Emergency numbers & phrases
Calling 119
여보세요, 응급 상황이에요Hello, this is an emergency
주소는 ○○이에요The address is ○○
의식이 없어요They're unconscious
숨을 안 쉬어요They're not breathing
많이 다쳤어요They're badly injured
빨리 와주세요Please come quickly
119 operators speak Korean but many have access to interpreters. State: WHAT happened, WHERE you are, HOW MANY people are hurt. Stay calm and speak clearly — they'll guide you through.
Textbook긴급 의료 도움이 필요합니다gin-geup ui-ryo do-um-i pil-yo-hap-ni-daI need urgent medical assistance
Real살려주세요! / 도와주세요!sal-ryeo-ju-se-yo! / do-wa-ju-se-yo!Help me! / Please help!🏷️ Any casual setting
In a real emergency, forget textbook Korean. 살려주세요 (save me!) and 도와주세요 (help me!) are all you need. Koreans will rush to help — Korean bystander culture is strong.
Korean ER culture: you'll likely wait 1-3 hours unless it's life-threatening. Triage is strict. Show your insurance card (건강보험증) or ARC (외국인등록증). Even without insurance, ER costs are manageable — around 50,000-100,000 won for a basic visit. Don't avoid the ER due to cost fears.
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