[태그:] Korean service worker phrases

Korean Customer Complaint Phrases for Service Workers

You are working at a Korean cafe, restaurant, hotel desk, or convenience store. A customer comes back to the counter and says there is a problem with the order. The drink may be wrong, the food may be cold, the receipt may not match, or the customer may ask for an exchange or refund. In this moment, polite Korean is not just language study. It is part of service work.

This lesson teaches Korean customer complaint phrases for service workers. The focus is practical: listen to the customer, apologize briefly, check the problem, explain the next step, and call a manager when needed. The words come from the BS3001 word database and can be reused later for Learn Korean, quizzes, audio, and app content.

Key Vocabulary

Korean	Romanization	English	Level	Usage Note
고객	gogaek	customer	Beginner	A formal service word for customer.
고객불만	gogaek bulman	customer complaint	Intermediate	Used in service work and workplace reports.
문제	munje	problem	Beginner	The basic word for a problem or issue.
실수	silsu	mistake	Intermediate	Used when the store or worker made an error.
죄송합니다	joesonghamnida	I am sorry	Beginner	A polite apology used in service situations.
사과	sagwa	apology	Intermediate	A noun used in reports or formal explanations.
확인	hwagin	confirmation / check	Intermediate	Used when checking receipt, order, or product.
다시 확인해 주세요	dasi hwaginhae juseyo	please check again	Beginner	A polite phrase for checking details again.
주문	jumun	order	Beginner	Used in restaurants, cafes, and delivery work.
주문서	jumunseo	purchase order / order form	Beginner	More common in workplace or back-office contexts.
교환	gyohwan	exchange	Beginner	Changing an item for another one.
환불	hwanbul	refund	Beginner	Giving money back to the customer.
직원	jigwon	employee	Beginner	Used for staff or worker.
관리자	gwallija	manager / supervisor	Intermediate	The person to call when the problem is not simple.
업무처리	eommu cheori	work processing	Beginner	A formal workplace word for handling work tasks.

Real Service Phrases

Korean Sentence	English Meaning	When to Use
불편을 드려 죄송합니다.	We are sorry for the inconvenience.	First polite response to a complaint.
주문을 확인해 보겠습니다.	I will check the order.	When checking the receipt or POS system.
다시 확인해 주세요.	Please check again.	When asking someone to recheck a detail.
실수가 있었던 것 같습니다.	It seems there was a mistake.	When acknowledging a possible error.
교환해 드릴게요.	We will exchange it for you.	When replacing an item.
환불 가능 여부를 확인해 보겠습니다.	I will check whether a refund is possible.	When the refund rule is unclear.
관리자에게 확인하겠습니다.	I will check with the manager.	When the issue needs approval.
잠시만 기다려 주세요.	Please wait a moment.	When you need time to check or call someone.

Usage Notes

In Korean service work, the first response should usually be short and polite. 죄송합니다 does not always mean you are admitting full legal responsibility. In many customer-service situations, it is a polite way to recognize that the customer experienced inconvenience.

확인해 보겠습니다 is safer than making a quick promise. It means “I will check.” This is useful when you need to look at the receipt, check the order, ask the kitchen, check stock, or call a manager.

교환 and 환불 are different actions. 교환 means the customer receives another item. 환불 means money is returned. If you are not authorized to decide, say 관리자에게 확인하겠습니다.

고객불만 is more formal than simply saying 문제. You may hear it in staff meetings, reports, or training. At the counter, you normally speak more naturally: 어떤 문제가 있으셨나요? means “What problem did you have?”

Mini Dialogue

Customer: 주문한 음료가 아닌 것 같아요.
Jumunhan eumryoga anin geot gatayo.
I think this is not the drink I ordered.

Staff: 불편을 드려 죄송합니다. 주문을 확인해 보겠습니다.
Bulpyeoneul deuryeo joesonghamnida. Jumuneul hwaginhae bogetsseumnida.
I am sorry for the inconvenience. I will check the order.

Customer: 네, 영수증 여기 있어요.
Ne, yeongsujeung yeogi isseoyo.
Yes, here is the receipt.

