Essential Korean Phrases for Tourists: 65+ Expressions That Actually Get Used
You do not need to speak Korean to have a wonderful trip to Korea — but knowing even a handful of phrases transforms your experience. Koreans respond with warmth and delight when foreigners make an effort with the language. This guide covers the 65+ phrases you will genuinely use, written in Hangul, romanised pronunciation, and with context notes.
In this guide
Pronunciation Basics
Korean (Hangul) has a perfectly consistent phonetic alphabet. Once you learn the sounds, you can read every word. The romanisation system used in this guide is Revised Romanisation of Korean (the standard on street signs). Key sounds to master:
eo (ㅓ)
Like the “u” in “but” or “o” in “son.” NOT like “echo.” Example: Seoul is “Seo-ul” → sounds like “Saw-ul.”
eu (ㅡ)
A neutral vowel with no English equivalent. Said with lips slightly spread and no rounding. Close to the “e” in “the” or the Russian “ы.”
g / k (ㄱ)
At the start of a word: like English “g.” In the middle or at the end: sounds more like “k.” Example: gimbap starts like “gim” (rhymes with “him”).
b / p (ㅂ)
At the start of a word: like English “b.” At the end: sounds more like “p.” Example: bibimbap → “bi-bim-bap.”
j / ch (ᄌ)
Like “j” at the start, tending toward “ch” in other positions. Jeonju → “Jawn-joo.”
ae / e (ㅐ/ㅔ)
Both sound close to the English “e” in “bed.” The distinction has largely collapsed in modern spoken Korean. Don’t overthink it.
💡 Best shortcut
Korean is a syllable-timed language — every syllable gets roughly equal emphasis. English speakers naturally stress some syllables more than others, which can make Korean hard to understand. Try to say each syllable at the same volume and speed: “an-nyeong-ha-se-yo” is five equal beats, not “aN-NYEONG-ha-se-yo.”
Greetings and Basics
Hello (formal)
안녕하세요
An-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Universal greeting. Use with everyone. A slight bow adds warmth.
Hello (casual)
안녕
An-nyeong
Only use with close friends your own age. Not appropriate with strangers or elders.
Goodbye (you’re leaving)
안녕히 계세요
An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo
Said to the person staying behind. Literally “stay well.”
Goodbye (they’re leaving)
안녕히 가세요
An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo
Said to the person leaving. Literally “go well.” Use when leaving a shop.
Thank you
감사합니다
Gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Formal. Use in restaurants, shops, hotels. A small bow adds genuine warmth.
Thank you (casual)
고마워요
Go-ma-wo-yo
Slightly less formal. Perfectly polite for everyday use with strangers.
Sorry / Excuse me
죄송합니다
Joe-song-ham-ni-da
Formal apology or “excuse me.” Also use when passing in front of someone.
Excuse me (to get attention)
저기요
Jeo-gi-yo
The standard way to call a server, get someone’s attention, or say “over here please.” Essential.
Yes
네
Ne
Also sounds like “ye” in fast speech. Both are correct.
No
아니요
A-ni-yo
Polite no. Never just say “no” bluntly in Korean culture — it can come across as rude.
I don’t understand
이해가 안 돼요
I-hae-ga an dwae-yo
Useful when someone explains something you cannot follow.
Please speak slowly
천천히 말쓰세요
Cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo
Koreans will always try to help you. Asking them to slow down is always welcome.
Do you speak English?
영어 하세요?
Yeong-eo ha-se-yo?
Ask with a rising intonation. In Seoul, many younger people can communicate in English.
Politeness and Cultural Notes
Korean culture places high value on showing respect through language. A few key points that will make your interactions smoother:
- A slight bow (5–15 degrees) with any greeting or thank-you is warmly received and costs nothing. You do not need to do a deep formal bow as a tourist — a nod of the head is plenty.
- Receive things with two hands or with the right hand supported at the wrist by the left hand — when receiving a receipt, change, or business card. This is a sign of respect.
