Many of us have difficulties in understanding a different language. This is very frustrating if you love travelling and going to a lot of places. It can be very confusing also to see all the written signs and hear the people around you without understanding even a single word of what they’re saying. You may feel somewhat lost and a bit overwhelmed because of this situation. Before you go on travelling, make sure to learn a few important words about the place that you’re going to.
South Korea has become very popular these past few years. It’s a shame that they have a different language and we may find it difficult to understand what they are saying. Especially if you are a fan of Korean Pop music and Korean dramas. Subtitles just won’t do the work because sometimes, you pay more attention to the subtitles than what’s really happening on the drama. Subtitles are also not always 100% accurate so you may misunderstand a few sentences along the way. To help you with this, we’ve come up with 25 Korean phrases that you really need to know before you do anything that is related to Korea.
안녕하세요 (ahn-nyung-ha-se-yo)
This Korean phrase means “Hello!” It is one of the most commonly used Korean phrases. You can use this whenever you meet a lot of new people. You can even mix it up and use this as a fun different word to say hello to your friends and all of the people that you go across every single day.
어떻게 지내세요? (uh-dduh-keh ji-neh-seh-yo?)
This Korean phrase asks a person how are they doing or “How are you?” This is one of the basic conversation phrases in Korea. Use this phrase whenever you have small chats with your friend to ask them about how they are feeling. I’m pretty sure that your friends will generally feel thankful to you for asking them how they are.
반갑습니다 (bahn-gap-seup-ni-da)
Thus Korean phrase stands for “Nice to meet you.” You may use this whenever you meet a new person. This phrase is very handy whenever you go travelling as you go and meet a lot of people while you are in a foreign place. If you’re planning on travelling to Korea, make sure that you know this phrase.
잘 지내요 (jal-ji-neh-yo)
This Korean phrase means “I am good.” This is usually the answer to the question “How are you?” Whenever you ask someone this and they return the question to you, make sure you know how to answer them. This phrase is also useful in a lot of situations such as when someone asks you if you are hungry but you are still full.
제 이름은 _____이에요 (jeh ee-reum-un _____ im ni da)
This Korean phrase stands for “My name is _____.” This is a common phrase that you’ll hear for whenever you meet someone new. Naturally, you have to tell people your name and vice versa. It’s very useful for finding a lot of Korean friends, even in the wide range of Internet and Social Media.
안녕히 가세요 (ahn-nyung-hee gah-seh-yo)
This Korean phrase is synonymous to “Goodbye!” Make sure that you take note of this as there are as many opportunities to say goodbye as to say hello.
감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
This Korean phrase is “Thank you” in English. It is also one of the most commonly used Korean phrases, and not only in Korea, but also worldwide. A lot of people have been using the Korean romanization of this phrase to say thank you and coincidentally, other people know the meaning of this phrase. Make sure to thank someone today using this phrase.
천만에요 (chun-mahn-eh-yo)
This Korean phrase translates to “Congratulations!” Make your congratulatory messages special with the Korean version of the word. It will help you sound unique and interesting.
잠시만요 (jam-shi-mahn-yo)
This Korean phrase is the same as “Wait for me.” It can also be used as “Excuse me” if you are going to pass through people. This phrase is considered as a phrase used for manners.
실례합니다 (shil-leh-hap-nee-da)
This Korean phrase is a polite version of using “Excuse me.” You can use this when you’re calling the attention of a certain person. For example if you are feeling lost and you need to ask a stranger for directions. Use this phrase to get their attention.
사랑해요 (saranghaeyo)
This Korean phrase is translated to English as “I love you.” It is also one of the most commonly used Korean phrases. It is a phrase that is not only used by Koreans but by a lot of people all around the world. This is very important to learn as it is a very special phrase. Make sure to say this phrase to a loved one today.
죄송합니다 (jweh-sung-ham-nee-da)
This Korean phrase is the same as the English phrase “I am sorry.” It is also one of the most commonly used Korean phrases. Make sure to take note of this as it can become very handy at some certain times, especially if you are a very clumsy person. Sometimes, it can also make an apology very special.
주세요 (ju-seh-yo)
This Korean phrase literally means “Please give.” If you are a fan of Korean pop groups and artists, and you’ve watched them participate in different variety shows, then you must have heard this before. In variety shows, they say euma juseyo which translates to “Please give me music.” You can also use this phrase if you are eating out and you want something to be handed over to you.
길을 잃었어요 (gil-eul ilh-uht-suh-yo)
This Korean phrase means “I am lost.” When you feel like you can’t find the right location and that you seem to be out of the way, you can use this phrase to ask for directions. There’s a lot of polite Koreans who are willing to show you the way.
잘 모르겠네요 (jal mo-reu-geht-neh-yo)
This Korean phrase is used by a person that does not understand what the person he’s speaking to is talking about. It literally means “I don’t understand.” You can use this phrase to ask for further explanation when you seem to not understand something that they said.
영어 할 수 있어요? (yung-uh hal su-eet-suh-yo?)
This Korean phrase asks a person if they know how to speak in English. It literally translates to “Do you know English?”. When you are still new to the Korean language and seem to be out of words to say, you can use this sentence as a life saver. Though many Koreans are still struggling with English, you can still surely find some who can communicate well using the English language.
천천히 말씀해 주세요 (chun-chun-hee mal-sseum-heh ju-seh-yo)
This Korean phrase stands for “Please speak slowly.” Use this phrase politely to request someone to speak slower when they talk to you. This phrase can be relevant especially for the non-professional Korean language speakers who are still having a hard time understanding few Korean phrases, especially when they are said in a fast way.
보고 싶어 (bogo sipeo)
This Korean phrase is translated as “I miss you.”
도와주세요! (doh-oah-ju-seh-yo!)
This Korean phrase is “Help!” in English. It can be used as a call for help in times when you feel like you are in danger.
여기가 아파요 (yuh-gi-gah ah-pah-yo)
This Korean phrase is translated as “It hurts here!”. It can be used literally with regards to physical or emotional pain. This use of this phrase depends on the situation and who is talking. Children may use this when they have boo boos (a scar or a wound), while an adult can use this to metaphorically portray a heartache.
화이팅! or 파이팅! (hwa-ee-ting! or pa-ee-ting!)
This Korean phrase stands for the cheer “Fighting!”. This is a fun phrase to use as a motivation before taking that exam or before participating in a competition. It can also be used to cheer up someone and a way of telling them that you can do this, or you can make it through.
괜찮아요 (gwaen-chanh-ah-yo)
This Korean phrase means “It’s okay.” This is usually used to tell people you are fine. Although, in a deeper context, some people often use this as an excuse to shove away people because they don’t want them to know that they are not okay. Make sure to be observant on how this phrase was used as it can help you figure out some people who actually need help.
진짜요? (jin-jja-yo?)
This Korean phrase is synonymous to the word “Really?”. We usually hear this in Korean dramas when an artist feels shocked about the news or can’t believe what they have just heard or seen.
안 돼요 (ahn-dwae-yo)
This Korean phrase means “It doesn’t work/It cannot (be)/No way”. It can contain the feeling of disagreement towards an idea or topic.
재미있어요 (jeh-mi-eess-uh-yo)
This Korean phrase means “It’s fun”. Of course, when you feel like you are having fun and want to express it, this is the perfect phrase to use.
