115 expressions for real life
Browse 23 situations. Each expression links back to a complete lesson with context and recall practice.
Your first hello
안녕하세요 is a polite greeting you can use throughout the day. A small bow makes it even warmer.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Thank you |
| 네 | ne | Yes |
| 아니요 | aniyo | No |
| 안녕히 가세요 | annyeonghi gaseyo | Goodbye (to someone leaving) |
Nice to meet you
Use 저는 to introduce yourself politely. Add your name before 이에요 (after a consonant) or 예요 (after a vowel).
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 민수예요 | jeoneun minsuyeyo | I am Minsu |
| 이름이 뭐예요? | ireumi mwoyeyo? | What is your name? |
| 만나서 반가워요 | mannaseo bangawoyo | Nice to meet you |
| 어디에서 왔어요? | eodieseo wasseoyo? | Where are you from? |
| 저는 미국에서 왔어요 | jeoneun migugeseo wasseoyo | I am from the United States |
One coffee, please
주세요 means “please give me.” Put the item before it: 커피 주세요. Add 한 잔 for one cup.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 커피 한 잔 주세요 | keopi han jan juseyo | One coffee, please |
| 따뜻한 거 주세요 | ttatteuthan geo juseyo | A hot one, please |
| 차가운 거 주세요 | chagaun geo juseyo | A cold one, please |
| 얼마예요? | eolmayeyo? | How much is it? |
| 포장해 주세요 | pojanghae juseyo | To go, please |
Something delicious
잘 먹겠습니다 is said before eating to express appreciation. 맛있어요 is a polite way to say the food is delicious.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 물 주세요 | mul juseyo | Water, please |
| 맛있어요 | masisseoyo | It is delicious |
| 안 맵게 해 주세요 | an maepge hae juseyo | Please make it not spicy |
| 잘 먹겠습니다 | jal meokgetseumnida | Thank you for the meal (before eating) |
| 계산해 주세요 | gyesanhae juseyo | The bill, please |
Find your way
어디예요? asks “Where is it?” Put the place first. 실례합니다 is a useful, polite way to get someone’s attention.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 실례합니다 | sillyehamnida | Excuse me |
| 화장실이 어디예요? | hwajangsiri eodiyeyo? | Where is the restroom? |
| 역이 어디예요? | yeogi eodiyeyo? | Where is the station? |
| 오른쪽 | oreunjjok | Right |
| 왼쪽 | oenjjok | Left |
Count on yourself
Korean has two number systems. These are native Korean numbers used for counting. Before counters, 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷 become 한, 두, 세, 네.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 하나 | hana | One |
| 둘 | dul | Two |
| 셋 | set | Three |
| 넷 | net | Four |
| 다섯 | daseot | Five |
Getting around town
Use 에 가요? to ask whether a bus or train goes to a place. 어디에서 내려요? asks where to get off. Transit card rules and names vary by city.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이 버스 명동에 가요? | i beoseu myeongdonge gayo? | Does this bus go to Myeong-dong? |
| 어디에서 내려요? | eodieseo naeryeoyo? | Where should I get off? |
| 교통카드 충전해 주세요 | gyotongkadeu chungjeonhae juseyo | Please top up my transit card |
| 다음 역은 어디예요? | daeum yeogeun eodiyeyo? | What is the next station? |
| 환승은 어디서 해요? | hwanseungeun eodiseo haeyo? | Where do I transfer? |
At the shop
이거 means “this.” To ask to try something on, say 입어 봐도 돼요? For other items, 바꿔 말할 수 있어요: 신어 보다 for shoes or 써 보다 for a hat.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이거 입어 봐도 돼요? | igeo ibeo bwado dwaeyo? | Can I try this on? |
| 다른 사이즈 있어요? | dareun saijeu isseoyo? | Do you have another size? |
| 봉투 하나 주세요 | bongtu hana juseyo | One bag, please |
| 카드로 계산할게요 | kadeuro gyesanhalgeyo | I will pay by card |
| 영수증 주세요 | yeongsujeung juseyo | A receipt, please |
Make a plan
오늘 시간 있어요? is a friendly way to ask if someone is free today. Add 을까요? to suggest doing something together, as in 몇 시에 만날까요? (What time shall we meet?).
