If you want to learn basic phrases in Korean, start with simple greetings. Use words like 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo = hello) and 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida = thank you). You can also ask, 화장실 어디예요? (Where is the bathroom?). (hwajangsil eodiyeyo? = where is the bathroom?). Here are the survival tools every beginner needs to learn Korean. You might need them for traveling to Seoul, watching K-dramas, or chatting with Korean friends online.
But learning phrases is not just about memorization — it’s about understanding when, how, and why to use them. In this guide, we’ll explore essential greetings, travel survival phrases, cultural etiquette, K-pop and K-drama expressions, and mini-dialogues so you can confidently use Korean in real conversations.
Table of Contents
Open Table of Contents
- 1. Why Learn Basic Phrases in Korean?
- 2. Greetings & Politeness
- 3. Travel Survival Phrases
- 4. Food & Drinks Vocabulary
- 5. Numbers & Essentials
- 6. Feelings & Everyday Expressions
- 7. Formal vs Informal Speech
- 8. K-Culture Phrases (K-drama & K-pop)
- 9. Mini Korean Dialogues in Real-Life Context
- 10. Tips to Practice & Sound Natural
- 11. FAQ
- 12. Final Thoughts
1. Why Learn Basic Phrases in Korean?
The Korean language may seem hard with Hangul. However, once you learn a few key phrases, you can start talking right away.
- For travelers → You’ll need to ask directions, order food, or say thank you politely.
- For K-drama and K-pop fans → Many common lines repeat, and knowing them makes watching shows more fun.
- For language learners → Starting with phrases gives you confidence before tackling grammar.
💡 Pro Tip: Korean is phonetic once you learn Hangul. Unlike English, what you see is what you pronounce. Learning basic phrases is your gateway to mastering the language.
2. Greetings & Politeness
| Korean | Romanization | English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello (polite) | Most situations |
| 안녕 | annyeong | Hi/Bye (casual) | Friends, same age |
| 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Thank you (formal) | Shops, strangers |
| 고마워 | gomawo | Thanks (informal) | Friends |
| 제발 | jebal | Please | Requesting something |
| 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | I’m sorry | Formal apology |
| 괜찮아요 | gwaenchanayo | It’s okay / I’m fine | Daily use |
Mini-example:
- 안녕하세요! 처음 뵙겠습니다. → Hello! Nice to meet you.
- 감사합니다, 도와주셔서. → Thank you for helping me.
- 괜찮아요, 실수할 수 있어요. → It’s okay, mistakes happen.
3. Travel Survival Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 화장실 어디예요? | hwajangsil eodiyeyo? | Where is the bathroom? | 🚻 |
| 얼마예요? | eolmayeyo? | How much is it? | Shopping |
| …주세요 | …juseyo | Please give me… | Food, drinks |
| 도와주세요! | dowajuseyo! | Help, please! | Emergency |
| 어디예요? | eodiyeyo? | Where is…? | Taxi, street |
| 택시 | taegsi | Taxi | Easy cognate |
| 버스 | beoseu | Bus | Transportation |
| 지하철 | jihacheol | Subway | Metro station |
Mini-example:
- 얼마예요? → How much is it?
- 서울역은 어디예요? → Where is Seoul Station?
- 김치찌개 하나 주세요. → One kimchi stew, please.
4. Food & Drinks Vocabulary
Korean cuisine is central to the culture. These words will help you at any restaurant.
| Korean | Romanization | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 밥 | bap | Rice/meal | Means both rice and meal |
| 김치 | kimchi | Kimchi | National dish |
| 물 | mul | Water | Always free at restaurants |
| 맥주 | maekju | Beer | Common casual drink |
| 커피 | keopi | Coffee | Loanword from English |
| 불고기 | bulgogi | BBQ beef | Popular dish |
| 주세요 | juseyo | Please give | Add food word before |
Dialogue Example at a Café:
- Customer: 아메리카노 주세요. (One Americano, please.)
- Barista: 네, 감사합니다. (Yes, thank you.)
5. Numbers & Essentials
Numbers are key for money, transport, and shopping.
| Number | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | hana |
| 2 | 둘 | dul |
| 3 | 셋 | set |
| 4 | 넷 | net |
| 5 | 다섯 | daseot |
| 10 | 열 | yeol |
| 100 | 백 | baek |
Mini-example:
- 맥주 두 개 주세요. → Two beers, please.
- 세 명이에요. → We are three people.
- 열 시에 만나요. → Let’s meet at 10 o’clock.
6. Feelings & Everyday Expressions
Talking about how you feel is part of daily conversations.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 좋아요 | joayo | Good / I like it |
| 싫어요 | sireoyo | I don’t like it |
| 피곤해요 | pigonhaeyo | I’m tired |
| 배고파요 | baegopayo | I’m hungry |
| 행복해요 | haengbokhaeyo | I’m happy |
| 슬퍼요 | seulpeoyo | I’m sad |
Mini-example:
- 오늘 기분 좋아요. → I feel good today.
