🇰🇷 Essential Korean Phrases for Travelers: Real-Life Situational Guide with Pronunciation

 Are you planning a trip to South Korea or starting a new life in this dynamic country?

Whether you're a tourist, student, or expat, speaking even a little Korean can go a long way — especially when you're lost, hungry, or just trying to make a new friend.

This guide covers essential Korean phrases by real-life situations, including pronunciation and English meanings.
From navigating the airport to ordering your favorite Korean BBQ, you'll find exactly what you need to communicate with confidence and kindness.

Don’t worry — you don’t need to be fluent. Just saying “Annyeonghaseyo” with a smile can open doors, start conversations, and show respect. Let’s begin!

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✈️ 1. At the Airport & Immigration

• 여권 좀 보여주세요. (yeo-kkwon jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo)
  → Please show me your passport.

• 입국 목적이 뭐예요? (ip-guk mok-jeok-i mwo-ye-yo?)
  → What is the purpose of your visit?

• 관광이에요. (gwan-gwang-i-e-yo)
  → I’m here for tourism.

• 세관 신고할 거 있어요? (se-gwan sin-go-hal geo it-seo-yo?)
  → Do you have anything to declare?

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🏨 2. Hotel Check-in & Check-out

• 예약했어요. (ye-yak-hae-sseo-yo)
  → I have a reservation.

• 체크인 하고 싶어요. (che-keu-in ha-go sip-eo-yo)
  → I’d like to check in.

• 체크아웃 시간은 언제예요? (che-keu-aut si-gan-eun eon-je-ye-yo)
  → What time is check-out?

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🍲 3. At a Restaurant or Café

• 추천 메뉴 있어요? (chu-cheon me-nyu it-seo-yo?)
  → Do you have any recommendations?

• 이거 하나 주세요. (i-geo ha-na ju-se-yo)
  → I’ll have this one, please.

• 계산할게요. (gye-san-hal-ge-yo)
  → I’ll pay, please.

• 포장해 주세요. (po-jang-hae ju-se-yo)
  → Please wrap it to go.

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🚇 4. Public Transportation & Directions

• ○○역 어떻게 가요? (○○-yeok eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?)
  → How do I get to ○○ station?

• 여기서 내려요? (yeo-gi nae-ryeo-yo?)
  → Do I get off here?

• 카드 충전하고 싶어요. (ka-deu chung-jeon-ha-go sip-eo-yo)
  → I want to recharge my card.

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🛍️ 5. Shopping & Convenience Stores

• 이거 얼마예요? (i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo)
  → How much is this?

• 환불 / 교환 가능해요? (hwan-bul / gyo-hwan ga-neung-hae-yo)
  → Can I get a refund/exchange?

• 카드 돼요? (ka-deu dwae-yo)
  → Do you accept cards?

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🧑‍⚕️ 6. At a Hospital or Pharmacy

• 아파요. (a-pa-yo)
  → I’m sick.

• 열이 나요. (yeol-i na-yo)
  → I have a fever.

• 약 주세요. (yak ju-se-yo)
  → Please give me some medicine.

• 응급실 가고 싶어요. (eung-geup-sil ga-go sip-eo-yo)
  → I want to go to the emergency room.

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📱 7. Phone, Wi-Fi & SIM Cards

• 와이파이 있어요? (wa-i-pa-i it-seo-yo)
  → Do you have Wi-Fi?

• 비밀번호 뭐예요? (bi-mi-lo-beon mwo-ye-yo)
  → What’s the password?

• 유심칩 사고 싶어요. (yu-sim-chip sa-go sip-eo-yo)
  → I want to buy a SIM card.

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💇 8. Hair Salon & Laundry

• 머리 잘라 주세요. (meo-ri jal-la ju-se-yo)
  → Please cut my hair.

• 드라이 해 주세요. (deu-ra-i hae ju-se-yo)
  → Please dry my hair.

• 세탁 맡기고 싶어요. (se-tak mat-gi-go sip-eo-yo)
  → I want to drop off laundry.

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🏞️ 9. Tourist Attractions

• 입장료 얼마예요? (ip-jang-ryo eol-ma-ye-yo)
  → How much is the entrance fee?

• 사진 찍어도 돼요? (sa-jin jjik-eo-do dwae-yo)
  → Can I take pictures?

• 안내 책자 있어요? (an-nae chaek-ja it-seo-yo)
  → Do you have a brochure?

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🧑‍🤝‍🧑 10. Making Friends

• 어디서 왔어요? (eo-di-seo wat-seo-yo)
  → Where are you from?

• 한국어 조금 할 수 있어요. (han-guk-eo jo-geum hal su it-seo-yo)
  → I can speak a little Korean.

• 같이 사진 찍어요! (gat-i sa-jin jjik-eo-yo!)
  → Let’s take a picture together!

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📛 11. Emergency Situations

• 도와주세요! (do-wa-ju-se-yo!)
  → Help me!

• 길을 잃었어요. (gil-eul il-eot-seo-yo)
  → I’m lost.

• 응급실 가고 싶어요. (eung-geup-sil ga-go sip-eo-yo)
  → I want to go to the emergency room.

• 휴대폰을 도둑맞았어요. (hyu-dae-pon-eul do-duk-mat-ass-eo-yo)
  → My phone was stolen.

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📞 Korea Emergency Numbers

Purpose	Number	Description
Police	112	Crime or theft emergencies
Ambulance / Fire	119	Medical or fire-related emergencies
Travel Helpline	1330	24/7 support for tourists in English
Immigration Help	1345	Visa, stay, work permits (multi-lang)
Government Info	110	General public services (basic English)

✅ All calls are free. You can dial even on a locked phone.

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✅ Quick Survival Phrases

• 네 / 아니요 (ne / a-ni-yo) → Yes / No

• 괜찮아요 (gwaen-chan-a-yo) → It’s okay

• 몰라요 (mol-la-yo) → I don’t know

• 천천히 말해 주세요 (cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-se-yo) → Please speak slowly

• 영어 할 수 있어요? (yeong-eo hal su it-seo-yo?) → Can you speak English?

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📌 Final Tip

Don’t worry about being perfect — most Koreans appreciate any effort to speak their language.
Bookmark this guide or screenshot a few key sections, and you’ll be ready for a smooth and memorable trip to Korea!