From smartphones to translation apps and smartwatches, tech is woven into daily life in Korea. But if you’re new to the language, navigating a digital environment in Korean can feel overwhelming.
%20(1).jpg)
This guide helps you speak Korean confidently in any tech setting — from setting up your Wi-Fi at a cafe to adjusting smartwatch settings, dealing with pop-ups, or communicating tech problems with a repair agent.
Each section provides real-world Korean expressions, context, and examples that you’ll actually use. Whether you’re a traveler, student, or digital nomad, these lessons are made for practical learning in digital Korea.
Let’s jump into the must-know phrases that’ll help you sound like a native digital user in no time! 👇
📶 Wi-Fi, Data & Devices – Everyday Tech Vocabulary
Finding Wi-Fi or asking for mobile data in Korean may sound like a small task, but it’s often one of the first tech-related hurdles travelers or newcomers face. Luckily, with a few essential phrases, you’ll be ready to connect in no time.
In Korea, free Wi-Fi is available in many public areas, including cafes, subway stations, and department stores. But to connect, you may need to ask for a password — often written as 비밀번호 (bi-mil-beon-ho) on signs or receipts. When entering a cafe, it’s common to say, “와이파이 비밀번호 있어요?” (wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho i-sseo-yo?), which means “Do you have the Wi-Fi password?”
If you’re staying in an Airbnb or guesthouse, you might be shown a router labeled with SSID and 암호 (am-ho), meaning “network name” and “password.” The phrase 연결 안 돼요 (yeon-gyeol an dwae-yo) — “It won’t connect” — is useful when troubleshooting Wi-Fi problems.
For mobile data, especially if you’re using a SIM card or eSIM, asking about your data limit is helpful. Try saying “데이터 얼마나 남았어요?” (de-i-teo eol-ma-na nam-at-seo-yo?) — “How much data do I have left?”
Public tech services in Korea are quite advanced. Convenience stores offer free charging stations called 충전기 (chung-jeon-gi). If your phone’s out of juice, simply ask “충전기 있어요?” (chung-jeon-gi i-sseo-yo?)” to find one nearby.
Another essential tool is the portable Wi-Fi egg, known in Korean as 와이파이 에그 (wa-i-pa-i e-geu). These are popular among tourists, and rental counters at airports often require you to ask, “와이파이 에그 대여하고 싶어요” (wa-i-pa-i e-geu dae-yeo-ha-go sip-eo-yo) — “I want to rent a Wi-Fi egg.”
For longer stays, getting a data plan is smart. Major telecom providers like KT, SKT, and LG U+ offer prepaid SIMs. You can say, “데이터 무제한 있어요?” (de-i-teo mu-je-han i-sseo-yo?) to ask, “Do you have unlimited data?”
If you encounter an error message on your device, it might say 연결 실패 (yeon-gyeol sil-pae) — “connection failed.” Take a screenshot or show the message to store staff — most are familiar with helping non-Korean speakers in these cases.
Modern smartphones sold in Korea often come with default Korean settings. That includes mobile hotspot labels like 테더링 (te-deo-ring). If you want to share your data, use the phrase “핫스팟 켜 주세요” (hat-seu-pat kyeo-ju-se-yo) — “Please turn on the hotspot.”
Sometimes, asking for a charger or cable is necessary. Words like 충전기 (chung-jeon-gi) for charger, 케이블 (ke-i-beul) for cable, and 어댑터 (eo-daep-teo) for adapter come in handy when shopping or borrowing items at hotels or cafes.
And here’s a tip from my own experience: at many cafes, staff keep chargers at the counter. Just ask politely, and they’ll often lend one to you. Being able to say, “아이폰 충전기 있어요?” (a-i-pon chung-jeon-gi i-sseo-yo?) goes a long way!