Staff: 확인했습니다. 실수가 있었던 것 같습니다. 바로 교환해 드릴게요.
Hwagin haetsseumnida. Silsuga isseotdeon geot gatseumnida. Baro gyohwanhae deurilgeyo.
I checked it. It seems there was a mistake. We will exchange it right away.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Saying only 몰라요.
몰라요 means “I do not know,” but it can sound unhelpful at work. Say 확인해 보겠습니다 instead. It tells the customer you will check.

Mistake 2: Promising a refund too quickly.
Do not say 환불해 드릴게요 if you do not know the policy. Use 환불 가능 여부를 확인해 보겠습니다.

Mistake 3: Using casual speech with customers.
In service jobs, use polite endings like -습니다, -세요, and -드릴게요. Casual speech can sound rude, even if your meaning is correct.

Step-by-Step Practice

Start with a short apology: 불편을 드려 죄송합니다.
Ask or check the problem: 어떤 문제가 있으셨나요?.
Check the order or receipt: 주문을 확인해 보겠습니다.
Explain the next action: 교환해 드릴게요 or 관리자에게 확인하겠습니다.
Ask the customer to wait briefly: 잠시만 기다려 주세요.

Quick Quiz

What does 고객불만 mean?
Answer: Customer complaint.
Which phrase is better than saying “I do not know” at work?
Answer: 확인해 보겠습니다.
You need manager approval. What can you say?
Answer: 관리자에게 확인하겠습니다.
What is the difference between 교환 and 환불?
Answer: 교환 is exchange. 환불 is refund.
A customer received the wrong drink. Which first response is polite?
Answer: 불편을 드려 죄송합니다. 주문을 확인해 보겠습니다.

Review Table

Korean	Meaning	Best Situation	Beginner Tip
고객	customer	Service work	More formal than 손님 in reports.
고객불만	customer complaint	Workplace reporting	Use in reports or training.
죄송합니다	I am sorry	First response	Keep it short and polite.
확인	check	Receipt, order, product	Say 확인해 보겠습니다.
교환	exchange	Wrong item or size	Not the same as refund.
환불	refund	Money back	Check the policy first.
관리자	manager	Approval needed	Call a manager for unclear cases.

Related Lessons

Practice More

Practice this word list in Learn Korean or in the upcoming BS3001 app. Start with 고객불만, 죄송합니다, 확인, 교환, and 환불. These words help service workers respond calmly when a customer has a problem.

2026년 06월 21일

Korean Hotel Cleaning Words for Foreign Workers

Korean hotel housekeeper replacing towels and checking room condition with a cleaning cart nearby

You are working in a Korean hotel. A supervisor points to the housekeeping cart and says which rooms need cleaning, which towels need replacement, and which room condition must be checked before the guest arrives. The Korean words may sound simple, but in hotel work they connect directly to speed, guest satisfaction, and team communication.

This lesson teaches Korean hotel cleaning words for foreign workers. It is useful for housekeeping, guest-room cleaning, hotel service, cleaning jobs, and apartment-style accommodation work in Korea. The focus is practical: understand the room task, check supplies, replace towels, handle trash, disinfect surfaces, and report problems to a manager.

Key Vocabulary

Korean	Romanization	English	Level	Usage Note
호텔	hotel	hotel	Beginner	Used for hotel and accommodation work.
객실	gaeksil	guest room	Beginner	The room where the guest stays.
객실번호	gaeksil beonho	room number	Beginner	Used when assigning or checking rooms.
객실상태	gaeksil sangtae	room condition	Intermediate	Used when checking if the room is ready.
객실청소	gaeksil cheongso	room cleaning	Intermediate	A hotel-specific cleaning task.
청소	cheongso	cleaning	Intermediate	General cleaning work.
청소하다	cheongsohada	to clean	Beginner	Verb form used in instructions.
수건	sugeon	towel	Beginner	Common hotel supply word.
수건교체	sugeon gyoche	towel replacement	Intermediate	Replacing used towels with clean towels.
침대	chimdae	bed	Beginner	Used when checking or preparing the room.
쓰레기	sseuregi	trash	Beginner	Trash inside the room.
쓰레기통	sseuregitong	trash can	Beginner	Check and empty it during cleaning.
교체	gyoche	replacement	Beginner	Changing used items to clean/new items.
세제	seje	detergent	Beginner	Cleaning product or detergent.
소독	sodok	disinfection	Intermediate	Important for bathrooms, handles, and surfaces.
정리	jeongni	organization	Beginner	Arranging or tidying items.
관리자	gwallija	manager / supervisor	Intermediate	The person to report room problems to.
보고	bogo	report	Beginner	Used when telling the manager about a problem.

