Essential Korean Phrases

Greetings

• Annyeonghaseyo (안녕하세요) — Hello (formal, all situations)
• Gamsahamnida (감사합니다) — Thank you
• Annyeonghi gaseyo (안녕히 가세요) — Goodbye (to someone leaving)
• Annyeonghi gyeseyo (안녕히 계세요) — Goodbye (when you’re the one leaving)
• Mianhamnida (미안합니다) — I’m sorry
• Joesonghamnida (죄송합니다) — Excuse me / I apologize (more formal)

In restaurants

• Mwo issoyo? (뭐 있어요?) — What do you have?
• Igot juseyo (이거 주세요) — I’ll have this one
• Mul juseyo (물 주세요) — Water please
• Banchan deo juseyo (반찬 더 주세요) — More side dishes please
• Gyesan haejuseyo (계산 해주세요) — Check please
• Mashisseoyo (맛있어요) — It’s delicious

Shopping

• Eolma yeyo? (얼마예요?) — How much is it?
• Bissayo (비싸요) — It’s expensive
• Hangug-eo mot-haeyo (한국어 못해요) — I don’t speak Korean
• Yeong-eo halsu isseyo? (영어 할 수 있어요?) — Do you speak English?

Getting around

• … eodi yeyo? (… 어디예요?) — Where is …?
• Dorip station-i eodi yeyo? — Where is X station?
• Hwajangshil eodi yeyo? (화장실 어디예요?) — Where is the bathroom?
• Yeogiseo naerilkkeyo (여기서 내릴게요) — I’ll get off here (taxi)

Reactions

• Ne (네) — Yes
• Aniyo (아니요) — No
• Gwaenchan-ayo (괜찮아요) — It’s OK / I’m fine
• Joha-yo (좋아요) — I like it / Good

How to read

These phrases are spelled out in Romanization. The two letters everyone gets wrong:

• “Eo” sounds like the “u” in “but”
• “Eu” sounds like the “u” in “put,” but without rounded lips

Polite tip: ending a sentence in “-yo” makes it polite. Skipping it sounds blunt. When in doubt, add “-yo.”

Bowing

A small head bow accompanies greetings and thanks. Don’t bow at the waist unless meeting someone much older or in a formal business setting — a slight nod is enough.

Most useful four

If you only remember four phrases, make them:

1. Annyeonghaseyo — Hello
2. Gamsahamnida — Thank you
3. Mianhamnida — Sorry
4. Igot juseyo — I’ll have this

That gets you through most interactions politely.