Speak kindly, travel confidently, and understand what comes back
외국인 한국어 완전 입문자가 공항, 교통, 숙소, 식당, 쇼핑, 응급 상황을 실제 대화와 복구 표현으로 익힌다.
상태: 출간 후보 웹교정쇄 · 원어민·현장 검수 대기 · 15개 장
A zero-beginner field guide from the airport to the neighborhood table
You do not need to “finish Korean” before visiting Korea. You need a small set of dependable patterns, a way to read signs, and the confidence to repair a conversation. This book teaches those skills in the order a real trip happens. Every dialogue is newly written for this book; every person and booking is fictional.
This is not a list of lines to fire at strangers. You will learn what a phrase literally does, how polite it sounds, what answer may come back, and what to do when listening fails. Romanization is a temporary bridge. Read the Hangul first, listen to Korean speakers when possible, and let your pronunciation become clearer through use.
Each scene has four passes. First, point to the Korean and play the meaning in your head. Second, say it slowly in chunks. Third, cover the English and act both roles. Fourth, change one detail: the station, number, food, time, or problem. Ten focused minutes beats an hour of silent rereading.
The romanization follows common pronunciation closely enough for a first attempt, but it cannot show every sound change. It is a learning aid, not an official spelling system. A hyphen occasionally reveals a useful boundary—such as a particle or respectful suffix—but never marks a pause or stress. Korean has no English-style heavy stress; keep the rhythm even.
- Your five survival moves
- Hangul in one train ride
- Politeness without panic
- Arrival and airport help
- Trains, subways, buses, and taxis
- Checking in and solving room problems
- Ordering food and handling allergies
- Cafés, convenience stores, and takeout
- Shopping, sizes, and payment
- Directions and meeting people
- Tickets, reservations, and schedules
- Friendly small talk and culture
- When you do not understand
- Health, safety, and lost items
- A three-day speaking mission
1. Your five survival moves
Start with five patterns that fit dozens of situations.
1 · 주세요 — Please give me
물 주세요.
Mul juseyo.
Water, please.
Pointing works: 이거 주세요. (Igeo juseyo.) means “This one, please.” Add a number between the item and 주세요: 이거 두 개 주세요. (Igeo du gae juseyo.) — “Two of these, please.”
2 · 어디예요? — Where is
화장실이 어디예요?
Hwajangsil-i eodiyeyo?
Where is the restroom?
Replace 화장실 with 출구 (chulgu, exit), 지하철역 (jihacheol-yeok, subway station), or 매표소 (maepyoso, ticket office).
3 · 있어요? — Do you have / Is there
영어 메뉴 있어요?
Yeongeo menyu isseoyo?
Do you have an English menu?
The negative answer may be 없어요 (eopseoyo, there isn’t / we don’t). Hearing only 있어요 or 없어요 is already useful.
4 · 돼요? — Is it possible or allowed
카드 돼요?
Kadeu dwaeyo?
Can I pay by card?
여기 앉아도 돼요? (Yeogi anjado dwaeyo?) means “May I sit here?” The pattern -아/어도 돼요? asks permission politely.
5 · 도와주세요 — Please help me
도와주세요.
Dowajuseyo.
Please help me.
Add your problem after it if you can, but the single phrase plus a map, booking screen, or emergency card is enough to begin.
First mini-dialogue
Traveler: 저기요. 화장실이 어디예요?
Jeogiyo. Hwajangsil-i eodiyeyo?
Excuse me. Where is the restroom?
Staff: 저쪽이에요.
Jeojjog-ieyo.
It’s over there.
Traveler: 감사합니다.
Gamsahamnida.
Thank you.
저기요 gets attention without touching anyone. It can also sound like “Excuse me.” Do not shout it across a quiet room.
2. Hangul in one train ride
Hangul letters combine into square syllable blocks. Read the blocks left to right. A block begins with a consonant, contains a vowel, and may end with a consonant.
Learn the most visible vowels first.