Real Hotel Cleaning Phrases

Korean Sentence	English Meaning	When to Use
객실청소를 시작하겠습니다.	I will start room cleaning.	When beginning assigned rooms.
객실번호를 확인해 주세요.	Please check the room number.	When the assigned room is unclear.
수건을 교체해 주세요.	Please replace the towels.	Common housekeeping instruction.
쓰레기통을 비워 주세요.	Please empty the trash can.	During room cleaning.
욕실을 소독해 주세요.	Please disinfect the bathroom.	When cleaning bathroom surfaces.
세제가 부족합니다.	Detergent is not enough.	When supplies are low.
객실상태를 다시 확인하겠습니다.	I will check the room condition again.	Before marking a room ready.
문제가 있으면 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.	If there is a problem, I will report it to the manager.	When damage, missing items, or guest issues appear.

How Hotel Cleaning Work Usually Flows

A simple hotel cleaning workflow often starts with 객실번호. First, check which room you are assigned. Then check the 객실상태. Some rooms may be checked out, some may be occupied, and some may already be cleaned. After that, you clean the room, replace towels, handle trash, disinfect the bathroom, and report anything unusual.

In Korean, many instructions are short. A supervisor may say 수건교체 먼저 해 주세요 or 객실상태 확인해 주세요. You do not need a long reply. A clear answer like 네, 확인하겠습니다 or 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다 is enough in many workplace situations.

Room Check Pattern

Hotel cleaning work is easier when you read Korean instructions as a checklist. Start with the room number, then check the room condition, then clean, replace, disinfect, and report. This pattern helps you avoid missing small but important tasks.

Step	Korean Word	What You Do
1	객실번호	Check which room you are assigned.
2	객실상태	Check if the room is dirty, ready, occupied, or has a problem.
3	객실청소	Clean the guest room.
4	수건교체	Replace used towels with clean towels.
5	소독	Disinfect bathroom and touch surfaces.
6	보고	Report damage, missing items, or unusual situations.

If you are unsure, use a confirmation phrase. 이 객실 청소하면 되나요? means “Should I clean this room?” 수건도 교체하면 되나요? means “Should I replace the towels too?” These short questions are very practical in hotel work because they reduce mistakes without needing complex grammar.

Usage Notes

청소 is the general word for cleaning, but 객실청소 is more specific. It means cleaning a guest room. In hotel work, this can include the bed, trash, towels, bathroom, floor, supplies, and room condition.

교체 means replacement. It is useful with many hotel items: 수건교체, bedding replacement, amenity replacement, or cleaning supply replacement. If you are not sure what to replace, ask with 무엇을 교체하면 되나요?, meaning “What should I replace?”

소독 is stronger than simple cleaning. It means disinfection. In hotels, it is especially important for bathrooms, door handles, remote controls, desks, and shared surfaces.

Mini Dialogue

Supervisor: 305호 객실청소 부탁드립니다.
Samgong-o ho gaeksil cheongso butakdeurimnida.
Please clean room 305.

Worker: 네, 객실상태를 먼저 확인하겠습니다.
Ne, gaeksil sangtaereul meonjeo hwaginhagetsseumnida.
Yes, I will check the room condition first.

Supervisor: 수건교체하고 쓰레기통도 비워 주세요.
Sugeon gyochehago sseuregitongdo biwo juseyo.
Please replace the towels and empty the trash can too.

Worker: 알겠습니다. 문제가 있으면 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.
Algetsseumnida. Munjega isseumyeon gwallijaege bogohagetsseumnida.
Understood. If there is a problem, I will report it to the manager.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using 청소 for every hotel task.
청소 is useful, but hotel work often needs more specific words like 객실청소, 수건교체, 소독, and 객실상태.

