Practical Korean Expressions for Foreigners

Korean Romanization and Examples

C o n s o n a n t

V Romao w niza- Approximate e Pronunciation l tion

Example
Ansan Jeonju Jonggak Ulsan

ApproxiRoma- mate niza- Pronuntion ciation

g kk k d tt t b pp p j jj ch s ss h n m ng r

Example
Gangnam

a eo o u eu i ae e oe wi ya yeo yo yu yae ye wa

father sun horse pool

gift sky king do star top boat

kkachi keugi Daejeon tteok Itaewon Busan

(like u but without Euljiro lip rounding)

fill apple pen west window yard young York you yank yes Wanda

Incheon Daegu Jeju Goesan

speak appa party Pohang jacket Jirisan waltz jjigae child Chuncheon

Seogwipo Yangyang Buyeo Yongsan Yugyo yaegi Yesan Gwangju Waegwan Suwon gwedo

smile Seoul sea ssuk

hand Hangang name Namwon moon Masan song very lake Gangwon Marado Jamsil Silla

wae wagon wo we ui wonder west

(like eu+i in one Yeouido syllable)

Greetings and Basic Expressions

Hello.
?
Annyeonghaseyo?

My name is Peter.
.
Jeoneun Peter-imnida.

Its nice to meet you.

.
Ban-gapseumnida.

Goodbye (when the other person is leaving).

.
Annyeonghi gaseyo.

Goodbye (when the other person is staying).

.
Annyeonghi gyeseyo.

Thank you.
.
Gamsahamnida.

Sorry.
.
Mianhamnida.

Excuse me.
.
Sillyehamnida.

Transportation

There are two kinds of taxis in Korea: a standard taxi and a deluxe taxi. A deluxe taxi is slightly more expensive than a standard taxi. Taxi fares are usually paid in cash, but many taxis now accept payment by credit card or public transit card. Tipping is not necessary.

A : Where would you like to go?

?
Eodikkaji gaseyo?

B : Please take me to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

.
Gyeongbokgung-e ga juseyo.

A : Please stop here. How much is it (the fare)?

. ?
Yeogieseo sewo juseyo. Eolmayeyo?

B : Its 5,000 won.

5,000.
Ocheon wonimnida.

A : Thank you.
.
Gomapseumnida.

Please take me to this address.

.
I jusoro ga juseyo.

Can you go quickly?

.
Jom ppalli ga juseyo.

Please make a right turn.

.
Uhoejeon hae juseyo.

Where is the nearest subway station?

?
I geuncheo-e jihacheollyeogi eodie isseoyo?

Which subway line should I take to go to COEX?

?
COEX-e garyeomyeon jihacheol myeot hoseoneul taya dwaeyo?

Which station should I get off at to go to COEX?

?
COEX-e garyeomyeon museun yeogeseo naeryeoyo?

Where should I go to transfer to subway line No. 3?

3 ?
Sam-hoseoneuro garataryeomyeon eodiro gaya dwaeyo?

Does this bus go to Myeong-dong?

?
I Bus-ga Myeong-dong-e gayo?

Which bus (number) should I take to go to

Apgujeong-dong?
?
Apgujeong-dong-e garyeomyeon myeot beon Bus-reul taya haeyo?

Please open the door.

.
Mun jom yeoreo juseyo.

Where should I get off to go to Insa-dong?

?
Insa-dong-e garyeomyeon eodieseo naeryeoyo?

Where can I reload my transit card?

?
Gyotong-Card eodieseo chungjeonhaeyo?

Left turn : (jwahoejeon) Go straight : (jikjin) Ticket counter : (pyo paneun got) Platform : (taneun got) To transfer : (garataneun got) Exit : (naganeun got)

Shopping

Dongdaemun
This is a huge clothes market. You can even shop here late at night. (Exit 13 or 14 of Dongdaemun History & Culture Park station on subway line No.s 2, 4, and 5)

Myeong-dong
This area of Seoul is a popular shopping district for tourists. (Exit 6 of Myeong-dong station on subway line No. 4)

A: How much do these come out to?

?
Igeo jeonbu eolmayeyo?

B: Theyre 20,000 won.

20,000.
Iman wonieyo.

