Travel Tips

Essential Korean Phrases for Travelers

February 15, 20265 min read

You don't need to be fluent in Korean to have a great trip. These practical phrases cover the most common situations travelers encounter. Tap the copy button to save any phrase to your clipboard, then show it to a local when you need help.

👋 Greetings

안녕하세요

Annyeonghaseyo

Hello

Tip
Works for any time of day. The most universal Korean greeting.

감사합니다

Gamsahamnida

Thank you

Tip
Formal and polite. Safe to use with anyone.

죄송합니다

Joesonghamnida

I'm sorry

Tip
Use for apologies. For 'excuse me' when passing, use 실례합니다.

Ne

Yes

아니요

Aniyo

No

실례합니다

Sillyehamnida

Excuse me

Tip
Use to get someone's attention politely.

안녕히 가세요

Annyeonghi gaseyo

Goodbye

Tip
Say this to someone who is leaving. If you're the one leaving, say 안녕히 계세요.

잠시만요

Jamsimanyo

Just a moment

괜찮아요

Gwaenchanayo

It's okay / I'm fine

만나서 반갑습니다

Mannaseo bangapseumnida

Nice to meet you

모르겠어요

Moreugesseoyo

I don't know

한국어 못해요

Hangugeo mothaeyo

I can't speak Korean

Tip
A useful opener when you need help in English.

영어 할 수 있어요?

Yeongeo hal su isseoyo?

Can you speak English?

천천히 말해주세요

Cheoncheonhi malhaejuseyo

Please speak slowly

이해 못했어요

Ihae mothaesseoyo

I didn't understand

다시 한번 말해주세요

Dasi hanbeon malhaejuseyo

Please say that again

화장실이 어디에요?

Hwajangsiri eodieyo?

Where is the bathroom?

Tip
Look for signs marked 화장실. Most public restrooms in Korea are clean and free.

이게 뭐예요?

Ige mwoyeyo?

What is this?

🍽️ Restaurant

메뉴 주세요

Menyu juseyo

Menu, please

이거 주세요

Igeo juseyo

This one, please

Tip
Point at what you want on the menu while saying this.

물 주세요

Mul juseyo

Water, please

Tip
Water is usually free and self-serve in Korean restaurants.

계산해 주세요

Gyesanhae juseyo

Check, please

Tip
In many restaurants, you pay at the counter when leaving.

맛있어요

Masisseoyo

It's delicious

Tip
Complimenting the food is always appreciated.

안 맵게 해주세요

An maepge haejuseyo

Not spicy, please

Tip
Korean 'mild' can still be spicy by Western standards.

하나 더 주세요

Hana deo juseyo

One more, please

Tip
Side dishes (banchan) are usually refilled for free.

채식주의자예요

Chaesikjuuijayeyo

I'm vegetarian

Tip
Vegetarian options are limited in Korea. Fish sauce and anchovy stock are common.

알레르기가 있어요

Allereugiga isseoyo

I have allergies

Tip
Follow up by showing the specific allergen written in Korean.

추천 메뉴가 뭐예요?

Chucheon menyuga mwoyeyo?

What do you recommend?

Tip
Great way to discover popular dishes at any restaurant.

두 명이요

Du myeong-iyo

Two people

Tip
Replace 두 (two) with the number you need: 세 (3), 네 (4), 다섯 (5).

예약했어요

Yeyakhaesseoyo

I have a reservation

포장해 주세요

Pojanghae juseyo

To go, please

Tip
Most restaurants and all cafes offer takeout.

젓가락 주세요

Jeotgarak juseyo

Chopsticks, please

포크 주세요

Pokeu juseyo

Fork, please

Tip
Most Korean restaurants have forks available if you ask.

소주 한 병 주세요

Soju han byeong juseyo

One bottle of soju, please

맥주 한 잔 주세요

Maekju han jan juseyo

One glass of beer, please

배불러요

Baebulleoyo

I'm full

Tip
A nice way to decline more food politely.

얼마나 기다려야 해요?

Eolmana gidaryeoya haeyo?

How long do I have to wait?

땅콩 빼주세요

Ttangkong ppaejuseyo

No peanuts, please

Tip
Replace 땅콩 with your specific allergen.

이 음식이 뭐예요?

I eumsigi mwoyeyo?

What is this food?

