Visiting public institutions like community centers, immigration offices, or district offices in Korea involves specific procedures and language. This guide provides essential Korean expressions and cultural context to help you navigate these visits smoothly, whether you need to apply for documents, register information, or seek assistance.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 공공기관 방문
Pronunciation: gong-gong-gi-gwan bang-mun
Meaning: Visiting a public institution
Asking for Information and Location
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Expression: 여기가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is this place? / What place is this? -
Expression: [서류] 신청은 어디서 해요?
Pronunciation: [seo-ryu] sin-cheong-eun eo-di-seo hae-yo?
Meaning: Where do I apply for [document]? -
Expression: 안내 데스크가 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: an-nae de-seu-keu-ga eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the information desk? -
Expression: 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: How may I help you? (Often said by staff) -
Expression: [목적] 때문에 왔어요.
Pronunciation: [mok-jeok] ttae-mun-e wat-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came here for [purpose]. (e.g., 서류 발급 때문에 왔어요 – seo-ryu bal-geup ttae-mun-e wat-sseo-yo – I came here to get a document issued.) -
Expression: 어떤 서류가 필요해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga pil-yo-hae-yo?
Meaning: What documents do I need? -
Expression: 외국인 등록증 신청하러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in deung-nok-jjeung sin-cheong-ha-reo wat-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came here to apply for my Alien Registration Card. -
Expression: 이 업무는 몇 번 창구로 가야 해요?
Pronunciation: i eom-mu-neun myeot beon chang-gu-ro ga-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Which counter number should I go to for this service? -
Expression: 담당자가 누구예요?
Pronunciation: dam-dang-ja-ga nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Who is the person in charge? -
Expression: 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the procedure?
Filling Out Forms
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Expression: 신청서 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me an application form. -
Expression: 이 양식을 작성해야 해요?
Pronunciation: i yang-sik-eul jak-seong-hae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fill out this form? -
Expression: 여기에 서명하면 되나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e seo-myeong-ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I sign here? -
Expression: 어떻게 쓰는지 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke sseu-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to write this. / Please show me how to fill this out. -
Expression: 작성 예시가 있나요?
Pronunciation: jak-seong ye-si-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a sample form / example? -
Expression: 펜 좀 빌릴 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: pen jom bil-lil su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I borrow a pen? -
Expression: 이 부분은 어떻게 채워야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun eo-tteo-ke chae-wo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I fill in this part? -
Expression: 다 작성했어요.
Pronunciation: da jak-seong-haet-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’ve filled it all out. -
Expression: 필요한 서류는 다 가져왔어요.
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-neun da ga-jyeo-wat-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I brought all the necessary documents. -
Expression: 수수료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the fee?
Waiting and Receiving Service
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Expression: 번호표를 뽑아야 해요?
Pronunciation: beon-ho-pyo-reul ppo-ba-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take a number ticket? -
Expression: 번호표는 어디서 뽑아요?
Pronunciation: beon-ho-pyo-neun eo-di-seo ppo-ba-yo?
Meaning: Where do I get a number ticket? -
Expression: 제 번호는 [번호]번입니다.
Pronunciation: je beon-ho-neun [beon-ho] beon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My number is [number]. -
Expression: 얼마나 기다려야 해요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na gi-da-ryeo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How long do I have to wait? -
Expression: 대기 시간이 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: dae-gi si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Approximately how long is the waiting time? -
Expression: [번호]번 손님, [창구 번호]번 창구로 오세요.
Pronunciation: [beon-ho] beon son-nim, [chang-gu beon-ho] beon chang-gu-ro o-se-yo.
Meaning: Customer number [number], please come to counter number [counter number]. (Announcement) -
Expression: 제 차례인가요?
Pronunciation: je cha-rye-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it my turn? -
Expression: 신분증 좀 보여주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung jom bo-yeo-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please show me your ID? (Often asked by staff) -
Expression: 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae bo-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check it. (Often said by staff) -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 다 됐습니다.
Pronunciation: da dwaet-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s all done. / It’s finished. -
Expression: 감사합니다. 수고하셨습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. su-go-ha-syeot-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. You’ve worked hard. (Polite closing)
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Key: Always use formal language (using -요/-ㅂ니다 endings) when interacting with staff at public institutions. Being polite can make the process smoother.
Prepare Documents in Advance: Korean administrative processes often require specific documents (ID card, passport, proof of address, photos, etc.). Check online or call ahead to confirm exactly what you need to bring to avoid multiple trips.
The Number Ticket System: Most busy public offices use a number ticket system (번호표 – beon-ho-pyo). Look for a machine near the entrance, select the service you need (if options are given), and take a ticket. Wait for your number to be displayed on the screen or called out.
Patience is Important: Especially at busy offices like immigration, waiting times can be long. Bring something to do while you wait and remain patient throughout the process.
Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if you don’t understand a form or procedure. Staff are generally helpful, especially if you approach them politely. Use phrases like “죄송하지만, 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?” (joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo? – Excuse me, but could you explain that again?).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreigner (B) visits the local community center (주민센터 – ju-min-sen-teo) to inquire about registering their address after moving.
Characters:
A: Staff member at the information desk
B: Foreign resident
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Expression: B: 안녕하세요. 전입신고 하려고 하는데요.
Pronunciation: B: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jeo-nip-sin-go ha-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: B: Hello. I’d like to register my move-in (change of address). -
Expression: A: 네, 안녕하세요. 외국인이신가요? 신분증하고 임대차 계약서 가져오셨어요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. oe-guk-in-i-sin-ga-yo? sin-bun-jjeung-ha-go im-dae-cha gye-yak-seo ga-jyeo-o-syeot-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, hello. Are you a foreigner? Did you bring your ID card (ARC) and lease agreement? -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 있습니다. 외국인 등록증하고 계약서요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, yeo-gi it-sseum-ni-da. oe-guk-in deung-nok-jjeung-ha-go gye-yak-seo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, here they are. My Alien Registration Card and the contract. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 이 신청서 작성해 주시겠어요? 작성 예시 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. i sin-cheong-seo jak-seong-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo? jak-seong ye-si yeo-gi it-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Thank you. Could you please fill out this application form? Here is a sample form. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 이 부분은 어떻게 써야 하나요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-get-sseum-ni-da. i bu-bun-eun eo-tteo-ke sseo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: B: Okay, I understand. How should I write this part? -
Expression: A: 아, 거기는 새로운 주소를 정확하게 적어주시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: A: a, geo-gi-neun sae-ro-un ju-so-reul jeong-hwak-ha-ge jeo-geo-ju-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Ah, you just need to write your new address accurately there. -
Expression: B: 네. 다 작성했습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne. da jak-seong-haet-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay. I’ve filled it all out. -
Expression: A: 네, 서류랑 같이 주시면 번호표 뽑고 잠시만 기다려 주세요. 확인 후 처리해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, seo-ryu-rang ga-chi ju-si-myeon beon-ho-pyo ppo-go jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo. hwa-gin hu cheo-ri-hae deu-ri-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Okay, please give me the documents together, take a number ticket, and wait a moment. I will process it after checking. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: B: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you!
Practice Tips
Navigating public offices can feel intimidating at first, but preparation helps a lot! Try role-playing common scenarios with a friend or language partner~ Focus on understanding the flow: stating your purpose, asking for forms, filling them out, and waiting for service. Review the vocabulary for documents you might need, like ‘신분증’ (sin-bun-jjeung – ID card) or ‘신청서’ (sin-cheong-seo – application form). Don’t be afraid to use simple sentences and ask for help when needed. Good luck with your visits!
