Witnessing a conflict on the street can be unsettling, and knowing how to intervene safely and effectively in Korean is crucial. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for mediating a street fight (길에서 싸움 중재하기 – gil-e-seo ssa-um jung-jae-ha-gi), helping you navigate such situations cautiously and potentially de-escalate tension. Remember, personal safety should always be the top priority.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 싸움을 말리다
Pronunciation: ssa-um-eul mal-li-da
Meaning: To stop a fight / To mediate a fight (This verb phrase is the core concept.)
Initial Intervention Phrases
-
Expression: 그만하세요!
Pronunciation: geu-man-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Stop it! / That’s enough! -
Expression: 여기서 이러시면 안 됩니다!
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo i-reo-si-myeon an doem-ni-da!
Meaning: You shouldn’t do this here! -
Expression: 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: mu-seun il-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What’s going on? / What’s the matter? -
Expression: 진정하세요!
Pronunciation: jin-jeong-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Calm down! -
Expression: 두 분, 잠시만요!
Pronunciation: du bun, jam-si-man-yo!
Meaning: You two, just a moment! -
Expression: 왜 싸우시는 거예요?
Pronunciation: wae ssa-u-si-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Why are you fighting? -
Expression: 이렇게 싸우면 해결 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: i-reo-ke ssa-u-myeon hae-gyeol an dwae-yo.
Meaning: Fighting like this won’t solve anything. -
Expression: 주변 사람들 좀 보세요.
Pronunciation: ju-byeon sa-ram-deul jom bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Look at the people around you. (Implies causing a scene) -
Expression: 다들 보고 있어요.
Pronunciation: da-deul bo-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Everyone is watching. -
Expression: 제발 그만두세요.
Pronunciation: je-bal geu-man-du-se-yo.
Meaning: Please stop.
Calming Down Phrases
-
Expression: 진정하시고 이야기로 푸세요.
Pronunciation: jin-jeong-ha-si-go i-ya-gi-ro pu-se-yo.
Meaning: Calm down and resolve it through talking. -
Expression: 서로 오해가 있는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: seo-ro o-hae-ga it-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like there’s a misunderstanding between you. -
Expression: 폭력은 절대 안 됩니다.
Pronunciation: pok-ryeok-eun jeol-dae an doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Violence is never acceptable. -
Expression: 한 발짝 물러서서 생각해보세요.
Pronunciation: han bal-jjak mul-leo-seo-seo saeng-gak-hae-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Take a step back and think about it. -
Expression: 이성을 찾으세요.
Pronunciation: i-seong-eul cha-jeu-se-yo.
Meaning: Please be rational. / Find your reason. -
Expression: 다치면 큰일 나요.
Pronunciation: da-chi-myeon keun-il na-yo.
Meaning: It will be a big problem if someone gets hurt. -
Expression: 잠시 떨어져서 머리를 식히세요.
Pronunciation: jam-si tteo-reo-jyeo-seo meo-ri-reul sik-hi-se-yo.
Meaning: Separate for a moment and cool your heads. -
Expression: 말로 해결할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: mal-lo hae-gyeol-hal su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: You can solve this with words. -
Expression: 서로 존중해주세요.
Pronunciation: seo-ro jon-jung-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please respect each other. -
Expression: 감정적으로 대응하지 마세요.
Pronunciation: gam-jeong-jeok-eu-ro dae-eung-ha-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Don’t react emotionally.
Seeking Help Phrases
-
Expression: 경찰에 신고하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chal-e sin-go-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will report this to the police. -
Expression: 누가 좀 도와주세요!
Pronunciation: nu-ga jom do-wa-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Someone please help! -
Expression: 112에 전화 좀 해주세요!
Pronunciation: il-il-i-e jeon-hwa jom hae-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Please call 112 (the police emergency number)! -
Expression: 이 싸움 좀 말려주세요!
Pronunciation: i ssa-um jom mal-lyeo-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Please help stop this fight! -
Expression: 상황이 심각해요.
Pronunciation: sang-hwang-i sim-gak-hae-yo.
Meaning: The situation is serious. -
Expression: 여기 사람이 다쳤어요!
Pronunciation: yeo-gi sa-ram-i da-chyeo-sseo-yo!
