Fifty Korean phrases for your trip to Korea, as a five-day plan of ten a day: greetings and manners, café and restaurant, paying and shops, getting around and signs, hotel and help. Every card has romanised pronunciation, a real example exchange and a tip on when to use it and what catches tourists out, plus a bonus group of numbers 1–10. About 10 minutes a day.
CEFR A1 — Beginner
At this level you can introduce yourself, order food, ask directions. Vocabulary: ~500 words (cumulative).
Phrases you'll learn
How do you say “Hello (any time of day)” in Korean?
“Hello (any time of day)” is “안녕하세요” in Korean. For example: 어서 오세요! – 안녕하세요. — Welcome! – Hello.
How do you say “Good night (bedtime only; there is no 'good evening')” in Korean?
“Good night (bedtime only; there is no 'good evening')” is “안녕히 주무세요” in Korean. For example: 안녕히 주무세요. – 네, 수고하세요. — Good night. – Thanks, good night (lit. keep up the good work).
How do you say “Please (give me…) / …, please” in Korean?
“Please (give me…) / …, please” is “…주세요” in Korean. For example: 물 좀 주세요. – 네, 잠시만요. — Some water, please. – Yes, just a moment.
How do you say “Thank you” in Korean?
“Thank you” is “감사합니다” in Korean. For example: 감사합니다! – 네, 안녕히 가세요. — Thank you! – Sure, goodbye.
Korean → English60 words~6 days at 10 words/day0 downloadsA1A2
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One greeting covers morning, afternoon and evening. Staff shout 'eoseo oseyo!' (welcome) as you walk in; a nod or a soft 'annyeonghaseyo' is the whole reply, and a small bow of the head goes with it instead of a handshake. The bare 'annyeong' is for kids and close friends, never for staff.
안녕히 주무세요A1formal
annyeonghi jumuseyo (an-nyeong-hi ju-mu-se-yo)
잠자리에 들기 전에 하는 인사. 저녁 인사는 따로 없고 '안녕하세요'를 쓴다.
Good night (bedtime only; there is no 'good evening')
안녕히 주무세요. – 네, 수고하세요.
Good night. – Thanks, good night (lit. keep up the good work).
Korean has no greeting that switches on in the evening: 'annyeonghaseyo' is right at 9 pm as at 9 am. This is the one time-based greeting, and you will mostly hear it rather than say it: hotel and guesthouse staff say it (or 'pyeonhi swiseyo', rest well) as you head up to bed, and the natural reply to staff is 'ne, sugohaseyo' or 'gamsahamnida'. Say it yourself only to a guesthouse or homestay host; never when leaving a restaurant. Friends and family get 'jal ja' (sleep well).
…주세요A1
juseyo (ju-se-yo)
무엇을 달라고 정중하게 부탁할 때 물건 이름 뒤에 붙이는 말.
Synonyms:좀, 부탁드립니다
Please (give me…) / …, please
물 좀 주세요. – 네, 잠시만요.
Some water, please. – Yes, just a moment.
There is no standalone 'please': you name the thing, then end with 'juseyo' (please give me). Slip 'jom' in front of it ('mul jom juseyo') and the request sounds softer, which is the Korean equivalent of adding 'please'. For a favour rather than an object, 'butakdeurimnida' (I ask this of you) is the polite closer.
감사합니다A1formal
gamsahamnida (gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
고마움을 나타내는 정중한 말. 답은 보통 '네' 또는 '아니에요'.
Synonyms:고맙습니다
Thank you
감사합니다! – 네, 안녕히 가세요.
Thank you! – Sure, goodbye.
'Gamsahamnida' and 'gomapseumnida' are interchangeable; both are polite enough for anyone. The textbook 'cheonmaneyo' (you're welcome) is rarely said; you will hear 'ne' (sure), 'anieyo' (it's nothing) or just a bow. Korea has no tipping: not in restaurants, taxis or hotels, and a note left on the table will be handed back to you. The thank-you and a nod are the tip.
저기요 / 죄송합니다A1
jeogiyo / joesonghamnida (jwe-song-ham-ni-da)
'저기요'는 직원이나 사람을 부를 때, '죄송합니다'는 사과할 때 쓴다.
Synonyms:실례합니다, 여기요
Excuse me (to call staff) / Sorry
저기요! 주문할게요. – 네, 갈게요.
Excuse me! We'd like to order. – Yes, coming.
Two different words. 'Jeogiyo' (literally 'over there') is how you call a waiter or stop a passer-by; say it clearly across the room, it is normal, and many restaurants have a call button on the table for the same job. For bumping into someone or a mild apology say 'joesonghamnida'; to interrupt a stranger with a question, 'sillyehamnida' (excuse me).
