We use smart gadgets every day — from wireless earbuds to smartwatches and voice assistants. But what happens when all the settings are in Korean?
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This guide is your shortcut to navigating smart tech in Korean — quickly, easily, and like a local. Whether you're pairing your Bluetooth devices, adjusting voice commands, or using auto-translators, you'll learn the exact phrases and menu terms you need.
Perfect for beginners, expats, or travelers in Korea, this post will walk you through everyday situations — one real device at a time. Let's make your smart life smarter in Korean! 💡📱🎧
🔌 Getting Started with Smart Devices
Buying or setting up a smart device in Korea? Whether it's a smartwatch, earbuds, or even a smart translator, most menus and instructions come in Korean. But don't worry — you only need a few key words and phrases to get started confidently.
Let’s start with the basics. When you unbox your device, look for the word 설정 (seol-jeong) — this means “Settings.” You'll usually see it on the main screen or in the app that controls your device.
The power button is often labeled 전원 (jeon-won). If the device uses a screen, you might also see 시작 (si-jak) for “Start” or 시작하기 (si-jak-ha-gi) for “Start Now.” These are good signals that you’re ready to begin!
Next step: language settings. The menu option for this is usually 언어 (eon-eo). If you want to switch to English, tap 언어 > 영어 (yeong-eo). If you're helping someone who wants Korean, look for 한국어 (han-guk-eo).
Most devices also have a setup guide labeled 사용 방법 (sa-yong bang-beop) meaning “How to use.” This section may include video tutorials or illustrated steps to follow. Even without fluent Korean, scanning for icons and keywords makes it easier.
Smart devices often pair with apps — like Galaxy Wearable or Apple Watch. When launching these apps, you’ll probably see permissions like 접근 허용 (jeop-geun heo-yong), meaning “Allow access.” This is common for Bluetooth, location, or contact sync.
Want to check battery? Look for 배터리 상태 (bae-teo-ri sang-tae). For updates, find 소프트웨어 업데이트 (so-peu-teu-we-eo eop-de-i-teu) — literally “software update.” It’s usually under system or device info menus.
Here’s something I noticed myself — even if you change the system language to English, some updates still show Korean notifications. That’s why recognizing key terms helps, even in “English mode.”
If you’re stuck? Most Korean device manuals include a small English summary in the back. You can also use your phone’s camera translation app to scan the screen or printed guides — it works great for tech labels.
📱 Smart Device Setup Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 설정 | seol-jeong | Settings |
| 전원 | jeon-won | Power |
| 언어 | eon-eo | Language |
| 접근 허용 | jeop-geun heo-yong | Allow Access |
| 배터리 상태 | bae-teo-ri sang-tae | Battery Status |
| 소프트웨어 업데이트 | so-peu-teu-we-eo eop-de-i-teu | Software Update |
Start with these essential terms, and you’ll be ready to explore your smart gear like a pro — even if the screen’s in Korean!
🔊 Using Bluetooth & Pairing Devices
Ever tried to connect your AirPods in Korea, but everything on your screen is in Korean? 😵 It can feel confusing — especially when the system asks you for permissions, pairing, or device access. Don’t worry. Bluetooth terms in Korean are actually simple once you learn the key expressions.
Let’s start with the word for Bluetooth: 블루투스 (beul-lu-tu-seu). You’ll see this in device settings menus. To turn it on or off, look for 켜기 (kyeo-gi) — “Turn On” and 끄기 (kkeu-gi) — “Turn Off.”
When you're pairing a new device, the menu often says 새로운 기기 연결 (sae-ro-un gi-gi yeon-gyeol), meaning “Connect New Device.” Once a device is recognized, you’ll usually get a pop-up that says 연결하시겠습니까? (yeon-gyeol-ha-si-geot-seum-ni-kka?) — “Do you want to connect?”
If you're connecting a speaker or car audio system, the screen might show 오디오 출력 (o-di-o chul-lyuk) — “Audio Output.” Tap it to redirect sound to the correct device.
