Sending a Parcel at the Korean Post Office

Sending packages is a common task, and knowing the right phrases can make your experience at the Korean post office (우체국 – ucheguk) smooth and efficient. This guide covers essential vocabulary and expressions you’ll need to mail a parcel in Korea, whether domestically or internationally. Learn how to state your purpose, specify details, ask questions, and complete the transaction confidently.

Core Expression

This is the most fundamental phrase to start the process of sending a parcel.

• Expression: 소포 보내려고 하는데요.
  Pronunciation: Sopo bonaeryeogo haneundeyo.
  Meaning: I’d like to send a parcel.

Essential Phrases at the Post Office

Here are some basic phrases you’ll frequently use or hear at the post office counter.

• Expression: 소포 보내러 왔어요.
  Pronunciation: Sopo bonaereo wasseoyo.
  Meaning: I came here to send a parcel.
• Expression: 이거 부치고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: Igeo buchigo sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I want to mail this.
• Expression: 국내 소포예요 / 국제 소포예요.
  Pronunciation: Gungnae sopoyeyo / Gukje sopoyeyo.
  Meaning: It’s a domestic parcel / It’s an international parcel.
• Expression: 상자 필요해요.
  Pronunciation: Sangja piryohaeyo.
  Meaning: I need a box.
• Expression: 어떤 크기로 드릴까요?
  Pronunciation: Eotteon keugiro deurilkkayo?
  Meaning: What size (box) should I give you? (Staff asking)
• Expression: 이 주소로 보내주세요.
  Pronunciation: I jusoro bonaejuseyo.
  Meaning: Please send it to this address.
• Expression: 송장 작성해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: Songjang jakseonghae juseyo.
  Meaning: Please fill out the shipping label. (Or: Can you help me fill out…)
• Expression: 여기에 서명해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: Yeogie seomyeonghae juseyo.
  Meaning: Please sign here.
• Expression: 무게를 재 볼게요.
  Pronunciation: Mugereul jae bolkkeyo.
  Meaning: I’ll weigh it. (Staff saying)
• Expression: 내용물이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: Naeyongmuri mwoyeyo?
  Meaning: What are the contents? (Staff asking)
• Expression: 보내는 사람 / 받는 사람
  Pronunciation: Boneuneun saram / Banneun saram
  Meaning: Sender / Recipient

Describing Your Parcel and Destination

Provide necessary details about your package and where it’s going.

• Expression: 미국으로 보내고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: Migugeuro bonaego sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I want to send it to the USA.
• Expression: 내용물은 옷하고 책이에요.
  Pronunciation: Naeyongmureun otago chaegieyo.
  Meaning: The contents are clothes and books.
• Expression: 깨지기 쉬운 물건이 들어있어요.
  Pronunciation: Kkaejigi swiun mulgeoni deureoisseoyo.
  Meaning: There are fragile items inside.
• Expression: 취급주의 스티커 붙여주세요.
  Pronunciation: Chwigeupjuui seutikeo butyeojuseyo.
  Meaning: Please put a ‘handle with care’ sticker on it.
• Expression: 받는 분 성함이 어떻게 되세요?
  Pronunciation: Banneun bun seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?
  Meaning: What is the recipient’s name? (Staff asking)
• Expression: 받는 분 연락처도 적어주세요.
  Pronunciation: Banneun bun yeollakcheodo jeogeojuseyo.
  Meaning: Please write down the recipient’s contact number too.
• Expression: 주소가 정확해야 해요.
  Pronunciation: Jusoga jeonghwakhaeya haeyo.
  Meaning: The address needs to be accurate.
• Expression: 우편번호를 꼭 써주세요.
  Pronunciation: Upyeonbeonhoreul kkok sseojuseyo.
  Meaning: Please make sure to write the postal code.
• Expression: 선물이에요.
  Pronunciation: Seonmurieyo.
  Meaning: It’s a gift.
• Expression: 상품 가치는 얼마로 할까요?
  Pronunciation: Sangpum gachineun eolmaro halkkayo?
  Meaning: What should the declared value of the goods be? (Staff asking for customs)
• Expression: 보험에 가입하시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: Boheome gaiphasigesseoyo?
  Meaning: Would you like to get insurance? (Staff asking)

Asking About Services and Costs

Inquire about shipping options, delivery times, and fees.