잠시만요A1
jamsimanyo (jam-si-man-yo)
사람 사이를 지나가거나 잠깐 기다려 달라고 할 때 쓰는 말.
Synonyms:지나갈게요, 실례합니다
Excuse me (to get past) / Just a moment
잠시만요, 내릴게요! – 아, 네.
Excuse me, I'm getting off! – Oh, sure.
The word for squeezing through a packed subway car, a market or a queue; 'naerilgeyo' (I'm getting off) at the doors makes people step aside. It also means 'hold on a second', so staff say it back to you constantly. Trap: Seoul escalators are a stand-right, walk-left affair, and blocking the left side earns you a sharper 'jamsimanyo'.
네 / 아니요A1
ne / aniyo (a-ni-yo)
'네'는 긍정, '아니요'는 부정. 정중하게 거절할 때는 '괜찮아요'를 붙인다.
Synonyms:예, 괜찮아요
Yes / No
봉투 필요하세요? – 아니요, 괜찮아요.
Do you need a bag? – No, I'm fine.
'Ne' also means 'I'm listening', so a stream of 'ne, ne' from a clerk is not agreement. A bare 'aniyo' sounds abrupt; the polite no for bags, samples, loyalty cards and the rare street seller is 'aniyo, gwaenchanayo' (no, I'm fine) with a small hand wave. Plastic bags cost a little at every till, so 'bongtu piryohaseyo?' comes up daily.
영어 할 줄 아세요?A1
yeongeo hal jul aseyo (yeong-eo hal jul a-se-yo)
상대가 영어를 할 수 있는지 정중하게 묻는 말.
Synonyms:영어 하세요?
Do you speak English?
실례합니다, 영어 할 줄 아세요? – 조금요.
Excuse me, do you speak English? – A little.
Asking in Korean first gets you a real effort; the usual answer is 'jogeumyo' (a little) or a younger colleague being fetched. Most Koreans read English better than they speak it, so typing the question or showing Papago works better than repeating it louder. If you are stuck anywhere, 1330 is the tourist hotline, 24 hours, in English, and it will interpret over the phone for you.
잘 못 알아들었어요A1
jal mot aradeureosseoyo (jal mo-da-ra-deu-reo-sseo-yo: the t of 'mot' runs into the next vowel as a d)
상대의 말을 못 알아들었을 때 하는 말. '천천히 말해 주세요'와 같이 쓴다.
Synonyms:이해가 안 돼요, 한국어 못해요
I didn't catch that / I don't understand
잘 못 알아들었어요. 천천히 말해 주세요.
I didn't catch that. Please speak slowly.
Pair it with 'cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo' (please speak slowly) and people simplify. 'Hangugeo mot haeyo' (I can't speak Korean) shuts the conversation down harder, so keep this one for when you want them to try again. 'Ne, algesseoyo' (got it) is your reply once it is clear; 'arasseoyo' means the same but sounds curt to staff.
Two forms, chosen by who is moving: say 'gyeseyo' (stay well) to the shopkeeper you leave behind, and 'gaseyo' (go well) to someone walking away from you. Get it wrong and nobody minds. Getting out of a taxi or leaving a shop, 'sugohaseyo' (keep up the good work) is what locals actually say, and staff answer with 'annyeonghi gaseyo'.
두 명이요A1
du myeong-iyo (du myeong-i-yo)
식당에 들어갈 때 인원을 말하는 표현. '몇 분이세요?'에 대한 대답.
Synonyms:두 사람이요
Two of us (a table for two)
몇 분이세요? – 두 명이요. – 이쪽으로 앉으세요.
How many? – Two. – Sit over here.
Wait by the door; staff ask 'myeot bun-iseyo?' (how many?) and you answer with the native number plus 'myeong': han myeong, du myeong, se myeong, ne myeong. Holding up fingers works everywhere. Trap: many casual places have a kiosk or a tablet on the table for ordering and paying, so no one comes to take your order; look for a button marked 호출 (call) if you need a human.
…(으)로 할게요A1
…(eu)ro halgeyo (hal-ge-yo)
메뉴에서 고른 음식이나 음료를 주문할 때 쓰는 말.
Synonyms:…주세요
I'll have… / I'd like…
저는 비빔밥으로 할게요. 음료는 생맥주로 할게요.
I'll have the bibimbap. For a drink, I'll have a draught beer.
Frame: the dish, then '-euro halgeyo' after a consonant or '-ro halgeyo' after a vowel or ㄹ; it is how Koreans answer 'jumun hasigesseoyo?' (ready to order?), with 'jeoneun' (as for me) in front when each person orders their own. For a quantity switch to '-juseyo': 'bibimbap hana juseyo', 'du gae juseyo'. 'Igeo juseyo' (this one, please) while pointing at the picture or the wall menu is the shortcut and no one blinks. Expect free side dishes (banchan) to arrive whatever you ordered.
