Communicating workplace issues effectively is crucial, especially in a different cultural context. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for an employee reporting a broken light in the conference room to their manager, ensuring clear and polite communication within a Korean office environment.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 회의실 전등이 고장 났습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-sil jeon-deung-i go-jang nat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The conference room light is broken. (Formal statement of the problem)
Reporting the Problem
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Expression: 부장님, 드릴 말씀이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: bu-jang-nim, deu-ril mal-sseum-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Manager, I have something to tell you. (Polite way to initiate conversation) -
Expression: 회의실 전등에 문제가 생긴 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-sil jeon-deung-e mun-je-ga saeng-gin geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems there’s a problem with the conference room light. (Slightly softer way to report) -
Expression: 회의실 불이 안 들어옵니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-sil bul-i an deu-reo-om-ni-da.
Meaning: The conference room light isn’t turning on. -
Expression: 전등 하나가 나갔습니다.
Pronunciation: jeon-deung ha-na-ga na-gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: One of the lights went out. -
Expression: 어제부터 불이 깜빡거렸습니다.
Pronunciation: eo-je-bu-teo bul-i kkam-ppak-geo-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The light has been flickering since yesterday. -
Expression: 방금 확인했는데, 전등이 작동하지 않습니다.
Pronunciation: bang-geum hwa-gin-haet-neun-de, jeon-deung-i jak-dong-ha-ji an-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I just checked, and the light isn’t working. -
Expression: 회의실 조명이 어둡습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-sil jo-myeong-i eo-dup-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The conference room lighting is dim. -
Expression: 전구가 나간 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: jeon-gu-ga na-gan geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think the light bulb burned out. -
Expression: 회의실 사용에 불편함이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-sil sa-yong-e bul-pyeon-ham-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s inconvenient to use the conference room. -
Expression: 다른 직원들도 불편해 합니다.
Pronunciation: da-reun jik-won-deul-do bul-pyeon-hae ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Other employees are also inconvenienced.
Asking for Repair or Action
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Expression: 확인해 주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae ju-sil su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check it? (Polite request) -
Expression: 수리 요청을 해야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: su-ri yo-cheong-eul hae-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think we need to request a repair. -
Expression: 언제쯤 수리가 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum su-ri-ga ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: About when would the repair be possible? -
Expression: 관리팀에 연락해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-tim-e yeol-lak-hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I contact the maintenance team? -
Expression: 제가 직접 처리할까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga jik-jeop cheo-ri-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I handle it myself? (Use cautiously depending on workplace culture) -
Expression: 빠른 조치를 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: ppa-reun jo-chi-reul bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: I request prompt action, please. -
Expression: 회의가 있어서 빨리 고쳐야 합니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-ga it-eo-seo ppal-li go-chyeo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We have a meeting, so it needs to be fixed quickly. -
Expression: 전구를 교체해야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: jeon-gu-reul gyo-che-hae-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think the light bulb needs to be replaced. -
Expression: 어떻게 처리하면 좋을지 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke cheo-ri-ha-myeon jo-eul-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know how best to handle this. -
Expression: 혹시 예비 전구가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ye-bi jeon-gu-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there perhaps any spare light bulbs?
Providing More Details
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Expression: 회의실 안쪽 전등입니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-ui-sil an-jjok jeon-deung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s the light further inside the conference room. -
Expression: 창가 쪽 전등이 나갔습니다.
Pronunciation: chang-ga jjok jeon-deung-i na-gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The light near the window went out. -
Expression: 오늘 아침에 발견했습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul a-chim-e bal-gyeon-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I discovered it this morning. -
Expression: 어제 회의 때는 괜찮았습니다.
Pronunciation: eo-je hoe-ui ttae-neun gwaen-chan-at-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It was fine during yesterday’s meeting. -
Expression: 스위치를 켜도 반응이 없습니다.
Pronunciation: seu-wi-chi-reul kyeo-do ba-neung-i eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There’s no response even when I flip the switch. -
Expression: 가끔씩 깜빡이다가 완전히 나갔습니다.
Pronunciation: ga-kkeum-ssik kkam-ppa-gi-da-ga wan-jeon-hi na-gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It was flickering occasionally and then went out completely. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 문제일 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun mun-je-il su-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Perhaps it could be a different issue. -
Expression: 전체 조명 시스템 문제일까요?
Pronunciation: jeon-che jo-myeong si-seu-tem mun-je-il-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could it be a problem with the entire lighting system? -
Expression: 제가 확인했을 때는 전구 문제 같았습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga hwa-gin-haet-seul ttae-neun jeon-gu mun-je gat-at-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: When I checked, it seemed like a light bulb issue. -
Expression: 내일 중요한 회의가 예정되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: nae-il jung-yo-han hoe-ui-ga ye-jeong-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There’s an important meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
Manager’s Potential Responses
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Expression: 알겠습니다. 확인해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay. I’ll check it out. -
Expression: 언제부터 그랬어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo geu-raet-seo-yo?
Meaning: Since when has it been like that? -
Expression: 관리팀에 바로 연락할게요.
