Korean workplace phrases: Korean workplace phrases in this guide are organized for quick use and now include an English-friendly reading line for every Korean sentence.
Workplace Korean becomes urgent when a task begins, a machine behaves differently, or someone points out a danger. Knowing one technical noun is not enough. You also need to confirm what to do, say what changed, and ask for help without pretending that you understood.
This guide gives you 35 practical Korean phrases for general workplaces, factories, and construction sites. The same sentence can have different consequences depending on the equipment and site, so use it to communicate and then follow the approved instruction for your workplace.
Save this page before a shift. If speaking is difficult, show the written Korean sentence and point to the exact task, machine, material, or location.
Language guide, not safety training
Do not operate or repair equipment, isolate power, enter a restricted area, work at height, or choose protective equipment based only on a translation. This article cannot know your site's hazards, authorization rules, or emergency plan.
Your employer's training, supervisor, signs, permits, protective-equipment rules, and emergency procedure take priority. If an instruction is unclear, stop, move away from immediate danger, and ask a trained person to explain it again.
Three things to identify before work
Write down or photograph these details when the workplace allows it:
- The exact task name and the person authorized to explain it.
- The machine, material, work area, and restricted zones involved.
- The site's alarm, evacuation, first-aid, and emergency-reporting procedure.
General workplace: 9 phrases for confirming work
Repeat the important part back instead of answering yes automatically. Point to the item or location when words alone could be ambiguous.
Korean workplace phrases: how to pronounce each sentence
For every Korean workplace phrases entry, read the learner-friendly pronunciation first and use the RR line as the standard romanization reference. Both are approximations; copy the Korean rhythm from a native recording or speaker when possible.
| # | Korean | How to say it | Natural meaning and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 작업을 시작해도 되나요? | jah-guh-beul see-jah-keh-doh dweh-nah-yoh? RR: jageobeul sijakaedo doenayo? |
“May I start the task?” Ask when permission to begin is unclear. |
| 2 | 오늘 무슨 일을 하면 돼요? | oh-neul moo-seun ee-reul hah-myuhn dweh-yoh? RR: oneul museun ireul hamyeon dwaeyo? |
“What should I do today?” Use it to confirm your assigned task. |
| 3 | 작업 방법을 알려 주세요. | jah-guhp bahng-buh-beul ahl-ryuh joo-seh-yoh. RR: jageop bangbeobeul allyeo juseyo. |
“Please explain the work method.” Ask for the approved procedure before acting. |
| 4 | 다시 말해 주세요. | dah-see mahl-heh joo-seh-yoh. RR: dasi malhae juseyo. |
“Please say that again.” Use it instead of guessing what you heard. |
| 5 | 천천히 말해 주세요. | chuhn-chuhn-hee mahl-heh joo-seh-yoh. RR: cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo. |
“Please speak slowly.” A direct, polite request when instructions are too fast. |
| 6 | 잘 못 들었어요. | jahl moht deu-ruh-ssuh-yoh. RR: jal mot deureosseoyo. |
“I did not hear that clearly.” Follow it with a request to repeat. |
| 7 | 이게 맞나요? | ee-geh mahn-nah-yoh? RR: ige mannayo? |
“Is this correct?” Point to the item or result you are checking. |
| 8 | 어디에 놓으면 돼요? | uh-dee-eh noh-heu-myuhn dweh-yoh? RR: eodie noeumyeon dwaeyo? |
“Where should I put this?” Confirm the designated location. |
| 9 | 작업이 끝났어요. | jah-guh-bee kkeun-nah-ssuh-yoh. RR: jageobi kkeunnasseoyo. |
“The task is finished.” Report completion and wait for the next instruction. |
Short workplace dialogue
Worker: 오늘 무슨 일을 하면 돼요?
What should I do today?
Supervisor: 자재를 여기로 옮겨 주세요.
Please move the materials here.
Worker: 어디에 놓으면 돼요?
Where should I put them?
Supervisor: 통로에 물건을 놓지 마세요.
Do not place objects in the passageway.