메뉴판 주세요A1
menyupan juseyo (me-nyu-pan ju-se-yo)
식당에서 메뉴를 보여 달라고 부탁하는 말.
The menu, please
메뉴판 주세요. 영어 메뉴 있어요? – 네, 여기요.
The menu, please. Do you have an English menu? – Yes, here.
'Menyupan' is the physical menu; in many local restaurants it is the board on the wall, and there may be nothing else. 'Yeongeo menyu isseoyo?' asks for an English one, common in Seoul's tourist areas; elsewhere a camera-translation app fills the gap. 'Mwoga masisseoyo?' (what's good?) gets a recommendation.
아메리카노 하나 주세요A1
amerikano hana juseyo (a-me-ri-ka-no ha-na)
카페에서 커피를 주문하는 말. 한국에서 '커피'는 보통 아메리카노를 뜻한다.
Synonyms:커피 한 잔 주세요
A coffee (= an americano), please
아메리카노 하나 주세요. – 따뜻한 거요, 아이스요? – 아이스요.
One americano, please. – Hot or iced? – Iced.
'A coffee' in Korea means an americano, and asking for 'keopi' just gets you the question 'which one?'. You will be asked 'ttatteutan geo, aiseu?' (hot or iced?) all year, and many locals take it iced even in January. A milky coffee is 'kape rate' (카페라테); a Starbucks americano is 4,700 won, the budget chains (Mega, Compose, Paik's) charge 1,500–2,500, and cafés are everywhere and open late.
물 좀 주세요A1
mul jom juseyo (mul jom ju-se-yo)
식당에서 물을 부탁하는 말. 한국 식당에서 물은 무료이며 셀프인 경우가 많다.
Some water, please (free tap water)
물 좀 주세요. – 물은 셀프예요.
Some water, please. – Water is self-service.
Nobody asks still or sparkling: water is free, either brought in a metal jug or taken yourself from a dispenser under a 물은 셀프 (water is self-service) sign; sometimes it is barley tea (boricha). Sparkling water is 'tansansu', bottled and paid for, mostly in cafés and convenience stores. Free water and free side-dish refills are the Korean norm, so ask 'banchan deo juseyo' without guilt.
계산해 주세요A1
gyesanhae juseyo (gye-san-hae ju-se-yo)
식사 후 돈을 내겠다고 말하는 표현. 한국에서는 보통 카운터에서 계산한다.
Synonyms:계산할게요
The bill, please
계산해 주세요. – 네, 카운터로 오세요.
The bill, please. – Sure, come to the counter.
The bill will not come to the table: in most restaurants you pick up the slip clipped to the table (or just stand up) and pay at the counter by the door on your way out. Say this if you are unsure where to pay. 'Ttaro gyesanhae juseyo' asks to pay separately; no tip, ever, and do not round up.
카드 돼요?A2
kadeu dwaeyo (ka-deu dwae-yo)
카드로 결제할 수 있는지 묻는 말.
Synonyms:카드 되나요?
Can I pay by card?
카드 돼요? – 네, 됩니다.
Can I pay by card? – Yes, that works.
Cards are taken almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls, and a foreign Visa or Mastercard works in nearly all of them; carry a little cash for street food and traditional markets. Trap: transport runs on a T-money card, bought empty at any convenience store for about 3,000 won and topped up in cash at the counter or at the station machines. A foreign card cannot load a physical T-money card: the subway kiosks that took overseas cards from March 2026 sell single-ride tickets and short Climate Card passes only (about 3.7% fee), and the Mobile T-money app takes Mastercard, Amex and UnionPay but not Visa. Phone wallets like Kakao Pay and Naver Pay need a Korean account, so ignore those kiosk buttons.
건배!A1
geonbae (geon-bae; 'bae' like 'bay')
술을 마시기 전에 잔을 들며 하는 말. 친구끼리는 '짠'.
Synonyms:짠
Cheers!
건배! – 건배!
Cheers! – Cheers!
Wait for everyone to be poured before the toast; friends shout 'jjan!'. Drinking etiquette matters more than the word: pour for others with two hands, never fill your own glass, hold yours lower than an older person's when clinking, and turn your head slightly away when you drink with someone senior. The first round of soju is drunk in one go.
잘 먹겠습니다 / 잘 먹었습니다A1formal
jal meokgetseumnida / jal meogeotseumnida
식사 전에는 '잘 먹겠습니다', 식사 후에는 '잘 먹었습니다'라고 말한다.
Synonyms:맛있게 드세요
(Before eating) / It was delicious, thank you (after eating)
맛있게 드세요! – 잘 먹겠습니다. …잘 먹었습니다!
Enjoy your meal! – Thank you, I will. …That was great, thank you!
