So you are planning a trip to Korea or maybe you have just fallen in love with the language the culture and let us be honest the food. Either way welcome. Whether you are dreaming about walking under cherry blossoms in Seoul curious about the best time to visit Korea or even wondering can I travel to Korea right now this guide is the perfect place to start. Learning Korean does not have to feel like homework. With the right tools like LangLandia it can feel more like leveling up in your favorite game.
And believe us knowing just a few key Korean phrases can make your journey so much smoother. From understanding subway signs to ordering street food or just saying hello with confidence you will feel more connected everywhere you go. We will also cover helpful travel tips including travel to Korea requirements whether you need a visa to travel to Korea and the best months to explore the country. That way you are never caught off guard.
Let’s explore together. Language first adventure always.
Travel Vocabulary Korean Words
✈️ Airport & Flights
These words are essential from the moment you arrive at the airport.
| in Korean | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| 공항 (gonghang) | airport | |
| 비행기 (bihaenggi) | airplane | |
| 탑승권 (tapseungwon) | boarding pass | |
| 여권 (yeogwon) | passport | |
| 출국 (chul-guk) | departure | |
| 입국 (ip-guk) | arrival | |
| 수하물 (suhamul) | luggage / baggage | |
| 면세점 (myeonsejeom) | duty-free shop | |
| 탑승구 (tapseunggu) | boarding gate | |
| 지연 (jiyeon) | delay | |
| 환승 (hwanseung) | transfer | |
| 체크인 (chekeu-in) | check-in | |
| 체크아웃 (chekeu-aut) | check-out | |
| 비상구 (bisanggu) | emergency exit | |
| 항공사 (hanggongsa) | airline | |
| 좌석 (jwaseok) | seat | |
| 창가 자리 (changga jari) | window seat | |
| 복도 자리 (bokdo jari) | aisle seat | |
| 기내식 (ginaesik) | in-flight meal | |
| 승무원 (seungmuwon) | flight attendant |
Explanation & Examples:
“공항 (gonghang)” means airport, where your travel begins. Most international airports in Korea have English signs, but knowing the Korean term helps. Example: 공항에 일찍 도착했어요. → I arrived early at the airport.
“탑승권 (tapseungwon)” is your boarding pass and “여권 (yeogwon)” means passport—these are must-have items when checking in. Example: 여권과 탑승권을 보여 주세요. → Please show your passport and boarding pass.
If your flight has a “지연 (jiyeon)” or “환승 (hwanseung),” announcements will usually be made in Korean first. Example: 제 비행기가 지연되었어요. → My flight was delayed.
🏨 Hotels & Accommodation
Useful terms when booking or staying in a hotel.
| in Korean | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| 호텔 (hotel) | hotel | |
| 예약하다 (yeyakada) | to book / reserve | |
| 체크인 (chekeu-in) | check-in | |
| 체크아웃 (chekeu-aut) | check-out | |
| 방 (bang) | room | |
| 열쇠 (yeolsoe) | key | |
| 프런트 (peureonteu) | front desk | |
| 숙박 (sukbak) | lodging | |
| 1인실 (il-insil) | single room | |
| 2인실 (i-insil) | double room | |
| 트윈룸 (teuwin rum) | twin room | |
| 엑스트라 베드 (ekseuteura bedeu) | extra bed | |
| 조식 포함 (josik poham) | breakfast included | |
| 와이파이 (waipai) | Wi-Fi | |
| 수건 (sugeon) | towel | |
| 욕실 (yoksil) | bathroom | |
| 청소 서비스 (cheongso seobiseu) | cleaning service | |
| 예약 확인 (yeyak hwakin) | reservation confirmation | |
| 퇴실 시간 (toesil sigan) | checkout time | |
| 조용한 방 (joyonghan bang) | quiet room |
Explanation & Examples:
“호텔 (hotel)” is the general word for hotel in Korean. When you arrive, you’ll likely speak to the “프런트 (peureonteu),” or front desk. Example: 호텔 프런트에서 체크인했어요. → I checked in at the hotel front desk.
“예약하다 (yeyakada)” means to reserve. Always confirm your “예약 확인 (yeyak hwakin),” or reservation confirmation. Example: 방을 예약했어요. → I booked a room.
