TOPIK I Vocab: Public Rules & Etiquette

Agent Progress
Built
Keywords
규칙 / 예절 / 금지 / 주의
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
TOPIK I Prep
💡
TL;DR
  • Public-rule vocabulary often appears in TOPIK I signs, notices, and short announcements.
  • Learn the difference between 금지 “prohibited,” 주의 “caution,” 규칙 “rule,” and 예절 “manners/etiquette.”
  • In questions, match the sign’s purpose: do not do, be careful, must do, or act politely.
🎧
🎧 Helper Note
Read each Korean sign or notice aloud once. Public-rule Korean is short and formulaic, so sounding out phrases like 들어가지 마세요, 조용히 하세요, and 사진을 찍지 마세요 helps you recognize them quickly on TOPIK I.

🔑 The Big Picture

TOPIK I often tests vocabulary through everyday public situations: libraries, buses, museums, parks, schools, restaurants, hospitals, and apartment buildings. The language is usually short, but one keyword can change the meaning completely.
Public rules and etiquette vocabulary helps you answer questions like:
  • What is not allowed here?
  • What should people be careful about?
  • What should visitors do?
  • Where would you see this notice?

🧩 Core Concepts / Patterns

1. 금지: saying something is not allowed

Use 금지 when an action is prohibited.
  • 출입 금지 = No entry
  • 주차 금지 = No parking
  • 흡연 금지 = No smoking
  • 촬영 금지 = No photography/filming
  • 음식물 반입 금지 = No food or drink allowed inside
Common sentence pattern:
  • V-지 마세요 = Please do not V
    • 뛰지 마세요. = Please do not run.
    • 만지지 마세요. = Please do not touch.
    • 사진을 찍지 마세요. = Please do not take photos.

2. 주의: warning or caution

Use 주의 when people need to be careful.
  • 주의하세요 = Please be careful
  • 미끄러우니 주의하세요 = It is slippery, so be careful
  • 문이 닫힙니다 = The door is closing
  • 뜨거우니 조심하세요 = It is hot, so be careful
Related word:
  • 조심하다 = to be careful

3. 규칙: required behavior

A 규칙 is a rule people should follow.
  • 차례를 지키세요 = Please wait your turn
  • 안전벨트를 매세요 = Please fasten your seat belt
  • 표를 보여 주세요 = Please show your ticket
  • 손을 씻으세요 = Please wash your hands
Common sentence pattern:
  • V-(으)세요 = Please V / Do V
    • 앉으세요. = Please sit.
    • 기다리세요. = Please wait.
    • 휴대 전화를 꺼 주세요. = Please turn off your phone.

4. 예절: polite public behavior

예절 means manners or etiquette. It is less about official prohibition and more about respectful behavior.
  • 조용히 하세요 = Please be quiet
  • 큰 소리로 말하지 마세요 = Please do not speak loudly
  • 자리를 양보하세요 = Please give up your seat
  • 쓰레기를 버리지 마세요 = Please do not throw trash

✅ Exam Strategy

  1. Find the action verb first.
      2. Words like 찍다, 먹다, 뛰다, 들어가다, 만지다, and 버리다 tell you what the rule is about.
  1. Check if the sentence is positive or negative.
      • 하세요 / 해 주세요 = do it
      • 하지 마세요 / 금지 = do not do it
  1. Match the place to the rule.
      • 도서관 → 조용히 하세요, 음식물을 먹지 마세요
      • 박물관 → 사진을 찍지 마세요, 만지지 마세요
      • 버스/지하철 → 노약자석, 안전, 양보
      • 병원 → 휴대 전화 사용 금지, 조용히
  1. Do not over-translate.
      2. TOPIK signs are often shorter than English signs. Focus on meaning, not word-for-word translation.

⚠️ Pitfalls

  • 주의 does not always mean “danger.” It often just means “be careful.”
  • 금지 means an action is not allowed, not just “not recommended.”
  • 예절 questions may not use the word 예절. They may test polite behavior with phrases like 조용히, 차례, 양보, or 큰 소리.
  • -지 마세요 is negative. If you miss 지 마세요, you may choose the opposite answer.
  • 반입 금지 means “bringing something inside is prohibited,” not “eating is prohibited.” In many notices, the object matters.
📝
Practice Hub: Public Rules & Etiquette — 50 Questions
Use the 2-step method: first identify the rule word (금지 / 주의 / 하세요 / 하지 마세요), then choose the action or place that matches.