Staff say 'masitge deuseyo' (enjoy your meal) as the food lands; your reply, and what you say to anyone who is paying, is 'jal meokgetseumnida' (I will eat well). 'Jal meogeotseumnida' (I ate well) at the counter on the way out is the compliment owners remember. Everyone eats from the shared side dishes with their own chopsticks; that is normal, not rude.
VAT not included / Service charge (there is no tipping)
표시된 가격은 부가세 별도입니다. 봉사료 10%가 부가됩니다.
Prices shown exclude VAT. A 10% service charge is added.
Ordinary restaurant prices are what you pay: no cover charge, no tipping, and side dishes and water are free (a 'seobiseu' item on the table is a freebie from the owner). The line that surprises tourists is at hotels and upscale restaurants: 부가세 별도 (VAT excluded) means add 10%, and 봉사료 (service charge) adds another 10% on top; 부가세 포함 (VAT included) means the number is final. Korea's real cover charge is at bars: 기본 안주 (basic snack) is a compulsory plate of nuts or fruit, 5,000–10,000 won or more, put on the bill whether you touch it or not.
…얼마예요?A1
…eolmayeyo (eol-ma-ye-yo)
물건이나 서비스의 가격을 묻는 말.
How much is…?
이거 얼마예요? 이 가방 얼마예요?
How much is this? How much is this bag?
Frame: the item, then 'eolmayeyo', or just 'eolmayeyo?' while pointing. 'Da haeseo eolmayeyo?' asks for the total. Prices come in Sino-Korean numbers and big units: 'cheon' is a thousand, 'man' is ten thousand, so 'man won' is 10,000 won; sellers will tap the figure into a calculator or phone if you look lost.
너무 비싸요A1
neomu bissayo (neo-mu bi-ssa-yo)
값이 너무 높다고 말하는 표현. 시장에서는 '좀 깎아 주세요'와 함께 쓴다.
Synonyms:좀 깎아 주세요
That's too expensive
너무 비싸요. 좀 깎아 주세요. – 그럼 만 원에 드릴게요.
That's too expensive. Can you give me a discount? – Then I'll do it for 10,000 won.
Only for markets and street stalls (Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Gwangjang), where 'jom kkakka juseyo' (knock a bit off, please) is a friendly game and often gets a small discount or a free extra. In shops, department stores, chains and cafés prices are fixed and haggling is rude. Walk away politely with 'gwaenchanayo'.
현금 / 카드A1
hyeongeum / kadeu (hyeon-geum, ka-deu)
계산할 때 현금으로 낼지 카드로 낼지 묻고 답하는 말.
Cash / card (how would you like to pay?)
결제 어떻게 하시겠어요? – 카드요.
How would you like to pay? – Card.
The till question is 'gyeolje eotteoke hasigesseoyo?' (how will you pay?); answer 'kadeu-yo' or 'hyeongeum-iyo'. Three more questions follow at chain tills: 'yeongsujeung deurilkkayo?' (receipt?), 'bongtu piryohaseyo?' (bag?) and 'jeongnip haseyo?' (loyalty points?); 'aniyo, gwaenchanayo' answers all of them. Hand your card over or tap; there is no PIN for most foreign cards.
영수증 주세요A2
yeongsujeung juseyo (yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo)
계산 후 영수증을 달라고 하는 말. 세금 환급을 받으려면 영수증이 필요하다.
The receipt, please
영수증 드릴까요? – 네, 주세요.
Would you like a receipt? – Yes, please.
No legal duty to take one, and cashiers ask 'yeongsujeung deurilkkayo?' expecting 'aniyo, gwaenchanayo'. Say yes when it matters: purchases of 15,000 won or more on one receipt at shops marked Tax Free (the floor was cut from 30,000 in 2024) can refund most of the 10% VAT to foreign visitors (7 to 8% after the operator's fee), either on the spot at the till (show your passport) or at the airport kiosks with the receipts. In a taxi the card reader prints one if you ask.
Are you looking for anything? – No, I'm just looking.
The answer to 'chajeusineun geo isseuseyo?' (looking for something?). In Myeongdong cosmetics shops and market stalls staff shadow you with samples and English; this line plus a smile sends them off without offence. 'Gwaenchanayo' alone also works, and there is no need to buy after handling goods.
이게 다예요A1
ige dayeyo (i-ge da-ye-yo)
더 살 것이 없다고 말하며 주문을 마치는 표현.
Synonyms:이거만 주세요
That's all, thanks
더 필요한 거 없으세요? – 네, 이게 다예요.
Anything else? – No, that's all.
Ends the order at a bakery counter, street stall or market: 'deo piryohan geo eopseuseyo?' (nothing more?) gets 'ne, ige dayeyo'. Note that the 'ne' here agrees with the negative question, so it means 'right, nothing more'. Avoid a blunt 'dwaesseoyo' (that's enough), which can sound irritated.