“조식 포함 (josik poham)” means breakfast is included. You can also ask for a “조용한 방 (joyonghan bang),” meaning a quiet room. Example: 조용한 방이 있나요? → Do you have a quiet room?
🍛 Food & Restaurants
Words for eating out or enjoying Korean cuisine.
| in Korean | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| 식당 (sikdang) | restaurant | |
| 메뉴 (menyu) | menu | |
| 주문하다 (jumunhada) | to order | |
| 계산하다 (gyesanhada) | to pay | |
| 물 (mul) | water | |
| 고기 (gogi) | meat | |
| 김치 (kimchi) | kimchi | |
| 맛있어요 (masisseoyo) | it’s delicious | |
| 불고기 (bulgogi) | marinated beef | |
| 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal) | pork belly | |
| 비빔밥 (bibimbap) | mixed rice bowl | |
| 떡볶이 (tteokbokki) | spicy rice cakes | |
| 냉면 (naengmyeon) | cold noodles | |
| 갈비 (galbi) | ribs | |
| 국 (guk) | soup | |
| 찌개 (jjigae) | stew | |
| 밥 (bap) | rice | |
| 반찬 (banchan) | side dish | |
| 더 주세요 (deo juseyo) | more please | |
| 맵지 않게 해 주세요 (maepji anke hae juseyo) | not spicy please |
Explanation & Examples:
“식당 (sikdang)” means restaurant and is where most meals are enjoyed. You’ll often be given a “메뉴 (menyu)” to choose from. Example: 이 식당 메뉴가 맛있어요. → This restaurant’s menu is delicious.
“주문하다 (jumunhada)” means to order, and “계산하다 (gyesanhada)” is used when you’re ready to pay. Example: 이제 계산할게요. → I’ll pay now.
“불고기 (bulgogi),” “비빔밥 (bibimbap),” and “김치 (kimchi)” are staple Korean foods. If something is too spicy, say “맵지 않게 해 주세요.” Example: 비빔밥 하나, 맵지 않게 해 주세요. → One bibimbap, not spicy please.
🗺️ Directions & Maps
| in Korean | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| 어디 (eodi) | where | |
| 여기 (yeogi) | here | |
| 저기 (jeogi) | there | |
| 지도 (jido) | map | |
| 길 (gil) | street / road | |
| 교차로 (gyocharo) | intersection | |
| 코너 (koneo) | corner | |
| 신호등 (sinho-deung) | traffic light | |
| 정류장 (jeongnyujang) | bus stop | |
| 역 (yeok) | station | |
| 출구 (chulgu) | exit | |
| 방향 (banghyang) | direction | |
| 왼쪽 (oenjjok) | left | |
| 오른쪽 (oreunjjok) | right | |
| 직진 (jikjin) | go straight | |
| 돌아가다 (doragada) | to go back | |
| 근처 (geuncheo) | nearby | |
| 멀다 (meolda) | far | |
| 가깝다 (gakkapda) | close / near | |
| 장소 (jangso) | place / location |
Explanation & Examples:
- “어디 (eodi)” means “where.” It’s your go-to question word when asking for directions.
- Example: 화장실이 어디에 있어요? → Where is the restroom?
- “지도 (jido)” means map. Use it when trying to navigate the city.
- Example: 지도 좀 볼 수 있을까요? → Can I see the map?
- “왼쪽 (oenjjok)” and “오른쪽 (oreunjjok)” are essential when getting directional help.
- Example: 두 번째 신호등에서 오른쪽으로 가세요. → Turn right at the second traffic light.