Factory: 9 phrases for machines, parts, and quantities
These sentences report a condition or request clarification. They do not authorize anyone to operate, repair, restart, or isolate a machine.
| # | Korean | How to say it | Natural meaning and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 기계를 사용해도 되나요? | gee-gyeh-reul sah-yohng-heh-doh dweh-nah-yoh? RR: gigyereul sayonghaedo doenayo? |
“May I use the machine?” Never treat this question as a substitute for authorization or training. |
| 11 | 기계가 멈췄어요. | gee-gyeh-gah muhm-chwuh-ssuh-yoh. RR: gigyega meomchwosseoyo. |
“The machine stopped.” Report the condition without trying an unapproved repair. |
| 12 | 기계 소리가 이상해요. | gee-gyeh soh-ree-gah ee-sahng-heh-yoh. RR: gigye soriga isanghaeyo. |
“The machine sounds unusual.” State what you noticed and identify the machine. |
| 13 | 전원을 꺼 주세요. | juh-nwuh-neul kkuh joo-seh-yoh. RR: jeonwoneul kkeo juseyo. |
“Please turn off the power.” Use only to communicate; follow the site's actual isolation procedure. |
| 14 | 이 부품을 교체해야 하나요? | ee boo-poo-meul gyoh-cheh-heh-yah hah-nah-yoh? RR: i bupumeul gyochehaeya hanayo? |
“Does this part need to be replaced?” Confirm the part and authorized person. |
| 15 | 불량품은 어디에 놓나요? | bool-ryahng-poo-meun uh-dee-eh nohn-nah-yoh? RR: bullyangpumeun eodie nonayo? |
“Where do defective items go?” Ask for the designated separation area. |
| 16 | 수량을 다시 확인해 주세요. | soo-ryahng-eul dah-see hwah-geen-heh joo-seh-yoh. RR: suryangeul dasi hwaginhae juseyo. |
“Please check the quantity again.” Use when a count may not match. |
| 17 | 보호구와 장갑을 착용해 주세요. | boh-hoh-goo-wah jahng-gah-beul chah-gyohng-heh joo-seh-yoh. RR: bohoguwa janggabeul chagyonghae juseyo. |
“Please wear the protective equipment and gloves.” The required equipment is defined by the site, not this article. |
| 18 | 잠깐 쉬어도 되나요? | jahm-kkahn swee-uh-doh dweh-nah-yoh? RR: jamkkan swieodo doenayo? |
“May I take a short break?” Use it to ask about the immediate break timing. |
Construction site: 9 phrases for equipment and site warnings
A site may use different protective equipment and access controls. Learn the Korean phrase, then follow the sign and site-specific instruction.
| # | Korean | How to say it | Natural meaning and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 안전모를 써 주세요. | ahn-juhn-moh-reul ssuh joo-seh-yoh. RR: anjeonmoreul sseo juseyo. |
“Please wear a safety helmet.” Follow the site's helmet standard and fit instructions. |
| 20 | 안전화를 신어 주세요. | ahn-juhn-hwah-reul see-nuh joo-seh-yoh. RR: anjeonhwareul sineo juseyo. |
“Please wear safety shoes.” Confirm the footwear required for that area. |
| 21 | 안전대를 착용해 주세요. | ahn-juhn-deh-reul chah-gyohng-heh joo-seh-yoh. RR: anjeondaereul chagyonghae juseyo. |
“Please wear the safety harness.” Training and the approved attachment system remain essential. |
| 22 | 공구는 어디에 있나요? | gohng-goo-neun uh-dee-eh een-nah-yoh? RR: gongguneun eodie innayo? |
“Where are the tools?” Ask for the designated storage location. |
| 23 | 자재를 여기로 옮겨 주세요. | jah-jeh-reul yuh-gee-roh ohm-gyuh joo-seh-yoh. RR: jajaereul yeogiro omgyeo juseyo. |
“Please move the materials here.” Confirm which material and route before moving it. |
| 24 | 이곳은 출입 금지예요. | ee-goh-seun choo-reep geum-jee-yeh-yoh. RR: igoseun churip geumjiyeyo. |
“Entry is prohibited here.” Do not enter unless the site's authorized process permits it. |
| 25 | 통로에 물건을 놓지 마세요. | tohng-roh-eh mool-guh-neul noh-chee mah-seh-yoh. RR: tongno-e mulgeoneul nochi maseyo. |
“Do not place objects in the passageway.” Use it to keep a designated route clear. |
| 26 | 위에서 물건이 떨어질 수 있어요. | wee-eh-suh mool-guh-nee ttuh-ruh-jeel soo ee-ssuh-yoh. RR: wieseo mulgeoni tteoreojil su isseoyo. |
“Objects may fall from above.” Alert others and follow the site's exclusion controls. |
| 27 | 바닥에 물이 있어요. 조심하세요. | bah-dah-geh moo-ree ee-ssuh-yoh. joh-seem-hah-seh-yoh. RR: badage muri isseoyo. josimhaseyo. |
“There is water on the floor. Be careful.” Identify the exact affected area. |
Danger, injury, and emergency: 8 phrases
Use a short, clear sentence, identify the location, and follow the site's alarm and emergency process. Do not delay urgent help to finish a translation.
