Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we work has changed drastically. Online meetings have become the new normal for companies around the world, including in South Korea. In fact, Zoom quickly became the most commonly used platform here. Many Korean offices, schools, and even social gatherings moved entirely online during the peak of the pandemic.
When I worked at my previous company, I was based in Ulsan while most of our team was in the Seoul headquarters. We relied heavily on online meetings to collaborate across the distance. Sometimes we had weekly Zoom calls, and I had to present updates to senior managers in Seoul. Even schools made the switch during the height of COVID-19, many students, including university and elementary school students, had to attend their classes through video conferencing tools.
So if you’re planning to work with a Korean team or attend a virtual class in Korea, learning a few key Korean phrases can really help. In this post, I’ll introduce five simple but essential expressions you can use during any online meeting with Korean speakers.
Online Meeting Phrase 1: Can everyone see my screen?
Can everyone see my screen?
화면 보이시나요?
[hwa-myeon-bo-i-si-na-yo]
This is a polite and common way to ask if others can see what you’re sharing. Koreans use it frequently during presentations or screen sharing. Saying this at the start of an online meeting ensures that your visual content is properly displayed. It’s a small phrase, but it sets a clear and professional tone.
Online Meeting Phrase 2: You’re on mute
You’re on mute.
음소거이신 것 같아요.
[eum-so-geo-i-sin-geo-ga-ta-yo]
We’ve all been there, you start talking and no one responds because… you’re muted. In Korean online meetings, this phrase is often delivered with a light tone. It’s also common to hear, “소리가 안 들려요[so-ri-ga-an-deul-ryeo-yo]”, meaning “I can’t hear you.” Either way, it’s an essential expression for daily remote communication.
Online Meeting Phrase 3: The connection is breaking up
The connection is breaking up.
연결이 끊겨요.
[yeon-gyeo-ri-kkeun-kyeo-yo]
Internet issues are still common, especially when multiple people join from different locations. This phrase is useful when someone’s audio or video becomes choppy.
Online Meeting Phrase 4: You’re frozen
You’re frozen.
화면이 멈췄어요.
[hwa-myeo-ni-meom-chwo-sseo-yo]
This phrase is often used when someone’s video feed freezes but audio still works. It’s a direct way to let them know that something isn’t right. In Korean online meetings, people might say this with a light chuckle to keep things casual. It’s all part of the shared experience of virtual communication.
Online Meeting Phrase 5: Can you share your screen?
Can you share your screen?
화면 공유해 주시겠어요?
[hwa-myeon-gong-yu-hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?]
If you’re in a team setting or managing a project, you’ll often need to ask someone to share their screen. This phrase is polite and clear, making it perfect for any professional online meeting. You might also hear the shortened version “화면 공유해주세요[hwa-myeon-gong-yu-hae-ju-se-yo]”, which is slightly more casual but still polite.
Navigating a Korean online meeting doesn’t require fluency in the language. Just a few thoughtful expressions can make a big difference. They help you appear more engaged and show respect for your Korean colleagues. Plus, using even a little Korean can build stronger relationships, especially in a culture that values effort and harmony.
Next time you join a virtual call with a Korean team, try using one of these phrases. You might be surprised by how much it improves the flow of communication and how warmly it’s received.
If you want more Korean expressions, checkout my previous posts : 5 Summer-related Expressions