For troubleshooting, "Device not found" appears as 기기를 찾을 수 없습니다 (gi-gi-reul chat-eul su eop-seum-ni-da). And if something disconnects, you’ll often see 연결 끊김 (yeon-gyeol kkeun-gim), which means “Connection Lost.”
Bluetooth menus often show a list of past connections under 이전 연결 목록 (i-jeon yeon-gyeol mog-rok). You can delete a device with 삭제 (sak-je) — “Delete.”
My tip? When setting up AirPods or earbuds in Korea, you can hold the pairing button and look for a blinking LED, then scan for the device on your phone. If it shows a name in Korean, no worries — just tap and connect!
Pairing devices with smart TVs, watches, or tablets follows the same process. Watch for 기기 등록 (gi-gi deung-rok) — “Register Device” or 연결 준비 완료 (yeon-gyeol jun-bi wan-ryo) — “Ready to Pair.”
And when you're done, turning Bluetooth off is as easy as finding 블루투스 끄기 (beul-lu-tu-seu kkeu-gi).
🎧 Bluetooth Pairing Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 블루투스 | beul-lu-tu-seu | Bluetooth |
| 연결 | yeon-gyeol | Connect |
| 연결 끊김 | yeon-gyeol kkeun-gim | Connection Lost |
| 삭제 | sak-je | Delete |
| 기기 등록 | gi-gi deung-rok | Register Device |
| 오디오 출력 | o-di-o chul-lyuk | Audio Output |
Mastering just these terms will help you connect to any Bluetooth device in Korea — fast and frustration-free.
⌚ Controlling Smartwatches in Korean
Smartwatches have become everyday essentials — tracking steps, checking messages, even paying for coffee. But what if your smartwatch interface is all in Korean? ⌚💬
Let’s start with the lock screen: You may see 잠금 해제 (jam-geum hae-je) which means “Unlock.” Tapping it usually brings you to the main menu — often labeled 메뉴 (me-nyu).
Need to check your heart rate? Look for 심박수 (sim-bak-su) — “Heart Rate.” If you want to start tracking a workout, tap 운동 시작 (un-dong si-jak) which means “Start Workout.”
Common workout modes include 걷기 (geot-gi) for walking, 달리기 (dal-li-gi) for running, and 자전거 (ja-jeon-geo) for biking. These are usually found in your watch’s health or fitness app.
For messages, watch out for 알림 (al-lim) — which means “Notifications.” Tapping on one might reveal 내용 보기 (nae-yong bo-gi), meaning “View Message.”
If your watch supports voice commands, the assistant may show 무엇을 도와드릴까요? (mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?) — “How can I help you?” You can respond in Korean or English depending on settings.
To change your watch face, navigate to 워치 페이스 변경 (wo-chi pe-i-seu byeon-gyeong). You’ll often get previews before applying.
Battery life is shown under 배터리 (bae-teo-ri). If you want to activate low power mode, it’s usually labeled 절전 모드 (jeol-jeon mo-deu) — “Power Saving Mode.”
Here’s something I noticed myself: Korean smartwatches often have more detailed sleep tracking than the English version. Watch for 수면 분석 (su-myeon bun-seok) — “Sleep Analysis.”
If your watch connects to your phone via app, syncing status will appear as 동기화 중 (dong-gi-hwa jung) — “Syncing.” Once complete, it may change to 완료됨 (wan-ryo-doem) — “Complete.”
⌚ Smartwatch Control Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 심박수 | sim-bak-su | Heart Rate |
| 운동 시작 | un-dong si-jak | Start Workout |
| 알림 | al-lim | Notification |
| 워치 페이스 변경 | wo-chi pe-i-seu byeon-gyeong | Change Watch Face |
| 절전 모드 | jeol-jeon mo-deu | Power Saving Mode |
| 수면 분석 | su-myeon bun-seok | Sleep Analysis |
Learn these smartwatch terms and your wrist tech will feel way more familiar — even in full Korean mode!
