These 50 polite Korean phrases cover the situations most travellers actually encounter. Save the page offline and show the Hangul text when speaking is difficult. Romanization is only a guide; use official dictionary audio to practise.

Greetings

1. 안�

�하세요?

Romanization: annyeonghaseyo?

English translation: Hello.

Usage note: Standard polite greeting.

2. 감사합니다.

Romanization: gamsahamnida.

English translation: Thank you.

Usage note: Polite thanks in almost any service situation.

3. 죄송합니다.

Romanization: joesonghamnida.

English translation: I am sorry.

Usage note: Formal apology.

4. 실례합니다.

Romanization: sillyehamnida.

English translation: Excuse me.

Usage note: Interrupting or passing politely.

5. 영어 하세요?

Romanization: yeongeo haseyo?

English translation: Do you speak English?

Usage note: Ask politely; do not assume.

6. 한국어를 잘 못해요.

Romanization: hangugeoreul jal motaeyo.

English translation: I don't speak Korean well.

Usage note: Useful before showing translated text.

Transport

7. 지하철역이 어디예요?

Romanization: jihacheol-yeogi eodiyeyo?

English translation: Where is the subway station?

Usage note: Show the station name too.

8. 이 버스가 서울역에 가요?

Romanization: i beoseuga Seoul-yeoge gayo?

English translation: Does this bus go to Seoul Station?

Usage note: Replace Seoul Station with your destination.

9. 표 한 장 주세요.

Romanization: pyo han jang juseyo.

English translation: One ticket, please.

Usage note: At a staffed ticket counter.

10. 어디에서 갈아타요?

Romanization: eodieseo garatayo?

English translation: Where do I transfer?

Usage note: For subway, train or bus connections.

11. 이 주소로 가 주세요.

Romanization: i jusoro ga juseyo.

English translation: Please go to this address.

Usage note: Show a taxi driver the Korean address.

12. 여기에서 세워 주세요.

Romanization: yeogieseo sewo juseyo.

English translation: Please stop here.

Usage note: In a taxi when it is safe/legal to stop.

Hotel

13. 예약했어요.

Romanization: yeyakhaesseoyo.

English translation: I have a reservation.

Usage note: At check-in; show the booking name.

14. 체크인하고 싶어요.

Romanization: chekeuinhago sipeoyo.

English translation: I would like to check in.

Usage note: Hotel reception.

15. 체크아웃이 몇 시예요?

Romanization: chekeuauti myeot siyeyo?

English translation: What time is check-out?

Usage note: Confirm rather than assuming.

16. 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?

Romanization: waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo?

English translation: What is the Wi-Fi password?

Usage note: Hotel or café.

17. 짐을 맡길 수 있어요?

Romanization: jimeul matgil su isseoyo?

English translation: Can I leave my luggage?

Usage note: Before check-in or after check-out.

Restaurant

18. 메뉴 주세요.

Romanization: menyu juseyo.

English translation: Menu, please.

Usage note: Ask for the menu.

19. 이거 주세요.

Romanization: igeo juseyo.

English translation: This one, please.

Usage note: Point to a menu item.

20. 물 주세요.

Romanization: mul juseyo.

English translation: Water, please.

Usage note: Bottled water may be charged.

21. 안 맵게 해 주세요.

Romanization: an maepge hae juseyo.

English translation: Please make it not spicy.

Usage note: Only where the recipe can be adjusted.

22. 맛있어요.

Romanization: masisseoyo.

English translation: It is delicious.

Usage note: A polite compliment.

23. 계산해 주세요.

Romanization: gyesanhae juseyo.

English translation: The bill, please.

Usage note: In restaurants that bring the bill; many require paying at the counter.

Vegetarian Food

24. 저는 채식주의자예요.

Romanization: jeoneun chaesikjuuijayeyo.

English translation: I am vegetarian.

Usage note: Follow with exact exclusions.

25. 고기 빼 주세요.

Romanization: gogi ppae juseyo.

English translation: Please leave out meat.

Usage note: Does not necessarily exclude fish or broth.

26. 해산물을 못 먹어요.

Romanization: haesanmul-eul mot meogeoyo.

English translation: I cannot eat seafood.

Usage note: Use for seafood restriction.

27. 계란 빼 주세요.

Romanization: gyeran ppae juseyo.

English translation: Please leave out egg.

Usage note: Useful for vegan or egg-free diets.

28. 우유가 들어가요?

Romanization: uyuga deureogayo?

