How to Use Safety-Critical Korean (Urgency First)
In emergencies, your goal is not perfect grammar—it is fast recognition and clear intent. This chapter is organized by urgency: medical (health and ambulance), lost items (phone/passport/wallet), scams & conflicts (disputes and threats), and immediate danger (fire, assault, urgent evacuation). For each situation, you’ll get short phrases that are easy to pronounce, plus more formal alternatives for speaking to staff, police, or officials.
Pronunciation shortcuts that help you be understood
- Help! is often said as 도와주세요 (do-wa-ju-se-yo). If you can only say one thing, say this.
- Ambulance is 구급차 (gu-geup-cha). Combine with “please call” to trigger action.
- Police is 경찰 (gyeong-chal). Police station is 경찰서 (gyeong-chal-seo).
- When stressed, use short sentences + keywords (pain location, allergy, item name, phone number).
1) Medical (Most Urgent): Illness, Injury, Ambulance
Core emergency phrases (say these first)
| Purpose | Short (common) | More formal / official |
|---|---|---|
| Ask for help | 도와주세요.Do-wa-ju-se-yo. | 도움이 필요합니다.Do-um-i pi-ryo-ham-ni-da. |
| Call an ambulance | 구급차 불러 주세요.Gu-geup-cha bul-leo ju-se-yo. | 119에 전화해 주세요.Il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo. |
| It’s an emergency | 응급이에요.Eung-geup-i-e-yo. | 응급 상황입니다.Eung-geup sang-hwang-im-ni-da. |
| I need a doctor | 의사 선생님이 필요해요.Ui-sa seon-saeng-nim-i pi-ryo-hae-yo. | 진료를 받고 싶습니다.Jin-ryo-reul bat-go sip-seum-ni-da. |
| Take me to a hospital | 병원에 가야 해요.Byeong-won-e ga-ya hae-yo. | 병원으로 이동해야 합니다.Byeong-won-eu-ro i-dong-hae-ya ham-ni-da. |
Step-by-step: What to say in a medical emergency
- Get attention + urgency: 도와주세요. 응급이에요.
- Request action: 구급차 불러 주세요. or 119에 전화해 주세요.
- State who is sick/injured: 제가 아파요. (I’m sick.) / 친구가 다쳤어요. (My friend is hurt.)
- Give the key symptom + location: use the templates below.
- Safety info: allergies, medications, conditions.
- Confirm understanding: 천천히 말해 주세요. (Please speak slowly.) and show your phone notes if needed.
Medical communication templates (fill-in and read)
Use these as “scripts.” Keep them saved in your phone in Korean and your language.
Symptoms
- 열이 나요.
Yeol-i na-yo.(I have a fever.) - 기침이 나요.
Gi-chim-i na-yo.(I’m coughing.) - 숨쉬기 힘들어요.
Sum-swi-gi him-deu-reo-yo.(It’s hard to breathe.) - 어지러워요.
Eo-ji-reo-wo-yo.(I feel dizzy.) - 토했어요.
To-hae-sseo-yo.(I vomited.) - 설사해요.
Seol-sa-hae-yo.(I have diarrhea.) - 피가 나요.
Pi-ga na-yo.(I’m bleeding.) - 기절했어요.
Gi-jeol-hae-sseo-yo.(I fainted.)
Pain location (point to the body part)
| Body area | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Head | 머리가 아파요. Meo-ri-ga a-pa-yo. |
| Stomach/abdomen | 배가 아파요. Bae-ga a-pa-yo. |
| Chest | 가슴이 아파요. Ga-seum-i a-pa-yo. |
| Throat | 목이 아파요. Mok-i a-pa-yo. |
| Tooth | 이가 아파요. I-ga a-pa-yo. |
| Back | 허리가 아파요. Heo-ri-ga a-pa-yo. |
| Arm/leg | 팔/다리가 아파요. Pal / da-ri-ga a-pa-yo. |
Pain type and severity
- 아파요. (It hurts.)
- 너무 아파요. (It hurts a lot.)
- 찌르는 것 같아요.
Jji-reu-neun geot ga-ta-yo.(It feels stabbing.) - 쥐어짜는 것 같아요.
Jwi-eo-jja-neun geot ga-ta-yo.(It feels squeezing/cramping.) - 계속 아파요. (It’s constant.) / 왔다 갔다 해요. (It comes and goes.)
Allergies, medications, conditions
- 알레르기가 있어요.
Al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.(I have allergies.) - 저는 ___에 알레르기가 있어요. (I’m allergic to ___.)
- 약을 먹고 있어요.
Yak-eul meok-go i-sseo-yo.(I’m taking medication.) - 지금 먹는 약은 ___예요. (The medicine I’m taking is ___.)