🌐 Auto-Translation Devices & Real-Time Language Tools
Auto-translation devices and apps are amazing tools for travelers and expats — especially in Korea where real-time communication can get tricky. Whether you're using a dedicated translator like a pocket device or apps like Papago and Google Translate, knowing the key Korean labels can save time and confusion.
Let’s start with the basics: Most translation tools show the button 번역 (beon-yeok) which means “Translate.” If the translation is audio-based, you might also see 음성 번역 (eum-seong beon-yeok) — “Voice Translation.”
Want to switch languages? The menu may show 언어 선택 (eon-eo seon-taek) — “Language Selection.” Tap this to pick between Korean and your target language. You’ll likely see 한국어 ↔ 영어 (han-guk-eo ↔ yeong-eo) as a default setting for Korean and English.
In live conversation mode, the device may ask you to 말하세요 (mal-ha-se-yo) — “Please speak.” Once you do, the screen might say 번역 중… (beon-yeok jung…) — “Translating...”
If using apps, tap 카메라 (ka-me-ra) for camera translation mode. You’ll usually get options like 텍스트 인식 (tek-seu-teu in-sik) — “Text Recognition” or 실시간 번역 (sil-si-gan beon-yeok) — “Live Translation.”
Need a phrasebook? Some tools label this 표현집 (pyo-hyeon-jip) — “Phrase Collection” or 자주 쓰는 문장 (ja-ju sseu-neun mun-jang) — “Frequently Used Phrases.”
For app settings, voice speed or dialect might appear as 음성 속도 (eum-seong sok-do) — “Voice Speed” or 사투리 설정 (sa-tu-ri seol-jeong) — “Dialect Settings.”
Here’s a pro tip — when in doubt, tap anything that includes 설정 (seol-jeong). That’s always “Settings,” and it usually leads you to language, audio, and translation options.
One time, I saw a tourist struggling with a translator that kept looping back to Korean. Turned out the device was stuck on 자동 감지 (ja-dong gam-ji) — “Auto-Detect.” Once we turned that off, it worked perfectly.
🗣️ Translation Tool Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 번역 | beon-yeok | Translate |
| 언어 선택 | eon-eo seon-taek | Language Selection |
| 말하세요 | mal-ha-se-yo | Please speak |
| 자동 감지 | ja-dong gam-ji | Auto-Detect |
| 실시간 번역 | sil-si-gan beon-yeok | Live Translation |
| 표현집 | pyo-hyeon-jip | Phrase Collection |
With just these keywords, you can navigate any translation tool in Korea — and break the language barrier instantly.
🎙️ Changing Settings with Voice Commands
More devices now understand voice — from AI speakers like Naver Clova or Kakao Mini to smart TVs and phones. If you're in Korea and want to change settings hands-free, using the right Korean expressions is a game changer! 🎛️
Let’s start with the basic phrase: “Change settings” is 설정 바꿔줘 (seol-jeong ba-kkwo-jwo). Just say it to the assistant, and the device usually opens the settings menu or asks what you want to adjust.
Want to lower the volume? Try 볼륨 줄여줘 (bol-lyum ju-ryeo-jwo) — “Lower the volume.” To raise it, say 볼륨 올려줘 (bol-lyum ol-lyeo-jwo). You can also say 최대 볼륨 (choe-dae bol-lyum) for “maximum volume.”
For screen brightness, say 밝기 낮춰줘 (balk-gi nat-chwo-jwo) or 밝기 높여줘 (balk-gi nop-hyeo-jwo). These phrases help when using a device in the dark or outdoors.
Want to switch Wi-Fi? Use 와이파이 꺼줘 (wa-i-pa-i kkeo-jwo) to turn it off and 와이파이 켜줘 (wa-i-pa-i kyeo-jwo) to turn it back on. You may also be prompted to confirm with 확인할까요? (hwa-gin-hal-kka-yo?) — “Shall I confirm?”
Need to turn on Bluetooth? Just say 블루투스 켜줘 (beul-lu-tu-seu kyeo-jwo). Many assistants respond with 켜졌어요 (kyeo-jyeot-seo-yo) — “It’s on.”
