Everyday glossary

When an unfamiliar word appears, this list may be faster than a translation app.

Housing

• Jeonse / wolse / semi-jeonse — deposit only / monthly rent / a mix. See jeonse-wolse.
• Deposit (보증금) — money lodged at signing and returned when you leave.
• Management fee (관리비) — the cost of maintaining shared parts. Check the items.
• Moving-in report (전입신고) — registering your address after moving. See arc-address-change.
• Fixed date (확정일자) — a step that protects your deposit. See deposit-protection.
• Restoration (원상복구) — returning the property to its original state on leaving.

Utilities and administration

• Bill (고지서) — the paper or electronic notice of charges.
• Payment deadline (납부기한) — pay by this date; late payment adds a charge.
• Direct debit (자동이체) — automatic deduction from your account.
• Civil application (민원) — a request or application to a government office.
• Certificate (증명서 / 확인서) — a document proving a fact. See certificate-issue.
• Fines (과태료 / 범칙금) — monetary penalties for breaches.

Shopping and delivery

• Parcel delivery (택배) — the courier service. See parcel-delivery.
• Cash deposit / transfer (무통장입금 / 계좌이체) — paying cash into an account / transferring between accounts.
• Return / exchange / refund (반품 / 교환 / 환불)
• Sell-by / use-by date (유통기한 / 소비기한) — the sale deadline / the safe-to-eat deadline.
• Same-day / dawn delivery (당일배송 / 새벽배송)

Transport

• Transfer (환승) — changing line or mode. See subway-use.
• Season ticket (정기권) — a pass for a set period.
• Express / all-stop (급행 / 완행) — stopping at selected stations / at every station.
• Last / first train (막차 / 첫차)

Where to go

• 1345 Immigration Contact Centre (20 languages)
• 1577-1366 Danuri Call Centre (13 languages)
• 1330 tourist information (24 hours)
• 120 and other local call centres
• Community centres

Take care

Always mark "payment deadline" and "expiry date" on your calendar. Late utility payments, contract expiry and permission-to-stay expiry all carry heavy consequences if missed. Always check before signing a document containing words you don't know — 1345 can explain in your own language.

Related

korean-address · translation-apps · certificate-issue · utility-bills · jeonse-wolse

Source

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Danuri portal www.liveinkorea.kr / As of 2026-08