- ㅏ a as in father: 가 ga
- ㅓ eo, an open uh: 거 geo
- ㅗ o: 고 go
- ㅜ u as in food: 구 gu
- ㅡ eu, lips unrounded: 그 geu
- ㅣ i: 기 gi
- ㅐ / ㅔ both sound close to e for many speakers: 개 gae, 게 ge
Core consonants are softer or stronger depending on position. Use these approximations as a start.
- ㄱ between g/k: 가 ga
- ㄴ n: 나 na
- ㄷ between d/t: 다 da
- ㄹ between a light r/l: 라 ra
- ㅁ m: 마 ma
- ㅂ between b/p: 바 ba
- ㅅ s: 사 sa
- ㅇ silent at the start, ng at the end: 아 a, 강 gang
- ㅈ j: 자 ja
- ㅎ h: 하 ha
Read your first signs
출구 (chulgu) — exit
입구 (ipgu) — entrance
역 (yeok) — station
약국 (yakguk) — pharmacy
병원 (byeongwon) — hospital
화장실 (hwajangsil) — restroom
계산 (gyesan) — checkout or bill
Final consonants are released briefly. In 입구, the final ㅂ meets ㄱ and sounds closer to ip-kku. Do not chase perfect rules on day one. Recognize the block and make a clear attempt.
Five-minute drill
Write 가, 나, 다, 라, 마. Then replace ㅏ with ㅗ: 고, 노, 도, 로, 모. Find 출구 and 입구 in a station photo. Circle the shared 구. You are learning reusable pieces, not copying pictures.
3. Politeness without panic
Use the polite -요 style with staff, strangers, and new acquaintances. It is friendly and respectful. You do not need the most formal speech in every sentence.
안녕하세요. (Annyeonghaseyo.) — Hello.
감사합니다. (Gamsahamnida.) — Thank you.
죄송합니다. (Joesonghamnida.) — I’m sorry.
괜찮아요. (Gwaenchanayo.) — It’s okay or I’m okay.
잠시만요. (Jamsimanyo.) — One moment, please.
Korean often drops I and you when the context is clear. Constantly saying 당신 (dangsin, you) can sound unnatural or confrontational. Point, use a role title such as 기사님 (gisa-nim, driver), or omit the pronoun.
To soften a request, begin with 실례합니다 (Sillyehamnida, excuse me) or 저기요. End with 주세요 rather than a bare noun. Your tone and patience matter more than producing a complex honorific.
Yes is not always agreement
네 (ne) often means “I hear you” as well as yes. Confirm important details by repeating them.
Staff: 두 시 맞으세요? — Is 2 o’clock correct?
You: 네, 오늘 두 시요. — Yes, today at two.
For no, 아니요 (aniyo) is clear. To decline gently: 괜찮아요, 감사합니다. — I’m okay, thank you.
4. Arrival and airport help
Keep your accommodation name and address in Korean offline. A spoken English hotel name may not match its Korean listing.
At information
Traveler: 안녕하세요. 공항철도는 어디에서 타요?
Annyeonghaseyo. Gonghangcheoldo-neun eodieseo tayo?
Hello. Where do I take the airport railroad?
Staff: 지하 1층으로 내려가세요.
Jiha ilcheung-euro naeryeogaseyo.
Go down to basement level one.
Traveler: 표는 여기에서 사요?
Pyoneun yeogieseo sayo?
Do I buy the ticket here?
Useful pieces:
- 도착 (dochak) — arrivals
- 출발 (chulbal) — departures
- 수하물 (suhamul) — baggage
- 환전소 (hwanjeonso) — currency exchange
- 유심 카드 (yusim kadeu) — SIM card
- 와이파이 (waipai) — Wi-Fi
제 가방이 안 나와요. (Je gabang-i an nawayo.) means “My bag isn’t coming out.” Show your baggage tag and add 이게 수하물표예요 (Ige suhamulpyoyeyo, this is my baggage tag).
Repair line
천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo.
Please speak slowly.
