Korean Phrases You’ll Need for Smooth Travel
When you visit South Korea, you’ll find that English is quite common in big international cities like Seoul or Busan. English academies and immersion schools have been flourishing for decades, so it’s safe to say you’ll be able to get by without speaking much Korean.
However, if you want to explore more of the Korean peninsula (and trust me, you definitely do), be sure to practice a few basic traveling phrases in Korean. Not only will knowing some Korean phrases help you avoid an awkward situation -like sitting in someone’s reserved seat or ordering squid as snack- but it will also impress the locals. Korean people will definitely appreciate your attempt to communicate in their language. If you know some basic traveling phrases, it shows respect for Korean culture.
So, whether you’re planning to take a trip to South Korea or even if you’re just curious about Korean culture, use our list of 101 basic Korean phrases to improve you Korean speaking and listening skills.
Basic Korean Phrases for South Korea Travel
It’s important to note that Koreans use different verb conjugations depending on the person they are speaking to. The different conjugations imply various levels of respect and politeness. For the purpose of traveling in Korea, it’s okay to use either the formal or polite form of the verb, and that’s what will be included on this list. Koreans won’t expect foreingers to understand the sublte nuances of Korean honorifics, so just being polite is the best way to go.
Also, you might notice several phrases are listed more than once. That’s because unlike in English, Koreans have different variations of words and phrases for very specific situations.
Now, let’s learn some basic Korean phrases for travel!
The Most Basic Korean Words You Must Know
- An-nyeong ha-se-yo (안녕하세요) : Hello.
This is the most common way to greet someone at anytime of the day. You’ll be greeted any time you enter a shop, restaurant, taxi- well anywhere, really. So you should learn how to say hello in response.
2. An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo (안녕히 가세요): Goodbye.
This is the goodbye to use if someone else is leaving. “Ga-se-yo” means to go,so you are basically telling someone to go peacefully.
3. An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo (안녕히 계세요): Goodbye.
This is the goodbye to use when YOU are leaving. There is a slight difference in the endings of the two goodbyes; however, don’t worry too much if you don’t remember the difference. You can always just say “an-nyeong.”
4. Ne (네): Yes
5. A-ni-yo (아니요): No
6. A-ma-do (아마도): Maybe
7. Mol-la-yo (몰라요): I don’t know.
8. Jam-shi-man-yo (잠시만요): Excuse me./Just a moment.
You can use this phrase to get the attention of others, for example if you need someone to move out of your way. You can also use this to mean “wait a minute.”
9. Jeo-gi-yo (저기요): Excuse me.
Use this version of “excuse me” to get attention in a restaurant or business.
10. Sil-lye-hab-ni-da (실례합니다): Excuse me.
This version of excuse me is used to apologize, like if you accidentally bump into someone.
11. Mi-an-hab-ni-da (미안합니다): Sorry.
12. Gam-sa-hab-ni-da(감사합니다): Thank you.
13. Gwaen-chan-ayo(괜찮아요): It’s alright/never mind/it’s okay.
14. Cheon-man-e-yo(천만에요): You’re welcome/don’t mention it.
15. Eo-je (어제): Yesterday.
16. Oh-neul (오늘): Today.
17. Nae-il (내일): Tomorrow.
18. Ji-guem (지금): Right now.
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Introducing Yourself:
1.Ee-reum-ee mo-eh-yo(이름이 뭐에요?): What’s your name?
2. Je ileum-eun (your name)ibnida.(제 이름은 (your name)입니다.): My name is _________.
3. Jeo-neun (country)e-seo wass-eo- yo. (저는 country에서 왔어요):: I’m from ____________.
Making Yourself Understood
Of course, if you are not Korean, you might stick out as a foreigner in smaller cities. Still, some locals might mistake you for a expat living in South korea and assume you can communicate well. Use these Korean phrases to make yourself understood.
1.Han-guk-mal mot hae-yo.(한국말 못 해요.): I can’t speak Korean.
2. Han-guk-mal jo-geum mal hal su iss-eoyo. (한국말 조금 말 할 수 있어요.): I can speak a little Korean.
3. I-hae mos hae-yo. (이해 못 해요): I don’t understand.
4. Cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae-jus-eyo. (천천히 말해주세요): Please speak slowly.
5. Da-si han beon mal-hae-jus-eyo(다시 한 번 말해주세요.): Please say it again.
6. Yeong-eo ha-se-yo? (영어 하세요?): Do you speak English?
Practice Makes Perfect
While these words look simple on paper, you might want to practice speaking them outloud to make sure your pronunciation is perfect.
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