Top 30 Korean Phrases

안녕하세요

an-nyeong-ha-se-yo

Hello

Works any time of day, with anyone. Add a small nod.

감사합니다

[감사함니다]gam-sa-ham-ni-da

Thank you

ㅂ before ㄴ turns into ㅁ — so it is -ham-ni-da, not -hap-ni-da.

네 / 아니요

ne / a-ni-yo

Yes / No

Koreans also say 네 constantly while listening — it means “I see, go on.”

죄송합니다

[죄송함니다]joe-song-ham-ni-da

I’m sorry

The most polite apology. Also works for “excuse me” when you bump into someone.

저기요

jeo-gi-yo

Excuse me! (to get attention)

How you call a server in a restaurant — say it out loud, it is not rude.

화장실 어디예요?

hwa-jang-sil eo-di-ye-yo

Where is the restroom?

Swap 화장실 for any place and add 어디예요? to ask where it is.

괜찮아요

[괜차나요]gwaen-cha-na-yo

It’s okay / I’m fine / No, thanks

With a little hand wave it politely declines. Said as a question — 괜찮아요? — it asks “Are you OK?”

안녕히 계세요

[안녕히 게세요]an-nyeong-hi ge-se-yo

Goodbye (you leave, they stay)

Literally “stay in peace.” Say it to the shop owner as you walk out.

안녕히 가세요

an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo

Goodbye (they leave)

Literally “go in peace.” You will hear it from staff as you leave.

고맙습니다

[고맙씀니다]go-map-sseum-ni-da

Thank you

The native-Korean twin of 감사합니다 — just as polite.

잠깐만요

[잠깐마뇨]jam-kkan-ma-nyo

Just a moment / Coming through

Say it to squeeze past people on a packed subway.

영어 할 줄 아세요?

[영어 할 쭐 아세요]yeong-eo hal jjul a-se-yo

Do you speak English?

한국어 잘 못해요

[한구거 잘 모태요]han-gu-geo jal mo-tae-yo

I don’t speak Korean well.

천천히 말해 주세요

cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-se-yo

Please speak slowly.

다시 한번 말해 주세요

da-si han-beon mal-hae ju-se-yo

Could you say that again?

몰라요

mol-la-yo

I don’t know.

알겠어요

[알게써요]al-ge-sseo-yo

I understand / Got it.

메뉴판 주세요

me-nyu-pan ju-se-yo

The menu, please.

물 주세요

mul ju-se-yo

Water, please.

Water is free in Korean restaurants — often self-service from a dispenser marked 셀프.

이거 맛있어요

[이거 마시써요]i-geo ma-si-sseo-yo

This is delicious!

The fastest way to make a restaurant owner smile.

계산해 주세요

[게산해 주세요]ge-san-hae ju-se-yo

The check, please.

In many places you pay at the counter on the way out — just bring the bill up.

이거 얼마예요?

i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo

How much is this?

Point at the item: 이거 means “this thing.”

이거 주세요

i-geo ju-se-yo

This one, please.

주세요 = “please give me.” Put any noun in front: 물 주세요, 커피 주세요.

카드 돼요?

ka-deu dwae-yo

Do you take cards?

Cards work almost everywhere in Korea, even for tiny purchases.

너무 비싸요

neo-mu bi-ssa-yo

It’s too expensive.

깎아 주세요

[까까 주세요]kka-kka ju-se-yo

Could you give me a discount?

Fine at traditional markets and street stalls — not in department stores or chains.

지하철역 어디예요?

[지하철력 어디예요]ji-ha-cheol-lyeok eo-di-ye-yo

Where is the subway station?

여기로 가 주세요

yeo-gi-ro ga ju-se-yo

Take me here, please.

Show the taxi driver the address or map pin on your phone as you say it.

도와주세요!

do-wa-ju-se-yo

Help me, please!

Urgent when shouted — but also a gentle “could you help me?” for small things.

사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요?

[사진 좀 찌거 주시게써요]sa-jin jom jji-geo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo

Could you take a photo of us?