10 Essential Korean Phrases Every Tourist Should Know

Planning a trip to South Korea? While many people in major tourist spots like Seoul and Busan speak some English, using a few basic Korean phrases will instantly open doors, bring smiles, and make your travel experience much warmer and richer! Here are 10 super easy and useful Korean expressions you can use every day, complete with simple vocabulary, grammar breakdowns, and local cultural tips.

출처 : 한국학중앙연구원(https://www.aks.ac.kr)

1. 안녕하세요 (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo) — "Hello / Good day"

• Meaning: Hello / Hi / Good morning / Good afternoon

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 안녕 (an-nyeong): peace / wellness

  • 하세- (ha-se): to do (honorific stem)

  • -요 (yo): polite ending. In Korean, adding -요 at the end of a sentence makes it polite and respectful to strangers and elders.

• Cultural Context:

• When saying "안녕하세요", it is customary to lightly bow your head (about 15 to 30 degrees). You don't need to shake hands unless the other person offers first!

2. 감사합니다 (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da) — "Thank you"

• Meaning: Thank you very much

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 감사 (gam-sa): gratitude / thanks (derived from Hanja/Chinese characters)

  • -합니다 (ham-ni-da): formal polite verb ending ("I do...")

• Cultural Context:

• This is the most standard and polite way to express gratitude in Korea. You can use it with bus drivers, restaurant staff, hotel receptionists, and locals who help you with directions.

3. 저기요! (Jeo-gi-yo!) — "Excuse me!"

• Meaning: Excuse me! (To get someone's attention)

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 저기 (jeo-gi): over there

  • -요 (yo): polite particle

• Cultural Context:

• In Korean restaurants, waiters usually do not come to your table continuously to check on you. When you are ready to order or need more side dishes (반찬), raise your hand slightly and call out "저기요!". It is considered totally normal and polite in Korea!

4. 이거 주세요 (I-geo ju-se-yo) — "Please give me this"

• Meaning: Please give me this / I'd like this one

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 이거 (i-geo): this one (short for 이것)

  • 주세요 (ju-se-yo): please give (from 주다 = to give + -(으)세요 = polite request)

• Cultural Context:

• When ordering food at a restaurant or shopping at a street market, simply point to the item on the menu or shelf and say "이거 주세요". It's the ultimate survival phrase for travelers!

5. 얼마예요? (Eol-ma-ye-yo?) — "How much is it?"

• Meaning: How much does this cost?

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 얼마 (eol-ma): how much / what amount

  • -이에요/예요 (-i-e-yo / -ye-yo): to be (am / is / are) in polite informal style

• Cultural Context:

• Useful at traditional markets (like Namdaemun or Gwangjang Market) or souvenir shops. Most retail stores have price tags, but asking in Korean shows great enthusiasm for the local culture!

6. 맛있어요! (Ma-si-sso-yo!) — "It's delicious!"

• Meaning: It's tasty / It tastes great!

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 맛 (mat): taste / flavor

  • 있어요 (i-sso-yo): exists / to have

  • Combined literally as "It has taste!" ➔ "It is delicious!"

• Cultural Context:

• Saying "맛있어요!" to a restaurant chef or owner (often called 이모님/E-mo-nim or 사장님/Sa-jang-nim) as you leave will make their day. They might even offer you some free extra food or drinks called "서비스 (Service)"!

7. 화장실이 어디예요? (Hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?) — "Where is the restroom?"

• Meaning: Where is the bathroom/restroom?

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 화장실 (hwa-jang-sil): restroom / toilet / bathroom

  • -이 (i): subject marking particle

  • 어디 (eo-di): where

  • 예요 (ye-yo): is / are

• Cultural Context:

• Public restrooms in Korea are exceptionally clean and safe. They can be found in subway stations, major buildings, parks, and cafes. Many small cafes require a door code written on your receipt!

8. 괜찮아요 (Gwaen-chan-ah-yo) — "It's okay / No thank you"

• Meaning: It's fine / I'm okay / No, thank you

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 괜찮다 (gwaen-chan-da): to be okay / alright

  • -아/어요 (-a/eo-yo): polite present tense ending

• Cultural Context:

• This is a versatile phrase! If someone asks if you need a plastic bag at a convenience store and you don't, you can politely decline by smiling and saying "괜찮아요". It also means "Don't worry" if someone apologizes to you.

9. 깎아주세요~ (Gkak-a-ju-se-yo~) — "Can you give me a discount?"

• Meaning: Please give me a discount / Make it a bit cheaper, please!

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 깎다 (gkak-da): to cut / to trim / to reduce

  • 주세요 (ju-se-yo): please give

• Cultural Context:

• Pro Tip: Use this only at traditional open-air markets (like Dongdaemun or Flea Markets) when buying multiple items or paying with cash. Never use it at official department stores, convenience stores, or chain shops where prices are fixed!

10. 또 올게요! (Tto ol-ge-yo!) — "I will come back again!"

• Meaning: I’ll visit again! / See you next time!

• Vocabulary & Grammar:

  • 또 (tto): again

  • 오다 (o-da): to come

  • -(을)게요 (-(eul)-ge-yo): grammar pattern indicating future intention/promise ("I will...")

• Cultural Context:

• When you check out of a lovely Hanok stay, leave a cozy cafe, or finish a great tour, saying "또 올게요!" shows genuine appreciation to your host. It's a sweet way to say goodbye!

💡 Quick Summary Checklist for Travelers (요약 카드)

Korean (한글)	Pronunciation (발음)	English Meaning (뜻)
안녕하세요	An-nyeong-ha-se-yo	Hello / Good day
감사합니다	Gam-sa-ham-ni-da	Thank you
저기요	Jeo-gi-yo	Excuse me! (at restaurants)
이거 주세요	I-geo ju-se-yo	Please give me this
얼마예요?	Eol-ma-ye-yo?	How much is it?
맛있어요	Ma-si-sso-yo	It's delicious!
화장실이 어디예요?	Hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?	Where is the restroom?
괜찮아요	Gwaen-chan-ah-yo	It's okay / No, thanks
깎아주세요	Gkak-a-ju-se-yo	Discount, please! (markets)
또 올게요	Tto ol-ge-yo	I'll be back again!