Korean phrases – Here you will find the most common phrases in Korean with translation. | Free & useful
Korean phrases are short expressions or idioms often used in speech to be polite, express gratitude, greet or say goodbye or simply to have a pleasant conversation.
They are an important part of Korean culture and can be useful in different situations, both in private and business life.
Korean phrases you should know
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Korean phrases and dialogues today.
*
Greet someone in Korean
If you want to greet someone in Korean, it’s actually quite easy:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome! | 환영합니다! | [ɸwa̠.njʌ̹ŋ.ha̠m.ni.da̠] |
| Good day to you! | 좋은 하루 되세요! | [t͡ɕo̞.ɯn‿ha̠.ɾu‿twe̞.se̞.jo] |
| Good morning to you! | 좋은 아침이에요! | [t͡ɕo̞.ɯn‿a̠.t͡ɕʰi.mi.e̞.jo] |
| Good evening! | 좋은 저녁이에요! | [t͡ɕo̞.ɯn‿t͡ɕʌ̹.njʌ̹.ɡi.e̞.jo] |
| Good to see you. | 만나서 반가워요. | [ma̠n.na̠.sʌ̹‿pa̠n.ɡa̠.wʌ̹.jo] |
| I’m glad to see you. | 뵙게 되어 반갑습니다. | [pwe̞p.k͈e̞‿twe̞.ʌ̹‿pa̠n.ɡa̠p.sɯ̽m.ni.da̠] |
If you are greeted in Korean, the best way to respond is as follows:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Have a nice day too! | 당신도 좋은 하루 보내세요! | [ta̠ŋ.ɕin.do̞‿t͡ɕo̞.ɯn‿ha̠.ɾu‿po̞.nɛ.se̞.jo] |
| Thanks, it’s nice to see you too. | 고마워요, 저도 만나서 반가워요. | [ko̞.ma̠.wʌ̹.jo‿t͡ɕʌ̹.do̞‿ma̠n.na̠.sʌ̹‿pa̠n.ɡa̠.wʌ̹.jo] |
How is my dialogue partner?
As in any other country, it is polite to start by asking where the person you are talking to is located. Here’s how you do it:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| How are you doing? | 잘 지내세요? | [t͡ɕa̠l‿t͡ɕi.nɛ.se̞.jo] |
| Are you doing well? | 잘 지내고 계세요? | [t͡ɕa̠l‿t͡ɕi.nɛ.ɡo̞‿ke̞.se̞.jo] |
If you are asked how you feel, you can answer with the following phrases:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you for asking, I am fine. | 물어봐 주셔서 감사합니다. 잘 지내요. | [mu.ɾʌ̹.bwa‿t͡ɕu.ɕʌ̹.sʌ̹‿ka̠m.sa̠.ham.ni.da̠‿t͡ɕa̠l‿t͡ɕi.nɛ.jo] |
| Thank you, I am fine. | 감사합니다. 잘 지내요. | [ka̠m.sa̠.ham.ni.da̠‿t͡ɕa̠l‿t͡ɕi.nɛ.jo] |
| Thank you, I am not doing so well. | 감사합니다. 잘 지내지는 못해요. | [ka̠m.sa̠.ham.ni.da̠‿t͡ɕa̠l‿t͡ɕi.nɛ.d͡ʑi.nɯn‿mo̞.tʰɛ.jo] |
| Thanks, I’m fine. How are you doing? | 고마워요, 잘 지내요. 당신은요? | [ko̞.ma̠.wʌ̹.jo‿t͡ɕa̠l‿t͡ɕi.nɛ.jo‿ta̠ŋ.ɕi.nɯn.jo] |
Free book: ‘How to learn any language in just 7 weeks’
Learn all the tricks that will help you learn any language quickly and efficiently – much faster than you could ever have dreamed possible.
*
More information about the Korean Language Course.
How do I say goodbye to someone in Korean?
Saying goodbye to a friend or stranger in Korean is not that difficult. Just use the following phrases:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Goodbye! | 안녕히 가세요! | [a̠n.njʌ̹ŋ.hi‿ka̠.se̞.jo] |
| Take care of yourself! | 몸조심하세요! | [mom.d͡ʑo.ɕim.ha.se̞.jo] |
| Goodbye | 안녕히 계세요! | [a̠n.njʌ̹ŋ.hi‿ke̞.se̞.jo] |
| See you tomorrow | 내일 봐요 | [nɛ.il‿pwa.jo] |
| See you soon | 곧 봐요 | [ko̞t‿pwa.jo] |
| See you later | 나중에 봐요 | [na̠.d͡ʑu.ŋe̞‿pwa.jo] |
| Good night | 안녕히 주무세요 | [a̠n.njʌ̹ŋ.hi‿t͡ɕu.mu.se̞.jo] |
| Sleep well | 잘 자요 | [t͡ɕa̠l‿t͡ɕa.jo] |
| Talk to you later. | 나중에 얘기해요 | [na̠.d͡ʑu.ŋe̞‿jɛ.ɡi.hɛ.jo] |
| Nice to have met you! | 만나서 반가웠어요! | [ma̠n.na̠.sʌ̹‿pa̠n.ɡa̠.wʌ̹.sʌ̹.jo] |
How do I introduce myself in Korean?