🚖 Transportation & Taxi
| in Korean | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| 택시 (taeksi) | taxi | |
| 버스 (beoseu) | bus | |
| 지하철 (jihacheol) | subway | |
| 정류장 (jeongnyujang) | bus stop | |
| 역 (yeok) | station | |
| 승차권 (seungchagwon) | ticket | |
| 요금 (yogeum) | fare / fee | |
| 시간표 (siganpyo) | schedule / timetable | |
| 출발 (chulbal) | departure | |
| 도착 (dochak) | arrival | |
| 내리다 (naerida) | to get off | |
| 타다 (tada) | to ride | |
| 고속버스 (gosokbeoseu) | express bus | |
| 환승하다 (hwanseunghada) | to transfer | |
| 빈 차 (bin cha) | empty taxi | |
| 카드로요 (kadeuroyo) | by card | |
| 현금으로요 (hyeongeumeuroyo) | by cash | |
| 기사님 (gisanim) | driver | |
| 목적지 (mokjeokji) | destination | |
| 대중교통 (daejunggyotong) | public transportation |
Explanation & Examples:
- “택시 (taeksi)” and “지하철 (jihacheol)” are basic transport words.
- Example: 택시를 타고 공항에 가요. → I’m taking a taxi to the airport.
- “요금 (yogeum)” means fare. Ask before you board.
- Example: 요금이 얼마예요? → How much is the fare?
- “내리다 (naerida)” and “타다 (tada)” are verbs for getting off and on.
- Example: 다음 정류장에서 내릴게요. → I’ll get off at the next stop.
🛍️ Shopping & Bargaining
| in Korean | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| 가게 (gage) | store | |
| 시장 (sijang) | market | |
| 백화점 (baekhwajeom) | department store | |
| 가격 (gagyeok) | price | |
| 할인 (halin) | discount | |
| 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) | how much is it? | |
| 비싸요 (bissayo) | expensive | |
| 싸요 (ssayo) | cheap | |
| 깎아 주세요 (kkakka juseyo) | please give a discount | |
| 현금 (hyeongeum) | cash | |
| 카드 (kadeu) | card | |
| 영수증 (yeongsujeung) | receipt | |
| 교환 (gyohwan) | exchange | |
| 환불 (hwanbul) | refund | |
| 사이즈 (saijeu) | size | |
| 입어봐도 돼요? (ibeobwado dwaeyo?) | Can I try it on? | |
| 색깔 (saekkkal) | color | |
| 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) | I’ll take this | |
| 쇼핑하다 (syopinghada) | to shop | |
| 선물 (seonmul) | gift |
Explanation & Examples:
- “얼마예요?” means “How much is it?”—a key phrase when shopping.
- Example: 이 가방은 얼마예요? → How much is this bag?
- “깎아 주세요” is used when bargaining in markets.
- Example: 좀 더 싸게 해 주세요. → Please make it cheaper.
- “입어봐도 돼요?” is used for trying on clothes.
- Example: 이 옷 입어봐도 돼요? → Can I try on this outfit?
🚑 Emergencies & Help
| in Korean | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo) | Help, please | |
| 경찰 (gyeongchal) | police | |
| 병원 (byeongwon) | hospital | |
| 약국 (yakguk) | pharmacy | |
| 구급차 (gugeupcha) | ambulance | |
| 사고 (sago) | accident | |
| 응급실 (eungeupsil) | emergency room | |
| 아파요 (apayo) | I’m hurt / It hurts | |
| 어디 아파요? (eodi apayo?) | Where does it hurt? | |
| 열 (yeol) | fever | |
| 약 (yak) | medicine | |
| 보험 (boheom) | insurance | |
| 불이야! (buriya!) | Fire! | |
| 위험해요 (wiheomhaeyo) | It’s dangerous | |
| 여권 분실 (yeogwon bunshil) | lost passport | |
| 분실물 (bunshilmul) | lost item | |
| 통역사 (tongyeoksa) | interpreter | |
| 조심하세요 (josimhaseyo) | be careful | |
| 구조 요청 (gujo yocheong) | request rescue | |
| 긴급 전화 (gingeup jeonhwa) | emergency call |
Explanation & Examples:
- “도와주세요 (dowajuseyo)” is the most direct way to ask for help.
- Example: 도와주세요! 지갑을 잃어버렸어요. → Help! I lost my wallet.
- “병원 (byeongwon)” means hospital and “약국 (yakguk)” is pharmacy.
- Example: 약국이 어디에 있어요? → Where is the pharmacy?
- Use “위험해요 (wiheomhaeyo)” to warn someone of danger.
- Example: 조심하세요! 위험해요! → Be careful! It’s dangerous!
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