• Expression: 제일 빠른 걸로 보내주세요.
  Pronunciation: Jeil ppareun geollo bonaejuseyo.
  Meaning: Please send it by the fastest option.
• Expression: 일반 우편으로 보내주세요.
  Pronunciation: Ilban upyeoneuro bonaejuseyo.
  Meaning: Please send it by standard mail.
• Expression: 특급(EMS)으로 보내면 얼마나 걸려요?
  Pronunciation: Teukgeup (EMS)euro bonaemyeon eolmana geollyeoyo?
  Meaning: How long does it take if sent by Express (EMS)?
• Expression: 배송 조회 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: Baesong johoe ganeunghangayo?
  Meaning: Is tracking available?
• Expression: 요금이 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: Yogeumi eolmayeyo?
  Meaning: How much is the fee?
• Expression: 총 얼마 나왔어요?
  Pronunciation: Chong eolma nawasseoyo?
  Meaning: How much is the total?
• Expression: 배송 기간은 얼마나 걸릴까요?
  Pronunciation: Baesong giganeun eolmana geollilkkayo?
  Meaning: About how long will the delivery take?
• Expression: 포장 서비스도 해주시나요?
  Pronunciation: Pojang seobiseudo haejusinayo?
  Meaning: Do you also offer packing services?
• Expression: 이 상자 써도 되나요?
  Pronunciation: I sangja sseodo doenayo?
  Meaning: Can I use this box?
• Expression: 등기 우편으로 보내고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: Deunggi upyeoneuro bonaego sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I want to send it by registered mail.
• Expression: 영수증 주세요.
  Pronunciation: Yeongsujeung juseyo.
  Meaning: Please give me the receipt.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding these points can enhance your post office experience in Korea.

• Efficiency: Korean post offices (우체국 – Ucheguk) are generally very efficient. There’s often a ticketing system; take a number (번호표 – beonhopyo) and wait for your number to be called.
• Packing Supplies: Post offices sell various sizes of sturdy boxes (소포 상자 – sopo sangja) and packing materials like tape (테이프 – teipeu) and bubble wrap (뽁뽁이 – ppokppogi). There are usually designated areas with tools where you can pack your items yourself after purchasing a box.
• Shipping Labels (송장 – Songjang): You’ll need to fill out a shipping label. For domestic parcels, it’s usually simpler. For international parcels (국제 소포 – gukje sopo), you’ll need to fill out a customs declaration form, including contents, quantity, value, and whether it’s a gift or merchandise. Ask for help if needed (송장 작성 도와주세요 – Songjang jakseong dowajuseyo).
• Address Format: Korean addresses are written starting from the largest administrative unit to the smallest (e.g., City, District, Street Name/Number, Building Name/Number, Apartment Number), followed by the postal code (우편번호 – upyeonbeonho). Ensure accuracy, especially the 5-digit postal code.
• EMS vs. Standard: EMS (국제특급우편 – Gukje Teukgeup Upyeon) is the faster, trackable international option offered by the post office. Standard international mail (국제 보통우편 – gukje botong upyeon) is cheaper but slower and may have limited tracking.

Real Conversation Example

Here’s a typical interaction at a Korean post office.