이거 하나 주세요A1
igeo hana juseyo (i-geo ha-na ju-se-yo)
손가락으로 가리키며 물건 하나를 달라고 하는 말.
One of these, please
이거 하나 주세요. – 드시고 가세요, 포장이세요? – 포장이요.
One of these, please. – Eat here or take away? – Take away.
Point and say it: works for hotteok, tteokbokki, a pastry, a subway single ticket at the counter. 'Hana' is one, 'du gae' two, 'se gae' three, using native numbers. The follow-up is 'deusigo gaseyo, pojang-iseyo?' (eat here or take away?): 'meokgo galgeyo' to stay, 'pojang-iyo' to take away.
…있어요?A1
…isseoyo (i-sseo-yo)
가게나 식당에 어떤 물건이 있는지 묻는 말. 대답은 '있어요' 또는 '없어요'.
Do you have…?
더 큰 사이즈 있어요? 영어 메뉴 있어요?
Do you have a bigger size? Do you have an English menu?
Frame: the thing, then 'isseoyo?'; the same word with a flat tone is the answer 'we have it', and 'eopseoyo' is 'we don't'. Clothing often comes in one 'free size' (프리 사이즈), which is small by Western standards, and shoe sizes are in millimetres (250 is roughly a UK 6 / US women's 8). 'Jari isseoyo?' asks if a restaurant has a free table.
The door signs, often with English underneath; 준비중 (preparing) also means closed and hangs during the 'break time' many restaurants take between lunch and dinner, roughly 3 to 5. No siesta otherwise: shops open around 10, close around 9 or 10 at night, cafés later, and convenience stores are 24 hours. 정기휴무 is the weekly closing day, 휴무 a day off.
세일 / 계산대A1
seil / gyesandae (se-il, gye-san-dae)
'세일'은 할인 판매, '계산대'는 돈을 내는 곳.
Synonyms:할인
Sale / Checkout
겨울 세일 최대 50% 할인. 계산은 계산대에서 해 주세요.
Winter sale, up to 50% off. Please pay at the checkout.
'Seil' is the sale, 'harin' a discount; department stores run big ones in January and July. '1+1' (won-peulleoseu-won) on convenience-store shelves is buy one get one free and is real. 'Gyesandae' is the till, 'gyesan' means paying; 셀프 계산대 is self-checkout, which usually accepts foreign cards.
…어디예요?A1
…eodiyeyo (eo-di-ye-yo)
어떤 장소가 어디에 있는지 묻는 말.
Where is…?
출구가 어디예요? 편의점이 어디예요?
Where is the exit? Where is the convenience store?
Frame: the place, then 'eodiyeyo?'; in speech the subject particle 'i/ga' after the place is optional. Open with 'sillyehamnida'. Locals often walk you there rather than explain; if they do explain, the answer uses oenjjok, oreunjjok, jjuk gaseyo (left, right, straight).
화장실이 어디예요?A1
hwajangsiri eodiyeyo (hwa-jang-si-ri eo-di-ye-yo)
화장실 위치를 묻는 말. 지하철역과 공원에 무료 화장실이 많다.
Where is the bathroom?
화장실이 어디예요? – 저쪽 계단 옆에 있어요.
Where is the bathroom? – Over there, next to the stairs.
Free public toilets are everywhere: every subway station (usually outside the ticket gates), parks, department stores and cafés. Doors say 남 or 남자 for men and 여 or 여자 for women. Trap: in older buildings the toilet paper is on one big roll by the entrance, so take some before you go in, and a bin beside the toilet means paper goes there, not in the bowl.
지하철역이 어디예요?A1
jihacheollyeogi eodiyeyo (ji-ha-cheol-lyeo-gi)
가까운 지하철역 위치를 묻는 말. 기차역은 '기차역'이라고 한다.
Synonyms:역이 어디예요?
Where is the subway station?
지하철역이 어디예요? – 쭉 가시면 3번 출구가 보여요.
Where is the subway station? – Go straight and you'll see exit 3.
'Yeok' is any station: 'jihacheollyeok' subway, 'gichayeok' train, and 'Seoul-yeok' (Seoul Station) is where the KTX and airport train meet. Trap: Google Maps gives poor or no walking directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map, both in English, and note that Koreans navigate by subway exit number, not street names.
부산 가는 표 한 장 주세요A1
busan ganeun pyo han jang juseyo (pyo han jang)
기차표를 살 때 목적지와 매수를 말하는 표현.
One ticket to Busan, please
부산 가는 표 한 장 주세요. – 편도요, 왕복이요? – 편도요.
One ticket to Busan, please. – One way or return? – One way.
