Visiting an animal shelter in Korea, whether to volunteer, adopt, or simply offer support, requires specific vocabulary and expressions. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for interacting with staff, asking about animals, and understanding the procedures involved in visiting or helping at a 유기동물 보호소 (animal shelter).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 유기동물 보호소 방문하기
Pronunciation: yu-gi-dong-mul bo-ho-so bang-mun-ha-gi
Meaning: Visiting an abandoned animal shelter
Basic Vocabulary for Animal Shelters
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Expression: 유기동물 보호소
Pronunciation: yu-gi-dong-mul bo-ho-so
Meaning: Abandoned animal shelter -
Expression: 유기견
Pronunciation: yu-gi-gyeon
Meaning: Abandoned dog -
Expression: 유기묘
Pronunciation: yu-gi-myo
Meaning: Abandoned cat -
Expression: 강아지
Pronunciation: gang-a-ji
Meaning: Puppy / Dog -
Expression: 고양이
Pronunciation: go-yang-i
Meaning: Cat -
Expression: 입양
Pronunciation: ip-yang
Meaning: Adoption -
Expression: 자원봉사
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa
Meaning: Volunteer work -
Expression: 기부
Pronunciation: gi-bu
Meaning: Donation -
Expression: 사료
Pronunciation: sa-ryo
Meaning: Animal feed / Pet food -
Expression: 간식
Pronunciation: gan-sik
Meaning: Snack / Treat -
Expression: 산책
Pronunciation: san-chaek
Meaning: Walk / Stroll -
Expression: 직원
Pronunciation: jik-won
Meaning: Staff member
Phrases for Interacting at the Shelter
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Expression: 안녕하세요, 동물들 좀 보러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, dong-mul-deul jom bo-reo wass-eo-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came to see the animals. -
Expression: 자원봉사를 하고 싶어서 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-reul ha-go sip-eo-seo wass-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I came because I want to volunteer. -
Expression: 입양 상담을 받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ip-yang sang-dam-eul bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I would like to have an adoption consultation. -
Expression: 강아지들을 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gang-a-ji-deur-eul bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the dogs? -
Expression: 고양이들은 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-deur-eun eo-di-e iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the cats? -
Expression: 이 아이는 만져봐도 되나요?
Pronunciation: i a-i-neun man-jyeo-bwa-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to pet this one? -
Expression: 산책 봉사를 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: san-chaek bong-sa-reul hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I volunteer to walk the dogs? -
Expression: 청소 봉사도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: cheong-so bong-sa-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is cleaning volunteering also possible? -
Expression: 방문 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: bang-mun si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the visiting hours? -
Expression: 미리 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: mi-ri ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make a reservation in advance? -
Expression: 안내해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: an-nae-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for guiding me.
Asking Questions About Animals
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Expression: 이 강아지 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i gang-a-ji i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this dog’s name? -
Expression: 이 고양이 몇 살이에요?
Pronunciation: i go-yang-i myeot sal-i-e-yo?
Meaning: How old is this cat? -
Expression: 성격이 어때요?
Pronunciation: seong-gyeok-i eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: What is its personality like? -
Expression: 사람을 잘 따르나요?
Pronunciation: sa-ram-eul jal tta-reu-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it get along well with people? -
Expression: 다른 동물들과 잘 지내나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun dong-mul-deul-gwa jal ji-nae-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it get along well with other animals? -
Expression: 건강 상태는 어때요?
Pronunciation: geon-gang sang-tae-neun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How is its health condition? -
Expression: 특별히 주의해야 할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi ju-ui-hae-ya hal jeom-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any special points to be careful about? -
Expression: 언제 구조되었나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je gu-jo-doe-eoss-na-yo?
Meaning: When was it rescued? -
Expression: 입양 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ip-yang ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it available for adoption? -
Expression: 어떤 사료를 먹고 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon sa-ryo-reul meok-go iss-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of food is it eating?
