Don't Just Point! 10 Useful Korean Greetings for Travelers
Hey everyone! So, you're coming to Korea? That's amazing! 😊 I'm so excited for you. As a Korean, let me tell you a little secret: just learning a few simple greetings will *totally* change your trip. Locals really appreciate it when you try, even if it's not perfect! Don't worry, Korean isn't as hard as it looks. I'm here to help you learn the most useful phrases for your travels. Let's get started!
The Absolute Basics: Hello & Thank You
If you learn only two phrases, make them these. You will use them *all the time*. "Annyeong-ha-se-yo" is the polite, standard way to say hello. You can use it pretty much anytime, anywhere.
| English | Korean (Hangeul) | Romanization (Pronunciation) |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Polite) | 안녕하세요 | Annyeong-ha-se-yo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | Gam-sa-ham-ni-da |
"Gam-sa-ham-ni-da" is your go-to for "Thank you." You'll be saying this a lot—when leaving a store, getting food, or when someone helps you. It's super important and shows great manners!
A slight bow of the head when you say "Annyeong-ha-se-yo" or "Gam-sa-ham-ni-da" is a common and polite gesture. You don't need to do a full 90-degree bow, just a small nod shows respect!
Shopping & Restaurants
Okay, let's get you fed and help you buy some cool stuff! These phrases are essential for any shop or restaurant.
The most useful word here is "Juseyo" (주세요), which means "Please give me..." You just point at what you want (or a menu item) and say "Juseyo!"
- How much is this? - 이거 얼마예요? (I-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?)
- This one, please. - 이거 주세요. (I-geo ju-se-yo.)
- Water, please. - 물 주세요. (Mul ju-se-yo.)
- Excuse me! (to call staff) - 저기요! (Jeo-gi-yo!)
- It's delicious! - 맛있어요! (Mas-iss-eo-yo!)
📝 Example Situation: Ordering Coffee
1. You walk to the counter. The staff is busy. You say: "Jeo-gi-yo!" (Excuse me!)
2. You point to "Americano" on the menu and say: "I-geo ju-se-yo." (This one, please.)
3. They give you the coffee. You say: "Gam-sa-ham-ni-da!" (Thank you!)
Getting Around & Politeness
Navigating a new city can be tough. These phrases will help you in taxis or if you get a little lost. When you get in a taxi, it's best to have your destination address written in Korean to show the driver.
- Where is the (restroom)? - (화장실) 어디예요? (Hwa-jang-sil) eodi-ye-yo?
- Please go to (Myeongdong). - (명동) 가주세요. (Myeong-dong) ga-ju-se-yo.
- I'm sorry. - 죄송합니다. (Jwe-song-ham-ni-da.)
- Excuse me / Just a moment. - 잠시만요. (Jam-si-man-yo.)
"Jwe-song-ham-ni-da" is "I'm sorry," and "Jam-si-man-yo" is what you say when you need to squeeze past someone in a crowded subway. Super useful!
You might hear people just say "Annyeong!" (안녕!). This is the *casual* way to say "Hi" or "Bye." As a traveler, it's safer to stick to the polite "Annyeong-ha-se-yo". Using "Annyeong!" with strangers, especially if they are older, can be seen as a bit rude.
Korea Travel Phrase Cheat Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
I hope this little guide helps you feel more confident about your trip to Korea! Honestly, just trying your best with these phrases will make your interactions so much more fun.