Understanding the process and language for pet adoption is crucial if you’re considering bringing a furry friend into your home while in Korea. This guide covers essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to adopting pets, discussing requirements, and understanding the responsibilities involved. Learn how to navigate conversations at shelters and express your interest in giving an animal a loving home.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 애완동물 입양하기
Pronunciation: ae-wan-dong-mul ip-yang-ha-gi
Meaning: Pet adoption (literally: adopting a pet animal)
Basic Vocabulary for Pet Adoption
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Expression: 애완동물
Pronunciation: ae-wan-dong-mul
Meaning: Pet animal -
Expression: 입양
Pronunciation: ip-yang
Meaning: Adoption -
Expression: 유기동물
Pronunciation: yu-gi-dong-mul
Meaning: Abandoned animal -
Expression: 보호소
Pronunciation: bo-ho-so
Meaning: Shelter -
Expression: 유기견
Pronunciation: yu-gi-gyeon
Meaning: Abandoned dog -
Expression: 유기묘
Pronunciation: yu-gi-myo
Meaning: Abandoned cat -
Expression: 입양 절차
Pronunciation: ip-yang jeol-cha
Meaning: Adoption procedure -
Expression: 입양 신청서
Pronunciation: ip-yang sin-cheong-seo
Meaning: Adoption application form -
Expression: 책임감
Pronunciation: chaek-im-gam
Meaning: Responsibility -
Expression: 반려동물
Pronunciation: ban-ryeo-dong-mul
Meaning: Companion animal (often preferred over 애완동물) -
Expression: 가족
Pronunciation: ga-jok
Meaning: Family -
Expression: 사랑
Pronunciation: sa-rang
Meaning: Love
Phrases for Visiting a Shelter
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Expression: 안녕하세요, 동물 입양 문의하고 싶어서 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, dong-mul ip-yang mun-ui-ha-go sip-eo-seo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came here because I’d like to inquire about animal adoption. -
Expression: 입양 가능한 강아지들을 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ip-yang ga-neung-han gang-a-ji-deul-eul bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the dogs that are available for adoption? -
Expression: 고양이를 입양하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-reul ip-yang-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to adopt a cat. -
Expression: 이 동물의 나이가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: i dong-mul-ui na-i-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How old is this animal? -
Expression: 성격은 어떤 편인가요?
Pronunciation: seong-gyeok-eun eo-tteon pyeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is its personality like? -
Expression: 건강 상태는 괜찮은가요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang sang-tae-neun gwaen-chan-eun-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is its health condition okay? -
Expression: 예방 접종은 다 맞았나요?
Pronunciation: ye-bang jeop-jong-eun da maj-at-na-yo?
Meaning: Has it received all its vaccinations? -
Expression: 입양 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ip-yang jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the adoption procedure? -
Expression: 입양 조건이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ip-yang jo-geon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any adoption requirements/conditions? -
Expression: 입양 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: ip-yang bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the adoption fee? -
Expression: 이 아이와 잠시 시간을 보내도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i a-i-wa jam-si si-gan-eul bo-nae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I spend a little time with this one? -
Expression: 신청서를 작성하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to fill out an application form.
Discussing Pet Care and Responsibility
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Expression: 애완동물을 키워본 경험이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ae-wan-dong-mul-eul ki-wo-bon gyeong-heom-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have experience raising pets. -
Expression: 책임감을 가지고 잘 돌보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: chaek-im-gam-eul ga-ji-go jal dol-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will take good care of it responsibly. -
Expression: 혼자 살고 있습니다. / 가족과 함께 살고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hon-ja sal-go it-seum-ni-da. / ga-jok-gwa ham-kke sal-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I live alone. / I live with my family. -
Expression: 집에서 동물을 키울 수 있는 환경입니다.
Pronunciation: jib-e-seo dong-mul-eul ki-ul su it-neun hwan-gyeong-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My home environment allows for keeping pets. -
Expression: 하루에 몇 번 산책시켜야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ha-ru-e myeot beon san-chaek-si-kyeo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How many times a day should I walk it? -
Expression: 어떤 사료를 먹여야 하나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon sa-ryo-reul meo-gyeo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of food should I feed it? -
Expression: 정기적으로 병원에 데려가야 합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-gi-jeok-eu-ro byeong-won-e de-ryeo-ga-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You must take it to the vet regularly. -
Expression: 동물 등록을 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: dong-mul deung-rok-eul hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to register the animal? -
Expression: 입양 후에도 연락 주시나요?
Pronunciation: ip-yang hu-e-do yeol-lak ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Will you contact me after the adoption? -
Expression: 평생 책임질 각오가 되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: pyeong-saeng chaek-im-jil gak-o-ga doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am prepared to be responsible for its entire life. -
Expression: 많은 사랑을 줄 거예요.
Pronunciation: man-eun sa-rang-eul jul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I will give it lots of love. -
Expression: 필요한 물품은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han mul-pum-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What supplies are needed?
