Beginner • • 18 min read

Essential Korean Travel Phrases: Your Complete Guide

Master essential Korean phrases for travel. Learn how to navigate transportation, accommodation, dining, shopping, and emergencies with confidence in Korea.

Essential Travel Phrases

Basic Communication

안녕하세요 - Hello
감사합니다 - Thank you
죄송합니다 - Sorry
실례합니다 - Excuse me
영어 하실 줄 아세요? - Do you speak English?
천천히 말씀해 주세요 - Please speak slowly
이해했어요 - I understand
이해 못 했어요 - I don't understand

Basic Communication Practice

1. How do you ask if someone speaks English?

2. What's the polite way to say 'excuse me'?

3. Match: 천천히 말씀해 주세요

Transportation

Taking a Taxi

택시 - Taxi
여기로 가 주세요 - Please go here
얼마예요? - How much is it?
여기서 내릴게요 - I'll get off here
카드 되나요? - Do you accept cards?
영수증 주세요 - Receipt please

Public Transportation

지하철역 - Subway station
버스 정류장 - Bus stop
다음 역 - Next station
여기가 어디예요? - Where is this place?
표 한 장 주세요 - One ticket please
환승 - Transfer

Accommodation

Hotel Communication

예약했어요 - I have a reservation
체크인/체크아웃 - Check-in/Check-out
방 열쇠 주세요 - Room key please
와이파이 비밀번호 - WiFi password
청소해 주세요 - Please clean the room
수건 더 주세요 - More towels please

Accommodation Practice

1. How do you ask for the WiFi password?

2. What does '청소해 주세요' mean?

Dining Out

Restaurant Phrases

메뉴 주세요 - Menu please
물 주세요 - Water please
주문하겠습니다 - I'd like to order
맵나요? - Is it spicy?
계산서 주세요 - Bill please
맛있어요 - Delicious
추천해 주세요 - Please recommend something

Dietary Restrictions

채식주의자예요 - I'm vegetarian
알레르기 있어요 - I have allergies
견과류 - Nuts
해산물 - Seafood
글루텐 - Gluten

Shopping

Basic Shopping Phrases

얼마예요? - How much is it?
너무 비싸요 - Too expensive
깎아 주세요 - Please give me a discount
이거 주세요 - This one please
다른 색상 있나요? - Do you have other colors?
환불 - Refund
교환 - Exchange

Shopping Practice

1. How do you ask for a discount?

2. What does '다른 색상 있나요?' mean?

3. Match: 환불

Emergency Phrases

Medical Emergencies

응급실 - Emergency room
아파요 - It hurts
약국 - Pharmacy
의사 - Doctor
병원 - Hospital
도와주세요 - Help me
아프다 - Sick/Pain

Safety and Security

경찰서 - Police station
지갑을 잃어버렸어요 - I lost my wallet
여권을 잃어버렸어요 - I lost my passport
도둑맞았어요 - I was robbed
길을 잃었어요 - I'm lost

Cultural Tips

Polite Expressions

죄송합니다만 - Excuse me, but...
괜찮으세요? - Are you okay?
감사합니다 - Thank you
천만에요 - You're welcome
실례하겠습니다 - Pardon me

Cultural Notes

  1. Bow slightly when greeting
  2. Use two hands when giving/receiving
  3. Remove shoes indoors
  4. Point with open hand, not finger
  5. Accept business cards with both hands

Cultural Practice

1. How should you receive items in Korea?

2. What's the proper response to '감사합니다'?

3. When should you remove your shoes?

Next Steps

To improve your travel Korean:

  1. Practice these phrases daily
  2. Learn to recognize signs
  3. Download useful translation apps
  4. Save emergency numbers
  5. Keep key phrases handy

Remember: Even basic Korean phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience and show respect for local culture.