Basic Korean Phrases for Travellers
Korean is the sole official language of South Korea, spoken by over 51 million people. The writing system, Hangul, was scientifically designed in the 15th century to be easy to learn - each character represents a sound, and the basic alphabet can be memorised in a few hours. While this guide uses romanisation for quick reference, we recommend learning to read Hangul before your trip, as many restaurant menus, bus signs, and subway stations outside Seoul lack English translations.
Greetings and Basics
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (formal) | 안녕하세요 | an-nyeong-ha-SE-yo |
| Goodbye (to someone leaving) | 안녕히 가세요 | an-nyeong-hi ga-SE-yo |
| Goodbye (to someone staying) | 안녕히 계세요 | an-nyeong-hi gye-SE-yo |
| Yes / No | 네 / 아니요 | NE / a-NI-yo |
| Please (requesting) | 주세요 | ju-SE-yo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | gam-sa-ham-NI-da |
| Sorry / Excuse me | 죄송합니다 | joe-song-ham-NI-da |
| I don’t understand | 이해 못 해요 | i-hae mot HAE-yo |
| Do you speak English? | 영어 하세요? | yeong-eo ha-SE-yo |
| It’s okay / No problem | 괜찮아요 | gwaen-chan-A-yo |
Getting Around
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | …어디예요? | …eo-di-YE-yo |
| How much is it? | 얼마예요? | eol-ma-YE-yo |
| Left / Right | 왼쪽 / 오른쪽 | oen-JJOK / o-reun-JJOK |
| Straight ahead | 직진 | jik-JIN |
| Stop here | 여기서 세워 주세요 | yeo-gi-seo se-wo ju-SE-yo |
| Subway station | 지하철역 | ji-ha-cheol-YEOK |
| Airport | 공항 | gong-HANG |
| Bus | 버스 | BEO-seu |
| Taxi | 택시 | TAEK-si |
| A ticket, please | 표 한 장 주세요 | pyo han jang ju-SE-yo |
Food and Dining
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I would like… | …주세요 | …ju-SE-yo |
| Water | 물 | MUL |
| Rice | 밥 | BAP |
| Meat | 고기 | GO-gi |
| Spicy | 매워요 | mae-WO-yo |
| Not spicy, please | 안 맵게 해 주세요 | an maep-ge hae ju-SE-yo |
| Delicious | 맛있어요 | ma-shi-SSEO-yo |
| The bill, please | 계산해 주세요 | gye-san-hae ju-SE-yo |
| Beer | 맥주 | MAEK-ju |
| One more, please | 하나 더 주세요 | ha-na deo ju-SE-yo |
Numbers
Korean uses two number systems. The Sino-Korean system (below) is used for prices, phone numbers, and addresses. Native Korean numbers are used for counting items and ages.
| Number | Sino-Korean (Hangul) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 일 | IL |
| 2 | 이 | I |
| 3 | 삼 | SAM |
| 4 | 사 | SA |
| 5 | 오 | O |
| 6 | 육 | YUK |
| 7 | 칠 | CHIL |
| 8 | 팔 | PAL |
| 9 | 구 | GU |
| 10 | 십 | SIP |
Emergency Phrases
| English | Korean (Hangul) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | 도와주세요! | do-wa-ju-SE-yo |
| I need a doctor | 의사가 필요해요 | ui-sa-ga pi-ryo-HAE-yo |
| Police | 경찰 | gyeong-CHAL |
| Hospital | 병원 | byeong-WON |
| I am lost | 길을 잃었어요 | gi-reul i-reo-SSEO-yo |
| Call an ambulance | 구급차 불러 주세요 | gu-geup-cha bul-leo ju-SE-yo |
Korean pronunciation has a few sounds that do not exist in English. Double consonants (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ) are tenser and sharper versions of their single counterparts. The vowel “eo” (ㅓ) sounds like the “u” in “bus,” while “eu” (ㅡ) is similar to the “oo” in “book” but with unrounded lips. Politeness levels matter in Korean - the phrases above use the standard polite form (ending in -요), which is appropriate for all travel situations. Adding 주세요 (ju-SE-yo, meaning “please give me”) after any noun is one of the most practical patterns to learn: 물 주세요 (water please), 메뉴 주세요 (menu please), 영수증 주세요 (receipt please).
Pick up an eSIM for South Korea with Airalo before departure.
Book tours and experiences in South Korea through GetYourGuide.
More South Korea Travel Essentials
Language skills pair well with cultural awareness - see the Korean etiquette guide for customs around dining, shoes, and respectful behaviour that will be immediately useful alongside these phrases. For navigating the country’s transport systems, the T-money card guide covers how to load and use the card that works across Seoul metro, buses, and taxis. Planning your first visit? The first-time visitor guide to South Korea brings together all the practical preparation in one place.
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to South Korea 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car
Book an experience
Top tours to book now
Already planning? These are the most popular experiences for this destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need to speak Korean to travel in South Korea?
- Seoul and Busan have reasonable English signage and many younger Koreans speak some English. However, outside major cities, English is uncommon. Basic Korean phrases are particularly important in traditional markets, local restaurants, and when using taxis.
- What is the most important phrase to learn?
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida, thank you) is the most universally useful phrase. Koreans place great importance on politeness, and a respectful thank you in Korean immediately earns goodwill.