Want more real-life expressions like these? 👉 Check out the full post here: Learn Korean for Wi-Fi, Data & Devices – Everyday Tech Vocabulary for Beginners
📱 Common Wi-Fi & Data Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 비밀번호 | bi-mil-beon-ho | Password |
| 와이파이 에그 | wa-i-pa-i e-geu | Wi-Fi Egg (Portable Hotspot) |
| 충전기 | chung-jeon-gi | Charger |
| 연결 안 돼요 | yeon-gyeol an dwae-yo | It won’t connect |
| 데이터 얼마나 남았어요? | de-i-teo eol-ma-na nam-at-seo-yo? | How much data do I have left? |
🛠️ Talking About Tech Problems in Korean
Let’s face it — technology fails us when we need it most. Maybe your screen freezes right before a Zoom call, or your Bluetooth just refuses to connect. And when you’re in Korea, not being able to explain the problem in Korean can make things even more stressful.
In this section, we’ll walk through real-life expressions and vocabulary that help you describe tech issues like a native. Whether you’re visiting a repair shop or troubleshooting with a Korean friend, these phrases can save your day.
The most commonly used phrase to describe any kind of malfunction is 고장 났어요 (go-jang nat-seo-yo) — “It’s broken.” You can use it for anything from phones and chargers to speakers and TVs. For example: 핸드폰 고장 났어요 (haen-deu-pon go-jang nat-seo-yo) — “My phone is broken.”
Need help at a service center? Use 수리해 주세요 (su-ri-hae ju-se-yo) — “Please fix it.” Or say 확인해 주세요 (hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo) — “Please check this.” These polite expressions help you explain problems respectfully and clearly.
If your laptop suddenly shuts down, the word you need is 꺼졌어요 (kkeo-jyeot-seo-yo) — “It turned off.” Add the device name in front: 노트북 꺼졌어요 (no-teu-buk kkeo-jyeot-seo-yo).
When talking about speed issues like lag, say 느려요 (neu-ryeo-yo) — “It’s slow.” You might say: 인터넷이 너무 느려요 (in-teo-net-i neo-mu neu-ryeo-yo) — “The internet is too slow.”
Error messages? Just say: 에러가 떴어요 (e-reo-ga tteot-seo-yo) — “An error popped up.” If the screen freezes, go with 화면이 멈췄어요 (hwa-myeon-i meom-chwot-seo-yo) — “The screen froze.”
You might also want to reset your device. In that case, say: 재시작해 주세요 (jae-si-jak-hae ju-se-yo) — “Please restart it.” Or ask someone, 이거 다시 시작해 줄 수 있어요? (i-geo da-si si-jak-hae jul su i-sseo-yo?)
If you're handing your device over to a technician, you can say 이거 확인 좀 해 주세요 (i-geo hwa-gin jom hae ju-se-yo) — “Please take a look at this.” Adding 잘 안 돼요 (jal an dwae-yo) — “It’s not working well” gives useful context.
My own experience? I once panicked when my AirPods wouldn’t connect to my phone in a taxi. I managed to say, 블루투스 연결이 안 돼요 (beul-lu-tu-seu yeon-gyeol-i an dwae-yo) — and the driver kindly helped me reset it. It works!
Want to feel confident when your tech acts up? 💡 Mastering these expressions will help you stay calm and solve problems fast. 👉 Fix It Fast! Talk About Tech Problems in Korean Like a Pro
🔧 Essential Tech Problem Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 고장 났어요 | go-jang nat-seo-yo | It’s broken |
| 화면이 멈췄어요 | hwa-myeon-i meom-chwot-seo-yo | The screen froze |
| 재시작해 주세요 | jae-si-jak-hae ju-se-yo | Please restart it |
| 에러가 떴어요 | e-reo-ga tteot-seo-yo | An error popped up |
| 수리해 주세요 | su-ri-hae ju-se-yo | Please fix it |
📱 Using Apps & Online Services in Korean
Whether you’re ordering food, booking a ride, or just scrolling social media, apps are an essential part of daily life in Korea. But if your app interface is in Korean — and you don’t know what 버튼 (bu-teon) to tap — even simple tasks can get confusing fast.
In this section, you’ll learn the most useful app-related Korean expressions, so you can navigate apps like Naver, Kakao, Coupang, Yogiyo, and more without getting lost in translation.
First, the word for login is 로그인 (ro-geu-in), and signup or join is 회원가입 (hoe-won-ga-ip). You’ll often see buttons labeled 로그인 and 회원가입 at the bottom of app screens. Need to create an account? Tap 회원가입.