Listen for floor numbers: 일 층 (il cheung, first floor), 이 층 (i cheung, second), 지하 (jiha, basement). In Korea, 1층 is the ground or first floor.
5. Trains, subways, buses, and taxis
Ask for direction, platform, stop count, and transfer separately. One short question is easier to answer than a long itinerary.
서울역은 어느 쪽이에요?
Seoul-yeogeun eoneu jjog-ieyo?
Which way is Seoul Station?
여기에서 갈아타요?
Yeogieseo garatayo?
Do I transfer here?
몇 정거장이에요?
Myeot jeonggeojang-ieyo?
How many stops is it?
이 버스가 시청에 가요?
I beoseuga sicheong-e gayo?
Does this bus go to City Hall?
Answers to catch: 맞아요 (majayo, correct), 아니에요 (anieyo, no), 세 정거장 (se jeonggeojang, three stops), 다음 역 (daeum yeok, next station), 갈아타세요 (garataseyo, please transfer).
In a taxi
Show the Korean address, then say:
여기로 가 주세요.
Yeogiro ga juseyo.
Please go here.
이 근처에서 내려 주세요.
I geuncheo-eseo naeryeo juseyo.
Please let me off near here.
카드로 결제할게요.
Kadeuro gyeoljehalgeyo.
I’ll pay by card.
Do not distract the driver with a long language exercise. Confirm the destination on the map before moving.
6. Checking in and solving room problems
At reception, begin with the booking name or confirmation screen.
Traveler: 예약했어요. 이름은 알렉스 리예요.
Yeyakhaesseoyo. Ireumeun Allekseu Riyeyo.
I have a reservation. The name is Alex Lee.
Staff: 여권 보여 주세요.
Yeogwon boyeo juseyo.
Please show your passport.
Traveler: 체크아웃은 몇 시예요?
Chekeuauseun myeot siyeyo?
What time is checkout?
Problems use 안 돼요 (an dwaeyo, doesn’t work) or 없어요 (eopseoyo, there isn’t).
에어컨이 안 돼요. — The air conditioner doesn’t work.
뜨거운 물이 안 나와요. — There is no hot water.
수건이 없어요. — There are no towels.
방이 너무 시끄러워요. — The room is too noisy.
확인해 주세요. — Please check.
Ask for a solution rather than only naming the problem:
다른 방이 있어요?
Dareun bang-i isseoyo?
Is another room available?
Photograph damage when you arrive and report it calmly. Keep booking promises in writing.
7. Ordering food and handling allergies
Start by indicating party size: 두 명이에요. (Du myeong-ieyo., Two people.) Ask 자리 있어요? (Jari isseoyo?, Is there a table?).
Order
이거 하나 주세요. — One of this, please.
물 두 병 주세요. — Two bottles of water, please.
안 맵게 해 주세요. — Please make it not spicy.
고기 빼 주세요. — Please leave out the meat.
포장해 주세요. — Please pack it to go.
Counters you will hear: 하나 (hana, one), 둘 (dul, two), 셋 (set, three) change before counters: 한 개, 두 개, 세 개. For people: 한 명, 두 명, 세 명.
Allergy safety
Do not rely on memorized speech alone for a severe allergy. Carry a professionally translated card naming the allergen, cross-contact risk, and required action. Show it before ordering and confirm again when the dish arrives.
저는 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요.
Jeoneun ttangkong allereugiga isseoyo.
I have a peanut allergy.
땅콩이 들어가요?
Ttangkong-i deureogayo?
Does it contain peanuts?
같은 기름을 사용해요?
Gateun gireumeul sayonghaeyo?
Do you use the same oil?
An uncertain answer is not confirmation. If staff cannot verify ingredients or cross-contact, choose another item or place.
Pay
계산해 주세요. (Gyesanhae juseyo.) — The bill, please.
따로 계산할게요. (Ttaro gyesanhalgeyo.) — We’ll pay separately.
같이 계산할게요. (Gachi gyesanhalgeyo.) — We’ll pay together.
