Korean for Intermediate Learners: Reporting a Lost Passport
Learn to say 'I've lost my passport' in Korean, describe the situation, and understand the steps to report it at a police station or embassy.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Losing your passport in Korea is stressful, but knowing the right phrases can make the process smoother. This lesson focuses on the specific language you need to report a lost passport. You will learn how to state that you have lost your passport, ask where to go, and understand instructions from police officers or embassy staff. The phrases use polite formal speech (존댓말), which is appropriate for official situations. By the end, you will be able to handle the initial conversation and know what to expect next.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I have lost my passport' in polite Korean.
- ask where the nearest police station or embassy is.
- understand and respond to basic questions about the loss.
- request a police report for insurance or embassy purposes.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
여권을 잃어버렸어요.
I have lost my passport.
yeo-gwoneul irheobeoryeosseoyo
Use this as your opening statement. It is polite and direct. The verb 잃어버리다 means 'to lose' and is in the past tense.
여권을 도난당했어요.
My passport was stolen.
yeo-gwoneul donandanghaesseoyo
Use this if you believe your passport was stolen, not just lost. It is important for the police report.
가장 가까운 경찰서가 어디예요?
Where is the nearest police station?
gajang gakkaun gyeongchalseoga eodiyeyo?
Ask this to find a police station. You need a police report to get a new passport.
경찰 보고서를 받을 수 있을까요?
Can I get a police report?
gyeongchal bogoseoreul badeul su isseulkkayo?
Use this at the police station to request a copy of the report. You will need it for the embassy.
대사관에 연락해야 해요.
I need to contact the embassy.
daesagwane yeollakhaeya haeyo
Say this to explain your next step. Replace 대사관 with your country's embassy if needed.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To report a lost item, use the pattern 'Noun + 을/를 잃어버렸어요.' The object particle 을/를 marks what was lost. For example, 여권을 잃어버렸어요 (I lost my passport), 지갑을 잃어버렸어요 (I lost my wallet). If the item was stolen, use 'Noun + 을/를 도난당했어요.' This pattern is essential for police reports. Note that the verb ending -어요 makes it polite and suitable for strangers or officials.
When to use it
Use these phrases immediately when you realize your passport is missing. Start with 여권을 잃어버렸어요 to a police officer or embassy staff. If you are unsure whether it was lost or stolen, use the lost version first; the police will ask further questions. When asking for help, use the question form -을까요? to soften requests, as in 경찰 보고서를 받을 수 있을까요? This shows respect and is common in service interactions.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요, 여권을 잃어버렸어요. 도와주세요.
Hello, I have lost my passport. Please help me.annyeonghaseyo, yeo-gwoneul irheobeoryeosseoyo. dowajuseyo.언제 어디에서 잃어버리셨어요?
When and where did you lose it?eonje eodieseo irheobeorisyeosseoyo?오늘 아침에 지하철에서 잃어버렸어요. 경찰 보고서를 받을 수 있을까요?
I lost it on the subway this morning. Can I get a police report?oneul achime jihacheoreseo irheobeoryeosseoyo. gyeongchal bogoseoreul badeul su isseulkkayo?네, 여기 보고서가 있습니다. 대사관에도 연락하세요.
Yes, here is the report. Also contact your embassy.ne, yeogi bogoseoga itseumnida. daesagwando yeollakhaseyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korea, police officers and embassy staff are addressed with polite formal language (존댓말). Using -요 endings is standard and respectful. When speaking to officials, avoid casual speech (반말) unless you have a close relationship. Additionally, the police report (경찰 보고서) is a crucial document for both the embassy and insurance claims. Keep a copy for your records.
One thing to watch for
Using the casual form '여권을 잃어버렸어' with a police officer or embassy staff.
Try this instead: Always use the polite form '여권을 잃어버렸어요' in official situations. The casual form is only for close friends or children. For example, say '여권을 잃어버렸어요' to a police officer.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'I have lost my passport' in polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
여권을 잃어버렸어요.
This is the standard polite phrase. You could also say '여권을 분실했어요' which is more formal, but '잃어버렸어요' is more common in speech.
2What should you say to ask for a police report?
Show a sample answer
경찰 보고서를 받을 수 있을까요?
This politely asks if you can receive a police report. Another option is '경찰 보고서를 주세요' (Please give me a police report), but the question form is softer.
3If you think your passport was stolen, what phrase should you use?
Show a sample answer
여권을 도난당했어요.
This specifically means 'My passport was stolen.' It is important to distinguish between lost and stolen for the police report.
Remember to use polite language (존댓말) when reporting a lost passport. Start with '여권을 잃어버렸어요' and ask for a police report with '경찰 보고서를 받을 수 있을까요?' Then contact your embassy.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Korean into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr