Basic Korean Phrases for Travel: The Local Version

You don’t need to be fluent to survive in Korea — sometimes, all it takes is knowing how to say “Where’s the restroom?” or “I’m allergic to garlic.”

I’ve visited South Korea 17 times since 2006, and I’ve done it all — from arriving with zero phrases to fluent. I can promise you: knowing just a few Korean phrases changes the game.

If you’re a culturally-conscious traveler heading to South Korea who want to learn some basic Korean phrases, even if you’ve never touched a Korean textbook, I’ve got you.

From polite basic greetings, survival phrases, to ordering food with an allergy, I’ll walk you through everything you need to say, pronunciation help included!

Note: This post was originally published in January of 2024. It has been updated to include more practical phrases and relevant information for you.

Why Learn a Few Korean Phrases Before You Go?

As your language maniac, I can tell you that knowing even how to say the most basic Korean phrases like “This one, please” (이거주세요 / i-geo-ju-se-yo) and nothing else can still get you a long way.

So if you only take one phrase and nothing else from this list, please let it be that one! 😂

How Korean Pronunciation Works

It’s true that as travelers, you get by with a lot more things than the locals. But when it comes to phrases in the local language, wrong pronunciations won’t always fly.

So even though you’re here to learn the more basic phrases, let’s get a few important pronunciation points out of the way first.

Thankfully, the Korean government regulates the Romanization of the Korean script, so no matter where you find Romanized Korean, they’ll all be spelled in the exact same way. No confusion there!

• EO – When you see the vowel “eo” in any word, it’s pronounced “aw.” Like saw, paw, law, etc. Linguistically speaking, it’s the halfway sound between “O” and “A.” So don’t go pronouncing it “aeyo” because no Korean will understand you!
• A – This is the Spanish A, nothing more, nothing less. Think “can’t” in British English.
• E – Again, Spanish E, or the French É, nothing more, nothing less.
• AE – This is the open A, like “can” or “and” in American English
• EU – Well, this doesn’t exist in English at all, doesn’t it… Let’s say it sounds like “mhm,” but instead of in your throat, it’s pronounced with your mouth open. Check out this video to learn how it’s pronounced.

You will also see a lot of clustered consonants with Y and W. For example, “nyeong” or “gwi.” When you come across them in the upcoming phrases, they’re pronounced exactly the way they’re written, clustered.

Everything else is pretty straightforward!

Korean Speech Levels Explained

The Korean language comes with different speech levels – formal, polite casual, and casual. As a traveler, the polite casual level is your best friend.

In some circumstances, the formal version of a phrase is used more often (Like thank you and sorry, for example). But you can rest easy knowing I will give you the most natural-sounding (and easiest to say) version of everything.

Here are some tips on how to recognize each level.

Formal Speech: Always ends with “ni-da.” You’ll hear this a lot through public announcements like on a flight, in department stores, at train stations, etc. The locals also use this speech in workplace settings.

Polite Casual Speech: Always ends with “yo.” This is the most commonly used speech among the locals, as long as they’re not besties or of the same age. You’ll hear it everywhere; a random stranger talking to the restaurant owner, mall staff talking to their customers, etc.

Casual Speech: If it sounds short, and you don’t hear a “ni-da” or “yo,” it’s casual speech or “Ban-mal (반말),” which translates to “Half-speech.” This is only used between close friends and family members, or used by an adult talking to a clearly younger person.

Now, you’re ready to dive off the deep end! Or are you? *wink* Let’s do it!

Must-Know Korean Phrases for Travel

Basic Greetings

Greetings save lives.

It doesn’t matter how bad you think you sound, even saying hello to them in their language, and you’ll see their faces light up. It is the best feeling for both parties! Below are some hyper-basic phrases you can use in your everyday life (in Korea, of course).

인녕하세요! (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo): Hello!

죄송합니다 (Chwe-song-ham-ni-da): I’m sorry.

죄송한데요… (Chwe-song-han-de-yo): Excuse me… (This can be followed by any questions you want to ask.)

죄송해요 (Chwe-song-hae-yo): If your “Excuse me” isn’t followed by anything else… For example, you’re just trying to get off the subway and need someone to move out of your way, say this. Technically, this word is a less serious version of “I’m sorry.”

네 (Ne): Yes (Very important!)

아니오 (A-ni-o): No. This version is more for telling someone, “No, that’s not it” or “That’s not correct.”

괜찮아요 (Gwaen-cha-na-yo): It’s okay. It’s alright. Also used to mean “No, thank you.”

감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da): Thank you.

