Understanding how to discuss and participate in community efforts like stray cat care requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and expressions for talking about volunteering, supporting, and engaging in activities related to caring for stray cats (often called ‘community cats’ or ‘길고양이’ in Korea).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 길고양이 돌보기 참여하기
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i dol-bo-gi cham-yeo-ha-gi
Meaning: Participating in stray cat care
Basic Phrases for Stray Cat Care
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Expression: 길고양이가 있어요.
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i-ga iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a stray cat. -
Expression: 고양이가 다친 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga da-chin geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think the cat is injured. -
Expression: 이 고양이에게 먹이를 줘도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i go-yang-i-e-ge meog-i-reul jwo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I feed this cat? -
Expression: 깨끗한 물이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: kkae-kkeut-han mul-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It needs clean water. -
Expression: 이 근처에 길고양이 급식소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e gil-go-yang-i geup-sik-so-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a feeding station for stray cats around here? -
Expression: 고양이가 너무 말랐어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga neo-mu mal-lass-eo-yo.
Meaning: The cat is too thin. -
Expression: 구조가 필요한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gu-jo-ga pil-yo-han geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think it needs rescue. -
Expression: 동물보호소에 연락해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: dong-mul-bo-ho-so-e yeol-lag-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I contact the animal shelter? -
Expression: 이 고양이는 중성화 수술을 받았나요?
Pronunciation: i go-yang-i-neun jung-seong-hwa su-sul-eul bad-ass-na-yo?
Meaning: Has this cat been neutered/spayed? (Check for ear tip) -
Expression: 추운 날씨에 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: chu-un nal-ssi-e geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried because of the cold weather. -
Expression: 안전한 잠자리가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-han jam-ja-ri-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It needs a safe place to sleep.
Volunteering and Support Expressions
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Expression: 길고양이 돌보기 자원봉사를 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i dol-bo-gi ja-won-bong-sa-reul ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to volunteer for stray cat care. -
Expression: 어떻게 참여할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteoh-ge cham-yeo-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: How can I participate? -
Expression: 길고양이 보호 단체에 기부하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i bo-ho dan-che-e gi-bu-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to donate to a stray cat protection group. -
Expression: 사료나 물품을 후원할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sa-ryo-na mul-pum-eul hu-won-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I sponsor food or supplies? -
Expression: TNR 활동에 참여하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: ti-en-al hwal-dong-e cham-yeo-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to participate in TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) activities. -
Expression: 지역 캣맘/캣대디 모임이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-yeok kaet-mam kaet-dae-di mo-im-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a local ‘Cat Mom’/’Cat Dad’ (community cat caregiver) group? -
Expression: 자원봉사 신청은 어디서 하나요?
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa sin-cheong-eun eo-di-seo ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do I apply to volunteer? -
Expression: 길고양이 인식 개선 캠페인에 동참하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i in-sik gae-seon kaem-pe-in-e dong-cham-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to join the campaign to improve awareness about stray cats. -
Expression: 임시보호를 할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: im-si-bo-ho-reul hal su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I possibly provide temporary foster care? -
Expression: 길고양이 입양 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i ib-yang jeol-cha-neun eo-tteoh-ge doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the adoption procedure for stray cats? -
Expression: 자원봉사 교육이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa gyo-yug-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there volunteer training?
Discussing Cat Welfare
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Expression: 길고양이와 공존하는 것이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i-wa gong-jon-ha-neun geos-i jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s important to coexist with stray cats. -
Expression: TNR은 개체 수 조절에 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: ti-en-al-eun gae-che su jo-jeol-e do-um-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: TNR helps control the population. -
Expression: 모든 생명은 소중합니다.
Pronunciation: mo-deun saeng-myeong-eun so-jung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: All life is precious. -
Expression: 길고양이에 대한 편견을 없애야 해요.
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i-e dae-han pyeon-gyeon-eul eobs-ae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to eliminate prejudice against stray cats. -
Expression: 책임감 있는 돌봄이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: chaeg-im-gam iss-neun dol-bom-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Responsible care is necessary. -
Expression: 동물 학대는 범죄입니다.
Pronunciation: dong-mul hak-dae-neun beom-joe-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Animal abuse is a crime. -
Expression: 입양은 신중하게 결정해야 해요.
Pronunciation: ib-yang-eun sin-jung-ha-ge gyeol-jeong-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: Adoption must be decided carefully. -
Expression: 지역 사회의 이해와 협조가 중요해요.
Pronunciation: ji-yeok sa-hoe-ui i-hae-wa hyeop-jo-ga jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Community understanding and cooperation are important. -
Expression: 길고양이 문제 해결을 위해 노력해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i mun-je hae-gyeol-eul wi-hae no-ryeok-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must strive to solve the stray cat issue. -
Expression: 겨울집을 만들어 주는 것은 어때요?
