Essential Korean phrases for travellers: greetings, ordering, shopping and directions

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You can get around Korea with no Korean at all, but a handful of phrases makes everything warmer and easier. People notice and appreciate the effort. Each phrase below is in Hangul, then a simple romanisation, then the meaning. Polite forms are used throughout, which is the safe choice with anyone you do not know.

Greetings and basics

안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo): hello. Works at any time of day.
감사합니다 (gamsahamnida): thank you. 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) is equally polite.
네 (ne): yes. 아니요 (aniyo): no.
죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida): I'm sorry. 저기요 (jeogiyo): excuse me, to get attention.
괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo): it's okay / I'm fine / no thank you.
안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo): goodbye, said by the person leaving. 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo): goodbye, said to the person leaving.
영어 하세요? (yeongeo haseyo?): do you speak English?
한국어 잘 못해요 (hangugeo jal motaeyo): I don't speak Korean well.

In restaurants and cafés

이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo): this one, please. Point at the menu and say it.
메뉴판 주세요 (menyupan juseyo): the menu, please.
물 주세요 (mul juseyo): water, please.
두 명이에요 (du myeongieyo): two people. 한 명 (han myeong) is one, 세 명 (se myeong) three.
맵지 않게 해 주세요 (maepji anke hae juseyo): not spicy, please.
고기 빼 주세요 (gogi ppae juseyo): no meat, please.
맛있어요 (masisseoyo): it's delicious.
포장해 주세요 (pojanghae juseyo): to take away, please.
계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo): the bill, please.

In many restaurants you pay at the counter on the way out rather than at the table.

Shopping

얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?): how much is it?
카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?): can I pay by card?
봉투 주세요 (bongtu juseyo): a bag, please. Shops usually charge a little for one.
다른 색 있어요? (dareun saek isseoyo?): do you have another colour?
그냥 볼게요 (geunyang bolgeyo): I'm just looking.
영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo): a receipt, please.

Getting around

화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodiyeyo?): where is the toilet?
역 어디예요? (yeok eodiyeyo?): where is the station?
여기로 가 주세요 (yeogiro ga juseyo): please take me here. Show the taxi driver the address on your phone.
여기서 세워 주세요 (yeogiseo sewo juseyo): please stop here.
이 버스 명동 가요? (i beoseu myeongdong gayo?): does this bus go to Myeongdong? Swap in any place name.
왼쪽 (oenjjok): left. 오른쪽 (oreunjjok): right. 직진 (jikjin): straight ahead.

Emergencies

도와주세요! (dowajuseyo!): help!
병원 어디예요? (byeongwon eodiyeyo?): where is a hospital?
약국 (yakguk): pharmacy.
아파요 (apayo): I'm sick / it hurts.
경찰 불러 주세요 (gyeongchal bulleo juseyo): please call the police.
길을 잃었어요 (gireul ireosseoyo): I'm lost.

The emergency numbers are 119 for ambulance and fire and 112 for police. The 1330 Korea Travel Hotline offers interpretation and general help for visitors.

Pronunciation tips

Korean has no strong word stress. Say each syllable evenly.
The "eo" sound in 어 is like the "u" in "fun", not "e-o".
Romanisation is only a guide. If you can, learn Hangul: it takes a day and lets you read signs and menus directly.
A slight bow with 감사합니다 goes a long way.

A short survival set

If you only memorise five: 안녕하세요, 감사합니다, 저기요, 이거 주세요, and 얼마예요? With those and a pointing finger you can eat, shop and say thank you anywhere. Which phrase did you use most on your trip, or which one are you stuck on? Ask or share in the comments.