Essential Korean Phrases for Travelers: Survive & Impress in Korea

Updated for March 2026

You do not need to be fluent in Korean to have an extraordinary trip to Korea. But learning even a handful of Korean phrases will transform your experience in ways that no travel app can replicate. Locals light up when a foreign visitor makes even a modest attempt at Korean — you will get warmer service, more helpful directions, unexpected discounts at markets, and genuine smiles from people who appreciate that you tried.

This guide covers every practical situation you will encounter as a traveler in Korea: greetings, ordering food, shopping, asking for directions, getting around on public transport, and handling emergencies. Each phrase includes the Korean Hangul script, romanization, and a pronunciation tip so you can walk in confident from day one.

Expert Tip: Korean pronunciation is actually quite consistent — once you learn the Hangul alphabet (한글), you can sound out almost any word correctly. The alphabet can be learned in a single afternoon, and it will make reading menus, signs, and subway maps dramatically easier.

👋 Greetings and Basic Courtesy

These are the phrases you will use dozens of times every single day. Master these first and they will carry you far.

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation Tip
Hello / Good day	안녕하세요	Annyeonghaseyo	"An-nyong-ha-se-yo" — stress lightly on first syllable
Thank you	감사합니다	Gamsahamnida	"Gam-sa-ham-ni-da" — formal and safe for all contexts
Thank you (casual)	고마워요	Gomawoyo	"Go-ma-wo-yo" — fine for peers and shop staff
You're welcome	천만에요	Cheonmaneyo	"Chon-man-e-yo"
Excuse me / Sorry	죄송합니다	Joesonghamnida	"Jwe-song-ham-ni-da" — use for apologies
Excuse me (to get attention)	저기요	Jeogiyo	"Jo-gi-yo" — use to flag down a server or staff
Yes	네	Ne	"Neh" — short and clear
No	아니요	Aniyo	"Ah-ni-yo"
I don't understand	모르겠어요	Moreugesseoyo	"Mo-roo-ge-sso-yo"
Do you speak English?	영어 할 수 있어요?	Yeongeo hal su isseoyo?	"Yong-o hal su i-sso-yo?"
Please speak slowly	천천히 말씀해 주세요	Cheoncheonhi malsseum hae juseyo	"Chon-chon-hi mal-ssum-he ju-se-yo"

The single most useful phrase you can memorize for getting attention in any shop, restaurant, or market is 저기요 (jeogiyo). It is polite, direct, and universally understood.

🍜 Ordering Food and Eating Out

Korea's food scene is one of its greatest attractions, and navigating a restaurant is easier than you might think. Most menus have photos, and many restaurants use tablet ordering systems. Still, knowing these phrases makes the experience much smoother.

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation Tip
I'll have this, please	이거 주세요	Igeo juseyo	"I-go ju-se-yo" — point at the menu while saying this
How much is this?	얼마예요?	Eolmayeyo?	"Ol-ma-ye-yo?"
One of these / Two of these	이거 하나요 / 두 개요	Igeo hanayo / du gaeyo	"I-go ha-na-yo" / "du ge-yo"
This is delicious!	맛있어요!	Massisseoyo!	"Ma-si-sso-yo!" — locals love hearing this
Not spicy, please	안 맵게 해주세요	An maepge haejuseyo	"An mep-ge he-ju-se-yo"
A little spicy, please	조금 맵게 해주세요	Jogeum maepge haejuseyo	"Jo-gum mep-ge he-ju-se-yo"
No [ingredient], please	[재료] 빼주세요	[Ingredient] ppaejuseyo	"ppe-ju-se-yo" means "please remove"
I'm a vegetarian	저는 채식주의자예요	Jeoneun chaesikjuuijayeyo	"Jo-nun che-sik-ju-ui-ja-ye-yo"
Water, please	물 주세요	Mul juseyo	"Mul ju-se-yo"
The bill, please	계산해 주세요	Gyesan hae juseyo	"Gye-san he ju-se-yo"
Can I pay by card?	카드로 계산할 수 있어요?	Kadeuro gyesan hal su isseoyo?	"Ka-du-ro gye-san-hal su i-sso-yo?"

Expert Tip: In many traditional Korean restaurants, you call the server by calling out 저기요 (jeogiyo) loudly enough to be heard — this is completely normal and not considered rude. Waiting silently for a server to notice you can result in a very long wait.

Useful Food Vocabulary

Knowing the names of a few key ingredients and cooking styles will help you navigate menus even when there are no photos:

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization
Rice	밥	Bap
Noodles	면	Myeon
Pork	돼지고기	Dwaejigogi
Beef	소고기	Sogogi
Chicken	닭고기	Dalgogi
Seafood	해산물	Haesanmul
Tofu	두부	Dubu
Spicy	매운	Maeun
Not spicy	안 매운	An maeun
Grilled	구운	Guun
Soup	국 / 탕	Guk / Tang

🛍️ Shopping and Markets

Korea is a fantastic shopping destination — from massive department stores like Lotte (롯데) and Shinsegae (신세계) to the open-air stalls of Namdaemun Market (남대문시장) and Dongdaemun Market (동대문시장). A few key phrases will help you browse, bargain, and buy with ease.

