📗 Korean for Travelers · Beginner — Korea Now
KOREA NOW
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Korean for
Travelers
📗 BEGINNER · 초급
Essential Korean phrases for your first trip to Korea. No experience needed — start speaking today.
7
CHAPTERS
200+
PHRASES
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Korea Now · Travel and Camp
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© 2026 Korea Now
Introduction
How to Use This Book
Each chapter covers a situation you'll encounter in Korea. Every phrase is shown in three formats so you can read, pronounce, and understand it instantly.
🇰🇷
Korean Script
The actual written Korean (한글 Hangul)
🔤
Romanization
How to say it in English letters
💬
English
What it means in English
Pronunciation Guide
Korean Sounds
Korean is phonetic — once you learn the basics, every word sounds exactly as written.
ㅏ
a — like "a" in father
아버지 (abeoji)
ㅓ
eo — like "u" in butter
어머니 (eomeoni)
ㅗ
o — like "o" in more
오빠 (oppa)
ㅜ
u — like "oo" in moon
우유 (uyu)
ㅣ
i — like "ee" in feet
이름 (ireum)
ㅐ
ae — like "e" in bed
개 (gae)
ㄱ
g/k — soft "g" at start
가다 (gada)
ㄹ
r/l — between "r" and "l"
라면 (ramyeon)
ㅂ
b/p — soft "b" at start
밥 (bap)
ㅅ
s — like English "s"
사랑 (sarang)
💡 Key Tip — Korean is Phonetic!
  • Unlike English, every Korean letter always makes the exact same sound
  • Once you learn 한글 (Hangul), you can read any Korean word — even if you don't know the meaning
  • Hangul was invented in 1443 and can be learned in just a few hours
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner travelandcamp.co.kr
👋
CHAPTER 1
Greetings &
Introductions
Say hello, introduce yourself, and make a great first impression with Koreans.
Basic Greetings Introductions Polite Expressions Cultural Tips
KOREA NOW · KOREAN FOR TRAVELERS · BEGINNER
Chapter 1 · Greetings
Essential Greetings
Always use formal expressions (합쇼체) with strangers, shopkeepers, and elders. Use casual (반말) only with close friends your own age or younger.
안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo Hello (formal — use always)
안녕히 가세요 annyeonghi gaseyo Goodbye (to person leaving)
감사합니다 gamsahamnida Thank you (formal)
고마워요 gomawoyo Thank you (casual)
죄송합니다 joesonghamnida I'm sorry / Excuse me
괜찮아요 gwaenchanayo It's okay / No problem
네 / 아니요 ne / aniyo Yes / No
잠깐만요 jamkkanmanyo One moment please
모르겠어요 moreugeseoyo I don't understand
천천히 말해주세요 cheoncheonhi malhaejuseyo Please speak slowly
다시 말해주세요 dasi malhaejuseyo Please say that again
영어 하세요? yeongeo haseyo? Do you speak English?
🙇 Bowing — Korean Greetings
  • A small head nod (15°) is perfectly fine for tourists greeting strangers
  • Deeper bows (30–45°) are for formal meetings or sincere apologies
  • Handshakes are common — use your right hand, support with the left
  • Never call someone older than you by their first name alone
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 1 travelandcamp.co.kr
Chapter 1 · Introducing Yourself
About You
Koreans appreciate any attempt to speak Korean — even a few words will be warmly received and often met with delight.
이름이 뭐예요? ireumi mwoyeyo? What is your name?
제 이름은 ___예요 je ireumeun ___yeyo My name is ___
어디서 왔어요? eodiseo wasseoyo? Where are you from?
저는 ___에서 왔어요 jeoneun ___eseo wasseoyo I'm from ___
만나서 반가워요 mannaseo bangawoyo Nice to meet you
잘 부탁드립니다 jal butakdeurimnida Please take care of me
한국어를 조금 해요 hangugeoreul jogeum haeyo I speak a little Korean
한국어를 못해요 hangugeoreul motaeyo I can't speak Korean
몇 살이에요? myeot sarieyo? How old are you?