Forgot your password? Look for 비밀번호 찾기 (bi-mil-beon-ho chat-gi), which means “Find Password.” It usually triggers an email verification page, labeled 이메일 인증 (i-e-mail in-jeung). You’ll need to tap a code from your inbox to proceed.
When using online shopping apps, you’ll run into buttons like 장바구니 (jang-ba-gu-ni) — “cart” — and 주문하기 (ju-mun-ha-gi) — “place order.” Knowing these helps you avoid buying the wrong thing!
If an app asks for permissions, look for words like 접근 허용 (jeop-geun heo-yong) — “allow access” — and 알림 설정 (al-lim seol-jeong) — “notification settings.” To mute alerts, try 알림 끄기 (al-lim kkeu-gi).
And when you want to delete an app, just long-press the icon and look for 삭제 (sak-je) — “delete.” Confirm with 예 (ye) — “yes” — or cancel with 아니요 (a-ni-yo).
Many apps also ask you to agree to terms and conditions. That page usually includes 동의 (dong-ui) — “agree” — and 약관 (yak-gwan) — “terms.” You can safely tap 전체 동의 (jeon-che dong-ui) to agree to all, but be mindful!
Here's a real tip: I once tried booking a movie ticket and got stuck on a loading screen that said 로딩 중... (ro-ding jung...). I tapped everything until I realized I needed to check the 결제 수단 (gyeol-je su-dan) — payment method. Once I fixed that, it worked!
Want to learn exactly what to say when you need help using Korean apps? 📲 Check out the full guide here: Tap and Speak! Essential Korean for Using Apps Like a Native
🧾 Useful App Phrases in Korean
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 회원가입 | hoe-won-ga-ip | Sign up / Join |
| 비밀번호 찾기 | bi-mil-beon-ho chat-gi | Find Password |
| 삭제 | sak-je | Delete |
| 알림 설정 | al-lim seol-jeong | Notification Settings |
| 전체 동의 | jeon-che dong-ui | Agree to All |
⌚ Smart Devices & Digital Settings in Korean
Korea is one of the most tech-forward countries in the world. From smartwatches and AI translators to wireless earbuds and Bluetooth speakers, smart devices are everywhere — and so is the Korean language interface that comes with them.
Whether you're trying to change settings on your smartwatch or sync your earbuds via Bluetooth, knowing how to talk about smart devices in Korean is more useful than ever. Let’s break down the most practical expressions you’ll need to manage your gear like a local.
Start with the basics. A smartwatch is called 스마트워치 (seu-ma-teu-wo-chi) and wireless earbuds are known as 무선 이어폰 (mu-seon i-eo-pon). The AirPods brand is usually referred to by name — 에어팟 (e-eo-pat).
When syncing devices, the most common word you’ll see is 연결 (yeon-gyeol) — “connection.” The phrase 블루투스 연결해 주세요 (beul-lu-tu-seu yeon-gyeol-hae ju-se-yo) means “Please connect via Bluetooth.” You might see 연결됨 (yeon-gyeol-doem) on your screen, meaning “connected.”
Changing settings? You’ll want to know 설정 (seol-jeong) — “settings” — and 변경 (byeon-gyeong) — “change.” For example: 언어 설정 변경하고 싶어요 (eon-eo seol-jeong byeon-gyeong-ha-go sip-eo-yo) — “I want to change the language settings.”
If you need to pair new Bluetooth devices, the menu might say 새 기기 추가 (sae gi-gi chu-ga) — “Add new device.” To disconnect something, look for 연결 해제 (yeon-gyeol hae-je).
Voice assistants like Bixby or Naver’s Clova are also quite common. You may want to ask, “음성 명령 어떻게 해요?” (eum-seong myeong-ryeong eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?) — “How do I use voice commands?”
Battery life is important too. Say 배터리 상태가 안 좋아요 (bae-teo-ri sang-tae-ga an jo-a-yo) — “The battery status is bad.” Or ask: 충전 얼마나 걸려요? (chung-jeon eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?) — “How long does charging take?”
