Korean Phrases for Departure Declaration

Navigating airport procedures in Korea, especially departure, requires specific vocabulary. This guide focuses on 출국 신고하기 (chul-guk sin-go-ha-gi), the process of departure declaration or immigration clearance, and provides essential Korean phrases for a smooth exit from the country. You’ll learn key expressions for check-in, security, immigration, and customs.

Core Expression

• Expression: 출국 신고하기
  Pronunciation: chul-guk sin-go-ha-gi
  Meaning: To declare departure / To go through departure immigration clearance

At the Check-in Counter

• Expression: 체크인 카운터는 어디예요?
  Pronunciation: che-keu-in ka-un-teo-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the check-in counter?
• Expression: 여권이랑 항공권 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-i-rang hang-gong-gwon bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show me your passport and flight ticket.
• Expression: 짐을 부치고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: jim-eul bu-chi-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I’d like to check in my luggage.
• Expression: 이 가방은 기내로 가져갈 거예요.
  Pronunciation: i ga-bang-eun gi-nae-ro ga-jyeo-gal geo-ye-yo.
  Meaning: I will carry this bag onto the plane.
• Expression: 수하물 무게 제한이 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: su-ha-mul mu-ge je-han-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the baggage weight limit?
• Expression: 창가 쪽 좌석으로 주세요.
  Pronunciation: chang-ga jjok jwa-seog-eu-ro ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please give me a window seat.
• Expression: 통로 쪽 좌석으로 주세요.
  Pronunciation: tong-no jjok jwa-seog-eu-ro ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please give me an aisle seat.
• Expression: 탑승권 받았습니다.
  Pronunciation: tap-seung-gwon bad-at-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I received my boarding pass.
• Expression: 탑승 게이트는 몇 번이에요?
  Pronunciation: tap-seung ge-i-teu-neun myeot beon-i-e-yo?
  Meaning: What is the boarding gate number?
• Expression: 탑승 시간은 언제예요?
  Pronunciation: tap-seung si-gan-eun eon-je-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the boarding time?

Going Through Security

• Expression: 보안 검색대는 어디에 있나요?
  Pronunciation: bo-an geom-saek-dae-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the security checkpoint?
• Expression: 노트북은 가방에서 꺼내야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: no-teu-bug-eun ga-bang-e-seo kkeo-nae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to take my laptop out of the bag?
• Expression: 액체류는 따로 보여줘야 해요?
  Pronunciation: aek-che-ryu-neun tta-ro bo-yeo-jwo-ya hae-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to show liquids separately?
• Expression: 신발을 벗어야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: sin-bar-eul beos-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to take off my shoes?
• Expression: 벨트를 풀어주세요.
  Pronunciation: bel-teu-reul pul-eo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please remove your belt.
• Expression: 주머니에 있는 물건을 모두 꺼내세요.
  Pronunciation: ju-meo-ni-e it-neun mul-geon-eul mo-du kkeo-nae-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please empty everything from your pockets.
• Expression: 이쪽으로 통과하세요.
  Pronunciation: i-jjog-eu-ro tong-gwa-ha-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please pass through here.
• Expression: 가방을 다시 확인해 보겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: ga-bang-eul da-si hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: We will check your bag again.
• Expression: 이 물건은 기내 반입 금지 품목입니다.
  Pronunciation: i mul-geon-eun gi-nae ban-ip geum-ji pum-mog-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: This item is prohibited on board.
• Expression: 검색이 끝났습니다. 가셔도 좋습니다.
  Pronunciation: geom-saeg-i kkeut-nat-seum-ni-da. ga-syeo-do jo-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: The check is complete. You may proceed.

Immigration Procedures (Departure)

• Expression: 출국 심사대
  Pronunciation: chul-guk sim-sa-dae
  Meaning: Departure immigration counter
• Expression: 여권을 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-eul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show your passport.
• Expression: 탑승권을 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: tap-seung-gwon-eul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show your boarding pass.
• Expression: 여기에 손가락을 대주세요.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e son-ga-rag-eul dae-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please place your finger here (for fingerprint scan).
• Expression: 카메라를 봐주세요.
  Pronunciation: ka-me-ra-reul bwa-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please look at the camera.
• Expression: 최종 목적지가 어디입니까?
  Pronunciation: choe-jong mok-jeok-ji-ga eo-di-im-ni-kka?
  Meaning: What is your final destination?
• Expression: 네, 됐습니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, dwaet-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, it’s done. / Okay, you’re all set.
• Expression: 출국 도장을 찍어 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: chul-guk do-jang-eul jjig-eo deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will stamp your departure stamp.
• Expression: 자동 출입국 심사를 이용할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ja-dong chur-ip-guk sim-sa-reul i-yong-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I use the automated immigration gate?
• Expression: 즐거운 여행 되십시오.
  Pronunciation: jeul-geo-un yeo-haeng doe-sip-si-o.
  Meaning: Have a pleasant trip.