When travelling in Korea, sooner or later you will come into contact with local people. Naturally, you’ll want to introduce yourself in Korean and know who you’re talking to.
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| My name is Jonas. | 제 이름은 요나스예요. | [t͡ɕe‿i.ɾɯ.mɯn‿jo.na.sɯ.je.jo] |
| What is your name? | 이름이 뭐예요? | [i.ɾɯ.mi‿mwʌ.je.jo] |
| What is your surname? | 성씨가 뭐예요? | [sʌŋ.ɕ͈i.ɡa‿mwʌ.je.jo] |
| What is your first name? | 이름이 뭐예요? | [i.ɾɯ.mi‿mwʌ.je.jo] |
| What is your surname? | 성을 어떻게 쓰세요? | [sʌŋ.ɯl‿ʌ.tʌ.k͈e‿sɯ.se.jo] |
If you want to tell people where you come from, the following sentences are useful:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Where do you come from? | 어디에서 오셨어요? | [ʌ.di.e.sʰʌ‿o.ɕʌ.s͈ʌ.jo] |
| I am from London. | 저는 런던에서 왔어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿ɾʌn.dʌn.e.sʰʌ‿wa.s͈ʌ.jo] |
| Are you from Birmingham? | 버밍엄에서 오셨어요? | [pʌ.miŋ.ʌm.e.sʰʌ‿o.ɕʌ.s͈ʌ.jo] |
| No, I’m from Madrid. | 아니요, 저는 마드리드에서 왔어요. | [a.ni.jo‿t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿ma.dɯ.ɾi.dɯ.e.sʰʌ‿wa.s͈ʌ.jo] |
| Great, I’m from Madrid too. | 좋네요, 저도 마드리드에서 왔어요. | [t͡ɕo.nɛ.jo‿t͡ɕʌ.do‿ma.dɯ.ɾi.dɯ.e.sʰʌ‿wa.s͈ʌ.jo] |
| Where do you live? | 어디에 사세요? | [ʌ.di.e‿sa.se.jo] |
| I live in Berlin. | 저는 베를린에 살아요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿pe.ɾɯ.lin.e‿sa.ɾa.jo] |
If you have problems with your Korean, it is good to know which languages are still spoken:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | 영어 할 줄 아세요? | [jʌŋ.ʌ‿hal‿t͡ɕul‿a.se.jo] |
| Yes, I speak English. | 네, 영어 할 줄 알아요. | [ne‿jʌŋ.ʌ‿hal‿t͡ɕul‿a.ɾa.jo] |
| Yes, I speak some English. | 네, 영어 조금 할 줄 알아요. | [ne‿jʌŋ.ʌ‿t͡ɕo.ɡɯm‿hal‿t͡ɕul‿a.ɾa.jo] |
| No, I do not speak any English. | 아니요, 영어 전혀 못 해요. | [a.ni.jo‿jʌŋ.ʌ‿t͡ɕʌ.nhjʌ‿mo.tʰɛ.jo] |
| I only speak English. | 저는 영어만 해요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿jʌŋ.ʌ.man‿hɛ.jo] |
| I understand some Korean. | 한국어 조금 알아들어요. | [ha̠n.ɡu.ɡʌ‿t͡ɕo.ɡɯm‿a.ɾa.dɯ.ɾʌ.jo] |
Useful sentences with ‘I am…’
The following sentences will help you orientate yourself in Korean and express your wishes and concerns:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I am English. | 저는 영국 사람이에요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿jʌŋ.ɡuk‿sa.ɾa.mi.e.jo] |
| I am injured. | 저는 다쳤어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿ta.t͡ɕʰʌ.sʌ.jo] |
| I am here. | 저는 여기 있어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿jʌ.ɡi‿i.sʌ.jo] |
| I am hungry. | 배고파요. | [pɛ.ɡo.pʰa.jo] |
| I am thirsty. | 목말라요. | [moŋ.mal.la.jo] |
| I am a single person. | 저는 혼자예요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿hon.d͡ʑa.je.jo] |
| I need help! | 도와주세요! | [to.wa.d͡ʑu.se.jo] |
| I am tired. | 피곤해요. | [pʰi.ɡon.hɛ.jo] |
| I am happy. | 저는 행복해요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿hɛŋ.bo.kʰɛ.jo] |
| I am sad. | 저는 슬퍼요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿sɯl.pʰʌ.jo] |