8. Cafés, convenience stores, and takeout
At a café, size names may be branded or English-based. Pointing is fine.
아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
Aiseu amerikano han jan juseyo.
One iced Americano, please.
우유 말고 두유로 돼요?
Uyu malgo duyuro dwaeyo?
Can I have soy milk instead of milk?
매장에서 드세요? (Maejang-eseo deuseyo?) asks whether you are having it in the store. Answer 여기에서 먹을게요 (here) or 가져갈게요 (to go).
At a convenience store:
봉투 필요하세요? — Do you need a bag?
네, 하나 주세요. — Yes, one please.
아니요, 괜찮아요. — No, I’m okay.
데워 주세요. — Please heat it up.
Listen for 영수증 필요하세요? (Do you need a receipt?). Say 네, 주세요 or 아니요, 괜찮아요.
9. Shopping, sizes, and payment
Looking
그냥 보고 있어요.
Geunyang bogo isseoyo.
I’m just looking.
이거 입어 봐도 돼요?
Igeo ibeo bwado dwaeyo?
May I try this on?
더 큰 사이즈 있어요? — Do you have a larger size?
더 작은 사이즈 있어요? — Do you have a smaller size?
다른 색 있어요? — Do you have another color?
Price and payment
얼마예요? (Eolmayeyo?) — How much is it?
카드 돼요? — Can I pay by card?
현금만 돼요? — Is it cash only?
영수증 주세요. — A receipt, please.
Large Korean numbers often group by ten thousand, 만 (man). 15,000 won is 만 오천 원 (man ocheon won). Instead of mastering every number immediately, look at the display and confirm:
만 오천 원 맞아요?
Man ocheon won majayo?
Is 15,000 won correct?
Refund and tax policies vary. Ask staff and check the current official requirements rather than relying on an old phrasebook.
10. Directions and meeting people
Show a map and ask one decision at a time.
여기가 맞아요? — Is this the right place?
걸어서 갈 수 있어요? — Can I walk there?
얼마나 걸려요? — How long does it take?
왼쪽이에요, 오른쪽이에요? — Is it left or right?
길을 잃었어요. — I’m lost.
Direction words:
- 여기 / 거기 / 저기 — here / there near you / over there
- 이쪽 / 그쪽 / 저쪽 — this way / that way / over that way
- 왼쪽 / 오른쪽 — left / right
- 앞 / 뒤 — front / behind
- 건너편 — across from
- 직진 — straight ahead
Meeting a friend:
지금 어디예요? — Where are you now?
저는 2번 출구 앞이에요. — I’m in front of Exit 2.
십 분 늦을 것 같아요. 미안해요. — I think I’ll be ten minutes late. Sorry.
천천히 오세요. — Take your time coming.
Use the exit number and a landmark. A station may have many exits far apart.
11. Tickets, reservations, and schedules
Buying a ticket
부산 가는 표 한 장 주세요.
Busan ganeun pyo han jang juseyo.
One ticket to Busan, please.
오늘 표 있어요? — Are there tickets for today?
가장 빠른 시간은 언제예요? — What is the earliest time?
왕복이에요. — It’s round trip.
편도예요. — It’s one way.
Reservation
내일 저녁 일곱 시에 두 명 예약하고 싶어요.
Naeil jeonyeok ilgop sie du myeong yeyakhago sipeoyo.
I’d like to reserve for two tomorrow at 7 p.m.
예약을 변경하고 싶어요. — I’d like to change the reservation.
예약을 취소하고 싶어요. — I’d like to cancel the reservation.
예약 번호는 여기 있어요. — The reservation number is here.
Repeat dates and times. Korean date order is year, month, day. 팔월 사일 is August 4. Use your confirmation screen to avoid confusion.
12. Friendly small talk and culture
You may hear 어디에서 왔어요? (Where are you from?) or 한국은 처음이에요? (Is this your first time in Korea?).
캐나다에서 왔어요. — I’m from Canada.