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation Tip
How much is this?	이거 얼마예요?	Igeo eolmayeyo?	"I-go ol-ma-ye-yo?"
That's too expensive	너무 비싸요	Neomu bissayo	"No-mu bi-ssa-yo"
Can you give me a discount?	깎아주세요	Kkakka juseyo	"Kka-kka ju-se-yo" — your most powerful shopping phrase
Do you have a smaller / larger size?	더 작은 / 큰 거 있어요?	Deo jageun / keun geo isseoyo?	"Do ja-gun / kun go i-sso-yo?"
I'm just looking	그냥 보는 거예요	Geunyang boneun geoyeyo	"Ku-nyang bo-nun go-ye-yo"
I'll take this	이거 살게요	Igeo salgeyo	"I-go sal-ge-yo"
Do you have a bag?	봉투 있어요?	Bongtu isseoyo?	"Bong-tu i-sso-yo?"
Can I try this on?	입어봐도 돼요?	Ibeoбwado dwaeyo?	"I-bo-bwa-do dwe-yo?"
Where is the fitting room?	탈의실이 어디예요?	Taurisiri eodiyeyo?	"Ta-ri-sil-i o-di-ye-yo?"

Expert Tip: 깎아주세요 (kkakka juseyo) is a magic phrase at traditional markets, but do not use it at department stores or branded shops where prices are fixed. At street stalls and smaller independent vendors in places like Insadong (인사동) or Namdaemun Market (남대문시장), gentle negotiation is perfectly acceptable and sometimes even expected.

🗺️ Asking for Directions

Getting lost in Korea is part of the adventure — but knowing how to ask for help makes it a lot less stressful. Koreans are generally very willing to assist lost travelers, and many younger Koreans in Seoul are happy to try their English.

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation Tip
Where is [place]?	[장소]가 어디예요?	[Place]-ga eodiyeyo?	"[Place]-ga o-di-ye-yo?"
How do I get to [place]?	[장소]에 어떻게 가요?	[Place]-e eotteoke gayo?	"[Place]-e o-to-ke ga-yo?"
Is it far from here?	여기서 멀어요?	Yeogiseo meoreoyo?	"Yo-gi-so mo-ro-yo?"
Turn left / right	왼쪽으로 / 오른쪽으로 가세요	Oenjjogeuro / oreunjjogeuro gaseyo	"Wen-jjok-u-ro" / "O-run-jjok-u-ro"
Go straight	직진하세요	Jikjinhaseyo	"Jik-jin-ha-se-yo"
Subway station	지하철역	Jihacheol yeok	"Ji-ha-chol yok"
Bus stop	버스 정류장	Beoseu jeongnyujang	"Bo-su jong-nyu-jang"
Taxi	택시	Taeksi	"Tek-si"
Please take me to [place]	[장소]에 가주세요	[Place]-e gajuseyo	"[Place]-e ga-ju-se-yo" — say to taxi driver
Please use the meter	미터기 켜주세요	Miteo-gi kyeojuseyo	"Mi-to-gi kyo-ju-se-yo"

🚌 Transportation

Navigating Seoul's excellent public transport network is straightforward, but these phrases help when you need to confirm details or ask for assistance at ticket windows.

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation Tip
One ticket to [place], please	[장소]까지 한 장 주세요	[Place]-kkaji han jang juseyo	"[Place]-kka-ji han jang ju-se-yo"
Does this train go to [place]?	이 기차 [장소]에 가요?	I gicha [place]-e gayo?	"I gi-cha [place]-e ga-yo?"
Which exit should I use?	몇 번 출구로 나가요?	Myeot beon chulgu-ro nagayo?	"Myot bon chul-gu-ro na-ga-yo?"
Where can I buy a T-money card?	티머니 카드 어디서 사요?	Timoni kadeu eodiseo sayo?	"Ti-mo-ni ka-du o-di-so sa-yo?"
How long does it take?	얼마나 걸려요?	Eolmana geollyeoyo?	"Ol-ma-na gol-lyo-yo?"
I missed my stop	내릴 곳을 지나쳤어요	Naeril goseul jinachyeosseoyo	"Ne-ril go-sul ji-na-chyo-sso-yo"

Expert Tip: When taking a taxi in Korea, showing the driver your destination written in Korean (Hangul) on your phone is far more reliable than trying to pronounce an unfamiliar place name. Use Naver Maps (네이버 지도) or Kakao Maps (카카오맵) to pull up the Korean address before you get in.

🏥 Emergencies and Health

Hopefully you will never need these — but knowing them gives you critical peace of mind.

