(Illustration by Hyemin Lee)
Is it hard for you to speak Korean? Everyone knows learning Korean will benefit their lives in many ways when living in Korea. However, the language is structured differently than English, so there are many new things to learn. Knowing where to start may be difficult, but I have you covered!
Here are some of the most basic and useful Korean phrases that can be used in many situations. I promise you’ll be able to start communicating with Koreans after you study these lessons! Take a deep breath, and let’s start!
1. BASIC GREETINGS AND GENERAL SPEAKING These are the most basic and important phrases to learn to make conversation with Koreans. *Using “yo” at the end of sentence makes a sentence formal.
Hi in Korean (Hyemin Lee)
GREETINGS
Hi / Hello Formal: Annyeong-haseyo (안녕하세요) Informal: Annyeong (안녕)
Bye Formal: Annyeonghee gah-seh-yo (안녕히 가세요) *When you’re staying and the other’s leaving Annyeonghee geh-seh-yo (안녕히 계세요) *When you’re leaving and the other’s staying Informal: Annyeong (안녕) Jal-ga (잘가)
Nice to meet you Formal: Manna-seo ban-gap-seum-nida (만나서 반갑습니다) Semi-formal: Manna-seo ban-gawo-yo (만나서 반가워요) Informal: Manna-seo bangawo (만나서 반가워)
GENERAL SPEAKING
Nice to meet you / Please look after me Formal: Jal butak-deu-rim-nida (잘부탁드립니다) Semi-formal: Jal butak-haeyo (잘 부탁해요) Informal: Jal butak-hae (잘 부탁해)
How are you? (Only to someone you already know) Formal: Jal ji-nae-syeo-sseo-yo? (잘 지내셨어요?) Semi-formal: Jal ji-nae-sseo-yo? (잘 지냈어요?) Informal: Jal ji-nae-sseo? (잘 지냈어?)
Did you have a meal? (Same as “How are you?”) Formal: Siksa ha-syeo-sseo-yo? (식사 하셨어요?) Semi-formal: Bap meo-geo-sseo-yo? (밥 먹었어요?) Informal: Bap meo-geo-sseo? (밥 먹었어?)
Have a good day Formal: Joeun haru bonae-seyo (좋은 하루 보내세요) Informal: Joeun haru bonae (좋은 하루 보내)
Congratulations Formal: Chukha-haeyo (축하해요) Informal: Chukha-hae (축하해)
Thank you Formal: Gamsa-hamnida (감사합니다) Semi-formal: Goma-woyo (고마워요) Informal: Goma-wo (고마워)
Sorry Formal: Joesong-hamnida (죄송합니다) Semi-formal: Mian-haeyo (미안해요) Informal: Mian-hae (미안해)
Excuse me Formal: Silleh-hamnida (실례합니다), Jamsi-manyo (잠시만요) Informal: Jam-kkan-man (잠깐만)
Yes Formal: Neh (네), Ye (예) Informal: Eung (응)
No Formal: Anim-nida (아닙니다), Ani-yo (아니요) Informal: Ani (아니)
Ok Formal: Gue-rae-yo (그래요), Joa-yo (좋아요), Al-get-seum-nida (알겠습니다) Informal: Gue-rae (그래), Joa (좋아), Ara-sseo (알았어)
Right / Correct Formal: Majayo (맞아요) Informal: Maja (맞아)
I’m fine / No problem Formal: Gwaen-chana-yo (괜찮아요) Informal: Gwaen-chana (괜찮아)
2. INTRODUCE YOURSELF Let’s learn 5 steps to introduce yourself when you first meet someone!
I am American in Korean. (Hyemin Lee)
U.S.A: Migook
American: Migook-saram (미국사람) / Migook-in (미국인)
U.S military / troop (any branches): Migoon (미군)
1. Hi / Hello Formal: Annyeong-haseyo (안녕하세요) Informal: Annyeong (안녕)
2. My name is (your name) Formal: Je ireum-eun John imnida (제 이름은 존입니다) Informal: Nae ireum-eun John-iya (내 이름은 존이야)
3. I’m (your name, position, identity) Formal: Jeo-neun migook-in imnida (저는 미국인입니다) Informal: Na-neun migook-in iya (나는 미국인이야)
4. I’m from (your country, city) Formal: Jeo-neun New York-eh-seo wasseo-yo (저는 뉴욕에서 왔어요) Informal: Na-neun New York-eh-seo wasseo (나는 뉴욕에서 왔어)
5. Nice to meet you Formal: Manna-seo ban-gap-seum-nida (만나서 반갑습니다) Semi-formal: Manna-seo ban-gawo-yo (만나서 반가워요) Informal: Manna-seo bangawo (만나서 반가워)
3. MEAL AND RESTAURANT In Korean culture, statements before and after a meal are important. So is complimenting the person offering you something to eat. Also, at most restaurants you can get unlimited refills for most side dishes, so don’t hesitate to ask for more!
