These pages teach the Korean phrases beginners use most, one per page: hello and goodbye, thank you, sorry, excuse me, asking for things, prices and the bill. Each gives the phrase in Hangul with Revised Romanization, the casual, polite and formal forms, how to reply and when each fits. Start with 안녕하세요, 감사합니다 and 주세요.
- Korean taught
- Standard Seoul Korean
- Level
- A1
- Romanization
- Revised Romanization (annyeonghaseyo), as a pronunciation guide
- On each page
- Hangul and romanization, casual, polite and formal forms, replies
- Real usage
- Most pages quote a line from a Contos story chapter
- How to say beautiful in KoreanYeppeuda or areumdapda? The Korean words for beautiful, pretty, handsome and cute, how to use them before a noun, and how to pay a compliment.
- How to say cheers in KoreanGeonbae, jjan or wihayeo? How to say cheers in Korean, what to shout in a group toast, and the drinking etiquette that goes with it.
- How to say delicious in KoreanMasisseoyo! How to say delicious in Korean, what to say before and after a meal, and the words Koreans use to describe food.
- How to say "Do you speak English?" in KoreanYeongeo haseyo? How to ask if someone speaks English in Korean, the politest way to put it, and what to say when the answer is no.
- How to say excuse me in KoreanJeogiyo, jamsimanyo or sillyehamnida? Korean has a different excuse me for calling someone, getting past and interrupting. Here is which is which.
- How to say good morning in KoreanJoeun achim, annyeonghaseyo or jal jasseo? How Koreans really greet each other in the morning, from colleagues to grandparents.
- How to say good night in KoreanAnnyeonghi jumuseyo, jal jayo or jal ja? How to say good night in Korean to elders, friends and partners, plus sweet dreams and texts.
- How to say goodbye in KoreanAnnyeonghi gaseyo or annyeonghi gyeseyo? Korean has two polite goodbyes, depending on who leaves. Here is which to use, plus casual options.
- How to say happy birthday in KoreanSaengil chukahae, saengil chukahamnida or saengsin chukadeuryeoyo? How to say happy birthday in Korean to friends, colleagues and grandparents.
- How to say hello in KoreanAnnyeonghaseyo, annyeong or annyeonghasimnikka? How to say hello in Korean, which form suits whom, and how Koreans answer.
- How to say "How are you?" in KoreanJal jinaeyo, jal jinaesseoyo or eotteoke jinaeseyo? How to ask how are you in Korean, when Koreans actually ask it, and how to answer.
- How to say "How much is it?" in KoreanEolmayeyo? How to ask the price in Korean, understand the answer in won, and pay, plus the counting trick that makes Korean prices easy.
- How to say "I don't understand" in KoreanIhaega an dwaeyo, mot aradeureosseoyo or moreugesseoyo? How to say you don't understand in Korean, and how to ask people to slow down.
- How to say I love you in KoreanSaranghae, saranghaeyo or saranghamnida? How to say I love you in Korean, which form fits whom, and how to say it back.
- How to say I miss you in KoreanBogo sipeo, bogo sipeoyo and geuriwo: how to say I miss you in Korean, how to reply, and how to miss places and things.
- How to say my name is in KoreanJe ireumeun ... imnida, jeoneun ... ieyo or ... rago hamnida: how to say my name is in Korean, ask someone's name and write yours in Hangul.
- How to say nice to meet you in KoreanMannaseo bangapseumnida, bangawoyo or cheoeum boepgetseumnida? How to say nice to meet you in Korean and introduce yourself politely.
- How to say please in KoreanJuseyo, butakamnida or jebal? Korean has no single word for please. Here is how to make polite requests, order food and ask for help.
- How to say see you later in KoreanItta bwayo or najunge bwayo? How to say see you later in Korean, the difference between later today and some other time, and polite forms.
- How to say sorry in KoreanMianhae, mianhamnida or joesonghamnida? How to apologise in Korean, when each form fits, and what to say back.
- How to say thank you in KoreanGamsahamnida, gomapseumnida or gomawo? The Korean ways to say thank you, which one fits each situation, and how to reply.
- How to ask for the bill in KoreanGyesanhae juseyo: how to ask for the bill in Korean, why you often pay at the counter instead, and how to split it or treat a friend.
- How to ask where the toilet is in KoreanHwajangsiri eodiyeyo? How to ask for the toilet in Korean, understand the directions you get back, and read the signs.
- How to say yes and no in KoreanNe, ye, eung, aniyo: how to say yes and no in Korean, which forms are casual, and the negative-question trap that catches every learner.
- How to say you're welcome in KoreanCheonmaneyo, anieyo or byeolmalsseumeullyo? How Koreans really answer thank you, at work, in shops, at meals and between friends.
What are the first Korean phrases to learn?
These five handle greetings, thanks, requests and getting attention, which covers most of a day out in Seoul:
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo): hello, polite enough for almost anyone.
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida): thank you, for strangers, staff and colleagues.
- 주세요 (juseyo): Korean has no single word for please, so put this after what you want. 물 주세요 (mul juseyo) is water, please.
- 저기요 (jeogiyo): excuse me, to call a waiter or stop a passer-by.
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida): sorry, the respectful form for strangers and anyone senior.
Then learn 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) for prices, 화장실이 어디예요? (hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?) and 계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo) for paying.
How polite should your Korean be?
Korean builds politeness into the end of the verb. As a beginner, use the polite -요 endings (the 해요 style) with almost everyone, and the formal -ㅂ니다 endings for set phrases such as 감사합니다. Casual speech without -요 is for close friends, younger siblings and children; using it with a stranger, or with someone older, sounds rude.
Requests are softened rather than prefaced. Adding 좀 (jom, "a little") and ending with -아/어 주세요 turns a command into a polite favour. In this A1 Contos chapter, Junho asks an elderly street-stall owner to read a letter, and calls her 할머니 (halmeoni, grandmother), the usual respectful way to address an older woman:
할머니, 이 편지 좀 봐 주세요.Halmeoni, i pyeonji jom bwa juseyo.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to learn Hangul to use Korean phrases?
Not to say them: the romanization shows the sound. But Hangul is quick to learn, and romanization only approximates it. Once you can read 안녕하세요 you will start recognising words on menus and signs. The Korean writing system guide is a good start.
What is the difference between 감사합니다 and 고맙습니다?
Both are polite thank yous and both suit strangers. 감사합니다 comes from a Sino-Korean word and is heard more in shops and at work; 고맙습니다 is native Korean and can feel a little warmer. The thank-you page covers the casual forms too.
Why are there so many forms of each Korean phrase?
Because Korean marks your relationship with the listener in the verb ending: casual, polite or formal. Each phrase page lays them out in a table so you can see which fits a friend, a shopkeeper or a boss.
Where can I see Korean phrases used naturally?
In stories. Contos chapters, written for learners from A1 to B2, are full of characters greeting neighbours, thanking shopkeepers and apologising, in Hangul with spaces between words as Korean is normally written. Tap any word to see its meaning.