Co-working spaces offer flexible and convenient work environments, popular among freelancers, remote workers, and travelers in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary needed to inquire about, register for, and utilize co-working spaces (공유 오피스 – gong-yu o-pi-seu) effectively during your time in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 공유 오피스
Pronunciation: gong-yu o-pi-seu
Meaning: Co-working space (Literally: shared office)
Basic Inquiry Phrases
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Expression: 공유 오피스 투어 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: gong-yu o-pi-seu tu-eo ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to take a tour of the co-working space? -
Expression: 오늘 이용 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul i-yong ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it available for use today? -
Expression: 일일 이용권 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-ril i-yong-gwon ga-gyeok-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is a one-day pass? -
Expression: 월간 멤버십 비용은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: wol-gan mem-beo-sip bi-yong-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the monthly membership fee? -
Expression: 빈자리 있어요?
Pronunciation: bin-ja-ri i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any empty seats/desks available? -
Expression: 운영 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: u-nyeong si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the operating hours? -
Expression: 주말에도 이용할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ju-mal-e-do i-yong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I use it on weekends too? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 멤버십이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui mem-beo-sip-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: What types of memberships are there? -
Expression: 지정석 옵션도 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-jeong-seok op-syeon-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a dedicated desk option? -
Expression: 위치가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: wi-chi-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the location? -
Expression: 전화번호 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: jeon-hwa-beon-ho jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the phone number. -
Expression: 웹사이트 주소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: wep-sa-i-teu ju-so-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a website address?
Membership and Registration Phrases
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Expression: 회원 가입하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hwe-won ga-ip-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to sign up for a membership. -
Expression: 일일 이용권을 구매하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i-ril i-yong-gwon-eul gu-mae-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to purchase a one-day pass. -
Expression: 신청서를 작성해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fill out an application form? -
Expression: 신분증이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do I need an ID card? -
Expression: 결제는 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I make the payment? -
Expression: 카드 결제 가능해요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu gyeol-je ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is card payment possible? -
Expression: 현금으로 내도 되나요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro nae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay with cash? -
Expression: 이용 약관을 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i-yong yak-gwan-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the terms and conditions? -
Expression: 멤버십은 언제부터 시작되나요?
Pronunciation: mem-beo-sip-eun eon-je-bu-teo si-jak-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When does the membership start? -
Expression: 자동 연장되나요?
Pronunciation: ja-dong yeon-jang-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it renew automatically? -
Expression: 해지하려면 어떻게 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: hae-ji-ha-ryeo-myeon eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I cancel it?
Using the Facilities Phrases
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Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password? -
Expression: 프린터는 어떻게 사용하나요?
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo-neun eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I use the printer? -
Expression: 복사도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: bok-sa-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is copying also possible? -
Expression: 회의실을 예약하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hwe-ui-sil-eul ye-yak-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to book a meeting room. -
Expression: 회의실 이용 요금이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hwe-ui-sil i-yong yo-geum-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a fee for using the meeting room? -
Expression: 커피는 무료인가요?
Pronunciation: keo-pi-neun mu-ryo-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the coffee free? -
Expression: 정수기는 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: jeong-su-gi-neun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the water purifier? -
Expression: 개인 사물함이 있나요?
Pronunciation: gae-in sa-mul-ham-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there personal lockers? -
Expression: 조용한 공간은 어디예요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han gong-gan-eun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the quiet zone? -
Expression: 전화 통화는 어디서 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-hwa tong-hwa-neun eo-di-seo hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I make phone calls? -
Expression: 콘센트는 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: kon-sen-teu-neun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where are the power outlets? -
Expression: 화장실은 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-eun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom?
Cultural Tips
Quiet Zones: Many Korean co-working spaces have designated quiet zones (조용한 공간 – jo-yong-han gong-gan) or concentration rooms. Be mindful of noise levels, especially phone calls, which are often taken in separate booths or outside the main work area.
Shared Resources: Amenities like coffee, tea, snacks, and printing are common. Observe how others use these resources; often, there are guidelines or small fees for printing beyond a certain limit. Always clean up after yourself in shared kitchen or lounge areas.
Networking Culture: While focused work is primary, some co-working spaces host community events or have common areas designed to foster interaction. Don’t be surprised if staff or other members initiate small talk, though respecting others’ focus is also important.
Security: Access is usually controlled via key cards or apps, especially for 24-hour access members. Keep your belongings secure, although theft is generally low in such environments in Korea. Lockers (사물함 – sa-mul-ham) are often available for rent.
Shoe Etiquette: Some smaller or more uniquely designed co-working spaces might request you remove your shoes and use provided slippers, similar to entering a Korean home. Observe signage or staff instructions upon entry.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreigner (A) visits a co-working space in Seoul and inquires about using it for a day with the staff (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 여기 공유 오피스 맞나요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. yeo-gi gong-yu o-pi-seu man-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. Is this the co-working space? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 어서 오세요. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. eo-seo o-se-yo. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, it is. Welcome. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 오늘 하루만 이용하고 싶은데, 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: o-neul ha-ru-man i-yong-ha-go si-peun-de, ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: I’d like to use it just for today, is that possible? -
Expression: B: 네, 가능합니다. 일일 이용권 구매하시면 됩니다. 가격은 2만원입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-neung-ham-ni-da. i-ril i-yong-gwon gu-mae-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da. ga-gyeok-eun i-man-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, it’s possible. You can purchase a one-day pass. The price is 20,000 won. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 와이파이랑 프린터도 사용할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. wa-i-pa-i-rang peu-rin-teo-do sa-yong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Okay. Can I also use the Wi-Fi and printer? -
Expression: B: 네, 와이파이는 무료이고, 프린터는 장당 100원입니다. 간단한 인적사항 작성 후 결제하시면 바로 이용 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, wa-i-pa-i-neun mu-ryo-i-go, peu-rin-teo-neun jang-dang baek-won-im-ni-da. gan-dan-han in-jeok-sa-hang jak-seong hu gyeol-je-ha-si-myeon ba-ro i-yong ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, Wi-Fi is free, and the printer costs 100 won per page. After filling out some simple personal information and making the payment, you can use it right away. -
Expression: A: 네, 그럼 일일 이용권으로 할게요. 카드로 결제할게요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom i-ril i-yong-gwon-eu-ro hal-ge-yo. ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay, I’ll take the one-day pass then. I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: B: 네, 이쪽에 작성해 주시고 카드 주시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i-jjok-e jak-seong-hae ju-si-go ka-deu ju-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay, please fill this out here and give me your card.
Practice Tips
Using a co-working space is a great opportunity to practice your Korean in a real-world setting! Start by using the basic inquiry phrases when you first visit or call~ Try asking about the daily pass (일일 이용권 – i-ril i-yong-gwon) or Wi-Fi password (와이파이 비밀번호 – wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho). Don’t be afraid to ask staff for help using facilities like the printer (프린터 – peu-rin-teo) or finding the restroom (화장실 – hwa-jang-sil). Repetition is key, so try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