Situation: A customer (A) wants to send a parcel internationally to Canada.
Roles:
* A: Customer
* B: Postal Worker

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 국제 소포 보내려고 하는데요.
  Pronunciation: Annyeonghaseyo, gukje sopo bonaeryeogo haneundeyo.
  Meaning: Hello, I’d like to send an international parcel.
• Expression: B: 네, 어디로 보내실 건가요?
  Pronunciation: Ne, eodiro bonaesil geongayo?
  Meaning: Yes, where are you sending it to?
• Expression: A: 캐나다로 보낼 거예요. 이 상자에 담았어요.
  Pronunciation: Kaenadaro bonael geoyeyo. I sangjae damasseoyo.
  Meaning: I’m sending it to Canada. I’ve packed it in this box.
• Expression: B: 네, 이쪽에 올려주세요. 무게 먼저 재겠습니다. (삑) 2.5kg 나왔네요. 송장 작성하셨어요?
  Pronunciation: Ne, ijjoge ollyeojuseyo. Muge meonjeo jaegetseumnida. (Ppik) I-jeom-o killogeuraem nawanneyo. Songjang jakseonghasyeosseoyo?
  Meaning: Okay, please place it here. I’ll weigh it first. (Beep) It came out to 2.5kg. Have you filled out the shipping label?
• Expression: A: 아니요, 아직요. 여기 서식 있죠? 내용물은 옷이랑 화장품 조금이에요.
  Pronunciation: Aniyo, ajigyo. Yeogi seosik itjyo? Naeyongmureun osirang hwajangpum jogeumieyo.
  Meaning: No, not yet. You have the forms here, right? The contents are clothes and a few cosmetics.
• Expression: B: 네, 이 국제 소포용 송장 작성해 주시고, 세관 신고서도 같이 작성해 주세요. 보내는 분, 받는 분 성함, 주소, 연락처, 내용물 상세히 적어주셔야 합니다.
  Pronunciation: Ne, i gukje sopoyong songjang jakseonghae jusigo, segwan singoseodo gachi jakseonghae juseyo. Boneuneun bun, banneun bun seongham, juso, yeollakcheo, naeyongmul sangsehi jeogeojusyeoya hamnida.
  Meaning: Yes, please fill out this international parcel label, and also fill out the customs declaration form. You need to write the sender’s and recipient’s name, address, contact number, and details of the contents.
• Expression: A: (작성 후) 다 됐습니다. 이걸로 보내면 얼마나 걸릴까요?
  Pronunciation: (Jakseong hu) Da dwaetseumnida. Igeollo bonaemyeon eolmana geollilkkayo?
  Meaning: (After filling it out) All done. How long will it take if sent this way (assuming standard)?
• Expression: B: 일반 항공편으로는 약 2주 정도 예상되고, EMS 특급으로 보내시면 5~7일 정도 걸립니다. 어떤 걸로 하시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: Ilban hanggongpyeoneuroneun yak i-ju jeongdo yesangdoego, EMS teukgeubeuro bonaesimyeon o-eseo chiril jeongdo geollimnida. Eotteon geollo hasigesseoyo?
  Meaning: By standard airmail, it’s expected to take about 2 weeks, and if you send by EMS Express, it takes about 5-7 days. Which option would you like?
• Expression: A: EMS로 해주세요. 요금은 얼마인가요?
  Pronunciation: EMSro haejuseyo. Yogeumeun eolmaingayo?
  Meaning: Please do it by EMS. How much is the fee?
• Expression: B: 네, EMS 요금은 48,500원입니다.
  Pronunciation: Ne, EMS yogeumeun saman-palcheon-obaegwonimnida.
  Meaning: Okay, the EMS fee is 48,500 won.
• Expression: A: 카드로 계산할게요. 여기 영수증이랑 등기번호 받을 수 있죠?
  Pronunciation: Kadeuro gyesanhalgeyo. Yeogi yeongsujeungirang deunggibeonho badeul su itjyo?
  Meaning: I’ll pay by card. I can get the receipt and tracking number here, right?
• Expression: B: 네, 결제 후에 영수증에 등기번호 같이 찍혀 나옵니다.
  Pronunciation: Ne, gyeolje hue yeongsujeunge deunggibeonho gachi jjikhyeo naomnida.
  Meaning: Yes, after payment, the tracking number will be printed on the receipt.

Practice Tips

Now that you have these phrases, try practicing them!~ You can role-play with a friend or even practice saying them aloud by yourself. Imagine you’re at the post office and go through the steps. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel when you actually need to send a parcel in Korea. Don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help if you get stuck – they are usually very helpful! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)