Dealing with car trouble is stressful anywhere, but especially so when you’re in a foreign country and need to communicate the problem. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for requesting car repairs, explaining issues, and understanding the process at an auto repair shop (자동차 정비소 – ja-dong-cha jeong-bi-so) in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 자동차 수리 좀 맡기고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ja-dong-cha su-ri jom mat-gi-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to leave my car for repair. (This is a common way to initiate the request.)
Basic Phrases for Car Repair Requests
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Expression: 차가 고장났어요.
Pronunciation: cha-ga go-jang-nat-seo-yo.
Meaning: My car broke down. -
Expression: 수리가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: su-ri-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: It needs repair. -
Expression: 여기서 수리할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo su-ri-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get it repaired here? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 정비소가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un jeong-bi-so-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest auto repair shop? -
Expression: 견인 서비스 좀 불러주세요.
Pronunciation: gyeon-in seo-bi-seu jom bul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call a tow truck service for me. -
Expression: 보험사에 연락해야 해요.
Pronunciation: bo-heom-sa-e yeol-lak-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to contact my insurance company. -
Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make an appointment? -
Expression: 지금 바로 점검 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum ba-ro jeom-geom bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get it checked right now? -
Expression: 차 좀 봐주세요.
Pronunciation: cha jom bwa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take a look at my car. -
Expression: 제 차 모델은 [모델명]입니다.
Pronunciation: je cha mo-del-eun [mo-del-myeong]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My car model is [Model Name].
Describing the Car Problem
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Expression: 엔진 시동이 안 걸려요.
Pronunciation: en-jin si-dong-i an geol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: The engine won’t start. -
Expression: 타이어에 펑크가 났어요.
Pronunciation: ta-i-eo-e peong-keu-ga nat-seo-yo.
Meaning: I have a flat tire. -
Expression: 배터리가 방전된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: bae-teo-ri-ga bang-jeon-doen geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think the battery is dead. -
Expression: 브레이크가 이상해요.
Pronunciation: beu-re-i-keu-ga i-sang-hae-yo.
Meaning: There’s something wrong with the brakes. -
Expression: 이상한 소리가 나요.
Pronunciation: i-sang-han so-ri-ga na-yo.
Meaning: It’s making a strange noise. -
Expression: 엔진에서 연기가 나요.
Pronunciation: en-jin-e-seo yeon-gi-ga na-yo.
Meaning: Smoke is coming from the engine. -
Expression: 경고등이 켜졌어요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-go-deung-i kyeo-jyeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: A warning light came on. -
Expression: 에어컨이 작동하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: e-eo-keon-i jak-dong-ha-ji an-a-yo.
Meaning: The air conditioner isn’t working. -
Expression: 차가 긁혔어요 / 찌그러졌어요.
Pronunciation: cha-ga geul-kyeot-seo-yo / jji-geu-reo-jyeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: The car got scratched / dented. -
Expression: 오일이 새는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: o-il-i sae-neun geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think oil is leaking. -
Expression: 핸들이 떨려요.
Pronunciation: haen-deul-i tteol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: The steering wheel is shaking.
Asking About Costs and Time
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Expression: 수리비가 얼마나 나올까요?
Pronunciation: su-ri-bi-ga eol-ma-na na-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: How much will the repair cost? -
Expression: 견적을 먼저 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gyeon-jeok-eul meon-jeo bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get an estimate first? -
Expression: 수리하는 데 시간이 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: su-ri-ha-neun de si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will the repair take? -
Expression: 언제쯤 끝날까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum kkeun-nal-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 done. -
Expression: 부품 교체가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: bu-pum gyo-che-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Does a part need to be replaced? -
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 내역서를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: su-ri nae-yeok-seo-reul bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get an itemized repair bill? -
Expression: 카드로 계산할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay by card? -
Expression: 보증 기간이 남아 있나요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeung gi-gan-i nam-a it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it still under warranty? -
Expression: 수리 비용이 예상보다 많이 나왔어요.
Pronunciation: su-ri bi-yong-i ye-sang-bo-da man-i na-wat-seo-yo.
Meaning: The repair cost is higher than expected.
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Key: Always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) when interacting with mechanics or service staff. Phrases ending in -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da) are appropriate.
Types of Repair Shops: You’ll find official dealership service centers (공식 서비스 센터 – gong-sik seo-bi-seu sen-teo), larger independent garages (카센터 – ka-sen-teo), and smaller neighborhood shops (정비소 – jeong-bi-so). Dealerships are often more expensive but may offer specialized services for specific brands.
Getting Estimates: It’s common and recommended to ask for an estimate (견적 – gyeon-jeok) before agreeing to the repair. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on the costs involved.
Communication: While younger mechanics might speak some English, especially in larger cities, it’s best to be prepared with Korean phrases. Using a translation app can also be helpful if needed.
Payment: Credit cards are widely accepted, but smaller shops might prefer cash or bank transfer (계좌 이체 – gye-jwa i-che). Always confirm payment methods beforehand.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A driver (A) calls a local auto repair shop (B) because their car won’t start.
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Expression: B: 네, [정비소 이름]입니다. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, [jeong-bi-so i-reum]-im-ni-da. mu-eos-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, this is [Repair Shop Name]. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 제 차 시동이 안 걸려서요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. je cha si-dong-i an geol-lyeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Hello. My car won’t start. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러세요? 차 위치가 어디신가요? 견인 서비스 필요하신가요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-se-yo? cha wi-chi-ga eo-di-sin-ga-yo? gyeon-in seo-bi-seu pil-yo-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? Where is the car located? Do you need towing service? -
Expression: A: 네, [주소]에 있습니다. 견인 좀 부탁드릴게요. 배터리 문제인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ne, [ju-so]-e it-seum-ni-da. gyeon-in jom bu-tak-deu-ril-ge-yo. bae-teo-ri mun-je-in geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s at [Address]. Please arrange for towing. I think it might be the battery. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 기사님 보내드리겠습니다. 도착하면 점검 후에 연락드릴게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. gi-sa-nim bo-nae-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. do-chak-ha-myeon jeom-geom hu-e yeol-lak-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Understood. We will send a technician/driver. We’ll contact you after checking it upon arrival. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다. 대략적인 수리 시간과 비용도 알려주시면 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. dae-ryak-jeok-in su-ri si-gan-gwa bi-yong-do al-lyeo-ju-si-myeon jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. It would be great if you could also let me know the approximate repair time and cost. -
Expression: B: 네, 점검 후에 자세히 안내해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, jeom-geom hu-e ja-se-hi an-nae-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, we will provide detailed information after the inspection.
Practice Tips
Experiencing car trouble is never fun, but knowing these phrases can make the situation much more manageable in Korea! Try practicing the pronunciations out loud~ Role-play different scenarios, like explaining a flat tire or asking for an estimate. Listen carefully when you hear these phrases used in Korean dramas or movies featuring cars. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel if you ever need to visit a 정비소 (jeong-bi-so)! Good luck! 화이팅!