Volunteering and Donations
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Expression: 자원봉사 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I apply for volunteer work? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 봉사가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui bong-sa-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of volunteer work is needed? -
Expression: 주말에만 봉사할 수 있는데 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: ju-mal-e-man bong-sa-hal su iss-neun-de gwaen-chanh-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I can only volunteer on weekends, is that okay? -
Expression: 기부하고 싶어요. 무엇이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: gi-bu-ha-go sip-eo-yo. mu-eos-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: I want to donate. What is needed? -
Expression: 사료나 간식을 기부해도 되나요?
Pronunciation: sa-ryo-na gan-sik-eul gi-bu-hae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I donate food or treats? -
Expression: 담요나 장난감도 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: dam-yo-na jang-nan-gam-do pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are blankets or toys needed too? -
Expression: 현금 기부도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum gi-bu-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is cash donation also possible? -
Expression: 후원 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: hu-won sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I apply for sponsorship? -
Expression: 정기 후원도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: jeong-gi hu-won-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is regular sponsorship possible? -
Expression: 필요한 물품 목록이 있나요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han mul-pum mong-rok-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a list of needed items?
Korean Culture Notes
Animal welfare awareness is growing in Korea, but many shelters rely heavily on volunteers and donations. Visiting or helping out is greatly appreciated.
Adoption processes (입양 절차 – ip-yang jeol-cha) can be quite thorough, often involving interviews and sometimes home checks to ensure a good match between the animal and the adopter.
Volunteering (자원봉사 – ja-won-bong-sa) often involves cleaning, feeding, and walking dogs. Some shelters have specific schedules or require pre-registration, so it’s best to check their website or call ahead.
Donating items like food (사료 – sa-ryo), blankets (담요 – dam-yo), or cleaning supplies is common. Always ask what the shelter currently needs most.
While interacting with animals, always follow the staff’s instructions. Some animals may be shy, recovering from trauma, or have specific health needs.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A visitor (A) arrives at an animal shelter and speaks with a staff member (B) about volunteering.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 자원봉사를 하고 싶어서 왔는데요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ja-won-bong-sa-reul ha-go sip-eo-seo wass-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came because I’d like to volunteer. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 자원봉사는 처음이신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. ja-won-bong-sa-neun cheo-eum-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, welcome. Is this your first time volunteering? -
Expression: A: 네, 처음이에요. 어떤 일을 도와드릴 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ne, cheo-eum-i-e-yo. eo-tteon il-eul do-wa-deu-ril su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, it’s my first time. What kind of work can I help with? -
Expression: B: 주로 견사 청소나 강아지들 산책 봉사를 많이 하세요. 괜찮으시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ju-ro gyeon-sa cheong-so-na gang-a-ji-deul san-chaek bong-sa-reul man-i ha-se-yo. gwaen-chanh-eu-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Mostly, people help with cleaning the kennels or walking the dogs. Would that be okay with you? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요! 강아지들 산책시키는 거 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! gang-a-ji-deul san-chaek-si-ki-neun geo ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s great! I’d like to walk the dogs. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 그럼 먼저 간단한 안내사항 설명해 드리고, 주의해야 할 강아지들 알려드릴게요. 이쪽으로 오세요.
Pronunciation: al-gess-seum-ni-da. geu-reom meon-jeo gan-dan-han an-nae-sa-hang seol-myeong-hae deu-ri-go, ju-ui-hae-ya hal gang-a-ji-deul al-lyeo-deu-ril-ge-yo. i-jjok-eu-ro o-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay. Then first, I’ll give you some brief instructions and let you know about any dogs you need to be careful with. Please come this way.
Practice Tips
Familiarize yourself with the basic vocabulary related to shelters and animals~ It really helps! Try using the question phrases to ask about specific animals you might see online before visiting. Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner can build confidence! Don’t hesitate to ask shelter staff for clarification using phrases like 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo? – Could you please say that again?). Visiting a shelter is a rewarding experience, and using these phrases will make it even smoother!
