Korean (한국어, hanguk-eo) is the official language of South Korea, spoken by roughly 51 million people. It is a language isolate - not closely related to Chinese or Japanese, despite sharing some vocabulary with both through centuries of cultural contact. For travellers, Korean presents one immediate gift: Hangul, the writing system, is genuinely learnable in an afternoon. Everything else takes longer, but reading signs and menus is achievable before you board the plane.
Hangul: The Script You Can Actually Learn
Hangul was commissioned by King Sejong the Great in 1443, with a mission statement rare in linguistic history: the script was designed to be learnable by ordinary people, not just scholars. The result is a phonemic alphabet of 40 letters (14 consonants, 10 vowels, 16 compound forms) arranged into syllable blocks.
Each block contains at least one consonant and one vowel. The consonant comes first, then the vowel to the right or below, with a possible final consonant underneath. The word 한 (han, meaning Korean) is a single block: ㅎ (h) + ㅏ (a) + ㄴ (n). The word 글 (geul, meaning writing/script) is: ㄱ (g) + ㅡ (eu) + ㄹ (l).
Why learn Hangul instead of relying on romanisation? Subway stations, bus stop signs, restaurant menus, and shop names are written in Hangul. Romanisation on apps and maps is inconsistent - the same place can appear as “Gyeongbokgung,” “Kyungbokkung,” or “Gyeong-bok-gung” depending on the source. Reading Hangul gives you the definitive spelling, which matches what you see on signs.
Two to three hours with a free app like Duolingo or a YouTube tutorial is enough to read basic syllables. It is one of the most practical pre-trip investments for any destination.
Korean Pronunciation: Key Rules
Korean has several sounds that do not map neatly onto English. These rules apply across all the phrases in this guide.
Consonants
| Korean Letter | Sound | English Approximation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ㄱ | g / k | g in “go” or k in “ski” | Softer at start of word, harder at end |
| ㄴ | n | n in “no” | Clear nasal |
| ㄷ | d / t | d in “door” or t in “stop” | Like ㄱ, depends on position |
| ㄹ | r / l | Between r and l | Tapped like Spanish “r” in the middle of words |
| ㅂ | b / p | b in “bus” or p in “spa” | Voiced at start, unvoiced at end |
| ㅅ | s / sh | s in “sun” or sh before “i” | Becomes “sh” before the ㅣ vowel |
| ㅇ | silent / ng | Silent at word start; ng at syllable end | 방 (bang) ends with “ng” |
| ㅈ | j | j in “jump” | Closer to “ch” before some vowels |
| ㅎ | h | h in “house” | Can weaken between vowels |
| ㄲ | kk | Tense, sharp k | Tighter than a regular ㄱ - no English equivalent |
| ㄸ | tt | Tense, sharp t | Sounds like a clipped “t” with no air release |
| ㅃ | pp | Tense, sharp p |
Vowels
| Korean Letter | Sound | English Approximation |
|---|---|---|
| ㅏ | a | a in “father” |
| ㅓ | eo | u in “bus” - a short, central vowel |
| ㅗ | o | o in “more” |
| ㅜ | u | oo in “boot” |
| ㅡ | eu | oo in “book” with unrounded lips - no English equivalent |
| ㅣ | i | ee in “see” |
| ㅐ | ae | e in “bed” |
| ㅔ | e | Similar to ㅐ - increasingly merged in modern speech |
| ㅑ | ya | ya in “yard” |
| ㅕ | yeo | yu in “yuck” - central vowel |
Stress: Korean has minimal stress. Syllables are relatively even, with a slight emphasis at the start of a word. Avoid heavy English-style stress on single syllables.
Politeness endings: Most phrases in this guide end in -요 (yo) or -니다 (ni-da). The -요 form is the standard polite register - appropriate with strangers, shopkeepers, restaurant staff, and taxi drivers. The -니다 form is more formal. Never use informal speech with adults you have just met.