Pronunciation: gwan-ri-tim-e ba-ro yeol-lak-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll contact the maintenance team right away. -
Expression: 직접 한번 가보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jik-jeop han-beon ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’ll go take a look myself. -
Expression: 수리 기사님께 연락해 보세요.
Pronunciation: su-ri gi-sa-nim-kke yeol-lak-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try contacting the repair technician. -
Expression: 예비 전구가 있는지 찾아보세요.
Pronunciation: ye-bi jeon-gu-ga it-neun-ji cha-ja-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Look to see if there are any spare bulbs. -
Expression: 불편했겠네요. 빨리 처리하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-haet-gen-ne-yo. ppal-li cheo-ri-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: That must have been inconvenient. I’ll handle it quickly. -
Expression: 다른 회의실을 우선 사용하세요.
Pronunciation: da-reun hoe-ui-sil-eul u-seon sa-yong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please use another conference room for now. -
Expression: 알려줘서 고마워요.
Pronunciation: al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks for letting me know. -
Expression: 담당자에게 전달하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: dam-dang-ja-e-ge jeon-dal-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will pass this on to the person in charge.
Korean Culture Notes
Hierarchy Matters: Always use formal language (like -ㅂ니다/-습니다 or -아요/-어요 endings) when speaking to a manager or superior. Addressing them by their title (e.g., 부장님 – bujangnim, Manager) is standard practice.
Indirect Communication: Sometimes, Koreans might state the problem slightly indirectly (e.g., “It seems there’s a problem…” or “It’s inconvenient…”) rather than making a very direct demand for repair, especially initially. However, clearly stating the fact (“The light is broken”) is also perfectly acceptable and often necessary.
Initiating the Conversation: It’s polite to signal you need to speak before launching into the issue. Phrases like “드릴 말씀이 있습니다” (I have something to tell you) or asking if they have a moment are good ways to start.
Taking Initiative: While offering to handle it yourself (“제가 직접 처리할까요?”) might seem proactive, be mindful of company culture. Often, maintenance issues are handled by specific teams or procedures, so clarifying the process (“관리팀에 연락해야 할까요?”) is usually safer.
Expressing Gratitude: If the manager agrees to handle the issue, a simple “감사합니다” (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) is appropriate.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Jisu (an employee) needs to report a broken light in Conference Room A to Manager Kim.
Characters:
A: 지수 (Jisu – Employee)
B: 김 부장님 (Kim Bujangnim – Manager Kim)
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Expression: A: 부장님, 잠시 시간 괜찮으십니까? 드릴 말씀이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: bu-jang-nim, jam-si si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-sim-ni-kka? deu-ril mal-sseum-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Manager Kim, do you have a moment? I have something to tell you. -
Expression: B: 네, 지수 씨. 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: ne, ji-su ssi. mu-seun il-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Yes, Jisu. What is it? -
Expression: A: 다름이 아니라, A 회의실 전등 하나가 고장 난 것 같습니다. 불이 안 들어와요.
Pronunciation: da-reum-i a-ni-ra, ei hoe-ui-sil jeon-deung ha-na-ga go-jang nan geot gat-seum-ni-da. bul-i an deu-reo-wa-yo.
Meaning: It’s about Conference Room A; it seems one of the lights is broken. It won’t turn on. -
Expression: B: 아, 그래요? 언제부터 그랬어요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-rae-yo? eon-je-bu-teo geu-raet-seo-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? Since when has it been like that? -
Expression: A: 오늘 아침에 회의실 준비하다가 발견했습니다. 어제는 괜찮았던 것 같은데…
Pronunciation: o-neul a-chim-e hoe-ui-sil jun-bi-ha-da-ga bal-gyeon-haet-seum-ni-da. eo-je-neun gwaen-chan-at-deon geot gat-eun-de…
Meaning: I discovered it this morning while preparing the conference room. I think it was fine yesterday… -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 불편했겠네요. 제가 관리팀에 바로 연락해서 수리 요청할게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. bul-pyeon-haet-gen-ne-yo. je-ga gwan-ri-tim-e ba-ro yeol-lak-hae-seo su-ri yo-cheong-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I understand. That must be inconvenient. I’ll contact the maintenance team right away and request a repair. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다, 부장님. 내일 오전에 중요한 회의가 있어서요.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da, bu-jang-nim. nae-il o-jeon-e jung-yo-han hoe-ui-ga it-eo-seo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, thank you, Manager. There’s an important meeting tomorrow morning. -
Expression: B: 네, 알고 있습니다. 최대한 빨리 처리하도록 하겠습니다. 알려줘서 고마워요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-go it-seum-ni-da. choe-dae-han ppal-li cheo-ri-ha-do-rok ha-get-seum-ni-da. al-lyeo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’m aware. I’ll make sure it’s handled as quickly as possible. Thanks for letting me know.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially with workplace communication! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or language partner~ Imagine different responses from the manager and how you would reply. Pay close attention to using formal language (-ㅂ니다/습니다 or -아요/어요) and addressing your ‘manager’ correctly by title (like 부장님!). You can also practice reporting other minor office issues, like a broken printer or malfunctioning air conditioner, using similar sentence structures. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Good luck!)
