Must-Know Korean Phrases for Daily Life

Essential Korean Phrases You Will Use Every Day

This article is based on official information as of August 20, 2025.

Summary at a Glance

Living in Korea without knowing Korean can feel like walking through a maze blindfolded. The bustling streets of Seoul, the traditional markets in Busan, or even just a small convenience store in your neighborhood can all present unexpected challenges when you cannot communicate effectively. While Korea is modern and many young Koreans understand basic English, daily life still largely runs in Korean. That is why learning a set of must-know Korean phrases for daily life is not just helpful—it is essential.

These phrases serve as the backbone of daily survival: ordering food, asking for directions, shopping at a market, catching a bus, or even getting medical help. With just a handful of carefully chosen words and expressions, foreigners can experience smoother interactions and even gain smiles and kindness from locals who appreciate the effort. Koreans deeply value politeness and cultural respect, so using the right phrase at the right time makes a huge difference.

In this guide, you will discover not only the most practical phrases but also the cultural logic behind them. You will see how politeness levels (formal vs casual) change depending on the situation, learn how regional dialects affect your interactions, and read real-life stories of foreigners who used these phrases to build trust and friendships. By the end, you will have a toolkit of words that will transform your Korean experience from stressful to rewarding.

If you are new to Korea, you do not need to memorize thousands of vocabulary words to survive. Instead, by mastering these daily phrases, you can confidently step into restaurants, taxis, schools, hospitals, and social gatherings, knowing you have the language tools to manage. This article will walk you step by step through these phrases and show you exactly how to apply them in real life.

Eligibility & Conditions

Anyone can start learning Korean phrases. You do not need to be in Korea yet, nor do you need formal education. However, the effectiveness of using these phrases in daily life depends on your understanding of a few conditions: cultural, social, and linguistic.

1. Politeness and Hierarchy in Korean Culture

The Korean language is deeply shaped by social hierarchy. Unlike English, which tends to be more egalitarian in everyday speech, Korean requires you to choose between formal and casual registers depending on your relationship with the person you are speaking to.

Formal (존댓말): This is what you use with strangers, elders, colleagues, service staff, and anyone in authority. For example, “Hello” becomes 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).
Casual (반말): This is used with close friends, younger people, or children. “Hello” becomes simply 안녕 (annyeong).

Foreigners who mistakenly use casual forms with strangers may come across as disrespectful. That is why it is always safer to stick with formal phrases until a Korean person explicitly invites you to speak casually.

2. Pronunciation Challenges

Romanization (the English spelling of Korean words) is only a rough guide. For example:

괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) actually sounds more like “gwenchana-yo.”
의사 (doctor) is often pronounced like “ui-sa” but quickly spoken as “e-sa.”

If you rely only on written forms, you may confuse listeners. The best way to overcome this is by listening to native speakers and repeating after them.

3. Body Language and Non-Verbal Rules

In Korea, phrases are often accompanied by body language.

When giving or receiving something, use two hands—it shows respect.
A slight bow makes your greetings and thanks much more sincere.
Avoid pointing directly at people.

4. Regional Language Differences

Standard Korean (Seoul dialect) is understood everywhere, but be prepared for variations. In Busan, for example, the phrase “thank you” may sound like 고맙심더 (gomap-simdeo) instead of the standard 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida).

5. Cultural Reception

Koreans do not expect foreigners to speak perfect Korean. In fact, even a broken “안녕하세요” usually brings a smile. However, effort matters. By showing you care enough to learn, you break down social barriers and receive warmer treatment in return.

Conclusion: Anyone can use Korean phrases, but their impact depends on knowing when to be formal, how to pronounce them correctly, and how to combine them with respectful behavior.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

This section gives you the exact Korean phrases you will use in different situations. Think of it as your survival toolkit for Korea.

1. Greetings and Basic Politeness

Hello (formal): 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
Hello (casual): 안녕 (annyeong)
Goodbye (you are leaving): 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo)
Goodbye (they are leaving): 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo)
Nice to meet you: 만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida)
Thank you: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)
Excuse me: 실례합니다 (sillye-hamnida)
I am sorry: 죄송합니다 (joesong-hamnida)

Usage tip: Always start with 안녕하세요 in shops, offices, or even elevators. It sets a respectful tone.

2. In Restaurants and Cafes

Ordering food is one of the most common challenges.

Menu please: 메뉴 주세요 (menyu juseyo)
One coffee, please: 아메리카노 하나 주세요 (Americano hana juseyo)
Water, please: 물 주세요 (mul juseyo)
It’s delicious: 맛있어요 (masisseoyo)
Please make it not spicy: 안 맵게 해 주세요 (an maepge hae juseyo)
Bill, please: 계산서 주세요 (gyesanseo juseyo)

Real tip: If you want to sound friendly, add 맛있게 드세요 (enjoy your meal) when eating with others.

3. Shopping and Markets

At markets or department stores, prices and sizes are the main focus.

How much is this?: 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?)
Too expensive: 비싸요 (bissayo)
Can you give a discount?: 깎아 주세요 (kkakka juseyo)
Different size please: 다른 사이즈 있어요? (dareun saijeu isseoyo?)
I’ll take this one: 이거 할게요 (igeo halgeyo)

Pro tip: At traditional markets, smiling while saying 깎아 주세요 often results in a small discount.

4. Transportation and Navigation

Public transport in Korea is efficient, but you need the right words.

Where is the subway station?: 지하철역 어디예요? (jihacheol-yeok eodiyeyo?)
Which line is this?: 이거 몇 호선이에요? (igeo myeot hoseon iyeyo?)
How much is the fare?: 요금 얼마예요? (yogeum eolmayeyo?)
Please stop here: 여기서 세워 주세요 (yeogiseo sewo juseyo)

Tip: For taxis, always show your destination written in Korean. Taxi drivers may not read English well.