- “Annyeonghaseyo” works everywhere: with shop staff, hotel receptionists, taxi drivers, elderly people on hiking trails. It signals goodwill immediately.
- Age affects language: Korean has formal and informal speech registers. As a foreign tourist, always use formal speech (the “-yo” endings in this guide). It is never wrong to be too polite.
At Restaurants
Table for [number], please
[숫자]명 자리 주세요
[num]-myeong ja-ri ju-se-yo
Hold up fingers for the number — much easier than saying it.
This one, please (pointing)
이거 주세요
I-geo ju-se-yo
The most useful restaurant phrase. Point at the menu photo and say this.
Two of this, please
이거 두 개 주세요
I-geo du gae ju-se-yo
“Du gae” = two portions. “Se gae” = three, “ne gae” = four.
Water, please
물 주세요
Mul ju-se-yo
Water is free in Korean restaurants. Many have self-serve water dispensers.
Refill please (for side dishes)
리필 해 주세요
Ri-pil hae ju-se-yo
Banchan (side dishes) are refilled for free. Don’t be shy about asking.
How much is it?
얼마예요?
Eol-ma-ye-yo?
Works in restaurants, shops, markets. Essential phrase.
The bill, please
계산서 주세요
Gye-san-seo ju-se-yo
Most Korean restaurants pay at the front counter rather than at the table.
It’s delicious!
맛있어요!
Ma-si-sseo-yo!
One of the most powerful phrases to know. It will delight any restaurant owner or food vendor.
Not spicy, please
안 릵게 해 주세요
An maep-ge hae ju-se-yo
Some dishes can’t be made non-spicy after prep. Ask before ordering if possible.
Less spicy, please
릵기를 줄여 주세요
Maep-gi-reul jul-yeo ju-se-yo
More realistic for dishes like tteokbokki or sundubu jjigae.
Dietary Needs
Important context: Korean cuisine is built around meat, seafood, and fermented products. Strict vegetarians and vegans face genuine challenges. The phrases below help communicate needs, but always verify — kimchi, for example, traditionally contains fish sauce (jeotgal), and most soups use anchovy or beef broth as a base even if no meat is visible.
I’m vegetarian
저는 채식주의자예요
Jeo-neun chae-sik-ju-eui-ja-ye-yo
Show this written in Korean if possible — pronunciation is complex.
No meat, please
고기 없이 주세요
Go-gi eop-si ju-se-yo
Literally “without meat.” More practical than declaring vegetarianism.
No seafood, please
해산물 없이 주세요
Hae-san-mul eop-si ju-se-yo
Includes fish, shrimp, squid, etc.
I have a nut allergy
견과류 알레르기가 있어요
Gyeon-gwa-ryu al-le-rgi-ga i-sseo-yo
Show this written. Serious allergies should be on a card in Korean — prepare before travel.
Does this contain pork?
이거 돼지고기 들어가요?
I-geo dwae-ji-go-gi deu-reo-ga-yo?
Important for Muslim travellers. Halal certification is growing in Korea but pork is ubiquitous.
Shopping
How much is this?
이거 얼마예요?
I-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Point and ask. Works anywhere, any time.
Do you have a smaller / larger size?
더 작은 / 큰 사이즈 있어요?
Deo ja-geun / keun sa-i-jeu i-sseo-yo?
“Ja-geun” = smaller. “Keun” = larger/bigger.
Can I try this on?
입어 봐도 돼요?
I-beo bwa-do dwae-yo?
For clothing. The fitting rooms (피팅룸) are usually at the back.
Can you give me a discount?
할인 해 주실 수 있어요?
Hal-in hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Only works at traditional markets (Dongdaemun, Namdaemun). Not in malls or brand stores.
I’ll take this
이거 주세요
I-geo ju-se-yo
Same as the restaurant ordering phrase. Multipurpose and essential.
Please wrap it as a gift
선물 포장해 주세요
Seon-mul po-jang-hae ju-se-yo
Koreans gift-wrap beautifully. This phrase will get you an impressive result.