- 천식이 있어요. (I have asthma.) / 당뇨가 있어요. (I have diabetes.)
- 임신 중이에요. (I’m pregnant.)
Requests at a clinic/hospital
- 영어 가능한 의사/직원 있어요?
Yeong-eo ga-neung-han ui-sa / ji-gwon i-sseo-yo?(Is there an English-speaking doctor/staff?) - 통역이 필요해요.
Tong-yeok-i pi-ryo-hae-yo.(I need an interpreter.) - 진통제 주세요.
Jin-tong-je ju-se-yo.(Please give me pain medicine.) - 처방전이 필요해요.
Cheo-bang-jeon-i pi-ryo-hae-yo.(I need a prescription.) - 부작용이 있어요.
Bu-jak-yong-i i-sseo-yo.(I have side effects.)
Calling for help: minimal script you can read
도와주세요. 응급이에요. 119에 전화해 주세요. (Help. It’s an emergency. Please call 119.)여기요: ___ (장소). 사람이 다쳤어요/아파요. (Here: ___. Someone is injured/sick.)2) Lost Items: Phone, Passport, Wallet (Lost-and-Found + Police)
Core phrases (short + formal)
| Purpose | Short (common) | More formal / official |
|---|---|---|
| I lost it | ___을/를 잃어버렸어요.___eul/reul i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo. | ___을/를 분실했습니다.___eul/reul bun-sil-haet-seum-ni-da. |
| Where is lost-and-found? | 분실물 센터 어디예요?Bun-sil-mul sen-teo eo-di-ye-yo? | 분실물 접수는 어디에서 하나요?Bun-sil-mul jeop-su-neun eo-di-e-seo ha-na-yo? |
| Please help me find it | 찾는 것 좀 도와주세요.Chat-neun geot jom do-wa-ju-se-yo. | 분실 신고를 하고 싶습니다.Bun-sil sin-go-reul ha-go sip-seum-ni-da. |
Item-specific phrases
- 휴대폰을 잃어버렸어요. (I lost my phone.)
- 지갑을 잃어버렸어요. (I lost my wallet.)
- 여권을 잃어버렸어요. (I lost my passport.)
- 카드를 잃어버렸어요. (I lost my card.)
- 가방을 잃어버렸어요. (I lost my bag.)
Step-by-step: Reporting a lost item (staff or lost-and-found)
- State the item: 여권을 잃어버렸어요.
- State where/when: ___에서 (at ___) + 오늘/어제 (today/yesterday) + ___쯤 (around ___ o’clock).
- Describe it: color, brand, case, contents.
- Leave contact: phone number/email/hotel.
- Ask what to do next: 어떻게 하면 돼요? (What should I do?)
Describing items (useful words)
- 색 (color): 검정색 (black), 흰색 (white), 파란색 (blue), 빨간색 (red)
- 브랜드 (brand): 브랜드는 ___예요. (The brand is ___.)
- 특징 (feature): 케이스가 ___예요. (The case is ___.)
- 안에 (inside): 안에 카드가 있어요. (There are cards inside.)
Contact info templates
- 제 전화번호는 ___예요. (My phone number is ___.)
- 이메일은 ___예요. (My email is ___.)
- 저는 ___ 호텔에 있어요. (I’m staying at ___ hotel.)
- 찾으면 연락 주세요. (Please contact me if you find it.)
Authorities and reports (respectful, clear)
When interacting with police or officials, use formal endings (-습니다) to sound respectful and serious. Keep your statements factual: what, where, when.
- 경찰서가 어디예요? (Where is the police station?)
- 신고하고 싶어요. (I want to make a report.)
- 분실 신고를 하러 왔습니다. (I came to report a loss.)
- 사건 번호/접수 번호가 있나요? (Is there a case/receipt number?)
- 신분증이 있어요/없어요. (I have/don’t have ID.)
- 여권 사본이 있어요. (I have a copy of my passport.)
3) Scams & Conflicts: Disputes, Harassment, Pressure
Core phrases to stop escalation
| Goal | Short (common) | More formal / firm |
|---|---|---|
| Refuse / stop | 안 할게요.An hal-ge-yo. (I won’t.) | 그만해 주세요.Geu-man-hae ju-se-yo. (Please stop.) |
| Not interested | 괜찮아요. (No thanks.) | 필요 없습니다. Pi-ryo eop-seum-ni-da. (I don’t need it.) |
| I will call police | 경찰 부를게요.Gyeong-chal bu-reul-ge-yo. | 경찰에 신고하겠습니다.Gyeong-chal-e sin-go-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da. |
| Record evidence | 지금 녹음할게요.Ji-geum no-geum-hal-ge-yo. | 증거로 남기겠습니다.Jeung-geo-ro nam-gi-ge-sseum-ni-da. |
Useful conflict phrases (payments, accusations, pressure)
- 영수증 주세요. (Please give me a receipt.)