안녕히 계세요 (An-nyeong-hee-gye-se-yo): Goodbye (If you’re the one leaving, so this can be used with the staff at any establishment you visit; restaurants, shops, banks.)

안녕히 가세요 (An-nyeong-hee-ga-se-yo): Goodbye (If you’re staying where you are and they’re leaving.)

Hotel and Accommodation Phrases

After a long flight, communicating at the hotel might seem daunting. But don’t worry! Even the simplest ways to say certain phrases can be your savior.

체크인 부탁해주세요 (Che-keu-in | Pu-tak-hae-ju-se-yo): I’d like to check in, please. Don’t panic, you can shorten it if you’d like. 체크인 주세요 (Che-keu-in-ju-se-yo): That’s more like “Check-in, please.” Not super complete but they’ll understand you!

방이 있어요? (Bang-i-is-seo-yo?): Is there a room available?

Here’s a bonus for you foodies if you’re not up for searching on the first day.

좋은 식당은 어디 가면 돼요? (Cho-eun-shik-tang-eun | eo-di-ga-myeon-dwae-yo?): Where can I go for good food?

Transportation Phrases

Seoul’s public transport is easily the best I’ve seen so far. It’s well spread out, signs are clearly labeled, and stations are super clean.

But depending on your level of familiarity with the subway systems of the world, it can be a little tricky. If you ever get confused, I hope these phrases below will help!

가장 가까운 지하철역이 어디 있어요? (Gajang-ka-ga-un | ji-ha-cheol-yeok-i | eo-di-is-seo-yo?): Where is the closest subway station?

Or if you need to shorten it… 가장 가까운 역이 어디 있어요? (Gajang-ka-ga-un | yeok-i | eo-di-is-seo-yo?): Where is the closest station? We’ll just cross our fingers that the lucky Korean person knows exactly what type of station we’re talking about. They likely will, though!

이 역은 어떻게 가면 돼요? (I-yeok-eun | eo-teo-ke-ga-myeon-dwae-yo?): How do I get to this station? Don’t forget to point out which station you’re referring to!

Assuming you’ve struck up a conversation on how to get somewhere with a Korean stranger… To confirm whether you’re on the right side of the platform for the direction you’re going in, see below.

이 쪽은 맞아요? (I-jok-eun | ma-ja-yo?): Is this the correct side?

And the following phrases are for taxis if you ever need to use them.

여기로 가주세요 (Yeo-gi-ro-ga-ju-se-yo): Go here, please. Have the address ready and hand it to your driver!

여긴 괜찮아요 (Yeo-gin-gwaen-cha-na-yo): You can drop me off here. (Direct translation: Here is fine.)

거기서 멈춰주세요 (Geo-gi-seo | meom-chweo-ju-se-yo): Drop me off there, please (Don’t forget to point!)

Eating Out in Korea

Food is the heart of Korean culture. Everything is just delicious. From street food to fine dining, being able to just point at a thing and say “This one, please” is a classic tourist move and an absolute lifesaver.

So is being able to say, “I can’t eat shellfish.” A literal lifesaver, that last one. Here we go, foodies. Basics first.

영업 아직 하세요? (Yeong-eob | a-jik-ha-se-yo?): Are you still open?

몇시에 끝나요? (Myeot-shi-e | Geun-na-yo?): What time do you close?

몇시에 열어요? (Myeot-shi-e | yeo-reo-yo?): What time do you open?

이거 주세요 (I-geo-ju-se-yo): This one, please

저는 — 못 먹어요 (Cheo-neun [insert food] mot-meo-geo-yo): I can’t eat —

• 해산물 (Hae-san-mul): Seafood
• 조개 (Jo-gae): Shellfish
• 견과류 (Gyeon-gwa-ryu): Tree nuts
• 양파 (Yang-pa): Onions
• 마늘 (Ma-neul): Garlic
• 매운거 (Mae-un-geo): Literal “spicy stuff.”

Notice that I’m not teaching you how to say “I don’t eat” but “I CAN’T eat.” So the intensity is implied. If for any reason you’d rather specify it’s an allergy, see the option below.

• 저는 — 알러지가 있어요 (Cheo-neun [insert food] al-leo-ji-ga-is-seo-yo): I’m allergic to —

많이 매워요? (Ma-ni-mae-weo-yo?): Is it very spicy?

덜 맵게 해주세요 (Deol-maep-ge | hae-ju-se-yo): Please make it less spicy. It’s important to get the “Deol” right with the L sound at the end, which means “less.” Because guess what… “Deo” without the L means “More.”

물 좀 더 주세요 (Mul-jom | deo-ju-se-yo): More water, please.