Tax refund, please
택스 리펀드 해 주세요
Taek-seu ri-peon-deu hae ju-se-yo
At “Tax Free” shops. Have your passport ready. Must claim at the airport before departure.
Transport and Directions
Where is [place]?
[장소]가 어디에 있어요?
[place]-ga eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Say the place name + “ga eodieo isseoyo?”
Please take me to [place]
[장소]으로 가 주세요
[place]-eu-ro ga ju-se-yo
For taxis. Showing the destination on your phone map is even more reliable.
Stop here, please
여기 세워 주세요
Yeo-gi se-wo ju-se-yo
To ask a taxi driver to stop. Important to know.
Which exit for [place]?
[장소]은 몇 번 출구예요?
[place]-eun myeot beon chul-gu-ye-yo?
For subway exits. Most station staff understand even broken Korean.
How long does it take?
얼마나 걸려요?
Eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Works for walking time, taxi time, train time.
I want to go to the subway
지하철 가고 싶어요
Ji-ha-cheol ga-go si-peo-yo
“Ji-ha-cheol” = subway. Often you can just say “지하철역이 어디예요?” (ji-ha-cheol-yeok-i eo-di-ye-yo? — where is the subway station?).
Numbers: Essential for Prices
Korean has two counting systems — Sino-Korean (Chinese-origin) is used for prices, phone numbers, and floor numbers. Native Korean numbers are used for small quantities (counting items). For prices, use Sino-Korean:
0
영
yeong
1
일
il
2
이
i
3
삼
sam
4
사
sa
5
오
o
6
육
yuk
7
칠
chil
8
팔
pal
9
구
gu
10
십
sip
100
백
baek
1,000
천
cheon
10,000
만
man
50,000
오만
o-man
100,000
십만
sip-man
💡 Price shortcut
In practice, just show the seller your phone calculator or let them write the price. Most vendors serving tourists will write the amount in digits. The key number to memorise: ₩10,000 = “man won”. Prices like ₩35,000 are “sam-man o-cheon won” — three ten-thousands plus five thousands.
At Your Accommodation
I have a reservation
예약했어요
Ye-yak-haess-eo-yo
Have your booking confirmation on your phone as backup.
What time is check-in?
체크인이 몇 시예요?
Che-keu-in-i myeot si-ye-yo?
Standard check-in is 3–4pm in Korea. Early check-in often available for a fee.
Can I store my luggage?
짐 맡겨 주실 수 있어요?
Jim mat-kyeo ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Almost all hotels and many hostels offer this for free on arrival/departure day.
The Wi-Fi password, please
와이파이 비밀번호 알려 주세요
Wai-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho al-lyeo ju-se-yo
Most Korean hotels have very fast Wi-Fi. The password is often on a card at reception.
Emergencies
⚠️ Emergency numbers and phrases
🚨 Police
112
🚑 Ambulance / Fire
119
📞 Tourist helpline (English, 24h)
1330
Help!
도와주세요!
Do-wa-ju-se-yo!
Call the police!
경찰 불러 주세요!
Gyeong-chal bul-leo ju-se-yo!
I need a doctor
의사가 필요해요
Ui-sa-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo
I lost my passport
여권을 잃어버렸어요
Yeo-gwon-eul il-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo
I was robbed
돈을 도둑맞았어요
Don-eul do-duk-ma-jass-eo-yo
I feel sick
몸이 안 좋아요
Mo-mi an jo-a-yo
Where is the nearest hospital?
가까운 병원이 어딘가요?
Ga-kka-un byeong-won-i eo-di-e-yo?
📞 1330 — The tourist hotline every visitor should save
The Korea Tourism Organization operates a 24-hour English-language hotline at 1330. It handles everything from translation assistance and travel emergencies to hospital referrals and lost property. Call from any phone in Korea, including mobile. It is completely free and remarkably useful.
The Korea Tourism Organization operates a 24-hour English-language hotline at 1330. It handles everything from translation assistance and travel emergencies to hospital referrals and lost property. Call from any phone in Korea, including mobile. It is completely free and remarkably useful.
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