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written by Caitlin Sacasas

Language: Korean

Reading time: 9 minutes

Published: Jun 16, 2023

Updated: Feb 13, 2024

67 Practical Korean Phrases to Ace Your First Korean Conversation

Are you learning how to speak Korean and ready to have your first conversation? Then this is the perfect list of  practical Korean phrases .

No fluff here! All the Korean words and phrases listed below are helpful phrases you’ll actually use when speaking Korean.

Table of contents

15 basic korean words and phrases, 10 korean greetings, 13 common korean phrases for everyday life, 19 survival korean phrases for getting around, 12 basic korean phrases for conversation, learn the core 111 korean words, create a korean script, start speaking korean from day one, master your korean pronunciation, learn how to read korean hangul, ace your first conversation with these korean phrases.

Here are basic Korean words to get you ready for your first conversation:

• Hello: 안녕하세요 ( annyeong haseyo )
• Yes: 네 ( ne ) or 예 ( ye )
• No: 아니요 ( aniyo )
• Maybe: 아마도 ( amado )
• Please: 주세요 ( juseyo )
• Thank you: 감사합니다 ( gamsahamnida ) or 고마워요 ( gomawoyo )
• You’re welcome: 천만에요 ( cheonmaneyo )
• Okay: 예 ( ye ) or 괜찮다 ( gwaenchanhda )
• I’m sorry: 미안해요 ( mianhaeyo )
• I don’t know: 몰라요 ( mollayo )
• Excuse me (for apologies): 실례합니다 ( sillyehamnida )
• Excuse me (for someone’s attention): 저기요 ( jeogiyo )
• Good: 좋아요 ( johayo ) or 좋은 ( joheun )
• Bad: 안좋아요 ( anjohayo ) or 나쁜 ( nappeun )
• And: 과 ( gwa ) or 와 ( wa ) * See note below

Pro tip about “and” in Korean: There are many ways to say “and”, but these two are the most standard. The two listed here are particles and change depending on the last sound of the word that comes before it.

You use 과 ( gwa ) if the word before it ends in a consonant. You use 와 ( wa ) if the word ends in a vowel.

This is common with many Korean particles.

Here are some of the most common greetings in Korean. You’ll notice that there are a few ways to say “goodbye”. That’s because depending on  how  you’re leaving, it changes slightly!

But if you ever forget, you can say  annyeong . It’s more casual, but it will get the job done.

• Hi: 안녕 ( annyeong )
• Hello on the phone: 여보세요 ( yeoboseyo )
• Good morning: 좋은아침이에요 ( joeun achimieyo )
• How are you: 어떻게 지내세요? ( eotteohge jinaeseyo ) or 잘 지내요? ( jal jinaeyo )
• Long time no see: 오랜만이에요 ( oraenmanieyo )
• Bye: 안녕 ( annyeong )
• Goodbye (to the person leaving when you’re staying): 안녕히 가세요 ( annyeonghi gaseyo )
• Goodbye (when you’re leaving and the other person is staying): 안녕히 계세요 ( annyeonghi gyeseyo )
• Take care: 잘가요 ( jalgayo )
• Welcome (to a store or place): 환영합니다 ( hwanyeonghamnida )

If you want to learn more ways to start a conversation in Korean? Check out  this article about Korean greetings .

You’ll run into these phrases all the time in Korean. Some even every time you eat!

• Good luck: 화이팅 ( hwaiting , literally: “fighting”) or 행운을 빕니다 ( haengun-eul bimnida )
• Cheers: 건배 ( geonbae )
• Amazing: 대박 ( daebak )
• Have you eaten?: 밥 먹었어요? ( bab meogeosseoyo? )
• Bon appetit: 잘 먹겠습니다 ( jal meokgetseumnida )
• Thank you for this meal: 잘 먹었습니다 ( jal meogeotseuminda )
• Congratulations: 축하해요 ( chukahaeyo )
• No problem: 문제 없어요 ( munje eopseoyo )
• Of course: 당연하죠 ( dangyeonhajyo )
• Just one moment, please: 잠시만 기다려 주세요 ( jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo )
• Sleep well: 잘 자요 ( jal jayo )
• Get home safely: 안전하게 집에 가다 ( anjeonhage jib-e gada )
• Don’t worry: 걱정 하지마 ( geokjeong hajimaseyo )

We wrote even  more Korean phrases for beginners  and those preparing to travel to Korea, so check that out, too!