For display settings, words like 화면 밝기 (hwa-myeon balg-gi) — “screen brightness” — and 테마 변경 (te-ma byeon-gyeong) — “theme change” are handy.
Here’s a tip: once, I couldn’t figure out how to change my smartwatch to English. I asked a local clerk, 언어를 영어로 바꿔 주세요 (eon-eo-reul yeong-eo-ro ba-kkwo ju-se-yo) — “Please change the language to English” — and got help in seconds.
Smart tech is helpful — but only if you understand what the buttons mean! Want to go deeper? 👉 Talk Tech Like a Local: Korean for Smart Devices and Digital Settings
🎧 Korean for Smart Devices & Settings
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 스마트워치 | seu-ma-teu-wo-chi | Smartwatch |
| 설정 | seol-jeong | Settings |
| 연결 해제 | yeon-gyeol hae-je | Disconnect |
| 음성 명령 | eum-seong myeong-ryeong | Voice Command |
| 화면 밝기 | hwa-myeon balg-gi | Screen Brightness |
📘 Advanced Korean Phrases for Digital Situations
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of using apps, fixing devices, and handling smart tech in Korean, let’s level up. This section introduces higher-level expressions that help you navigate more specific and advanced tech-related scenarios.
For example, if you’re troubleshooting app updates or navigating system settings, the phrase 업데이트 오류가 발생했어요 (eop-de-i-te o-ryu-ga bal-saeng-hae-sseo-yo) — “An update error occurred” — will help you explain technical glitches clearly.
When asking about system preferences, try 시스템 기본값을 어떻게 변경하죠? (si-seu-te-em gi-bon-gap-eul eo-tteo-ke byeon-gyeong-ha-jyo?) — “How do I change the system default settings?” This is especially useful when you need to reset factory settings or change interface languages.
In a work setting, if you’re using shared devices or remote login systems, you might hear 원격 접속 오류 (won-gyeok jeop-sok o-ryu) — “Remote access error.” In that case, saying 접속이 자꾸 끊겨요 (jeop-sok-i ja-kku kkeun-gyeo-yo) — “The connection keeps dropping” — communicates the issue effectively.
For cloud storage, phrases like 용량이 초과됐어요 (yong-ryang-i cho-gwa-dwae-sseo-yo) — “The storage limit has been exceeded” — or 파일이 동기화되지 않아요 (pa-il-i dong-gi-hwa-dwae-ji an-a-yo) — “The file isn’t syncing” — are practical and precise.
If you’re having trouble with two-factor authentication, knowing how to say 인증 코드가 오지 않았어요 (in-jeung ko-deu-ga o-ji an-at-seo-yo) — “I didn’t receive the verification code” — can help you get support faster.
When working with multilingual interfaces or settings, you may need 언어 전환이 안 돼요 (eon-eo jeon-hwan-i an dwae-yo) — “Language switch isn’t working.” This phrase helps you avoid unnecessary frustration when adjusting settings.
Got a pop-up you don’t understand? Ask someone 이 알림은 무슨 뜻이에요? (i al-lim-eun mu-seun tteut-i-e-yo?) — “What does this alert mean?” Alerts often contain legal terms like 서비스 약관 (seo-bi-seu yak-gwan) — “service terms” — or 개인정보 처리방침 (gae-in-jeong-bo cheo-ri-bang-chim) — “privacy policy.”
These expressions are useful not only for managing your own devices but also for communicating clearly with Korean customer support teams or IT departments. They signal that you’re serious and precise — a big plus in any tech situation.
Want to be the one who actually understands Korean error messages instead of just guessing what they say? These phrases are a great place to start.
💬 Advanced Digital Korean Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 업데이트 오류가 발생했어요 | eop-de-i-te o-ryu-ga bal-saeng-hae-sseo-yo | An update error occurred |
| 접속이 자꾸 끊겨요 | jeop-sok-i ja-kku kkeun-gyeo-yo | The connection keeps dropping |
| 인증 코드가 오지 않았어요 | in-jeung ko-deu-ga o-ji an-at-seo-yo | Verification code didn’t arrive |
| 용량이 초과됐어요 | yong-ryang-i cho-gwa-dwae-sseo-yo | Storage limit exceeded |
| 언어 전환이 안 돼요 | eon-eo jeon-hwan-i an dwae-yo | Language switch isn’t working |
📲 Natural Korean for Navigating Digital Life
Sometimes, using perfect grammar isn’t enough — you need to sound like a real person. This section focuses on natural, native-level Korean expressions that you’ll hear from locals when using devices, apps, and settings in daily life.
