Basic Korean expressions and words: learn them all!

Are you planning on visiting Korea, but you have no clue about how to communicate? Or maybe you just want to start learning the basics of this amazing language. Whatever your reasons are, here is a list of the most basic Korean expressions and words that will help you improve your Korean listening and speaking skills.

1. The most basic Korean words and expressions

This set of basic Korean words and expressions will allow you to be polite wherever you go and to accept or decline something. The must-know phrases included here are those that anyone interested in Korean language should learn first, as they represent the basis for communication.

Korean word	Pronunciation	Translation
네	Ne	Yes
아니요	Aniyo	No
네?	Ne?	Sorry? Pardon?
감사합니다 or 고마워요	Gam-sa-hamnida or goma-woyo	Thank you
죄송합니다 or 미안해요	Cheo-song-hamnida or mian-haeyo	Sorry
주세요	Juseyo	Please give me (something)
괜찮아요	Gwaen-cha-nayo	It’s okay
몰라요	Mollayo	I don’t know

2. Conversational Korean words and expressions

These words and expressions here will help you have a conversation with someone you just met. Yes, I know, it’s likely that the communication won’t be fully fluent between someone who’s just learning the basics and a Korean native speaker, but knowing these phrases will allow you establish a deeper connection than just speaking in English. We Koreans know it’s hard for you to learn our language, so we appreciate the effort!

Korean expression	Pronunciation	Translation
이름이 뭐예요?	Ireumi mwoyeyo?	What is your name?
반갑습니다	Ban-gap-seum-nida	Nice to meet you!
제 이름은 …	Je ileum-eun	My name is…
어디에서 왔어요?	Eodi-eseo wasseoyo?	Where are you from?
… 에서 왔어요	Eseo wasseoyo	I’m from…
어떻게 지내세요 or 잘 지내요?	Eotteoke jinaeseyo or jal jinaeyo ?	How have you been?
잘 지내요	Jal jinaeyo	I’ve been good
취미가 뭐예요 ?	Chwimiga mwoyeyo?	What are your hobbies?
어떤 음악을 좋아해요?	Eotteon eumag-eul joahaeyo?	What music do you like?
이게 뭐예요?	Ige mwoyeyo?	What is this?

3. Basic phrases you may need when visiting Korea

If you’re visiting Korea soon, you definitely need to include these expressions in your vocabulary! They will help you get around and ask for help in case you need it!

Korean expression	Pronunciation	Translation
한국말 못 해요	Han-guk-mal mot haeyo	I can’t speak Korean
이해 못 했어요	I-hae motae-sseoyo	I couldn’t understand it
한국말 조금 할 수 있어요	Han-guk-mal jo-geum hal su isseoyo	I can speak a little Korean
영어 하세요?	Yeong-eo haseyo?	Do you speak English?
이 버스 place name 가나요?	I beoseu (place) ganayo?	Does this bus go to (place)?
다음 버스는 언제 있어요?	Daeum beoseu-neun eonje isseoyo?	When is the next bus?
기차	Gi-cha / KTX	Train / High speed train
지하철	Ji-hae-chol	Subway
공항	Gong-hang	Airport
표	Pyo	Ticket
오른쪽으로 가세요	O-leun-jjog-eulo gaseyo	Turn right
왼쪽으로 가세요	wen-jjog-eu-lo gaseyo	Turn left
직진하세요	Jig-jin haseyo	Go straight
호텔	Ho-tel	Hotel
비밀 번호 알려 주세요	Bimil beon-ho aleo juseyo	Please tell me the wifi password
알러지 있어요	All-eo-ji isseoyo	I have an allergy
약국)	Yag-guk	Pharmacy
얼마에요?	Eol-ma-eyo?	How much is it?
카드 돼요?	Kadeu dwaeyo?	Can I pay with a credit card?
도와줄 수 있으세요?	Dowa julsu isseuseyo?	Can you help me, please?

Learn basic Korean words and expressions at Korean Booster

Here, at Korean Booster, you can find lessons for beginners- Class for Newbies, where you’ll learn the basic rules of Korean grammar as well as easy vocabulary and expressions. This is ideal for those who truly want to learn the structure of the language and are committed to starting to learn Korean!

Survival Korean lessons, on the other hand, are a 10-week intensive course where you’ll learn everything you need to know to travel to Korea and have a great time. Also, this package is great for those who are currently living in Korea but find it difficult to start learning the language.

So, what do you think? We’re waiting for you!