The complete list of Korean expressions you’ll need to participate in the conversation and speak Korean is provided below. If you want to learn how to speak Korean, here is the most current example of how Koreans actually communicate. Learn basic Korean Phrases: Korean Survival Phrases so that your travel to Korea is made is easy and smooth.
Here are some fundamental Korean words and phrases to get you started:
Basic Phrases
- ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo. Good morning.
- ahn-nyong-hee ga-se-yo. Good-bye.
- neh. Yes.
- ah-nee-oh. No.
- jwe-song-ha-ji-mahn. Please.
- gahm-sah-hahm-ni-da. Thank you.
- chon-mahn-eh-yo. You’re welcome.
- sil-le-hahm-ni-da. Excuse me.
- 어디예요 – Eo-di-ye-yo…? – Where is the…?
- 얼마예요 – Eol-ma-ye-yo? – How much is it?
- 많이 드세요 – Man-hee deu-se-yo – Have a great meal.
- 잘 먹겠습니다 – Jal meok-ge-sseum-ni-da – I will eat well.
- 잘 먹었습니다 – Jal meo-geo-sseum-ni-da – The meal was good.
- 사랑해 – Sa-rang-hae – I love you.
- 가세요 – Ga-se-yo – Go in peace.
- 화이팅 – Hwa-it-ting – You can do it!
Meeting and Greeting
- yong-o-rul hahl-jool asim-ni-ka? Do you speak English?
- jeo-nun han-kook-o-rul jo-gum-bah-ke mo-tahm-ni-da. I only speak a little Korean.
- song-ha-mi o-teo-ke dwe-si-ji-yo? What is your name?
- je-i-rum-eun Priya im-ni-da. My name is Priya.
- ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo? How are you?
- neh jal-i-soum-ni-da. I’m fine, thank you..
- gahm-se-hahm-ni-da. I’m fine, thank you.
- mahn-na-bwep-ge dwe-o-seo bahn-gahp-soum-ni-da. I am very glad to meet you.
- jal mo-dara dut-ge-soum-ni-da. I don’t understand.
- mo-ra-go greo-shut-ji-yo? What did you say?
- choong-boon-hee i-hae-hah-go i-soum-ni-da. I understand perfectly.
Use your knowledge of Korean to engage in basic conversations now that you have the relevant phrases!
| English | 한국어 (Korean) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the bathroom? | 화장실은 어디에 있어요? | hwajangsireun eodie isseoyo? |
| Please repeat that | 다시 말해 주세요 | dasi malhae juseyo |
| Please speak slowly | 천천히 말해 주세요 | cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo |
| Please write it down | 적어 주세요 | jeogeo juseyo |
| I understand | 이해해요 | ihaehaeyo |
| I don’t understand | 이해 못해요 | ihae mothaeyo |
| I don’t know | 몰라요 | mollayo |
| I know | 알아요 | arayo |
| Can you speak Korean? | 한국말을 할 수 있어요? | hangungmareul hal su isseoyo? |
| I can speak a little Korean | 한국말을 조금 할 수 있어요 | hangungmareul jogeum hal su isseoyo |
| I can’t speak Korean | 한국말을 못해요 | hangungmareul motaeyo |
| How do you say tiger in Korean? | 타이거가 한국말로 뭐예요? | taigeoga hangungmallo mwoyeyo? |
| How much is this? | 이거 얼마예요? | igeo eolmayeyo? |
| I’ll be right back! | 금방 갔다 올거예요! | geumbang gatda olgeoyeyo! |
| What is this? | 이게 뭐예요 | ige mwoyeyo |
| Don’t worry! | 걱정 하지 마세요! | geokjeong haji maseyo! |
| No problem! | 문제 없어요 | munje eopseoyo |
| Good | 좋아요 | joayo |
| Bad | 안 좋아요 | an joayo |
| So-so | 그저 그래요 | geujeo geuraeyo |
Easy Korean Phrases
Words and phrases with simple Korean pronunciation are referred to as easy Korean phrases. In Korean dramas, these expressions and terms are frequently used.
The collection of words and expressions that will make speaking Korean simple is provided below.
| English | 한국어 (Korean) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 네 | ne |
| No | 아니요 | aniyo |
| Maybe | 아마도 | amado |
| I feel | 아파요 | apayo |
| I know | 알아요 | arayo |
| Good | 좋아요 | joayo |
| Bad | 안 좋아요 | an joayo |
| I don’t know | 몰라요 | mollayo |
| Sleep well | 잘 자요 | jal jayo |
| Get home safely | 잘 가요 | jal gayo |
| Of course | 당연하죠 | dangyeonajyo |
| I’m hungry | 배고파요 | baegopayo |
| I understand | 이해해요 | ihaehaeyo |
Formal Korean Phrases
When speaking to someone who is older than you or who is higher up in the social ladder than you, formal Korean expressions are employed. Additionally, if you wish to respect someone you are close to, you can use these expressions.
The following are some basic formal Korean expressions you can learn:
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| I like it | 좋습니다 (joseumnida) |
| I don’t like it | 싫습니다 (silseumnida) |
| Nice to meet you | 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) |
| See you next time! | 다음에 봐요! (daeume bwayo) |
| Thank you | 고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) |
| See you tomorrow | 내일 봐요 (naeil bwayo) |
| I’m sorry | 미안합니다 (mianhamnida) |
| What are you doing? | 뭐 합니까? (mwo hamnikka) |
| How are you? | 잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo) |
Informal Korean Phrases
When conversing with friends, persons your own age or younger, or other strangers, informal Korean phrases are typically employed.
These are not appropriate to use around senior folks. When used with persons who are older than you, these phrases come off as impolite.
You can use the following informal Korean expressions with your friends:
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Yes | 응(eung) |
| No | 아니(ani) |
| Hi/ Bye | 안녕(annyeong) |
| Please | 제발(jebal) |
| Okay | 그래(geurae) |
| Thanks | 고마워(gomawo) |
| I like it | 좋아(joa) |
| I don’t like it | 싫어(sireo) |
| I’m sorry | 미안해(mianhae) |
| See you next time/ See you | 다음에 봐 (daeume bwa) |
| See you tomorrow | 내일 봐 (naeil bwa) |
| Nice to meet you | 만나서 반가워 (mannaseo bangawo) |
| What are you doing? | 뭐 해? (mwo hae) |
| How are you? | 잘 지내? (jal jinae) |
| How’s it going? | 요즘 어때? (yojeum eottae) |
What is your favorite Korean phrase? Let us know in the comments below!
EN 
KO