Your first words
These essential phrases will get you through basic interactions from day one. Korean has multiple speech levels (formal, polite, casual), and the phrases below use polite forms appropriate for most situations. When in doubt, use polite forms — Koreans appreciate the effort, and being too polite is always better than being too casual.
Greetings
Korean greetings encode social relationships. Notice that "goodbye" has two forms: one for when you're leaving (안녕히 계세요 — "stay in peace") and one for when the other person is leaving (안녕히 가세요 — "go in peace"). This distinction reflects Korean attention to social context:
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔊 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello | Polite |
| 🔊 안녕 | annyeong | Hi/Bye | Casual |
| 🔊 안녕히 가세요 | annyeonghi gaseyo | Goodbye (to person leaving) | Polite |
| 🔊 안녕히 계세요 | annyeonghi gyeseyo | Goodbye (to person staying) | Polite |
| 🔊 좋은 아침이에요 | joeun achimieyo | Good morning | Polite |
| 🔊 잘 자요 | jal jayo | Good night | Polite |
Polite essentials
Korean has multiple levels of "thank you" and "sorry" depending on formality. For general use, the polite forms (고마워요, 미안해요) work well. Use the formal versions (감사합니다, 죄송합니다) in business settings or with people significantly older:
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Thank you (formal) |
| 🔊 고마워요 | gomawoyo | Thank you (polite) |
| 🔊 고마워 | gomawo | Thanks (casual) |
| 🔊 천만에요 | cheonmaneyo | You're welcome |
| 🔊 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | I'm sorry (formal) |
| 🔊 미안해요 | mianheayo | Sorry (polite) |
| 🔊 실례합니다 | sillyehamnida | Excuse me |
Yes and no
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 네 / 예 | ne / ye | Yes |
| 🔊 아니요 | aniyo | No |
| 🔊 괜찮아요 | gwaenchanayo | It's OK |
| 🔊 알겠어요 | algesseoyo | I understand |
| 🔊 모르겠어요 | moreugesseoyo | I don't understand |
Asking for help
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 영어 할 수 있어요? | yeongeo hal su isseoyo | Do you speak English? |
| 🔊 다시 말해 주세요 | dasi malhae juseyo | Please say it again |
| 🔊 천천히 말해 주세요 | cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo | Please speak slowly |
| 🔊 이게 뭐예요? | ige mwoyeyo | What is this? |
| 🔊 한국어로 뭐예요? | hangugeo-ro mwoyeyo | What is it in Korean? |
Introducing yourself
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 저는 〜입니다 | jeoneun ~imnida | I am ~ (formal) |
| 🔊 저는 〜이에요/예요 | jeoneun ~ieyo/yeyo | I am ~ (polite) |
| 🔊 만나서 반갑습니다 | mannaseo bangapseumnida | Nice to meet you |
| 🔊 이름이 뭐예요? | ireumi mwoyeyo | What's your name? |
| 🔊 어디서 왔어요? | eodiseo wasseoyo | Where are you from? |
| 🔊 〜에서 왔어요 | ~eseo wasseoyo | I'm from ~ |
Numbers 1–10 (Native Korean)
| Number | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🔊 하나 | hana |
| 2 | 🔊 둘 | dul |
| 3 | 🔊 셋 | set |
| 4 | 🔊 넷 | net |
| 5 | 🔊 다섯 | daseot |
| 6 | 🔊 여섯 | yeoseot |
| 7 | 🔊 일곱 | ilgop |
| 8 | 🔊 여덟 | yeodeol |
| 9 | 🔊 아홉 | ahop |
| 10 | 🔊 열 | yeol |
Common expressions
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 🔊 잘 먹겠습니다 | jal meokgesseumnida | Before eating |
| 🔊 잘 먹었습니다 | jal meogeosseumnida | After eating |
| 🔊 건배! | geonbae | Cheers! |
| 🔊 화이팅! | hwaiting | Fighting! (encouragement) |
| 🔊 어떻게 지내세요? | eotteoke jinaeseyo | How are you? |
| 🔊 잘 지내요 | jal jinaeyo | I'm doing well |