| # | Korean | How to say it | Natural meaning and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 위험해요. 작업을 멈춰 주세요. | wee-huhm-heh-yoh. jah-guh-beul muhm-chwuh joo-seh-yoh. RR: wiheomhaeyo. jageobeul meomchwo juseyo. |
“It is dangerous. Please stop the work.” Say it clearly when you see immediate danger. |
| 29 | 기계를 작동하지 마세요. | gee-gyeh-reul jahk-ttohng-hah-jee mah-seh-yoh. RR: gigyereul jakdonghaji maseyo. |
“Do not operate the machine.” Name or point to the exact machine to avoid ambiguity. |
| 30 | 감전 위험이 있어요. | gahm-juhn wee-huh-mee ee-ssuh-yoh. RR: gamjeon wiheomi isseoyo. |
“There is a risk of electric shock.” Keep away and report the exact location. |
| 31 | 화재가 발생했어요. | hwah-jeh-gah bahl-sehng-heh-ssuh-yoh. RR: hwajaega balsaenghaesseoyo. |
“A fire has occurred.” Raise the alarm and follow the site's emergency procedure. |
| 32 | 연기가 있어요. | yuhn-gee-gah ee-ssuh-yoh. RR: yeongiga isseoyo. |
“There is smoke.” Report where you see it and follow the evacuation instruction. |
| 33 | 사람이 다쳤어요. | sah-rah-mee dah-chyuh-ssuh-yoh. RR: sarami dachyeosseoyo. |
“Someone is injured.” State the location and request trained help. |
| 34 | 응급 처치가 필요해요. | eung-geup chuh-chee-gah pee-ryoh-heh-yoh. RR: eunggeup cheochiga piryohaeyo. |
“First aid is needed.” Ask for the site's trained first-aid response. |
| 35 | 119에 신고해 주세요. | 119eh seen-goh-heh joo-seh-yoh. RR: il-il-gu-e singohae juseyo. |
“Please call 119.” In Korea, 119 handles fire and ambulance emergencies. |
When something changes suddenly
A useful reporting pattern is condition, location, then request. For example:
- 기계 소리가 이상해요. — The machine sounds unusual.
- 위험해요. 작업을 멈춰 주세요. — It is dangerous. Please stop the work.
- 사람이 다쳤어요. 119에 신고해 주세요. — Someone is injured. Please call 119.
How to use the phrases without creating a new risk
- Say one short sentence and point to the exact object or area.
- Repeat back the task, quantity, or location you understood.
- Do not interpret a polite answer as authorization to perform trained work.
- Use the workplace's interpreter or multilingual safety material for important instructions.
Practise the verified words in BSKorean
Start with five headwords: 작업 (work task), 기계 (machine), 위험하다 (to be dangerous), 안전모 (safety helmet), and 신고하다 (to report). The 66 core dictionary headwords used in this guide were checked in the current English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian BSKorean catalogs.
Follow the first 10-minute BSKorean study guide and download BSKorean to review a small set before your shift. If you need language for an injury, consultation, or prescription, save the Korean doctor and pharmacy phrase guide as well.
Official safety and emergency information
The Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor publishes multilingual safety signs for foreign workers and core worker safety rules in 18 languages. Use the material for your language and industry together with workplace training.
For an immediate emergency in Korea, 119 handles fire and ambulance calls and 112 handles police emergencies. See the official Korea emergency-service guide.
Practise Korean workplace phrases aloud
Review these Korean workplace phrases by covering the meaning, reading the Korean aloud, and then replacing one detail with your real situation.