Essential Phrases by Situation
Greetings and Basics
| English | Hangul | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (standard) | 안녕하세요 | an-nyeong-ha-SE-yo |
| Hello (casual, to peers) | 안녕 | an-NYEONG |
| Goodbye (you are leaving) | 안녕히 계세요 | an-nyeong-hi gye-SE-yo |
| Goodbye (other person is leaving) | 안녕히 가세요 | an-nyeong-hi ga-SE-yo |
| Yes | 네 | NE |
| No | 아니요 | a-NI-yo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | gam-sa-ham-NI-da |
| Thank you (casual) | 고마워요 | go-ma-WO-yo |
| Sorry / Excuse me | 죄송합니다 | joe-song-ham-NI-da |
| Excuse me (to get attention) | 저기요 | jeo-GI-yo |
| I don’t understand | 모르겠어요 | mo-reu-GE-sseo-yo |
| Do you speak English? | 영어 하세요? | yeong-eo ha-SE-yo |
| Please speak slowly | 천천히 말해 주세요 | cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-SE-yo |
| No problem | 괜찮아요 | gwaen-chan-A-yo |
| My name is… | 제 이름은 …이에요 | je i-reu-meun …i-E-yo |
Transport
| English | Hangul | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | …어디예요? | …eo-di-YE-yo |
| How do I get to…? | …어떻게 가요? | …eo-tteo-ke ga-YO |
| Take me to this address | 이 주소로 가 주세요 | i ju-so-ro ga ju-SE-yo |
| Stop here, please | 여기서 세워 주세요 | yeo-gi-seo se-wo ju-SE-yo |
| How much is the fare? | 요금이 얼마예요? | yo-geu-mi eol-ma-YE-yo |
| Subway station | 지하철역 | ji-ha-cheol-YEOK |
| Train station | 기차역 | gi-cha-YEOK |
| Airport | 공항 | gong-HANG |
| Bus | 버스 | BEO-seu |
| Taxi | 택시 | TAEK-si |
| Left | 왼쪽 | oen-JJOK |
| Right | 오른쪽 | o-reun-JJOK |
| Straight ahead | 직진 | jik-JIN |
| Entrance / Exit | 입구 / 출구 | ip-GU / chul-GU |
| One (adult) ticket, please | 어른 한 장 주세요 | eo-reun han jang ju-SE-yo |
Accommodation
| English | Hangul | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I have a reservation | 예약했어요 | ye-ya-KAE-sseo-yo |
| My name is… | 제 이름은 …이에요 | je i-reu-meun …i-E-yo |
| Check in / Check out | 체크인 / 체크아웃 | che-keu-IN / che-keu-a-UT |
| Do you have a room available? | 빈 방 있어요? | bin bang i-SSEO-yo |
| Wi-Fi password, please | 와이파이 비밀번호 주세요 | wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho ju-SE-yo |
| Hot water | 온수 | ON-su |
| Air conditioning | 에어컨 | E-eo-keon |
| Towel | 수건 | su-GEON |
Food and Dining
| English | Hangul | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| This one, please (pointing) | 이거 주세요 | i-geo ju-SE-yo |
| Menu, please | 메뉴 주세요 | me-nyu ju-SE-yo |
| Water, please | 물 주세요 | mul ju-SE-yo |
| Not spicy, please | 안 맵게 해 주세요 | an maep-ge hae ju-SE-yo |
| I can’t eat… | …못 먹어요 | …mot meo-GEO-yo |
| Delicious! | 맛있어요! | ma-shi-SSEO-yo |
| How much is this? | 이거 얼마예요? | i-geo eol-ma-YE-yo |
| The bill, please | 계산해 주세요 | gye-san-hae ju-SE-yo |
| Cheers! (toast) | 건배! | GEON-bae |
| Beer / Soju | 맥주 / 소주 | MAEK-ju / SO-ju |
| One more, please | 하나 더 주세요 | ha-na deo ju-SE-yo |
| No meat, please | 고기 없이 주세요 | go-gi eob-si ju-SE-yo |
Shopping
| English | Hangul | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | 얼마예요? | eol-ma-YE-yo |
| Is this the final price? | 이 가격이 맞아요? | i ga-gyeo-gi ma-JA-yo |
| Do you have a smaller / larger size? | 작은 / 큰 사이즈 있어요? | ja-geun / keun sa-i-jeu i-SSEO-yo |
| Can I pay by card? | 카드로 해도 돼요? | ka-deu-ro hae-do DWAE-yo |
| Receipt, please | 영수증 주세요 | yeong-su-jeung ju-SE-yo |
Emergencies
| English | Hangul | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | 도와주세요! | do-wa-ju-SE-yo |
| I need a doctor | 의사가 필요해요 | ui-sa-ga pi-ryo-HAE-yo |
| Call an ambulance | 구급차 불러 주세요 | gu-geup-cha bul-leo ju-SE-yo |
| Police | 경찰 | gyeong-CHAL |
| Hospital | 병원 | byeong-WON |
| I am lost | 길을 잃었어요 | gi-reul i-reo-SSEO-yo |
| I feel sick | 아파요 | a-PA-yo |
| Thief! | 도둑이야! | do-du-GI-ya |
| Fire! | 불이야! | bu-RI-ya |
Numbers
Korean uses two counting systems. Sino-Korean numbers (borrowed from Chinese) are used for prices, floors in buildings, phone numbers, and room numbers. Native Korean numbers (1-99) are used for counting physical items and ordering at traditional restaurants.
