Understanding how to discuss internet addiction is increasingly important in today’s highly connected world, especially in technologically advanced societies like South Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases to talk about internet addiction, its symptoms, and potential solutions, enabling more nuanced conversations about digital well-being.
Table Of Content
Core Term for Internet Addiction
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Expression: 인터넷 중독
Pronunciation: in-teo-net jung-dok
Meaning: Internet addiction
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 스마트폰 중독
Pronunciation: seu-ma-teu-pon jung-dok
Meaning: Smartphone addiction -
Expression: 게임 중독
Pronunciation: ge-im jung-dok
Meaning: Game addiction -
Expression: 과도한 사용
Pronunciation: gwa-do-han sa-yong
Meaning: Excessive use -
Expression: 사용 시간
Pronunciation: sa-yong si-gan
Meaning: Usage time -
Expression: 끊다
Pronunciation: kkeun-ta
Meaning: To quit; to cut off -
Expression: 줄이다
Pronunciation: jul-i-da
Meaning: To reduce; to decrease -
Expression: 증상
Pronunciation: jeung-sang
Meaning: Symptom -
Expression: 치료
Pronunciation: chi-ryo
Meaning: Treatment -
Expression: 예방
Pronunciation: ye-bang
Meaning: Prevention -
Expression: 디지털 디톡스
Pronunciation: di-ji-teol di-tok-seu
Meaning: Digital detox -
Expression: 온라인
Pronunciation: on-la-in
Meaning: Online -
Expression: 오프라인
Pronunciation: o-peu-ra-in
Meaning: Offline
Describing Symptoms and Concerns
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Expression: 인터넷을 너무 많이 해요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-ne-seul neo-mu man-i hae-yo.
Meaning: I use the internet too much. -
Expression: 밤늦게까지 스마트폰을 봐요.
Pronunciation: bam-neut-ge-kka-ji seu-ma-teu-po-neul bwa-yo.
Meaning: I look at my smartphone until late at night. -
Expression: 인터넷 없이는 불안해요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-net eop-si-neun bul-an-hae-yo.
Meaning: I feel anxious without the internet. -
Expression: 잠을 잘 못 자요.
Pronunciation: jam-eul jal mot ja-yo.
Meaning: I can’t sleep well. -
Expression: 학업에 집중을 못 해요.
Pronunciation: hak-eo-be jip-jung-eul mot hae-yo.
Meaning: I can’t concentrate on my studies. -
Expression: 업무에 집중을 못 해요.
Pronunciation: eom-mu-e jip-jung-eul mot hae-yo.
Meaning: I can’t concentrate on my work. -
Expression: 가족들과 대화가 줄었어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-gwa dae-hwa-ga jur-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Conversation with my family has decreased. -
Expression: 눈이 너무 피곤해요.
Pronunciation: nun-i neo-mu pi-gon-hae-yo.
Meaning: My eyes are very tired. -
Expression: 손목 터널 증후군이 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: son-mok teo-neol jeung-hu-gun-i geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried about carpal tunnel syndrome. -
Expression: 시간을 낭비하는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: si-gan-eul nang-bi-ha-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I feel like I’m wasting time. -
Expression: 현실 감각이 떨어지는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-sil gam-ga-gi tteo-reo-ji-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I feel like I’m losing my sense of reality. -
Expression: 인터넷 사용 시간을 줄여야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-net sa-yong si-gan-eul jur-yeo-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I need to reduce my internet usage time.
Seeking Help and Solutions
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Expression: 상담을 받아보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sang-dam-eul bad-a-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to try getting counseling. -
Expression: 전문가의 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-ga-ui do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need professional help. -
Expression: 인터넷 사용 규칙을 정해야 해요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-net sa-yong gyu-chi-geul jeong-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to set rules for internet use. -
Expression: 다른 취미를 찾아야겠어요.
Pronunciation: da-reun chwi-mi-reul chaj-a-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I should find another hobby. -
Expression: 운동을 시작하는 게 어때요?
Pronunciation: un-dong-eul si-jak-ha-neun ge eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about starting to exercise? -
Expression: 가족과 대화하는 시간을 늘리세요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-gwa dae-hwa-ha-neun si-gan-eul neul-li-se-yo.
Meaning: Increase the time you spend talking with family. -
Expression: 디지털 디톡스를 해보는 건 어때요?
Pronunciation: di-ji-teol di-tok-seu-reul hae-bo-neun geon eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about trying a digital detox? -
Expression: 앱 사용 시간을 제한하는 기능을 사용해 보세요.
Pronunciation: aep sa-yong si-gan-eul je-han-ha-neun gi-neung-eul sa-yong-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try using the feature that limits app usage time. -
Expression: 스스로 통제하기가 어려워요.
Pronunciation: seu-seu-ro tong-je-ha-gi-ga eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s difficult to control myself. -
Expression: 함께 노력해서 극복해 봐요.
Pronunciation: ham-kke no-ryeok-hae-seo geuk-bok-hae bwa-yo.
