Koreans are immensely pleased when tourists can speak a few words of Korean. These phrases will get you through everyday life:
Basics
| German | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Hello | 안녕하세요 | An-nyeong-ha-se-yo |
| Thank you | 감사합니다 | Gam-sa-ham-ni-da |
| You're welcome | 천만에요 | Cheon-ma-ne-yo |
| Sorry | 죄송합니다 | Choe-song-ham-ni-da |
| Yes | 네 | Ne |
| No | 아니요 | A-ni-yo |
| Goodbye (to someone leaving) | 안녕히 가세요 | An-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo |
| Goodbye (to someone staying) | 안녕히 계세요 | An-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo |
At the Restaurant
| German | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Delicious! | 맛있어요! | Ma-shi-sseo-yo! |
| The bill, please | 계산해 주세요 | Gye-san-hae ju-se-yo |
| First a beer! | 일단 맥주요! | Il-dan maek-ju-yo! |
| Another soju, please | 소주 한 병 더 주세요 | So-ju han byeong deo ju-se-yo |
| I'd like this, please | 이거 주세요 | I-geo ju-se-yo |
| Not spicy, please | 안 맵게 해주세요 | An maep-ge hae-ju-se-yo |
| More side dishes, please | 반찬 더 주세요 | Ban-chan deo ju-se-yo |
On the Go
| German | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Where is ...? | … 어디에요? | … eo-di-e-yo? |
| How much does it cost? | 얼마예요? | Eol-ma-ye-yo? |
| I don't understand | 이해를 못해요 | I-hae-reul mot-hae-yo |
| Do you speak English? | 영어 하세요? | Yeong-eo ha-se-yo? |
| Please help me | 도와주세요 | Do-wa-ju-se-yo |
| Toilet | 화장실 | Hwa-jang-shil |
Numbers (Sino-Korean, for prices)
| Number | Korean | Pronunciation |
|---|
| 1 | 일 | Il |
| 2 | 이 | I |
| 3 | 삼 | Sam |
| 5 | 오 | O |
| 10 | 십 | Ship |
| 100 | 백 | Baek |
| 1,000 | 천 | Cheon |
| 10,000 | 만 | Man |
💡 Tipp
The three most important words: "Annyeonghaseyo" (Hello), "Kamsahamnida" (Thank you), and "Mashisseoyo!" (Delicious!) — with these three phrases, you win every Korean heart. Bonus: "Juseyo" (Please give me) at the end of every sentence makes everything more polite.
