Korean Phrases for Travelers – 30 Useful Expressions (With Easy Pronunciation)




Hello from Seoul! 🍂

It's the end of October here, the leaves are turning red and gold, and the mornings call for a warm jacket and a hot cup of coffee.


Here's the short answer:

👉 You don't need to be fluent to travel in Korea.

👉 About 30 simple phrases cover greetings, food, shopping, taxis, and emergencies.

👉 Save the 3 phrase cards in this post and show them on your phone if you get stuck.


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Ever stood at a restaurant counter, pointing at a picture menu, not sure if you just ordered the spicy one? 😅

Or jumped into a taxi and realized the driver doesn't speak English?


It happens to almost every first-time visitor.

The good news: Koreans light up when a traveler tries even one word of Korean.

A simple "thank you" in Korean can get you a bigger smile, better help, and sometimes a little extra side dish.


All phrases below use the polite form (-yo / -ni-da), so you can safely use them with anyone.


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■ 1. 6 Must-Know Basics


| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |

|---|---|---|

| 안녕하세요 | an-nyeong-ha-se-yo | Hello |

| 감사합니다 | gam-sa-ham-ni-da | Thank you |

| 죄송합니다 | joe-song-ham-ni-da | I'm sorry |

| 저기요 | jeo-gi-yo | Excuse me (to get attention) |

| 네 / 아니요 | ne / a-ni-yo | Yes / No |

| 영어 하세요? | yeong-eo ha-se-yo? | Do you speak English? |


💡Tip: "저기요 (jeo-gi-yo)" is the phrase you'll use most in restaurants. In Korea, staff don't usually come by on their own, so it's totally normal to raise your hand and call out "jeo-gi-yo!"


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■ 2. At a Restaurant or Café


| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |

|---|---|---|

| 이거 주세요 | i-geo ju-se-yo | This one, please |

| 두 명이에요 | du myeong-i-e-yo | Table for two |

| 안 맵게 해 주세요 | an maep-ge hae ju-se-yo | Not spicy, please |

| 물 좀 주세요 | mul jom ju-se-yo | Some water, please |

| 포장해 주세요 | po-jang-hae ju-se-yo | To go, please |

| 계산해 주세요 | gye-san-hae ju-se-yo | The check, please |


💡Tip: "이거 주세요 (i-geo ju-se-yo)" + pointing at the menu works almost everywhere. It's the most powerful phrase on this list!


💡Tip: Water is usually self-service. Look for a water dispenser near the counter before asking.


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■ 3. Shopping & Markets


| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |

|---|---|---|

| 얼마예요? | eol-ma-ye-yo? | How much is it? |

| 좀 깎아 주세요 | jom kka-kka ju-se-yo | Could you give me a discount? |

| 카드 돼요? | ka-deu dwae-yo? | Can I pay by card? |

| 입어 봐도 돼요? | i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo? | Can I try it on? |

| 다른 색 있어요? | da-reun saek i-sseo-yo? | Do you have other colors? |

| 택스 리펀드 돼요? | taek-seu ri-peon-deu dwae-yo? | Is tax refund available? |


💡Tip: Asking for a discount works at traditional markets, not at department stores or chain shops. Say it with a smile, not as a demand.


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■ 4. Getting Around (Taxi & Subway)


| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |

|---|---|---|

| ___ 어디예요? | ___ eo-di-ye-yo? | Where is ___? |

| ___ 가 주세요 | ___ ga ju-se-yo | Please take me to ___ |

| 여기서 세워 주세요 | yeo-gi-seo se-wo ju-se-yo | Please stop here |

| 지하철역 어디예요? | ji-ha-cheol-yeok eo-di-ye-yo? | Where is the subway station? |

| 화장실 어디예요? | hwa-jang-sil eo-di-ye-yo? | Where is the restroom? |

| 얼마나 걸려요? | eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo? | How long does it take? |


💡Tip: For taxis, show your hotel or destination name written in Korean on your phone. Even with perfect pronunciation, a written address is faster and safer.


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■ 5. When You Need Help


| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |

|---|---|---|

| 도와주세요 | do-wa-ju-se-yo | Help me, please |

| 길을 잃었어요 | gi-reul i-reo-sseo-yo | I'm lost |

| 병원 어디예요? | byeong-won eo-di-ye-yo? | Where is the hospital? |

| 약국 어디예요? | yak-guk eo-di-ye-yo? | Where is a pharmacy? |

| 천천히 말해 주세요 | cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-se-yo | Please speak slowly |

| 다시 한 번 말해 주세요 | da-si han beon mal-hae ju-se-yo | Please say that again |


Save these numbers in your phone before you land:


| Number | What it's for |

|---|---|

| 119 | Ambulance & fire |

| 112 | Police |

| 1330 | Korea Travel Hotline (interpretation & travel help) |


💡Tip: 1330 is a lifesaver. If you can't communicate with a taxi driver, shop owner, or pharmacist, call 1330 and hand them the phone. They'll interpret for you.


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■ Worried About This?


Q. Korean pronunciation looks hard. Will people understand me?

A. Yes! Koreans are used to hearing tourists, and context does most of the work. Say it slowly with a smile, and point if you need to. Nobody expects perfect pronunciation.


Q. Is it rude to use the wrong politeness level?

A. Every phrase in this post uses the polite form, so you're safe with shop staff, drivers, and older people. You won't accidentally sound rude.


Q. Don't most Koreans speak English anyway?

A. Many younger people in Seoul understand basic English, but taxi drivers, market vendors, and older people often don't. Outside Seoul, Korean phrases help even more.


Q. Can't I just use a translation app?

A. Apps are great backups, but they're slow at a busy counter and need data. A quick "i-geo ju-se-yo" is often faster. Use both!


Q. Do I need to bow?

A. A small nod of the head with "an-nyeong-ha-se-yo" or "gam-sa-ham-ni-da" is perfect. No deep bowing needed.


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■ Quick Summary


✅ Learn the 6 basics first: hello, thank you, sorry, excuse me, yes/no, English?

✅ "이거 주세요 (i-geo ju-se-yo)" + pointing = order almost anything

✅ "저기요 (jeo-gi-yo)" to call restaurant staff

✅ Show addresses in Korean to taxi drivers

✅ Save 119 · 112 · 1330 before your trip

✅ Save the 3 phrase cards in this post to your phone


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Which Korean phrase do you want to try first on your trip? 😊

Or is there a situation you're worried about? Tell me in the comments and I'll add a phrase for it!


If this helped, follow Happy in Korea for more real, local tips for traveling in Korea. 🇰🇷


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■ Read Next


👉 DMZ Tour from Seoul – Best Tours, Rules & What to Expect (2026)

👉 Korea eSIM vs SIM Card vs Pocket WiFi – Which Is Best for Tourists? (2026)

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Location: 대한민국 서울특별시

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