Exploring South Korea can be an unforgettable experience, from vibrant cities like Seoul and Busan to picturesque countryside villages. But to truly immerse yourself in Korean culture, learning a few basic phrases will go a long way. Not only will it make your travels smoother, but locals will also appreciate your effort to speak their language. Here’s your ultimate guide to essential Korean phrases for travelers!
Basic Greetings & Polite Expressions 🌟
- “Gamsahamnida” (감사합니다) – Universal “thank you”
- “Joesonghamnida” (죄송합니다) – Formal “I’m sorry”
- “Sillyehamnida” (실례합니다) – “Excuse me” when passing or calling someone
Restaurant Must-Knows 💬
- “Igeo juseyo” (이거 주세요) – “I’ll have this” (point and say)
- “Maepji anhge haejuseyo” (맵지 않게 해주세요) – “Please make it not spicy”
- “Mul jom juseyo” (물 좀 주세요) – “Water, please”
- “Masisseoyo!” (맛있어요!) – “It’s delicious!”
Transportation/Direction Phrases 🚕
- “Yeogi gajuseyo” (여기 가주세요) – “Please go here” (show destination)
- “Hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?” (화장실이 어디예요?) – “Where’s the bathroom?”
- “Jihacheoryeogi eodiyeyo?” (지하철역이 어디예요?) – “Where’s the subway station?”
Shopping Phrases 💰
- “Eolmayeyo?” (얼마예요?) – “How much is it?”
- “Kkakkajuseyo” (깎아주세요) – “Can you give me a discount?”
- “Kadeu doenayo?” (카드 되나요?) – “Do you accept cards?”
Emergency/Help Phrases 🆘
- “Dowajuseyo” (도와주세요) – “Please help me”
- “Yeongeo doeseyo?” (영어 되세요?) – “Do you speak English?”
- “Sajin jom jjigeojuseyo” (사진 좀 찍어주세요) – “Could you take a photo?”
Sound Like a Local
- “Nene~” (네네) – Saying “yes” twice sounds friendlier
- “Aigu~” (아이구) – Expression of surprise or exhaustion
- “Daebak!” (대박!) – “Awesome!” or “No way!”
Situation-Specific Phrases 🎯
- When paying: “Gachi gyesanhalgeyo” (같이 계산할게요) – “Let’s split the bill”
- Taking photos: “Beu-i~” (브이) – Korean way of saying “peace” pose
- Saying goodbye: “Annyeonghi gyeseyo” (안녕히 계세요) – “Goodbye” (to person staying)
Pro Tips 💡
- Adding “-yo” (요) makes any phrase more polite
- Start questions with “Joesonghamndeyo…” (죄송한데요) for friendlier responses
- You can never say “Gamsahamnida” too much!
Must-Have Korean Apps
- Papago: Best real-time translator with camera function
- NAVER Dictionary: Most comprehensive Korean-English dictionary
- Duolingo: Free basic Korean lessons with gamified learning
- Talk To Me In Korean: Well-structured lessons with cultural context
- HelloTalk: Practice with native speakers
Useful Websites & Channels for Studying Korean
- HowToStudyKorean.com: Free comprehensive lessons
- KoreanClass101.com: Video lessons and survival phrases
- YouTube: Korean Unnie, Go! Billy Korean (beginner-friendly)
- Korean (Reddit): Community support and quick Q&A
- Easy Korean Academy: Free video lessons focused on real-life situations
These phrases should help you navigate most basic situations in Korea! Koreans really appreciate when foreigners try to speak their language, so don’t worry about making mistakes.
Fun Fact: Korean might look intimidating at first, but these simple phrases can make a huge difference in your travel experience. Many Koreans will be delighted to help you practice, and you might even make some friends along the way! Remember, it’s not about perfect pronunciation – it’s about making the effort to connect with the local culture. 🇰🇷✈️
Wishing you an amazing Korean adventure! Feel free to ask in the comments if you need more useful phrases! 😊