Practical Korean Expressions

for Foreigners

Korean Romanization and

Examples

V Romao
w niza- Approximate
e
Pronunciation
l tion

Example

father

Ansan

eo

sun

Jeonju

horse

pool

eu

(like u but without

Euljiro
lip rounding)

C
o
n
s
o
n
a
n
t

ApproxiRoma- mate
niza- Pronuntion ciation

Example
Gangnam

gift

Jonggak

kk

sky

kkachi

Ulsan

king

keugi

do

Daejeon

tt

star

tteok

fill

Incheon

top

Itaewon

ae

apple

Daegu

boat

Busan

pen

Jeju

pp

speak appa

oe

west

Goesan

party Pohang

wi

window

Seogwipo

jacket Jirisan

ya

yard

Yangyang

jj

waltz jjigae

yeo

young

Buyeo

yo

York

Yongsan

ch

child

yu

you

Yugyo

smile Seoul

yae

yank

yaegi

ss

sea

ye

yes

Yesan

hand Hangang

wa

Wanda

Gwangju

name Namwon

wae wagon

Waegwan

moon Masan

wo

wonder

Suwon

ng

song

Gangwon

we

west

gwedo

very

Marado

ui

(like eu+i in one Yeouido

syllable)

lake

Jamsil
Silla

Chuncheon

ssuk

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)

HospitalPharmacy

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.

So so.

Joayo.

Geujeo geuraeyo.

Its bad. / I dont like it.

Im tired.

Sireoyo.

Pigonhaeyo.

Its fun.

Im angry.

Jaemiisseoyo.

Hwaga nayo.

Its okay.

Cheer up.

Gwaenchanayo.

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

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