Korean Phrases: The Ultimate List for 2020

Last Updated on July 4, 2020

Here’s the comprehensive list of Korean phrases that you’ll need to join in on the fun and converse in Korean. This is the up-to-date modern version of how Koreans actually talk, so it will be useful if you want to learn how to speak Korean. 

We’re going to get the best phrases out to you on this page, broken down by category.

Forget the dated Korean guidebooks or confusing phrases that don’t make sense, this list will give you exactly what you need for your next adventure in Korea. We’ll provide the phrases with the Korean alphabet and romanization.

Here we go!

If you need this list to take with you on the go, we’ve got you covered! The PDF download is right here:

Read on and study the Korean phrases section by section. Or, skip ahead to the Korean phrases you are most interested in, and add them to your favorite flashcard deck. 

Most important of all, have fun with them!

We highly recommend you learn the Korean alphabet (Hangeul) ASAP. It’s an essential first step to improve your Korean language skills.

Below, we’ll give a brief into formal vs. informal language. Then we will get right into with the most important Korean phrases. The phrases are broken down by the situation.

Formal vs Informal 

The Korean language has many levels of formality. Because of this, saying simple things can seem extremely complex because of social hierarchies.

If you’re learning Korean but you don’t have Korean ancestry in your family, then you’re in the clear! You can get by with the standard forms of the language and you’ll still be considered polite. That way you can learn some simple phrases without having to know all of the intricacies of the language.

Since there are different forms of Korean, you may occasionally hear more formal versions of the phrases below. However, we’ll give you the 20% of the phrases you’ll hear 80% of the time so you can learn Korean fast.

Let’s get to it!

Basic Korean Phrases

If you’ve only got a short time to learn some Korean phrases, then best to stick with the basics. These basic Korean phrases are the 80/20 of what you need to know (20% that will give you 80% of the results).

Essential Korean Phrases

Need the bare minimum for talking in Korean? These are the phrases you’ll want to get down to make sure your time in Korea is smooth sailing!

You might notice that there are a few ways of saying some common Korean phrases, such as “excuse me”, “thank you,” and “goodbye”. In English, these phrases are much more multi-purpose. In Korean, there are specific phrases that you’ll use for certain situations.

In the Korean language, there are a few different ways to say “thank you.” We gave you the most common way to thank someone. Go here if you’d like a more detailed writeup of how to say “thank you” in Korean. 

Common Korean Phrases

As you learn the lay of the land with your Korean learning, you’ll want to focus on the common Korean phrases that you’ll need on a daily basis.

When you’re asking questions in Korean, make sure to direct your intonation upwards towards the end of the sentences, as if you’re unsure.

You’ve got the Korean phrases necessary to have simple interactions, so now’s the time to put them to use!

Places

Use these Korean phrases in various places. They’re broken up by different locations, so practice your Korean language skills as you go to each different location.

Restaurant Korean Phrases

If you’ve had Korean food before, then you know why Koreans can’t live without it when they go abroad. A Korean meal is not just any ordinary culinary experience. It’s a symphony of various side dishes, main dishes, drinks, appetizers, and desserts that will make you wonder how you’ve lived without it for so long.

Korean cuisine is not only strong on variety, but it also is strong on taste! You’ll experience meat, vegetables, noodles, rice, and other seasonings in a way that you might not have had before. But beware, some of these may catch you off guard! Koreans love to spice things up, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for the ice water more than normal.

Cafe & Coffee Shop Korean Phrases

If you’ve been to Seoul before, then you know you can go more than a few minutes in each direction without running into a cafe. Korea has a massive coffee-drinking culture, and it’s continuing to spread!

When you order at a cafe, there are some unique Korean cafe phrases that might be surprising to English speakers. For example, the way you ask for your order to go will be different depending on whether you order only a drink or if you order food with your drink. Although Koreans think this is normal, even they get surprised when they think about the intricacies of the Korean language!

Use these Korean phrases to get a caffeine boost that will supercharge your Korean language learning.

Shopping Korean Phrases

If you’re out in Dongadaemun, Garosul-gil, or Myeongdong, you are definitely going to need some Korean phrases to help you shop!

The Korean language has it’s own specialized vocabulary terms when it comes to shopping, so make sure you know these before you head out for the next shopping spree. For example, did you know that some Korean credit cards give you the choice of paying for your purchase over one month or multiple month installments? The installment plans have interest fees, so plan accordingly! Be ready for this question, since some stores will ask you if you want your purchase to be put through as 일시불 (ilsibul).

