Losing personal belongings while traveling or living abroad can be stressful. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural information needed to navigate Lost and Found Centers (분실물 센터 – bun-sil-mul sen-teo) in Korea effectively, helping you report and hopefully recover your lost items.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 분실물 센터
Pronunciation: bun-sil-mul sen-teo
Meaning: Lost and Found Center
Reporting a Lost Item
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Expression: 물건을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: mul-geon-eul il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost something. / I lost an item. -
Expression: 분실물 신고를 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bun-sil-mul sin-go-reul ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to report a lost item. -
Expression: 어디서 잃어버렸어요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where did you lose it? -
Expression: 지하철에서 잃어버린 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ji-ha-cheol-e-seo il-eo-beo-rin geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I lost it on the subway. -
Expression: 버스에서 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: beo-seu-e-seo il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost it on the bus. -
Expression: 언제 잃어버렸어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: When did you lose it? -
Expression: 오늘 오전에 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: o-neul o-jeon-e il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost it this morning. -
Expression: 어제 오후에 잃어버린 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: eo-je o-hu-e il-eo-beo-rin geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I lost it yesterday afternoon. -
Expression: 분실물 신고서를 작성해 주세요.
Pronunciation: bun-sil-mul sin-go-seo-reul jak-seong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please fill out the lost item report form. -
Expression: 제 연락처입니다.
Pronunciation: je yeol-lak-cheo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is my contact information.
Describing Lost Items
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Expression: 무엇을 잃어버리셨나요?
Pronunciation: mu-eos-eul il-eo-beo-ri-syeot-na-yo?
Meaning: What did you lose? -
Expression: 지갑을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: ji-gab-eul il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my wallet. -
Expression: 휴대폰을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-pon-eul il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my mobile phone. -
Expression: 가방을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: ga-bang-eul il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my bag. -
Expression: 여권을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-eul il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my passport. -
Expression: 우산을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: u-san-eul il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my umbrella. -
Expression: 검은색 백팩이에요.
Pronunciation: geom-eun-saek baek-paeg-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a black backpack. -
Expression: 갈색 가죽 지갑이에요.
Pronunciation: gal-saek ga-juk ji-gab-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a brown leather wallet. -
Expression: 안에는 무엇이 들어 있었나요?
Pronunciation: an-e-neun mu-eos-i deul-eo iss-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: What was inside it? -
Expression: 신분증과 신용카드가 들어 있었어요.
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung-gwa sin-yong-ka-deu-ga deul-eo iss-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: My ID card and credit cards were inside. -
Expression: 특별한 특징이 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han teuk-jing-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it have any special features? -
Expression: 열쇠고리가 달려 있어요.
Pronunciation: yeol-soe-go-ri-ga dal-lyeo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It has a keychain attached.
Asking Questions at the Center
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Expression: 혹시 제 물건이 들어왔나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si je mul-geon-i deul-eo-wat-na-yo?
Meaning: Has my item perhaps come in? -
Expression: 분실물 목록을 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: bun-sil-mul mong-rog-eul bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the list of lost items? -
Expression: 비슷한 물건이 있는지 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: bi-seut-han mul-geon-i it-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if there is a similar item. -
Expression: 언제쯤 다시 확인해 볼까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum da-si hwa-gin-hae bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: About when should I check again? -
Expression: 찾으면 연락 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: chaj-eu-myeon yeol-lak ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you contact me if you find it? -
Expression: 보관 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-gwan gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the storage period? -
Expression: 다른 분실물 센터도 확인해 봐야 할까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun bun-sil-mul sen-teo-do hwa-gin-hae bwa-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I also check other Lost and Found Centers? -
Expression: 경찰서에도 신고해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: gyeong-chal-seo-e-do sin-go-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to report it to the police station as well? -
Expression: 온라인으로도 확인할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro-do hwa-gin-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I also check online? -
Expression: 운영 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: un-yeong si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the operating hours?
Claiming Your Item
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Expression: 제 물건을 찾은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: je mul-geon-eul chaj-eun geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think you’ve found my item. -
Expression: 이거 제 것입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo je geos-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is mine. -
Expression: 신분증을 보여드릴게요.
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung-eul bo-yeo-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll show you my ID. -
Expression: 내용물을 확인해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: nae-yong-mul-eul hwa-gin-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I check the contents? -
Expression: 맞아요, 이게 제 지갑이에요.
Pronunciation: maj-a-yo, i-ge je ji-gab-i-e-yo.