These are the most helpful phrases for when you’re trying to get by in Korean!

• Do you speak English?: 영어하세요? ( yeongeo haseyo? )
• Do you speak Korean?: 한국어하세요? ( hangugeo haseyo? )
• I understand: 이해해요 ( ihae haeyo )
• I don’t understand: 이해 못 해요 ( ihae mos haeyo )
• What did you say?: 뭐라고 했어? ( mworago haesseo? )
• Can you speak slowly please?: 천천히 말 해주세요  cheoncheonhi mal hae juseyo? )
• Please repeat: 반복하세요 ( banbog haseyo )
• Please write it down: 적어주세요 ( jeogeo juseyo )
• I speak a little Korean: 한국어를 조금한다 ( hangugeo-leul jogeumhanda )
• What does this mean?: 이것은 무엇을 의미 하는가? ( igeoseun mueos-eul uimi haneunga? )
• What is  _  in Korean?:  _  한국말로 뭐예요? ( hangugmallo mwoyeyo? )
• How much is it?: 얼마에요? ( eolmayeyo? )
• Where is  _ ?:  _  어디에 있어요? ( eodie isseyo? )
• Where is the bathroom?: 화장실은 어디에 있어요? ( hwajangsireun eodie isseyo? )
• Over there: 저기 ( jeogi )
• Straight: 직진 ( jigjin )
• Right: 오른쪽 ( oleunjjok )
• Left: 왼쪽 ( oenjjok )
• Can you help me please?: 도와 줄수있으세요? ( dowa julsu isseuseyo? )

Related learning: Hear about another learner’s experience with Korean in this episode of the Language Hacking:

You’ll need to know how to ask some simple questions for your first conversation. These are a great place to start:

• What’s your name?: 이름이 뭐예요? ( ireum-i mwoyeyo? )
• My name is…: 제 이름은… ( je ileum-eun )
• Nice to meet you: 반갑습니다 ( bangapseubnida )
• Where are you from? 어디에서 왔어요? ( eodieseo wasseoyo? )
• I’m from…: …에서 왔어요 ( eseo wasseoyo )
• How old are you?: 몇 살이에요? ( myeot sarieyo )
• I’m  _  years old: ** **살이에요 (sarieyo )
• What’s your job?: 직업이 뭐에요? ( jigeobi mweoeyo? )
• Where do you work?: 어디에서 일합니까? ( eodieseo ilhamnikka? )
• What are your hobbies?: 취미가 뭐니? ( chwimiga mwoni? )
• And you?: 그리고 너? ( geuligo neo? )
• Have a nice day: 좋은 하루 보내세요 ( joheun haru bonaeseyo )

Practical Steps to Having Your First Conversation in Korean

Now that you’ve seen the best Korean phrases and words to learn for your first conversation, it’s time to prepare!

Having your first Korean conversation can be super nerve-wracking. But the whole point of learning the language is to speak and have conversations with new people, right?

So we have to work past our nerves and do the thing!

That said, the  best  way to get over your nerves?

Come prepared.

I’ve listed some of my favorite tips for getting through your first Korean language exchange. If you do these things, you’ll feel way more confident!

I’ve also included extra resources for each tip, so you can continue to learn Korean and grow your skills.

In every language, there are about 100 words that make up around 50% of all spoken speech.

Crazy, isn’t it?

A lot of these words are small, connecting words like “the” and “in” in English. But there are many common nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs we use  all the time . Korean is no different.

So check out this article to learn the  111 core Korean words  you need to know.

Keep in mind though, that it’s also important to learn words relevant to  you , specifically. That’s where our next tip comes in.

Take a look at the phrases above we already covered. Let’s say you asked someone what their hobbies are. Then they asked, “What about you?”

Well, do you know how to say your hobbies in Korean?

If not, then it’s time to make a script!