Changing language settings? Say 언어 바꿔줘 (eon-eo ba-kkwo-jwo). You may then be asked 어떤 언어로 바꿀까요? (eo-tteon eon-eo-ro ba-kkul-kka-yo?) — “Which language?”
To check the weather or time using voice, say 날씨 알려줘 (nal-ssi al-lyeo-jwo) or 지금 시간은? (ji-geum si-ga-neun?) — “What time is it now?”
Here’s what I found really helpful — saying 알림 꺼줘 (al-lim kkeo-jwo) turns off annoying notifications when you’re in a meeting. Very convenient!
Bonus tip: On Android phones set to Korean, voice assistant commands work best when your pronunciation matches the Romanization — just slow down a bit.
🗣️ Voice Command Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 설정 바꿔줘 | seol-jeong ba-kkwo-jwo | Change settings |
| 볼륨 줄여줘 | bol-lyum ju-ryeo-jwo | Lower the volume |
| 밝기 낮춰줘 | balk-gi nat-chwo-jwo | Lower brightness |
| 와이파이 켜줘 | wa-i-pa-i kyeo-jwo | Turn on Wi-Fi |
| 언어 바꿔줘 | eon-eo ba-kkwo-jwo | Change language |
| 알림 꺼줘 | al-lim kkeo-jwo | Turn off notifications |
Now you're ready to take full control of your tech — just by speaking Korean commands like a native!
📲 Deleting Apps & Managing Notifications
If your phone’s filled with apps you no longer use, it’s time to declutter. Whether you're deleting, managing app notifications, or adjusting settings for battery optimization — knowing key Korean terms can really help when your device is set to Korean.
Let’s start with deleting apps: You’ll often see 삭제 (sak-je) — “Delete” — when long-pressing an app icon. Some phones also show 앱 제거 (aep je-geo) which means the same thing.
On Samsung and LG devices, a confirmation pop-up may appear that says 이 앱을 삭제하시겠습니까? (i aep-eul sak-je-ha-si-geot-seum-ni-kka?) — “Do you want to delete this app?” Tap 확인 (hwa-gin) to confirm or 취소 (chwi-so) to cancel.
To manage app notifications, go to 설정 (seol-jeong) → 알림 (al-lim). You’ll find a list of apps with toggles. To turn off alerts for an app, select 알림 허용 안 함 (al-lim heo-yong an ham) — “Don’t allow notifications.”
If an app is sending pop-ups too often, it might be marked as 팝업 알림 (pap-eop al-lim). Disable it by tapping 꺼짐 (kkeo-jim) — “Off.”
Battery-hungry apps are labeled 배터리 사용량이 많음 (bae-teo-ri sa-yong-ryang-i man-eum) — “High battery usage.” For those, you can restrict background activity using 백그라운드 사용 제한 (baek-geu-ra-un-deu sa-yong je-han).
Need to force stop an app? Go to the app info page and tap 강제 종료 (gang-je jong-ryo) — “Force stop.” It's useful for apps that freeze or misbehave.
Here’s something that surprised me: Some Korean phones pre-install apps like Kakao services or Korean news widgets. To remove them, look for 비활성화 (bi-hwal-seong-hwa) — “Disable” instead of delete.
In notification center, grouping settings show as 앱별 알림 관리 (aep-byeol al-lim gwan-ri). You can customize sounds and banners per app here — a must for peace of mind!
📱 App & Notification Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 삭제 | sak-je | Delete |
| 알림 허용 안 함 | al-lim heo-yong an ham | Don’t allow notifications |
| 배터리 사용량이 많음 | bae-teo-ri sa-yong-ryang-i man-eum | High battery usage |
| 백그라운드 사용 제한 | baek-geu-ra-un-deu sa-yong je-han | Restrict background activity |
| 강제 종료 | gang-je jong-ryo | Force stop |
| 비활성화 | bi-hwal-seong-hwa | Disable |
Now you can keep your Korean smartphone clean, fast, and totally under control — just like a native tech user would!
