Useful Korean words

Are you traveling to Korea and wanting to know some useful Korean words?

Useful Korean Words

South Korea, known as the Land of the Morning Calm, is known for its busy metropolis, soap operas, K-Pop, and cuisine centered on kimchi and Asian spices. Tourists are drawn to the country because of its history and culture. Learn some useful Korean words before visiting its tourist spots to help you get around.

Here are some useful Korean words and phrases.

Conversations

Welcome – Hwangyong-hamnida
Hello – Annyeong-hasimnikka (formal) / Annyeonghaseyo or Annyeong (informal) / Yeoboseyo (on the phone)
How are you? – Eotteohke jinaeseyo? / An nyeong ha siut seum ni ka?
What’s your name? – Ireumeun mueosip nikka? (informal) / Sungham ee uttoke daesipnika? (formal)
My name is ___. – Je ireum-eun ___ imnida.
Pleased to meet you. – Mannaseo bangapseumnida. (formal) / Mannaseo bangawoyo. (informal)
Good morning/afternoon/evening. – Annyeong hashimnikka.
Good night. – Annyeong-hi jumusipsio. (formal) / Jal jja. (informal)
Goodbye! – Annyeong! / Annyeonghi gyeseyo! (if you are leaving) / Annyeonghi gaseyo (if you are staying)
Good luck! – Haeng un eul bil eo yo! (formal) / Haeng un eul bin da! (informal)
Have a nice day! – Joeun haru dweseyo!
Bon appetit! – Jal meokkesseumnida! (before a meal) / Jal meogeosseumnida! (after a meal) / Masitkke deuseyo!
I don’t understand. – Moreugesseumnida.
Can you help me? – Chom towajushil ssu issŭshinayo?
I Don’t Know! – Morŭgessŏyo.
Excuse me. – Shillehagessumnida.
Sorry. – Mianhamnida. (formal) / Joesonghamnida. (very formal) / Mian(hae). (informal)
Thank you. – Kamsahamnida. or Komapsumnida. (formal) / Komawo. (informal)
Happy birthday! – Sangil ch’uk’ahamnida!
Happy new year! – Saehaebok mani padŭseyo!
Merry Christmas! – Meri k’ŭrisŭmasŭ!
Congratulations! – Ch’uk’adŭrimnida!
I love you! – Saranghaeyo!
I feel sick. – Ap’ayo.
I need a doctor. – Ŭisaga p’iryohaeyo.
Good / Bad / So-So – Choayo / Anjoayo / Kŭjŏ kŭraeyo
Yes / No – Ne / Aniyo

Transportation / Getting Around

I’m lost. – Kirŭl irŏbŏryŏssŏyo.
Where is the ___? – ____ i ŏdiyeyo?
Bathroom – Hwajangshil
Pharmacy – Yakguk
Restaurant – Sik-dang
School – Hak-gyon
Post office – U-che-guk
Museum – Bak-mul-kwan
Hospital – Byeong-won
Store / Shop – Ga-gye
Bank – Eun-haeng
Police station – Gyong-chal-seo
Church – Gyo-hye
Swimming pool – Su-yeong-jang
How much is the fare? – Yo-geum-i eol-ma-im-ni-ka?
Ticket – Pyo
Train – Gi-cha
Bus – Bus
Subway – Ji-ha-cheol
Airport – Gong-hang
Train station – Ji-cha-yeok
Bus station – Bus jeong-geo-jang
Subway station – Jeon-cheol-yeok
Passport – Yeo-kwon
Stop here. – Yog-ee-o.
Map – Ji-do
Here – Yyog-ee
There – Chog-ee
How far is this? – Eol ma na meop ni kka?
Where? – Ŏdiyo?

Accommodation

Hotel – Hotel
Room – Bang
Reservation – Ye-yak
Are there any vacancies for [tonight]? – [O-neul-bam] bin-bang eop-seum-ni-ka?

Shopping

How much is this? – Ige eolmayeyo?
What Is This? – Ige mwŏyeyo?
Big / Small – K’ŭn / Chagŭn
I really like it! – Nŏmu choayo!
Give me this! – Igŏt juseyo!
This. Ee-go.
I’ll buy it. – I-go-seul sa-ge-seum-ni-da.
Too expensive. – Neo-mu bi-ssa-yo.
Could you lower the price? / Give me a discount, please. – Jom kka-kka-ju-se-yo.
A little – Jo-geum
A lot – Ma-ni
All – Mo-du

Food and Dining

I’m hungry. – Paegop’ayo.
I’m thirsty. – Mongmallayo.
Breakfast – A-chim
Lunch – Jeom-sim
Dinner – Jeo-nyeok
Bread – Ppang
Tea – Cha
Water – Mul
Beer – Maek-ju
Wine – Po-do-ju
Salt – So-geum
Pepper – Hu-chu
Meat – Go-gi
Beef – So-go-gi
Pork – Dae-ji-go-gi
Fish – Saeng-seon
Vegetable – Chae-so
Fruit – Kwa-il
Dessert – Hu-sik
Please bring the bill. – Kye-san-seo jom su-sip-si-yo.

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