Mistake 2: Confusing 교체 and 정리.
교체 means replacing something. 정리 means organizing or tidying. Replacing towels and organizing supplies are different tasks.

Mistake 3: Not reporting room problems.
If something is broken, missing, dirty beyond normal cleaning, or unsafe, do not only clean around it. Use 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

Step-by-Step Practice

Check the room: 객실번호를 확인해 주세요.
Check the condition: 객실상태를 확인하겠습니다.
Clean the room: 객실청소를 시작하겠습니다.
Replace items: 수건을 교체해 주세요.
Report problems: 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

Quick Quiz

What does 객실 mean?
Answer: Guest room.
Which word means towel replacement?
Answer: 수건교체.
What is stronger than simple cleaning and means disinfection?
Answer: 소독.
You need to empty the trash can. Which word helps?
Answer: 쓰레기통.
You find a problem in the room. What should you say?
Answer: 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

Review Table

Korean	Meaning	Best Situation	Beginner Tip
객실	guest room	Hotel room work	Check the room number first.
객실청소	room cleaning	Housekeeping	More specific than 청소.
수건교체	towel replacement	Bathroom and room setup	교체 means replacement.
쓰레기통	trash can	Trash handling	비워 주세요 means empty it.
세제	detergent	Cleaning supplies	Report when it is low.
소독	disinfection	Bathroom and surfaces	Stronger than cleaning.
보고	report	Problems or damage	Report to the manager.

Related Lessons

Practice More

Practice this word list in Learn Korean or in the upcoming BS3001 app. Start with 객실청소, 수건교체, 쓰레기통, 소독, and 보고. These words help foreign workers handle hotel cleaning tasks more clearly in Korea.

2026년 06월 21일

Korean Restaurant Kitchen Words for Foreign Workers

Korean restaurant kitchen worker checking order tickets and preparing ingredients in a busy kitchen

You are working in a Korean restaurant kitchen. Orders come in quickly, ingredients must be prepared, cold items must stay refrigerated, dishes pile up, and the supervisor asks you to check hygiene before service gets busy. In this setting, Korean restaurant kitchen words are not just vocabulary. They are work instructions.

This lesson teaches practical Korean restaurant kitchen words for foreign workers. The focus is on words already useful across service jobs: order, ingredient, packaging, refrigerated storage, dishwashing, knife, cutting board, hygiene, disinfection, and reporting to a manager.

Key Vocabulary

Korean	Romanization	English	Level	Usage Note
주문	jumun	order	Beginner	Used for food orders and kitchen workflow.
주문하다	jumunhada	to order	Beginner	Verb form for ordering.
주문서	jumunseo	purchase order / order form	Beginner	Can mean an order sheet in work contexts.
재료	jaeryo	ingredient	Intermediate	Food materials used for cooking.
원재료명	wonjaeryomyeong	ingredient name	Advanced	Often seen on labels and food information.
냉장고	naengjanggo	refrigerator	Beginner	Common kitchen equipment.
냉장하다	naengjanghada	to refrigerate	Beginner	Action word for keeping food cold.
냉장보관	naengjang bogwan	refrigerated storage	Intermediate	Important for food safety.
포장	pojang	packaging / takeout	Beginner	Used for packing food or takeout.
포장재	pojangjae	packaging material	Intermediate	Containers, bags, wrap, or boxes.
설거지하다	seolgeoji-hada	to wash dishes	Beginner	Useful in kitchens, cafes, and restaurants.
칼	kal	knife	Beginner	Basic kitchen tool.
도마	doma	cutting board	Beginner	Used for prep work.
위생	wisaeng	hygiene	Intermediate	Important in food service work.
식품위생	sikpum wisaeng	food hygiene	Advanced	More formal food-safety term.
소독	sodok	disinfection	Intermediate	Used for hands, tools, counters, and surfaces.
손소독	son sodok	hand sanitizing	Intermediate	Common hygiene instruction.
관리자	gwallija	manager / supervisor	Intermediate	The person to report kitchen issues to.
보고	bogo	report	Beginner	Used when telling a manager about a problem.

