Finding opportunities to give back to the community through volunteering is a rewarding experience, even more so in a different cultural setting. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for inquiring about volunteer activities (봉사 활동 – bong-sa hwal-dong) in Korea. You’ll learn how to ask about available positions, understand requirements, and express your interest effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 봉사 활동 문의하기
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong mun-ui-ha-gi
Meaning: Inquiring about volunteer activities (The act of asking about volunteering)
Basic Inquiry Phrases
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Expression: 봉사 활동에 대해 문의하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong-e dae-hae mun-ui-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to inquire about volunteer activities. -
Expression: 혹시 자원봉사자를 모집하시나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ja-won-bong-sa-ja-reul mo-jip-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Are you perhaps recruiting volunteers? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 봉사 활동이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui bong-sa hwal-dong-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of volunteer activities are available? -
Expression: 봉사 활동 정보를 어디서 얻을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong jeong-bo-reul eo-di-seo eo-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get information about volunteer activities? -
Expression: 지금 자원봉사 신청 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum ja-won-bong-sa sin-cheong ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to apply for volunteering now? -
Expression: 외국인도 봉사 활동에 참여할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in-do bong-sa hwal-dong-e cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners also participate in volunteer activities? -
Expression: 봉사 활동 관련해서 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong gwal-lyeon-hae-seo yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have something to ask regarding volunteer activities. -
Expression: 여기서 어떤 봉사 활동을 할 수 있는지 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eo-tteon bong-sa hwal-dong-eul hal su it-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m curious about what kind of volunteer work can be done here. -
Expression: 봉사 활동 담당자분과 통화하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong dam-dang-ja-bun-gwa tong-hwa-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to speak with the person in charge of volunteer activities. -
Expression: 웹사이트에서 봉사 활동 정보를 봤습니다.
Pronunciation: wep-sa-i-teu-e-seo bong-sa hwal-dong jeong-bo-reul bwat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I saw the volunteer activity information on the website.
Asking About Details
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Expression: 봉사 활동 자격 요건이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong ja-gyeok yo-geon-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the eligibility requirements for volunteering? -
Expression: 봉사 활동 시간은 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong si-gan-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When are the volunteer activity hours? -
Expression: 일주일에 몇 시간 정도 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: il-ju-il-e myeot si-gan jeong-do hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: About how many hours per week are required? -
Expression: 봉사 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: bong-sa gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the volunteer period? -
Expression: 특별히 필요한 기술이나 경험이 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi pil-yo-han gi-sul-i-na gyeong-heom-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any specific skills or experiences needed? -
Expression: 봉사 활동 장소는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong jang-so-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the location of the volunteer activity? -
Expression: 어떤 준비물이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jun-bi-mul-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What preparations or items are needed? -
Expression: 교육이나 오리엔테이션이 있나요?
Pronunciation: gyo-yuk-i-na o-ri-en-te-i-syeon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there any training or orientation? -
Expression: 한국어 능력이 어느 정도 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: han-guk-eo neung-ryeok-i eo-neu jeong-do pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much Korean language proficiency is required? -
Expression: 교통편은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gyo-tong-pyeon-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What about transportation? / How can I get there?
Expressing Interest and Applying
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Expression: 이 봉사 활동에 참여하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: i bong-sa hwal-dong-e cham-yeo-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to participate in this volunteer activity. -
Expression: 신청 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the application procedure? -
Expression: 신청서를 어디서 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-reul eo-di-seo ba-deul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get the application form? -
Expression: 신청 마감일은 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong ma-gam-il-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the application deadline? -
Expression: 온라인으로 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I apply online? -
Expression: 제출해야 할 서류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: je-chul-hae-ya hal seo-ryu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any documents I need to submit? -
Expression: 면접 과정이 있나요?
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop gwa-jeong-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an interview process? -
Expression: 결과는 언제쯤 알 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je-jjeum al su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Around when can I know the results? -
Expression: 관심 있게 보고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gwan-sim it-ge bo-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am looking into it with interest. -
Expression: 긍정적으로 검토해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geung-jeong-jeok-eu-ro geom-to-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will consider it positively.