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation Tip
Help me!	도와주세요!	Dowajuseyo!	"Do-wa-ju-se-yo!" — call out loudly
Call the police!	경찰을 불러주세요!	Gyeongchal-eul bulleojuseyo!	"Gyong-cha-lul bul-lo-ju-se-yo!"
Call an ambulance!	구급차를 불러주세요!	Gugeupchari bulleojuseyo!	"Gu-gup-cha-rul bul-lo-ju-se-yo!"
Where is the hospital?	병원이 어디예요?	Byeongwoni eodiyeyo?	"Byong-won-i o-di-ye-yo?"
Where is the pharmacy?	약국이 어디예요?	Yakgugi eodiyeyo?	"Yak-gug-i o-di-ye-yo?"
I need a doctor	의사가 필요해요	Uisaga piryohaeyo	"Ui-sa-ga pi-ryo-he-yo"
I am allergic to [food/medicine]	[음식/약]에 알레르기가 있어요	[Food/medicine]-e allereugi ga isseoyo	"[item]-e al-le-ru-gi-ga i-sso-yo"
I lost my passport	여권을 잃어버렸어요	Yeogwoneul ireobeoryeosseoyo	"Yo-gwon-ul i-ro-bo-ryo-sso-yo"
Where is the police station?	경찰서가 어디예요?	Gyeongchalseo-ga eodiyeyo?	"Gyong-chal-so-ga o-di-ye-yo?"
I was pickpocketed	소매치기를 당했어요	Somaechigi-reul danghaesseoyo	"So-me-chi-gi-rul dang-he-sso-yo"

Korea's emergency number is 119 for ambulance and fire, and 112 for police. Both lines have interpreter services available for foreign nationals.

🏨 At Your Hotel or Accommodation

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	Pronunciation Tip
I have a reservation	예약했어요	Yeyakaesseoyo	"Ye-yak-he-sso-yo"
Check-in / Check-out	체크인 / 체크아웃	Chekeu-in / Chekeu-aut	Borrowed from English
Do you have Wi-Fi?	와이파이 있어요?	Waipai isseoyo?	"Wa-i-pa-i i-sso-yo?"
What is the Wi-Fi password?	와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?	Waipai bimilbeonho-ga mwoyeyo?	"Wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-bon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?"
My room key doesn't work	방 열쇠가 안 돼요	Bang yeolsoe-ga an dwaeyo	"Bang yol-swe-ga an dwe-yo"
Can I have a late checkout?	늦은 체크아웃 가능해요?	Neujeun chekeuaut ganeunghaeyo?	"Nu-jun che-ku-a-ut ga-nung-he-yo?"
Is breakfast included?	아침이 포함돼요?	Achimi pohamdwaeyo?	"A-chi-mi po-ham-dwe-yo?"

💬 Making Conversation: Bonus Phrases That Impress

These phrases go beyond survival and signal genuine interest in Korean culture. Locals will remember you fondly for using them.

English	Korean (Hangul)	Romanization
Korea is so beautiful	한국이 정말 아름다워요	Hanguk-i jeongmal areumdawoyo
The food here is incredible	여기 음식이 너무 맛있어요	Yeogi eumsig-i neomu massisseoyo
I want to learn more Korean	한국어를 더 배우고 싶어요	Hangukeo-reul deo baeugo sipeoyo
Where are you from?	어디서 오셨어요?	Eodiseo osyeosseoyo?
I am from [country]	저는 [나라]에서 왔어요	Jeoneun [country]-eseo wasseoyo
Nice to meet you	만나서 반갑습니다	Mannaseo bangapseumnida

Expert Tip: Even saying a single Korean word correctly — like "massisseoyo" (delicious) after a meal — can spark a warm moment with a restaurant owner or food stall vendor. The effort communicates respect and genuine appreciation for the culture, and that message is universally understood.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need to learn Hangul (한글) before visiting Korea, or is romanization enough? Learning Hangul is strongly recommended and requires only one or two afternoons of study. Once you can read Hangul, navigating menus, subway signs, and shop names becomes dramatically easier. Romanization is a helpful bridge for pronunciation, but relying on it alone can lead to misreading signs, as romanization is not consistently applied everywhere in Korea.

Q2: Will Koreans be patient if my pronunciation is off? Absolutely. Koreans are famously patient and encouraging with foreigners attempting their language. A wrong tone or mispronounced syllable will not cause offense — it may even prompt a friendly lesson from a local. The willingness to try is what matters most.

Q3: Are English menus available at most restaurants in Seoul? In major tourist areas of Seoul — Myeongdong (명동), Hongdae (홍대), Insadong (인사동) — English menus are common. At local neighborhood restaurants (식당) outside tourist zones, photo menus are your best friend. Google Translate's camera feature works well on Korean text as a backup.

Q4: What is the most useful single phrase to memorize? Without question: 저기요 (jeogiyo). This one word — meaning "excuse me" or "over here" — is used to get attention in restaurants, shops, markets, and on the street. It is polite, versatile, and instantly understood everywhere in Korea.

Q5: Is it rude to attempt Korean phrases and get them wrong? Not at all. The worst-case scenario is that a local gently corrects you — which many Koreans enjoy doing in a friendly way. Most Koreans find it charming and respectful when foreign visitors make any effort with the language. Getting something slightly wrong is far better than not trying at all.