Understanding how to discuss sensitive topics like domestic violence is crucial, whether for raising awareness, seeking help, or supporting others. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to 가정폭력 (ga-jeong-pok-ryeok), domestic violence, equipping you with the necessary language to navigate these difficult situations in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 가정폭력
Pronunciation: ga-jeong-pok-ryeok
Meaning: Domestic violence (literally “family violence”)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 폭력
Pronunciation: pok-ryeok
Meaning: Violence -
Expression: 신체적 폭력
Pronunciation: sin-che-jeok pok-ryeok
Meaning: Physical violence -
Expression: 정서적 학대
Pronunciation: jeong-seo-jeok hak-dae
Meaning: Emotional abuse -
Expression: 언어폭력
Pronunciation: eon-eo-pok-ryeok
Meaning: Verbal abuse -
Expression: 성폭력
Pronunciation: seong-pok-ryeok
Meaning: Sexual violence -
Expression: 경제적 학대
Pronunciation: gyeong-je-jeok hak-dae
Meaning: Economic abuse -
Expression: 아동 학대
Pronunciation: a-dong hak-dae
Meaning: Child abuse -
Expression: 노인 학대
Pronunciation: no-in hak-dae
Meaning: Elder abuse -
Expression: 피해자
Pronunciation: pi-hae-ja
Meaning: Victim -
Expression: 가해자
Pronunciation: ga-hae-ja
Meaning: Perpetrator -
Expression: 신고
Pronunciation: sin-go
Meaning: Report (noun) -
Expression: 상담
Pronunciation: sang-dam
Meaning: Counseling, Consultation
Reporting and Seeking Help
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Expression: 가정폭력을 신고하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jeong-pok-ryeok-eul sin-go-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to report domestic violence. -
Expression: 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need help. -
Expression: 어디에 신고해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-e sin-go-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where should I report this? -
Expression: 긴급 전화번호가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: gin-geup jeon-hwa-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the emergency number? -
Expression: 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sang-dam-eul bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to receive counseling. -
Expression: 안전한 곳으로 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-han got-eu-ro ga-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go to a safe place. -
Expression: 경찰에 신고해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chal-e sin-go-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please report this to the police. -
Expression: 증거가 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeung-geo-ga iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have evidence. -
Expression: 법적 조치가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: beop-jeok jo-chi-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Legal action is needed. -
Expression: 보호 명령을 신청하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bo-ho myeong-ryeong-eul sin-cheong-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to apply for a protection order. -
Expression: 비밀 보장되나요?
Pronunciation: bi-mil bo-jang-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is confidentiality guaranteed? -
Expression: 여성긴급전화 1366에 전화해 보세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-seong-gin-geup-jeon-hwa il-sam-yuk-yuk-e jeon-hwa-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try calling the Women’s Emergency Hotline 1366.
Offering Support
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Expression: 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Are you okay? -
Expression: 제가 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I help you? / Shall I help you? -
Expression: 혼자가 아니에요.
Pronunciation: hon-ja-ga a-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: You are not alone. -
Expression: 안전한 곳을 알아요.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-han got-eul ar-a-yo.
Meaning: I know a safe place. -
Expression: 이야기를 들어줄게요.
Pronunciation: i-ya-gi-reul deul-eo-jul-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will listen to your story. / I’m here to listen. -
Expression: 필요하면 언제든지 연락해요.
Pronunciation: pil-yo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun-ji yeol-lak-hae-yo.
Meaning: Contact me anytime if you need help. -
Expression: 당신 잘못이 아니에요.
Pronunciation: dang-sin jal-mot-i a-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s not your fault. -
Expression: 힘내세요.
Pronunciation: him-nae-se-yo.
Meaning: Stay strong. / Cheer up. -
Expression: 지원 기관에 연락해 보세요.
Pronunciation: ji-won gi-gwan-e yeol-lak-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try contacting a support organization. -
Expression: 제가 같이 가 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga ga-chi ga deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I go with you? -
Expression: 무슨 일 있었어요? 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: mu-seun il iss-eoss-eo-yo? geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: Did something happen? I’m worried. -
Expression: 도움이 필요하면 말해주세요.