'Pyeondo' is one way, 'wangbok' return, 'han jang' one ticket (jang counts flat things). KTX seats are all reserved, and popular trains sell out on Friday evenings and holidays, so book on the Korail Talk app (English, foreign cards accepted) or at the counter; 입석 is a cheaper standing ticket. Show the ticket on your phone; nothing gets stamped.
Station signs say 타는 곳 (boarding place) with the number, and the answer uses Sino-Korean numbers: il, i, sam, sa. KTX boards show the platform about ten minutes before departure, and each car number is painted on the platform floor. On the subway there are no platform numbers; you choose by direction, 방면 plus the name of the last station.
What every answer contains: 'jjuk gaseyo' is keep going straight (직진 on signs and in navigation apps), 'sageori' a crossroads, 'geonneopyeon' across the road, 'golmok' an alley. Distances come as minutes on foot. Directions are given with the hand and often finished with 'geunyang ttaraoseyo' (just follow me).
입구 / 출구A1
ipgu / chulgu (ip-gu, chul-gu)
들어가는 곳과 나가는 곳을 알리는 표지. 지하철 출구에는 번호가 있다.
Synonyms:나가는 곳, 비상구
Entrance / Exit
3번 출구로 나가세요.
Go out through exit 3.
Subway exits are numbered and are how Koreans give meeting points and directions: 'sam beon chulgu' is exit 3, always in Sino-Korean numbers. Subway signage also uses 나가는 곳 (way out) for exit and 타는 곳 for platforms. 비상구 is the emergency exit; 출입구 means both entrance and exit.
미시오 / 당기시오A1
misio / danggisio (mi-si-o, dang-gi-si-o)
문에 붙는 표시. '미시오'는 밀기, '당기시오'는 당기기.
Synonyms:미세요 / 당기세요
Push / Pull
미시오. – 당기시오.
Push. – Pull.
The door words use an old-fashioned written command form (-시오) you will only see on signs; spoken, staff would say 'miseyo' and 'danggiseyo'. Most doors also carry PUSH / PULL in English. 자동문 is an automatic door, and a sign reading 손대지 마시오 means do not touch.
내리실 때 카드를 대 주세요A2
naerisil ttae kadeureul dae juseyo (dae ju-se-yo)
버스 안내 문구. 교통카드는 탈 때와 내릴 때 모두 찍어야 환승 할인을 받는다.
Synonyms:하차 태그
Tap your card when getting off (tap in AND tap out)
타실 때와 내리실 때 카드를 꼭 대 주세요.
Please be sure to tap your card when boarding and when getting off.
Nothing gets stamped in Korea; the fined mistake is the T-money tap. Tap the reader when you board a bus and again at the rear door as you get off: skip the tap-out and you lose the free transfer to the next bus or subway within 30 minutes and are charged extra on your next ride. Subway gates tap in and out too, and riding without a valid tap costs the fare plus a penalty of 30 times the base fare.
This stop is Myeongdong. The next stop is Seoul Station.
Everyone says 'jeongnyujang', but the official word on Seoul stop signs and in the on-board announcement is 정류소 (jeongnyuso): 'ibeon jeongnyuso-neun…' (this stop is…), also played in English on Seoul routes; Busan and Seoul's small green village buses say 정류장. Board at the front door, tap, and press the red 하차벨 (stop bell) before your stop, then get off at the back. Seoul buses are colour-coded: blue for main routes, green for local feeders, red for express to the suburbs.
예약했어요A1
yeyakaesseoyo (ye-ya-kae-sseo-yo)
호텔이나 식당에 미리 예약했다고 말하는 표현.
Synonyms:예약했는데요
I have a reservation
안녕하세요, 예약했어요. – 성함이 어떻게 되세요? – 스미스요.
Hello, I have a reservation. – What's your name? – Smith.
The check-in opener; 'seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?' (what is your name?) comes next, so have the booking and your passport ready; hotels copy the passport by law. 'Yeyak' is the same word for a restaurant booking. Check-in is usually from 3 pm, and 'jim matgil su isseoyo?' asks to leave your bags before that.
키 주세요A1
ki juseyo (ki ju-se-yo)
프런트에서 방 열쇠나 카드키를 달라고 하는 말.
Synonyms:카드키 주세요
The key, please
키 주세요. 삼공일 호요. – 네, 여기 있습니다.
The key, please. Room 301. – Yes, here you are.
Hotels give a 'kadeu ki' (key card) that goes in the slot by the door to switch on the lights; take it out and everything goes off. Room numbers are read digit by digit in Sino-Korean plus 'ho': 'sam-gong-il ho' for 301, with 'gong' for zero. 'Yeolsoe' is the older word for a metal key.