I am going to eat well and It’s really delicious in Korean. (Hyemin Lee)
- I’m going to eat well (Greeting before eating) Jal meok-get-seum-nida (잘 먹겠습니다)
- I ate well (Greeting after eating) Jal meo-geo-sseum-nida (잘 먹었습니다)
- Enjoy your meal / food Ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo (맛있게 드세요)
- It’s really delicious Neomu ma-sisseo-yo (너무 맛있어요)
- What’s this? Igeon mwo yeyo? (이건 뭐예요?)
- Can I have this? / I’ll have this one Igeo juse-yo (이거 주세요)
- Can I have more of this? Igeo deo jusil su isseo-yo? (이거 더 주실 수 있어요?)
- Excuse me (When you call a waiter/waitress) Yeogi-yo (여기요)
4. COUNTING MONEY AND SHOPPING Knowing how to count Korean won and how to use basic phrases for shopping will greatly improve your time in Korea!
How much is that? and 3,000 won in Korean. (Hyemin Lee)
Numbers (Sino) 1: Il(일) 2: I(이) 3: Sam(삼) 4: Sa(사) 5: Oh(오) 6: Yuk(육) 7: Chil(칠) 8: Pal(팔) 9: Gu(구) 10: Sip(십) 100: Baek(백) 1,000: Cheon(천) 10,000: Man(만)
Words This: Igeo (이거) That: Jeogeo (저거) Different one: Da-reun geo (다른 거) More: Deo (더) To give: Ju-da (주다) To buy: Sa-da (사다)
Korean money 100 won: Baek won (백원) 1,000 won: Cheon won (천원) 10,000 won: Man won (만원) 100,000 won: Sip man won (십만원) 1,000,000 won: Baek man won (백만원) 10,000,000 won: Cheon man won (천만원)
Phrase - Using “yo” at the end of sentence makes a sentence formal. - Using “an” in front of verb and adjective makes a negative sentence.
- How much is this? Igeo eolmayeyo? (얼마예요?)
- Please give this to me / I’ll take it Igeo juseyo (이거 주세요)
- Do you have a different one, too? Da-reun geot-do isseo-yo? (다른 것도 있어요?)
- Do you have more? Deo isseo-yo? (더 있어요?)
- I’ll buy it Salgeyo (살게요)
- I won’t buy it An-salgeyo (안 살게요)
- I like this Igeo joa-yo (이거 좋아요)
- Can I try on? (Only for clothes) Ib-eo bwado dweyo? (입어봐도 돼요?)
- Can I try on? (Only for shoes) Sinuh bwado dweyo? (신어봐도 돼요?)
- Please give me a discount Kkakka-juseyo (깎아주세요)
5. ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS Worried about getting lost in Korea? Let me set you at ease with all the words you need to know to ask for directions!
Koreans will gladly help you when you make an effort to ask for their help in Korean.
How should I get there? in Korean. (Hyemin Lee)
Words for Transportation Car: Cha (차) Train: Gicha (기차) / Yeolcha (열차) Subway / Metro: Jihacheol (지하철) Station: Yeok (역) Way / road / street: Gil (길) *Taxi and bus are the same as English
Other Words Here: Yeogi (여기) There: Jeogi (저기) How: Eo-tteo-ke (어떻게) Where: Eodi (어디) Should: haeya handa (해야 한다) To go: Ga-da (가다) To ride: Ta-da (타다)
Phrase - Please help me / Can you help me? Do-wa-juseyo (도와주세요)
- Where is the mart (the name of a place) Mart eo-di-eh isse-yo? (마트 어디 있어요?)
- How should I get (go) here? Yeogi eo-tteo-ke gaya haeyo? (여기 어떻게 가야해요?)
- Where should I go? Eodi-lo gaya haeyo? (어디로 가야 해요?)
- Where should I get to ride? Eodi-seo taya haeyo? (어디서 타야 해요?)