Korean Culture Notes
Increasing Awareness of Adoption: While purchasing pets from pet shops is still common, awareness and preference for adopting abandoned animals (유기동물 입양 – yu-gi-dong-mul ip-yang) are growing in Korea. Many celebrities and public campaigns actively promote adoption.
Shelter Types: Korea has both government-run municipal shelters (시 보호소 – si bo-ho-so) and private rescue organizations (민간 보호소 – min-gan bo-ho-so). Procedures and conditions might vary slightly between them.
Strict Adoption Process: Reputable shelters often have a thorough screening process. This may include an application form (입양 신청서 – ip-yang sin-cheong-seo), an interview (인터뷰 – in-teo-byu), and sometimes even a home check (가정 방문 – ga-jeong bang-mun) to ensure the pet goes to a suitable environment.
Mandatory Animal Registration: Since 2014, dogs over two months old must be registered with the local district office (구청 – gu-cheong). This usually involves implanting a microchip (내장형 마이크로칩 – nae-jang-hyeong ma-i-keu-ro-chip). Shelters often handle this before adoption or provide guidance.
Companion Animal Terminology: The term 반려동물 (ban-ryeo-dong-mul), meaning “companion animal,” is increasingly preferred over 애완동물 (ae-wan-dong-mul), meaning “pet animal,” as it emphasizes the role of animals as family members rather than just pets or toys.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A potential adopter (A) visits an animal shelter and speaks with a staff member (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 강아지 입양에 대해 여쭤보려고 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, gang-a-ji ip-yang-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-ryeo-go wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I came to ask about dog adoption. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 종류의 강아지를 찾으시나요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui gang-a-ji-reul cha-jeu-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What kind of dog are you looking for? -
Expression: A: 특별히 정한 건 없지만, 성격이 온순하고 아파트에서 키우기 좋은 아이였으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi jeong-han geon eop-ji-man, seong-gyeok-i on-sun-ha-go a-pa-teu-e-seo ki-u-gi jo-eun a-i-yeoss-eu-myeon jo-ket-seo-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t decided specifically, but I hope for one with a gentle personality that’s good for raising in an apartment. -
Expression: B: 그럼 이쪽에 있는 아이들을 한번 보시겠어요? 이 친구는 ‘보리’라고 하고, 2살 된 믹스견인데 아주 순해요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-jjok-e it-neun a-i-deul-eul han-beon bo-si-gess-eo-yo? i chin-gu-neun ‘bo-ri’-ra-go ha-go, du sal doen mik-seu-gyeon-in-de a-ju sun-hae-yo.
Meaning: Then would you like to take a look at the ones over here? This friend is named ‘Bori’, a 2-year-old mixed breed, and is very gentle. -
Expression: A: 정말 귀엽네요! 건강 상태는 어떤가요? 예방 접종은 다 했고요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gwi-yeom-ne-yo! geon-gang sang-tae-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo? ye-bang jeop-jong-eun da haet-go-yo?
Meaning: So cute! How is its health condition? Has it had all its vaccinations? -
Expression: B: 네, 건강 검진 다 마쳤고, 필수 접종도 완료했습니다. 중성화 수술도 되어 있고요.
Pronunciation: ne, geon-gang geom-jin da ma-chyeot-go, pil-su jeop-jong-do wan-ryo-haet-seum-ni-da. jung-seong-hwa su-sul-do doe-eo it-go-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it has completed its health check-up and essential vaccinations. It has also been neutered. -
Expression: A: 입양 절차는 어떻게 진행되나요? 제가 혼자 사는데, 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: ip-yang jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke jin-haeng-doe-na-yo? je-ga hon-ja sa-neun-de, gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: How does the adoption procedure work? I live alone, would that be okay? -
Expression: B: 네, 혼자 사셔도 책임감을 가지고 잘 돌보실 수 있다면 가능합니다. 먼저 입양 신청서를 작성해주시고, 간단한 상담 후에 결정됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, hon-ja sa-syeo-do chaek-im-gam-eul ga-ji-go jal dol-bo-sil su it-da-myeon ga-neung-ham-ni-da. meon-jeo ip-yang sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ju-si-go, gan-dan-han sang-dam hu-e gyeol-jeong-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, even if you live alone, it’s possible if you can take good care of it responsibly. First, please fill out the adoption application form, and a decision will be made after a brief consultation. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 신청서 작성할게요. 보리랑 잠시 같이 있어 봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. sin-cheong-seo jak-seong-hal-ge-yo. bo-ri-rang jam-si ga-chi iss-eo bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: I understand. I’ll fill out the application. May I spend a little time with Bori? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 이쪽으로 안내해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo. i-jjok-eu-ro an-nae-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Of course. I’ll guide you this way.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases will greatly help when you visit a Korean animal shelter! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ You can also visit shelter websites (many have English options) to see pictures of animals and familiarize yourself with the terms used. Remember, adopting a pet is a big commitment, so using these phrases to ask thorough questions shows your responsibility. Good luck finding your new furry family member! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
