rang gong-im-bi po-ham-hae-seo yak sip-o-man won jeong-do ye-sang-doem-ni-da. bu-pum-i it-seu-myeon o-neul ba-ro su-ri ga-neung-ha-go, du-si-gan jeong-do geol-lil geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Including parts and labor costs, it’s estimated to be around 150,000 won. If the part is in stock, repair is possible today, and it will likely take about 2 hours. -
Expression: A: 네, 그럼 수리해 주세요. 데이터는 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, geu-reom su-ri-hae ju-se-yo. de-i-teo-neun gwaen-cha-neul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay, please repair it then. Will the data be okay? -
Expression: B: 메인보드 교체는 보통 데이터에 영향을 주지 않지만, 만약을 위해 백업하시는 것이 좋습니다. 수리 진행할까요?
Pronunciation: B: me-in-bo-deu gyo-che-neun bo-tong de-i-teo-e yeong-hyang-eul ju-ji an-chi-man, man-yak-eul wi-hae bae-geo-pa-si-neun geo-si jo-seum-ni-da. su-ri jin-haeng-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Motherboard replacement usually doesn’t affect the data, but it’s good to back it up just in case. Shall I proceed with the repair? -
Expression: A: 네, 진행해 주세요. 끝나면 연락 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, jin-haeng-hae ju-se-yo. kkeun-na-myeon yeol-lak bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, please proceed. Please contact me when it’s finished.
Practice Tips
Experiencing tech issues is never fun, but knowing how to communicate the problem in Korean can make the situation much smoother! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Practice describing different computer problems using the phrases provided. You can even write down the symptoms before you ‘visit’ the repair shop in your practice session. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel if you ever need to use these expressions for real! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