Real Kitchen Phrases

Korean Sentence	English Meaning	When to Use
주문을 확인해 주세요.	Please check the order.	Before preparing food.
재료가 부족합니다.	Ingredients are not enough.	When food materials are low.
이 재료는 냉장보관해 주세요.	Please keep this ingredient refrigerated.	For cold food safety.
포장재가 부족합니다.	Packaging material is not enough.	When containers or bags are low.
설거지 먼저 하겠습니다.	I will wash dishes first.	When handling dishwashing tasks.
칼과 도마를 소독해 주세요.	Please disinfect the knife and cutting board.	Food hygiene instruction.
손소독하고 시작하겠습니다.	I will sanitize my hands and start.	Before prep or service.
문제가 있으면 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.	If there is a problem, I will report it to the manager.	For shortage, hygiene, or order problems.

Kitchen Workflow Pattern

A basic restaurant kitchen workflow can be read as a sequence: 주문 확인, 재료 준비, 냉장보관 확인, 조리 또는 포장, 설거지, and 위생 확인. Even when you do not know every Korean sentence, recognizing these key words helps you understand what step is happening.

Step	Key Korean	Action
1	주문	Check what the customer ordered.
2	재료	Prepare ingredients.
3	냉장보관	Keep cold ingredients safe.
4	포장	Pack takeout or delivery food.
5	설거지	Wash used dishes and tools.
6	위생	Check hygiene before continuing work.

Usage Notes

포장 can mean packaging, but in restaurants and cafes it often means takeout. If a customer says 포장해 주세요, they want the food or drink to go. In the kitchen, 포장 may also refer to preparing containers and packaging materials.

냉장보관 is important because it is a food-safety word. It means the item should be stored cold. If a label, supervisor, or coworker says 냉장보관, do not leave the item outside at room temperature.

위생, 식품위생, 소독, and 손소독 are serious service-work words. They are not only classroom vocabulary. They affect customer safety and workplace rules.

Kitchen Safety and Reporting Flow

Restaurant kitchen work is fast, but you should not ignore food-safety words. If ingredients are not stored correctly, if packaging material is missing, or if a tool is not clean, report it early. In Korean, a simple report can be enough: 재료가 부족합니다, 포장재가 부족합니다, or 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

When you hear 소독, think about reducing risk. It can apply to hands, knives, cutting boards, counters, and other surfaces. When you hear 냉장보관, think about temperature control. When you hear 위생, think about the full work habit: clean hands, clean tools, clean surfaces, and safe food storage.

Problem	Useful Korean	Simple Report
Ingredients are low.	재료	재료가 부족합니다.
Cold food is outside.	냉장보관	냉장보관해야 합니다.
Takeout containers are low.	포장재	포장재가 부족합니다.
Tools need cleaning.	소독	칼과 도마를 소독하겠습니다.
You are unsure.	관리자	관리자에게 확인하겠습니다.

Mini Dialogue

Supervisor: 주문 먼저 확인해 주세요.
Jumun meonjeo hwaginhae juseyo.
Please check the order first.

Worker: 네, 그런데 재료가 조금 부족합니다.
Ne, geureonde jaeryoga jogeum bujokhamnida.
Yes, but ingredients are a little short.

Supervisor: 관리자에게 보고하고, 냉장보관 재료도 확인해 주세요.
Gwallijaege bogohago, naengjang bogwan jaeryodo hwaginhae juseyo.
Report it to the manager and check the refrigerated ingredients too.

Worker: 알겠습니다. 손소독하고 시작하겠습니다.
Algetsseumnida. Son sodokhago sijakhagetsseumnida.
Understood. I will sanitize my hands and start.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Thinking 포장 only means packaging material.
In food service, 포장 often means takeout. Context tells you whether it means packing material or food to go.

Mistake 2: Ignoring 냉장보관.
냉장보관 is a food-safety instruction. If you miss this word, ingredients may be stored incorrectly.

Mistake 3: Treating 위생 as a general idea only.
위생 is practical in a kitchen. It connects to hand sanitizing, tool disinfection, food storage, and clean surfaces.