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 오늘 시간 있어요? | oneul sigan isseoyo? | Are you free today? |
| 몇 시에 만날까요? | myeot sie mannalkkayo? | What time shall we meet? |
| 여기서 만나요 | yeogiseo mannayo | Let us meet here |
| 조금 늦을 것 같아요 | jogeum neujeul geot gatayo | I think I will be a little late |
| 도착하면 연락할게요 | dochakamyeon yeollakhalgeyo | I will get in touch when I arrive |
Ask for a little help
실례합니다 is a polite way to get someone’s attention. If you feel unwell, these phrases can help you explain that and ask where to find a pharmacy. For an emergency, contact local emergency services.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요 | dowajuseyo | Please help me |
| 약국이 어디예요? | yakgugi eodiyeyo? | Where is a pharmacy? |
| 감기약 있어요? | gamgi-yak isseoyo? | Do you have cold medicine? |
| 머리가 아파요 | meoriga apayo | I have a headache |
| 병원에 가고 싶어요 | byeongwone gago sipeoyo | I would like to go to a hospital |
What is the weather like?
날씨가 어때요? asks about the weather. Use -을 것 같아요 to share a careful prediction, as in 비가 올 것 같아요 (It looks like it will rain).
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 오늘 날씨가 어때요? | oneul nalssiga eottaeyo? | What is the weather like today? |
| 날씨가 정말 좋아요 | nalssiga jeongmal joayo | The weather is really nice |
| 비가 올 것 같아요 | biga ol geot gatayo | It looks like it will rain |
| 오늘은 조금 추워요 | oneureun jogeum chuwoyo | It is a little cold today |
| 우산을 가져가세요 | usaneul gajyeogaseyo | Please take an umbrella |
A quick convenience-store stop
어디에 있어요? asks where an item is. 데워 주세요 is a useful request for food that can be heated; follow the store’s instructions for containers and appliances.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 생수는 어디에 있어요? | saengsuneun eodie isseoyo? | Where is the bottled water? |
| 이거 데워 주세요 | igeo dewo juseyo | Please heat this up |
| 젓가락 주세요 | jeotgarak juseyo | Chopsticks, please |
| 봉투는 괜찮아요 | bongtuneun gwaenchanayo | I do not need a bag |
| 카드로 결제할게요 | kadeuro gyeoljehalgeyo | I will pay by card |
Stay connected
와이파이 있어요? asks whether Wi-Fi is available. 비밀번호가 뭐예요? asks for its password. Avoid saying passwords aloud when privacy matters.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 와이파이 있어요? | waipai isseoyo? | Is Wi-Fi available? |
| 비밀번호가 뭐예요? | bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo? | What is the password? |
| 인터넷이 안 돼요 | inteonesi an dwaeyo | The internet is not working |
| 충전할 수 있어요? | chunjeonhal su isseoyo? | Can I charge my phone? |
| 메시지로 보내 주세요 | mesijiro bonae juseyo | Please send it by message |
What do you like?
취미가 뭐예요? asks about someone’s hobbies. 좋아해요 expresses that you like something; add 도 to say “also,” as in 저도 좋아해요.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 취미가 뭐예요? | chwimiga mwoyeyo? | What is your hobby? |
| 음악 듣는 것을 좋아해요 | eumak deutneun geoseul joahaeyo | I like listening to music |
| 주말에 농구를 해요 | jumare nonggureul haeyo | I play basketball on weekends |
| 저도 좋아해요 | jeodo joahaeyo | I like it too |
| 같이 해 볼까요? | gachi hae bolkkayo? | Shall we try it together? |
Send a package
보내고 싶어요 politely says that you want to send something. Use 얼마나 걸려요? to ask how long delivery takes, and keep the tracking number until the package arrives.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이 소포를 보내고 싶어요 | i soporeul bonaego sipeoyo | I would like to send this package |
| 해외로 보낼 수 있어요? | haeoe-ro bonael su isseoyo? | Can I send it overseas? |
| 얼마나 걸려요? | eolmana geollyeoyo? | How long does it take? |
| 깨지기 쉬운 물건이에요 | kkaejigi swiun mulgeonieyo | It is a fragile item |
| 운송장 번호를 알려 주세요 | unsongjang beonhoreul allyeo juseyo | Please tell me the tracking number |
Find a lost item
잃어버렸어요 means that you lost something. Describe one clear detail, such as its color, and say what is inside. 찾으면 연락해 주세요 asks someone to contact you if it is found.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 지갑을 잃어버렸어요 | jigabeul ireobeoryeosseoyo | I lost my wallet |
| 분실물 센터가 어디예요? | bunsilmul senteoga eodiyeyo? | Where is the lost and found? |
| 검은색 지갑이에요 | geomeunsaek jigabieyo | It is a black wallet |
