Understanding how to discuss making a personal seal, or ‘dojang’ (도장), is useful for anyone needing official documents processed in Korea or interested in a unique cultural souvenir. This guide covers the essential Korean phrases and vocabulary needed to order your own custom ‘dojang’.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 도장 만들기 (dojang mandeulgi)
Pronunciation: do-jang man-deul-gi
Meaning: Making a seal (The act of creating a personal stamp)
Basic Vocabulary and Phrases
This section covers fundamental words and simple sentences related to seals and the process of making them.
-
Expression: 도장 (dojang)
Pronunciation: do-jang
Meaning: Seal, stamp -
Expression: 인감 도장 (ingam dojang)
Pronunciation: in-gam do-jang
Meaning: Registered seal (official seal registered with the government) -
Expression: 막도장 (makdojang)
Pronunciation: mak-do-jang
Meaning: Unregistered seal (casual use seal) -
Expression: 도장 가게 (dojang gage)
Pronunciation: do-jang ga-ge
Meaning: Seal shop -
Expression: 이름 (ireum)
Pronunciation: i-reum
Meaning: Name -
Expression: 한자 (hanja)
Pronunciation: han-ja
Meaning: Chinese characters -
Expression: 한글 (hangeul)
Pronunciation: han-geul
Meaning: Korean alphabet -
Expression: 만들다 (mandeulda)
Pronunciation: man-deul-da
Meaning: To make -
Expression: 파다 (pada)
Pronunciation: pa-da
Meaning: To carve, to dig (used for carving seals) -
Expression: 주문하다 (jumunhada)
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-da
Meaning: To order -
Expression: 필요하다 (piryohada)
Pronunciation: pi-ryo-ha-da
Meaning: To need -
Expression: 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo
Meaning: How much is it?
Ordering Your Seal
Use these phrases when you visit a shop to commission a custom ‘dojang’.
-
Expression: 도장 만들고 싶어요. (dojang mandeulgo sipeoyo.)
Pronunciation: do-jang man-deul-go si-peo-yo
Meaning: I want to make a seal. -
Expression: 도장 하나 파 주세요. (dojang hana pa juseyo.)
Pronunciation: do-jang ha-na pa ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please carve one seal for me. -
Expression: 인감 도장으로 만들어 주세요. (ingam dojangeuro mandeureo juseyo.)
Pronunciation: in-gam do-jang-eu-ro man-deu-reo ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it as a registered seal. -
Expression: 막도장으로 만들어 주세요. (makdojangeuro mandeureo juseyo.)
Pronunciation: mak-do-jang-eu-ro man-deu-reo ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it as an unregistered seal. -
Expression: 제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다. (je ireumeun [Your Name]imnida.)
Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun [Your Name]-im-ni-da
Meaning: My name is [Your Name]. -
Expression: 한글 이름으로 파 주세요. (hangeul ireumeuro pa juseyo.)
Pronunciation: han-geul i-reum-eu-ro pa ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please carve it with my Korean name. -
Expression: 한자 이름으로 파 주세요. (hanja ireumeuro pa juseyo.)
Pronunciation: han-ja i-reum-eu-ro pa ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please carve it with my name in Hanja (Chinese characters). -
Expression: 어떤 재료가 있나요? (eotteon jaeryoga innayo?)
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jae-ryo-ga in-na-yo
Meaning: What kind of materials do you have? -
Expression: 가격은 얼마인가요? (gagyeogeun eolmaingayo?)
Pronunciation: ga-gyeo-geun eol-ma-in-ga-yo
Meaning: What is the price? -
Expression: 언제 찾으러 오면 되나요? (eonje chajeureo omyeon doenayo?)
Pronunciation: eon-je cha-jeu-reo o-myeon doe-na-yo
Meaning: When can I come to pick it up? -
Expression: 디자인을 고를 수 있나요? (dijaineul goreul su innayo?)
Pronunciation: di-ja-in-eul go-reul su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can I choose the design? -
Expression: 샘플 좀 보여주세요. (saempeul jom boyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: saem-peul jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please show me some samples.
Discussing Seal Design and Materials
These expressions help you discuss the specifics of your seal’s appearance.
