Essential Korean phrases by situation

Use polite expressions with strangers

The phrases here use polite Korean suitable for everyday conversations with staff and people you do not know. Many end in 요, while expressions such as 감사합니다 (“thank you”) and 죄송합니다 (“sorry”) use a more formal ending. Learn each expression as written; do not add 요 to a phrase that already has a polite ending.

Casual speech is used in close relationships and other appropriate settings. As a visitor, polite expressions are a useful default when you are unsure.

Start with these five expressions

주세요 means “please give me” and follows the thing you are requesting. For example, 물 주세요 means “Water, please”, 계산서 주세요 means “The bill, please”, and 봉투 주세요 means “A bag, please”.

Use 저기요 to get someone's attention politely. In a restaurant, 여기요 can also attract a server's attention. If the table has a call button, you can press it instead.

Greeting, thanking and apologising

안녕하세요 means “hello”. You can use it when entering a shop, approaching a counter or beginning a conversation with a stranger. It works at different times of day.

Both 감사합니다 and 고맙습니다 are polite ways to say “thank you”. 죄송합니다 expresses an apology. Use 실례합니다 when politely interrupting or asking to intrude, and 잠시만요 when asking someone to wait a moment or let you pass. The Standard Korean Dictionary explains the use of 실례 in asking someone's understanding.

Say 안녕히 계세요 when you are leaving and the other person is staying. Say 안녕히 가세요 to someone who is leaving, including when you are both going elsewhere.

Ordering food

You can request a dish by saying its name, the quantity and 주세요. The expression 2인분 주세요 means “Two portions, please”; a portion's size depends on the dish and restaurant. Check the menu or ask if you are unsure how much to order.

좀 literally means “a little” and can soften a request. Both 물 주세요 and 물 좀 주세요 are ordinary ways to ask politely for water.

Paying and the bill

Many Korean restaurants take payment at a counter when you leave. Ask the server where to pay if you are unsure.

Tipping is generally not expected in ordinary restaurants and taxis. Pay the stated total and ask if you do not understand a charge.

Asking where something is

The examples below show how to ask where something is and how to get there.

Subway exit numbers can make meeting points and directions easier to follow. Look for numbered exit signs and check the station map.

In a taxi

Show the destination's name, address and map pin if the driver needs clarification. A saved Korean version can be especially useful when the English spelling varies between listings. Make the screen readable and confirm the destination before setting off.

Shopping and price

Some market sellers may discuss a price, but bargaining is not expected everywhere. Department stores, chain shops and many stalls use fixed prices. Ask courteously and accept the answer.

Allergies and dietary requirements

Show a clear written explanation of your allergy or dietary restriction. Ask about ingredients, broth, sauces and shared preparation equipment. A restaurant may be unable to remove an ingredient from a dish that is already prepared.

Kimchi may contain fish sauce or salted seafood, and soups or noodles may use meat or anchovy stock. Check the actual recipe rather than relying on the dish's appearance. For sesame or another ingredient you must avoid, read the complete ingredient information and ask specifically; do not rely only on a highlighted allergen statement.

For a serious allergy, use a professionally checked translation card and ask the restaurant to confirm whether it can prepare the food safely. The phrases below help communicate, but they do not establish that a meal is safe.

Emergencies and pain

Call 119 for fire, an ambulance or rescue, and 112 for police. “Emergency numbers (112 police, 119 fire/ambulance)” covers what happens when you dial them, and “Pharmacy, clinic, or ER?” covers pharmacies, clinics and hospitals.

Ask for help understanding

Use these phrases if you need the other person to slow down, write something or help you contact an interpreter.

1330 is the Korea Tourism Organization's travel helpline and can help with tourism-related interpretation. Explain the situation and ask how to involve the other person. Check the official service page for current contact methods and language availability.