Help Me in Korean: 도와주세요 (Dowajuseyo)
도와주세요 means "please help me." Essential emergency phrases for staying safe in Korea.
Published on February 26, 2026
"Help me" in Korean is 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo). Pronounce it "do-wa-ju-se-yo." For a life emergency: 살려 주세요 (sallyeo juseyo).
The Article I Hope You'll Never Need (But Must Know)
After 12 years in Seoul, I've never had a truly serious emergency. South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world — I walk alone at 3 AM in Gangnam without the slightest worry. But "safe" doesn't mean "immune to everything." A bike accident, feeling faint in the street, an earthquake (they happen in Korea)... Emergencies don't give warnings.
This article is your linguistic survival kit. Bookmark it on your phone, learn the phrases by heart. And let's hope you'll never need them.
도와주세요 — Help Me
The universal phrase for asking for help:
- 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo) — Help me / Please help
Breakdown:
- 도와 (dowa) — help (conjugated form of 돕다 — dopda)
- 주세요 (juseyo) — please do it for me
It's polite, clear, and works in ALL situations. Whether you need help carrying a bag or you're in real danger, 도와주세요 is your first instinct.
Urgency Levels
| Korean | Romanisation | Translation | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요 | dowajuseyo | Please help me | Normal |
| 좀 도와주세요! | jom dowajuseyo! | Could you help me! | Moderate |
| 도와줘요! | dowajwoyo! | Help me! | High |
| 살려 주세요! | sallyeo juseyo! | Save me! / Help! | Extreme |
| 도와줘! | dowajwo! | Help! | Absolute emergency |
살려 주세요 (sallyeo juseyo) is the maximum level. Literally "save my life." Only use it in truly dangerous situations — assault, drowning, serious accident.
Emergency Numbers in Korea
The numbers you absolutely must memorize:
| Number | Service | Korean |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Fire + Ambulance | 소방서/구급차 (sobangseo/gugeupcha) |
| 112 | Police | 경찰 (gyeongchal) |
| 1339 | Medical emergencies (with interpreter) | 의료 긴급전화 (uiryo gingeup jeonhwa) |
| 1345 | Foreigner information center | 외국인 정보센터 (oegugin jeongbo senteo) |
| 120 | Seoul city call center | 서울시 콜센터 (seoulsi kolsenteo) |
The Most Important: 119
119 is the equivalent of 911 (US) or 999 (UK) for fire and medical emergencies. If someone collapses, has an accident, or you need an ambulance, dial 119.
Tip: 119 operators often speak English. If you don't speak Korean, immediately say "English please" or "영어요" (yeongeoyeo).
1339 — Your Health Ally
1339 is a medical emergency service with interpreters available in English, Chinese, Japanese, and sometimes French. They can:
- Direct you to the nearest hospital
- Help you describe your symptoms
- Call an ambulance for you
Calling the Police — 경찰을 불러 주세요
For situations requiring police:
- 경찰을 불러 주세요 (gyeongchareul bulleo juseyo) — Please call the police
- 112에 전화해 주세요 (112e jeonhwahae juseyo) — Please call 112
Describing the Situation
| Korean | Romanisation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 도둑이에요! | dodugieyo! | It's a thief! |
| 소매치기당했어요 | somaechigidanghaesseoyo | I was pickpocketed |
| 지갑을 잃어버렸어요 | jigabeul ireobeoryeosseoyo | I lost my wallet |
| 여권을 잃어버렸어요 | yeogwoneul ireobeoryeosseoyo | I lost my passport |
| 핸드폰을 잃어버렸어요 | haendeuponeul ireobeoryeosseoyo | I lost my phone |
| 사고가 났어요 | sagoga nasseoyo | There was an accident |
| 위험해요! | wiheomhaeyo! | It's dangerous! |
Where to Find a Police Station
Neighborhood police stations (파출소 — pachulso) are everywhere in Seoul, often near subway stations. Look for the blue sign with 경찰 or 파출소.
In tourist areas (Myeongdong, Itaewon, Hongdae), you'll also find tourist help centers (관광 도움 센터 — gwangwang doum senteo) with English-speaking staff.
Medical Emergencies — Vital Vocabulary
Calling an Ambulance
- 구급차 불러 주세요! (gugeupcha bulleo juseyo!) — Call an ambulance!
- 병원에 가야 돼요 (byeongwone gaya dwaeyo) — I need to go to the hospital
- 응급실이 어디예요? (eunggeupsirii eodiyeyo?) — Where is the emergency room?
