Basic Korean Phrases for Travelers and Beginners

환영합니다! [hwanyeonghamnida] Welcome!

This article aims to provide you with some useful travel terms and common phrases in Korean. Both for travelers and for beginning language learners, this is your language guide and travel bible in its easiest form possible.

Basic Korean Phrases for Travelers

General travel terms and phrases

There are many ways things can be said in Korean. There are formal, casual, informal, and even honorific terms, but we will focus on the most applicable tone in order to express the message and have it be understood.

*In expressing your apologies, you can choose between the two phrases above. “My apologies” sounds formal and more sincere, while “I’m sorry” is more casual – not that it’s less sincere, but if you want to emphasize your sincerity, choose the more formal one. 

At the airport

One place everyone goes through while traveling abroad is the airport 공항 [gonghang]. When traveling from your country you may not need these phrases, but on your way back home you might. 

English speaking assistance may be available, yet there are those times when luck isn’t on your side and you will need to communicate using the local language. Here are some common conversational phrases most travelers might bump into.

Getting around Phrases

돌아 다닐때 [dora daniltte], or getting around. As a traveler, you should know how to get around without worrying about what to say so you can just enjoy every moment.

* -i/-neun are kinds of suffixes attached to some words like names, places, things and so on. The suffix “i” is used when the word ends with a  consonant, while “ga” is used when the word ends with a vowel. For example, “Where is the market?” 시장이 어디에 있어요? [sijang-i eodi-e iseoyo?] and “Where is the exit?” 출구는 어디에 있어요? [choolgooneun eodi-e iseoyo?]

Food and dining phrases in Korean

One of the interesting parts of exploring a foreign land is the chance to experience its foods and local delicacies. One has to be able to express and understand the language especially if there are dietary restrictions for safety, but most of all for the great satisfaction it can offer.

*Note: If you have enjoyed the meal, “잘 먹었습니다 [jal meogeoseumnida]” or  “음식이 맛있었습니다 [eomshigi mashiseoseomnida]”  are phrases to  express your appreciation. But in case you find it difficult to remember these phrases, a simple thank you “감사합니다 [kamsahamnida]” will absolutely suffice. Check out Korean Words and Phrases For Food Issues as well.

Shopping phrases in Korean

Traveling around might give you the chance to buy something for collections, as souvenirs or as presents for your loved ones back home. Here are some common phrases you will find handy.

Signs a traveler might see while shopping in Korea

Korean Phrases for Assistance or Emergencies

Whether for your personal benefit or someone else’s, knowing what to say or who to look to for help is a sign of wisdom.

Different countries and their Korean terms

*Please note that not only England but other British countries are also called 영국 [Yeonggook] in Korean.

Basic Korean Phrases For Beginners

Korean Greetings

Here are some greetings used when meeting a person for the first time.

*Note that the above words for “hello” are different from the word used when answering a phone. The Korean word “hello” in a phone conversation is “여보세요 [yeoboseyo]?”

The Korean word “annyeonghaseyo” can be used in different situations. While English greetings include specific times of day like morning, afternoon and evening, Korean greetings use “annyeonghaseyo” as a  general greeting word. Since we are aware of what time it is, it seems to be unnecessary to indicate the time while greeting someone. 

좋은 아침 is actually derived from the English expression “good morning,” and was originally for when a young person wakes up and greet an elder in the morning. The greeting is 안녕히 주무셨어요? [annyeonghi jumusyeoseoyo] which means “did you sleep well?” When somebody older greets someone younger, whether it is morning or after a nap, the greeting is 잘 잤어? [ jal jaseo]. 

Aside from that, all greetings in the morning or anytime in the day, can be expressed by saying “annyeonghaseyo.”

Although annyeonghaseyo can also be used as “hi / hello,” it cannot be used to say goodbye. Annyeong on the other hand can be used as “hi,” “hello,” and “goodbye.”

Saying your farewell greetings in Korean

Simple communicative phrases for beginners

Introducing oneself

Conclusion

I hope I have covered the most important details, especially for travelers. If there is anything important that I have left out, please, do remind me. And for beginners, you can practice your pronunciation through these phrases and broaden your Korean vocabulary. 

Please don’t forget to share with everyone, especially those you know who will travel and visit South Korea soon. Also share on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or email to your family and friends. Share! Share! Share!  Thank you so much!