| I am in love. | 저는 사랑에 빠졌어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿sa.ɾa.ŋe‿p͈a.d͡ʑʌ.sʌ.jo] |
| I am ill. | 저는 아파요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿a.pʰa.jo] |
| I am ready. | 저는 준비됐어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿t͡ɕun.bi.dwe.sʌ.jo] |
| I am busy. | 바빠요. | [pa.p͈a.jo] |
| I am lost. | 길을 잃었어요. | [ki.ɾɯl‿i.ɾʌ.sʌ.jo] |
| I am a tourist. | 저는 관광객이에요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿kwaŋ.waŋ.ɡɛ.ɡi.e.jo] |
| I am new here. | 저는 여기 처음이에요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿jʌ.ɡi‿t͡ɕʰʌ.ɯ.m‿i.e.jo] |
| I am confident. | 저는 자신 있어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿t͡ɕa.ɕin‿i.sʌ.jo] |
| I am proud. | 저는 자랑스러워요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿t͡ɕa.ɾaŋ.sɯ.ɾʌ.wʌ.jo] |
| I am a teacher. | 저는 선생님이에요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿sʌn.sɛŋ.ni.mi.e.jo] |
| I am late. | 저는 늦었어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿nɯ.d͡ʑʌ.sʌ.jo] |
| I am 30 years old. | 저는 서른 살이에요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿sʌ.ɾɯn‿sa.ɾi.e.jo] |
| I am in a hurry. | 저는 급해요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿kɯ.pʰɛ.jo] |
| I am happy. | 저는 행복해요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿hɛŋ.bo.kʰɛ.jo] |
| I am surprised. | 저는 놀랐어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿nol.la.sʌ.jo] |
| I am angry. | 저는 화가 났어요. | [t͡ɕʌ.nɯn‿ɸwa.ɡa‿na.sʌ.jo] |
Apologising in Korean
Here’s how to apologise to a Korean speaker:
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| I apologise. | 사과드립니다. | [sa.ɡwa.dɯ.ɾi.mni.da] |
| Sorry, that was not the intention. | 죄송해요, 그런 의도는 아니었어요. | [t͡ɕwe.soŋ.he.jo‿kɯ.ɾʌn‿ɯi.do.nɯn‿a.ni.jʌ.sʌ.jo] |
| Sorry, I did not do it on purpose. | 미안해요, 일부러 그런 게 아니에요. | [mi.a.nɛ.jo‿il.bu.ɾʌ‿kɯ.ɾʌn‿ɡe‿a.ni.e.jo] |
| Sorry, that was very clumsy of me. | 죄송해요, 제가 너무 서툴렀어요. | [t͡ɕwe.soŋ.he.jo‿t͡ɕe.ɡa‿nʌ.mu‿sʌ.tʰul.lʌ.sʌ.jo] |
Learn Korean much faster than conventional learning methods – and with only 17 minutes of learning time a day!
Test the Korean online language course for two days completely free of charge:
*
More information about the Korean Intermediate Course.
Useful signs and notices in Korean
Useful signs and messages in Korean that you will often see.
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance | 입구 | [ip̚.ku] |
| Toilet | 화장실 | [ɸwa.d͡ʑaŋ.ɕil] |
| Exit | 출구 | [t͡ɕʰul.ɡu] |
| Attention! | 주의! | [t͡ɕu.i] |
| Police | 경찰 | [kjʌŋ.t͡ɕʰal] |
| Emergency services | 응급 서비스 | [ɯŋ.ɡɯp̚‿sʌ.bi.sɯ] |
| Fire brigade | 소방서 | [so.baŋ.sʌ] |
| Passage forbidden. | 통행 금지. | [tʰoŋ.heŋ‿kɯm.d͡ʑi] |
| Caution! | 조심! | [t͡ɕo.ɕim] |
| This building is under video surveillance. | 이 건물은 CCTV로 감시되고 있습니다. | [i‿kʌn.mu.ɾɯn‿si.si.tʰi.bi.ɾo‿kam.ɕi.dwe.ɡo‿it.sɯm.ni.da] |
Numbers to 25 in Korean
Counting in Korean is not that difficult. Here are the numbers in Korean from 1 to 25.
