How to Use a Local Youth Center in Korean

Local youth centers (청소년 센터 – cheong-so-nyeon sen-teo) in Korea offer valuable resources, programs, and safe spaces for young people. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for navigating these centers, from initial registration and inquiries about programs to using the facilities effectively. Mastering these expressions will help you make the most of what Korean youth centers have to offer.

Core Expression

• Expression: 동네 청소년 센터 이용하기
  Pronunciation: dong-ne cheong-so-nyeon sen-teo i-yong-ha-gi
  Meaning: Using a local youth center

Basic Information and Registration

• Expression: 청소년 센터가 어디에 있나요?
  Pronunciation: cheong-so-nyeon sen-teo-ga eo-di-e it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the youth center located?
• Expression: 운영 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: un-yeong si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: What are the operating hours?
• Expression: 회원 가입은 어떻게 하나요?
  Pronunciation: hoe-won ga-ib-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I register as a member?
• Expression: 가입비나 연회비가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ga-ip-bi-na yeon-hoe-bi-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a registration fee or annual fee?
• Expression: 필요한 서류가 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What documents are required?
• Expression: 학생증이 필요한가요?
  Pronunciation: hak-saeng-jeung-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need a student ID?
• Expression: 이용 대상은 어떻게 되나요?
  Pronunciation: i-yong dae-sang-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Who is eligible to use the center? (What is the target age group?)
• Expression: 여기서 회원 등록할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo hoe-won deung-rok-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I register for membership here?
• Expression: 가입 신청서를 작성해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: ga-ip sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to fill out a registration form?
• Expression: 센터 안내 책자가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: sen-teo an-nae chaek-ja-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a center brochure?
• Expression: 처음 방문했습니다.
  Pronunciation: cheo-eum bang-mun-haet-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: This is my first visit.
• Expression: 이용 규칙에 대해 설명해 주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: i-yong gyu-chik-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Could you explain the rules for using the center?

Asking About Programs and Facilities

• Expression: 어떤 프로그램들이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon peu-ro-geu-raem-deur-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: What kinds of programs are available?
• Expression: 스포츠 관련 프로그램이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: seu-po-cheu gwal-lyeon peu-ro-geu-raem-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any sports-related programs?
• Expression: 예술이나 음악 수업도 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ye-sur-i-na eum-ak su-eop-do it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there art or music classes too?
• Expression: 공부할 수 있는 공간이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: gong-bu-hal su it-neun gong-gan-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a space where I can study?
• Expression: 프로그램 시간표를 볼 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: peu-ro-geu-raem si-gan-pyo-reul bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I see the program schedule?
• Expression: 이 프로그램은 어떻게 신청하나요?
  Pronunciation: i peu-ro-geu-raem-eun eo-tteo-ke sin-cheong-ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I sign up for this program?
• Expression: 참가비가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga-bi-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a participation fee?
• Expression: 체육관을 이용할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: che-yuk-gwan-eul i-yong-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I use the gymnasium?
• Expression: 컴퓨터실은 언제 이용 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo-sir-eun eon-je i-yong ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When is the computer room available?
• Expression: 도서관도 있나요?
  Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan-do it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a library too?
• Expression: 시설 이용에 제한이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: si-seol i-yong-e je-han-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any restrictions on using the facilities?
• Expression: 자원봉사 활동도 할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong-do hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I also do volunteer activities?

Using the Facilities

• Expression: 농구 코트는 어디에 있나요?
  Pronunciation: nong-gu ko-teu-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the basketball court?
• Expression: 스터디룸을 예약하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: seu-teo-di-rum-eul ye-yak-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to reserve a study room.
• Expression: 악기를 빌릴 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ak-gi-reul bil-lil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I borrow musical instruments?
• Expression: 운동 기구 사용법을 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: un-dong gi-gu sa-yong-beob-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show me how to use the exercise equipment.
• 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: 프린터를 사용해도 되나요?
  Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo-reul sa-yong-hae-do doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: May I use the printer?
• Expression: 이용 시간을 연장할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i-yong si-gan-eul yeon-jang-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I extend my usage time?
• Expression: 분실물 센터는 어디인가요?
  Pronunciation: bun-sil-mul sen-teo-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the lost and found?
• Expression: 시설 이용 시 주의사항이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: si-seol i-yong si ju-ui-sa-hang-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any precautions when using the facilities?
• Expression: 여기서 음식을 먹어도 되나요?
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eum-sig-eul meog-eo-do doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is it okay to eat food here?
• Expression: 사용 후에 정리해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: sa-yong hu-e jeong-ri-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to clean up after use?
• Expression: 도움이 필요하면 누구에게 물어봐야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon nu-gu-e-ge mur-eo-bwa-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Who should I ask if I need help?

