Planning a trip to Korea? Whether you’re exploring Seoul’s palaces, shopping in Myeongdong, or enjoying street food at Gwangjang Market — knowing a few Korean phrases can make your trip smoother, friendlier, and a lot more fun.
Let’s explore 20 practical Korean expressions that every traveler should learn — no grammar stress, just useful, real-life Korean! 🧳
👋 1. Hello / Goodbye — 안녕하세요 / 안녕히 가세요 (Annyeonghaseyo / Annyeonghi gaseyo)
Use 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) to say “Hello” politely.
When saying goodbye:
- 안녕히 가세요 (Annyeonghi gaseyo) → to someone leaving.
- 안녕히 계세요 (Annyeonghi gyeseyo) → if you’re the one leaving.
💡 With friends, you can just say 안녕 (Annyeong) for both.
🙇♀️ 2. Thank you — 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida)
Use it anytime to show appreciation — when receiving food, help, or directions.
💡 Less formal: 고마워요 (Gomawoyo) — still polite but friendlier.
💬 3. You’re welcome — 아니에요 (Anieyo)
Literally means “It’s nothing” or “No problem.”
This is the most natural and widely used way to say “you’re welcome” in Korea.
🙏 4. Excuse me / Sorry — 죄송합니다 (Joesonghamnida)
Use this to say both “excuse me” and “I’m sorry.”
Super useful in crowded places like subways or markets — when you bump into someone or need to pass through.
💡 미안해요 (Mianhaeyo) means “I’m sorry,” but it’s less formal — best with people you know.
🚕 5. How much is it? — 얼마예요? (Eolmayeyo?)
Essential for shopping! Point to the item and ask politely.
💬 You’ll often hear sellers reply with numbers followed by “원 (won)” — the Korean currency.
For example:
- 1,000원 → cheon won (₩1,000 ≈ $0.70)
- 10,000원 → man won (₩10,000 ≈ $7)
🍽️ 6. Please give me this — 이거 주세요 (Igeo juseyo)
Literally “Please give me this.”
Use it when you don’t know the name of what you want.
💬 If you know it, just say the name + 주세요:
- 김밥 주세요 (Gimbap juseyo) → Please give me gimbap.
- 물 주세요 (Mul juseyo) → Please give me water.
🗺️ 7. Where is…? — …어디예요? (…Eodiyeyo?)
Add any location before it — super versatile for travelers.
Examples:
- 버스 정류장 어디예요? (Beoseu jeongnyujang eodiyeyo?) → Where is the bus stop?
- 화장실 어디예요? (Hwajangsil eodiyeyo?) → Where is the bathroom?
- 약국 어디예요? (Yakkuk eodiyeyo?) → Where is the pharmacy?
- 편의점 어디예요? (Pyeonuijeom eodiyeyo?) → Where is the convenience store?
- 경찰서 어디예요? (Gyeongchalseo eodiyeyo?) → Where is the police station?
🛍️ 8. Check, please — 계산서 주세요 (Gyesanseo juseyo)
Use this when you’re ready to pay at a restaurant.
💡 Many Korean restaurants expect you to pay at the counter, not the table.
💳 9. Card, please — 카드요 (Kadeuyo)
Most places take credit cards — just say this while handing your card.
🧾 10. Do you have…? — …있어요? (…Isseoyo?)
A super practical phrase to ask if something is available.
Examples:
- 와이파이 있어요? (Waipai isseoyo?) → Do you have Wi-Fi?
- 영어 메뉴 있어요? (Yeongeo menyu isseoyo?) → Do you have an English menu?
- 포장 있어요? (Pojang isseoyo?) → Can I take it to go?
- 카드 돼요? (Kadeu dwaeyo?) → Do you take cards?
🍜 11. It’s delicious! — 맛있어요! (Masisseoyo!)
Say this when enjoying your food — Koreans love hearing it!
🧏♀️ 12. Can you repeat that slower, please? — 천천히 말해 주세요 (Cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo)
Perfect when you don’t catch what someone said.
Literal meaning: “Please speak slowly.”
🏨 13. I have a reservation — 예약했어요 (Yeyak haesseoyo)
Use this when checking into hotels or restaurants.
🚶♀️ 14. Can you help me? — 도와주세요 (Dowajuseyo)
Kind and polite — use it if you’re lost, confused, or need assistance.
🧭 15. How do I get to…? — …어떻게 가요? (…Eotteoke gayo?)
Use this to ask for directions.
Examples:
- 명동 어떻게 가요? (Myeongdong eotteoke gayo?) → How do I get to Myeongdong?
- 인사동 어떻게 가요? (Insadong eotteoke gayo?) → How do I get to Insadong?
- 공항 어떻게 가요? (Gonghang eotteoke gayo?) → How do I get to the airport?
- 호텔 어떻게 가요? (Hotel eotteoke gayo?) → How do I get to the hotel?
🚖 16. Please take me to [place] — [장소] 가 주세요 (…Ga juseyo)
Say this to a taxi driver.
Example: 서울역 가 주세요. (Seoul-yeok ga juseyo) → Please take me to Seoul Station.
💡 장소 (jangso) means “place” or “location.” Replace it with your destination.
📅 17. What time does it open/close? — 몇 시에 열어요 / 닫아요? (Myeot sie yeoreoyo / dadayo?)
Essential for sightseeing and stores!
Example: 몇 시에 닫아요? (Myeot sie dadayo?) → What time do you close?
🚑 18. I need a doctor — 의사 필요해요 (Uisa pilyohaeyo)
Say this if you feel unwell and need medical help.
☎️ 19. Please call a taxi — 택시 불러 주세요 (Taeksi bulleo juseyo)
Useful at hotels or restaurants when you need help getting a cab.
🐯 20. I’m having so much fun! — 너무 재미있어요 (Neomu jaemiisseoyo)
Perfect for sharing joy with locals — it means “I’m having a great time!”
Ready to keep learning korean?
Learning a few key phrases can make your trip unforgettable — from ordering street food to chatting with locals. But to really connect in Korean, it’s time to go a bit deeper.
👉 Continue with 🎯Lesson 02 — Greetings & Natural Expressions
In this lesson, you’ll discover real Korean greetings, self-introductions, thank-yous, apologies, and natural expressions used every day.
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