Set 1 — Match the sign meaning

Choose the best meaning.
  1. 출입 금지
    1. You may enter.
    2. Do not enter.
    3. Please wait here.
    4. Please buy a ticket.
  1. 주차 금지
    1. No parking.
    2. Free parking.
    3. Parking ticket.
    4. Parking entrance.
  1. 흡연 금지
    1. No smoking.
    2. Smoking room.
    3. Smoke carefully.
    4. Open the window.
  1. 촬영 금지
    1. No talking.
    2. No eating.
    3. No photography or filming.
    4. No running.
  1. 음식물 반입 금지
    1. Do not bring food or drink inside.
    2. Please buy food here.
    3. Please eat quickly.
    4. Please clean the table.
  1. 미끄럼 주의
    1. Watch your step because it is slippery.
    2. Please take off your shoes.
    3. Please wash the floor.
    4. Do not open the door.
  1. 조용히 하세요
    1. Please be quiet.
    2. Please speak loudly.
    3. Please come early.
    4. Please sit down.
  1. 차례를 지키세요
    1. Please wait your turn.
    2. Please throw trash away.
    3. Please take a picture.
    4. Please open the window.
  1. 안전벨트를 매세요
    1. Please fasten your seat belt.
    2. Please take your bag.
    3. Please change seats.
    4. Please call now.
  1. 손을 씻으세요
    1. Please wash your hands.
    2. Please wash your clothes.
    3. Please clean the room.
    4. Please turn off the water.
Answers — Set 1
  1. 2 — 출입 금지 means entry is prohibited.
  1. 1 — 주차 금지 means parking is prohibited.
  1. 1 — 흡연 금지 means smoking is prohibited.
  1. 3 — 촬영 means taking photos or filming.
  1. 1 — 반입 means bringing something inside.
  1. 1 — 미끄럼 means slipperiness; 주의 means caution.
  1. 1 — 조용히 means quietly.
  1. 1 — 차례 means turn/order in line.
  1. 1 — 안전벨트 is a seat belt; 매다 means fasten/wear.
  1. 1 — 손 means hands and 씻다 means wash.

Set 2 — Choose the correct rule

Choose the Korean notice that fits the situation.
  1. You are in a library. People should not speak loudly.
    1. 큰 소리로 말하지 마세요.
    2. 사진을 찍으세요.
    3. 문을 닫지 마세요.
    4. 음식을 주문하세요.
  1. You are in a museum. Visitors should not touch the artwork.
    1. 작품을 만지지 마세요.
    2. 작품을 사세요.
    3. 작품을 가져가세요.
    4. 작품을 버리세요.
  1. You are on a bus. Passengers should give seats to elderly people.
    1. 자리를 양보하세요.
    2. 자리를 예약하세요.
    3. 자리를 청소하세요.
    4. 자리를 찍으세요.
  1. The floor is wet. People should be careful.
    1. 바닥이 젖었으니 조심하세요.
    2. 바닥에서 자세요.
    3. 바닥을 먹지 마세요.
    4. 바닥을 예약하세요.
  1. In a hospital, people should turn off their phones.
    1. 휴대 전화를 꺼 주세요.
    2. 휴대 전화를 사 주세요.
    3. 휴대 전화를 열어 주세요.
    4. 휴대 전화를 만들어 주세요.
  1. At the park, people should not throw trash.
    1. 쓰레기를 버리지 마세요.
    2. 쓰레기를 읽지 마세요.
    3. 쓰레기를 마시지 마세요.
    4. 쓰레기를 입지 마세요.
  1. At the entrance, people must show a ticket.
    1. 표를 보여 주세요.
    2. 표를 버려 주세요.
    3. 표를 씻어 주세요.
    4. 표를 닫아 주세요.
  1. In a restaurant, people should wait their turn.
    1. 차례를 지키세요.
    2. 차례를 마시세요.
    3. 차례를 찍으세요.
    4. 차례를 닫으세요.
  1. At a construction area, people should not enter.
    1. 들어가지 마세요.
    2. 들어오세요.
    3. 들어 보세요.
    4. 들어 주세요.
  1. On the subway, people should not run.
    1. 뛰지 마세요.
    2. 뛰세요.
    3. 뛰어 오세요.
    4. 뛰어 주세요.
Answers — Set 2
  1. 1 — 큰 소리로 말하지 마세요 means do not speak loudly.
  1. 1 — 만지지 마세요 means do not touch.
  1. 1 — 양보하세요 means please yield/give up your seat.
  1. 1 — 젖다 means to be wet; 조심하세요 means be careful.
  1. 1 — 끄다 means turn off.
  1. 1 — 버리지 마세요 means do not throw away/drop.
  1. 1 — 보여 주세요 means please show.
  1. 1 — 차례를 지키세요 means keep/wait your turn.
  1. 1 — 들어가지 마세요 means do not go in.
  1. 1 — 뛰지 마세요 means do not run.