Cultural Tips
Commitment is Key: When volunteering in Korea, showing consistent commitment is highly valued. Organizations often prefer volunteers who can participate regularly over a set period rather than sporadically.
Group Activities: Volunteering is often seen as a group activity. You might find opportunities organized through schools, companies, or community groups. Participating with others fosters a sense of community (공동체 의식 – gong-dong-che ui-sik).
Formal Communication: Especially when first inquiring or interacting with organizers, using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) is appropriate and shows respect. Address staff members using their titles if known (e.g., 담당자님 – dam-dang-ja-nim, person in charge).
Expressing Gratitude: Both volunteers and organizations often express gratitude towards each other. Simple phrases like 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) and 수고하셨습니다 (su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da – You worked hard / Thank you for your effort) are commonly used.
Volunteer Certification: Some organizations provide volunteer certificates (봉사 활동 확인서 – bong-sa hwal-dong hwak-in-seo), which can sometimes be useful for school or work purposes in Korea. You can inquire about this if needed.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex calls a local community center (주민센터 – ju-min-sen-teo) to ask about volunteer opportunities.
Characters:
A: Alex (Inquirer)
B: Community Center Staff
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Expression: B: 네, 행복 주민센터입니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, haeng-bok ju-min-sen-teo-im-ni-da. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, this is Haengbok Community Center. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 봉사 활동에 대해 문의하고 싶어서 전화드렸습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, bong-sa hwal-dong-e dae-hae mun-ui-ha-go sip-eo-seo jeon-hwa-deu-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I’m calling because I’d like to inquire about volunteer activities. -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 저희 센터 봉사 활동에 관심 있으시군요. 혹시 어떤 종류의 활동을 찾으시나요?
Pronunciation: a, ne. jeo-hui sen-teo bong-sa hwal-dong-e gwan-sim i-sseu-si-gun-yo. hok-si eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui hwal-dong-eul cha-jeu-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Ah, yes. You’re interested in our center’s volunteer activities. Are you looking for any specific type of activity? -
Expression: A: 특별히 정해둔 건 없고요, 현재 모집 중인 활동이 있는지 궁금합니다. 외국인도 참여 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi jeong-hae-dun geon eop-go-yo, hyeon-jae mo-jip jung-in hwal-dong-i it-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da. oe-guk-in-do cham-yeo ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: I don’t have anything specific in mind, I’m wondering if there are any activities currently recruiting. Can foreigners participate too? -
Expression: B: 네, 외국인분들도 환영입니다. 지금은 주말 어르신 식사 배달 봉사자를 모집하고 있습니다. 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, oe-guk-in-bun-deul-do hwan-yeong-im-ni-da. ji-geum-eun ju-mal eo-reu-sin sik-sa bae-dal bong-sa-ja-reul mo-jip-ha-go it-seum-ni-da. gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, foreigners are welcome. We are currently recruiting volunteers for weekend meal delivery for the elderly. Would that be alright with you? -
Expression: A: 네, 관심 있습니다! 봉사 시간은 어떻게 되고, 신청 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ne, gwan-sim it-seum-ni-da! bong-sa si-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-go, sin-cheong jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, I’m interested! What are the volunteer hours, and what is the application procedure? -
Expression: B: 매주 토요일 오전 10시부터 2시간 정도 활동하고요, 저희 센터 웹사이트에서 신청서를 다운받아 작성 후 이메일로 보내주시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: mae-ju to-yo-il o-jeon yeol-si-bu-teo du-si-gan jeong-do hwal-dong-ha-go-yo, jeo-hui sen-teo wep-sa-i-teu-e-seo sin-cheong-seo-reul da-un-ba-da jak-seong hu i-me-il-lo bo-nae-ju-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The activity is about 2 hours every Saturday from 10 AM. You can download the application form from our center’s website, fill it out, and send it via email. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 자세한 정보 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. ja-se-han jeong-bo gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: I understand. Thank you for the detailed information!
Practice Tips
Inquiring about volunteering is a great way to practice formal Korean and engage with the local community! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ You could also browse websites of Korean community centers or non-profit organizations (NPOs) to see actual volunteer postings and practice understanding the details. Don’t be afraid to make that call or send that email using the phrases you’ve learned today. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – Fighting/You can do it)!
