Important Phrases You Need to Know When In Korea

South Korea’s surge in popularity as a travel hotspot, driven by its vibrant culture, delicious cuisine, and K-pop influence, draws visitors from around the globe. To enhance your experience and navigate the country with ease, learning a few essential Korean phrases is highly recommended. While digital translation tools are helpful, they aren’t always reliable or readily available. This guide provides a list of practical Korean phrases (with phonetic spellings) to help you communicate effectively and avoid potential misunderstandings during your trip. Consider printing it out for easy reference!

Basics

Hello/How are you – Annyeong haseyo
Goodbye – Annyeonghi gaseyo
Thank you – Gamsa hamnida
I’m sorry – Mian hamnida
My name is – Je ireu meun (name) imnida
I come from – Jeo neun (place) eseo wasseumnida
Do you understand me? – Ihae hasheo sseoyo?
Can you speak English? – Yeongeo halsu issuem nikka?
Help! – Towa juseyo

Phrases for shopping

Is there/Do you have (object)? – (object) isseoyo?
How much? – Olma eyo?
This is so expensive – Bi ssa yo
Can I have a discount? – Kka kka ju seyo?

Phrases for eating

Can I have the bill? – Gye san seo ju seyo?
Please give me more side dishes – Banchan choo seyo
Please give me water – Mool choo seyo
Non-spicy – An mebge he juseyo
Delicious – Mashi soyo

Directions

Where is the (place)? – (Place) eodi yeyo?
Where is Bae Yong Joon? – Bae Yong Joon eodi yeyo?
How long does it take? – Eol mana geol lim nikka?
Please call me a taxi – Taeksi jom bulleo juseyo
Please stop here – Seweo juseyo
This *pointing to something* – I geot
That *pointing to something* – Jeo geot

Words

Airport – Gong hang
Subway – Jiha cheol
Taxi – Taek si
Toilet – Hwa jang sil
Hotel – Hotel
Restaurant – Sik dang
Marketplace – Si jang
Entrance – Ip gu
Exit – Chul gu
Drinking water – Naeng su
Tea – Chah
Beer – Maek ju
Coffee – Koh pee

Also read: 10 Things To Do In Seoul, South Korea

Numbers/Time

0 – Gong
1 – Il
2 – Ee
3 – Sam
4 – Sa
5 – O
6 – Yuk
7 – Chil
8 – Pal
9 – Gu
10 – Sip
1000 – Cheon
2000 – Ee cheon
10,000 – Man
100,000 – Simman
1,000,000 – Baengman
Now – Ji geum
Later – Na junge
Yesterday – Eo je
Today – Oneul
Tomorrow – Naeil
Morning – A chim
Afternoon – Ohu
Evening – Jeon yeok
Night – Bam

Also read: Budget Travel: 12 Days in South Korea with Just SGD1600