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The Seoul Metro has more than 20 lines, and line 1 (dark blue color) is the longest line and features a lot of different routes. Many in the military community use line 1 since it has stations near Camp Casey (Bosan), Osan Air Base (Songtan) and Camp Humphreys (Pyeongtaek). And many have discovered that although you board a train heading in the direction of the station you want to go, it doesn’t guarantee you’re going to arrive at that station. Some go in other directions or simply stop service at another station. It’s very important to make sure you actually are getting on right train. And, remember to keep track of where you are with the apps I recommend, or just ask people.
I’m a local who grew up in Seoul, and I still get lost, especially on the metro. So, it’s time for another Korean lesson! Use the words and phrases below when asking for directions.
Subway vs Train
In Korea, the English word “train” means railway trains that go to other towns and cities, and “subway” means trains in metro system. So don’t say “train” when you ask for the direction of a subway station, say “subway” or “Jihacheol”.
Words for Transportation
Car = Cha (차)
Train = Gicha (기차) / Yeolcha (열차)
Subway / Metro = Jihacheol (지하철)
Station = Yeok (역)
Express train = Geubhaeng (급행)
Pronoun
Here = Yeogi (여기)
There = Jeogi (저기)
This = Igeo (이거)
That = Jeogeo (저거)
Question Words
How = Eotteoke (어떻게)
Where = Eodi (어디)
Verbs
Go = Ga-da (가다)
Ride = Ta-da (타다)
Others
Yes = Neh (네)
No = Aniyo (아니요)
Correct / Right = Majayo (맞아요)
Should = haeya haeyo (해야 해요)
Phrase
“Hi” = Annyeong-haseyo (안녕하세요)
“Thank you” = Gamsa-hapnida (감사합니다)
“Please help me / Can you help me?”
= Dowa-juseyo (도와주세요)
“How should I get (go) here?”
= Yeogi eotteoke gaya haeyo? (여기 어떻게 가야해요?)
“Where should I go?”
= Eodi-lo gaya haeyo? (어디로 가야해요?)
“Where should I get to ride?”
= Eodi-seo taya haeyo? (어디서 타야해요?)
* Using “yo” makes a sentence formal.
* Using “an” in front of verb and adjective makes a negative sentence.
Practice what you've learned!
Fill in the blank bubbles with the appropriate Korean phrases. Try to look at the words and phrases in the box above. All the clues are there! Don’t worry, the answers are below!
Grammer Tip: In Korean, verbs are placed at the end of a sentence.
1. Say hi first and ask for help
Some Koreans may be nervous when a foreigner tries to talk to them. But, if you ask for help, they’ll definitely help! And if you try speaking in Korean, they will appreciate that.
To tell them what station you’re looking, show them on the app. Many stations have similar names, so make sure they understand you correctly.
2. Ask for directions to subway station
3. Ask if a direction is correct
4. When direction is wrong, ask for right one
Answers:
1. American: Annyeong-haseyo (안녕하세요) Dowa-juseyo (도와주세요) Yeogi eotteoke gaya haeyo? (여기 어떻게 가야 해요?)
2. American: Jihacheol eodi-seo taya haeyo? (지하철 어디서 타야 해요?) Korean: Jeogiyo. (저기요)
3. American: Igeo Songtan-yeok gayo? (이거 송탄역 가요?) Korean: Neh, majayo (네, 맞아요) Igeo Songtan-yeok gayo. (이거 송탄역 가요.)
4. Korean: Aniyo, an-gayo. (아뇨, 안 가요) Igeo geubhaeng-iyeyo. (이거 급행이에요) American: Eodilo gaya haeyo? (어디로 가야 해요?) Korean: Jeogiyo. (저기요)