| 안에 학생증이 있어요 | ane haksaengjeungi isseoyo | My student ID is inside |
| 찾으면 연락해 주세요 | chajeumyeon yeollakhae juseyo | Please contact me if you find it |
A day at school
Use 주세요 for a polite request. 다시 한번 말해 주세요 asks someone to repeat something. 잘 모르겠어요 is a gentle way to say you are not sure.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 질문 있어요 | jilmun isseoyo | I have a question |
| 다시 한번 말해 주세요 | dasi hanbeon malhae juseyo | Please say that one more time |
| 무슨 뜻이에요? | museun tteusieyo? | What does that mean? |
| 잘 모르겠어요 | jal moreugesseoyo | I am not sure / I do not understand |
| 숙제가 있어요? | sukjega isseoyo? | Is there homework? |
Join a school club
동아리 is a club or student group. 가입하고 싶어요 expresses that you want to join. Use 언제 있어요? to ask when a meeting or activity takes place.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 동아리에 가입하고 싶어요 | dongarie gaipago sipeoyo | I would like to join the club |
| 어떤 활동을 해요? | eotteon hwaldongeul haeyo? | What activities do you do? |
| 모임은 언제 있어요? | moimeun eonje isseoyo? | When is the meeting? |
| 저는 사진 찍는 것을 좋아해요 | jeoneun sajin jjikneun geoseul joahaeyo | I like taking photos |
| 같이 신청할까요? | gachi sincheonghalkkayo? | Shall we sign up together? |
Plan a group project
조별 과제 is a group assignment. Use 제가 -을게요 to volunteer for a task, and 까지 to mark a deadline, as in 금요일까지 (by Friday).
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 조별 과제를 같이 해요 | jobyeol gwajereul gachi haeyo | Let us work on the group assignment together |
| 제가 자료를 찾을게요 | jega jaryoreul chajeulgeyo | I will find the information |
| 발표는 누가 할까요? | balpyoneun nuga halkkayo? | Who should give the presentation? |
| 금요일까지 끝내야 해요 | geumyoilkkaji kkeutnaeya haeyo | We have to finish by Friday |
| 도움이 필요하면 말해 주세요 | doumi piryeohamyeon malhae juseyo | Please tell me if you need help |
Lunch at school
급식 refers to a meal provided at school. 오늘 메뉴가 뭐예요? asks what is on today’s menu. If you have an allergy, clearly tell a responsible adult or cafeteria staff member.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 오늘 메뉴가 뭐예요? | oneul menyuga mwoyeyo? | What is on today’s menu? |
| 이 음식은 매워요? | i eumsigeun maewoyo? | Is this food spicy? |
| 저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요 | jeoneun ttangkong allereugiga isseoyo | I have a peanut allergy |
| 조금만 주세요 | jogeumman juseyo | Please give me just a little |
| 잘 먹겠습니다 | jal meokgetseumnida | Thank you for the meal I am about to eat |
At the laundromat
At a self-service laundromat, 세탁 means washing and 건조 means drying. Ask about detergent, coins, and time before starting a machine.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 세탁기를 사용하고 싶어요 | setakgireul sayonghago sipeoyo | I would like to use the washing machine |
| 세제는 어디에 넣어요? | sejeneun eodie neoeoyo? | Where do I put the detergent? |
| 동전이 필요해요? | dongjeoni piryohaeyo? | Do I need coins? |
| 건조기는 몇 분 걸려요? | geonjogineun myeot bun geollyeoyo? | How many minutes does the dryer take? |
| 빨래가 다 됐어요 | ppallaega da dwaesseoyo | The laundry is finished |
A simple day at work
Use -중이에요 to say an activity is in progress. 확인해 주세요 asks someone to check something, and 퇴근해요 means leaving work at the end of the workday.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 지금 회의 중이에요 | jigeum hoeui jungieyo | I am in a meeting now |
| 잠시 후에 연락할게요 | jamsi hue yeollakhalgeyo | I will contact you shortly |
| 이 파일을 확인해 주세요 | i paireul hwaginhae juseyo | Please check this file |
| 점심은 몇 시에 먹어요? | jeomsimeun myeot sie meogeoyo? | What time do you eat lunch? |
| 오늘은 여섯 시에 퇴근해요 | oneureun yeoseot sie toegeunhaeyo | I finish work at six today |
At the pharmacy
At a pharmacy, explain a simple symptom, ask how often to take medicine, and confirm whether it should be taken after meals.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 약이 필요해요 | yagi piryohaeyo | I need medicine |
| 감기에 걸렸어요 | gamgie geollyeosseoyo | I have a cold |
| 어디가 아프세요? | eodiga apeuseyo? | Where does it hurt? |
| 하루에 몇 번 먹어요? | harue myeot beon meogeoyo? | How many times a day do I take it? |
| 식후에 먹어요? | sikhu-e meogeoyo? | Do I take it after meals? |