Knowing how to discuss and react to emergencies is crucial, especially when living or traveling abroad. This guide covers essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to disaster response (재난대응 – jae-nan-dae-eung), helping you understand alerts and communicate effectively during critical situations in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 재난대응 (jae-nan-dae-eung)
Pronunciation: jae-nan-dae-eung
Meaning: Disaster Response (The actions taken during and after a disaster)
Types of Disasters
Understanding the names of different disasters is the first step in preparedness.
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Expression: 자연재해 (ja-yeon-jae-hae)
Pronunciation: ja-yeon-jae-hae
Meaning: Natural Disaster -
Expression: 지진 (ji-jin)
Pronunciation: ji-jin
Meaning: Earthquake -
Expression: 태풍 (tae-pung)
Pronunciation: tae-pung
Meaning: Typhoon -
Expression: 홍수 (hong-su)
Pronunciation: hong-su
Meaning: Flood -
Expression: 가뭄 (ga-mum)
Pronunciation: ga-mum
Meaning: Drought -
Expression: 폭설 (pok-seol)
Pronunciation: pok-seol
Meaning: Heavy Snow -
Expression: 산사태 (san-sa-tae)
Pronunciation: san-sa-tae
Meaning: Landslide -
Expression: 화재 (hwa-jae)
Pronunciation: hwa-jae
Meaning: Fire -
Expression: 폭염 (po-gyeom)
Pronunciation: po-gyeom
Meaning: Heatwave -
Expression: 한파 (han-pa)
Pronunciation: han-pa
Meaning: Cold Wave -
Expression: 쓰나미 (sseu-na-mi)
Pronunciation: sseu-na-mi
Meaning: Tsunami -
Expression: 화산 폭발 (hwa-san pok-bal)
Pronunciation: hwa-san pok-bal
Meaning: Volcanic Eruption
Emergency Actions
Knowing what actions to take is vital during an emergency.
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Expression: 대피하다 (dae-pi-ha-da)
Pronunciation: dae-pi-ha-da
Meaning: To evacuate -
Expression: 신고하다 (sin-go-ha-da)
Pronunciation: sin-go-ha-da
Meaning: To report (an incident) -
Expression: 구조 요청하다 (gu-jo yo-cheong-ha-da)
Pronunciation: gu-jo yo-cheong-ha-da
Meaning: To request rescue -
Expression: 안전한 곳으로 이동하다 (an-jeon-han got-eu-ro i-dong-ha-da)
Pronunciation: an-jeon-han got-eu-ro i-dong-ha-da
Meaning: To move to a safe place -
Expression: 비상용품을 챙기다 (bi-sang-yong-pum-eul chaeng-gi-da)
Pronunciation: bi-sang-yong-pum-eul chaeng-gi-da
Meaning: To pack emergency supplies -
Expression: 재난 방송을 듣다 (jae-nan bang-song-eul deut-da)
Pronunciation: jae-nan bang-song-eul deut-da
Meaning: To listen to disaster broadcasts -
Expression: 가족과 연락하다 (ga-jok-gwa yeol-lak-ha-da)
Pronunciation: ga-jok-gwa yeol-lak-ha-da
Meaning: To contact family -
Expression: 침착함을 유지하다 (chim-cha-kam-eul yu-ji-ha-da)
Pronunciation: chim-cha-kam-eul yu-ji-ha-da
Meaning: To stay calm -
Expression: 전기/가스를 차단하다 (jeon-gi / ga-seu-reul cha-dan-ha-da)
Pronunciation: jeon-gi / ga-seu-reul cha-dan-ha-da
Meaning: To shut off electricity/gas -
Expression: 응급처치를 하다 (eung-geup-cheo-chi-reul ha-da)
Pronunciation: eung-geup-cheo-chi-reul ha-da
Meaning: To perform first aid -
Expression: 대피소로 가다 (dae-pi-so-ro ga-da)
Pronunciation: dae-pi-so-ro ga-da
Meaning: To go to a shelter -
Expression: 안전 수칙을 따르다 (an-jeon su-chi-geul tta-reu-da)
Pronunciation: an-jeon su-chi-geul tta-reu-da
Meaning: To follow safety rules
Asking for Help and Information
These phrases are essential for seeking assistance or clarification during an emergency.
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Expression: 도와주세요! (do-wa-ju-se-yo!)
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Help me! -
Expression: 구조대가 필요해요. (gu-jo-dae-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.)
Pronunciation: gu-jo-dae-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a rescue team. -
Expression: 여기 사람이 갇혔어요. (yeo-gi sa-ram-i gat-hyeoss-eo-yo.)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi sa-ram-i gat-hyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Someone is trapped here. -
Expression: 다친 사람이 있어요. (da-chin sa-ram-i iss-eo-yo.)
Pronunciation: da-chin sa-ram-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There’s an injured person. -
Expression: 어디로 대피해야 하나요? (eo-di-ro dae-pi-hae-ya ha-na-yo?)
Pronunciation: eo-di-ro dae-pi-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Where should I evacuate to? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 대피소가 어디예요? (ga-jang ga-kka-un dae-pi-so-ga eo-di-ye-yo?)
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un dae-pi-so-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest shelter? -
Expression: 물이 필요해요. (mul-i pil-yo-hae-yo.)