Set 3 — Read the notice and answer

Choose the best answer.
  1. Notice: 도서관입니다. 조용히 공부하세요.
What should people do?
  1. Study quietly.
  1. Sing loudly.
  1. Take pictures.
  1. Buy books.
  1. Notice: 박물관 안에서 사진을 찍지 마세요.
What is not allowed?
  1. Taking photos.
  1. Reading books.
  1. Buying tickets.
  1. Walking slowly.
  1. Notice: 계단이 미끄럽습니다. 조심하세요.
Why should people be careful?
  1. The stairs are slippery.
  1. The stairs are expensive.
  1. The stairs are closed.
  1. The stairs are short.
  1. Notice: 버스 안에서 음식을 먹지 마세요.
Where might you see this?
  1. On a bus.
  1. In a bank.
  1. In a kitchen.
  1. At a hotel.
  1. Notice: 여기에 자전거를 세우지 마세요.
What should people not do here?
  1. Park bicycles.
  1. Ride buses.
  1. Wash cars.
  1. Buy bicycles.
  1. Notice: 어린이 보호 구역입니다. 천천히 운전하세요.
What should drivers do?
  1. Drive slowly.
  1. Drive fast.
  1. Park anywhere.
  1. Take a taxi.
  1. Notice: 엘리베이터 문이 닫힙니다. 주의하세요.
What is happening?
  1. The elevator door is closing.
  1. The elevator is broken.
  1. The elevator is free.
  1. The elevator is new.
  1. Notice: 화장실을 깨끗이 사용하세요.
What is the rule?
  1. Use the restroom cleanly.
  1. Do not use the restroom.
  1. Sleep in the restroom.
  1. Take photos in the restroom.
  1. Notice: 노약자석입니다. 자리를 양보해 주세요.
What kind of seat is this?
  1. A priority seat.
  1. A restaurant seat.
  1. A movie seat.
  1. A student desk.
  1. Notice: 공원에 쓰레기를 버리지 마세요.
What should people not do?
  1. Throw trash in the park.
  1. Walk in the park.
  1. Sit in the park.
  1. Meet friends in the park.
Answers — Set 3
  1. 1 — 조용히 공부하세요 means study quietly.
  1. 1 — 사진을 찍지 마세요 means do not take pictures.
  1. 1 — 계단이 미끄럽습니다 means the stairs are slippery.
  1. 1 — The notice says 버스 안에서, inside the bus.
  1. 1 — 자전거를 세우다 means to park/stand a bicycle.
  1. 1 — 천천히 운전하세요 means drive slowly.
  1. 1 — 문이 닫힙니다 means the door is closing.
  1. 1 — 깨끗이 사용하세요 means use it cleanly.
  1. 1 — 노약자석 is a priority seat for elderly, weak, pregnant, or disabled passengers.
  1. 1 — 쓰레기를 버리지 마세요 means do not throw trash.