Korean Culture Notes

Community Hubs: Korean youth centers (청소년 센터 – cheong-so-nyeon sen-teo or 청소년 수련관 – cheong-so-nyeon su-ryeon-gwan) are more than just recreational facilities. They often serve as important community hubs, providing educational support, counseling services, and opportunities for social interaction and volunteer work.

Emphasis on Education: Reflecting Korea’s focus on education, many youth centers offer extensive academic support programs, including tutoring, study rooms (독서실 – dok-seo-sil), and college preparation workshops.

Variety of Programs: Centers typically offer a wide range of programs catering to diverse interests, from traditional arts and K-Pop dance classes to coding workshops and sports leagues. Program availability often depends on local government funding and community needs.

Membership and Fees: While some basic facilities might be free, many programs and specialized facility uses require membership registration and may involve nominal fees. These fees are usually kept low to ensure accessibility.

Respect and Rules: Like any public facility in Korea, users are expected to be respectful of staff, other users, and the facilities themselves. Following posted rules, cleaning up after oneself, and using polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) with staff are standard expectations.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A high school student (Min-jun) visits the local youth center for the first time and inquires about registration and programs at the information desk.

Roles: A = Min-jun (Student), B = Staff Member (직원)

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 처음 왔는데요. 센터를 이용하려면 어떻게 해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, cheo-eum wat-neun-de-yo. sen-teo-reul i-yong-ha-ryeo-myeon eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: A: Hello, this is my first time here. How can I use the center?
• Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 먼저 회원 가입 신청서를 작성해 주셔야 해요. 학생증 있으신가요?
  Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. meon-jeo hoe-won ga-ip sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae ju-syeo-ya hae-yo. hak-saeng-jeung i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: B: Yes, hello. First, you need to fill out a membership application form. Do you have your student ID?
• Expression: A: 네, 여기 있어요. 가입비는 따로 없나요?
  Pronunciation: A: ne, yeo-gi i-sseo-yo. ga-ip-bi-neun tta-ro eom-na-yo?
  Meaning: A: Yes, here it is. Is there a separate registration fee?
• Expression: B: 기본 시설 이용은 무료인데, 특별 프로그램은 참가비가 있을 수 있어요. 어떤 프로그램에 관심 있으세요?
  Pronunciation: B: gi-bon si-seol i-yong-eun mu-ryo-in-de, teuk-byeol peu-ro-geu-raem-eun cham-ga-bi-ga i-sseul su i-sseo-yo. eo-tteon peu-ro-geu-raem-e gwan-sim i-sseu-se-yo?
  Meaning: B: Basic facility use is free, but special programs might have participation fees. What kind of programs are you interested in?
• Expression: A: 농구나 코딩 수업 같은 거요. 프로그램 시간표를 볼 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: A: nong-gu-na ko-ding su-eop ga-teun geo-yo. peu-ro-geu-raem si-gan-pyo-reul bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: A: Things like basketball or coding classes. Could I see the program schedule?
• Expression: B: 네, 여기 안내 책자하고 시간표 있습니다. 보시고 궁금한 점 있으면 다시 물어보세요.
  Pronunciation: B: ne, yeo-gi an-nae chaek-ja-ha-go si-gan-pyo it-seum-ni-da. bo-si-go gung-geum-han jeom i-sseu-myeon da-si mur-eo-bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: B: Yes, here is the brochure and schedule. Please take a look and ask again if you have any questions.
• Expression: A: 감사합니다!
  Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
  Meaning: A: Thank you!

Practice Tips

Now that you’ve learned these useful phrases, try putting them into practice! If you’re in Korea, consider visiting a local youth center just to look around and maybe ask a simple question at the desk~ You can also practice with a friend or language partner by role-playing different scenarios, like registering or asking about specific programs. The more you use these expressions, the more comfortable you’ll become. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!