Basic Korean phrases

40 phrases for a first trip or a first week of Korean, grouped by where you will need them. Tap ▶ to hear one; tap the phrase to see how it really sounds.

The first ten

Polite, safe with anyone.

안녕하세요HelloannyeonghaseyoPolite
Strangers, staff, most adults
Written안녕하세요
Read exactly as written.
감사합니다Thank yougamsahamnida · said 감사함니다Formal
Shops, strangers, older people
Written감사합니다
Said감사함니다
1. 1합 → 함Nasal
  ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ sound like ㅇ/ㄴ/ㅁ before ㄴ/ㅁ.
  Sounds turn nasal. Before ㄴ or ㅁ, final ㄱ becomes ㅇ, ㄷ becomes ㄴ and ㅂ becomes ㅁ: 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다. ㄹ after these sounds is said like ㄴ: 정류장 → 정뉴장.
죄송합니다I'm sorryjoesonghamnida · said 죄송함니다Formal
A real apology, or excuse me
Written죄송합니다
Said죄송함니다
1. 1합 → 함Nasal
  ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ sound like ㅇ/ㄴ/ㅁ before ㄴ/ㅁ.
  Sounds turn nasal. Before ㄴ or ㅁ, final ㄱ becomes ㅇ, ㄷ becomes ㄴ and ㅂ becomes ㅁ: 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다. ㄹ after these sounds is said like ㄴ: 정류장 → 정뉴장.
저기요Excuse me! (calling a server)jeogiyoPolite
Calling staff — the normal way in Korea
Written저기요
Read exactly as written.
괜찮아요It's okay / Are you okay?gwaenchanayo · said 괜차나요Polite
Polite version for strangers and elders
Written괜찮아요
Said괜차나요
1. 1찮아 → 차나Silent ㅎ · Linking
  ㅎ goes silent before a vowel; A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  ㅎ goes silent. A final ㅎ before a vowel isn't pronounced. 좋아요 is said 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
처음 뵙겠습니다Nice to meet youcheoeum boepgetseumnida · said 처음 뵙껟씀니다Formal
Your first day at work
Written처음 뵙겠습니다
Said처음 뵙껟씀니다
1. 1겠습 → 껟씀Nasal · 7 final sounds · Tense
  ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ sound like ㅇ/ㄴ/ㅁ before ㄴ/ㅁ; At the end of a syllable, consonants collapse into one of just seven sounds; After a ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ ending, the next ㄱㄷㅂㅅㅈ is squeezed into tense ㄲㄸㅃㅆㅉ.
  Sounds turn nasal. Before ㄴ or ㅁ, final ㄱ becomes ㅇ, ㄷ becomes ㄴ and ㅂ becomes ㅁ: 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다. ㄹ after these sounds is said like ㄴ: 정류장 → 정뉴장.
  Only seven final sounds. At the end of a syllable Korean has only seven sounds: ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅇ. ㅅ ㅆ ㅈ ㅊ ㅌ ㅎ sound like ㄷ, ㅋ ㄲ like ㄱ, ㅍ like ㅂ. 옷 is said 옫 (ot).
  Tense, doubled sounds. After a final ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ sound, the next ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅈ becomes tense: ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ. 학교 is said 학꾜 (hak-kkyo).
잘 모르겠습니다I don't quite understandjal moreugetseumnida · said 잘 모르겓씀니다Formal
An instruction wasn't clear
Written잘 모르겠습니다
Said잘 모르겓씀니다
1. 1겠 → 겓7 final sounds
  At the end of a syllable, consonants collapse into one of just seven sounds.
  Only seven final sounds. At the end of a syllable Korean has only seven sounds: ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅇ. ㅅ ㅆ ㅈ ㅊ ㅌ ㅎ sound like ㄷ, ㅋ ㄲ like ㄱ, ㅍ like ㅂ. 옷 is said 옫 (ot).
2. 2습 → 씀Nasal · Tense
  ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ sound like ㅇ/ㄴ/ㅁ before ㄴ/ㅁ; After a ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ ending, the next ㄱㄷㅂㅅㅈ is squeezed into tense ㄲㄸㅃㅆㅉ.
  Sounds turn nasal. Before ㄴ or ㅁ, final ㄱ becomes ㅇ, ㄷ becomes ㄴ and ㅂ becomes ㅁ: 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다. ㄹ after these sounds is said like ㄴ: 정류장 → 정뉴장.
  Tense, doubled sounds. After a final ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ sound, the next ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅈ becomes tense: ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ. 학교 is said 학꾜 (hak-kkyo).
다시 한번 말씀해 주세요Could you say that once more?dasi hanbeon malsseumhae juseyoPolite
Didn't catch an instruction
Written다시 한번 말씀해 주세요
Read exactly as written.
천천히 말씀해 주세요Please speak slowlycheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyoPolite
Instructions are too fast
Written천천히 말씀해 주세요
Read exactly as written.
도와주세요Help me, please!dowajuseyoPolite
Any emergency
Written도와주세요
Read exactly as written.

