Workplace Korean

Korean Workplace Sick Leave and Absence Phrases for Foreign Workers

Learn Korean sick leave phrases for reporting illness, lateness, absence, early leave, hospital visits, schedule checks, and manager follow-up at work.

Beginner 6월 21, 2026 6 min read

Worker checking a phone and shift schedule in a Korean staff room — Workplace schedule and absence reporting scene in Korea.

Supervisor and worker reviewing absence and schedule change in Korea — Review sick leave and absence Korean after a workplace schedule change.

1. When to use these phrases

Workplace Korean

Korean Workplace Sick Leave and Absence Phrases for Foreign Workers

Learn Korean sick leave phrases for reporting illness, lateness, absence, early leave, hospital visits, schedule checks, and manager follow-up at work.

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Short Introduction

You wake up before your shift and your body feels heavy. Your throat hurts, you may have a fever, and your workplace opens soon. You need to contact your manager in Korean.

In this situation, saying only 아파요 can be too vague for work. Your manager needs to know whether you will be late, absent, leave early, visit a clinic, or contact them again after treatment.

This lesson teaches Korean sick leave phrases for foreign workers in restaurants, hotels, factories, stores, cleaning jobs, and other workplaces in Korea.

The goal is not to explain your whole medical condition. The goal is to give your workplace enough information to protect the shift, check the schedule, and decide what should happen next.

2. Key vocabulary

결근 gyeolgeun

absence from work

Beginner

지각 jigak

lateness

Beginner

조퇴 jotoe

leaving work early

Beginner

병가 byeongga

sick leave

Beginner

연차 yeoncha

annual leave

Beginner

6. Related practical Korean lessons

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4. Example conversation

A몸이 안 좋습니다.I do not feel well.

B오늘 출근이 어렵습니다.I cannot come to work today.

A지각할 것 같습니다.I think I will be late.

B조퇴해도 될까요?May I leave early?

Common mistake

Saying only 아파요아파요 means “I am sick” or “it hurts,” but it does not tell the manager what will happen to your shift. Add 오늘 출근이 어렵습니다, 지각할 것 같습니다, or 조퇴해도 될까요. Reporting too lateIn many Korean workplaces, late reporting creates schedule problems. Send a message as early as possible so the manager can adjust the 근무표. Confusing 병가 and 연차병가 is sick leave. 연차 is annual leave. The rules depend on the workplace, so use the correct word and follow the manager’s instruction. Using casual language with a supervisor괜찮으면 오늘 못 가요 can sound too casual. Use polite workplace Korean such as 오늘 출근이 어렵습니다 or 진료 받고 연락드리겠습니다. Forgetting the follow-upIf you go to a clinic, tell the manager what you will do next. 진료 받고 연락드리겠습니다 gives a clear next step and reduces confusion.

Quick check

What does this phrase mean?

It is expensive.
absence from work
I am late.
I need a receipt.

Correct answer: absence from work

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4. Example conversation

A안녕하세요. 고장이 났어요.Hello. It is broken.

B언제부터 문제가 있었나요?When did the problem start?

A어제부터 물이 잘 안 내려가요.Since yesterday, it has not worked well.

B기사님이 방문해서 확인해 볼게요.We will check it with a technician.

Common mistake

Short, polite Korean works better than long explanations. Start with the problem, then add the place and time.

Quick check

What does this phrase mean?

Useful Korean phrases from this article.
absence from work
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Listen

Correct answer: B

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Korean Workplace Sick Leave and Absence Phrases for Foreign Workers

Korean Workplace Sick Leave and Absence Phrases for Foreign Workers

1. When to use these phrases

Korean Workplace Sick Leave and Absence Phrases for Foreign Workers

Short Introduction

2. Key vocabulary

6. Related practical Korean lessons

Select this lesson in the app

더 많은 게시물

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