Understanding safety procedures and vocabulary is crucial when living or traveling abroad. This guide covers essential Korean terms and phrases related to fire alarms (화재경보), ensuring you know what to do and say in an emergency situation in Korea. Learn key expressions for identifying alarms, evacuating safely, and asking for help.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 화재경보
Pronunciation: hwa-jae-gyeong-bo
Meaning: Fire alarm
Basic Safety Vocabulary
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Expression: 불
Pronunciation: bul
Meaning: Fire -
Expression: 소방서
Pronunciation: so-bang-seo
Meaning: Fire station -
Expression: 소방관
Pronunciation: so-bang-gwan
Meaning: Firefighter -
Expression: 소화기
Pronunciation: so-hwa-gi
Meaning: Fire extinguisher -
Expression: 비상구
Pronunciation: bi-sang-gu
Meaning: Emergency exit -
Expression: 대피
Pronunciation: dae-pi
Meaning: Evacuation -
Expression: 대피하다
Pronunciation: dae-pi-ha-da
Meaning: To evacuate -
Expression: 안전
Pronunciation: an-jeon
Meaning: Safety -
Expression: 위험
Pronunciation: wi-heom
Meaning: Danger -
Expression: 연기
Pronunciation: yeon-gi
Meaning: Smoke -
Expression: 구조
Pronunciation: gu-jo
Meaning: Rescue -
Expression: 응급 상황
Pronunciation: eung-geup sang-hwang
Meaning: Emergency situation
Responding to a Fire Alarm
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Expression: 이게 무슨 소리예요?
Pronunciation: i-ge mu-seun so-ri-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s this sound? -
Expression: 화재경보가 울리고 있어요.
Pronunciation: hwa-jae-gyeong-bo-ga ul-li-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The fire alarm is ringing. -
Expression: 불났어요?
Pronunciation: bul-na-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a fire? -
Expression: 빨리 대피해야 해요!
Pronunciation: ppal-li dae-pi-hae-ya hae-yo!
Meaning: We need to evacuate quickly! -
Expression: 비상구가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: bi-sang-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the emergency exit? -
Expression: 계단으로 가세요!
Pronunciation: gye-dan-eu-ro ga-se-yo!
Meaning: Go to the stairs! -
Expression: 엘리베이터 타지 마세요.
Pronunciation: el-li-be-i-teo ta-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Don’t take the elevator. -
Expression: 침착하세요.
Pronunciation: chim-chak-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Stay calm. -
Expression: 밖으로 나가세요.
Pronunciation: bak-keu-ro na-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go outside. -
Expression: 연기가 나요.
Pronunciation: yeon-gi-ga na-yo.
Meaning: There’s smoke. -
Expression: 문 손잡이가 뜨거워요.
Pronunciation: mun son-ja-bi-ga tteu-geo-wo-yo.
Meaning: The door handle is hot. -
Expression: 젖은 수건으로 입과 코를 막으세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jeun su-geon-eu-ro ip-gwa ko-reul ma-geu-se-yo.
Meaning: Cover your mouth and nose with a wet towel.
Asking for Help
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Expression: 도와주세요!
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Help me! / Please help! -
Expression: 불이야!
Pronunciation: bul-i-ya!
Meaning: Fire! (Informal shout) -
Expression: 119에 전화해 주세요!
Pronunciation: il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Please call 119! (Emergency number in Korea) -
Expression: 누가 좀 도와주세요!
Pronunciation: nu-ga jom do-wa-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Somebody help, please! -
Expression: 여기 사람이 있어요!
Pronunciation: yeo-gi sa-ram-i i-sseo-yo!
Meaning: There’s someone here! -
Expression: 다친 사람 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-chin sa-ram i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is anyone hurt? -
Expression: 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need help. -
Expression: 소방관 불러 주세요.
Pronunciation: so-bang-gwan bul-leo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please call the firefighters. -
Expression: 안에 갇혔어요!
Pronunciation: an-e gat-hyeo-sseo-yo!
Meaning: I’m trapped inside! -
Expression: 숨을 쉴 수가 없어요.
Pronunciation: sum-eul swil su-ga eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t breathe. -
Expression: 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you okay? -
Expression: 구조대가 오고 있어요.
Pronunciation: gu-jo-dae-ga o-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The rescue team is coming.
Cultural Tips
Emergency Number (119): In Korea, the emergency number for fire, ambulance, and rescue services is 119 (일일구, il-il-gu). Remember this number, as it’s different from 911 or other emergency numbers used elsewhere.
Regular Fire Drills: Fire drills (소방 훈련, so-bang hul-lyeon) are common in schools, workplaces, and apartment buildings in Korea. Pay attention during these drills as they provide valuable information about evacuation routes and procedures.
Public Awareness: Public safety campaigns regarding fire prevention are frequent. You’ll often see posters or announcements about fire safety, especially during dry seasons. Being aware of these reflects the importance placed on fire safety in Korean society.
Using Fire Extinguishers: Fire extinguishers (소화기, so-hwa-gi) are readily available in most public buildings and apartments. Familiarize yourself with their locations and basic operation instructions, often depicted in diagrams.
Evacuation Signage: Emergency exit signs (비상구, bi-sang-gu) are typically green and clearly marked in Korean and sometimes English. Always note their location when entering a new building.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A fire alarm suddenly starts ringing in an apartment complex.
Characters:
- A: Resident 1
- B: Resident 2
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Expression: A: 어? 이게 무슨 소리죠?
Pronunciation: eo? i-ge mu-seun so-ri-jyo?
Meaning: Huh? What’s that sound? -
Expression: B: 화재경보 같아요! 빨리 나가야 해요!
Pronunciation: hwa-jae-gyeong-bo ga-ta-yo! ppal-li na-ga-ya hae-yo!
Meaning: It sounds like the fire alarm! We need to get out quickly! -
Expression: A: 진짜 불난 건가요? 연기는 안 보이는데…
Pronunciation: jin-jja bul-nan geon-ga-yo? yeon-gi-neun an bo-i-neun-de…
Meaning: Is it a real fire? I don’t see any smoke… -
Expression: B: 그래도 일단 대피하는 게 안전해요. 비상구가 어디죠?
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do il-dan dae-pi-ha-neun ge an-jeon-hae-yo. bi-sang-gu-ga eo-di-jyo?
Meaning: Still, it’s safer to evacuate first. Where’s the emergency exit? -
Expression: A: 저쪽 복도 끝에요! 엘리베이터 타지 말고 계단으로 가요!
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok bok-do kkeut-e-yo! el-li-be-i-teo ta-ji mal-go gye-dan-eu-ro ga-yo!
Meaning: It’s at the end of that hallway! Don’t take the elevator, let’s go down the stairs! -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다! 다른 분들도 괜찮은지 확인해 봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da! da-reun bun-deul-do gwaen-chan-eun-ji hwa-gin-hae bwa-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Okay, got it! We should check if other people are okay too.
Practice Tips
Knowing safety vocabulary is incredibly important! Practice saying 화재경보 (hwa-jae-gyeong-bo) and 비상구 (bi-sang-gu) out loud~ Try to locate the emergency exits and fire extinguishers in places you visit in Korea. Role-playing the conversation example with a friend can also be very helpful! Stay safe and keep practicing~!