Meaning: Let’s work together to overcome it. -
Expression: 인터넷 중독 지원 센터에 연락해 보세요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-net jung-dok ji-won sen-teo-e yeol-lak-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try contacting an internet addiction support center. -
Expression: 건강한 인터넷 사용 습관을 만듭시다.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-han in-teo-net sa-yong seup-gwan-eul man-deup-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s build healthy internet usage habits.
Korean Culture Notes
South Korea is one of the most digitally connected countries globally, with high-speed internet widely available. This hyper-connectivity, while offering many benefits, also brings societal concerns about 인터넷 중독 (in-teo-net jung-dok) and 스마트폰 중독 (seu-ma-teu-pon jung-dok), particularly among younger generations.
The prevalence of PC방 (PC bang – internet cafes) culture, where people (especially young men) gather to play online games for extended periods, is often discussed in relation to game addiction (게임 중독 – ge-im jung-dok).
There’s a growing awareness and public discourse about the negative impacts of excessive internet and smartphone use on mental health, sleep patterns, academic performance, and social relationships. Terms like 디지털 디톡스 (di-ji-teol di-tok-seu) are gaining traction.
The government and various organizations offer resources and counseling services to address internet addiction. Recognizing and discussing these issues openly is becoming more common, reflecting a societal effort to promote healthier digital habits.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Friend A expresses concern to Friend B about their internet usage.
Roles:
A: Concerned friend
B: Friend potentially overusing the internet
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Expression: A: 요즘 너무 피곤해 보여. 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum neo-mu pi-gon-hae bo-yeo. gwaen-chan-a?
Meaning: You look really tired lately. Are you okay? -
Expression: B: 응, 그냥 잠을 잘 못 자서 그래. 밤늦게까지 스마트폰을 보게 되네.
Pronunciation: eung, geu-nyang jam-eul jal mot ja-seo geu-rae. bam-neut-ge-kka-ji seu-ma-teu-po-neul bo-ge doe-ne.
Meaning: Yeah, it’s just because I haven’t been sleeping well. I end up looking at my smartphone until late at night. -
Expression: A: 혹시 인터넷 사용 시간이 너무 많은 거 아니야? 걱정돼서 그래.
Pronunciation: hok-si in-teo-net sa-yong si-gan-i neo-mu man-eun geo a-ni-ya? geok-jeong-dwae-seo geu-rae.
Meaning: Maybe your internet usage time is too long? I’m saying this because I’m worried. -
Expression: B: 나도 좀 그런 것 같아. 인터넷 없이는 좀 불안하기도 하고…
Pronunciation: na-do jom geu-reon geot ga-ta. in-teo-net eop-si-neun jom bul-an-ha-gi-do ha-go…
Meaning: I think so too, kind of. I feel a bit anxious without the internet… -
Expression: A: 인터넷 중독 증상일 수도 있어. 사용 시간을 좀 줄여보는 게 어때? 다른 취미를 찾아보거나.
Pronunciation: in-teo-net jung-dok jeung-sang-il su-do i-sseo. sa-yong si-gan-eul jom jur-yeo-bo-neun ge eo-ttae? da-reun chwi-mi-reul chaj-a-bo-geo-na.
Meaning: It could be symptoms of internet addiction. How about trying to reduce your usage time? Or finding another hobby. -
Expression: B: 맞아. 노력해 봐야겠어. 혼자서는 좀 힘들 것 같기도 한데…
Pronunciation: maj-a. no-ryeok-hae bwa-ya-ge-sseo. hon-ja-seo-neun jom him-deul geot gat-gi-do han-de…
Meaning: You’re right. I should try. Though I think it might be a bit difficult on my own… -
Expression: A: 내가 도울게! 같이 운동이라도 시작할까? 아니면 상담을 받아보는 것도 좋고.
Pronunciation: nae-ga do-ul-ge! ga-chi un-dong-i-ra-do si-jak-hal-kka? a-ni-myeon sang-dam-eul bad-a-bo-neun geot-do jo-ko.
Meaning: I’ll help you! Should we start exercising together or something? Or getting counseling is also good. -
Expression: B: 고마워. 같이 노력해보자!
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo. ga-chi no-ryeok-hae-bo-ja!
Meaning: Thanks. Let’s try together!
Practice Tips
Talking about sensitive topics like addiction requires care, but knowing the right vocabulary is the first step! Try discussing your own screen time habits with Korean friends or language partners using phrases like “저는 하루에 인터넷을 [시간] 정도 사용해요” (jeo-neun ha-ru-e in-teo-ne-seul [si-gan] jeong-do sa-yong-hae-yo – I use the internet for about [time] per day) or “스마트폰 사용 시간을 줄이고 싶어요” (seu-ma-teu-pon sa-yong si-gan-eul jul-i-go sip-eo-yo – I want to reduce my smartphone usage time)~
You can also practice by role-playing the conversation example or creating scenarios where you offer advice using phrases related to solutions and seeking help. Reflecting on digital well-being is a universal theme, making this a relevant topic for practice. Keep practicing, and you’ll be able to discuss this important issue confidently in Korean!
