If you’re travelling to South Korea, then we recommend learning the top 15 useful Korean phrases for tourists. Read on to get prepared for your next holiday!
15 South Korean phrases for tourists
1. Hello - 안녕하세요
Pronunciation: An-nyeong-ha-se-yo
2. Thank you - 감사합니다
Pronunciation: Kam-sa-ham-ni-da
3. Nice to meet you - 반갑습니다
Pronunciation: Ban-gap-sum-ni-da
4. How are you? - 밥 먹었어요?
Pronunciation: Bap meo-geo-seo-yo?
5. Excuse me/just a moment - 잠시만요
Pronunciation: Jam-shi-man-yo
6. I'm sorry - 최성합니다 / 미안합니다
Pronunciation: Chway-seong-ham-ni-da./ Mi-an-ham-ni-da
7. Please (please give me...) - 주세요
Pronunciation: Ju-se-yo
8. Where is the...? - 어디예요
Pronunciation: Eo-di-ye-yo…?
9. How much is it? - 얼마예요
Pronunciation: Eol-ma-ye-yo?
10. The meal was good - 잘 먹었습니다
Pronunciation: Jal meo-geo-sseum-ni-da
11. I'm lost - 길을 잃었어요
Pronunciation: Gil-eul ilh-uht-suh-yo
12. Do you speak English? - 영어 할 수 있어요
Pronunciation: Yung-uh hal su-eet-suh-yo?
13. I don't understand - 잘 모르겠네요
Pronunciation: Jal mo-reu-geht-neh-yo
14. Where is the bathroom? - 화장실이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: Hwa-jang-shil-ee uh-di-eh-yo?
15. I have an allergy - 저 알러지 있어요
Pronunciation: Juh ahl-luh-ji eet-suh-yo
Explore South Korea on a small group tour with Bunnik Tours
Now that you know all the top 15 South Korean phrases, soon you’ll be conversing with the locals in no time! If you’re interested in travelling to South Korea on a small group tour, now is the perfect time to book a tour with us. Whether you’re looking to Discover South Korea & Japan or just explore South Korea in Depth we have the tour for you! If you have any questions about tours in South Korea, please contact our friendly Travel Specialists today.
South Korean phrases FAQs
Is it important to learn Korean phrases?
While you’ll have your guides to help you out for the majority of your tour, it never hurts to have a few common Korean phrases under your belt. Learning about Korean culture and their phrases is also important when you’re ordering Korean food, speaking to taxi drivers and hotel staff, and just when you’re interacting with locals.
What helps you to learn Korean phrases?
If you’re learning how to speak Korean, we recommend:
- Using repetition: The best way to learn something new, especially a language, is to repeat yourself over and over again. This can be done by reading aloud and writing down the phrases multiple times.
- Using pictures: A good way to remember these phrases is by associating the words with pictures and drawings.
- Watching Korean media: Another way to recognise basic Korean words and phrases is to watch Korean TV shows and movies, and read Korean books!