At a café or restaurant

From the Food & Café pack. More

메뉴판 주세요The menu, pleasemenyupan juseyoPolite
Sitting down
Written메뉴판 주세요
Read exactly as written.
이거 주세요This one, pleaseigeo juseyoPolite
Pointing at the menu
Written이거 주세요
Read exactly as written.
물 좀 주세요Some water, pleasemul jom juseyoPolite
Water is usually free and self-serve
Written물 좀 주세요
Read exactly as written.
맛있어요It's deliciousmasisseoyo · said 마시써요Polite
Complimenting the food
Written맛있어요
Said마시써요
1. 1맛있어 → 마시써Linking
  A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
NoteAlso heard as [마디써요] — both are standard
계산해 주세요The bill, pleasegyesanhae juseyoPolite
Paying at the counter
Written계산해 주세요
Read exactly as written.
Note계 is usually pronounced [게] in everyday speech
카드 돼요Can I pay by card?kadeu dwaeyoPolite
Small shops and stalls
Written카드 돼요
Read exactly as written.

Getting around

Subway, bus and taxi.

화장실 어디예요Where's the restroom?hwajangsil eodiyeyoPolite
Anywhere
Written화장실 어디예요
Read exactly as written.
지하철역 어디예요Where's the subway station?jihacheollyeok eodiyeyo · said 지하철력 어디예요Polite
Asking a passer-by
Written지하철역 어디예요
Said지하철력 어디예요
NoteAn extra ㄴ slips in before 역 and turns into ㄹ after ㄹ — like 서울역 [서울력]
이 주소로 가 주세요Please go to this addressi jusoro ga juseyoPolite
Showing the taxi driver your phone
Written이 주소로 가 주세요
Read exactly as written.
여기서 세워 주세요Stop here, pleaseyeogiseo sewo juseyoPolite
Getting out of a taxi
Written여기서 세워 주세요
Read exactly as written.
길을 잃었어요I'm lostgireul ireosseoyo · said 기를 이러써요Polite
Asking for help
Written길을 잃었어요
Said기를 이러써요
1. 1길을 → 기를Linking
  A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
2. 2잃었어 → 이러써Silent ㅎ · Linking
  ㅎ goes silent before a vowel; A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  ㅎ goes silent. A final ㅎ before a vowel isn't pronounced. 좋아요 is said 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
와이파이 비밀번호 뭐예요What's the Wi-Fi password?waipai bimilbeonho mwoyeyoPolite
Café or hotel
Written와이파이 비밀번호 뭐예요
Read exactly as written.

Shopping

Prices, sizes and paying.

이거 얼마예요How much is this?igeo eolmayeyoPolite
Any shop
Written이거 얼마예요
Read exactly as written.
너무 비싸요It's too expensiveneomu bissayoPolite
Before haggling
Written너무 비싸요
Read exactly as written.
그냥 구경하는 거예요I'm just lookinggeunyang gugyeonghaneun geoyeyoPolite
Shop staff approaches
Written그냥 구경하는 거예요
Read exactly as written.
이걸로 할게요I'll take this oneigeollo halkkeyo · said 이걸로 할께요Polite
Deciding
Written이걸로 할게요
Said이걸로 할께요
NoteThe ending -ㄹ게 is always pronounced tense [께], but written 게
카드로 계산할게요I'll pay by cardkadeuro gyesanhalkkeyo · said 카드로 계산할께요Polite
At the counter
Written카드로 계산할게요
Said카드로 계산할께요
NoteThe ending -ㄹ게 is always pronounced tense [께], but written 게; 계 usually sounds [게]
봉투 하나 주세요One bag, pleasebongtu hana juseyoPolite
At the counter
Written봉투 하나 주세요
Read exactly as written.

