Engaging in volunteer work is a meaningful way to connect with the local community and contribute positively during your time in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean expressions for finding, joining, and participating in volunteer activities (자원봉사 활동 – ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong). Learn how to express your interest, ask relevant questions, and communicate effectively while volunteering.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 자원봉사 활동 참여하기 (ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong cham-yeo-ha-gi)
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong cham-yeo-ha-gi
Meaning: Participating in volunteer activities (This phrase literally means “volunteer activity participation doing”)
Basic Volunteering Vocabulary
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Expression: 자원봉사 (ja-won-bong-sa)
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa
Meaning: Volunteer work; volunteering -
Expression: 자원봉사자 (ja-won-bong-sa-ja)
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-ja
Meaning: Volunteer (person) -
Expression: 봉사 활동 (bong-sa hwal-dong)
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong
Meaning: Service activity; volunteer work -
Expression: 참여하다 (cham-yeo-ha-da)
Pronunciation: cham-yeo-ha-da
Meaning: To participate; to take part in -
Expression: 신청하다 (sin-cheong-ha-da)
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-ha-da
Meaning: To apply; to register -
Expression: 돕다 (dop-da)
Pronunciation: dop-da
Meaning: To help; to assist -
Expression: 지원하다 (ji-won-ha-da)
Pronunciation: ji-won-ha-da
Meaning: To support; to volunteer for -
Expression: 단체 (dan-che)
Pronunciation: dan-che
Meaning: Organization; group -
Expression: 기관 (gi-gwan)
Pronunciation: gi-gwan
Meaning: Institution; agency -
Expression: 지역 사회 (ji-yeok sa-hoe)
Pronunciation: ji-yeok sa-hoe
Meaning: Local community -
Expression: 도움이 필요한 사람 (do-u-mi pil-yo-han sa-ram)
Pronunciation: do-u-mi pil-yo-han sa-ram
Meaning: People in need of help -
Expression: 의미 있는 일 (ui-mi it-neun il)
Pronunciation: ui-mi it-neun il
Meaning: Meaningful work
Finding and Applying for Opportunities
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Expression: 자원봉사 활동을 하고 싶어요. (ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong-eul ha-go si-peo-yo.)
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong-eul ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to do volunteer work. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 봉사 활동이 있나요? (eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui bong-sa hwal-dong-i it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui bong-sa hwal-dong-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kinds of volunteer activities are there? -
Expression: 자원봉사자를 모집하고 있나요? (ja-won-bong-sa-ja-reul mo-jip-ha-go it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-ja-reul mo-jip-ha-go it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are you recruiting volunteers? -
Expression: 어떻게 신청할 수 있나요? (eo-tteo-ke sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: How can I apply? -
Expression: 자격 요건이 있나요? (ja-gyeok yo-geon-i it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: ja-gyeok yo-geon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any eligibility requirements? -
Expression: 외국인도 참여할 수 있나요? (oe-gu-gin-do cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners participate too? -
Expression: 봉사 활동 시간은 어떻게 되나요? (bong-sa hwal-dong si-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong si-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the volunteer hours? -
Expression: 신청 마감이 언제인가요? (sin-cheong ma-ga-mi eon-je-in-ga-yo?)
Pronunciation: sin-cheong ma-ga-mi eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the application deadline? -
Expression: 자원봉사 관련 정보를 어디서 찾을 수 있나요? (ja-won-bong-sa gwal-lyeon jeong-bo-reul eo-di-seo cha-jeul su it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa gwal-lyeon jeong-bo-reul eo-di-seo cha-jeul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find information about volunteering? -
Expression: 이 봉사 활동에 지원하고 싶습니다. (i bong-sa hwal-dong-e ji-won-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: i bong-sa hwal-dong-e ji-won-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to apply for this volunteer activity. -
Expression: 필요한 서류가 있나요? (pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any required documents? -
Expression: 오리엔테이션이 있나요? (o-ri-en-te-i-syeon-i it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: o-ri-en-te-i-syeon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an orientation?
During the Volunteer Activity
-
Expression: 안녕하세요, 오늘 자원봉사하러 왔습니다. (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, o-neul ja-won-bong-sa-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, o-neul ja-won-bong-sa-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I’m here to volunteer today. -
Expression: 제가 무엇을 도와드릴까요? (je-ga mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?)
Pronunciation: je-ga mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I help you with? / How can I help? -
Expression: 어디서 시작하면 될까요? (eo-di-seo si-jak-ha-myeon doel-kka-yo?)