Set 4 — Vocabulary in context

Choose the word that best completes the sentence.
  1. 도서관에서는 ( ) 해야 합니다.
    1. 조용히
    2. 빨리
    3. 크게
    4. 늦게
  1. 여기에서 담배를 피울 수 없습니다. ( ) 금지입니다.
    1. 흡연
    2. 사진
    3. 주차
    4. 입장
  1. 바닥이 미끄럽습니다. ( )하세요.
    1. 조심
    2. 주문
    3. 예약
    4. 도착
  1. 박물관에서는 작품을 ( ) 마세요.
    1. 만지지
    2. 마시지
    3. 입지
    4. 읽지
  1. 병원에서는 휴대 전화를 ( ) 주세요.
    1. 꺼
    2. 먹어
    3. 걸어
    4. 씻어
  1. 줄을 설 때는 ( )를 지키세요.
    1. 차례
    2. 날씨
    3. 이름
    4. 음식
  1. 버스에서 어르신께 자리를 ( )하세요.
    1. 양보
    2. 촬영
    3. 반입
    4. 주차
  1. 이곳은 위험합니다. ( ) 금지입니다.
    1. 출입
    2. 설거지
    3. 숙제
    4. 쇼핑
  1. 공연 중에는 사진 ( ) 금지입니다.
    1. 촬영
    2. 세탁
    3. 운동
    4. 공부
  1. 공공장소에서는 예절을 ( ) 합니다.
    1. 지켜야
    2. 사야
    3. 잊어야
    4. 열어야
Answers — Set 4
  1. 1 — In a library, people should be 조용히, quiet/quietly.
  1. 1 — 흡연 금지 means no smoking.
  1. 1 — 조심하세요 means be careful.
  1. 1 — 만지지 마세요 means do not touch.
  1. 1 — 휴대 전화를 꺼 주세요 means please turn off your phone.
  1. 1 — 차례를 지키세요 means wait your turn.
  1. 1 — 양보하세요 means please yield/give up.
  1. 1 — 출입 금지 means no entry.
  1. 1 — 촬영 금지 means no photography/filming.
  1. 1 — 예절을 지키다 means to follow/observe etiquette.

Set 5 — TOPIK-style sign questions

Choose the most appropriate answer.
  1. Sign: 음식물 반입 금지
Which person is following the rule?
  1. A person leaves a drink outside before entering.
  1. A person eats bread inside.
  1. A person brings coffee inside.
  1. A person shares snacks inside.
  1. Sign: 주차 금지
What should a driver do?
  1. Park somewhere else.
  1. Park here for free.
  1. Wash the car here.
  1. Wait in the car all day.
  1. Sign: 큰 소리로 통화하지 마세요
What is the rule?
  1. Do not talk loudly on the phone.
  1. Do not buy a phone.
  1. Do not charge a phone.
  1. Do not lose a phone.
  1. Sign: 애완동물 출입 금지
Who cannot enter?
  1. Pets.
  1. Students.
  1. Teachers.
  1. Drivers.
  1. Sign: 문을 꼭 닫아 주세요
What should people do?
  1. Close the door firmly.
  1. Open the door quickly.
  1. Paint the door.
  1. Stand near the door.
  1. Sign: 물건을 두고 가지 마세요
What should people be careful about?
  1. Leaving belongings behind.
  1. Buying expensive things.
  1. Carrying heavy things.
  1. Cleaning old things.
  1. Sign: 기다리는 곳
What is this place for?
  1. Waiting.
  1. Cooking.
  1. Sleeping.
  1. Exercising.
  1. Sign: 노약자석
What should you do if an elderly person gets on the bus?
  1. Offer the seat.
  1. Take a picture.
  1. Eat food.
  1. Open a book.
  1. Sign: 복도에서 뛰지 마세요
Where should people not run?
  1. In the hallway.
  1. In the kitchen.
  1. At the beach.
  1. At the bank.
  1. Sign: 사용 후 물을 내려 주세요
Where would you most likely see this?
  1. In a restroom.
  1. In a bookstore.
  1. At a bus stop.
  1. In a museum.
Answers — Set 5
  1. 1 — 반입 금지 means bringing food/drink inside is not allowed.
  1. 1 — 주차 금지 means no parking here.
  1. 1 — 큰 소리로 통화하지 마세요 means do not talk loudly on the phone.
  1. 1 — 애완동물 means pets.
  1. 1 — 꼭 닫아 주세요 means please close it firmly/completely.
  1. 1 — 두고 가다 means to leave something behind.
  1. 1 — 기다리는 곳 means waiting area/place.
  1. 1 — A 노약자석 is a priority seat, so giving up the seat is appropriate.
  1. 1 — 복도 means hallway.
  1. 1 — 물을 내려 주세요 means please flush, so this is usually in a restroom.

Quick Review

  • 금지 = not allowed: 출입 금지, 흡연 금지, 촬영 금지
  • 주의 / 조심 = be careful: 미끄럼 주의, 문이 닫힙니다
  • 규칙 = rule to follow: 차례를 지키세요, 표를 보여 주세요
  • 예절 = polite public behavior: 조용히 하세요, 양보하세요, 쓰레기를 버리지 마세요