'Waipai' is Wi-Fi and 'bimilbeonho' the password, shortened to 'bibeon' by everyone under fifty. Cafés print it on the receipt or the wall, hotels on the key sleeve, and Seoul has free public Wi-Fi in subway stations and buses. Most visitors skip all this with an eSIM or a SIM from the airport counters.
조식은 몇 시예요?A1
josigeun myeot siyeyo (jo-si-geun myeot si-ye-yo; both 'si' sound like 'shi')
호텔 아침 식사 시간을 묻는 말. 시간은 고유어 숫자로 말한다.
Synonyms:아침 식사는 몇 시예요?
What time is breakfast?
조식은 몇 시예요? – 일곱 시부터 열 시까지예요.
What time is breakfast? – From seven to ten.
'Josik' is the hotel word for breakfast; 'myeot si' is what time, and the answer '…buteo …kkaji' gives from and to. Trap: hours use native Korean numbers ('ilgop si' is seven o'clock) while minutes use Sino-Korean ('sam-sip bun' is thirty minutes). Many budget hotels and motels have no breakfast at all; the convenience store next door is the Korean answer.
도와주세요!A1
dowajuseyo (do-wa-ju-se-yo)
도움이 필요할 때 외치는 말. 경찰은 112, 구급차는 119.
Synonyms:살려 주세요
Help!
도와주세요! 구급차 불러 주세요!
Help! Call an ambulance!
For any situation from a stuck ticket gate to an accident; in real danger 'sallyeo juseyo!' (save me!) is the scream. Two emergency numbers: 112 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance, both with interpreters, and the 119 ambulance itself is free. Korea is very safe; the most likely emergency is a lost phone, and lost items are usually handed in.
병원에 가야 해요A2
byeongwone gaya haeyo (byeong-won-e ga-ya hae-yo)
몸이 아파서 의사에게 가야 한다고 말하는 표현. 구급차는 119.
Synonyms:아파요
I need a doctor (lit. I need to go to a hospital)
병원에 가야 해요. 배가 너무 아파요.
I need a doctor. My stomach hurts badly.
Koreans say 'go to the hospital' even for a cold, because 'byeongwon' covers small walk-in clinics too; no appointment is needed and a visit is quick and cheap. 'Apayo' means it hurts, 'eunggeupsil' is the emergency room. Dial 119 for an ambulance, or 1330, the tourist hotline, which will interpret and find an English-speaking clinic. Bring travel insurance details.
약국이 어디예요?A1
yakgugi eodiyeyo (yak-gu-gi eo-di-ye-yo)
약국 위치를 묻는 말. 간판에는 큰 글자로 '약'이라고 쓰여 있다.
Where is the pharmacy?
약국이 어디예요? – 병원 건물 일 층에 있어요.
Where is the pharmacy? – On the ground floor of the hospital building.
Look for the big character 약 (medicine), usually white on a red or green sign, and there is nearly always one next to a clinic. Pharmacists sell plenty over the counter and understand pointing at the sore spot. Trap: most pharmacies close on Sundays and early evening; convenience stores sell a legal short list of basics (painkillers, cold tablets, plasters) 24 hours.
Call the police, please. My wallet has been stolen.
112 is police, with an interpreter on request, and 1330 will interpret too. Small stations called 지구대 or 파출소 sit on many main streets, and Myeongdong, Hongdae and Busan's beaches have English-speaking tourist police. For insurance you need a written report; more often the lost wallet turns up, so check lost112.go.kr and the nearest station first.
길을 잃었어요A1
gireul ireosseoyo (gi-reul i-reo-sseo-yo)
길을 몰라 어디에 있는지 모른다고 말하는 표현.
Synonyms:여기가 어디예요?
I'm lost
길을 잃었어요. 여기가 어디예요? – 여기는 인사동이에요.
I'm lost. Where is this? – This is Insadong.
No gendered forms in Korean. Follow it with 'yeogiga eodiyeyo?' (where am I?) or the place plus 'eotteoke gayo?' (how do I get to…?), or show the address on Naver Map; a subway exit number is the most useful thing to point at. Younger people and station staff are your best bet, and many will walk you there.
Can you call a taxi, please? – Where to? – Seoul Station.
Ask this at a hotel or restaurant, or hail one yourself: taxis are cheap, metered and everywhere, and 빈차 lit on the roof means free. Kakao T has an English mode, but registering a foreign card in it often fails; pick 'pay to driver' and pay the meter by card in the car, or use k.ride, Kakao's app for visitors that takes foreign cards. Drivers rarely speak English, so show the address or the place name in Korean. Black 모범 taxis are the deluxe ones and cost more; all take cards, no tip.
하나A1
hana (ha-na); before a counter: han
숫자 1. 물건을 셀 때 쓰는 고유어 숫자. 값이나 번호는 '일'.