맛있어요 (Ma-shi-seo-yo): It’s delicious

이거 포장해주세요 (I-geo | po-jang-hae-ju-se-yo): Pack this to go, please.

계산할게요! (Gye-san-hal-ge-yo): I’m going to pay now.

My all-time favorite night-dining experience? A cup of Ramyeon (instant noodles) and a bottle of soju by the Han River, watching the Banpo Bridge Water Show.

Seriously, forget restaurants for one night. If you truly want to feel immersed in the local culture, Ramyeon by the Han River is the way to go.

General Survival Phrases

Here, you’ll find a few phrases that are important, but my poor brain didn’t know how or where to categorize them. Although I call them generic, I wouldn’t recommend skipping this section.

도와주세요 (Do-wa-ju-se-yo): Please help me. Use this in any situation you need help in, ranging from having a subway-related question to getting your purse stolen. I hope you never run into case #2, but in case you do, don’t just say the sentence, scream it.

이 근처에 화장실이 있어요? (I-geun-cheo-e | hwa-jang-shil-i-is-seo-yo?): Are there restrooms nearby?

화장실이 어디 있어요? (Hwa-jang-shil-i | eo-di-is-seo-yo?): Where is the restroom?

Overwhelmed? Simply say 화장실? (Hwa-jang-shil?): As a question. It means “Bathroom?”

But speaking of restrooms… when in doubt, go down the closest subway station. There are always clean restrooms down there before passing the turnstiles.

이 근처에 ATM이 있어요? (I-geun-cheo-e | ATM-i-is-seo-yo?): Is there an ATM around here?

When You’re Stuck

Even with basic phrases, there will be moments of confusion. That’s where you start to think, “Man… How do I ask if they speak English…” or “I should have learned how to say speak more slowly, please…”

Or even if you’ve nailed the phrases on your end, or in fact, you’ve nailed it so well, the locals just throw more full-speed Korean phrases right back at you, and then you’re speechless.

This section is where I will attempt to limit these instances for you. Here we go. Last one!

천천히 말해주세요 (Cheon-cheon-hee | mal-hae-ju-se-yo): Please speak more slowly.

영어 할 수 있으세요? (Yeong-eo | hal-su-is-seu-se-yo?): Can you speak English?

Phrases You’ll Hear from the Locals

뭘 도와드릴까요? (Mweol | do-wa-deu-ril-ga-yo?): How can I help?

뭘 드릴까요? (Mweol | deu-ril-ga-yo?): What would you like? (What can I get for you?)

드시고 가세요? (Deu-shi-go-ga-se-yo?): For here or to go? (Are you eating and then leaving?)

• If you’re dining in, say yes. Remember 네 (ne) from the beginning of this post?
• If you’re taking it to go, say 포장이요 (po-jang-i-yo).

영수증 드릴까요? (Yeong-su-jeung-deu-ril-ga-yo?): Would you like your receipt?

• If you want the receipt, say 네 (ne).
• If not, say “It’s okay.” 괜찮아요 (Gwaen-cha-na-yo).

Best Apps for Language Support

If this entire article has failed you (God, I hope not. I tried my best!), remember to never use Google Translate!

The Google software still struggles to understand the nuances of Asian languages, unfortunately.

Download “Papago” and you’ll be okay anywhere. It has the image translation and live translation functions just like Google, but it makes an effort to get nuances across, too.

Common Questions About Using Korean Phrases

Final Thoughts

No matter how loudly your inner perfectionist is screaming when you’re on this trip, just remember that at the end of the day, what matters more than getting these phrases right, or whether or not the Korean people understand you, is the humanity you all share.

If you care about their culture, they will feel it. At that point, it won’t even matter if you understand each other; they will help you. Kindness and common humanity win, my friends. Enjoy your trip!

Do You Enjoy Language Posts?

Dig deeper into this fascinating language with How to Respectfully Address Others in Korean, or learn some Korean words instead of phrases if you’re not comfortable saying full sentences.

To help you with knowledge retention, check out my tips for learning a new language quickly.

I also have phrases in other languages, like Thai or Spanish, if you’re browsing as a hobby. If that’s the case, send me a DM so we can connect as fellow language nerds!

How Do I Prepare for My Seoul Trip?

To help you plan your Seoul trip more conveniently, I have another guide on the Seoul neighborhoods and which ones suit which travel style. Also, don’t forget to check out what cool activities you can do in Seoul.

For those who love joining tours to get more local insights, I highly recommend visiting this blog post with the best tours and experiences I’ve personally curated for you.

Find the rest of my Seoul travel guides (over 30 of them) on the main Korea Travel page!

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