Essential Korean Phrases for Travelers: What to Say in Shops, Restaurants, and Clinics
Planning a trip to Korea? Here are the most useful Korean expressions to help you shop, eat, ask for help, and travel like a pro — even if you don’t speak the language.
Polite Basics You Should Know
Start your trip off right with the most essential expressions that work in almost any situation — from greeting someone to saying thank you.
- Hello – 안녕하세요 (Annyeong-haseyo)
- Thank you – 감사합니다 (Gamsa-hamnida)
- Excuse me / Over here! – 저기요 (Jeo-gi-yo) (For more formal situations, use "실례합니다" — Sil-lye-ham-ni-da)
- Yes – 네 (Ne)
- No – 아니요 (A-ni-yo)
- I don’t understand – 이해를 못하겠어요 (I-hae-reul mot-ha-get-seo-yo)
- I’m sorry – 죄송합니다 (Jwe-song-ham-ni-da)
Just learning these seven will go a long way. Say them with a smile and you’re golden.
Shopping & Skincare Stores
Whether you're in a beauty store or a boutique, these phrases will help you browse, ask questions, and pay confidently:
- How much is it? – 이거 얼마예요? (I-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?)
- Do you have this in another color? – 이거 다른 색 있어요? (I-geo da-reun saek i-sseo-yo?)
- Can I try this? – 이거 써봐도 돼요? (I-geo sseo-bwa-do dwae-yo?)
- I’m just looking – 그냥 보고 있어요 (Geu-nyang bo-go i-sseo-yo)
- Do you have a discount? – 할인돼요? (Hal-in dwae-yo?)
- Where is the tax refund counter? – 택스리펀 받는 곳이 어디예요? (Taek-seu-ri-peon bat-neun got i eo-di-ye-yo?)
Most beauty stores in tourist areas offer some English support, but showing effort in Korean is always appreciated — and sometimes rewarded!
Eating Out: Restaurants & Cafes
Ordering food in Korea can be fun — and easy — with a few key phrases:
- Is there an English menu? – 영어 메뉴 있어요? (Yeong-eo me-nyu i-sseo-yo?)
- One please / Two please – 하나 주세요 / 두 개 주세요 (Ha-na ju-se-yo / Du-gae ju-se-yo)
- This, please – 이거 주세요 (I-geo ju-se-yo)
- No spicy – 안 매운 거 있어요? (An mae-un geo i-sseo-yo?)
- Is it vegetarian? – 채식이에요? (Chae-sik i-e-yo?)
- To go, please – 포장해 주세요 (Po-jang hae ju-se-yo)
- The bill, please – 계산할게요 (Gye-san hal-ge-yo)
Bonus tip: Many Korean restaurants use a buzzer system — press it to call staff instead of shouting.
Asking for Help or Directions
If you’re lost, need assistance, or want to ask for a clinic or pharmacy, try these:
- I’m lost – 길을 잃었어요 (Gil-eul il-eos-seo-yo)
- Where is the subway? – 지하철 어디예요? (Ji-ha-cheol eo-di-ye-yo?)
- Is there a clinic nearby? – 근처에 피부과 있어요? (Geun-cheo-e pi-bu-gwa i-sseo-yo?)
- Can you help me? – 도와줄 수 있어요? (Do-wa-jul su i-sseo-yo?)
- Where is a pharmacy? – 약국 어디예요? (Yak-guk eo-di-ye-yo?)
- I’m not feeling well – 몸이 안 좋아요 (Mom-i an jo-a-yo)
Many Koreans will do their best to help, even if they don’t speak English. Use Papago or a translation card if needed.
Dr. Beau's Note
Language shouldn’t be a barrier to enjoying Korea. Just a few phrases, a translation app, and a kind attitude go a long way. Confidence matters more than fluency — and people always remember effort.