Step-by-Step Practice

Check the order: 주문을 확인해 주세요.
Check ingredients: 재료가 부족합니다.
Store cold items: 냉장보관해 주세요.
Handle takeout: 포장재가 부족합니다.
Report problems: 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

Quick Quiz

What does 재료 mean?
Answer: Ingredient.
Which word means refrigerated storage?
Answer: 냉장보관.
What does 설거지하다 mean?
Answer: To wash dishes.
Which two words mean knife and cutting board?
Answer: 칼 and 도마.
You notice a hygiene problem. What should you do?
Answer: Report it to the manager: 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

Review Table

Korean	Meaning	Best Situation	Beginner Tip
주문	order	Before prep	Check this first.
재료	ingredient	Food preparation	Report shortages early.
냉장보관	refrigerated storage	Cold food safety	Do not leave outside.
포장	packaging / takeout	Takeout or delivery	Context matters.
설거지하다	wash dishes	Dishwashing	Action verb.
위생	hygiene	Kitchen safety	More than general cleanliness.
소독	disinfection	Tools and surfaces	Use for knife, board, hands, counters.

Related Lessons

Practice More

Practice this word list in Learn Korean or in the upcoming BS3001 app. Start with 주문, 재료, 냉장보관, 포장, 설거지하다, and 위생. These words help foreign workers understand basic Korean restaurant kitchen instructions.

2026년 06월 21일

Korean Store Shelf and Stock Words for Foreign Workers

Korean store worker checking shelf stock and expiration dates in a Korean convenience store aisle

You are working in a Korean convenience store, mart, or small retail shop. A supervisor asks you to check the shelf, organize products, look at the expiration date, and report if something is sold out. These instructions are short, but they control the daily rhythm of store work.

This lesson teaches Korean store stock words for foreign workers. The focus is practical: shelves, inventory, stock checking, expiration dates, discounts, sold-out items, receiving goods, and reporting problems to a manager.

Key Vocabulary

Korean	Romanization	English	Level	Usage Note
선반	seonban	shelf	Beginner	Where products are displayed or stored.
정리	jeongni	organization	Beginner	Arranging products neatly.
정리하다	jeongnihada	to organize	Beginner	Action word for arranging shelves or items.
재고	jaego	stock / inventory	Beginner	Products available in the store or back room.
재고관리	jaego gwalli	inventory management	Beginner	Managing stock quantity and records.
재고조사	jaego josa	inventory inspection	Intermediate	Checking stock numbers carefully.
입고	ipgo	receiving goods	Intermediate	New goods entering the store or stock system.
출고	chulgo	release from stock	Intermediate	Goods leaving the stock system.
상품	sangpum	product / item	Beginner	Used for store products and promotional items.
행사 상품	haengsa sangpum	promotional item	Beginner	Items used for promotions or special sales.
유통기한	yutong gihan	expiration date	Beginner	Very important for food, drinks, and daily products.
품절	pumjeol	sold out	Beginner	Used when a product is not available.
할인	harin	discount	Beginner	Used for sale prices and promotions.
포장	pojang	packaging	Beginner	Can mean packaging or packing items.
포장재	pojangjae	packaging material	Intermediate	Bags, boxes, wrap, or other packing supplies.
확인	hwagin	confirmation / check	Beginner	Used when checking stock, date, or price.
관리자	gwallija	manager / supervisor	Intermediate	The person to report store problems to.
보고	bogo	report	Beginner	Used when telling the manager about a stock issue.

Real Store Stock Phrases

Korean Sentence	English Meaning	When to Use
선반을 정리해 주세요.	Please organize the shelf.	When products need arranging.
재고를 확인해 주세요.	Please check the stock.	When quantity is unclear.
유통기한을 확인하겠습니다.	I will check the expiration date.	For food and drink products.
이 상품은 품절입니다.	This product is sold out.	When the item is unavailable.
행사 상품을 앞쪽에 놓아 주세요.	Please place the promotional items in front.	During promotions.
입고된 상품을 정리하겠습니다.	I will organize the received goods.	After new stock arrives.
포장재가 부족합니다.	Packaging material is not enough.	When bags, wrap, or boxes are low.
관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.	I will report it to the manager.	When stock, date, or product issues appear.

Store Stock Workflow

A store stock task often follows a simple flow: check the shelf, check inventory, check the expiration date, organize products, and report problems. If new goods arrive, you may hear 입고된 상품을 정리해 주세요. If a product is missing, you may hear 재고를 확인해 주세요.