Pronunciation: mul-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need water. -
Expression: 음식이 필요해요. (eum-sig-i pil-yo-hae-yo.)
Pronunciation: eum-sig-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need food. -
Expression: 의료 지원이 필요해요. (ui-ryo ji-won-i pil-yo-hae-yo.)
Pronunciation: ui-ryo ji-won-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need medical assistance. -
Expression: 제 가족을 찾아주세요. (je ga-jog-eul cha-ja-ju-se-yo.)
Pronunciation: je ga-jog-eul cha-ja-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please find my family. -
Expression: 연락할 방법이 없어요. (yeol-la-kal bang-beob-i eops-eo-yo.)
Pronunciation: yeol-la-kal bang-beob-i eops-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have no way to contact anyone. -
Expression: 지금 상황이 어떤가요? (ji-geum sang-hwang-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?)
Pronunciation: ji-geum sang-hwang-i eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the current situation?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding cultural aspects can aid in navigating emergencies in Korea.
- Emergency Alerts: The Korean government utilizes a public alert system, often sending emergency text messages (긴급재난문자 – gin-geup-jae-nan-mun-ja) to mobile phones in affected areas. These alerts provide crucial information and instructions. Pay close attention to them.
- Following Instructions: There is a strong emphasis on following official instructions from authorities (police, fire department, local government) during emergencies. Compliance is expected for collective safety.
- Community Cooperation: During crises, community spirit (공동체 의식 – gong-dong-che ui-sik) is often evident. Neighbors tend to help each other, and volunteer efforts are common.
- Designated Shelters: Public buildings like schools, community centers, and subway stations often serve as designated emergency shelters (민방위 대피소 – min-bang-wi dae-pi-so). Look for signs indicating these locations.
- Safety Drills: Regular safety and evacuation drills (안전 훈련 – an-jeon hun-lyeon or 대피 훈련 – dae-pi hun-lyeon) are conducted in schools and workplaces, reflecting a high level of preparedness awareness.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two neighbors, Minjun and Sarah, receive an emergency alert about an impending typhoon.
Roles:
* A: Minjun (민준 – min-jun) – A Korean resident familiar with procedures.
* B: Sarah (사라 – sa-ra) – An expatriate resident.
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Expression: B: 어? 방금 긴급재난문자 왔어요. 태풍이 온대요.
Pronunciation: eo? bang-geum gin-geup-jae-nan-mun-ja wass-eo-yo. tae-pung-i on-dae-yo.
Meaning: Oh? I just got an emergency alert text. It says a typhoon is coming. -
Expression: A: 네, 저도 받았어요. 창문 잘 잠그고, 밖에 있는 물건들 안으로 들여놓으세요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeo-do bad-ass-eo-yo. chang-mun jal jam-geu-go, bakk-e iss-neun mul-geon-deul an-eu-ro deul-yeo-no-eu-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I got it too. Make sure to lock your windows well and bring any items outside indoors. -
Expression: B: 알겠어요. 비상용품은 어디에 두는 게 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: al-gess-eo-yo. bi-sang-yong-pum-eun eo-di-e du-neun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Okay. Where would be a good place to keep the emergency supplies? -
Expression: A: 현관 가까이에 두는 것이 비상시에 꺼내기 편해요. 손전등이랑 물, 간단한 식량 확인해보세요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-gwan ga-kka-i-e du-neun geos-i bi-sang-si-e kkeo-nae-gi pyeon-hae-yo. son-jeon-deung-i-rang mul, gan-dan-han sik-ryang hwa-gin-hae-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Keeping them near the entrance is convenient to grab in an emergency. Check your flashlight, water, and simple food items. -
Expression: B: 네, 확인해볼게요. 혹시 대피해야 하면 어디로 가야 해요?
Pronunciation: ne, hwa-gin-hae-bol-ge-yo. hok-si dae-pi-hae-ya ha-myeon eo-di-ro ga-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Okay, I’ll check. If we need to evacuate, where should we go? -
Expression: A: 보통 근처 학교나 주민센터가 대피소예요. 안내 방송 잘 듣고, 필요하면 같이 이동해요.
Pronunciation: bo-tong geun-cheo hak-gyo-na ju-min-sen-teo-ga dae-pi-so-ye-yo. an-nae bang-song jal deut-go, pil-yo-ha-myeon gat-i i-dong-hae-yo.
Meaning: Usually, the nearby school or community center is the shelter. Listen carefully to the announcements, and let’s move together if needed. -
Expression: B: 고마워요, 민준 씨. 미리 대비하는 게 중요하네요.
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo-yo, min-jun ssi. mi-ri dae-bi-ha-neun ge jung-yo-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: Thank you, Minjun. Being prepared in advance is important. -
Expression: A: 그럼요. 안전이 제일 중요하니까요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo. an-jeon-i je-il jung-yo-ha-ni-kka-yo.
Meaning: Of course. Safety is the most important thing.
Practice Tips
Knowing these terms is important, but being able to use them is key! Try reviewing the vocabulary regularly~. Pay attention to any safety alerts or news reports if you are in Korea. Discussing potential scenarios and preparedness steps with friends or family using these Korean phrases can also be very helpful! Stay safe and prepared!