Use these Korean phrases to add even more fun to your shopping experience. You will thank yourself with all of the great deals you’ll get!

Dry Cleaner Korean Phrases

Looking sharp and stylish doesn’t happen by accident. Koreans are extremely image-conscious and go to great lengths to make sure their appearance is the best it can be at all times.

If you feel the same about your clothing, then you know that Korean dry cleaners can be your best friend! Ordinary shirts, trousers, skirts, and suits make your clothing look new again. Not only that, but you can save some of your clothing from certain doom. We all know what it feels like when you put your favorite sweater in the dryer and it comes out three sizes too small!

Best to leave the care of your finest threads to the professionals. The next time you stop by your friendly neighborhood Korean dry cleaner, use these phrases to ensure you get exactly what you want.

Bank Korean Phrases

Maybe you’re tired of fumbling around with hand gestures and sentence fragments at the bank. Or perhaps you want to get your banking done at the local branch instead of heading into the one across town that has English speakers.

We got you covered!

Grab your stacks of 오만원 bills, pack them in your briefcase, and head down to your friendly neighborhood bank. Hopefully, they have a big enough vault for you!

Use these Korean phrases at the bank to confidently, quickly, and seamlessly get your banking biz taken care of.

Cha-Ching!

Hospital Korean Phrases

Nobody likes going to the hospital, but it sure is a relief to see a doctor when you aren’t feeling well!

Use these Korean phrases below to explain to the doctor what the problem is.

Even if the doctor speaks English, you may find these phrases handy to use with the nurse or the receptionist who takes your name down and asks what is bothering you.

If you get a prescription, there will usually be a pharmacy nearby. Sometimes, there will be a pharmacy inside the hospital!

Pharmacy Korean Phrases

If you’re not feeling well and you don’t think it’s quite worth a doctor visit, then you might want to swing by your local pharmacy in Korea.

Pharmacists in Korea are very helpful. Explain what the problem is, and they’ll give you the recommended medicine to get you back to your former glorious self. 

Or, maybe you went to the hospital and now you’ve got that piece of paper with the cure to your sickness. You’ll be on your way with your prescription filled in no time!

Many speak English well and can understand what you are saying in English. However, knowing a few phrases or specialty words in Korean can help. Try looking those words up in a Korean-English dictionary to ensure a smooth visit.  

Dentist Korean Phrases

It’s about that time to take care of that movie star smile!

If you’re afraid of the dentist, you’re not alone. Not to worry, we’ve got some Korean phrases you can use at the dentist’s office to make sure your visit is a smooth one.

In Korean, people use the term “scaling” (스케일링) for cleaning. If the dentist starts talking about scaling your teeth, don’t be surprised, it’s a good thing!

Most of the dentists in Korea speak English, so you likely won’t have to worry about a heavy language barrier. However, their assistants may not be confident about their abilities to speak English, so having some Korean phrases may come in handy.

The dentists in Korea are really good, so sit back and relax, it should be a painless and carefree visit!

Hair Salon Korean Phrases

Use these phrases at the 미용실!

Ready to head out to the salon?

Or, the “미용실” as they call in it Korean?

You may be worried about the stylist chopping away at your gorgeous locks of hair. After all, it’s really easy to miscommunicate when you’re learning to speak in a foreign language!

And nobody likes to be reassured with the phrase “don’t worry, it will grow back.”

Unlikely it will grow back in time for your big date on Saturday night!

Thankfully, there are Korean phrases for the hair salon to help you get exactly the hairstyle that you want.

Study up, and get ready to show off that new hairdo!

Movie Theater & Cinema

No matter what time of year, what time of day, or what the weather is like, it’s always a good time to go see a movie in Korea!

There are a variety of Korean movie theaters, some of the popular being CGV, Lotte Cinema, and Megabox. You may even notice these Korean move theater brands in other countries.

CGV Theater in Korea
Photo: TFurban

There are a few great things about going to the movies in Korea.

First of all, you can easily reserve tickets for a movie through Korean smartphone apps. If some problem with your schedule comes up, many theaters have a refund policy if you cancel before the movie starts (depending on the movie theater).

Secondly, many of the Korean theaters have movies that start well into midnight. You may find yourself going to a movie at 3:00 am!

Thirdly, you can cuddle up with your significant other during your movie by reserving couple seats, often on the top row. CGV calls them “Sweetbox” seats, and they have a foldable armrest for a loveseat-style feeling at the movies.

Just remember to turn off your mobile phone, and don’t speak during the movie. Save your conversation practice for after the movie is over! 

