K-PLAZA.COM Korean Learning › Korean phrases › Travel, lodging & emergencies › 도와주세요!
“Please help me” in Korean: 도와주세요! (dowajuseyo!)
도와주세요!
dowajuseyo!
Meaning
Please help me!
Usage note
The one phrase to keep ready for trouble. Say 도와주세요 clearly and loudly so people nearby notice you.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Emergency numbers in Korea: 112 (police) and 119 (fire and ambulance). Use this phrase to ask people nearby for help, and call these numbers if you or someone else is in danger.
Practical guide
When to use it
Shout it in danger, or use it as a polite request for help in daily situations, for example when you can’t carry something.
Watch out
In a real emergency, 살려 주세요! (“save me!”) is stronger. For ordinary help, 도와주세요 is the right word.
How to pronounce it
It is pronounced just as it is written.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 도 | ㄷ+ㅗ | do |
| 와 | ㅇ+ㅘ | wa |
| 주 | ㅈ+ㅜ | ju |
| 세 | ㅅ+ㅔ | se |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
It contains the honorific -(으)시-, which shows respect to the person being talked about or talked to.
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “도와주세요!” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: Please help me!
Question 2 How do you say “Please help me!” in Korean?
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Answer: 도와주세요! dowajuseyo!
Reinforce what you learn with typing drills and quizzes.
Practice nowMore phrases for this situation
- 관광 안내소가 어디예요?Where’s the tourist information center?
- 사진 찍어 주세요Could you take a photo for me?
- 여기가 어디예요?Where am I?
- 여권이 여기 있어요Here’s my passport
- 체크아웃은 몇 시예요?What time is check-out?
- 입장료가 얼마예요?How much is the admission fee?
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