Korean phrases for buses and subways
Ask whether a bus goes somewhere, where to get off, and how to find a transfer in Korean.
Name your destination and ask 이 버스 ___에 가요? To find the right stop, ask 어디에서 내려요? and check the route display as well.
Check the direction before boarding
이 버스 명동에 가요? asks whether this bus goes to Myeong-dong. Replace 명동 with your destination. Subway routes have direction names and station displays too, so compare the route with a map before you board. The phrase helps you ask a person; it does not replace checking the route.
Ask where to get off
어디에서 내려요? means “Where should I get off?” 내려요 is a polite form of 내리다, to get off. You can add a station name or show the place on your phone. When you hear the station name in the answer, compare it with the display so you know when to leave the bus or train.
Find a transfer
환승은 어디서 해요? asks where to transfer. 환승 means a transfer between routes. Look for signs marked 환승 and the route number or line color. Seoul and other cities have different line maps, so use the local transit map for the trip you are taking.
Top up a transit card
교통카드 충전해 주세요 is a polite request to top up a transit card. 충전 means adding credit. The available card types, machines, and payment methods vary by region. If the machine is unfamiliar, ask a station worker for help rather than guessing at a payment screen.
Put the questions together
Before a trip, identify the destination and a possible transfer. Ask whether the bus goes there, then ask where to get off if needed. At the station, look for 환승 signs. Practise saying the destination slowly and keep it visible on a map in case you want to point to it.
Keep these examples handy
| Expression or step | Reading or meaning | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 이 버스 명동에 가요? | i beoseu myeongdonge gayo? | Does this bus go to Myeong-dong? |
| 어디에서 내려요? | eodieseo naeryeoyo? | Where should I get off? |
| 환승은 어디서 해요? | hwanseungeun eodiseo haeyo? | Where do I transfer? |
| 교통카드 충전해 주세요 | gyotongkadeu chungjeonhae juseyo | Please top up my transit card |
Your questions, answered
Does this phrase work for every city bus?
The Korean question is broadly useful, but bus routes, card systems, and local terms can vary by city. Check the local route information too.
What does 환승 mean?
It means transferring from one route or service to another. Look for it on transit signs.
Keep exploring
These beginner explanations introduce practical language in context. Romanization is approximate. Consult the dictionary below for meanings and pronunciation.
- National Institute of Korean Language: Korean–English Learners’ Dictionary
- Online King Sejong Institute
For word meanings and pronunciation, open the learner dictionary linked above.
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