Post Office Korean Phrases

Thinking about sending Mom a letter?

Or maybe you have to mail a birthday gift to a best friend.

Better head to the Korean post office!

The post offices in Korea have a wide variety of services, from regular domestic shipments to international airmail. Most locations also have shipping supplies right at the post office, so you can do all of your packing and shipping in one spot. 

Use these Korean phrases for your next post office visit in Korea. 

Note that if you’re sending a letter to Korea from outside the country, you can write the address in Korean. However, make sure to write the country name in English. 

Korean Travel Phrases

Pack your bags! We’re hitting the road and going to put some of our Korean language skills to good use. Use these Korean travel phrases to help you speak with anyone you meet as you take trips throughout Korea.

Asking for Directions Korean Phrases

Ready for some adventure? It’s time to do some traveling within Korea!

Of course, we want to make this experience as smooth as possible, so we’ll give you some common phrases you can use in case you get lost or need directions.

Whether you’re in the big city or quiet countryside, use these Korean phrases to ask the locals where something is.

Start things off with a simple “잠시만요”, and then get to chat in the local language!

Hotel and Pension Korean Phrases

Staying in Korean accommodations can be a fun and unique experience. There are many interesting places to stay throughout the country. Since some of them are outside of the big cities, the staff may not be used to speaking English as in other tourist areas.

That’s where these Korean phrases for accommodations will come in handy!

KAL Hotel in Jeju

Use these Korean phrases to help you speak the local language at hotels and pensions (B&Bs) in Korea. 

Bus Korean Phrases

The Korean bus system is one of the best systems in the world.

The buses are fast, clean, and on time. This goes for the smaller local buses (마을 버스), the regular city buses, and even the express buses (고속 버스).

At many bus stops in Seoul, there is a digital display that shows which buses are coming and what time they will arrive. It’s very accurate!

Sokcho Bus Station in Korea

If you really want to dial in your schedule down to the minute, you can download applications to tell you which bus will arrive at certain times. That way, you can check the bus arrival times before you get to the bus stop. This is especially useful when during the winter. You may want to stay in that warm cafe or restaurant as long as possible and walk out to your bus right as it arrives.

The Korean phrases below will help you with regular city buses. There are also phrases to help you book bus tickets from different parts of the country at the various terminals around Korea.

Charge up your T-Money card, and go for a ride!

Note that some of the bus information maybe be in English, but not all of it. Knowing a bit of Hangeul will help you, especially when you leave the big cities such as Seoul or Busan. 

Situations

Here are some fantastic Korean phrases you can use for different social situations. For example, you may use these when you meet your Korean friends.

If you’re not confident about talking 100% in Korean, then just start small. Use a mix of Korean and English in your sentences. For example, you can talk in 10% Korean and 90% English. Then as you improve your ability to speak in Korean, you can increase it to 20% Korean and 80% English. 

The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with the language. It may be challenging at first, but you’ll thank yourself later when you’re having smooth conversations in Korean.

Dinner Table Korean Phrases

Korea has a strong food culture. Along with that, comes a wide range of interesting Korean phrases that will allow you to express your feelings in unique ways. There are similar phrases in English, but the Korean version may be used differently. 

For example, you say “I will eat well” before eating your meal. This is the way that Koreans show gratitude toward the person who cooked the meal. Then, instead of saying “thank you”, you’d simply say 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida), which means “I ate well.”

맛있게 드세요!
Photo: ebifry

Also, don’t be surprised if you get some shocked looks when telling Koreans that you’re vegetarian! For Koreans, barbecuing meat is almost a religion. It’s hard for them to imagine living without that tasty part of their cuisine.

Korean Small Talk Phrases

Concerned about first impressions?

Well, that’s great news! Koreans are very image-conscious, so it’s best to start things off on the right foot.

And what better way of doing that than to use some Korean phrases for small talk!

These Korean small talk phrases are great for getting to know someone!

Get these Korean phrases under your belt and you’ll be well on your way to breaking the ice with anyone you meet. 

Since you’ll be talking in Korean, you can also get your own Korean name. Here’s a complete guide on how to do it. 

Meeting Friends Korean Phrases

Imagine that you run into your long-time Korean friend. You probably have a lot to catch up on!

A lot of the phrases you’ll use in Korean for this situation is similar to what you’d say in English. 

Use these phrases with your friends!

If you study the phrases below, you’ll have a lot to talk about when you meet your friends. All of the phrases are in standard language, so you can use them to speak with anyone. If you’re talking with a close friend, you may want to speak using informal language by dropping the 요 (yo).