네, 처음이에요. — Yes, it’s my first time.
아니요, 두 번째예요. — No, it’s my second time.
한국 음식에 관심이 많아요. — I’m very interested in Korean food.
추천해 주세요. — Please recommend something.
Compliments:
정말 맛있어요. — It’s really delicious.
여기가 정말 좋아요. — I really like this place.
친절하게 도와주셔서 감사합니다. — Thank you for helping me kindly.
Avoid treating every Korean person as a free language tutor. Ask 한국어를 연습해도 괜찮아요? (Is it okay if I practice Korean?) when the situation is relaxed. Staff during a rush may need a quick order, not a lesson.
Names and age can affect Korean social language, but a visitor can safely use polite -요 speech and the person’s role title. Do not assume all customs or personalities are the same.
13. When you do not understand
Conversation repair is a core skill, not failure.
잘 못 들었어요.
Jal mot deureosseoyo.
I didn’t hear well.
다시 말씀해 주세요.
Dasi malsseumhae juseyo.
Please say it again.
천천히 말씀해 주세요. — Please speak slowly.
적어 주세요. (Jeogeo juseyo.) — Please write it down.
사진으로 보여 주세요. (Sajin-euro boyeo juseyo.) — Please show me in a picture.
제가 이해한 게 맞아요? (Jega ihaehan ge majayo?) — Did I understand correctly?
Then repeat the key fact: 내일 오전 열 시, 여기 맞아요? — Tomorrow at 10 a.m., here, correct? Numbers, dates, stations, allergens, and money deserve confirmation.
Translation apps help, but type short literal sentences. Review names and numbers before showing the screen. Do not paste passport details, card numbers, medical records, or confidential messages into an unfamiliar service.
14. Health, safety, and lost items
Save this page offline. In an immediate emergency in Korea, call 112 for police or 119 for fire and ambulance. Give your location first if possible. Official services and availability can change; verify before travel.
도와주세요. — Please help me.
구급차를 불러 주세요. — Please call an ambulance.
여기가 아파요. — It hurts here.
숨쉬기가 힘들어요. — It is hard to breathe.
저는 ___ 알레르기가 있어요. — I am allergic to ___.
영어 통역이 필요해요. — I need an English interpreter.
At a pharmacy:
약국이 어디예요? — Where is a pharmacy?
감기약이 필요해요. — I need cold medicine.
이 약을 먹고 있어요. — I am taking this medicine.
처방전이 필요해요? (Cheobangjeon-i piryohaeyo?) — Do I need a prescription?
Do not let a phrasebook replace medical assessment. Show medication names, allergies, and travel insurance details to a qualified professional.
For a lost item:
가방을 잃어버렸어요. — I lost my bag.
지하철에 두고 내렸어요. — I left it on the subway.
오늘 오후 세 시쯤이에요. — It was around 3 p.m. today.
이렇게 생겼어요. — It looks like this.
Keep photos of the item and receipt, but not an unprotected image of every identity document.
The Korea Tourism Organization lists 1330 as a travel information and interpretation channel, but it also posted a temporary-unavailability notice in January 2026 with no fixed end date. Check the current status on the official site instead of assuming it is available. Official 1330 page, temporary service notice, official emergency information
15. A three-day speaking mission
The mission turns recognition into usable speech. Keep a tiny log; do not record strangers without permission.
Day 1 · See and point
Read five signs: 출구, 입구, 역, 화장실, 약국. Buy one item with 이거 하나 주세요. Ask one location question. Repair once with 다시 말씀해 주세요, even if you think you understood.
Day 2 · Change one detail
Order with a counter, ask whether card payment is possible, and confirm a price. At transit, ask the direction and number of stops. Say your destination while showing the Korean map label.
Day 3 · Complete a short exchange
Open with 안녕하세요 or 저기요, make a request, understand one piece of the answer, confirm it, and close with 감사합니다. The goal is not zero English. The goal is to manage the interaction respectfully.
