A tourist does not need perfect Korean to enjoy the trip. No one expects a visitor to debate history in Seoul while ordering tteokbokki. Still, a few handy phrases can make daily travel much easier. Simple words like “hello,” “thank you,” “how much,” and “where” can fix small problems before they turn into full travel drama.
This curated list of 100 survival Korean words and phrases is built for real life on the road. It helps travelers order meals, ask for directions, ride buses and trains, check into hotels, buy tickets, shop in markets, and locate the nearest toilet before the situation becomes urgent and deeply personal.
The list stays practical and easy to use. No heavy grammar. No classroom feeling. Just useful language that tourists can remember quickly and pull out when needed. It works in busy Seoul, beachy Busan, trendy Hongdae, peaceful Bukchon, and small local shops where English may disappear without warning.
Learning a little Korean also shows respect. It can spark smiles, smoother conversations, and better moments with locals. Even a short phrase can turn an awkward exchange into a fun memory.
Before travelers pack their bags, charge their phones, and promise themselves they will not buy extra skincare, this guide deserves a spot on the list. These 100 Korean survival phrases will not create instant fluency, but they will make Korea feel easier, friendlier, and far more fun.
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| # | English | Korean | Revised Romanization (RR) |
| 1 | Hello | 안녕하세요 | Annyeonghaseyo |
| 2 | Thank you | 감사합니다 | Gamsahamnida |
| 3 | Yes | 네 | Ne |
| 4 | No | 아니요 | Aniyo |
| 5 | Excuse me / Over here | 저기요 | Jeogiyo |
| 6 | I am sorry | 죄송합니다 | Joesonghamnida |
| 7 | Goodbye (staying) | 안녕히 계세요 | Annyeonghi gyeseyo |
| 8 | Goodbye (leaving) | 안녕히 가세요 | Annyeonghi gaseyo |
| 9 | Help! | 도와주세요! | Dowajuseyo! |
| 10 | It is okay | 괜찮아요 | Gwaenchanayo |
| 11 | Do you speak English? | 영어 할 수 있어요? | Yeong-eo hal su issoyeo? |
| 12 | I cannot speak Korean | 한국어 못해요 | Hangugeo motaeyo |
| 13 | Please write it down | 적어 주세요 | Jeogeo juseyo |
| 14 | Please speak slowly | 천천히 말씀해 주세요 | Cheoncheonhi malssumhae juseyo |
| 15 | I don’t know | 잘 모르겠어요 | Jal moreugessoyo |
| 16 | I understand | 알겠어요 | Alp-gessoyo |
| 17 | Subway | 지하철 | Jihacheol |
| 18 | Bus | 버스 | Beoseu |
| 19 | Taxi | 택시 | Taeksi |
| 20 | Airport | 공항 | Gonghang |
| 21 | Train | 기차 | Gicha |
| 22 | Subway station | 지하철역 | Jihacheol-yeok |
| 23 | Bus stop | 버스 정류장 | Beoseu jeongryujang |
| 24 | Ticket | 표 | Pyo |
| 25 | Transit card (T-money) | 교통카드 | Gyotong-kadeu |
| 26 | Where is…? | …어디예요? | …eodiyeyo? |
| 27 | Please take me to… | …로 가주세요 | …ro gajuseyo |
| 28 | Please stop here | 여기서 세워주세요 | Yeogiseo sewojuseyo |
| 29 | Left | 왼쪽 | Oenjjok |
| 30 | Right | 오른쪽 | Oreunjjok |
| 31 | Straight | 직진 | Jikjin |
| 32 | Map | 지도 | Jido |
| 33 | Hotel | 호텔 | Hotel |
| 34 | Guesthouse | 게스트하우스 | Geseuteuhauseu |
| 35 | Reservation | 예약 | Yeyak |
| 36 | Check-in | 체크인 | Chekeuin |
| 37 | Check-out | 체크아웃 | Chekeuaut |
| 38 | Room | 방 | Bang |
| 39 | Key | 열쇠 | Yeolsoe |
| 40 | Luggage | 짐 | Jim |
| 41 | Wi-Fi | 와이파이 | Waipai |
| 42 | Password | 비밀번호 | Bimilbeonho |
| 43 | Towel | 수건 | Su-geon |
| 44 | Air conditioning | 에어컨 | Eeokeon |
| 45 | Restaurant | 식당 | Sikdang |
| 46 | Menu | 메뉴판 | Menyupan |
| 47 | Water | 물 | Mul |
| 48 | Please give me… | …주세요 | …juseyo |
| 49 | Delicious | 맛있어요 | Masisseoyo |
| 50 | Bill / Check | 계산서 | Gyesanseo |
| 51 | Side dishes | 반찬 | Banchan |
| 52 | Spoon/Chopsticks | 수저 | Sujeo |
| 53 | Spicy | 매워요 | Maewoyo |
| 54 | Not spicy | 안 매워요 | An maewoyo |
| 55 | Meat | 고기 | Gogi |
| 56 | Pork | 돼지고기 | Dwaejigogi |
| 57 | Beef | 소고기 | Sogogi |
| 58 | Chicken | 닭고기 | Dakgogi |
| 59 | Vegetarian | 채식 | Chaesik |
| 60 | Allergy | 알레르기 | Allereugi |
| 61 | How much is this? | 이거 얼마예요? | Igeo eolmayeyo? |
| 62 | Please make it cheaper | 깎아주세요 | Gagga-juseyo |
| 63 | Bag / Plastic bag | 봉투 | Bongtu |
| 64 | Receipt | 영수증 | Yeongsujeung |
| 65 | Discount | 할인 | Harin |
| 66 | Convenience store | 편의점 | Pyeon-uijeom |
| 67 | Mart | 마트 | Mateu |
| 68 | Money | 돈 | Don |
| 69 | Cash | 현금 | Hyeon-geum |
| 70 | Credit card | 신용카드 | Sinyongkadeu |
| 71 | ATM | 에이티엠 | Eitiem |
| 72 | Korean Won (KRW) | 원 | Won |
| 73 | Hospital | 병원 | Byeong-won |
| 74 | Pharmacy | 약국 | Yakguk |
| 75 | Medicine | 약 | Yak |
| 76 | Doctor | 의사 | Uisa |
| 77 | Pain | 아파요 | Apayo |
| 78 | Headache | 두통 | Dutong |
| 79 | Stomachache | 복통 | Boktong |
| 80 | Police | 경찰 | Gyeongchal |
| 81 | Emergency | 비상 | Bisang |
| 82 | Restroom / Toilet | 화장실 | Hwajangsil |
| 83 | Entrance | 입구 | Ipgu |
| 84 | Exit | 출구 | Chulgu |
| 85 | Open | 열림 | Yeollim |
| 86 | Closed | 닫힘 | Dathim |
| 87 | Elevator | 엘리베이터 | Ellibeiteo |
| 88 | Trash can | 쓰레기통 | Sseuregitong |
| 89 | Today | 오늘 | Oneul |
| 90 | Tomorrow | 내일 | Naeil |
| 91 | Yesterday | 어제 | Eoje |
| 92 | Now | 지금 | Jigeum |
| 93 | One | 하나 / 일 | Hana / Il |
| 94 | Two | 둘 / 이 | Dul / I |
| 95 | Three | 셋 / 삼 | Set / Sam |
| 96 | Ten | 열 / 십 | Yeol / Sip |
| 97 | Hundred | 백 | Baek |
| 98 | Thousand | 천 | Cheon |
| 99 | Ten thousand | 만 | Man |
| 100 | Photo / Picture | 사진 | Sajin |
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