Write out how you think your conversation may go. Script your answers, so when you’re asked questions, you know how to respond. Like this:

“What are your hobbies?” 취미가 뭐니? ( chwimiga mwoni? )

“I like to play guitar and watch Star Wars.” 기타를 연주하고 스타 워즈를 보는 것을 좋아해요. ( gita-leul yeonjuhago seuta wojeu-leul boneun geoseul johahaeyo )

If you think the conversation may dig deeper into that topic, take it even further:

“Cool! I love Star Wars, too. Which Episode is your favorite?” 대박! 나도 스타 워즈를 좋아해요. 가장 좋아하는 에피소드는 뭐니? ( Daebak! Nado seuta wojeu-leul johahaeyo. Gajang johaha-neun episode-neun mwoni? )

“I really love Episode 5: Empire Strikes Back. I didn’t like the latest movie, The Rise of Skywalker.” Empire Strikes Back을 정말 좋아합니다. 최신 영화 The Rise of Skywalker가 마음에 좋아하지 않아요. ( Empire Strikes Back-eul jeongmal johahaeyo. Choesin yeonghwa The Rise of Skywalker-ga maeume johahaji anhayo. )

( I’m not speaking from personal preference or anything… )

You know how to talk about things  you  care about during your conversation!

Here are some more tips for creating a  language exchange script and how to find a partner .

Next step? Start speaking. Today. Right now.

You’ve got this list of phrases. You’re working on your Korean script. Now start saying them  out loud and often . Repeat them every day.

Get used to how Korean sounds are formed with your mouth and how they sound rolling off your tongue.

Depending on your native language, that can be quite a change. So to prevent stumbling in-person, get used to saying the things you want to say.

Speaking from day one  is the whole basis of our language learning method here at  Fluent in 3 Months , and that’s because  it works.

Check out more  tips for how to speak in your target language .

Now that you’re speaking, you’ll need to work on your pronunciation.

Korean pronunciation is a bit different from English and other European languages. It takes some getting used to. It takes even more practice to  listen and understand .

The best way to master your Korean pronunciation is to listen often and repeat always.

My favorite way to do that is with  KoreanClass101 . It’s the best Korean podcast out there, with all kinds of lessons to help you learn Korean fast. They even have lessons on pronunciation.

You can pop in your headphones, and practice repeating while cleaning the house. Or play it in the car during your commute.

The key is getting used to how Korean sounds, learning to understand what is spoken and getting comfortable saying it yourself.

Check out KoreanClass101  here to work on your pronunciation.

Wait… why learn how to  read  Korean if your goal is to  speak ?

Well, it’s because the romanization of Korean words is  not  consistent. If you base the sound on how it’s romanized, you’ll most likely mispronounce the word.

That’s where hangul comes in. If you know how to read hangul, you’ll be able to pronounce Korean better.

You aren’t trying to make Korean fit the limited sounds in English. Instead, you’re learning it as it’s designed to sound.

Besides, when you can read hangul, you can get into all  kinds  of amazing Korean resources with ease. That’s where the fun really starts!

This is  a handy guide to learn Hangul fast . You can also check out  these tips to make learning Korean easy .

Now you’re ready to have conversations in Korean. Way to go!

To further improve your level, check out these articles:

• 111 Must-Know Korean Verbs
• Easy Korean Numbers: Counting in Korean from 1 – 100+
• Korean Slang: 80+ Everyday Words and Phrases to Sound Like a Native
• Korean Greetings: 10+ Ways to Say “Hello” in Korean
• Innovative Language Review – Complete Pod101 Language Course Review (with Screenshots and Video Results)

Caitlin Sacasas

Content Writer, Fluent in 3 Months

Caitlin is a copywriter, content strategist, and language learner. Besides languages, her passions are fitness, books, and Star Wars. Connect with her: Twitter | LinkedIn

Speaks: English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish

Have a 15-minute conversation in your new language after 90 days

LinguaJunkie.com

A very cranky language blogger dishing out brutal language tips.

137 Basic Korean Phrases with Audio + PDF. For Beginners!

You’re about to get HIT 🤜 in the FACE 😩 with a TON of Korean Phrases. I mean, to put it nicely, you’re about to LEARN a whole ton and be able to speak Korean.

