Participating in International Events in Korean

Attending international events like conferences, expos, or forums in Korea requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean expressions for registering, networking, asking questions, and navigating these events smoothly. Mastering these phrases will help you make the most of your participation in international gatherings held in Korea.

Core Expression

• Expression: 국제 행사 참여하기
  Pronunciation: guk-je haeng-sa cham-yeo-ha-gi
  Meaning: Participating in an international event

Basic Phrases for Registration

• Expression: 어떻게 등록하나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke deung-rok-ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I register?
• Expression: 등록 데스크는 어디에 있나요?
  Pronunciation: deung-rok de-seu-keu-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the registration desk?
• Expression: 사전 등록했습니다.
  Pronunciation: sa-jeon deung-rok-haet-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I pre-registered.
• Expression: 현장 등록하고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: hyeon-jang deung-rok-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I’d like to register on-site.
• Expression: 제 이름표를 찾아주세요.
  Pronunciation: je i-reum-pyo-reul cha-ja-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please find my name tag.
• Expression: 등록비는 얼마인가요?
  Pronunciation: deung-rok-bi-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How much is the registration fee?
• Expression: 행사 일정표를 받을 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: haeng-sa il-jeong-pyo-reul ba-deul su it-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I get the event schedule?
• Expression: 참가자 키트는 어디서 받나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga-ja ki-teu-neun eo-di-seo bat-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I pick up the participant kit?
• Expression: 제 소속은 [회사/기관 이름]입니다.
  Pronunciation: je so-sok-eun [hoe-sa/gi-gwan i-reum]-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: My affiliation is [Company/Organization Name].
• Expression: 등록 확인 이메일을 보여드릴게요.
  Pronunciation: deung-rok hwa-gin i-me-il-eul bo-yeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll show you my registration confirmation email.
• Expression: 이 양식을 작성해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: i yang-sik-eul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Do I need to fill out this form?
• Expression: 영수증 받을 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ba-deul su it-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I get a receipt?

Networking Expressions

• Expression: 만나서 반갑습니다.
  Pronunciation: man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Nice to meet you.
• Expression: 제 이름은 [이름]입니다.
  Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun [i-reum]-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: My name is [Name].
• Expression: 어느 나라에서 오셨어요?
  Pronunciation: eo-neu na-ra-e-seo o-syeot-seo-yo?
  Meaning: Which country are you from?
• Expression: 무슨 일을 하세요?
  Pronunciation: mu-seun il-eul ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: What do you do? / What kind of work do you do?
• Expression: 저는 [직업/분야]에서 일합니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun [jik-eop/bun-ya]-e-seo il-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I work in [Job/Field].
• Expression: 명함 한 장 주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: myeong-ham han jang ju-si-get-seo-yo?
  Meaning: Could I have your business card?
• Expression: 제 명함입니다.
  Pronunciation: je myeong-ham-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Here is my business card.
• Expression: 이 행사에 왜 참여하셨어요?
  Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-e wae cham-yeo-ha-syeot-seo-yo?
  Meaning: Why did you participate in this event?
• Expression: 나중에 연락드려도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: na-jung-e yeol-lak-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: May I contact you later?
• Expression: 어떤 세션이 가장 기대되세요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon se-syeon-i ga-jang gi-dae-doe-se-yo?
  Meaning: Which session are you most looking forward to?
• Expression: 링크드인(LinkedIn) 있으세요?
  Pronunciation: ling-keu-deu-in it-eu-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you have LinkedIn?
• Expression: 좋은 대화였습니다.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun dae-hwa-yeot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: It was a good conversation.

Asking Questions During Sessions

• Expression: 질문 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: jil-mun it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I have a question.
• Expression: [용어]가 무슨 뜻인가요?
  Pronunciation: [yong-eo]-ga mu-seun tteut-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What does [term] mean?
• Expression: 조금 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: jo-geum deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
  Meaning: Could you explain that in a little more detail?
• Expression: 방금 하신 말씀 다시 한번 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: bang-geum ha-sin mal-sseum da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Could you explain what you just said one more time?
• Expression: 발표 자료를 받을 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: bal-pyo ja-ryo-reul ba-deul su it-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I get the presentation slides?
• Expression: 제 생각에는…
  Pronunciation: je saeng-gak-e-neun…
  Meaning: In my opinion… / I think that…
• Expression: [주제]에 대해 질문해도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: [ju-je]-e dae-hae jil-mun-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: May I ask a question about [topic]?
• Expression: 좋은 발표 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun bal-pyo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for the great presentation.
• Expression: 마이크 좀 주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: ma-i-keu jom ju-si-get-seo-yo?
  Meaning: Could you pass me the microphone, please?
• Expression: 혹시 관련 연구 자료가 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si gwal-lyeon yeon-gu ja-ryo-ga it-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Are there perhaps any related research materials?
• Expression: 이 부분은 잘 이해가 안 갑니다.
  Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun jal i-hae-ga an gam-ni-da.
  Meaning: I don’t quite understand this part.
• Expression: 연사님께 질문 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: yeon-sa-nim-kke jil-mun it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I have a question for the speaker.