Customs Declaration (If Applicable)

• Expression: 세관 신고서
  Pronunciation: se-gwan sin-go-seo
  Meaning: Customs declaration form
• Expression: 신고할 물건이 있습니까?
  Pronunciation: sin-go-hal mul-geon-i it-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: Do you have anything to declare?
• Expression: 아니요, 없습니다.
  Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, eop-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: No, I don’t have anything.
• Expression: 네, 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, I do.
• Expression: 이것은 면세 한도를 초과합니다.
  Pronunciation: i-geos-eun myeon-se han-do-reul cho-gwa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: This exceeds the duty-free limit.
• Expression: 세금을 내야 합니다.
  Pronunciation: se-geum-eul nae-ya ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: You need to pay tax.
• Expression: 영수증을 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung-eul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show the receipt.
• Expression: 이 물품은 반입 금지 품목입니다.
  Pronunciation: i mul-pum-eun ban-ip geum-ji pum-mog-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: This item is prohibited for import/entry. (Note: This usually applies on arrival, but good to know related terms).
• Expression: 세관 신고서를 작성해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: se-gwan sin-go-seo-reul jak-seong-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please fill out the customs declaration form.
• Expression: 어디서 신고해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-di-seo sin-go-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where should I declare this?

Korean Culture Notes

Efficiency is Key: Korean airports, like Incheon International Airport (ICN), are known for their efficiency. Processes like check-in, security, and immigration are generally very quick. Be prepared with your documents ready to keep the lines moving.

Politeness Matters: Always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) when interacting with airport staff, immigration officers, and customs officials. Simple phrases like 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) and 네 (ne – Yes) go a long way.

Automated Immigration (Smart Entry Service): Registered foreigners and Korean citizens can often use the automated immigration gates (자동 출입국 심사 – ja-dong chur-ip-guk sim-sa), which significantly speeds up the departure process. Check if you are eligible and registered for this service.

Follow Instructions Clearly: During security and immigration, listen carefully to instructions from the staff. They might ask you to remove specific items, step forward, or look at a camera. Following promptly ensures a smooth process.

Duty-Free Shopping: Korea offers extensive duty-free shopping opportunities at the airport after passing immigration. Be mindful of your boarding time if you plan to shop.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A traveler (A) is at the departure immigration counter interacting with the immigration officer (B).

• Expression: B: 여권하고 탑승권 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-ha-go tap-seung-gwon bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please show your passport and boarding pass.
• Expression: A: 네, 여기 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, here they are.
• Expression: B: 카메라를 봐주세요.
  Pronunciation: ka-me-ra-reul bwa-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please look at the camera.
• Expression: A: (쳐다본다)
  Pronunciation: (cheo-da-bon-da)
  Meaning: (Looks at the camera)
• Expression: B: 오른손 검지를 여기에 대주세요.
  Pronunciation: o-reun-son geom-ji-reul yeo-gi-e dae-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please place your right index finger here.
• Expression: A: 네.
  Pronunciation: ne.
  Meaning: Okay.
• Expression: B: 됐습니다. 최종 목적지가 어디세요?
  Pronunciation: dwaet-seum-ni-da. choe-jong mok-jeok-ji-ga eo-di-se-yo?
  Meaning: Okay. What is your final destination?
• Expression: A: 뉴욕입니다.
  Pronunciation: nyu-yog-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: It’s New York.
• Expression: B: 네, 통과하세요. 즐거운 여행 되십시오.
  Pronunciation: ne, tong-gwa-ha-se-yo. jeul-geo-un yeo-haeng doe-sip-si-o.
  Meaning: Okay, you may proceed. Have a pleasant trip.
• Expression: A: 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you.

Practice Tips

Familiarize yourself with these phrases before heading to the airport! Practice saying them out loud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Knowing these expressions will make your departure from Korea much less stressful and more efficient. Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Remember to always be polite and have your documents ready! Safe travels!