Korean Phrases for Using a Coin Locker in Korea
Korean phrases for a 짐 보관함 (jim bogwanham, luggage locker) combine a location question and a price check. Say 짐 보관함 어디 있어요? (jim bogwanham eodi isseoyo?), "Where is the luggage locker?" at a subway hub or bus terminal, then 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?), "How much is it?" before the door locks. Pattern 04 — 어디 있어요? (eodi isseoyo?) — is the line you use at every major 역 (yeok, station).
- Find the lockers: 짐 보관함 어디 있어요? (jim bogwanham eodi isseoyo?)
- Ask the price: 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?), "How much is it?"
- Need a bigger size: 큰 사이즈 있어요? (keun saijeu isseoyo?), "Is there a large size?"
- How long can I store: 몇 시간까지요? (myeot sigan kkajiyo?), "Until what time?"
- Open again: 다시 열어 주세요 (dasi yeoreo juseyo), "Please open it again."
How do you find and pay for a locker at the station?
Lockers sit near exits or customer service corners — signs say 보관함 (bogwanham) or show a suitcase icon.
- Ask 짐 보관함 어디 있어요? at the information desk if signs are unclear.
- Tap the screen or read the label for size — point and ask 큰 사이즈 있어요?
- Confirm 얼마예요? before payment — some take coins, others take card only.
- Store your bag, keep the ticket or SMS code the machine prints.
- Before leaving, check 몇 시간까지요? so you are not surprised by overtime fees.
| Situation | Say this |
|---|---|
| Where are lockers? | 짐 보관함 어디 있어요? (jim bogwanham eodi isseoyo?) |
| Price | 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) |
| Large size | 큰 사이즈 있어요? (keun saijeu isseoyo?) |
| Time limit | 몇 시간까지요? (myeot sigan kkajiyo?) |
| Stuck locker | 다시 열어 주세요 (dasi yeoreo juseyo) |
Practice this out loud with SULSUL — the app says it, you repeat it →
What does staff say when you ask?
Station staff answer with a floor number or a direction — catch 1층 (ilcheung, first floor) or 출구 쪽 (chulgu jjok, exit side).
You: 짐 보관함 어디 있어요? — jim bogwanham eodi isseoyo? — "Where is the luggage locker?"
Them: 1층 3번 출구 옆이에요. — ilcheung sam beon chulgu yeop-ieyo. — "Next to Exit 3 on the first floor."
You: 감사합니다. — gamsahamnida. — "Thank you."
If your locker will not reopen, take the receipt to the desk and say 다시 열어 주세요 — Pattern 23 polite request. For KTX station navigation, see Korean phrases for buying a KTX train ticket.
What usually goes wrong with station lockers?
Travelers pick the smallest compartment and force a carry-on shut — 큰 사이즈 있어요? before paying avoids the jammed-door panic.
A second mistake is missing the time limit. 몇 시간까지요? at the start is cheaper than paying the overtime fine. For finding your platform after you collect your bag, asking for directions on the subway covers the next step.
Say it out loud, not just in your head
You need these lines when both hands are full and the locker screen is in Korean only.
SULSUL is a speaking gym for exactly that moment: pick a survival pattern, say it out loud, get an instant fix from the AI pronunciation coach, then run the real situation as a mission. The 100-pattern PDF workbook comes along as a bonus.