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo si-jak-ha-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where should I start? -
Expression: 이 일을 어떻게 하는 건가요? (i il-eul eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geon-ga-yo?)
Pronunciation: i il-eul eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How do I do this task? -
Expression: 도움이 필요하시면 말씀해주세요. (do-u-mi pil-yo-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.)
Pronunciation: do-u-mi pil-yo-ha-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know if you need help. -
Expression: 같이 일하게 되어 반갑습니다. (ga-chi il-ha-ge doe-eo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: ga-chi il-ha-ge doe-eo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s nice to work together with you. -
Expression: 필요한 물품이 있나요? (pil-yo-han mul-pum-i it-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han mul-pum-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any necessary supplies? -
Expression: 잠시 쉬어도 될까요? (jam-si swi-eo-do doel-kka-yo?)
Pronunciation: jam-si swi-eo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I take a short break? -
Expression: 오늘 수고 많으셨습니다. (o-neul su-go ma-neu-syeot-seum-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: o-neul su-go ma-neu-syeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: You worked hard today. (Common closing remark) -
Expression: 다음 봉사 활동은 언제인가요? (da-eum bong-sa hwal-dong-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?)
Pronunciation: da-eum bong-sa hwal-dong-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the next volunteer activity? -
Expression: 제가 더 할 일이 있을까요? (je-ga deo hal il-i is-seul-kka-yo?)
Pronunciation: je-ga deo hal il-i is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything else I can do? -
Expression: 설명해주셔서 감사합니다. (seol-myeong-hae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: seol-myeong-hae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining.
Reflecting on the Experience
-
Expression: 정말 보람 있는 경험이었어요. (jeong-mal bo-ram it-neun gyeong-heom-i-eo-sseo-yo.)
Pronunciation: jeong-mal bo-ram it-neun gyeong-heom-i-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was a really rewarding experience. -
Expression: 많은 것을 배웠습니다. (ma-neun geo-seul bae-wot-seum-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: ma-neun geo-seul bae-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I learned a lot. -
Expression: 다른 사람들을 도울 수 있어서 기뻤습니다. (da-reun sa-ram-deu-reul do-ul su i-sseo-seo gi-ppeot-seum-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: da-reun sa-ram-deu-reul do-ul su i-sseo-seo gi-ppeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I was happy that I could help others. -
Expression: 다음에 또 참여하고 싶어요. (da-eum-e tto cham-yeo-ha-go si-peo-yo.)
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto cham-yeo-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to participate again next time. -
Expression: 봉사 활동을 통해 좋은 사람들을 만났어요. (bong-sa hwal-dong-eul tong-hae jo-eun sa-ram-deu-reul man-na-sseo-yo.)
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong-eul tong-hae jo-eun sa-ram-deu-reul man-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I met good people through the volunteer activity. -
Expression: 지역 사회에 기여한 것 같아 뿌듯합니다. (ji-yeok sa-hoe-e gi-yeo-han geot ga-ta ppu-deu-tam-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: ji-yeok sa-hoe-e gi-yeo-han geot ga-ta ppu-deu-tam-ni-da.
Meaning: I feel proud to have contributed to the local community. -
Expression: 힘든 점도 있었지만, 의미 있었습니다. (him-deun jeom-do i-sseot-ji-man, ui-mi i-sseot-seum-ni-da.)
Pronunciation: him-deun jeom-do i-sseot-ji-man, ui-mi i-sseot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Although there were difficult parts, it was meaningful. -
Expression: 이 경험을 잊지 못할 거예요. (i gyeong-heom-eul it-ji mot-hal geo-ye-yo.)
Pronunciation: i gyeong-heom-eul it-ji mot-hal geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I won’t forget this experience. -
Expression: 봉사 활동의 중요성을 깨달았어요. (bong-sa hwal-dong-ui jung-yo-seong-eul kkae-da-ra-sseo-yo.)
Pronunciation: bong-sa hwal-dong-ui jung-yo-seong-eul kkae-da-ra-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I realized the importance of volunteer work. -
Expression: 다른 친구들에게도 추천하고 싶어요. (da-reun chin-gu-deu-re-ge-do chu-cheon-ha-go si-peo-yo.)
Pronunciation: da-reun chin-gu-deu-re-ge-do chu-cheon-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to recommend it to other friends too.
Korean Culture Notes
- Community Focus: Volunteering (자원봉사 – ja-won-bong-sa) is often seen as a way to strengthen community ties (공동체 의식 – gong-dong-che ui-sik). Group participation is common.
- Popular Activities: Common volunteer activities include helping the elderly, environmental cleanups, supporting underprivileged children, and assisting at animal shelters.
