You do not need fluent Korean for a short trip, but polite greetings, numbers and a few need-based phrases make transport, restaurants and shopping easier. Treat romanization as a reading aid, not exact pronunciation: Korean sounds change in connected speech, so listen to an official dictionary or learning recording whenever possible.
Key Takeaways
- Use polite -요 or formal expressions with strangers.
- Show the written Korean sentence when pronunciation fails.
- “Vegetarian” alone may not exclude fish broth, seafood, egg or dairy.
- Learn Hangul basics at https://kbeautyindia.in/guides/how-to-read-hangul-beginners-guide
Greetings and Courtesy
Hello
Korean: 안�
�하세요?
Romanization: annyeonghaseyo?
English meaning: Hello.
When to use it: A standard polite greeting with staff or people you meet.
Thank you
Korean: 감사합니다.
Romanization: gamsahamnida.
English meaning: Thank you.
When to use it: Polite thanks in most travel situations.
Excuse me
Korean: 실례합니다.
Romanization: sillyehamnida.
English meaning: Excuse me.
When to use it: To interrupt politely or pass through.
Sorry
Korean: 죄송합니다.
Romanization: joesonghamnida.
English meaning: I am sorry.
When to use it: A polite apology to a stranger or staff member.
Yes / No
Korean: 네. / 아니요.
Romanization: ne. / aniyo.
English meaning: Yes. / No.
When to use it: Simple answers; listen to the full question because 네 can also signal acknowledgement.
Please give me this
Korean: 이거 주세요.
Romanization: igeo juseyo.
English meaning: Please give me this.
When to use it: Pointing to an item or menu choice.
Directions and Transport
Where is ...?
Korean: ...이/가 어디예요?
Romanization: ...i/ga eodiyeyo?
English meaning: Where is ...?
When to use it: Add a place; showing the written name is easiest.
Where is the bathroom?
Korean: 화장실이 어디예요?
Romanization: hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?
English meaning: Where is the bathroom?
When to use it: In stations, restaurants and shops.
Subway station
Korean: 지하철역
Romanization: jihacheol-yeok
English meaning: Subway station.
When to use it: Combine with the “where is” pattern.
Please go to this address
Korean: 이 주소로 가 주세요.
Romanization: i jusoro ga juseyo.
English meaning: Please go to this address.
When to use it: Show a taxi driver the address in Korean.
Does this go to Seoul Station?
Korean: 이거 서울역에 가요?
Romanization: igeo Seoul-yeoge gayo?
English meaning: Does this go to Seoul Station?
When to use it: Before boarding a bus or train.
Restaurant and Water
Water, please
Korean: 물 주세요.
Romanization: mul juseyo.
English meaning: Water, please.
When to use it: At a restaurant; bottled water may be charged in some places.
I am vegetarian
Korean: 저는 채식주의자예요.
Romanization: jeoneun chaesikjuuijayeyo.
English meaning: I am a vegetarian.
When to use it: An opening statement; follow with specific exclusions.
Please leave out meat
Korean: 고기 빼 주세요.
Romanization: gogi ppae juseyo.
English meaning: Please leave out meat.
When to use it: This may not exclude fish/seafood or broth.
I cannot eat meat or seafood
Korean: 고기와 해산물을 못 먹어요.
Romanization: gogiwa haesanmul-eul mot meogeoyo.
English meaning: I cannot eat meat or seafood.
When to use it: For a broader restriction; separately ask about broth and fish sauce if strict.
Is there meat broth in this?
Korean: 여기에 고기 육수가 들어가요?
Romanization: yeogie gogi yuksuga deureogayo?
English meaning: Does this contain meat broth?
When to use it: For soups, stews and sauces.
Not spicy, please
Korean: 안 맵게 해 주세요.
Romanization: an maepge hae juseyo.
English meaning: Please make it not spicy.
When to use it: Where the dish can be adjusted; not every preparation can.
Shopping and Payment
How much is it?
Korean: 얼마예요?
Romanization: eolmayeyo?
English meaning: How much is it?
When to use it: Markets or when a price is not displayed.
Can I pay by card?
Korean: 카드로 결제할 수 있어요?
Romanization: kadeuro gyeoljehal su isseoyo?
English meaning: Can I pay by card?
When to use it: Before checkout at a small merchant.
Do you have a smaller size?
Korean: 더 작은 사이즈 있어요?
Romanization: deo jageun saijeu isseoyo?
English meaning: Do you have a smaller size?
When to use it: Clothing or packaged goods.
Is this tax refundable?
Korean: 이거 택스 리펀드 돼요?
Romanization: igeo taekseu ripeondeu dwaeyo?
English meaning: Is this eligible for a tax refund?
When to use it: Ask before payment and show your passport if requested.
Help and Emergencies
Please help me
Korean: 도와주세요.
Romanization: dowajuseyo.
English meaning: Please help me.
When to use it: When you need immediate assistance.
Please call the police
Korean: 경찰을 불러 주세요.
Romanization: gyeongchareul bulleo juseyo.
English meaning: Please call the police.
When to use it: Serious safety situations; police number is 112.
I need a hospital
Korean: 병원에 가야 해요.
Romanization: byeongwon-e gaya haeyo.
English meaning: I need to go to a hospital.
When to use it: Medical help; fire/ambulance number is 119.
Basic Numbers
- 하나 (hana), one; 둘 (dul), two; �
� (set), three — native Korean forms often used when counting items with counters.
- 일 (il), one; 이 (i), two; 삼 (sam), three; 사 (sa), four; 오 (o), five; 십 (sip), ten — Sino-Korean forms used for money, dates, phone numbers and more.
When buying, pointing and showing the quantity on your phone is safer than guessing the correct counter.
FAQs
Is romanization enough?
It helps, but Hangul and audio are more reliable because romanization cannot reproduce every sound for an English/Hindi speaker.
Is Korean pronunciation similar to Hindi?
Some syllables may feel familiar, but Korean contrasts and final consonants work differently. Avoid forcing English or Hindi sound values onto every letter.
Is 안�
� appropriate with strangers?
Use the polite 안�
�하세요 with adults and service staff; 안�
� is casual.
How do I say “please”?
Korean politeness is built into the whole expression. 주세요 means “please give,” while 부탁드립니다 is a formal “I request/please.”
Does 채식 mean vegan?
Not necessarily. State every ingredient you avoid, especially fish, seafood, egg, dairy and broth.
Where can I learn more phrases?
See https://kbeautyindia.in/guides/50-korean-travel-phrases
Trusted Sources
- National Institute of Korean Language basic expressions: https://www.korean.go.kr/attachFile/edu/forein03.pdf
- Korean-English Learners' Dictionary: https://krdict.korean.go.kr/eng/mainAction?flag=PC&nation=eng
- Official Revised Romanization: https://www.korean.go.kr/front_eng/roman/roman_01.do
- National Institute of Korean Language: https://www.korean.go.kr/front_eng/main.do
- VisitKorea vegetarian tips: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/contents/contentsView.do?vcontsId=140732
Last reviewed: 27 August 2026. Romanization follows standard Revised Romanization where practical; actual pronunciation changes with context.