Daily life
외국인등록증 / Oegugin-deungnokjeung
weh-gu-gin deung-nok-jeung
The Alien Registration Card. Its 13-digit number is what Korean systems recognise you by. Register within 90 days of arrival.
보증금 / Bojeunggeum
bo-jeung-geum
The rental deposit — refundable, and much larger than most countries. Even a monthly-rent flat usually wants ₩5-30 million.
전세 / 월세 — Jeonse / Wolse
jeon-se / wol-se
The two lease types. Jeonse is a lump sum of 50-80% of the property's value with no monthly rent, returned at the end; wolse is a smaller deposit plus rent. Newcomers take wolse.
확정일자 / Hwakjeong-ilja
hwak-jeong il-ja
The 'fixed date' stamped on your lease. With the move-in report it gives your deposit priority over later creditors. Never skip it.
전입신고 / Jeonip-singo
jeo-nip-shin-go
The move-in report at your district office. File it on the day you take possession — the protection it creates only begins at midnight the next day.
등기부등본 / Deunggibu-deungbon
deung-gi-bu deung-bon
The property register. Anyone can pull it online for a small fee. It shows who owns the flat and what is mortgaged against it — read it before any money moves.
인천대교 / Incheon Daegyo
in-cheon dae-gyo
The Incheon Bridge to Yeongjong and the airport. Tolled, like the older Yeongjong Bridge — factor it in before renting on the island.
여기 세워 주세요 / Yeogi sewo juseyo
yeo-gi se-wo ju-se-yo
Please stop here — useful in a taxi from the airport when the driver's route and your building's entrance disagree.
Work
경제자유구역 / Gyeongje-jayu-guyeok
gyeong-je ja-yu gu-yeok
Free Economic Zone. Songdo, Cheongna and Yeongjong form the Incheon FEZ, which has its own planning, land and local-tax regime — though not the corporate tax holiday older guides promise.
Culture
짜장면 / Jjajangmyeon
jja-jang-myeon
Black bean noodles — invented in Incheon's Chinatown by Shandong migrants, and now the most eaten dish in Korea. There is a museum about it here.
Emergency
도와주세요! / Dowajuseyo!
do-wa-ju-se-yo
Help me! — 112 for police, 119 for fire and ambulance, free from any phone.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.