저는 ___살이에요 jeoneun ___sarieyo I am ___ years old
💚 Korean Age System
  • Koreans are traditionally 1 year old at birth (international age system now official since 2023)
  • Age matters for speech level — use formal language with anyone older
  • Asking age is normal in Korea — it determines how to address each other
  • Use "Korean age" = birth year + 1 if asked traditionally
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 1 travelandcamp.co.kr
🔢
CHAPTER 2
Numbers
& Money
Count, handle money, tell the time, and navigate prices with confidence.
Sino-Korean Numbers Native Korean Numbers Money & Prices Telling Time
KOREA NOW · KOREAN FOR TRAVELERS · BEGINNER
Chapter 2 · Numbers
Korean Numbers
Korean has two number systems. Use Sino-Korean (Chinese-based) for money, floors, dates, phone numbers. Use Native Korean for counting objects, hours, and age.
SINO-KOREAN — 한자어 (Money · Dates · Phone)
0 — 영/공yeong/gong
1 — 일il
2 — 이i
3 — 삼sam
4 — 사sa
5 — 오o
6 — 육yuk
7 — 칠chil
8 — 팔pal
9 — 구gu
10 — 십sip
100 — 백baek
1,000 — 천cheon
10,000 — 만man
100,000 — 십만simman
1,000,000 — 백만baengman
NATIVE KOREAN — 고유어 (Objects · Hours · Age)
1 — 하나hana
2 — 둘dul
3 — 셋set
4 — 넷net
5 — 다섯daseot
6 — 여섯yeoseot
7 — 일곱ilgop
8 — 여덟yeodeol
9 — 아홉ahop
10 — 열yeol
20 — 스물seumul
30 — 서른seoreun
💰 Money in Korea
  • ₩1,000 ≈ $0.75 USD · ₩10,000 ≈ $7.50 USD · ₩50,000 ≈ $37 USD
  • Say 오만원 (o-man-won) = ₩50,000 · 만원 (man-won) = ₩10,000
  • Cards accepted almost everywhere — tap/contactless widely supported
  • ATMs at CU, GS25, 7-Eleven accept most foreign cards
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 2 travelandcamp.co.kr
🍜
CHAPTER 3
Food
& Dining
Order food, handle dietary restrictions, ask for water, and pay the bill like a local.
Ordering Food Dietary Needs At the Restaurant Paying the Bill
KOREA NOW · KOREAN FOR TRAVELERS · BEGINNER
Chapter 3 · Food
Ordering Food
Korean restaurants often have picture menus — point and say 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) and you're set. Many places use tablet ordering systems too.
이거 주세요igeo juseyoI'll have this (point at menu)
메뉴 주세요menyu juseyoMenu please
물 주세요mul juseyoWater please
하나 더 주세요hana deo juseyoOne more please
맵지 않게 해주세요maepji ankke haejuseyoNot spicy please
포장해 주세요pojang haejuseyoTo go / Takeaway please
맛있어요!masisseoyo!It's delicious!
계산해 주세요gyesan haejuseyoCheck / Bill please
카드 돼요?kadeu dwaeyo?Can I pay by card?
따로따로 계산해요ttarottaro gyesan haeyoSeparate bills please
영수증 주세요yeongsujeung juseyoReceipt please
숟가락 주세요sutgarak juseyoSpoon please
🥢 Dining Etiquette
  • Wait for the oldest person at the table to begin eating first
  • Don't tip — tipping is not customary in Korea and can cause confusion
  • Say 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgesseumnida) before eating — "I will eat well"
  • Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice — it resembles funeral incense
  • Koreans often share dishes — individual plates are common too
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 3 travelandcamp.co.kr
🚇
CHAPTER 4
Getting
Around
Navigate Korea's world-class subway system, catch taxis, and never get lost.
Subway Taxi Bus Directions
KOREA NOW · KOREAN FOR TRAVELERS · BEGINNER
Chapter 4 · Transport
Getting Around Korea
Korea's public transport is world-class. The Seoul subway has English signage at every station. For taxis, Kakao T app works in English with card payment.
어디예요?eodiyeyo?Where is ___?
지하철역이 어디예요?jihacheollyeogi eodiyeyo?Where is the subway station?
___에 가주세요___e gajuseyoPlease take me to ___
여기 세워주세요yeogi seweo juseyoStop here please (taxi)
인천공항 가주세요incheon gonggang gajuseyoTo Incheon Airport please
몇 번 출구예요?myeot beon chulguyeyo?Which exit number?
길을 잃었어요gireul ireosseoyoI'm lost
얼마예요?eolmayeyo?How much is the fare?
왼쪽 / 오른쪽oenjjok / oreunjjokLeft / Right
직진 / 유턴jikjin / yuteonStraight ahead / U-turn
🚌 Transport Tips
  • T-Money card: buy at any convenience store (₩4,000) — works on all buses & subways
  • Subway fare: ₩1,400–2,150 · Airport Express (AREX): ₩9,500 to Seoul station
  • Kakao T app: English taxi booking with card payment — highly recommended
  • Emergency number 1330: 24/7 English transport helpline
  • KTX bullet train connects Seoul ↔ Busan in 2h 15min (₩59,800)
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 4 travelandcamp.co.kr
🛍️
CHAPTER 5
Shopping
Bargain, try things on, ask about sizes, and shop K-beauty and fashion like a pro.
Prices & Bargaining Clothing & Sizes Payment Returns
KOREA NOW · KOREAN FOR TRAVELERS · BEGINNER
Chapter 5 · Shopping
Shopping Phrases
Korea is a shopper's paradise — from Namdaemun market bargains to Myeongdong K-beauty to Dongdaemun fashion. These phrases will serve you everywhere.
얼마예요?eolmayeyo?How much is this?
너무 비싸요neomu bissayoIt's too expensive
깎아 주세요kkakka juseyoPlease give a discount
이거 있어요?igeo isseoyo?Do you have this?
다른 색 있어요?dareun saek isseoyo?Other colors available?
입어봐도 돼요?ibobwado dwaeyo?Can I try this on?
사이즈가 뭐예요?saijeuга mwoyeyo?What size is this?
더 큰 거 있어요?deo keun geo isseoyo?Do you have a bigger size?
카드 돼요?kadeu dwaeyo?Can I pay by card?
봉투 주세요bongtu juseyoBag please
교환 가능해요?gyohwan ganeunghaeyo?Can I exchange this?
환불 가능해요?hwanbul ganeunghaeyo?Can I get a refund?
🛍️ Shopping Tips
  • Namdaemun & Dongdaemun markets: bargaining is expected and welcomed
  • Department stores & Olive Young: fixed prices, no bargaining
  • Tax refund available on purchases over ₩30,000 at Incheon Airport
  • Olive Young is Korea's H&B chain — best for K-beauty products at fair prices
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 5 travelandcamp.co.kr
🏨
CHAPTER 6
Hotel &
Accommodation
Check in smoothly, request what you need, and communicate with hotel staff.
Check-In Room Requests Facilities Check-Out
KOREA NOW · KOREAN FOR TRAVELERS · BEGINNER
Chapter 6 · Hotel
Hotel & Accommodation
Korean hotels range from world-class luxury to cozy guesthouses and jjimjilbangs. These phrases work everywhere from 5-star hotels to traditional hanok stays.
체크인 하려고요chekeu-in haryeogoyoI'd like to check in
예약했어요yeyakhaesseoyoI have a reservation
체크아웃 몇 시예요?chekeu-aut myeot siyeyo?What time is checkout?
와이파이 비밀번호요?waipai bimilbeonhoyeyo?What's the WiFi password?