- 피곤해요, 집에 가고 싶어요. → I’m tired, I want to go home.
- 슬퍼요, 친구가 떠났어요. → I’m sad, my friend left.
7. Formal vs Informal Speech
One of the trickiest parts of the Korean language is speech levels.
- Formal: Use -습니다 / -ㅂ니다 endings in business or with elders.
- Polite: Use -요 endings with strangers or acquaintances.
- Casual: Drop endings with close friends.
Example:
- Formal: 안녕하십니까? (How do you do?)
- Polite: 안녕하세요? (Hello)
- Casual: 안녕! (Hi)
💡 Tip for English speakers: Always default to polite speech (-요) unless told otherwise.
8. K-Culture Phrases (K-drama & K-pop)
If you’re a fan of K-dramas or K-pop, you’ve heard these before:
| Korean | Romanization | English | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 화이팅! | hwaiting! | Fighting! / You can do it! | Encouragement |
| 대박! | daebak! | Awesome! / Jackpot! | Surprise, excitement |
| 오빠 | oppa | Older brother (for women) | Also boyfriend term |
| 언니 | eonni | Older sister (for women) | Used between friends |
| 아이고 | aigo | Oh my! | Common exclamation |
| 짱 | jjang | The best | Slang compliment |
Mini-scene from a K-drama:
- 와, 대박! → Wow, amazing!
- 화이팅! → You got this!
- 아이고, 늦었네! → Oh no, I’m late!
9. Mini Korean Dialogues in Real-Life Context
At the Airport:
- Traveler: 택시 어디예요? → Where is the taxi?
- Staff: 밖에 있어요. → It’s outside.
- Traveler: 공항에서 시내까지 얼마예요? → How much is it from the airport to downtown?
- Taxi Driver: 보통 5만 원 정도예요. → Usually about 50,000 won.
At the Restaurant:
- Customer: 김치찌개 주세요. → Kimchi stew, please.
- Waiter: 네, 잠시만요. → Yes, one moment.
- Customer: 물도 주세요. → Water as well, please.
- Waiter: 네, 바로 드리겠습니다. → Of course, I’ll bring it right away.
- After eating: 맛있었어요. 감사합니다! → It was delicious. Thank you!
- Waiter: 감사합니다. 또 오세요. → Thank you. Please come again.
With a Friend:
- Friend A: 배고파! → I’m hungry!
- Friend B: 치킨 먹자! → Let’s eat chicken!
- Friend A: 좋아! 어디 갈까? → Great! Where should we go?
- Friend B: 홍대에 있는 치킨집 어때? → How about the chicken place in Hongdae?
- Friend A: 좋아, 거기서 만나자. → Sounds good, let’s meet there.
Shopping in Seoul:
- Shopper: 이거 얼마예요? → How much is this?
- Vendor: 2만 원이에요. → It’s 20,000 won.
- Shopper: 조금 깎아 주세요. → Please give me a discount.
- Vendor: 좋아요, 18,000 원에 드릴게요. → Okay, I’ll give it to you for 18,000 won.
- Shopper: 감사합니다! → Thank you!
Asking for Directions:
- Traveler: 지하철역 어디예요? → Where is the subway station?
- Local: 이 길로 곧장 가세요. 오른쪽에 있어요. → Go straight down this road. It’s on the right.
- Traveler: 감사합니다! 도움을 주셔서 고마워요. → Thank you! Thanks for your help.
- Local: 괜찮아요. 좋은 하루 보내세요. → You’re welcome. Have a nice day!
💡 These dialogues show how basic phrases in Korean work in everyday settings. Try practicing them aloud — repetition with real examples builds fluency and makes you sound more natural.
10. Tips to Practice & Sound Natural
- Learn Hangul first. Don’t depend on Romanization forever.
- Shadow natives. Repeat after drama lines or podcasts.
- Practice daily. Even 10 minutes builds fluency.
- Use AI tools. Avatalks or apps with native speaker avatars give instant corrections.
- Engage socially. Try greetings with Korean friends — it builds confidence.
11. FAQ
Q: How many basic phrases do I need to start learning Korean?
A: With just 20–30 core phrases, you can handle travel, greetings, and food situations.
Q: Do I need to learn Hangul to use these phrases?
A: Yes, Hangul is easy and takes a few hours to learn. It helps with pronunciation and reading menus.
Q: Are phrases different in North and South Korea?
A: Yes, but most learners focus on South Korean phrases since they’re more widely used.
Q: Can English speakers learn the Korean language easily?
A: Yes, especially with consistent practice and phrase-based learning.
12. Final Thoughts
Learning basic phrases in Korean is the first step toward mastering the language. From greetings like 안녕하세요 to cultural gems like 화이팅, these words help you connect with locals. They also make K-dramas more enjoyable and help you travel with confidence.
Don’t just memorize — practice them in real conversations, whether with friends, tutors, or AI-powered language partners.
Next time you meet a Korean speaker, say 안녕하세요. This will help you start a new friendship and learn about their culture and language.