| Number | Sino-Korean | Pronunciation | Native Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 일 | IL | 하나 | ha-NA |
| 2 | 이 | I | 둘 | DUL |
| 3 | 삼 | SAM | 셋 | SET |
| 4 | 사 | SA | 넷 | NET |
| 5 | 오 | O | 다섯 | da-SEOT |
| 6 | 육 | YUK | 여섯 | yeo-SEOT |
| 7 | 칠 | CHIL | 일곱 | il-GOP |
| 8 | 팔 | PAL | 여덟 | yeo-DEOL |
| 9 | 구 | GU | 아홉 | a-HOP |
| 10 | 십 | SIP | 열 | YEOL |
| 100 | 백 | BAEK | - | - |
| 1,000 | 천 | CHEON | - | - |
| 10,000 | 만 | MAN | - | - |
Practical note: When a menu item costs ₩12,000 (i-man-won), you say 만 이천 원. Korean prices frequently run into the tens of thousands of won - the 만 (10,000) unit is as common as “hundred” in English.
English in South Korea
English proficiency is highest in Seoul, particularly in Hongdae, Itaewon, Gangnam, and around major tourist attractions. Most four- and five-star hotel staff, international restaurant staff, and airline check-in agents at Incheon speak functional to fluent English.
Outside these zones, the picture changes quickly. Local pojangmacha (street food tents), traditional jjimjilbang (bathhouses), and inner-city markets in Daegu, Gwangju, or rural towns operate largely in Korean. Younger Koreans (late teens to early thirties) tend to have studied English and will attempt conversation; older generations rarely do.
Subway systems in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, and Incheon have full English (and often Chinese and Japanese) station announcements, so navigation is manageable without Korean. Intercity bus terminals are trickier - staff at express bus counters outside Seoul may have minimal English, making it worth writing your destination in Hangul beforehand.
Naver Maps (the dominant local mapping app) has a Korean interface but recognises Hangul input better than Google Maps for local addresses, restaurants, and bus routes. Download both before arrival.
Language Etiquette
Korean has built-in politeness levels, and Koreans are attuned to them. A few things worth knowing:
Always use formal speech with strangers. The phrases in this guide use the standard polite form (–요/–습니다 endings). Using casual speech (반말, banmal) with someone you have just met - even if they seem friendly - is considered rude. The exception is when locals specifically invite informal speech with “편하게 말해요” (pyeon-ha-ge mal-hae-yo, speak comfortably).
Age and hierarchy matter. Koreans frequently ask your age early in conversation - this is not intrusive; it establishes which speech level is appropriate between you. Older people are addressed with more formal language. If you are unsure, formal is always safer.
Attempting Korean earns goodwill. Even a mis-pronounced 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) is appreciated. Koreans do not expect perfection from foreign visitors and will often respond with warmth and sometimes gentle correction. The effort signals respect.
Bowing accompanies greetings. A slight head nod or small bow (15 degrees) paired with 안녕하세요 is the natural greeting - not a handshake in traditional contexts. A deeper bow (45 degrees) expresses sincere apology or formal respect.
Avoid pointing with your finger. Use your whole hand or an open palm to gesture toward something. Pointing directly at a person is considered rude.
Lowering your head while receiving items. When receiving change, a card, or a receipt, use both hands or your right hand with the left hand touching your right forearm - this is standard polite practice for transactions.
Get around South Korea with a T-money card - it works on Seoul metro, buses, and many taxis. For cultural customs beyond language, the Korean etiquette guide covers table manners, shoes, and behaviour at temples and traditional homes.
If you are planning around this, Basic Korean Phrases for Travellers and Korea SIM Card and eSIM are worth reading too.
If you are planning around this, Tipping in South Korea guide and Tax Refund & Shopping in South Korea are worth reading too.
Pick up a South Korea eSIM before departure to stay connected from the moment you land.