Let’s say your phone is freezing. Rather than say “My device is not working,” you’ll hear a native speaker say: 핸드폰이 먹통이에요 (haen-deu-pon-i meok-tong-i-e-yo), which literally means “My phone is unresponsive.” This slang-like phrase is commonly used in daily conversations.
Similarly, instead of the formal “connection failed,” someone might casually say: 인터넷이 끊겼어요 (in-teo-net-i kkeun-gyeo-sseo-yo) — “The internet cut out.” It’s a quick way to communicate tech trouble without sounding like a manual.
If an app suddenly crashes, Koreans often say: 앱이 튕겼어요 (aeb-i twin-gyeo-sseo-yo), meaning “The app crashed.” The verb 튕기다 (twin-gi-da) literally means to bounce off — like the app bounced back to the home screen.
When your Bluetooth speaker doesn't play sound, you might ask: 소리가 왜 안 나요? (so-ri-ga wae an na-yo?) — “Why is there no sound?” This is more natural than asking if it’s muted.
Want to describe a phone that’s laggy or slow? Use 느려요 (neu-ryeo-yo) — “It’s slow.” Or even more colloquially: 버벅거려요 (beo-beok-geo-ryeo-yo), which implies that it’s stuttering or not running smoothly.
If your screen keeps rotating unexpectedly, you can say: 화면이 계속 돌아가요 (hwa-myeon-i gye-sok dol-a-ga-yo) — “The screen keeps rotating.” This phrase is useful when trying to explain auto-rotate bugs.
Sometimes your phone gets hot — very hot. You’ll hear: 폰이 너무 뜨거워요 (pon-i neo-mu tteu-geo-wo-yo) — “My phone is too hot.” This is often followed by a warning pop-up, 온도 경고 (on-do gyeong-go) — “temperature warning.”
And if you’re trying to figure out how to disable a feature, just say: 이 기능 끄는 방법 알아요? (i gi-neung kkeu-neun bang-beop a-ra-yo?) — “Do you know how to turn this off?” You’ll sound casual, confident, and clear.
Want to blend in when talking tech in a café, subway, or co-working space? These real-life expressions help you sound less like a textbook and more like a local.
📘 Real-World Digital Korean
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 먹통이에요 | meok-tong-i-e-yo | It’s unresponsive |
| 앱이 튕겼어요 | aeb-i twin-gyeo-sseo-yo | The app crashed |
| 버벅거려요 | beo-beok-geo-ryeo-yo | It’s laggy / stuttering |
| 폰이 너무 뜨거워요 | pon-i neo-mu tteu-geo-wo-yo | My phone is overheating |
| 이 기능 끄는 방법 알아요? | i gi-neung kkeu-neun bang-beop a-ra-yo? | Do you know how to turn this off? |
💡 FAQ – Korean for Tech Users
Q1. How do I say "My app won’t open" in Korean?
앱이 안 열려요 (aeb-i an yeol-lyeo-yo)
Q2. What's the Korean for "Bluetooth is not working"?
블루투스가 작동하지 않아요 (beul-lu-tu-seu-ga jak-dong-ha-ji an-a-yo)
Q3. How do I ask "Can you reset the settings?"
설정을 초기화해 주세요 (seol-jeong-eul cho-gi-hwa-hae ju-se-yo)
Q4. How do I say "I'm not getting notifications"?
알림이 안 와요 (al-lim-i an wa-yo)
Q5. What phrase can I use for "low battery"?
배터리가 부족해요 (bae-teo-ri-ga bu-jok-hae-yo)
Q6. How do I say "Please delete this app"?
이 앱을 삭제해 주세요 (i aeb-eul sak-je-hae ju-se-yo)
Q7. How to ask "How do I turn off the auto-rotate?"
