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. Use it to practice common interactions and recognize phrases you may hear from staff. Romanization follows Revised Romanization; it is a reading aid, not a substitute for listening. When filling a blank, the pronunciation of the ending may change with the word you add.

Basic Korean Phrases for Travelers

General travel terms and phrases

Most phrases below use polite speech suitable for travelers speaking to staff or unfamiliar adults. Speech levels and honorifics also depend on your relationship and the setting. Casual expressions are labeled; younger age alone does not make casual speech appropriate.

Both 죄송합니다 and 미안해요 express an apology. 죄송합니다 is a useful choice with unfamiliar adults or in formal settings; 미안해요 is polite but less formal. Formality does not by itself measure sincerity. For an ordinary request, a phrase ending in 주세요 or 주시겠어요 is usually more suitable than the pleading 제발.

At the airport

If you travel by air, you will pass through 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.

Phrases for getting around

돌아다닐 때 [doradanil ttae] means “when 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.

이 and 가 are subject particles, not suffixes. Use 이 after a consonant and 가 after a vowel: 시장이 어디에 있어요? [sijangi eodie isseoyo] means “Where is the market?” and 출구가 어디에 있어요? [chulguga eodie isseoyo] means “Where is the exit?”

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 meogeotseumnida]” or  “음식이 맛있었습니다 [eumsigi masisseotseumnida]”  are phrases to  express your appreciation. But in case you find it difficult to remember these phrases, a simple thank you “감사합니다 [gamsahamnida]” 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

영국 [yeongguk] refers to the United Kingdom. England specifically is 잉글랜드 [inggeullaendeu].

Basic Korean Phrases For Beginners

Korean Greetings

These greetings cover both first meetings and people you already know. Check the usage notes before choosing a casual expression.

*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. You do not need to change this greeting according to the time of day. 

좋은 아침입니다 [joeun achimimnida] means “Good morning.” Another morning greeting is 안녕히 주무셨어요? [annyeonghi jumusyeosseoyo], meaning “Did you sleep well?” It honors the person you are asking. 잘 잤어? [jal jasseo] is a casual way to ask “Did you sleep well?” Use it only in a relationship where casual speech is appropriate.

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!