Korean Electronics Vocabulary: Devices, Chargers, and Tech Talk
Talk about phones, laptops and gadgets in Korean — devices, accessories, and the verbs that go with them. Includes Yongsan market culture note and tech phrases.
Published:
Written by Alvin Lim Certified Korean Language Teacher (Level 2)
Korea is one of the most wired countries on earth, and its vocabulary shows it. Whether you are buying a SIM card on day one, getting a phone repaired, or just chatting about the newest release, electronics words come up constantly. This guide covers devices, accessories, and — the part most lists skip — the verbs that make them usable.
Mobile Devices (모바일 기기)
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 휴대폰 / 핸드폰 | hyudaepon / haendeupon | Mobile phone |
| 스마트폰 | seumateupon | Smartphone |
| 태블릿 | taebeullit | Tablet |
| 이어폰 | ieopon | Earphones |
| 무선 이어폰 | museon ieopon | Wireless earbuds |
| 충전기 | chungjeon-gi | Charger |
| 보조 배터리 | bojo baeteori | Power bank |
| 케이블 | keibeul | Cable |
| 스마트워치 | seumateuwochi | Smartwatch |
| 케이스 | keiseu | Phone case |
In conversation, 핸드폰 (or just 폰) is what people actually say; 휴대폰 appears in writing and formal speech.
Example: 핸드폰 배터리가 다 됐어요. — My phone battery is dead.
Computers & Office (컴퓨터·사무)
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 컴퓨터 | keompyuteo | Computer |
| 노트북 | noteubuk | Laptop |
| 모니터 | moniteo | Monitor |
| 키보드 | kibodeu | Keyboard |
| 마우스 | mauseu | Mouse |
| 프린터 | peurinteo | Printer |
| 공유기 | gongyugi | Wi-Fi router |
| 와이파이 | waipai | Wi-Fi |
| 비밀번호 | bimilbeonho | Password |
Careful with 노트북: in Korean it means laptop, never a paper notebook (that is 공책 or 노트).
Example: 여기 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요? — What is the Wi-Fi password here? Probably the most-used tech sentence for any traveler.
Entertainment & Smart Home (엔터테인먼트·스마트홈)
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 텔레비전 / TV | tellebijeon | Television |
| 스피커 | seupikeo | Speaker |
| 게임기 | geimgi | Game console |
| 카메라 | kamera | Camera |
| 인공지능 스피커 | in-gongjineung seupikeo | AI speaker |
| 사물인터넷 | samul-inteonet | IoT |
The Verbs That Matter (필수 동사)
This is what separates a word list from usable Korean:
| Korean | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 켜다 | to turn on | 컴퓨터를 켜요 — I turn on the computer |
| 끄다 | to turn off | 불 좀 꺼 주세요 — Please turn off the light |
| 충전하다 | to charge | 폰 충전해야 돼요 — I need to charge my phone |
| 연결하다 | to connect | 와이파이에 연결했어요 — I connected to the Wi-Fi |
| 다운로드하다 / 받다 | to download | 앱을 받았어요 — I downloaded the app |
| 고장 나다 | to break down | 노트북이 고장 났어요 — My laptop broke |
| 수리하다 / 고치다 | to repair | 어디서 고칠 수 있어요? — Where can I get it fixed? |
Culture Note: Where Koreans Buy Tech
Big chains (하이마트, 일렉트로마트) handle most retail, but Seoul’s 용산 전자상가 (Yongsan Electronics Market) is the legendary place for parts, used gear, and haggling. Online, everything happens on Coupang and Naver Shopping — with delivery so fast (로켓배송, “rocket delivery”) that next-morning arrival is the default expectation.
For repairs, the words 무상 수리 (free repair, under warranty) and 유상 수리 (paid repair) decide how your service-center visit ends.
Mini Dialogue (at a service center)
A: 노트북이 고장 나서 왔어요. My laptop broke, so I came in.
B: 어떤 문제가 있으세요? What seems to be the problem?
A: 화면이 안 켜져요. The screen will not turn on.
B: 보증 기간 확인해 드릴게요. Let me check your warranty period.
FAQ
Do Koreans say 휴대폰 or 핸드폰? Both are understood everywhere; 핸드폰 dominates casual speech, 휴대폰 formal contexts. Young people often just say 폰.
What does 먹통 mean? Slang for a frozen/unresponsive device: 폰이 먹통이 됐어요 — my phone is completely unresponsive. You will hear it (and feel it) eventually.
How do I say “screenshot”? 캡처 (capture): 화면 캡처해서 보내 주세요 — Take a screenshot and send it to me.
Related: home appliances vocabulary covers the plugged-in side of Korean homes. Everything else: Vocabulary hub.