자동 회전을 어떻게 꺼요? (ja-dong hoe-jeon-eul eo-tteo-ke kkeo-yo?)
Q8. What is the Korean for "log out"?
로그아웃하다 (ro-geu-a-ut-ha-da)
Q9. How to say "My screen is frozen"?
화면이 멈췄어요 (hwa-myeon-i meom-chwot-seo-yo)
Q10. Phrase for "I can’t hear anything from the speaker"?
스피커에서 소리가 안 나요 (seu-pi-keo-e-seo so-ri-ga an na-yo)
Q11. How do I ask "Can I sync my contacts?" in Korean?
연락처를 동기화할 수 있어요? (yeon-rak-cheo-reul dong-gi-hwa-hal su i-sseo-yo?)
Q12. What do I say for "screen brightness is too high"?
화면 밝기가 너무 높아요 (hwa-myeon balg-gi-ga neo-mu nop-a-yo)
Q13. Korean for "The app keeps crashing"
앱이 계속 꺼져요 (aeb-i gye-sok kkeo-jyeo-yo)
Q14. How to say "This device won’t charge"?
이 기기가 충전이 안 돼요 (i gi-gi-ga chung-jeon-i an dwae-yo)
Q15. Korean for "My password isn’t working"
비밀번호가 작동하지 않아요 (bi-mil-beon-ho-ga jak-dong-ha-ji an-a-yo)
Q16. How do I say "Enable push notifications"?
푸시 알림을 활성화해 주세요 (pu-shi al-lim-eul hwal-seong-hwa-hae ju-se-yo)
Q17. Korean for "Update is taking too long"
업데이트가 너무 오래 걸려요 (eop-de-i-teu-ga neo-mu o-rae geol-lyeo-yo)
Q18. How do I say "I forgot my PIN"?
핀 번호를 잊어버렸어요 (pin beon-ho-reul i-jeo-beo-ryeot-seo-yo)
Q19. Phrase for "Please change the wallpaper"
배경 화면을 바꿔 주세요 (bae-gyeong hwa-myeon-eul ba-kkwo ju-se-yo)
Q20. How to ask "What version is this app?"
이 앱 버전이 뭐예요? (i aeb beo-jeon-i mwo-ye-yo?)
Q21. How do I ask "Can I disable auto updates?"
자동 업데이트를 끌 수 있어요? (ja-dong eop-de-i-teu-reul kkeul su i-sseo-yo?)
Q22. Korean for "Fingerprint isn’t recognized"
지문이 인식되지 않아요 (ji-mun-i in-sik-dwae-ji an-a-yo)
Q23. Phrase for "My storage is full"
저장 공간이 가득 찼어요 (jeo-jang gong-gan-i ga-deuk chat-seo-yo)
Q24. How do I say "Please restart the app"?
앱을 다시 시작해 주세요 (aeb-eul da-shi si-jak-hae ju-se-yo)
Q25. Korean for "The keyboard doesn’t show up"
키보드가 안 떠요 (ki-bo-deu-ga an tteo-yo)
Q26. How to say "App permission denied"
앱 권한이 거부됐어요 (aeb gwon-han-i geo-bu-dwae-sseo-yo)
Q27. Phrase for "Install the latest version"
최신 버전을 설치해 주세요 (choe-sin beo-jeon-eul seol-chi-hae ju-se-yo)
Q28. How do I say "I didn’t get the email verification"?
이메일 인증이 안 왔어요 (i-me-il in-jeung-i an wat-seo-yo)
Q29. Korean for "App not compatible with this phone"
이 앱은 이 기기와 호환되지 않아요 (i aeb-eun i gi-gi-wa ho-hwan-dwae-ji an-a-yo)
Q30. How to ask "Is dark mode available?"
다크 모드 쓸 수 있어요? (da-keu mo-deu sseul su i-sseo-yo?)
Disclaimer: The Korean expressions and examples in this guide are provided for educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and clarity, actual usage may vary by region, context, and evolving language trends. Always verify with native speakers or language educators when applying in formal or sensitive settings.
%20(1).jpg)