Korean Typhoon Alerts Explained!
Hello! This is [Daily Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever been in Korea during the summer and suddenly heard a loud, startling alarm from your phone? Don’t panic! That’s just a safety alert. Today, we’re going to learn how to understand these important messages, especially those about typhoons and heavy rain.
Lately in Korea, the summer season has brought some intense weather. Understanding these warnings isn’t just a great way to practice your Korean; it’s essential for staying safe. So, let’s dive in and become masters of Korean emergency alerts!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are some key phrases you’ll see and hear during Korea’s rainy season.
1. 재난 문자 (Jaenan munja)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jaenan munja
- English Meaning: Emergency Alert Message / Disaster Text
- Detailed Explanation: This is the official name for the loud, vibrating alerts sent to all mobile phones in a specific area during an emergency. 재난 (jaenan) means “disaster” or “calamity,” and 문자 (munja) means “text message.” So, it’s literally a “disaster text.” These messages are sent for everything from typhoons and floods to missing persons alerts.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The vowel ‘ㅐ’ (ae) in 재 (jae) is pronounced like the “a” in “apple.” Make sure to distinguish it from ‘ㅔ’ (e). While many modern Koreans pronounce them similarly, knowing the difference is key!
2. 호우 경보 (Hou gyeongbo)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Hou gyeongbo
- English Meaning: Heavy Rain Warning
- Detailed Explanation: This is a common alert during the summer monsoon season. 호우 (hou) means “heavy rain,” and 경보 (gyeongbo) means “warning” or “alarm.” This is a serious warning, indicating that significant rainfall is expected, which could lead to flooding or landslides. You might also see 호우주의보 (hou juuibo), which is a “Heavy Rain Advisory”—a step less severe than a warning.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The final consonant ‘ㅇ’ in 경 (gyeong) is an “ng” sound, like the end of the word “sing.” It’s a sound made in the back of your throat, not with the tip of your tongue like an ‘n’.
3. 외출을 자제하다 (Oechureul jajaehada)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Oechureul jajaehada
- English Meaning: To refrain from going out
- Detailed Explanation: This is a formal phrase you will almost always see in a
재난 문자. 외출 (oechul) means “going out,” and 자제하다 (jajaehada) means “to refrain” or “to control oneself.” The alert will often say “외출을 자제해 주시기 바랍니다” (oechureul jajaehae jusigi baramnida), which is a very polite way of saying “Please refrain from going outside.” - 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Notice how 외출을 is pronounced [oechureul], not [oechul-eul]. This is a super important pronunciation rule called 연음 (yeoneum), or “linking.” When a syllable ends with a consonant and the next syllable starts with a vowel, the consonant sound “moves over” to the next syllable. It makes your Korean sound much more natural!
4. 안전에 유의하세요 (Anjeone yuuihaseyo)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Anjeone yuuihaseyo
- English Meaning: Please pay attention to your safety / Please be careful.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the standard closing phrase for almost any safety announcement. 안전 (anjeon) means “safety,” and 유의하다 (yuuihada) means “to pay attention to” or “be mindful of.” The -세요 (seyo) ending makes it a polite command. It’s a kind and formal way to say, “Stay safe!”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The vowel ‘의’ (ui) can be tricky! When it’s used as the possessive particle like in 저의 (jeo-ui), it’s often pronounced as [e]. However, in a word like 유의 (yuui), you should try to pronounce both vowel sounds: start with ‘ㅜ’ (u) and glide to ‘ㅣ’ (i). It sounds a bit like “yoo-ee.”
Example Dialogue
Imagine Sophie and her Korean friend Minsu are at a cafe when their phones suddenly buzz loudly.
(BZZZZT! BZZZZT!)
- A: Sophie: 어머, 이게 뭐야? 너무 시끄럽다! (Eomeo, ige mwoya? Neomu sikkeureopda!)
- Oh my, what is this? It’s so loud!
- B: Minsu: 아, 재난 문자 왔네. 오늘 태풍 때문에 호우 경보가 발령됐대.
(A, jaenan munja wanne. Oneul taepung ttaemune hou gyeongboga ballyeongdwaetdae.)- Ah, we got an emergency alert. They said a heavy rain warning was issued because of the typhoon today.
- A: Sophie: 정말? 뭐라고 쓰여 있어? (Jeongmal? Mworago sseuyeo isseo?)
- Really? What does it say?
- B: Minsu: “위험 지역 접근 금지, 외출을 자제하고 안전에 유의하세요.” 우리 오늘은 카페에만 있자.
(“Wiheom jiyeok jeopgeun geumji, oechureul jajaehago anjeone yuuihaseyo.” Uri oneureun kape-eman itja.)- It says, “Do not approach dangerous areas, refrain from going out, and please pay attention to your safety.” Let’s just stay in the cafe today.
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, these 재난 문자 are a part of daily life, especially in the summer. They are sent through a system called the Cell Broadcasting Service (CBS), which ensures everyone in a targeted area gets the message instantly.
How do young Koreans react? While the alerts are serious, it’s also common to see a bit of humor on social media. People often screenshot their emergency alerts and post them on their Instagram stories with captions like:
- “오늘 집콕 확정!” (Oneul jipkok hwakjeong!) – “Staying home today is confirmed!” (
집콕is a slang term for staying cooped up at home). - “다들 안전!” (Dadeul anjeon!) – “Everyone, be safe!”
Seeing these alerts isn’t just about understanding the words; it’s about participating in a shared, real-time experience with everyone around you. Knowing these phrases will make you feel more connected to life in Korea!
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to understand crucial safety messages and sound like a local while doing it.
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
- Fill in the blank: The loud alert you get on your phone during an emergency in Korea is called a _______________.
- Sentence Building: How would you write “Please refrain from going out” in a polite, formal way as seen in the alerts?
Leave your answers in the comments below! And remember, next time you get a 재난 문자, you’ll know exactly what to do.
안전에 유의하세요! (Anjeone yuuihaseyo!)