Synonyms:일
one
아메리카노 하나 주세요.
One americano, please.
Korean has two number systems. Native Korean (hana, dul, set…) counts things and people: 'hana' after an item orders one of it, and before a counter it shortens to 'han' (han myeong, one person; han jang, one ticket). Sino-Korean 'il' is the one you see and hear for prices, bus numbers, floors and dates: 'il beon chulgu' is exit 1.
둘A1
dul; before a counter: du
숫자 2. 단위 앞에서는 '두'가 된다. 값이나 번호는 '이'.
Synonyms:이
two
두 명이요.
Two of us.
'Dul' on its own, 'du' before a counter: 'du myeong' two people, 'du gae' two items, 'du jang' two tickets. Sino-Korean 'i' is two for prices and line numbers ('i hoseon' is subway line 2, the Seoul loop line), and for 'i cheon won', 2,000 won.
셋A1
set; before a counter: se
숫자 3. 단위 앞에서는 '세'가 된다. 값이나 번호는 '삼'.
Synonyms:삼
three
세 개 주세요.
Three, please.
'Set' alone, 'se' before a counter: 'se gae' three items, 'se myeong' three people. Sino-Korean 'sam' is the three of platforms, exits and prices: 'sam beon chulgu', exit 3; 'sam cheon won', 3,000 won. Samsung is literally 'three stars'.
넷A1
net; before a counter: ne
숫자 4. 단위 앞에서는 '네'가 된다. 값이나 번호는 '사'.
Synonyms:사
four
네 명이요.
Four of us.
'Net' alone, 'ne' before a counter, which is also the word for 'yes', so hold up four fingers with 'ne myeong'. Sino-Korean 'sa' is four for prices and numbers; it sounds like the word for death, so some lifts label the fourth floor 'F' instead of 4.
다섯A1
daseot (da-seot)
숫자 5. 시간을 말할 때 쓴다. 값이나 번호는 '오'.
Synonyms:오
five
다섯 시에 만나요.
Let's meet at five.
From five up the native number does not change before a counter: 'daseot si' is five o'clock, 'daseot myeong' five people. Hours of the day use native numbers, so this is the number you need to read a clock. Sino-Korean 'o' is five for prices: 'o cheon won', 5,000 won, the price of a coffee.
여섯A1
yeoseot (yeo-seot)
숫자 6. 병이나 잔 등을 셀 때 쓴다. 값이나 번호는 '육'.
Synonyms:육
six
맥주 여섯 병 주세요.
Six bottles of beer, please.
'Byeong' counts bottles, 'jan' counts glasses and cups. Sino-Korean 'yuk' is six for bus numbers and prices; 'yuk cheon won' is 6,000 won. Dinner in Korea is early by southern-European standards: restaurants fill from six.
일곱A1
ilgop (il-gop)
숫자 7. 시간이나 개수에 쓴다. 값이나 번호는 '칠'.
Synonyms:칠
seven
조식은 일곱 시부터예요.
Breakfast is from seven.
'Ilgop si' is seven o'clock; '…buteo' means from. Sino-Korean 'chil' is seven in prices and phone numbers, and '7' on a bus is 'chil beon'. Do not confuse 'il' (Sino one) with 'ilgop' (native seven).
여덟A1
yeodeol (yeo-deol; the final ㅂ is silent)
숫자 8. 발음은 '여덜'. 값이나 번호는 '팔'.
Synonyms:팔
eight
기차는 여덟 시에 출발해요.
The train leaves at eight.
Spelled with a silent final consonant, said 'yeodeol'. 'Yeodeol si' is eight o'clock; the 24-hour clock is on timetables (20:00) but people say 'jeonyeok yeodeol si', evening eight. Sino-Korean 'pal' is eight for prices and numbers.
아홉A1
ahop (a-hop)
숫자 9. 시간이나 개수에 쓴다. 값이나 번호는 '구'.
Synonyms:구
nine
가게는 아홉 시에 문을 닫아요.
The shop closes at nine.
'Ahop si' is nine o'clock, a typical shop closing time; 'muneul dadayo' means it closes. Sino-Korean 'gu' is nine for prices and line numbers ('gu hoseon', line 9, the express line to Gimpo airport).
열A1
yeol
숫자 10. 시간과 개수는 '열', 분과 값은 '십'.
Synonyms:십
ten
걸어서 십 분이에요. 열 시에 문 열어요.
It's ten minutes on foot. It opens at ten.
Two tens: native 'yeol' for hours and counting ('yeol si', ten o'clock), Sino-Korean 'sip' for minutes, prices and numbers ('sip bun', ten minutes). For money the units matter more than the digits: 'cheon' 1,000, 'man' 10,000, so 'man won' is the everyday note and 'o man won' the biggest one.