General Event Phrases

• Expression: 화장실은 어디에 있나요?
  Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-eun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the restroom?
• Expression: 다음 세션은 몇 시에 시작하나요?
  Pronunciation: da-eum se-syeon-eun myeot si-e si-jak-ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: What time does the next session start?
• 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: 커피는 어디서 마실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: keo-pi-neun eo-di-seo ma-sil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I get coffee?
• Expression: 점심 식사는 포함되어 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jeom-sim sik-sa-neun po-ham-doe-eo it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is lunch included?
• Expression: 이 좌석 비어 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i jwa-seok bi-eo it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is this seat empty?
• Expression: 가장 가까운 지하철역이 어디예요?
  Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un ji-ha-cheol-yeok-i eo-di-ye-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the nearest subway station?
• Expression: 행사장 지도를 받을 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: haeng-sa-jang ji-do-reul ba-deul su it-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Can I get a map of the venue?
• Expression: 통역 서비스가 제공되나요?
  Pronunciation: tong-yeok seo-bi-seu-ga je-gong-doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is interpretation service provided?
• Expression: 충전할 곳이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: chung-jeon-hal got-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a place to charge my device?
• Expression: 물품 보관소가 어디에 있나요?
  Pronunciation: mul-pum bo-gwan-so-ga eo-di-e it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the cloakroom/baggage check?
• Expression: 도움이 필요해요.
  Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I need help.

Korean Culture Notes

Business Card Exchange (명함 교환 – myeong-ham gyo-hwan): Exchanging business cards is crucial in professional settings, including international events in Korea. Offer and receive cards with both hands or with the right hand supported by the left. Take a moment to read the card you receive before putting it away carefully.

Formality and Titles: Korean business culture tends to be formal. Use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) when meeting someone for the first time. Address people using their title (e.g., 교수님 – gyo-su-nim for professor, 대표님 – dae-pyo-nim for CEO) and surname if known, rather than their first name.

Punctuality: Being on time for sessions and meetings is highly valued. Arriving a few minutes early is generally considered polite.

Networking Style: While networking, Koreans may seem reserved initially. Gentle persistence and showing genuine interest in their work or background can help build rapport. Group introductions are common.

Gift Giving: While not always expected at large international events, small, thoughtful gifts from your home country can be appreciated in more personal networking follow-ups or smaller meetings.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two attendees, Alex (from the USA) and Minjun (from Korea), meet near the registration desk at an international tech conference in Seoul.

• Expression: A (Alex): 안녕하세요, 혹시 등록 데스크가 어디인지 아세요?
  Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, hok-si deung-rok de-seu-keu-ga eo-di-in-ji a-se-yo?
  Meaning: Hello, do you happen to know where the registration desk is?
• Expression: B (Minjun): 네, 저쪽으로 가시면 바로 보여요. 처음 오셨나 봐요?
  Pronunciation: ne, jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-si-myeon ba-ro bo-yeo-yo. cheo-eum o-syeot-na bwa-yo?
  Meaning: Yes, if you go that way, you’ll see it right away. Is this your first time here?
• Expression: A (Alex): 네, 맞아요. 미국에서 왔습니다. 만나서 반갑습니다. 저는 알렉스입니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. mi-guk-e-seo wat-seum-ni-da. man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun al-lek-seu-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, that’s right. I came from the USA. Nice to meet you. I’m Alex.
• Expression: B (Minjun): 아, 그러시군요. 반갑습니다. 저는 김민준입니다. 제 명함입니다.
  Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun gim-min-jun-im-ni-da. je myeong-ham-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Oh, I see. Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Minjun. Here is my business card.
• Expression: A (Alex): 감사합니다. 여기 제 명함입니다. 민준 씨는 무슨 일을 하세요?
  Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeo-gi je myeong-ham-im-ni-da. min-jun ssi-neun mu-seun il-eul ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: Thank you. Here is my business card. Mr. Minjun, what kind of work do you do?
• Expression: B (Minjun): 저는 IT 스타트업에서 개발자로 일하고 있습니다. 알렉스 씨는요?
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun IT seu-ta-teu-eop-e-seo gae-bal-ja-ro il-ha-go it-seum-ni-da. al-lek-seu ssi-neun-yo?
  Meaning: I work as a developer at an IT startup. How about you, Alex?
• Expression: A (Alex): 저는 AI 관련 연구를 하고 있습니다. 오늘 오후 AI 세션이 기대되네요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun AI gwal-lyeon yeon-gu-reul ha-go it-seum-ni-da. o-neul o-hu AI se-syeon-i gi-dae-doe-ne-yo.
  Meaning: I’m doing research related to AI. I’m looking forward to the AI session this afternoon.
• Expression: B (Minjun): 아, 저도 그 세션에 참석할 예정입니다. 나중에 거기서 뵐 수도 있겠네요!
  Pronunciation: a, jeo-do geu se-syeon-e cham-seok-hal ye-jeong-im-ni-da. na-jung-e geo-gi-seo boel su-do it-gen-ne-yo!
  Meaning: Oh, I plan to attend that session too. Maybe I’ll see you there later!

Practice Tips

Attending an international event is a fantastic opportunity to use your Korean skills! Try to use these phrases when registering, talking to staff, or networking with other attendees~ Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations using simple greetings like 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo) and introduce yourself. Practice exchanging business cards using the proper etiquette. Listen carefully during sessions and try asking a question using 질문 있습니다 (jil-mun it-seum-ni-da). The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become! 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)