When something goes wrong

Pharmacy, doctor, police.

약국 어디예요Where's a pharmacy?yakguk eodiyeyo · said 약꾹 어디예요Polite
Look for the green 약 sign
Written약국 어디예요
Said약꾹 어디예요
1. 1국 → 꾹Tense
  After a ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ ending, the next ㄱㄷㅂㅅㅈ is squeezed into tense ㄲㄸㅃㅆㅉ.
  Tense, doubled sounds. After a final ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ sound, the next ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅈ becomes tense: ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ. 학교 is said 학꾜 (hak-kkyo).
머리가 아파요I have a headachemeoriga apayoPolite
Pharmacy or doctor
Written머리가 아파요
Read exactly as written.
알레르기가 있어요I have an allergyallereugiga isseoyo · said 알레르기가 이써요Polite
Tell the doctor or pharmacist
Written알레르기가 있어요
Said알레르기가 이써요
1. 1있어 → 이써Linking
  A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
지갑을 잃어버렸어요I lost my walletjigabeul ireobeoryeosseoyo · said 지가블 이러버려써요Polite
Police box or lost and found
Written지갑을 잃어버렸어요
Said지가블 이러버려써요
1. 1갑을 → 가블Linking
  A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
2. 2잃어 → 이러Silent ㅎ · Linking
  ㅎ goes silent before a vowel; A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  ㅎ goes silent. A final ㅎ before a vowel isn't pronounced. 좋아요 is said 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
3. 3렸어 → 려써Linking
  A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
경찰 불러 주세요Please call the policegyeongchal bulleo juseyoPolite
Emergency — the number is 112
Written경찰 불러 주세요
Read exactly as written.
구급차 불러 주세요Please call an ambulancegugeupcha bulleo juseyoPolite
Emergency — the number is 119
Written구급차 불러 주세요
Read exactly as written.

With friends

Casual speech, as in K-dramas. More

고마워ThanksgomawoCasual
Thanking a friend
Written고마워
Read exactly as written.
미안해I'm sorrymianhaeCasual
Apology to a friend or partner
Written미안해
Read exactly as written.
밥 먹었어Have you eaten?bam meogeosseo · said 밤 머거써Casual
Everyday way to show care
Written밥 먹었어
Said밤 머거써
1. 1밥 → 밤Nasal
  ㄱ/ㄷ/ㅂ sound like ㅇ/ㄴ/ㅁ before ㄴ/ㅁ.
  Sounds turn nasal. Before ㄴ or ㅁ, final ㄱ becomes ㅇ, ㄷ becomes ㄴ and ㅂ becomes ㅁ: 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다. ㄹ after these sounds is said like ㄴ: 정류장 → 정뉴장.
2. 2먹었어 → 머거써Linking
  A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
NoteSaid slowly, word by word: [밥 머거써]
진짜Really?! / Seriously?jinjjaCasual
Reacting to news — tone does the work
Written진짜
Read exactly as written.
대박Awesome! / No way!daebakCasual
Surprise, amazement
Written대박
Read exactly as written.
알겠어Got it / Okayalgesseo · said 알게써Casual
Agreeing, ending an argument
Written알겠어
Said알게써
1. 1겠어 → 게써Linking
  A final consonant slides onto the next syllable when that syllable starts with ㅇ.
  The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).

Questions

Which Korean phrases should I learn first?

안녕하세요 (hello), 감사합니다 (thank you), 죄송합니다 (sorry), 저기요 (excuse me) and 이거 주세요 (this one, please) get you through most first days in Korea.

Should I learn casual or polite Korean first?

Polite. The 요 form (해요체) is safe with strangers, staff and anyone older. Casual speech is for friends, and it can sound rude to a stranger.

Do I need to read Hangul to use these?

No, the romanization and audio are enough to start. But Hangul takes about an afternoon to learn, and it shows you why 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다.

240 phrases in 8 packs, offline

Korean alphabet, 240 phrases and quiz games with Korean audio. Works offline.