English translation: Does it contain milk?

Usage note: Ask about dairy; this does not cover every milk-derived ingredient.

29. 육수가 들어가요?

Romanization: yuksuga deureogayo?

English translation: Does it contain broth/stock?

Usage note: Then specify meat or seafood stock.

30. 생선 소스가 들어가요?

Romanization: saengseon soseuga deureogayo?

English translation: Does it contain fish sauce?

Usage note: Useful for kimchi, sauces and side dishes.

Shopping

31. 얼마예요?

Romanization: eolmayeyo?

English translation: How much is it?

Usage note: When price is not displayed.

32. 카드로 결제할 수 있어요?

Romanization: kadeuro gyeoljehal su isseoyo?

English translation: Can I pay by card?

Usage note: Ask before checkout at small shops.

33. 영수증 주세요.

Romanization: yeongsujeung juseyo.

English translation: Receipt, please.

Usage note: Keep it for returns or tax refund.

34. 다른 색 있어요?

Romanization: dareun saek isseoyo?

English translation: Do you have another colour?

Usage note: Clothing/accessories.

35. 더 작은 사이즈 있어요?

Romanization: deo jageun saijeu isseoyo?

English translation: Do you have a smaller size?

Usage note: Clothes or packaged items.

36. 환불할 수 있어요?

Romanization: hwanbulhal su isseoyo?

English translation: Can I get a refund?

Usage note: Policies vary; show receipt and unopened item.

Korean Beauty Shopping

37. 민감성 피부용이에요?

Romanization: mingamseong pibuyong-ieyo?

English translation: Is this for sensitive skin?

Usage note: A marketing category, not a safety guarantee.

38. 향이 없어요?

Romanization: hyangi eopseoyo?

English translation: Is it fragrance-free/no scent?

Usage note: Ask to verify the ingredient list too.

39. �

�스터 있어요?

Romanization: teseuteo isseoyo?

English translation: Is there a tester?

Usage note: Do not open sale stock.

40. 유통기한이 언제까지예요?

Romanization: yutonggihani eonjekkajiyeyo?

English translation: Until when is the shelf life/expiry?

Usage note: Ask staff to identify the printed date system.

41. 택스 리펀드 돼요?

Romanization: taekseu ripeondeu dwaeyo?

English translation: Is tax refund available?

Usage note: Ask before payment and have passport ready.

Directions

42. 화장실이 어디예요?

Romanization: hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?

English translation: Where is the bathroom?

Usage note: Stations, cafés and shops.

43. 여기에서 멀어요?

Romanization: yeogieseo meoreoyo?

English translation: Is it far from here?

Usage note: Follow by showing the destination.

44. 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?

Romanization: georeoseo gal su isseoyo?

English translation: Can I walk there?

Usage note: Check terrain and crossings on the map too.

45. �

구가 어디예요?

Romanization: ipguga eodiyeyo?

English translation: Where is the entrance?

Usage note: Large stations, malls and attractions.

46. 출구가 어디예요?

Romanization: chulguga eodiyeyo?

English translation: Where is the exit?

Usage note: Ask for the exit number if known.

Emergencies

47. 도와주세요!

Romanization: dowajuseyo!

English translation: Please help me!

Usage note: Immediate assistance.

48. 경찰을 불러 주세요.

Romanization: gyeongchareul bulleo juseyo.

English translation: Please call the police.

Usage note: Police is 112.

49. 구급차를 불러 주세요.

Romanization: gugeupchareul bulleo juseyo.

English translation: Please call an ambulance.

Usage note: Fire/ambulance is 119.

50. 여권을 잃어버렸어요.

Romanization: yeogwoneul ireobeoryeosseoyo.

English translation: I lost my passport.

Usage note: Contact police and the Embassy of India promptly.

FAQs

Are these phrases formal?

They use common polite/formal travel speech suitable for strangers and staff.

Is romanization exact pronunciation?

No. Listen to official audio and show Hangul when needed.

Can one vegetarian phrase cover every restriction?

No. State meat, seafood, fish sauce, broth, egg and dairy separately as needed.

Should I use 반말 from dramas?

Avoid casual speech with strangers until you understand social context.

What numbers should I learn?

Start with Sino-Korean numbers for prices, dates and phone numbers, then native Korean counters.

How can I read the Hangul?

Use https://kbeautyindia.in/guides/how-to-read-hangul-beginners-guide

Trusted Sources

Last reviewed: 27 August 2026.