50 Useful Korean Words & Phrases: You’ll need for Smooth Travel in South Korea

Travelling to South Korea, there are essential Korean phrases to learn to make your travel smooth. Here are some essential Korean phrases to help you in a number of different situations, such as when shopping or eating out. These basic Korean phrases are quick and easy to learn but will help you so much.

These essential Korean words and phrases for travellers have been split into 6 different sections to cover the different areas where you might need some Korean when travelling to Korea.

These 6 different sections are as follows:

Now, let’s get started with these first 10 basic Korean phrases.

1: Basic Korean Words & Phrases

Things you’ll need for every conversation

This can be said at any point in the day, and you can reply to this in the same manner. But if you know someone well, you can just say 안녕 (an-nyong). This is considered rude with strangers and older people though, so be careful.

 ‘OK’, is very flexible and you can use it when you want to say you’re OK, refuse something or ask if it is okay to do something.

괜찮아요? Are you OK?

2: Greetings and Introduction

what to say when you meet someone

These essential Korean phrases for greeting people will really help you stand out.

I have earlier mentioned “Hello’ which is a basic greeting anytime of the day.

This is a standard way of asking someone how they have been. It’s used to inquire about a person’s welfare. It is the Korean way of asking “How have you been”?

This is a standard response to the question “how are you’?

3: Korean Words when Dining

How to ask for and order stuff

You can’t travel to South Korea and not try the delicious local foods! On every street, you’ll find indoor and outdoor food venues. Ordering food in a Korean restaurant can vary from being really easy to a real challenge. These phrases will help you when you’re up for some dining.

4: Korean words for Navigating around

How to use transportation

Travelling in Korea is a lot easier than you might think. Almost all of the signs at the airport, train stations, subways, and on buses, are in English. It is inevitable that you may get lose your way or go off track.

These are important for when you are asking for directions. You need to memorize them.

This is useful for when you take a taxi.

5: Korean Phrases to Help You when shopping In Korea’s Markets

Buying and asking about goods

Shopping in Korea will be a lot easier with these essential Korean phrases, whether you are in a department store or trying to buy some Korean street food.

This is a Korean word you can use for ordering food, shopping, and so much more. Want to haggle for an item in the market? Just ask ol-ma-yeh-yo?    

6: Emergencies – Essential Korean Phrases When In Need

What to say when you need help

Hopefully you will never need to use these emergency Korean phrases, but they are here for you just in case.

There are separate numbers for the different emergency services in Korea. Dial 112 to contact the police and 119 for fire and medical emergencies.

This literally means “Give me help,”

Whatever the nature of your problem, this phrase will get you rapid assistance.

I hope you find this useful.