Korean for Beginners — 50 Essential Phrases to Know Before You Go
You don't need to be fluent to get around Korea. Even knowing a handful of phrases will earn you smiles, better service, and a much richer travel experience. Here are the 50 most useful Korean phrases — with simple pronunciation guides.
Pronunciation tip: In romanization below, "eo" sounds like the "u" in "but", "eu" sounds like the "i" in "sir", and "ae" sounds like "eh". Most sounds are close to English — just say it confidently!
Greetings & Basic Courtesy
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 Annyeonghaseyo | Hello (formal, standard) | |
| 안녕 Annyeong | Hi / Bye (informal, friends) | |
| 감사합니다 Gamsahamnida | Thank you (formal) | |
| 고마워요 Gomawoyo | Thank you (casual) | |
| 죄송합니다 Joesonghamnida | I'm sorry (formal) | |
| 괜찮아요 Gwaenchanayo | It's okay / No problem | |
| 네 Ne | Yes | |
| 아니요 Aniyo | No | |
| 잠깐만요 Jamkkanmanyo | One moment please | |
| 모르겠어요 Moreugeseoyo | I don't know |
Ordering Food & At Restaurants
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 이거 주세요 Igeo juseyo | This one, please (point at menu) | |
| 얼마예요? Eolmayeyo? | How much is it? | |
| 맛있어요! Massisseoyo! | It's delicious! | |
| 물 주세요 Mul juseyo | Water, please | |
| 계산해 주세요 Gyesan-hae juseyo | The bill, please | |
| 하나 더 주세요 Hana deo juseyo | One more, please | |
| 맵지 않게 해주세요 Maepji ange haejuseyo | Not spicy, please | |
| 포장해 주세요 Pojang-hae juseyo | To go, please | |
| 저기요! Jeogiyo! | Excuse me! (calling a server) | |
| 카드 돼요? Kadeu dwaeyo? | Do you take card? |
Shopping
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 이거 있어요? Igeo isseoyo? | Do you have this? | |
| 더 싸게 해주세요 Deo ssage haejuseyo | Can you give me a discount? | |
| 이거 얼마예요? Igeo eolmayeyo? | How much is this? | |
| 너무 비싸요 Neomu bissayo | Too expensive | |
| 그냥 볼게요 Geunyang bolgeyo | Just looking (politely declining help) | |
| 다른 색 있어요? Dareun saek isseoyo? | Do you have other colors? |
Getting Around
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 어디에 있어요? Eodie isseoyo? | Where is it? | |
| 지하철역이 어디에 있어요? Jihacheol-yeogi eodie isseoyo? | Where is the subway station? | |
| 여기로 가주세요 Yeogiro gajuseyo | Take me here please (show map to driver) | |
| 왼쪽 Oenjjok | Left | |
| 오른쪽 Oreunjjok | Right | |
| 직진 Jikjin | Straight ahead | |
| 화장실이 어디에 있어요? Hwajangsili eodie isseoyo? | Where is the bathroom? | |
| 공항에 가주세요 Gonghange gajuseyo | To the airport, please |
Emergencies & Getting Help
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요! Dowajuseyo! | Help me! | |
| 병원이 어디에 있어요? Byeongwoni eodie isseoyo? | Where is the hospital? | |
| 영어 할 수 있어요? Yeongeo hal su isseoyo? | Can you speak English? | |
| 경찰을 불러주세요 Gyeongchareul bulleojuseyo | Please call the police | |
| 아파요 Apayo | I'm sick / It hurts | |
| 길을 잃었어요 Gireul ireoesseoyo | I'm lost |
Useful Everyday Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 한국어 조금 해요 Hangugeo jogeum haeyo | I speak a little Korean | |
| 천천히 말해주세요 Cheoncheonhi malhaejuseyo | Please speak slowly | |
| 다시 말해주세요 Dasi malhaejuseyo | Please say that again | |
| 이름이 뭐예요? Ireumi mwoyeyo? | What's your name? | |
| 제 이름은 ___이에요 Je ireumeun ___ ieyo | My name is ___ | |
| 반가워요 Bangawoyo | Nice to meet you | |
| 안녕히 계세요 Annyeonghi gyeseyo | Goodbye (said to person staying) | |
| 안녕히 가세요 Annyeonghi gaseyo | Goodbye (said to person leaving) |
Practice tip: Download the Papago app (by Naver) — it has excellent Korean-English translation and even real-time camera translation for signs and menus. Use it alongside these phrases!