Essential and Useful Korean Phrases You Need To Learn

Blog
15 June 2023
By Sarah Angela Almaden
Japanese House
Unsplash: Elle More

When you watch any Kdrama, like no title or genre in particular Kdrama, do you ever ask yourself if you could say the same words as the characters on the screen are saying? If you do, then the simple answer is yes – yes, you can say the same words as the characters from the screen are saying. However, if you’ve never thought about it or even watched a Kdrama ever, then the answer is still yes – yes, you can learn Korean and you should definitely watch a Kdrama because this type of series is one for the books, not to mention you’d be immersed in the Korean language and culture while having fun.

The Korean language is the official language of South and North Korea. Though, it is important to remember that there are differences in the Korean language used in the two countries. And Kdramas, to be specific, use the Korean language spoken in South Korea (btw, there are also many local dialects in South Korea). So if you want to learn how to speak like your favorite Kdrama characters, start by learning some basic Korean phrases.

Basic Korean Phrases

  • Hello: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
  • How are you: 잘 지내셨어요 (jal jinaesyeosseoyo)
  • Good morning: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
  • Good evening: 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
  • Good night: 잘자 (jalja)
  • Thank you: 고맙습니다 (gomabseubnida)
  • You’re welcome: 천만에요 (cheonman eyo)
  • Excuse me / Just a minute: 잠시만요 (jamsimanyo)
  • Excuse me (to get someone’s attention): 저기요 (jeogiyo)
  • Please: 제발 (jebal)
  • Okay: 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanhayo)
  • Maybe: 아마도 (amado)
  • Yes: 네 (ne)
  • No: 아니오 (aniyo)
  • Happy birthday: 생일 축하합니다 (saeng-il chughahabnida)
  • No problem: 문제 없어요 (munje eobseoyo)
  • Don’t worry: 걱정 하지 마세요 (geogjeong haji maseyo)
  • Good luck: 화이팅 (hwaiting)
  • I don’t know: 몰라요 (mollayo)
  • See you tomorrow: 내일 봐 (naeil bwa)

Essential Korean Questions

  • Where is the bathroom: 화장실은 어디에 있어요 (hwajangsileun eodie isseoyo)
  • How much is it: 얼마예요 (eolmayeyo)
  • How much is the total: 다해서 얼마에요 (dahaeseo eolmaeyo)
  • Do you have vegetarian dishes: 채식주의자용 식사 있어요 (chaesigjuuijayong sigsa isseoyo)
  • Is this spicy: 이거 매워요 (igeo maewoyo)
  • It’s delicious: 맛있어요 (masisseoyo)
  • I’d like to eat here: 여기서 먹고 갈게요 (yeogiseo meoggo galgeyo)
  • I’m thirsty: 목 말라요 (mog mallayo)
  • I’m hungry: 배고파요 (baegopayo)
  • Do you accept card: 카드 받으세요 (kadeu badeuseyo)
  • Do you have wifi: 와이파이 있어요 (waipai isseoyo)
  • I have an allergy: 알러지 있어요 (alleoji isseoyo)
  • Cheers: 건배 (geonbae)