Tip
Useful when menus don't have pictures or English.

리필 돼요?

Ripil dwaeyo?

Can I get a refill?

Tip
Side dishes (banchan) are almost always free to refill.

따로 계산해 주세요

Ttaro gyesanhae juseyo

Separate checks, please

Tip
Not common in Korea, but possible at some places.

🚇 Transport

여기 가주세요

Yeogi gajuseyo

Please go here

Tip
Show the address on your phone to the taxi driver.

얼마예요?

Eolmayeyo?

How much is it?

역이 어디에요?

Yeogi eodieyo?

Where is the station?

Tip
Replace 역 with the specific station name.

여기서 내려주세요

Yeogiseo naeryeojuseyo

Please stop here

Tip
Useful in taxis when you've reached your destination.

이 버스 ~에 가나요?

I beoseu ~e ganayo?

Does this bus go to ~?

Tip
Replace ~ with your destination name.

택시 불러주세요

Taeksi bulleojuseyo

Please call a taxi

Tip
Most locals use the Kakao T app for taxis.

직진 / 좌회전 / 우회전

Jikjin / Jwahoejeon / Uhoejeon

Straight / Left turn / Right turn

몇 번 출구예요?

Myeot beon chulgu-yeyo?

Which exit number?

Tip
Korean subway stations have many exits. Always note the exit number.

환승해야 해요?

Hwanseunghaeya haeyo?

Do I need to transfer?

교통카드 충전해 주세요

Gyotong kadeu chungjeonhae juseyo

Please recharge my transit card

Tip
T-money cards can be recharged at any convenience store or subway machine.

걸어서 갈 수 있어요?

Georeoseo gal su isseoyo?

Can I walk there?

얼마나 걸려요?

Eolmana geollyeoyo?

How long does it take?

지하철역이 어디에요?

Jihacheol-yeogi eodieyo?

Where is the subway station?

버스 정류장이 어디에요?

Beoseu jeongnyujangi eodieyo?

Where is the bus stop?

첫차/막차가 몇 시예요?

Cheotcha/makchaga myeot siyeyo?

What time is the first/last train?

Tip
Seoul subway runs roughly 5:30 AM to midnight.

공항 가는 버스 어디서 타요?

Gonghang ganeun beoseu eodiseo tayo?

Where do I catch the airport bus?

다음 정거장이 어디에요?

Daeum jeonggeojang-i eodieyo?

What is the next stop?

트렁크 열어주세요

Teureonkeu yeoreojuseyo

Please open the trunk

Tip
Useful when you have large luggage in a taxi.

미터기 켜주세요

Miteogi kyeojuseyo

Please turn on the meter

Tip
All licensed taxis must use meters. If a driver refuses, find another taxi.

🛍️ Shopping

이거 얼마예요?

Igeo eolmayeyo?

How much is this?

깎아 주세요

Kkakka juseyo

Can you give a discount?

Tip
Bargaining is common at traditional markets, but not at regular stores.

카드 돼요?

Kadeu dwaeyo?

Can I pay by card?

Tip
Card payments are accepted almost everywhere in Korea.

입어봐도 돼요?

Ibeobwado dwaeyo?

Can I try this on?

다른 색 있어요?

Dareun saek isseoyo?

Do you have another color?

봉투 주세요

Bongtu juseyo

Bag, please

Tip
Plastic bags cost extra at most stores.

구경만 할게요

Gugyeongman halgeyo

Just looking

Tip
Helpful when shopkeepers approach you in stores.

영수증 주세요

Yeongsujeung juseyo

Receipt, please

환불해 주세요

Hwanbulhae juseyo

Refund, please

교환해 주세요

Gyohwanhae juseyo

Exchange, please

면세 가능해요?

Myeonse ganeunghaeyo?

Is tax-free available?

Tip
Foreign tourists can get tax refunds at stores with 'Tax Free' signs when spending over 30,000 won.

더 큰 거 있어요?

Deo keun geo isseoyo?

Do you have a bigger one?

더 작은 거 있어요?

Deo jageun geo isseoyo?

Do you have a smaller one?

선물 포장해 주세요

Seonmul pojanghae juseyo

Gift wrap, please

현금만 돼요?

Hyeongeumman dwaeyo?

Cash only?

제일 인기 있는 게 뭐예요?