Step	Key Korean	Action
1	선반	Look at the shelf area.
2	재고	Check stock quantity.
3	유통기한	Check expiration dates.
4	정리	Arrange products neatly.
5	품절	Mark or report sold-out items.
6	보고	Report issues to the manager.

Usage Notes

재고 means stock or inventory. In stores, it can mean products on the shelf, products in the back room, or items recorded in the system. If a customer asks for something and the shelf is empty, staff may still check 재고.

유통기한 is critical for food, drinks, medicine-like daily products, and some refrigerated items. Do not treat it as a small label detail. In retail work, checking 유통기한 protects customers and the store.

품절 means sold out. It can appear on signs, online product pages, or staff messages. In spoken work Korean, you can say 이 상품은 품절입니다, meaning “This item is sold out.”

What to Report During Store Work

Store work often looks simple from the outside, but small details matter. If the shelf is empty, the product may still be in storage. If the expiration date is close, the product may need discounting, moving, or removing. If a promotional item is in the wrong place, customers may become confused. This is why short reporting phrases are useful.

Use 확인하겠습니다 when you need to check something. Use 보고하겠습니다 when you need to tell the manager. Use 부족합니다 when something is not enough. These are simple words, but they make your work communication clear.

Store Problem	Korean Report	Meaning
Shelf is empty	재고를 확인하겠습니다.	I will check the stock.
Item is sold out	이 상품은 품절입니다.	This product is sold out.
Expiration date is close	유통기한을 확인했습니다.	I checked the expiration date.
Promotional item is misplaced	행사 상품을 정리하겠습니다.	I will organize the promotional items.
Packaging material is low	포장재가 부족합니다.	Packaging material is not enough.

Mini Dialogue

Supervisor: 음료 선반 재고를 확인해 주세요.
Eumnyo seonban jaegoreul hwaginhae juseyo.
Please check the drink shelf stock.

Worker: 네, 유통기한도 확인하겠습니다.
Ne, yutong gihando hwaginhagetsseumnida.
Yes, I will check the expiration dates too.

Supervisor: 품절된 상품이 있으면 보고해 주세요.
Pumjeol-doen sangpumi isseumyeon bogohae juseyo.
If there is a sold-out item, please report it.

Worker: 알겠습니다. 입고된 상품도 정리하겠습니다.
Algetsseumnida. Ipgo-doen sangpumdo jeongnihagetsseumnida.
Understood. I will organize the received goods too.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Thinking 재고 only means products on the shelf.
재고 can also mean products in the back room or in the store system. Always check the context.

Mistake 2: Ignoring 유통기한.
Expiration dates are important in Korean stores. If you see an expired item, report it instead of simply leaving it.

Mistake 3: Confusing 할인 and 행사 상품.
할인 means discount. 행사 상품 means promotional item. A promotional item may be discounted, but the words are not exactly the same.

Step-by-Step Practice

Check the shelf: 선반을 확인하겠습니다.
Check stock: 재고를 확인해 주세요.
Check the date: 유통기한을 확인하겠습니다.
Organize products: 상품을 정리하겠습니다.
Report problems: 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

Quick Quiz

What does 재고 mean?
Answer: Stock or inventory.
Which word means expiration date?
Answer: 유통기한.
What does 품절 mean?
Answer: Sold out.
You need to arrange products neatly. Which word helps?
Answer: 정리하다.
You found a stock problem. What should you say?
Answer: 관리자에게 보고하겠습니다.

Review Table

Korean	Meaning	Best Situation	Beginner Tip
선반	shelf	Product display	Start by checking shelf area.
재고	stock	Inventory check	May be on shelf or in storage.
유통기한	expiration date	Food and drink products	Check carefully.
품절	sold out	Unavailable item	Report to manager.
할인	discount	Promotions	Different from 행사 상품.
입고	received goods	New stock arrival	Organize after arrival.
보고	report	Stock/date problems	Tell manager clearly.

Related Lessons

Practice More

Practice this word list in Learn Korean or in the upcoming BS3001 app. Start with 선반, 재고, 유통기한, 품절, and 보고. These words help foreign workers handle store shelf and stock tasks in Korea.

2026년 06월 21일