-
Expression: 이 재료로 해 주세요. (i jaeryoro hae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: i jae-ryo-ro hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please use this material. -
Expression: 나무 도장이 좋아요. (namu dojangi joayo.)
Pronunciation: na-mu do-jang-i jo-a-yo
Meaning: I prefer a wooden seal. -
Expression: 돌 도장으로 할게요. (dol dojangeuro halgeyo.)
Pronunciation: dol do-jang-eu-ro hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll go with a stone seal. -
Expression: 서체를 고를 수 있나요? (seochereul goreul su innayo?)
Pronunciation: seo-che-reul go-reul su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can I choose the font/calligraphy style? -
Expression: 이 서체로 해 주세요. (i seochero hae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: i seo-che-ro hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please use this font style. -
Expression: 전통적인 스타일로 해 주세요. (jeontongjeogin seutaillo hae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: jeon-tong-jeo-gin seu-ta-il-lo hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it in a traditional style. -
Expression: 현대적인 디자인으로 해 주세요. (hyeondaejeogin dijaineuro hae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: hyeon-dae-jeo-gin di-ja-in-eu-ro hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it with a modern design. -
Expression: 크기는 어느 정도로 할까요? (keugineun eoneu jeongdoro halkkayo?)
Pronunciation: keu-gi-neun eo-neu jeong-do-ro hal-kka-yo
Meaning: What size should it be? -
Expression: 보통 크기로 해 주세요. (botong keugiro hae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: bo-tong keu-gi-ro hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please make it a standard size. -
Expression: 도장 케이스도 같이 살 수 있나요? (dojang keiseudo gachi sal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: do-jang ke-i-seu-do ga-chi sal su in-na-yo
Meaning: Can I buy a seal case together with it? -
Expression: 인주도 필요해요. (injudopiryohaeyo.)
Pronunciation: in-ju-do pi-ryo-hae-yo
Meaning: I also need ink paste. -
Expression: 이름 확인해 주세요. (ireum hwaginhae juseyo.)
Pronunciation: i-reum hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please check the name (spelling).
Picking Up Your Seal
When you return to collect your finished ‘dojang’, use these phrases.
-
Expression: 도장 찾으러 왔어요. (dojang chajeureo wasseoyo.)
Pronunciation: do-jang cha-jeu-reo wa-sseo-yo
Meaning: I came to pick up my seal. -
Expression: 제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다. ([Your Name] ireumeuro matgyeosseoyo.)
Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun [Your Name]-im-ni-da. ([Your Name] i-reum-eu-ro mat-gyeo-sseo-yo.)
Meaning: My name is [Your Name]. (I left it under the name [Your Name].) -
Expression: 영수증 여기 있어요. (yeongsusjeung yeogi isseoyo.)
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi i-sseo-yo
Meaning: Here is the receipt. -
Expression: 도장 한번 확인해 볼게요. (dojang hanbeon hwaginhae bolgeyo.)
Pronunciation: do-jang han-beon hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll check the seal once. -
Expression: 잘 만들어졌네요. (jal mandeureojyeonneyo.)
Pronunciation: jal man-deu-reo-jyeon-ne-yo
Meaning: It’s made well. / It looks good. -
Expression: 마음에 들어요. (maeume deureoyo.)
Pronunciation: ma-eum-e deu-reo-yo
Meaning: I like it. / I’m pleased with it. -
Expression: 감사합니다. (gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Thank you. -
Expression: 수고하셨습니다. (sugohasyeossseumnida.)
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da
Meaning: Thank you for your hard work. / Well done. -
Expression: 다음에 또 올게요. (daeume tto olgeyo.)
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto ol-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll come again next time. -
Expression: 인주 사용법 좀 알려주세요. (inju sayongbeop jom allyeojuseyo.)
Pronunciation: in-ju sa-yong-beop jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please tell me how to use the ink paste. -
Expression: 도장 관리 어떻게 하나요? (dojang gwalli eotteoke hanayo?)
Pronunciation: do-jang gwal-li eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo
Meaning: How do I take care of the seal? -
Expression: 포장해 주실 수 있나요? (pojanghae jusil su innayo?)
Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo
Meaning: Could you wrap it up/package it?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the cultural context of ‘dojang’ enhances communication.
- Significance: In Korea, a ‘dojang’ is often used instead of a handwritten signature for official documents like contracts, bank forms, and property deeds. It signifies identity and agreement.
- Types: There are two main types: ‘Ingam Dojang’ (인감 도장), which is officially registered at a local government office for legal and financial transactions, and ‘Makdojang’ (막도장), an unregistered seal used for everyday purposes like receiving packages.
- Materials: Seals can be made from various materials, including wood, stone (like jade or agate), ivory (though increasingly rare and regulated), plastic, or even titanium. The material often reflects the importance or intended use of the seal.
- Craftsmanship: Making a ‘dojang’ is considered a craft. Skilled artisans carve the name into the seal base, often using specific traditional fonts or calligraphy styles (서체 – seo-che).
- Gift Giving: A custom-made ‘dojang’ can be a meaningful gift in Korea, especially for milestones like coming of age, starting a new job, or getting married.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreign resident (A) visits a seal shop (도장 가게 – dojang gage) to order a personal seal. The shop owner (B) assists them.
Roles:
* A: Customer (Foreign Resident)
* B: Seal Shop Owner
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 도장 하나 만들고 싶어서 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. do-jang ha-na man-deul-go si-peo-seo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hello. I came because I want to get a seal made. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 도장 필요하세요? 인감 도장이세요, 아니면 막도장으로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon do-jang pi-ryo-ha-se-yo? in-gam do-jang-i-se-yo, a-ni-myeon mak-do-jang-eu-ro deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. What kind of seal do you need? Is it a registered seal (ingam), or shall I make it an unregistered one (makdojang)? -
Expression: A: 그냥 은행에서 쓸 막도장이면 돼요. 제 이름은 ‘Michael Smith’인데, 한글로 ‘마이클 스미스’로 파 주세요.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang eun-haeng-e-seo sseul mak-do-jang-i-myeon dwae-yo. je i-reum-eun ‘Michael Smith’-in-de, han-geul-lo ‘ma-i-keul seu-mi-seu’-ro pa ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Just an unregistered seal for use at the bank is fine. My name is ‘Michael Smith’, please carve it in Hangeul as ‘마이클 스미스’. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 재료는 어떤 걸로 하시겠어요? 나무, 돌, 여러 가지 있습니다. 이쪽 샘플 한번 보세요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. jae-ryo-neun eo-tteon geol-lo ha-si-ge-sseo-yo? na-mu, dol, yeo-reo ga-ji it-seum-ni-da. i-jjok saem-peul han-beon bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. What material would you like? We have wood, stone, various kinds. Please take a look at the samples here. -
Expression: A: 음… 이 나무 도장이 좋아 보이네요. 이걸로 하고, 서체는 좀 깔끔한 걸로 해 주세요. 가격은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: eum… i na-mu do-jang-i jo-a bo-i-ne-yo. i-geol-lo ha-go, seo-che-neun jom kkal-kkeum-han geol-lo hae ju-se-yo. ga-gyeo-geun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Hmm… this wooden seal looks good. I’ll go with this one, and please use a neat font style. How much is it? -
Expression: B: 그 나무 도장은 3만 원입니다. 서체는 이걸로 해 드릴까요? 내일 오후에 찾으러 오시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: geu na-mu do-jang-eun sam-man won-im-ni-da. seo-che-neun i-geol-lo hae deu-ril-kka-yo? nae-il o-hu-e cha-jeu-reo o-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: That wooden seal is 30,000 won. Shall I do it in this font? You can come pick it up tomorrow afternoon. -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 그럼 내일 오후에 다시 올게요. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. geu-reom nae-il o-hu-e da-si ol-ge-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Yes, that’s good. Then I’ll come again tomorrow afternoon. Thank you!
Practice Tips
Getting your own ‘dojang’ made can be a fun cultural experience! Try visiting a local seal shop, even if just to look around~ Practice saying the phrases for ordering and asking about materials. You can even practice writing your name in Hangeul to prepare! Using these expressions will make the process smoother and more enjoyable! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)
