Korean Phrases for Sending a Package at the Post Office
Korean phrases for sending a package at the post office come down to one opening line and two follow-ups. Say 택배 보내고 싶어요 (taekbae bonaego sipeoyo), "I'd like to send a package," then name the destination country and choose air or surface mail when the clerk asks.
- Open with 택배 보내고 싶어요 (taekbae bonaego sipeoyo), "I'd like to send a package."
- Name the country: 미국으로 보내요 (migugeuro bonaeyo), "I'm sending it to the United States."
- Ask about speed: 항공편으로 보낼 수 있어요? (hanggongpyeoneuro bonael su isseoyo?), "Can I send it by air?"
- If you miss a word, say 다시 말해 주세요 (dasi malhae juseyo), "Please say that again."
How do you walk up to the counter?
Korean post offices — 우체국 (ucheguk) — usually have a dedicated counter for domestic parcels and another for international mail. Look for 국제 우편 (gukje upyeon, international mail) on the sign above the window.
You: 안녕하세요, 택배 보내고 싶어요. — annyeonghaseyo, taekbae bonaego sipeoyo. — "Hello, I'd like to send a package."
Them: 어디로 보내세요? — eodiro bonaeseyo? — "Where are you sending it?"
You: 미국으로 보내요. — migugeuro bonaeyo. — "I'm sending it to the United States."
| Situation | Say this |
|---|---|
| Start at the counter | 택배 보내고 싶어요 (taekbae bonaego sipeoyo) |
| Name destination | 미국으로 보내요 (migugeuro bonaeyo) |
| Ask about air mail | 항공편으로 보낼 수 있어요? (hanggongpyeoneuro bonael su isseoyo?) |
| Need a box | 상자 있어요? (sangja isseoyo?) |
| Get tracking number | 송장 번호 알려 주세요 (songjang beonho allyeo juseyo) |
Practice this out loud with SULSUL — the app says it, you repeat it →
What does the clerk ask after the destination?
Once you name the country, the clerk asks about weight and delivery speed. These replies are short — one phrase each, no full sentences needed.
You: 항공편으로 보낼 수 있어요? — hanggongpyeoneuro bonael su isseoyo? — "Can I send it by air?"
Them: 네, 가능해요. 무게를 재 볼게요. — ne, ganeunghaeyo. muge-reul jae bolgeyo. — "Yes, that's possible. I'll weigh it."
You: 네, 감사합니다. — ne, gamsahamnida. — "Yes, thank you."
If you need the package to arrive faster, ask 특급으로 보낼 수 있어요? (teukgeubeuro bonael su isseoyo?), "Can I send it express?" The clerk prints a label and gives you a 송장 번호 (songjang beonho, tracking number). If asked about contents, say 옷이에요 (osieyo), "It's clothes," or 선물이에요 (seonmurieyo), "It's a gift."
What usually goes wrong before you even arrive?
Travelers often find the post office but cannot locate the international counter. Use the textbook direction pattern 어디 있어요? (eodi isseoyo?) at the entrance.
You: 저기요, 국제 우편 어디 있어요? — jeogiyo, gukje upyeon eodi isseoyo? — "Excuse me, where is international mail?"
Them: 2층 오른쪽이에요. — icheung oreunjjog-ieyo. — "It's on the second floor, to the right."
You: 감사합니다. — gamsahamnida. — "Thank you."
A second mistake is bringing an unpackaged item without asking for a box first. Say 상자 있어요? (sangja isseoyo?), "Do you have a box?" before you start filling out the form. If you also need to ask someone on the street how to get there, see asking for directions on the Korean subway — the same 어디예요? (eodiyeyo?) pattern works there too.
Say it out loud, not just in your head
Reading 택배 보내고 싶어요 here is not the same as saying it while a clerk is waiting for your destination.
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.