Jeil ingi inneun ge mwoyeyo?

What's the most popular one?

Tip
Great way to find bestsellers in cosmetics or souvenir shops.

새 거 주세요

Sae geo juseyo

A new one, please

Tip
Use when the display item looks used and you want a sealed one.

🏨 Hotel

체크인 해주세요

Chekeu-in haejuseyo

Check-in, please

체크아웃 해주세요

Chekeu-aut haejuseyo

Check-out, please

와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?

Waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo?

What's the Wi-Fi password?

수건 더 주세요

Sugeon deo juseyo

More towels, please

뜨거운 물이 안 나와요

Tteugeoun muri an nawayo

There's no hot water

Tip
Korean accommodations often have floor heating controls near the thermostat.

방을 바꿔주세요

Bangeul bakkwojuseyo

Please change my room

예약했어요

Yeyakhaesseoyo

I have a reservation

짐 맡아주세요

Jim matajuseyo

Please hold my luggage

Tip
Most hotels and guesthouses will store luggage before check-in or after check-out.

늦은 체크아웃 가능해요?

Neujeun chekeu-aut ganeunghaeyo?

Is late check-out possible?

에어컨이 안 돼요

Eeokeoni an dwaeyo

The air conditioner doesn't work

히터가 안 돼요

Hiteoga an dwaeyo

The heater doesn't work

조식은 몇 시예요?

Josigeun myeot siyeyo?

What time is breakfast?

근처에 편의점 있어요?

Geuncheoe pyeonuijeom isseoyo?

Is there a convenience store nearby?

Tip
Convenience stores (편의점) are everywhere in Korea, often open 24/7.

모닝콜 해주세요

Moningkol haejuseyo

Wake-up call, please

방 청소해 주세요

Bang cheongsohae juseyo

Please clean the room

열쇠를 잃어버렸어요

Yeolsoereul ilheoberyeosseoyo

I lost my key

너무 시끄러워요

Neomu sikkeureowoyo

It's too noisy

이불 더 주세요

Ibul deo juseyo

Extra blanket, please

🚨 Emergency

도와주세요!

Dowajuseyo!

Help!

Tip
Emergency number in Korea: 119 (fire/ambulance) or 112 (police).

병원이 어디에요?

Byeongwoni eodieyo?

Where is the hospital?

경찰서가 어디에요?

Gyeongchalseoga eodieyo?

Where is the police station?

길을 잃었어요

Gireul ilheosseoyo

I'm lost

Tip
Show your hotel address on your phone to get directions.

약국이 어디에요?

Yakgugi eodieyo?

Where is the pharmacy?

Tip
Look for signs with 약국. Pharmacists can recommend basic medicines.

아파요

Apayo

I'm sick / It hurts

여권을 잃어버렸어요

Yeogwoneul ilheoberyeosseoyo

I lost my passport

Tip
Contact your embassy immediately. Keep a photo of your passport on your phone.

지갑을 잃어버렸어요

Jigabeul ilheoberyeosseoyo

I lost my wallet

영어 하는 사람 있어요?

Yeongeo haneun saram isseoyo?

Is there someone who speaks English?

Tip
Tourist hotline: 1330 provides assistance in English, Japanese, Chinese, and more.

대사관에 연락해 주세요

Daesagwane yeollakhae juseyo

Please contact the embassy

사고가 났어요

Sagoga nasseoyo

There's been an accident

여기가 어디에요?

Yeogiga eodieyo?

Where am I?

Tip
Look for the address on nearby buildings or utility poles.

구급차 불러주세요

Gugeupcha bulleojuseyo

Please call an ambulance

핸드폰을 잃어버렸어요

Haendeuponeul ilheoberyeosseoyo

I lost my phone

도둑이야!

Dodugiya!

Thief!

Tip
Korea is very safe, but stay alert in crowded areas.

알레르기 반응이 있어요

Allereugi baneung-i isseoyo

I'm having an allergic reaction

숨을 못 쉬겠어요

Sumeul mot swigesseoyo

I can't breathe

불이야!

Buriya!

Fire!

Tip
Fire emergency number: 119.

Final Thoughts

Remember, most Koreans appreciate any effort to speak their language, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect. A smile and a polite attempt will go a long way. For more complex conversations, the Papago or Google Translate apps work well with Korean.

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