Everyday Korean for life in Korea 생활 한국어

감사합니다

gam-sa-ham-ni-da

Thank you

Use it everywhere: shops, buses, your boss.

안녕하세요

an-nyeong-ha-se-yo

Hello

Works any time of day, with anyone.

천천히 말해 주세요

cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-se-yo

Please speak slowly

People will slow down and often switch to simple English.

한국어 잘 못해요

han-gu-geo jal mo-tae-yo

I don’t speak Korean well

Said in Korean, it usually earns a compliment.

괜찮아요

gwaen-chan-a-yo

It’s OK / No thanks

The most useful word in Korea: it means fine, no problem and no thank you.

잠시만요

jam-si-man-yo

One moment, please

Also works for squeezing past people on a crowded subway.

이거 주세요

i-geo ju-se-yo

This one, please

Point at the menu picture and say it. Ordering solved.

맛있어요

ma-si-sseo-yo

It’s delicious

Say it to the cook and watch them smile.

잘 먹겠습니다

jal meok-get-seum-ni-da

Thanks for the food (before eating)

Said before a meal, especially when someone else is paying.

잘 먹었습니다

jal meo-geot-seum-ni-da

Thanks, that was great (after eating)

Say it on your way out of a restaurant.

저기요

jeo-gi-yo

Excuse me!

Call staff in a restaurant. Shouting it politely is normal, or press the bell on the table.

계산해 주세요

gye-san-hae ju-se-yo

The bill, please

In many places you pay at the counter by the door.

포장해 주세요

po-jang-hae ju-se-yo

To take away, please

Restaurants will happily pack your leftovers too.

매워요?

mae-wo-yo?

Is it spicy?

If they laugh, the answer is yes.

덜 맵게 해 주세요

deol maep-ge hae ju-se-yo

Less spicy, please

Not every place can do it, but it’s worth asking.

물 주세요

mul ju-se-yo

Water, please

Water is free in restaurants, often self-service from a machine.

이거 얼마예요?

i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?

How much is this?

Point at the thing and ask. Handy at markets.

카드 돼요?

ka-deu dwae-yo?

Can I pay by card?

The answer is almost always yes.

봉투 필요 없어요

bong-tu pi-ryo eop-seo-yo

I don’t need a bag

Shops charge for bags, so carry your own.

영수증 주세요

yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo

A receipt, please

Keep receipts for the clinic, the pharmacy and big purchases. Travel insurance asks for them.

봉투 필요하세요?

bong-tu pil-yo-ha-se-yo?

Do you need a bag?

The cashier’s question at every convenience store. “A-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-yo” = no, I’m fine.

계좌 만들고 싶어요

gye-jwa man-deul-go si-peo-yo

I’d like to open a bank account

Bring your passport, and your ARC if you have it.

화장실 어디예요?

hwa-jang-sil eo-di-ye-yo?

Where’s the toilet?

Subway stations almost always have free, clean toilets.

여기서 내려 주세요

yeo-gi-seo nae-ryeo ju-se-yo

Drop me off here, please

For taxis. Pair it with Kakao T and you’re set.

길을 잃었어요

gi-reul i-reo-sseo-yo

I’m lost

Show someone the place on your map app. People are very helpful.

죄송합니다

joe-song-ham-ni-da

I’m sorry

The polite apology. Use it at work.

수고하셨습니다

su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da

Thanks for your hard work

Say it to coworkers at the end of a shift.

처음 뵙겠습니다

cheo-eum boep-get-seum-ni-da

Nice to meet you

For a first meeting with a boss, landlord or someone older.

빨리빨리

ppal-li-ppal-li

Quickly, quickly

You’ll hear it a lot at work. Korea moves fast.

어서 오세요

eo-seo o-se-yo

Welcome!

What staff say when you walk into a shop or café. If you work in one, you’ll say it all day.

주문하시겠어요?

ju-mun-ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?

Are you ready to order?

You’ll hear it in cafés and restaurants, and say it if you work in one.

드시고 가세요?

deu-si-go ga-se-yo?

For here?

The café question. Answer “ne” (yes) or ask for takeaway.

포장이세요?

po-jang-i-se-yo?

To go?

The other half of the café question.

시급이 얼마예요?

si-geu-bi eol-ma-ye-yo?

What’s the hourly pay?

Ask before you agree to a job. The 2026 minimum wage is ₩10,320 an hour.

건배!

geon-bae!

Cheers!

Turn your head away from older people when you drink. It’s polite.

대박

dae-bak

Awesome! / No way!

Casual slang. Use it with friends, not your boss.

화이팅!

hwa-i-ting!

You can do it!

For exams, job interviews, or a long shift.

빼빼로 먹을래?

ppae-ppae-ro meo-geul-lae?

Want some Pepero?

Casual, for friends. On Pepero Day (11 November) friends swap these chocolate sticks.

도와주세요!

do-wa-ju-se-yo!

Help!

In an emergency, call 112 (police) or 119 (ambulance).