This guide will teach YOU 137+ Korean phrases with audio.

Wait! Don’t feel overwhelmed. I will talk about secrets of learning these phrases fast down below. There’s also a Free Korean Phrases PDF down below . But, to get you started… here are the most basic Korean phrases with audio you should know:

How to Learn These Phrases

So, this guide has over 100 Korean common phrases. A lot right?

Feeling frustrated that you’ll never learn them all?

Don’t worry, I’ll let you in on a secret to successful learning. The secret is… you DON’T need to memorize them all. You see, learning a language is a lot like riding a bike. The more you do it, the more you get used to it, the more natural it becomes. So, SUCCESSFUL language learning is about becoming USED to Korean, not memorizing.

How do you get used to it? Look, if you’re already learning, there’s  200% chance you will come across these phrases again and again over a span of time. And that natural repetition will solidify the phrases in your brain. No need for memorization. But there IS a need that you 1) be patient because it takes time and 2) keep learning.

But, if YOU DO want to master these phrases and the Korean language… I offer a FREE PDF worksheet for the phrases in this guide. Also, I offer my best Korean learning resource. But that’s at the bottom of this guide if you’re on not lazy to look.

Now, onto the 137 phrases.

Korean Greetings Phrases

First, let’s start with Korean phrases for greetings.

Learning to say hello in Korean and bye in Korean is one of the first things you should do. Well, after learning about the Korean alphabet .

So, here’s a list of the most common Korean greetings , from morning to evening, across various casual levels.

Also, be sure to press the play button to hear the Korean phrases audio pronunciation.

Korean Phrases for “How Are You”

Now, do you know how to say how are you in Korean ?

And how to answer that question?

Obviously, this question is used a whole ton in Korean, so you should know how to ask it. And of course, all the possible answers. Also, I am including formal and casual forms, but I figure you’re more interested in casual, right?

Korean Questions

While you’re learning phrases, it’s also important to learn Korean questions and how to ask them. Why? Well, because Korean questions are… phrases… groups of words that request a response. So, it counts.

Here are the most common Korean questions to know, including Korean question words.

You’ll learn important questions like “Where is the toilet? and “What’s your name?” in Korean.

Korean Phrases for Korean Learners

Now, as a learner, there are some specific phrases that you must know.

If you know these Korean phrases and questions, you can improve your Korean even more.

I am talking about phrases like “How do you say… in Korean” or “What does this word mean?”

If you can say these phrases, you are no longer learning in English. You are NOW learning in Korean… which is even better because you’re now spending more time in Korean and less in English. The goal is to switch over to Korean, if you want to be fluent.

So, check out the 20 phrases for Korean learners below.

Cute Phrases

Now, some of you are interested in cute Korean phrases . Maybe because you’re watching K-Dramas. Maybe because you’re listening to K-POP. Or maybe because you just want to use these with your friends.

So, you’ll learn to say things like I like you in Korean , I love you in Korean , and more.

Note,  these phrases will be casual.

Phrases About Yourself

Now, outside of the obvious phrases like “Hi” and “How are you,” you should also be able to talk about yourself. As in, introduce yourself in Korean and talk about your likes and interests.

Korean Travel Phrases

Finally, if you find  youself in Korea… there are some good Korean travel and survival phrases to know. Like “where is the bathroom” and “how much is this?”

Read This Last & FREE PDF

Now you know a whole bunch of phrases.

And if you don’t remember them all quite yet, no worries. Here is a Korean phrases PDF that lists all the phrases and their meanings on one page. That way, you can save and review.

You can also get more of my Korean PDF lessons by clicking the link.

Also, if you want to LEARN and SPEAK Korean and if you’re interested in a program or an app… I must recommend KoreanClass101 (click here to check ’em out) . Their step-by-step, lesson-by-lesson conversation focus is great to learn and speak every day Korean. Basically, you learn everyday conversations in every lesson and you actually listen to native speakers — not random robot A.I. voices.

If you’re interested, click the image below.

The Main Lingua Junkie.