Meaning: Someone is injured here! -
Expression: 구급차를 불러야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gu-geup-cha-reul bul-leo-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think we need to call an ambulance. (Emergency number is 119) -
Expression: 증인이 되어 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeung-in-i doe-eo ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you be a witness? (Asking bystanders) -
Expression: 경찰 올 때까지 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chal ol ttae-kka-ji gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wait until the police arrive. -
Expression: 더 이상 싸우면 경찰 부를 겁니다.
Pronunciation: deo i-sang ssa-u-myeon gyeong-chal bu-reul geom-ni-da.
Meaning: If you keep fighting, I will call the police.
Cultural Tips
Prioritize Safety: Intervening in a physical fight can be dangerous. Assess the situation carefully. If weapons are involved or the individuals seem extremely agitated or intoxicated, it’s often safer to call the police (112) from a distance rather than getting directly involved.
Avoid Physical Contact: Do not physically try to separate the individuals unless absolutely necessary and you feel confident you can do so safely. Touching someone involved in a fight could escalate the situation or even lead to accusations of assault against you.
Use Formal Language: Even in a heated situation, using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) like the phrases provided shows respect and can be more effective in de-escalating tension than using informal language (반말 – ban-mal), which might be perceived as disrespectful or challenging.
Focus on De-escalation: The goal is to calm the situation, not to take sides or determine who is right or wrong. Phrases encouraging dialogue and pointing out the negative consequences of fighting are generally more effective.
Be Aware of Legal Implications: Getting involved, even as a mediator, can sometimes have unforeseen legal consequences in Korea, especially if injuries occur. Calling the authorities is often the most prudent course of action for serious altercations.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two men (B and C) are shouting loudly at each other on a busy street after a minor collision between them. Person A decides to try and calm them down.
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 두 분 진정하세요! 여기서 이러시면 안 됩니다!
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, du bun jin-jeong-ha-se-yo! yeo-gi-seo i-reo-si-myeon an doem-ni-da!
Meaning: Excuse me, you two calm down! You shouldn’t do this here! -
Expression: B: 아니, 이 사람이 먼저 잘못했잖아요!
Pronunciation: a-ni, i sa-ram-i meon-jeo jal-mo-taet-jan-a-yo!
Meaning: No, this person was wrong first! -
Expression: C: 무슨 소리예요! 당신이 안 보고 왔으면서!
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ye-yo! dang-sin-i an bo-go wat-seu-myeon-seo!
Meaning: What are you talking about! You weren’t looking where you were going! -
Expression: A: 자자, 두 분 다 일단 멈추시고 이야기로 해결하세요. 이렇게 싸우면 해결 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: ja-ja, du bun da il-dan meom-chu-si-go i-ya-gi-ro hae-gyeol-ha-se-yo. i-reo-ke ssa-u-myeon hae-gyeol an dwae-yo.
Meaning: Now, now, both of you please stop for a moment and resolve this through talking. Fighting like this won’t solve anything. -
Expression: B: 그래도 분해서…
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do bun-hae-seo…
Meaning: But I’m so angry… -
Expression: A: 이해합니다. 하지만 폭력은 안 됩니다. 주변 사람들 좀 보세요. 경찰 부를까요?
Pronunciation: i-hae-ham-ni-da. ha-ji-man pok-ryeok-eun an doem-ni-da. ju-byeon sa-ram-deul jom bo-se-yo. gyeong-chal bu-reul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I understand. But violence is not the answer. Look at the people around you. Shall I call the police? -
Expression: C: 아니요, 경찰까지 부를 필요는… 알겠습니다. 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, gyeong-chal-kka-ji bu-reul pil-yo-neun… al-get-seum-ni-da. joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: No, there’s no need to call the police… Okay. I’m sorry. -
Expression: B: …저도 죄송합니다. 잠시 흥분했네요.
Pronunciation: …jeo-do joe-song-ham-ni-da. jam-si heung-bun-haen-ne-yo.
Meaning: …I’m sorry too. I got worked up for a moment.
Practice Tips
Dealing with conflict requires caution! While learning these phrases is helpful, remember that real-life situations can be unpredictable~. Practice saying the calming and intervention phrases aloud so they come naturally if needed. Role-playing the conversation example with a friend can also be beneficial! Most importantly, always prioritize your safety. If a situation feels dangerous, step back and call for help (도움을 요청하다 – do-um-eul yo-cheong-ha-da) instead of intervening directly. Stay safe and use your Korean wisely!