Special Occasion Korean Phrases

If you’ve been to or lived in Korea, then you know that Koreans love to celebrate!

The big cities stay open all night long, with people roaming the streets until the sun comes up—and even after.

The next time you’re along for the celebration, use these Korean phrases to fit in with the group.

Use these to express yourself on special occasions

As you go over the phrases, you’ll notice that some of them are Konglish (Korean + English) and some are specific to the Korean language. For example, “Merry Christmas” is sounded out in Hangul. On the other hand, “Happy New Year” does not sound like the English phrase at all. Instead, it directly translates to “I hope you will receive a lot of good luck next year”.

If you’re looking for more phrases for Valentine’s Day, check out: https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-valentines-phrases/

Phone Call Korean Phrases

He’s about to use Korean phrases on his phone call

How often do you pick up the phone and hear Korean being spoken on the other end?

If you’re living in Korea, chances are quite often!

Learning to speak on the phone can be challenging, especially since you can’t rely on body language or visuals to help make out words. For many, trying to speak on the phone is the part of language learning that gives them the most trouble.

Well, today we will help you get a few steps ahead of the game by giving you some common expressions that people use to speak on the phone. 

The phrases below are written in standard language form. Not only do they use polite language, but you can use them to comfortably speak with those older and younger than you. You may hear the other person speak using slightly more formal versions of these phrases, but it largely depends on who you are talking to. Most often this happens when you call into an office or company.

The next time you make or receive a phone call in Korean, you can speak with confidence!

Keep in mind that unlike English, the phone “hello” is different from the “hello” that you would use in person. 

Mobile Phone Korean Phrases

“If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items (besides food and clothing) would you take?”

When asked this question, most people reply with “cell phone!” as their first response. How could they ever live without it? It’s an important part of most people’s lives.

Photo: Takashi Hososhima

Whether or not you feel the same way, you’re likely to come across times where you’ll need to take care of your mobile phone. Below are some common Korean expressions that you can use to help you keep your phone powered up and data-charged!

Korean Exclamations

깜짝이야!
Photo: Patrick Hoesly

Remember your art teacher back in elementary school? She always encouraged you to speak from the heart and express yourself, but maybe you didn’t know what language to use.

Well, we have good news for you! Not only will you learn how to express your emotions, but you’ll also know how to speak about and convey those emotions using the Korean language.

Use these exclamations to speak your mind and express your emotions in Korean. 아싸!

Impress the Locals

Native Koreans will love these!
Photo: Erich Ferdinand

In the Korean language, there’s a cultural phrase called “빨리 빨리”, which means “quickly, quickly”. It’s ingrained into the personalities, activities, and mindsets of the Korean people and culture as a whole. Korea rapidly developed in a short time period. It has a massive economy compared to the size of its land and population thanks to its ability to change, adapt, and get things done quickly.

How did they do it so fast? Well, they certainly didn’t waste time with unnecessary vocabulary!

One thing you’ll notice as you speak with Koreans is that they make efforts to shorten the way they speak. Abbreviations and word blending are common.

Below is a list of phrases that Koreans use commonly today but you won’t find in regular textbooks. They’re all rated “G”, so use them freely without worry. Don’t be surprised if you get some shocked looks from Koreans. Be prepared to explain how you know how to speak like a local!

Talking with the Landlord Korean Phrases

Who is it?
Photo: Pascal

Not matter if you found your apartment yourself or your employer set you up with housing, you’re going to have to talk with your landlord at some point.

In most cases, the landlords are from the older Korean generation and don’t speak English. Therefore, simple things like asking if a package arrived for you or asking for a repair can seem like a dreadful task if you don’t know the language well. You either have to ask a Korean friend, you have to fumble around with basic Korean and body language.

But you don’t roll like that!

Instead, make life easier for everyone by using these handy landlord Korean phrases. Your landlord will appreciate the effort and you can get your housing business handled. Most importantly, you can spend your time talking to your Korean friend about the crazy day you had yesterday instead of the broken light in the hall. 

Everyone is a winner!

Apartment Search Korean Phrases

If you’ve had the pleasure of going out to find your own apartment in Korea, then you know what it’s like to be at the real estate office!

Highrise apartments in downtown Seoul

The 부동산 (real estate office) agents are hustlers. Most of them don’t speak English, but they will usually do their best with what they know to help you find a place.

