30 Essential Korean Sentences for the Workplace

1. Words for Safety

Korean	Pronunciation (Roman letters)	Meaning	When to use
위험해요	wiheomhaeyo	It is dangerous now	Point at a machine, electric wire, high place, etc.
멈추세요	meomchuseyo	Stop what you are doing now	Shout it when an accident looks likely
조심하세요	josimhaseyo	Be careful	When moving heavy things or walking past someone
도와주세요	dowajuseyo	I need help	When you cannot do it alone, or when there is an accident
불이야	buriya	Fire!	When you see a fire
안전모 쓰세요	anjeonmo sseuseyo	Wear a helmet	When entering the work area
여기 만지지 마세요	yeogi manjiji maseyo	Do not touch here	To warn about electricity or hot places
전원 꺼 주세요	jeonwon kkeo juseyo	Turn off the machine's power	Before fixing or cleaning a machine

2. Words About Your Body and Health

Korean	Pronunciation (Roman letters)	Meaning	When to use
아파요	apayo	It hurts / I am sick	Point to where it hurts with your hand
다쳤어요	dachyeosseoyo	I got hurt	Right away when an accident happens
어지러워요	eojireowoyo	I feel dizzy	When there is heat, gas, or you are very tired
병원에 가야 해요	byeongwone gaya haeyo	I need to go to the hospital	Do not wait. Say it right away
열이 나요	yeori nayo	I have a fever	When your body is hot and you feel weak
숨쉬기 힘들어요	sumswigi himdeureoyo	It is hard to breathe	In dust, gas, or small closed spaces
약을 먹어야 해요	yageul meogeoya haeyo	I need to take medicine	When you have an illness and must take medicine on time

3. Words for Working Conditions

Korean	Pronunciation (Roman letters)	Meaning	When to use
쉬는 시간	swineun sigan	Break time	"쉬는 시간 언제예요?" (When is break time?)
야간 근무	yagan geunmu	Night work	When checking the work schedule
월급	wolgeup	Monthly pay	"월급날 언제예요?" (When is payday?)
잔업	janeop	Extra work after normal hours	Word used at work for overtime
휴가	hyuga	Day off / leave	"휴가 신청하고 싶어요" (I want to ask for leave)
출근 / 퇴근	chulgeun / toegeun	Going to work / leaving work	When checking the time
오늘 몇 시까지 해요?	oneul myeot sikkaji haeyo	What time do we finish today?	When asking what time work ends
월급이 안 들어왔어요	wolgeubi an deureowasseoyo	I did not get my pay	While showing your bank book
근로계약서 주세요	geullogyeyakseo juseyo	Please give me the 근로계약서 (employment contract)	When you start the job, or when conditions change

4. Basic Answers

Korean	Pronunciation (Roman letters)	Meaning	When to use
네	ne	Yes	Only when you understood
아니요	aniyo	No	When something is not true
모르겠어요	moreugesseoyo	I don't know / I don't understand	When you did not understand
다시 말해 주세요	dasi malhae juseyo	Please say it again	When you did not hear
천천히 말해 주세요	cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo	Please speak slowly	When someone speaks too fast
잠깐만요	jamkkanmanyo	Please wait a moment	When you need time to think or check
알겠습니다	algesseumnida	I understand	Only when you really understood

How to Say "No" Safely

At Korean workplaces, many people smile and say "네" (yes). So if you say "네" when you did not understand, people will think you agreed. You could get hurt or lose money.

When you want to say no, these sentences sound polite.

1. "죄송한데요, 잘 모르겠어요." (joesonghandeyo, jal moreugesseoyo — "Sorry, I don't really understand.") — Saying sorry first helps you avoid conflict.
2. "오늘은 어려울 것 같아요." (oneureun eoryeoul geot gatayo — "I think today will be difficult.") — This is softer than "못 해요" (I can't).
3. "몸이 안 좋아서 못 하겠어요." (momi an joaseo mot hagesseoyo — "I can't do it because I don't feel well.") — You give the reason too.
4. "위험해서 안 하고 싶어요." (wiheomhaeseo an hago sipeoyo — "I don't want to do it because it is dangerous.") — For safety problems, it is OK to speak clearly.
5. "관리자님께 물어볼게요." (gwallijanimkke mureobolgeyo — "I will ask the manager.") — If you cannot answer right away, this gives you time.

Remember two things.

• If you did not understand, do not say "네." Saying "다시 말해 주세요" (Please say it again) is safer.
• You can refuse dangerous work. The 산업안전보건법 (Occupational Safety and Health Act) says you can stop working when there is serious, immediate danger. If you are treated unfairly because you refused, you can get advice by calling 1350.

Things to Be Careful About

• When an accident happens, just saying "도와주세요" (Help me) is enough. Do not try to make a full sentence.
• If you feel sick or hurt, do not wait. Tell someone the same day. If you tell them late, it becomes harder to get 산재 (industrial accident compensation).
• Before you sign any document, say "잠깐만요" (Wait a moment) and check what it says. If you do not know what the document is, do not sign it.
• Download a translation app on your phone before you need it. In a loud workplace, showing written words is faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Should I use casual speech (반말) or polite speech (존댓말)? A. Use the "-요" and "-습니다" endings shown in the tables above. They are not rude to anyone.

Q. If my pronunciation is wrong, will people understand me? A. Short sentences usually work. Speaking loudly is more important than perfect pronunciation.

Q. My safety training is only in Korean. A. You can download safety and health materials in many languages from the website of 안전보건공단 (Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, KOSHA). You can also ask your company for an interpreter or materials in your own language.

Where to Get Help

• 외국인종합안내센터 (Immigration Contact Center for foreigners) 1345 (20 languages)
• 고용노동부 (Ministry of Employment and Labor) 1350 (advice on working conditions)
• 안전보건공단 multilingual materials portal.kosha.or.kr
• 누리 세종학당 (Nuri King Sejong Institute, online Korean learning) nuri.iksi.or.kr