A: Thats a bit expensive. Please give me a discount.

. .
Jogeum bissayo. Kkakka juseyo.

B: Then give me just 18,000 won.

, 18,000 .
Geureom, manpalcheon wonman naeseyo.

Where can I find souvenirs?

?
Ginyeompumeun eodieseo parayo?

What time do you close?

?
Myeot sie muneul dadayo?

I would like to take a look at that.

.
Jeogeot jom boyeo juseyo.

I dont know my (their) Korean size(s).

.
Han-guk chisureul jal mollayo.

Do you have anything cheaper?

?
Deo ssan geo isseoyo?

Do you have another color?

?
Dareun saek isseoyo?

Hat : (moja) Clothes : (ot) Bag : (gabang) Watch : (sigye) Accessories : (Accessories) Electronic goods : (jeonjajepum) Pattern : (muni) Food : (eumsik) Design : (Design) Shape : (moyang)

Please recommend a nice gift.

.
Jo-eun seonmureul chucheonhae juseyo.

Ill take this one.

.
Igeollo juseyo.

Please gift-wrap it.

.
Pojanghae juseyo.

This size doesnt fit me.

.
Chisuga an majayo.

Pay : (gyesan) Exchange : (gyohwan) Refund : (hwanbul)

Tourism

Namsangol Hanok Village

Get a glimpse of how Seoul looked in days of yore.
(Exit 3 of Chungmuro station on subway line No.s 3 and 4)

N Seoul Tower N
Gaze down upon Seoul. The nightscape is especially awe-inspiring. (Bus No. 2 after taking Exit 6 of Dongguk University station on subway line No. 3)

A: Excuse me. Do you mind taking a picture (of me/us)?

. ?
Sillyehamnida. Sajin jom jjigeo jusigesseoyo?

B: Sure.
.
Ne.

A: Please take one more picture.

.
Han jang deo jjigeo juseyo.

B: Are you ready? One, two, three, cheese~

, . , , , ~
Ne, jjikseumnida. Hana, dul, set, gimchi~

Where is the museum?

?
Bangmulgwani eodie isseoyo?

Is there a park nearby?

?
I geuncheo-e gong-won isseoyo?

Can I get there on foot?

?
Georeoseo gal su isseoyo?

I would like an information booklet.

.
Annae chaekja jom juseyo.

Is there an English-speaking guide?

?
Yeong-eo hal su inneun annaejaga isseoyo?

Can I take pictures here?

?
Yeogiseo sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo?

Art museum : (misulgwan) Zoo : (dongmurwon) Bathroom : (hwajangsil) Map : (jido) Ticket : (ipjanggwon) Admission fee : (ipjangnyo) Free : (muryo)

Restaurant

A Korean meal usually consists of rice, soup, main dishes, and side dishes. The rice and soup are served separately to each individual, but the main dishes and side dishes are placed in the center of the table to be shared with others. There is no need to leave a tip.

A: Excuse me! (calling a waiter)

.
Yeogiyo.

B: Would you like to order?

?
Jumunhasigesseumnikka?

A: Two orders of Bulgogi, please.

2 .
Bulgogi i-inbun juseyo.

B: Yes sir / maam.

, .
Ne, algesseumnida.

 Is there a good Korean restaurant nearby?

?
I geuncheo-e masinneun han-guk sikdang isseoyo?

May I please have a menu?

.
Charimpyo jom juseyo.

What is the most popular dish here?

?
Yeogiseo jeil in-gi inneun eumsigi mwoyeyo?

Id like to order.
.
Jumunhalgeyo.

Well have (one) Samgyetang and (one)

Bibimbap please.
.
Samgyetang-hago Bibimbap juseyo.

Please leave out the Gochujang.

.
Gochujang ppae juseyo.

Water : (mul) Side dish : (banchan) Pepper : (huchu) Salt : (sogeum) Fork : (Fork) Pork : (dwaejigogi) Chopsticks : (jeotgarak) Spoon : (sutgarak) Pay : (gyesan) Check : (gyesanseo) It s delicious. : (masisseoyo) It s spicy. : (maewoyo)

Telephone

It is not easy to find a pay phone on the streets these days due to the widespread use of cell phones. Most pay phones require a phone card, but some only accept coins. Card-operated pay phones are convenient because they can be used to make local and long-distance calls, as well as overseas calls. You can purchase a phone card at most convenience stores as well as at special shops that sell phone cards.