- Student Involvement: Volunteering is highly encouraged, and sometimes required, for students in middle school, high school, and university as part of their character education and resume building.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Many Korean companies organize volunteer days for their employees as part of their CSR initiatives.
- Government & NGO Support: Numerous government agencies (like 1365 자원봉사포털 – 1365 ja-won-bong-sa-po-teol) and NGOs actively recruit and manage volunteers across various sectors.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minji and Chris, are talking about weekend plans. Chris expresses interest in volunteering.
Roles:
* A: Minji (Korean friend)
* B: Chris (Foreigner interested in volunteering)
-
Expression: A: 크리스 씨, 이번 주말에 뭐 해요? (keu-ri-seu ssi, i-beon ju-ma-re mwo hae-yo?)
Pronunciation: keu-ri-seu ssi, i-beon ju-ma-re mwo hae-yo?
Meaning: A: Chris, what are you doing this weekend? -
Expression: B: 아직 특별한 계획은 없어요. 혹시 자원봉사 활동 같은 거 할 만한 곳 아세요? (a-jik teuk-byeol-han gye-hoek-eun eop-seo-yo. hok-si ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong ga-teun geo hal man-han got a-se-yo?)
Pronunciation: a-jik teuk-byeol-han gye-hoek-eun eop-seo-yo. hok-si ja-won-bong-sa hwal-dong ga-teun geo hal man-han got a-se-yo?
Meaning: B: I don’t have any special plans yet. Do you happen to know any places where I could do something like volunteer work? -
Expression: A: 아, 자원봉사요? 좋아요! 마침 제가 아는 노인복지관에서 이번 주 토요일에 자원봉사자를 모집하고 있어요. (a, ja-won-bong-sa-yo? jo-a-yo! ma-chim je-ga a-neun no-in-bok-ji-gwan-e-seo i-beon ju to-yo-il-e ja-won-bong-sa-ja-reul mo-jip-ha-go i-sseo-yo.)
Pronunciation: a, ja-won-bong-sa-yo? jo-a-yo! ma-chim je-ga a-neun no-in-bok-ji-gwan-e-seo i-beon ju to-yo-il-e ja-won-bong-sa-ja-reul mo-jip-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, volunteering? Great! Actually, a senior welfare center I know is recruiting volunteers this Saturday. -
Expression: B: 정말요? 외국인도 참여할 수 있나요? 제가 뭘 도와드릴 수 있을까요? (jeong-mal-lyo? oe-gu-gin-do cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo? je-ga mwol do-wa-deu-ril su i-sseul-kka-yo?)
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? oe-gu-gin-do cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo? je-ga mwol do-wa-deu-ril su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Really? Can foreigners participate too? What could I help with? -
Expression: A: 네, 그럼요! 주로 어르신들 말벗 되어드리기나 식사 준비 보조 같은 일을 해요. 관심 있으면 제가 신청 방법을 알려드릴게요. (ne, geu-reom-nyo! ju-ro eo-reu-sin-deul mal-beot doe-eo-deu-ri-gi-na sik-sa jun-bi bo-jo ga-teun il-eul hae-yo. gwan-sim i-sseu-myeon je-ga sin-cheong bang-beo-beul al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.)
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-nyo! ju-ro eo-reu-sin-deul mal-beot doe-eo-deu-ri-gi-na sik-sa jun-bi bo-jo ga-teun il-eul hae-yo. gwan-sim i-sseu-myeon je-ga sin-cheong bang-beo-beul al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, of course! Usually, the tasks involve chatting with the elderly or helping with meal preparation. If you’re interested, I can tell you how to apply. -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요! 알려주세요. 정말 의미 있는 주말이 될 것 같아요! (ne, jo-a-yo! al-lyeo-ju-se-yo. jeong-mal ui-mi it-neun ju-ma-ri doel geot ga-ta-yo!)
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! al-lyeo-ju-se-yo. jeong-mal ui-mi it-neun ju-ma-ri doel geot ga-ta-yo!
Meaning: B: Yes, please! Let me know. It seems like it would be a really meaningful weekend!
Practice Tips
Volunteering is a fantastic way to practice your Korean in a real-world setting while making a difference! Try searching online for volunteer opportunities using keywords like 자원봉사 모집 (ja-won-bong-sa mo-jip – volunteer recruitment) or 외국인 자원봉사 (oe-gu-gin ja-won-bong-sa – foreigner volunteering). Don’t be afraid to reach out to organizations and use the phrases you’ve learned here~ Even simple interactions during the activity can greatly improve your conversational skills. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
