Knowing even a handful of basic Korean phrases makes an enormous difference — whether you’re planning a trip to Korea, starting to learn the language, or just want to understand what’s happening in your favorite K-drama without subtitles. These 50 phrases are the ones that come up constantly in everyday Korean life.
Each phrase is listed in Hangul, romanization, and English. If you can’t read Hangul yet, the Hangul alphabet chart will get you there in an afternoon — it’s worth learning before you memorize phrases, because romanization can only approximate Korean sounds.
Essential Korean Greetings
Korean has built-in politeness levels, and using the right one matters. These phrases use 존댓말 (polite/formal speech) — safe for almost every situation as a beginner.
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — Hello (polite, works any time of day)
- 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) — Goodbye (to someone leaving)
- 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) — Goodbye (when you’re the one leaving)
- 반갑습니다 (bangapseumnida) — Nice to meet you
- 오랜만이에요 (oraenmanieyo) — Long time no see
- 잘 지냈어요? (jal jinaesseoyo?) — How have you been?
Notice there are two ways to say goodbye — which one you use depends on whether you’re staying or going. This trips up every beginner. Just remember: 가세요 (gaseyo) has “go” in it, so you say it to the person who’s going.
Thank You, Sorry, and Please in Korean
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) — Thank you (formal)
- 고마워요 (gomawoyo) — Thanks (polite casual)
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) — I’m sorry (formal apology)
- 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) — Sorry (casual)
- 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) — It’s okay / I’m fine
- 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) — Excuse me (polite, to get attention)
- 주세요 (juseyo) — Please give me… (used when ordering or requesting)
How Do You Say Common Questions in Korean?
Korean questions often use the same sentence structure as statements — just with rising intonation or a question particle. Here are the questions you’ll reach for most often:
- 이거 뭐예요? (igeo mwoyeyo?) — What is this?
- 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) — How much is it?
- 어디예요? (eodiyeyo?) — Where is it?
- 화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodiyeyo?) — Where is the bathroom?
- 이거 있어요? (igeo isseoyo?) — Do you have this?
- 한국어로 뭐예요? (hangugeoro mwoyeyo?) — What is it in Korean?
- 영어 하세요? (yeongeo haseyo?) — Do you speak English?
- 뭐 먹을래요? (mwo meogeullaeyo?) — What do you want to eat?
Korean Phrases for Ordering Food and Shopping
Restaurants and shops are where beginners get their first real-world Korean practice. These phrases cover 90% of what you’ll need:
- 메뉴 주세요 (menyu juseyo) — Menu, please
- 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) — This one, please (while pointing)
- 물 주세요 (mul juseyo) — Water, please
- 계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo) — Check, please / I’d like to pay
- 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) — Can I pay by card?
- 포장해 주세요 (pojanghae juseyo) — To go, please / Please wrap it up
- 맛있어요! (masisseoyo!) — It’s delicious!
- 배불러요 (baebulleoyo) — I’m full
- 매워요? (maewoyo?) — Is it spicy?
- 안 매운 거 있어요? (an maeun geo isseoyo?) — Do you have something not spicy?
Pro tip: 주세요 (juseyo) is the most useful single word on this list. It means “please give me” and you can put almost anything in front of it. Coffee? 커피 주세요. The bill? 계산서 주세요. That thing over there? 그거 주세요. Master this word and you can navigate most of Korea.
Everyday Korean Expressions
- 네 (ne) — Yes
- 아니요 (aniyo) — No
- 몰라요 (mollayo) — I don’t know
- 알겠습니다 (algesseumnida) — I understand / Got it
- 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo) — Just a moment
- 다시 한번 말해 주세요 (dasi hanbeon malhae juseyo) — Please say that again
- 천천히 말해 주세요 (cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo) — Please speak slowly
- 한국어 못해요 (hangugeo mothaeyo) — I can’t speak Korean
- 한국어 조금 할 수 있어요 (hangugeo jogeum hal su isseoyo) — I can speak a little Korean
- 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo) — Please help me
Korean Phrases for Getting Around
- 여기요! (yeogiyo!) — Over here! / Excuse me! (to call a waiter or get attention)
- 택시 어디서 타요? (taeksi eodiseo tayo?) — Where can I take a taxi?
- 지하철역 어디예요? (jihacheollyeok eodiyeyo?) — Where is the subway station?
- 여기서 가까워요? (yeogiseo gakkawoyo?) — Is it close from here?
- 왼쪽 / 오른쪽 / 직진 (oenjjok / oreunjjok / jikjin) — Left / Right / Straight ahead
Fun Korean Expressions to Know
- 화이팅! (hwaiting!) — You can do it! / Fighting! (encouragement)
- 대박! (daebak!) — Awesome! / No way! (expression of surprise)
- 진짜요? (jinjjayo?) — Really? / For real?
- 수고하셨습니다 (sugohasyeosseumnida) — Thank you for your hard work (said constantly in Korean culture)
Tips for Memorizing Korean Phrases
Fifty phrases is a lot to take in at once. Here’s how to make them stick:
- Start with 5 per day — pick the five most relevant to your life right now and use them throughout the day, even if just in your head.
- Use spaced repetition — apps like Anki let you create flashcards that show up right before you’d forget them. It’s the most efficient memorization method that exists.
- Practice in context — when you eat something good, say 맛있어요 out loud. When you leave a room, say 안녕히 계세요. Attaching phrases to real moments makes them unforgettable.
- Listen first, then speak — find these phrases in Korean dramas or YouTube videos so you hear how native speakers actually pronounce them. Written romanization can only get you so far.
If you’re ready to go deeper into Korean grammar, understanding particles is the next big step. And for the full toolkit of free Korean learning resources, that guide has everything you need to build a daily study routine.