Help and emergencies in Korean
The words you hope to never need. Play the ten Korean words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Korean phrases in this lesson
- λμμ£ΌμΈμ!do-wa-JU-se-yo
- Help!
- μμ¬λ₯Ό λΆλ¬ μ£ΌμΈμui-SA-reul bul-LO JU-se-yo
- Call a doctor
- κ²½μ°°gyong-CHAL
- Police
- μ½κ΅YAK-guk
- Pharmacy
- λ³μbyong-WON
- Hospital
- κΈΈμ μμμ΄μgi-reul i-RO-so-yo
- I'm lost
- λͺΈμ΄ μ μ’μμmo-mi an JO-a-yo
- I don't feel well
- λλλ§μμ΄μdo-DUK-ma-ja-so-yo
- It was stolen
- μκΈ μν©μ΄μμeung-GEUP sang-hwang-i-E-yo
- It's an emergency
- μ μ’ λ΄λ²λ € λμΈμjo jom nae-BO-ryo du-SEH-yo
- Leave me alone
The clearest way to call for help. μ΄λ €μ£ΌμΈμ (save me) is more urgent and used in life-threatening situations. Shouting loudly will draw attention fast in Korea, where bystanders are generally quick to assist.
South Korea has excellent healthcare. Emergency services are reached on 119 for ambulance and fire, and 112 for police. English-speaking staff are available on emergency lines.
The police emergency number in Korea is 112. κ²½μ°°μ is a police station. Korean police are generally approachable and the country has a very low violent crime rate.
Pharmacies are everywhere in Korean cities and are marked with a green cross. They are the first port of call for minor ailments. Pharmacists can often recommend over-the-counter remedies.
λ³μ covers clinics and hospitals. For serious emergencies look for μκΈμ€ (ER, emergency room). Korea has a national health insurance system and treatment costs for tourists are reasonable by global standards.
Koreans are generally very willing to help a lost tourist. Showing your destination on a map app works well alongside this phrase. Google Maps and KakaoMap both work reliably in Korea.
A clear way to signal that you are unwell. λ°°κ° μνμ (my stomach hurts) and λ¨Έλ¦¬κ° μνμ (I have a headache) are useful additions. Korean pharmacists can advise on common remedies.
Use this when reporting a theft to police. Korea is one of the safer countries for tourists, but petty theft can still happen in busy areas. The nearest police station is κ²½μ°°μ.
Ambulance and fire are 119, police 112.
Literally "please leave me be".