Travel log
Situation:
What I wanted:
Korean I used:
Word I recognized in the answer:
How I repaired the conversation:
One phrase to practice tonight:
Appendix A Pocket phrase deck
Start
안녕하세요. — Hello.
저기요. — Excuse me.
실례합니다. — Excuse me.
한국어를 잘 못해요. — I don’t speak Korean well.
영어 하세요? — Do you speak English?
Request
이거 주세요. — This, please.
하나 주세요. — One, please.
도와주세요. — Please help.
확인해 주세요. — Please check.
적어 주세요. — Please write it down.
Find
어디예요? — Where is it?
어느 쪽이에요? — Which way is it?
여기가 맞아요? — Is this the right place?
얼마나 걸려요? — How long does it take?
걸어서 갈 수 있어요? — Can I walk there?
Confirm
맞아요? — Is that correct?
오늘이에요? — Is it today?
몇 시예요? — What time is it?
얼마예요? — How much is it?
카드 돼요? — Can I pay by card?
Repair
다시 말씀해 주세요. — Please say it again.
천천히 말씀해 주세요. — Please speak slowly.
잘 모르겠어요. — I’m not sure or I don’t understand well.
사진으로 보여 주세요. — Please show me in a picture.
잠시만요. — One moment, please.
Close
감사합니다. — Thank you.
괜찮아요. — It’s okay or I’m okay.
죄송합니다. — I’m sorry.
좋은 하루 보내세요. — Have a good day.
Appendix B Listening map
Do not try to hear every syllable. Listen for anchors.
- Location answers: 여기, 저기, 왼쪽, 오른쪽, 앞, 건너편
- Transit: 번 출구, 정거장, 다음 역, 갈아타세요
- Availability: 있어요, 없어요, 돼요, 안 돼요
- Time: 오늘, 내일, 오전, 오후, 시, 분
- Restaurant: 매워요, 안 매워요, 들어가요, 없어요, 포장
- Payment: 카드, 현금, 영수증, 원
After hearing an anchor, confirm with a short phrase. If you hear 오른쪽, point right and ask 오른쪽 맞아요? This turns partial listening into a safe action.
Appendix C Pronunciation clinic
ㅓ and ㅗ
Keep ㅗ rounded as o. For ㅓ, relax the lips and make an open uh. Practice 서울 (Seoul) and 오른쪽 (oreunjjok). The goal is contrast, not an English accent label.
ㄹ
Between vowels, tap the tongue once, between English r and l: 사람 (saram). At the end it is more l-like: 서울. Do not force a heavy English r.
Double consonants
ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ are tense, not simply louder. Hold the mouth firm and release without a big puff. 쪽 in 이쪽 begins with tense ㅉ. Listening recognition matters before perfect production.
Sound changes
Written Korean and spoken Korean connect. 감사합니다 is commonly heard close to gamsahamnida, and 같이 sounds like gachi. Learn whole useful phrases from reliable native audio rather than constructing every sound from romanization.
Appendix D Make the book yours
Before departure, replace the blanks below and save the Korean text offline.
My accommodation name and Korean address:
Nearest station and exit:
Emergency contact:
Insurance contact:
My allergy card, professionally checked:
Medication generic names:
Three destinations in Korean:
My return flight and terminal:
Create five personal sentence cards, not fifty. If you use a wheelchair, travel with children, keep halal or vegan food requirements, or have a medical need, have the exact high-stakes wording checked by a qualified Korean speaker. A generic phrase can start a conversation but should not carry a safety-critical instruction alone.
Sources and rights
All dialogues, drills, visual diagrams, and fictional details were created for this book. The cover was generated from an original, non-style-imitating prompt and contains no embedded text or brand logo. Place and product names remain the property of their owners.
Current official references checked August 4, 2026: VISITKOREA emergency information, 1330 Travel Helpline, 1330 temporary-unavailability notice, Korea National Fire Agency 119 center. Verify changing services, hours, fares, entry rules, and health guidance again shortly before travel.