❓ FAQ
Q1. How do I say “Bluetooth is not working” in Korean?
A1. 블루투스가 안 돼요 (beul-lu-tu-seu-ga an dwae-yo)
Q2. What's the Korean word for "Notification"?
A2. 알림 (al-lim)
Q3. How can I ask to “turn off Wi-Fi”?
A3. 와이파이 꺼줘요 (wa-i-pa-i kkeo-jwo-yo)
Q4. How do I say “Delete this app” in Korean?
A4. 이 앱 삭제해 주세요 (i aep sak-je-hae ju-se-yo)
Q5. What’s the Korean for “Force stop”?
A5. 강제 종료 (gang-je jong-ryo)
Q6. How do I ask “What’s the battery level?”
A6. 배터리 얼마나 남았어요? (bae-teo-ri eol-ma-na nam-at-seo-yo?)
Q7. How to say “Please speak” on translation apps?
A7. 말하세요 (mal-ha-se-yo)
Q8. What does "언어 선택" (eon-eo seon-taek) mean?
A8. It means “Language selection”
Q9. How to say “Change settings” in Korean?
A9. 설정 바꿔줘요 (seol-jeong ba-kkwo-jwo-yo)
Q10. What’s the word for “Sleep analysis” on smartwatches?
A10. 수면 분석 (su-myeon bun-seok)
Q11. How do I turn off notifications?
A11. 알림 꺼줘요 (al-lim kkeo-jwo-yo)
Q12. What is “Auto-detect” in Korean?
A12. 자동 감지 (ja-dong gam-ji)
Q13. How to ask “What time is it now?”
A13. 지금 시간은요? (ji-geum si-ga-neun-yo?)
Q14. What’s “Brightness” in Korean?
A14. 밝기 (balk-gi)
Q15. How do I say “Text recognition”?
A15. 텍스트 인식 (tek-seu-teu in-sik)
Q16. What’s “Turn on Bluetooth” in Korean?
A16. 블루투스 켜줘요 (beul-lu-tu-seu kyeo-jwo-yo)
Q17. How to say “Enable notifications”?
A17. 알림 켜줘요 (al-lim kyeo-jwo-yo)
Q18. What’s “Maximum volume” in Korean?
A18. 최대 볼륨 (choe-dae bol-lyum)
Q19. How to say “Disable background activity”?
A19. 백그라운드 사용 제한 (baek-geu-ra-un-deu sa-yong je-han)
Q20. What’s “Unlock” on a smartwatch?
A20. 잠금 해제 (jam-geum hae-je)
Q21. How do I say “Turn off pop-up alerts”?
A21. 팝업 알림 꺼줘요 (pap-eop al-lim kkeo-jwo-yo)
Q22. What’s “Watch face change” in Korean?
A22. 워치 페이스 변경 (wo-chi pe-i-seu byeon-gyeong)
Q23. How do I ask “Can I confirm?”
A23. 확인할까요? (hwa-gin-hal-kka-yo?)
Q24. What’s the Korean word for “Frequently used phrases”?
A24. 자주 쓰는 문장 (ja-ju sseu-neun mun-jang)
Q25. How to say “Start workout”?
A25. 운동 시작 (un-dong si-jak)
Q26. What’s “Live translation” in Korean?
A26. 실시간 번역 (sil-si-gan beon-yeok)
Q27. How to ask “Shall I delete this?”
A27. 삭제할까요? (sak-je-hal-kka-yo?)
Q28. What is “Voice speed” in Korean?
A28. 음성 속도 (eum-seong sok-do)
Q29. What’s the word for “Settings”?
A29. 설정 (seol-jeong)
Q30. How do I say “Disable app” in Korean?
A30. 앱 비활성화 (aep bi-hwal-seong-hwa)
Disclaimer: This content is designed for language learning and educational purposes only. Phrases and terms are simplified to aid beginner-level understanding and are not intended for legal or technical use.
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