You can help move the process along by using a few of these key expressions below. The real estate agents will appreciate your efforts to speak in their language, and you’ll have a better chance of finding exactly what you are looking for. You will also have a higher chance of the landlord accepting you if you can speak Korean. 

Make your house search a smooth and fun process by learning how to speak a bit of the language. Then you can focus on your 집들이 (housewarming)!

Dating & Romance Korean Phrases

귀엽다!

Got a big date with a Korean coming up this weekend?

Or maybe you have a special someone in mind who you want to meet up with, but you’re not quite sure how to ask?

We’ve got you covered! Use the phrases below to set up your date, pay a compliment, or help move the relationship forward.

If you need more dating and relationship phrases, stop by our Korean Love Phrases page for a complete list of things to say. And if you need some sweet things to say to your significant other, here’s what you need.

화이팅!

Taxi Korean Phrases

If you’re living in Korea, then you know how great the taxi system is. The cars are clean, the fares are inexpensive, and it’s usually quite easy to find one.

If you’re not living in Korea and you’re planning a visit, then you can make your trip go even smoother by learning a few taxi phrases.

Taxi in Seoul

Although some areas have international taxis that speak foreign languages, the majority of the taxi drivers still mainly speak Korean. They may know how to speak a few words in English, Japanese, and Chinese, but it can sometimes be challenging to tell the driver where to go if you don’t speak the same language. This goes doubly if you live in an area with many twisty side streets—something that Korea is quite famous for!

Take a few minutes and learn how to speak some of the common taxi phrases. Not only will you make sure you get to your destination smoothly, but you’ll likely have a more interesting experience. Taxi drivers are usually friendly, so by showing that you speak a bit of Korean, you’ll often have a fun conversation on the ride there!

Emergency Korean Phrases

Korea is a very safe country, so hopefully you will have a safe and pleasant time here. However, emergencies do happen, and it’s always good to know a few key phrases to help make sure that you navigate through them smoothly!

Practicing these phrases and showing how to speak them in calm situations will ensure that you know how to use them when it counts. 

Below are some important emergency Korean phrases. Learn them so you have them ready in case of an emergency. You will thank yourself later!

Encouragement Korean Phrases

Everyone faces challenges or gets down and out at times. In those situations, you may want to cheer up a friend or show encouragement to a loved one. Luckily, there are plenty of Korean phases of encouragement to do just that!

S0me of the phrases have cultural nuances, so they might not be the phrase that you’d use in English. For example, you’ll often hear the Korean phrase 화이팅 (waiting) in situations where English speakers would normally say “good luck”. 

Another example is the phrase 힘내세요 (himnaeseyo). This is commonly used in Korean, but it’s not used the same way or as often in English. 

Here is a list of encouraging Korean phrases.

Special

These are super fun! We have onomatopoeia in English already, but mimetic words are something new. Give them a try and express yourself on another level! 

Mimetic

쨍쨍

In Korean, there are special kinds of vocabulary words that are used to help paint vivid pictures of situations of moments. They’re called 의태어, or mimetic words in English.

These types of words are similar to onomatopoeia, except they take it a step further by describing movement instead of just a sound.

For example, you might want to talk about how hot the weather was outside. You can be describing the hot sun with words such as “scorching” or “blazing”. Or in Korean, you can spice things up by saying the sun was 쨍쨍 blazing hot. Think of the 쨍쨍 as describing the movement of the sun’s rays on a hot summer day. That extra 쨍쨍 may help you get the tan you were looking for!

Onomatopoeia 

Raise your hand if you know what the word ‘onomatopoeia’ means!

It seems like a long word, but really it’s just a fancy name for a word that imitates common sounds that we hear.

In Korean, the word for onomatopoeia is 의성어. Here, we will go over some onomatopoeia Korean phrases.

Some of the most common onomatopoeia we hear from when we are kids are those of farm animals. Anyone know what sound a cow makes in English? How about a pig?

Well, Korean has these words, too! They’re really fun words to learn because you can compare them to the sounds of the animals from your native language and see if they’re the same.

In addition to animal sounds, there are also words for everyday sounds such as snoring, crying, and a doorbell ringing.

We hope you loved this list of Korean phrases. One of the best ways to learn these phrases is to speak them on a daily basis. If you live in Korea or have Korean family members, then you have many opportunities. 

You could also try language exchanges or meeting some Korean friends online. Inside of the 90 Day Korean members area, we have monthly live training sessions where you can get speaking practice in Korean. This is included along with the step-by-step structured online course which will teach you how to have a 3-minute conversation in the first 90 days. 

What is your favorite Korean phrase? Let us know in the comments below!