- 가격이 달라요. (The price is different.)
- 설명해 주세요. (Please explain.)
- 제가 한 게 아니에요. (I didn’t do it.)
- 만지지 마세요. (Don’t touch me.)
- 따라오지 마세요. (Don’t follow me.)
Step-by-step: If you suspect a scam
- Stop and create space: step back; say 그만해 주세요.
- Refuse clearly: 필요 없습니다.
- Ask for proof: 영수증 주세요. / 규정 보여 주세요. (Show me the policy.)
- Move to a safer place: near staff, security, or a bright public area.
- Escalate: 경찰에 신고하겠습니다.
4) Immediate Danger: Fire, Violence, Urgent Evacuation
Shoutable phrases (short and recognizable)
- 살려 주세요!
Sal-ryeo ju-se-yo!(Save me!/Help me!) - 도와주세요!
Do-wa-ju-se-yo!(Help!) - 위험해요!
Wi-heom-hae-yo!(It’s dangerous!) - 불이야!
Bul-i-ya!(Fire!) - 도둑이야!
Do-duk-i-ya!(Thief!) - 여기요!
Yeo-gi-yo!(Over here!)
Critical requests
- 119 불러 주세요! (Call 119!)
- 112에 전화해 주세요!
Il-il-i-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo!(Please call 112! [police]) - 빨리 와 주세요! (Please come quickly!)
- 나가야 해요! (We need to get out!)
- 여기 위험해요. (It’s dangerous here.)
Giving your location (fast)
If you can’t explain the address, use landmarks and show your phone map.
- 여기 ___ 앞이에요. (I’m in front of ___.)
- ___ 근처예요. (It’s near ___.)
- 지금 위치 보여 드릴게요. (I’ll show you my current location.)
Scenario Dialogues (Practice Aloud)
1) Visiting a pharmacy (symptoms + allergy + request)
Traveler: 배가 아파요. Bae-ga a-pa-yo.
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Pharmacist: 언제부터 아팠어요? Eon-je-bu-teo a-pa-sseo-yo? (Since when?)
Traveler: 오늘 아침부터요. O-neul a-chim-bu-teo-yo. (Since this morning.)
Pharmacist: 열 있어요? Yeol i-sseo-yo? (Do you have a fever?)
Traveler: 열은 없어요. 설사해요. Yeol-eun eop-seo-yo. Seol-sa-hae-yo.
Pharmacist: 알레르기 있어요? Al-le-reu-gi i-sseo-yo?
Traveler: 알레르기가 있어요. ___에 알레르기가 있어요. Al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo. ___e al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Traveler: 약 추천해 주세요. Yak chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo. (Please recommend medicine.)
Pharmacist: 이 약 드세요. 하루에 두 번. I yak deu-se-yo. Ha-ru-e du beon. (Take this. Twice a day.)
Traveler: 부작용 있어요? Bu-jak-yong i-sseo-yo? (Any side effects?)
2) Calling for help (ambulance + location + symptoms)
You: 도와주세요. 응급이에요. Do-wa-ju-se-yo. Eung-geup-i-e-yo.
You: 119에 전화해 주세요. Il-il-gu-e jeon-hwa-hae ju-se-yo.
You: 여기요: ___ 앞이에요. Yeo-gi-yo: ___ ap-i-e-yo.
You: 숨쉬기 힘들어요. Sum-swi-gi him-deu-reo-yo.
Bystander: 알레르기 있어요? Al-le-reu-gi i-sseo-yo?
You: 네, ___에 알레르기가 있어요. Ne, ___e al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
3) Reporting a lost passport (police station + report number)
You: 여권을 잃어버렸어요. Yeo-gwon-eul i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Officer: 어디에서 잃어버렸어요? Eo-di-e-seo i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo?
You: 어제 ___에서 잃어버렸어요. ___시쯤이요. Eo-je ___e-seo i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo. ___si-jjeum-i-yo.
Officer: 신분증 있어요? Sin-bun-jeung i-sseo-yo?
You: 신분증은 없어요. 여권 사본이 있어요. Sin-bun-jeung-eun eop-seo-yo. Yeo-gwon sa-bon-i i-sseo-yo.
You: 분실 신고를 하고 싶습니다. Bun-sil sin-go-reul ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
You: 접수 번호가 있나요? Jeop-su beon-ho-ga in-na-yo?