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon mal-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me if you need help.
Cultural Tips
Domestic violence (가정폭력 – ga-jeong-pok-ryeok) is recognized as a serious crime in South Korea, with laws and support systems in place to protect victims. However, cultural factors such as emphasizing family privacy or ‘saving face’ (체면 – che-myeon) can sometimes create barriers to reporting or seeking help.
Awareness campaigns and government initiatives are actively working to combat domestic violence and encourage reporting. Numerous support centers and hotlines exist, such as the national Women’s Emergency Hotline 1366 (여성긴급전화 1366 – yeo-seong-gin-geup-jeon-hwa il-sam-yuk-yuk), which provides 24/7 counseling, emergency shelter, and legal/medical support linkage.
Foreign residents can also access support services, often with multilingual assistance available through specific organizations or hotlines dedicated to supporting expatriates and multicultural families. Knowing these resources is vital.
When interacting with authorities or support services, using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) is generally appropriate and expected. Showing respect can facilitate communication in these sensitive situations.
Understanding that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, is an important message promoted by support groups. If you suspect someone is experiencing domestic violence, offering support discreetly and providing information about available resources can be crucial.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Min-jun (A) notices his friend Su-jin (B) seems unusually withdrawn and has unexplained bruises. He decides to gently check in on her.
Roles: A: Min-jun (Concerned Friend), B: Su-jin (Friend in distress)
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Expression: A: 수진 씨, 요즘 좀 힘들어 보여요. 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: su-jin ssi, yo-jeum jom him-deul-eo bo-yeo-yo. gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Su-jin, you seem to be having a hard time lately. Are you okay? -
Expression: B: 아… 그냥 좀 피곤해서요. 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: a… geu-nyang jom pi-gon-hae-seo-yo. gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Ah… I’m just a bit tired. I’m okay. -
Expression: A: 혹시 무슨 일 있으면 저한테 말해도 돼요. 비밀은 지킬게요.
Pronunciation: hok-si mu-seun il iss-eu-myeon jeo-han-te mal-hae-do dwae-yo. bi-mil-eun ji-kil-ge-yo.
Meaning: If anything is wrong, you can tell me. I’ll keep it confidential. -
Expression: B: (망설이며) 사실… 집에서 좀 안 좋은 일이 있어요.
Pronunciation: (mang-seol-i-myeo) sa-sil… jib-e-seo jom an jo-eun ir-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: (Hesitantly) Actually… there have been some bad things happening at home. -
Expression: A: 정말요? 걱정되네요. 도움이 필요하면 언제든지 말해주세요. 혼자가 아니에요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-yo? geok-jeong-doe-ne-yo. do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mal-hae-ju-se-yo. hon-ja-ga a-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: Really? I’m worried. Please tell me anytime if you need help. You are not alone. -
Expression: B: 고마워요, 민준 씨…
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo-yo, min-jun ssi…
Meaning: Thank you, Min-jun… -
Expression: A: 필요하다면 상담 센터나 1366 같은 긴급 전화번호도 알려줄 수 있어요. 안전이 제일 중요해요.
Pronunciation: pil-yo-ha-da-myeon sang-dam sen-teo-na il-sam-yuk-yuk gat-eun gin-geup jeon-hwa-beon-ho-do al-lyeo-jul su iss-eo-yo. an-jeon-i je-il jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: If needed, I can also tell you about counseling centers or emergency numbers like 1366. Safety is the most important thing.
Practice Tips
While 가정폭력 (ga-jeong-pok-ryeok) is a difficult topic, knowing these related terms is important for awareness and safety~. Familiarize yourself with the vocabulary for different types of abuse and the phrases for seeking help or offering support!
Memorize key emergency numbers like 112 (Police) and 1366 (Women’s Hotline). Knowing how to say “I need help” (도움이 필요해요 – do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo) or “Please report to the police” (경찰에 신고해 주세요 – gyeong-chal-e sin-go-hae ju-se-yo) can be vital.
Practice the pronunciation carefully, syllable by syllable. Remember to approach discussions about this topic with sensitivity and respect. Knowing this language empowers you to potentially help yourself or someone else in a critical situation. Stay safe and informed!