수건 더 주세요sugeon deo juseyoMore towels please
짐 맡아주세요jim matajuseyoPlease keep my luggage
방이 너무 추워요bang-i neomu chuwoyoThe room is too cold
에어컨 켜주세요eeokon kyeojuseyoPlease turn on the A/C
방 청소해 주세요bang cheongsohae juseyoPlease clean the room
열쇠를 잃어버렸어요yeolsoereul ireoboryeosseoyoI lost my key card
🛏️ Accommodation Tips
  • Most Korean hotels include slippers and toiletries — very well equipped
  • Jjimjilbang (찜질방): public sauna — sleep overnight for ₩10,000–15,000
  • Hanok stays: traditional wooden houses — book in advance, especially in Jeonju
  • Goshiwon (고시원): tiny budget rooms from ₩300,000/month for long stays
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 6 travelandcamp.co.kr
🆘
CHAPTER 7
Emergencies
& Health
Essential phrases for when things go wrong. Korea is very safe — but preparation is always wise.
Emergency Numbers Medical Lost & Stolen Safety Tips
KOREA NOW · KOREAN FOR TRAVELERS · BEGINNER
Chapter 7 · Emergencies
Emergency Phrases
🚨 EMERGENCY NUMBERS IN KOREA
112 — Police (경찰)
119 — Fire & Ambulance (구급대)
1330 — Tourist Helpline (English, 24/7)
122 — Coast Guard (해양경찰)
도와주세요!dowajuseyo!Help me!
119에 전화해 주세요ilsipgu-e jeonhwahae juseyoPlease call 119 (ambulance)
경찰 불러주세요gyeongchal bulleo juseyoPlease call the police
병원 어디예요?byeongwon eodiyeyo?Where is the hospital?
아파요apayoI'm in pain / I feel sick
여기가 아파요yeogiga apayoIt hurts here (point to area)
약국 어디예요?yakguk eodiyeyo?Where is the pharmacy?
영어 하는 의사 있어요?yeongeo haneun uisa isseoyo?English-speaking doctor?
여권을 잃어버렸어요yeokwoneul ireoboryeosseoyoI lost my passport
도둑이야!dodug-iya!Thief!
🛡️ Safety Tips
  • Korea is extremely safe — one of the lowest crime rates in the world
  • Tourist Helpline 1330: free, 24/7, English, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese support
  • All major hospitals in Seoul have English-speaking staff
  • Keep a photo of your passport on your phone before you travel
  • Korean pharmacies (약국) are extremely well-stocked for common ailments
Korea Now · Korean for Travelers · Beginner · Chapter 7 travelandcamp.co.kr
Quick Reference Card
Essential phrases — cut out and carry
👋 Essentials
안녕하세요 annyeonghaseyo Hello (formal)
감사합니다 gamsahamnida Thank you
죄송합니다 joesonghamnida Sorry / Excuse me
네 / 아니요 ne / aniyo Yes / No
얼마예요? eolmayeyo? How much?
모르겠어요 moreugeseoyo I don't understand
🍜 Food & Dining
이거 주세요 igeo juseyo I'll have this
물 주세요 mul juseyo Water please
계산해 주세요 gyesan haejuseyo Bill please
맵지 않게 maepji ankke Not spicy
맛있어요! masisseoyo! Delicious!
포장해 주세요 pojang haejuseyo Takeaway please
🚇 Transport
어디예요? eodiyeyo? Where is ___?
여기 세워주세요 yeogi seweo juseyo Stop here (taxi)
길을 잃었어요 gireul ireosseoyo I'm lost
공항 가주세요 gonggang gajuseyo To the airport
왼쪽 / 오른쪽 oenjjok / oreunjjok Left / Right
카드 돼요? kadeu dwaeyo? Card OK?
🆘 Emergency
도와주세요! dowajuseyo! Help me!
119에 전화해 주세요 ilsipgu-e jeonhwahae juseyo Call ambulance
경찰 불러주세요 gyeongchal bulleo juseyo Call police
아파요 apayo I'm in pain
병원 어디예요? byeongwon eodiyeyo? Hospital?
약국 어디예요? yakguk eodiyeyo? Pharmacy?
🇰🇷 Korea Now · Travel and Camp
travelandcamp.co.kr · More free guides, tips & tools for Korea
Korean for Travelers
Beginner Edition · 2026