5. Emergencies

In urgent situations, every second matters.

Help me!: 도와주세요! (dowajuseyo!)
Call the police!: 경찰 불러 주세요! (gyeongchal bulleo juseyo!)
Call an ambulance!: 구급차 불러 주세요! (gugeupcha bulleo juseyo!)
Hospital please: 병원 가 주세요 (byeongwon ga juseyo)
I lost my wallet: 지갑 잃어버렸어요 (jigap ilheobeoryeosseoyo)

Advice: Always save Korea’s emergency numbers in your phone:

Police: 112
Fire/Ambulance: 119

6. At Work or School

I understand: 알겠습니다 (algesseumnida)
I don’t understand: 잘 모르겠습니다 (jal moreugesseumnida)
Please explain again: 다시 설명해 주세요 (dasi seolmyeonghae juseyo)
Good job!: 수고하셨습니다 (sugo hasyeosseumnida)

Tip: Koreans value teamwork. Saying 수고하셨습니다 at the end of meetings shows respect.

Regional Differences (Seoul vs Other Regions)

Seoul: Standard Korean, clear pronunciation, many English speakers.
Busan and Gyeongsang-do: Strong accent, sentences may sound blunt. Instead of “안녕하세요,” you might hear “안녕하이소.”
Jeolla-do: Softer and more melodic tone, longer sentence endings.
Jeju Island: Unique dialect, sometimes even Koreans from Seoul cannot understand.

For foreigners, sticking to standard Seoul Korean is safest. Locals understand it everywhere.

Real-Life Case Examples

American student in Seoul: Struggled at first but gained confidence ordering in cafes with “아메리카노 하나 주세요.” Staff appreciated the effort.
Filipino worker in Busan: Learned to always use “감사합니다” after every transaction; this earned him respect even when dialect confused him.
German tourist in Jeju: Shouted “도와주세요!” after getting lost in the forest trail; locals quickly assisted.
Indonesian exchange student: Sensitive to spicy food; learned to say “안 맵게 해 주세요” and avoided stomachaches.
French teacher in Jeonju: Gained trust from parents by starting every meeting with “안녕하세요” and a small bow.
Indian traveler at Namdaemun market: Bargained politely using “깎아 주세요” and saved money while bonding with shopkeepers.
Vietnamese mother in Seoul: Used only five phrases daily (“안녕하세요,” “물 주세요,” “계산서 주세요,” “감사합니다,” and “안녕히 계세요”) yet managed daily survival comfortably.
Brazilian businessperson: Closed deals faster by sprinkling phrases like “수고하셨습니다” at the end of negotiations.

FAQ (20 Questions with Answers)

Do I need to be fluent in Korean to live in Korea?
No. Basic phrases are enough for daily survival, though more fluency helps.
What are the top three phrases every foreigner should learn first?
“안녕하세요,” “감사합니다,” and “주세요.”
How do I know when to use formal vs casual speech?
Use formal until someone tells you to relax.
Can I mix English with Korean?
Yes, many Koreans understand English words, but always add a polite Korean ending like “주세요.”
Do Koreans laugh if my pronunciation is wrong?
Usually no. They appreciate the effort.
What app can help me practice?
Papago, Duolingo, and Talk To Me In Korean are popular.
Are there multiple ways to say thank you?
Yes: “감사합니다” (formal), “고마워요” (less formal).
What do I say when entering a store?
A simple “안녕하세요” is polite.
How do I ask for directions politely?
“~ 어디예요?” (Where is ~?).
How can I order food if I cannot read the menu?
Point to a picture and say “이거 주세요.”
What phrase should I use when leaving politely?
“안녕히 계세요.”
How do I ask for help in an emergency?
“도와주세요!”
Are dialects hard to understand?
Yes, but stick with standard Korean.
How can I tell a taxi driver to stop?
“여기서 세워 주세요.”
What if I mispronounce a word?
Most Koreans will still understand.
How do I say sorry?
“죄송합니다” (formal) or “미안해요” (casual).
Which phrases are useful for hospitals?
“아파요” (I’m sick), “병원 가 주세요” (Go to hospital, please).
Can I survive in Korea with only English?
In Seoul, maybe. Outside, Korean phrases are vital.
How long does it take to learn survival phrases?
With daily practice, 2–3 weeks.
What are polite ways to say goodbye at work?
“수고하셨습니다.”

Cultural Tips + Common Mistakes

Never use casual “안녕” with strangers.
Always add “주세요” when requesting.
Do not translate literally from English (e.g., “I want water” = wrong). Use “물 주세요.”
Bowing while greeting is as important as the words.
Do not overuse English filler words; Koreans may not understand.

Insurance & Airlines + Psychological Support

On airplanes: “물 주세요” and “화장실 어디예요?” are lifesavers.
In hospitals: “보험 있어요” (I have insurance) helps process claims.
For mental comfort: Using Korean daily reduces loneliness and builds belonging.

One Thing Worth Sharing

Korean phrases are not just about survival. They are tiny keys that unlock smiles, kindness, and deeper human connections in a culture that values respect and effort.

A Last Line to Keep in Mind

Every journey in Korea becomes easier and warmer when you greet with 안녕하세요 and say 감사합니다 from the heart.

📌 Official Links for Korean Language & Daily Life Support

National Institute of Korean Language: https://www.korean.go.kr
Seoul Global Center: https://global.seoul.go.kr
Duolingo – Korean Course: https://www.duolingo.com/course/ko/en/Learn-Korean
Naver Papago Translation App: https://papago.naver.com