Korea Vibe

Korean phrasebook for travellers

The words and phrases you really need on a trip to South Korea, each with romanization for easy pronunciation. Because a few words of Korean make all the difference.

Greetings & basics

  • Hello

    안녕하세요

    annyeonghaseyo

  • Thank you

    감사합니다

    gamsahamnida

  • Yes

    네

    ne

  • No

    아니요

    aniyo

  • Excuse me / I am sorry

    죄송합니다

    joesonghamnida

  • Goodbye (to someone staying)

    안녕히 계세요

    annyeonghi gyeseyo

  • Goodbye (to someone leaving)

    안녕히 가세요

    annyeonghi gaseyo

  • Nice to meet you

    반갑습니다

    bangapseumnida

  • Do you speak English?

    영어 하세요?

    yeongeo haseyo?

  • I do not understand

    몰라요

    mollayo

Food & restaurants

  • The menu, please

    메뉴 주세요

    menyu juseyo

  • The bill, please

    계산서 주세요

    gyesanseo juseyo

  • Water, please

    물 주세요

    mul juseyo

  • Not spicy, please

    안 맵게 해주세요

    an maepge haejuseyo

  • Delicious

    맛있어요

    masisseoyo

  • Coffee

    커피

    keopi

  • Beer

    맥주

    maekju

  • Cheers

    건배

    geonbae

Transport & getting around

  • Where is...?

    어디예요?

    eodiyeyo?

  • Left

    왼쪽

    oenjjok

  • Right

    오른쪽

    oreunjjok

  • Straight ahead

    직진

    jikjin

  • Subway station

    지하철역

    jihacheollyeok

  • How much is it?

    얼마예요?

    eolmayeyo?

Shopping

  • How much is this?

    얼마예요?

    eolmayeyo?

  • Too expensive

    너무 비싸요

    neomu bissayo

  • A discount, please

    깎아 주세요

    kkakka juseyo

  • I am just looking

    그냥 볼게요

    geunyang bolgeyo

  • Credit card

    카드

    kadeu

Emergencies & help

  • Help!

    도와주세요!

    dowajuseyo!

  • Please call a doctor

    의사를 불러주세요

    uisareul bulleojuseyo

  • I feel sick

    아파요

    apayo

  • Police

    경찰

    gyeongchal

  • Hospital

    병원

    byeongwon

  • Where is the toilet?

    화장실 어디예요?

    hwajangsil eodiyeyo?

Common questions

How do you say thank you in Korean?

Thank you in Korean is "감사합니다" (gamsahamnida). It is a polite word that fits almost any situation, from a shopkeeper to a taxi driver.

How do you say hello in Korean?

Hello in Korean is "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo), a polite greeting that works at any time of day and with anyone.

Do you need to speak Korean to travel in Korea?

Not at all. In the big cities there is English signage and many younger people speak basic English. But a few words of Korean, especially "thank you" and "hello", are warmly received. This phrasebook gives you the basics, with simple romanization for pronunciation.