PC Bangs (컴퓨터 게임방 or PC방) are an integral part of modern Korean culture, offering high-speed internet access primarily for online gaming, but also for general web browsing and work. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context to help you navigate and enjoy your time at a Korean PC Bang.
Table Of Content
Essential Term
-
Expression: 컴퓨터 게임방 (PC방)
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo ge-im-bang (pi-ssi-bang)
Meaning: Computer game room (PC room/Internet cafe) – PC방 (pi-ssi-bang) is the common abbreviation.
Basic Phrases for Entering and Paying
-
Expression: 자리 있어요?
Pronunciation: ja-ri iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any available seats? -
Expression: 비회원으로 할게요.
Pronunciation: bi-hoe-won-eu-ro hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll use it as a non-member. -
Expression: 회원가입 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: hoe-won-ga-ip eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I sign up for membership? -
Expression: 로그인 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: ro-geu-in eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I log in? -
Expression: 선불이에요? 후불이에요?
Pronunciation: seon-bul-i-e-yo? hu-bul-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is it pre-paid or post-paid? -
Expression: 시간 충전하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: si-gan chung-jeon-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to add time (charge time). -
Expression: 한 시간 충전해 주세요.
Pronunciation: han si-gan chung-jeon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add one hour. -
Expression: 이 자리 써도 돼요?
Pronunciation: i ja-ri sseo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I use this seat? -
Expression: 계산은 어디서 해요?
Pronunciation: gye-san-eun eo-di-seo hae-yo?
Meaning: Where do I pay? -
Expression: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it? -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 컴퓨터 어떻게 켜요?
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo eo-tteo-ke kyeo-yo?
Meaning: How do I turn on the computer?
Ordering Food and Drinks
-
Expression: 음식 주문할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik ju-mun-hal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I order food? -
Expression: 메뉴판 주세요.
Pronunciation: me-nyu-pan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the menu. -
Expression: 자리에서 주문할게요.
Pronunciation: ja-ri-e-seo ju-mun-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll order from my seat. -
Expression: 라면 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: ra-myeon ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one ramen. -
Expression: 콜라 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: kol-la ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one cola. -
Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 음식은 언제 나와요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-eun eon-je na-wa-yo?
Meaning: When will the food come out? -
Expression: 계산은 나중에 할게요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-eun na-jung-e hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay later. (Often added to your time or paid when leaving) -
Expression: 여기서 먹어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo meog-eo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I eat here (at my seat)? -
Expression: 추천 메뉴 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon me-nyu iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any recommended items? -
Expression: 물 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: mul jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me some water. -
Expression: 주문 취소할게요.
Pronunciation: ju-mun chwi-so-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to cancel my order.
Asking for Assistance
-
Expression: 저기요!
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo!
Meaning: Excuse me! (To get staff attention) -
Expression: 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me. -
Expression: 컴퓨터가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The computer isn’t working. -
Expression: 인터넷이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: in-teo-nes-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The internet isn’t working. -
Expression: 헤드셋 빌릴 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: he-deu-set bil-lil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I borrow a headset? -
Expression: 프린터 사용할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: peu-rin-teo sa-yong-hal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I use the printer? -
Expression: 화장실 어디예요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 이 게임 설치되어 있어요?
Pronunciation: i ge-im seol-chi-doe-eo iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is this game installed? -
Expression: 마우스가 이상해요.
Pronunciation: ma-u-seu-ga i-sang-hae-yo.
Meaning: The mouse is acting strange. -
Expression: 키보드가 안 눌러져요.
Pronunciation: ki-bo-deu-ga an nul-leo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: The keyboard keys aren’t working/pressing. -
Expression: 자리 옮겨도 돼요?
Pronunciation: ja-ri om-gyeo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I move seats? -
Expression: 남은 시간 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: nam-eun si-gan hwak-in-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check my remaining time.
Korean Culture Notes
Payment Systems: Many PC Bangs use a kiosk (무인 정산기 – mu-in jeong-san-gi) for payment, especially for adding time. You might need to select member (회원 – hoe-won) or non-member (비회원 – bi-hoe-won). Payment can often be made with cash or card. Some places operate on a post-paid system where you pay at the counter when you leave.
Ordering from Your Seat: It’s very common to order food, snacks, and drinks directly from the computer you are using. There’s usually an ordering program installed. The staff will then deliver your order directly to your seat. Payment for food is often added to your total time bill or paid separately upon delivery.
Membership Benefits: While you can use PC Bangs as a non-member, becoming a member (often free or requiring a small deposit) usually offers lower hourly rates and allows you to save remaining time for future visits. Signing up might require a Korean phone number or ID in some places.
Atmosphere: PC Bangs can be quite lively, especially during peak hours, with sounds from games and people talking. While generally accepted, try to keep your own voice volume reasonable. Designated smoking rooms are common, but main seating areas are non-smoking.
Etiquette: Keep your area relatively clean. When leaving, log out of your account and take your personal belongings. It’s polite to push your chair back in. If you ordered food, leave the tray/dishes at your seat for staff to collect.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex (a foreigner) enters a PC Bang for the first time and approaches the counter staff.
Roles: A: Alex (Customer), B: Staff (직원 – jig-won)
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 자리 있어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, ja-ri iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, are there any available seats? -
Expression: B: 네, 있습니다. 회원이세요?
Pronunciation: ne, iss-seum-ni-da. hoe-won-i-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, there are. Are you a member? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 비회원으로 할게요. 어떻게 사용해요?
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, bi-hoe-won-eu-ro hal-ge-yo. eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: No, I’ll use it as a non-member. How do I use it? -
Expression: B: 빈 자리에 앉으셔서 컴퓨터 켜시면 돼요. 시간은 키오스크에서 선불로 충전하시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: bin ja-ri-e an-jeu-syeo-seo keom-pyu-teo kyeo-si-myeon dwae-yo. si-gan-eun ki-o-seu-keu-e-seo seon-bul-lo chung-jeon-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Just sit at an empty seat and turn on the computer. You can add time pre-paid at the kiosk. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 한 시간 충전하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. han si-gan chung-jeon-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. I want to add one hour. -
Expression: B: 저쪽 키오스크에서 ‘비회원 시간 충전’ 누르시고 결제하시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok ki-o-seu-keu-e-seo ‘bi-hoe-won si-gan chung-jeon’ nu-reu-si-go gyeol-je-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Press ‘Non-member Time Charge’ on that kiosk over there and make the payment. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you!
Practice Tips
Visiting a PC Bang is a great way to experience a slice of modern Korean life! Don’t be intimidated~ Try using the basic phrases first, like asking for a seat or about payment. Listen to how others interact with the staff. Ordering food or drinks from your seat is also excellent practice. Remember the key term PC방 (pi-ssi-bang) and practice the phrases for adding time (시간 충전 – si-gan chung-jeon). Have fun gaming or browsing! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!)
