Communication in South Korea is predominantly conducted in the Korean language, but English is also commonly used in tourist areas and among younger generations, making it relatively accessible for travelers.
Here are 32 essential Korean words and phrases for travelers to South Korea
Greetings
Hello: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
Goodbye: 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo)
Nice to meet you: 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo)
How are you?: 어떻게 지내세요? (eotteoke jinaeseyo?)
I'm fine, thank you: 잘 지내요, 감사합니다 (jal jinaeyo, gamsahamnida)
You're welcome: 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo)
Polite Phrases
Excuse me: 실례합니다 (silh-lehamnida)
Please: 부탁드립니다 (butakdeulmnida)
Thank you: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)
You're welcome: 천만에요 (cheonmaneyo)
Sorry: 미안합니다 (mianhamnida)
No problem: 괜찮습니다 (gwaenchanha-seubnida)
You're right: 네, 맞습니다 (ne, match-seubnida)
I'm sorry, I don't understand: 미안합니다, 이해하지 못했습니다 (mianhamnida, ihaehaji mothae-sseumnida)
Asking for help
Can you help me?: 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo)
Where is the bathroom?: 화장실은 어디에 있습니까? (hwajangsil-eun eodi-e isseubnikka?)
How much does this cost?: 이거 얼마예요? (i-geo eolmayeyo?)
I'm lost: 길을 잃어버렸습니다 (gil-eul il-teobeoryeosseumnida)
Ordering food and drinks
I'd like to order: 주문하고 싶습니다 (jumun-hago sip-seubnida)
What do you recommend?: 무엇을 추천해 주시겠습니까? (muweoseul chucheonhae juseyo-gesseumnikka?)
I'm vegetarian: 저는 채식주의자입니다 (jeo-neun chaesikjuui-ja-imnida)
I don't eat meat: 고기를 안 먹습니다 (gogi-reul an meok-seubnida)
I'll have the same: 이거랑 같은 거 주세요 (i-geo-rang gateun geo juseyo)
Can I have a receipt?: 영수증 주세요 (yeongsu-jeung juseyo)
Transportation
I need a taxi: 택시가 필요합니다 (taeksi-ga pi-ryo-hae-seubnida)
Where is the bus stop?: 버스 정류장은 어디에 있습니까? (beoseu jeong-ryu-jang-eun eodi-e isseubnikka?)
What time does the next train leave?: 다음 기차는 몇 시에 떠나나요? (da-eum gi-chae-neun myeot si-e tteo-na-na-yo?)
I'm going to the airport: 공항에 가고 있습니다 (gonghang-e ga-go isseubnida)
Emergency
Help!: 구조하세요! (gujo-ha-seyo!)
Call the police!: 경찰을 불러주세요! (gyeongchal-eul bulleo-juseyo!)
I'm sick: 아파요 (a-pa-yo)
I'm lost: 길을 잃어버렸습니다 (gil-eul il-teobeoryeosseumnida)
When learning Korean, here are some key points to keep in mind:
Honorifics: Korean has different levels of formality and honorifics, which are used to show respect to the person you are speaking to. It's important to learn and use the appropriate level of formality based on the situation and the relationship with the person you are speaking to.
Sentence Structure: Korean follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) sentence structure, which is different from English. Understanding this structure will help you form sentences correctly.
Levels of Politeness: Korean has different speech levels based on the social status and age of the person you are speaking to. The formal speech level, known as "jondaetmal," is used in more formal situations or when speaking to someone older or in a higher position. The informal speech level, known as "banmal," is used with friends or people of similar age or status.
Pronunciation: Korean has distinct sounds that may be unfamiliar to non-native speakers. It's important to pay attention to correct pronunciation, especially with vowels and consonants that may differ from English.
Hanja: Hanja refers to Chinese characters used in Korean writing. While not as commonly used in everyday conversation, Hanja still holds significance in certain contexts, such as academic and professional settings. Learning a few basic Hanja characters can help with understanding certain Korean words.
Romanization: Romanization is the representation of Korean characters using the Latin alphabet. While it can be helpful for beginners, it's important to eventually focus on reading and writing in Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, as it provides a more accurate representation of Korean pronunciation.
Cultural Context: Learning about Korean culture and customs can enhance your understanding of the language. Cultural nuances can influence speech patterns, vocabulary usage, and etiquette. Take the time to learn about Korean customs, traditions, and social norms to better appreciate and communicate in Korean.