Meaning: That’s right, this is my wallet. -
Expression: 수령 확인서에 서명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: su-ryeong hwa-gin-seo-e seo-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please sign the collection receipt. -
Expression: 찾아주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chaj-a-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for finding it. -
Expression: 물건을 돌려받았습니다.
Pronunciation: mul-geon-eul dol-lyeo-bad-at-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have received my item back. -
Expression: 혹시 빠진 물건은 없나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ppa-jin mul-geon-eun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any missing items (from inside)? -
Expression: 다행이네요.
Pronunciation: da-haeng-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: That’s a relief. / Fortunately.
Korean Culture Notes
High Rate of Return: Korea is generally known for its safety and honesty. Many lost items, especially those lost in public transportation or major facilities, are often turned into Lost and Found Centers. Don’t lose hope too quickly!
Multiple Centers: Lost items can end up in various places depending on where they were lost. Subway items go to the station’s or line’s Lost and Found, bus items to the bus company’s office, items found on the street might go to a local police station (파출소 – pa-chul-so or 지구대 – ji-gu-dae). Major facilities like airports and department stores have their own centers.
Online Databases: Many public transportation systems (like Seoul Metro) and the National Police Agency operate online databases (e.g., Lost112) where you can search for registered lost items. It’s worth checking these websites.
Identification is Key: When claiming an item, you will almost always be asked for identification (like a passport or Alien Registration Card for foreigners) and possibly details about the item to prove ownership. Be prepared to describe the item and its contents accurately.
Storage Limits: Lost items are typically kept for a certain period (often 6 months to a year, but varies). After that, unclaimed items may be disposed of or donated, so it’s important to act relatively quickly.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex lost a backpack on the subway and visits the station’s Lost and Found Center.
Roles: A: Alex (Lost item owner), B: Staff at Lost and Found Center
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 혹시 분실물 신고 좀 할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, hok-si bun-sil-mul sin-go jom hal su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello, could I possibly report a lost item? -
Expression: B: 네, 어떤 물건을 잃어버리셨어요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-tteon mul-geon-eul il-eo-beo-ri-syeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, what item did you lose? -
Expression: A: 검은색 백팩을 지하철에 두고 내린 것 같아요. 오늘 오전 10시쯤 2호선이었어요.
Pronunciation: A: geom-eun-saek baek-paeg-eul ji-ha-cheol-e du-go nae-rin geot gat-a-yo. o-neul o-jeon yeol-si-jjeum i-ho-seon-i-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: I think I left a black backpack on the subway. It was around 10 AM today on Line 2. -
Expression: B: 잠시만요, 확인해 보겠습니다… 아, 여기 검은색 백팩이 하나 들어와 있네요. 특징이 있나요?
Pronunciation: B: jam-si-man-yo, hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da… a, yeo-gi geom-eun-saek baek-paeg-i ha-na deul-eo-wa it-ne-yo. teuk-jing-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: B: One moment, let me check… Ah, there is one black backpack that came in. Does it have any distinguishing features? -
Expression: A: 네, 옆 주머니에 파란색 물병이 꽂혀 있고, 가방 앞쪽에 작은 스티커가 붙어 있어요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, yeop ju-meo-ni-e pa-ran-saek mul-byeong-i kkoj-hyeo it-go, ga-bang ap-jjog-e jag-eun seu-ti-keo-ga but-eo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, there’s a blue water bottle in the side pocket, and a small sticker on the front of the bag. -
Expression: B: (가방을 보여주며) 이 가방 맞으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: (ga-bang-eul bo-yeo-ju-myeo) i ga-bang maj-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: (Showing the bag) Is this your bag? -
Expression: A: 네! 맞아요! 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: ne! maj-a-yo! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Yes! That’s it! Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 다행이네요. 신분증 좀 보여주시고 여기 수령 확인서에 서명 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: B: da-haeng-i-ne-yo. sin-bun-jjeung jom bo-yeo-ju-si-go yeo-gi su-ryeong hwa-gin-seo-e seo-myeong bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: B: That’s a relief. Could you please show me your ID and sign the collection receipt here?
Practice Tips
Losing something is never fun, but knowing these phrases can make the recovery process much smoother! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Practice describing common items you carry, like your phone (휴대폰 – hyu-dae-pon), wallet (지갑 – ji-gap), or keys (열쇠 – yeol-soe). Remember to be specific with colors and features. Knowing where you likely lost the item (subway line number, bus number, location) is also very helpful. Hopefully, you won’t need these phrases often, but being prepared is always good! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