Pronunciation: gyeo-ul-jib-eul man-deur-eo ju-neun geos-eun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about making winter shelters? -
Expression: 고양이들이 안전하게 지낼 수 있도록 도와야 해요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-deur-i an-jeon-ha-ge ji-nael su iss-do-rok do-wa-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to help the cats stay safe.
Korean Culture Notes
Community Cats (길고양이): The term ‘길고양이’ (gil-go-yang-i), literally “street cat,” is commonly used. While awareness is growing, attitudes towards these cats can vary widely within communities. Some people actively care for them (‘캣맘’ Cat Moms, ‘캣대디’ Cat Dads), while others may view them as a nuisance.
TNR Programs: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs are increasingly recognized and implemented by local governments and animal welfare groups as a humane way to manage stray cat populations. Cats that have been through TNR often have one ear tipped (usually the left) for identification.
Volunteer Groups: Numerous volunteer groups and non-profit organizations are dedicated to stray cat welfare. They often organize feeding routes, TNR efforts, rescue operations, adoption events, and awareness campaigns. Participating in these groups is a common way to get involved.
Feeding Etiquette: When feeding stray cats, caregivers try to be discreet and clean up afterwards to avoid conflicts with neighbors. Providing dry food is generally preferred over wet food (which can spoil or attract pests), and ensuring fresh water is available is crucial.
Winter Shelters: During Korea’s cold winters, volunteers often build or place simple shelters (겨울집 – gyeo-ul-jib) made from materials like styrofoam boxes to help stray cats survive the freezing temperatures. There are often community efforts to provide these.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minji (who volunteers) and Sora (who is interested), are talking about stray cat care.
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Expression: A (Sora): 민지 씨, 주말마다 길고양이 돌보기 봉사 가신다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: min-ji ssi, ju-mal-ma-da gil-go-yang-i dol-bo-gi bong-sa ga-sin-da-go deur-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Minji, I heard you go volunteer to care for stray cats every weekend. -
Expression: B (Minji): 네, 맞아요. 저희 동네 길고양이들 밥 챙겨주고 TNR 활동도 돕고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. jeo-hui dong-ne gil-go-yang-i-deul bap chaeng-gyeo-ju-go ti-en-al hwal-dong-do dop-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. I help feed the stray cats in our neighborhood and assist with TNR activities. -
Expression: A (Sora): 와, 대단하시네요! 저도 관심은 있는데, 어떻게 참여할 수 있는지 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: wa, dae-dan-ha-si-ne-yo! jeo-do gwan-sim-eun iss-neun-de, eo-tteoh-ge cham-yeo-hal su iss-neun-ji jal mo-reu-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: Wow, that’s amazing! I’m interested too, but I’m not sure how I can participate. -
Expression: B (Minji): 저희 봉사 단체에 한번 같이 가보실래요? 아니면 사료나 물품 후원부터 시작하셔도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui bong-sa dan-che-e han-beon gat-i ga-bo-sil-lae-yo? a-ni-myeon sa-ryo-na mul-pum hu-won-bu-teo si-jak-ha-syeo-do joh-a-yo.
Meaning: Would you like to come with me to our volunteer group sometime? Or, starting with sponsoring food or supplies is also good. -
Expression: A (Sora): 음, 일단 후원부터 알아볼게요. 길고양이 보호 단체에 기부하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: eum, il-dan hu-won-bu-teo ar-a-bol-ge-yo. gil-go-yang-i bo-ho dan-che-e gi-bu-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Hmm, I’ll look into sponsorship first. I want to donate to a stray cat protection group. -
Expression: B (Minji): 좋아요! 제가 괜찮은 단체 몇 군데 알려드릴게요. 작은 도움이라도 길고양이들에게는 큰 힘이 돼요.
Pronunciation: joh-a-yo! je-ga gwaen-chanh-eun dan-che myeoch gun-de al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo. jag-eun do-um-i-ra-do gil-go-yang-i-deur-e-ge-neun keun him-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: Great! I’ll let you know about a few good organizations. Even small help is a big support for the stray cats.
Practice Tips
Learning these phrases is the first step! Try looking for local Korean animal welfare groups online (search for ‘동물보호단체’ or ‘길고양이 보호’) to see how these terms are used in real posts~ You can also practice by explaining your interest in stray cat care to Korean friends or language partners. Listening to news reports or documentaries about stray cats in Korea can also help you hear these expressions used naturally. Remember, consistent practice is key to becoming comfortable with new vocabulary! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