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 하나 | [ha.na] |
| 2 | 둘 | [tul] |
| 3 | 셋 | [se̞t̚] |
| 4 | 넷 | [ne̞t̚] |
| 5 | 다섯 | [ta.sʌt̚] |
| 6 | 여섯 | [jʌ.sʌt̚] |
| 7 | 일곱 | [il.ɡop̚] |
| 8 | 여덟 | [jʌ.dʌl̚] |
| 9 | 아홉 | [a.hop̚] |
| 10 | 열 | [jʌl] |
| 11 | 열하나 | [jʌl.ha.na] |
| 12 | 열둘 | [jʌl.tul] |
| 13 | 열셋 | [jʌl.se̞t̚] |
| 14 | 열넷 | [jʌl.ne̞t̚] |
| 15 | 열다섯 | [jʌl.ta.sʌt̚] |
| 16 | 열여섯 | [jʌl.jʌ.sʌt̚] |
| 17 | 열일곱 | [jʌ.lil.ɡop̚] |
| 18 | 열여덟 | [jʌl.jʌ.dʌl̚] |
| 19 | 열아홉 | [jʌ.ɾa.hop̚] |
| 20 | 스물 | [sɯ.mul] |
| 21 | 스물하나 | [sɯ.mul.ha.na] |
| 22 | 스물둘 | [sɯ.mul.tul] |
| 23 | 스물셋 | [sɯ.mul.se̞t̚] |
| 24 | 스물넷 | [sɯ.mul.ne̞t̚] |
| 25 | 스물다섯 | [sɯ.mul.ta.sʌt̚] |
The colours in Korean
The most common colours in Korean with phonetic transcription for pronunciation.
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 빨간색 | [p͈aːl.ɡa̠n.sɛk̚] |
| Blue | 파란색 | [pʰa̠.ɾa̠n.sɛk̚] |
| Yellow | 노란색 | [no̞.ɾa̠n.sɛk̚] |
| Green | 초록색 | [t͡ɕʰo̞.ɾok̚.sɛk̚] |
| Black | 검은색 | [kʌ̹.mɯn.sɛk̚] |
| White | 하얀색 | [ha̠.ja̠n.sɛk̚] |
| Orange | 주황색 | [t͡ɕu.ɦwa̠ŋ.sɛk̚] |
| Purple | 보라색 | [po̞.ɾa̠.sɛk̚] |
| Pink | 분홍색 | [pu.nʰo̞ŋ.sɛk̚] |
| Brown | 갈색 | [ka̠l.sɛk̚] |
Days of the week, months and seasons in Korean
Of course, you will also need the days of the week in Korean and the pronunciation of the months and seasons in dialogues and daily communication in Korean.
| English | Korean | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 월요일 | [wʌ.ɾjo.il] |
| Tuesday | 화요일 | [ɸwa.jo.il] |
| Wednesday | 수요일 | [su.jo.il] |
| Thursday | 목요일 | [mo.ɡjo.il] |
| Friday | 금요일 | [kɯ.mjo.il] |
| Saturday | 토요일 | [tʰo.jo.il] |
| Sunday | 일요일 | [i.ɾjo.il] |
| January | 1월 | [i.rwʌl] |
| February | 2월 | [i.wʌl] |
| March | 3월 | [sa.mʷʌl] |
| April | 4월 | [sa.wʌl] |
| May | 5월 | [o.wʌl] |
| June | 6월 | [ju.wʌl] |
| July | 7월 | [t͡ɕʰi.rwʌl] |
| August | 8월 | [pa.rwʌl] |
| September | 9월 | [ku.wʌl] |
| October | 10월 | [ʃi.wʌl] |
| November | 11월 | [ʃi.bil.wʌl] |
| December | 12월 | [ʃi.bi.wʌl] |
| Spring | 봄 | [pom] |
| Summer | 여름 | [jʌ.ɾɯm] |
| Autumn / Fall | 가을 | [ka.ɯl] |
| Winter | 겨울 | [kjʌ.ul] |
OUR TIP: If you want to learn these Korean phrases interactively, we recommend the free language course demo from 17-Minute-Language, where you can learn Korean phrases and dialogues.
*
More information about the Korean Business Course.
Additional links
- Learn Korean with Mondly
- The different ways of learning languages
- Learning vocabulary successfully
- Motivated language learning
- It is so easy to train your understanding of a language at the same time
- Learning languages quickly? – Is it possible?
- The different types of learners when learning languages
More information about the Korean Course for Children.