Describing Symptoms
| Korean | Romanisation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 아파요 | apayo | It hurts |
| 머리가 아파요 | meoriga apayo | I have a headache |
| 배가 아파요 | baega apayo | My stomach hurts |
| 가슴이 아파요 | gaseumi apayo | My chest hurts |
| 다리를 다쳤어요 | darireul dachyeosseoyo | I injured my leg |
| 피가 나요 | piga nayo | I'm bleeding |
| 숨을 못 쉬겠어요 | sumeul mot swigesseoyo | I can't breathe |
| 어지러워요 | eojireowayo | I'm dizzy |
| 알레르기가 있어요 | allereugiiga isseoyo | I have allergies |
| 약을 먹어야 해요 | yageul meoeoya haeyo | I need to take medicine |
The Life-Saving Allergy Phrase
If you have food allergies, this phrase can save your life:
- 저는 [allergen]에 알레르기가 있어요 (jeoneun [allergen]e allereugiiga isseoyo) — I'm allergic to [allergen]
| Allergen | Korean | Romanisation |
|---|---|---|
| Peanuts | 땅콩 | ttangkong |
| Seafood | 해산물 | haesanmul |
| Milk | 우유 | uyu |
| Eggs | 계란 | gyeran |
| Wheat/Gluten | 밀 | mil |
| Soy | 콩 | kong |
Example: 저는 땅콩에 알레르기가 있어요 (jeoneun ttangkonge allereugiiga isseoyo) — I'm allergic to peanuts.
Natural Disasters — Being Prepared
Korea faces certain natural risks:
Earthquakes (지진 — jijin)
Rare but they exist. In case of an earthquake:
- 지진이에요! (jijin-ieyo!) — It's an earthquake!
- 밖으로 나가세요! (bakkeuro nagaseyo!) — Go outside!
- 테이블 밑으로 들어가세요 (teibeul miteuro deureogaseyo) — Get under the table
Typhoons (태풍 — taepung)
Typhoon season is in summer (July-September):
- 태풍이 와요 (taepungi wayo) — A typhoon is coming
- 실내에 있으세요 (silnaee isseuseyo) — Stay indoors
The Emergency Alert App
Your phone will automatically receive emergency alerts in Korea (재난 문자 — jaenan munja). They're in Korean, but Google Translate can help you understand them quickly.
Everyday Safety — Good Habits
Even though Korea is very safe, here are my veteran tips:
- Keep a photo of your passport on your phone and in the cloud
- Note your embassy address in Korean
- Have 119 and 112 on speed dial
- Download the Emergency Ready app (available in English)
- Know your address in Korean — emergency services will need it
Your Embassy in Korean
- 프랑스 대사관 (peurangseu daesagwan) — French Embassy
- 미국 대사관 (miguk daesagwan) — US Embassy
- 영국 대사관 (yeongguk daesagwan) — British Embassy
Practice Dialogue — Reporting an Accident
You: 여기요! 사고가 났어요! 도와주세요! (yeogiyo! sagoga nasseoyo! dowajuseyo!) — Hey! There's been an accident! Help!
Passerby: 119에 전화할게요! (119e jeonhwahalgeyo!) — I'll call 119!
You: 구급차 빨리 불러 주세요! (gugeupcha ppalli bulleo juseyo!) — Please call an ambulance quickly!
Passerby: 네, 지금 전화하고 있어요. 여기 주소가 뭐예요? (ne, jigeum jeonhwahago isseoyo. yeogi jusoga mwoyeyo?) — Yes, I'm calling now. What's the address here?
You: 모르겠어요, 근처 편의점이 보여요. (moreugesseoyo, geuncheo pyeonuijeomi boyeoyo.) — I don't know, I can see a convenience store nearby.
Emergency Phrase Quick Reference
| Emergency | Expression | Romanisation |
|---|---|---|
| Help me | 도와주세요 | dowajuseyo |
| Save me! | 살려 주세요! | sallyeo juseyo! |
| Call the police | 경찰을 불러 주세요 | gyeongchareul bulleo juseyo |
| Ambulance | 구급차 불러 주세요 | gugeupcha bulleo juseyo |
| It hurts | 아파요 | apayo |
| It's dangerous | 위험해요 | wiheomhaeyo |
| Fire! | 불이야! | buriya! |
| Thief! | 도둑이야! | dodugiya! |
Safety Isn't Optional — It's a Priority
These phrases might be the most important ones on this blog. I sincerely hope you'll never need them. But knowing them means traveling with peace of mind.
On Seonsaengnim, you can learn Korean at your own pace — from survival phrases to advanced vocabulary — with K-Pop, a teacher available 24/7, and interactive lessons.
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