A: Hello? Can I speak with Minsu?

? ?
Yeoboseyo? Minsu-ssi gyeseyo?

B: Hes not here right now.

.
Jigeum an gyesindeyo.

A: Okay, Ill call back later.

, .
Geureom, dasi jeonhwa deurigesseumnida.

B: Okay.
, .
Ne, algesseumnida.

 Where is the nearest pay phone?

?
I geuncheo-e gongjungjeonhwaga eodi isseoyo?

Where can I buy a phone card?

?
Eodieseo jeonhwa-Card-reul sal su isseoyo?

How do I make an international call?

?
Gukje jeonhwaneun eotteoke haeyo?

Can I speak with Minsu?

.
Minsu-ssi jom butakamnida.

Can you put someone who speaks English

on the phone?
.
Yeong-eo hal su inneun saram jom bakkwo juseyo.

Excuse me? [Can you repeat that?]

.
Dasi malsseumhae juseyo.

Long-distance call : (sioejeonhwa) Local call : (sinaejeonhwa) Text message : (munja Message)

Hospital Pharmacy

If you get sick, go to a hospital to receive medical treatment and a prescription, if necessary. Pick up your medicine by bringing the prescription to a pharmacy. You can purchase household medicine at a pharmacy without a prescription.

A: My stomach hurts.
.
Baega apayo.

B: When did you first feel sick?

?
Eonjebuteo apasseoyo?

A: Yesterday.
.
Eojebuteoyo.

Leg : (dari) Head : (meori) Tooth : (i) Back : (heori) Cold sweat : (sigeunttam)

 I have fever.
.
Yeori nayo.

I have a cold.
.
Gamgie geollyeosseoyo.

I would like indigestion medicine.

.
Sohwaje jom juseyo.

Should I take it before a meal?

?
Siksa jeone meogeoyo?

How many times a day should I take it?

?
Harue myeot beon meogeoyo?

I take medicine for blood pressure.

.
Pyeongso-e hyeoramnyageul meokgo isseoyo.

I have travelers insurance.

.
Yeohaengja boheomi isseoyo.

Cold medicine : (gamgiyak) Headache medicine : (dutongnyak) Eye drops : (anyak) Anti-diarrheal medicine : (jisaje) Painkiller : (jintongje) Bandage : (banchanggo) Aspirin : (Aspirin) Diabetes medication : (dangnyoyak) Heart-disease medication : (simjangnyak)

Request for Help

Police - 112 Fire/Ambulance / - 119 Dasan Call Center (for questions about Seoul) - 120 Tourism Information for Foreigners - 1330

Please help me.

.
Dowajuseyo.

Please call the police.

.
Gyeongchal jom bulleo juseyo.

I need to go to the hospital.

.
Byeongwone gago sipeoyo.

I lost my bag.
.
Gabang-eul ireo beoryeosseoyo.

Cell phone : (hyudaejeonhwa) Passport (yeogwon) Wallet : (jigap) Plane ticket : (hanggonggwon)

10

Emotions

Koreans tend not to express their emotions to others and place importance on modesty. For example, they will frequently answer No when receiving a compliment or being thanked. This is not meant to deny the other persons compliment or gratitude, but is the result of a culture that places enormous value on having a modest attitude.

Its good. / I like it.

.
Joayo.

So so.
.
Geujeo geuraeyo.

Its bad. / I dont like it.

.
Sireoyo.

Im tired.
.
Pigonhaeyo.

Its fun.
.
Jaemiisseoyo.

Im angry.
.
Hwaga nayo.

Its okay.
.
Gwaenchanayo.

Cheer up.
.
Himnaeseyo.

Practical Korean Expressions for Foreigners

1. Korean Romanization and Examples

2. Greetings and Basic Expressions 3. Transportation 4. Shopping 5. Tourism 6. Restaurant 7. Telephone 8. HospitalPharmacy 9. Request for Help 10. Emotions

148 02)26699745 02)2669-9747 2010 10 2010 10 , , ,