Korean phrases, by situation
Short articles of real Korean for one moment at a time: a first date, a barbecue table, a text you have to answer. Each phrase comes with how to say it and when it fits.
Everyday basics
- 8 ways to say yes and no in Korean, and why 네 sometimes means no The real yes and no words in Korean, the soft no you hear in shops, and the negative-question trap where 네 means 'right, I didn't'.
- 6 ways to say thank you in Korean, from most formal to least 감사합니다, 고맙습니다, 고마워요, 고마워 and two more: which thank-you fits a shop clerk, a boss, a friend, and the end of a meal.
- 7 ways to say sorry in Korean, and what to say back 죄송합니다, 미안해요, 실례합니다: which Korean apology fits a stranger, a boss or a friend, how to add the reason, and how to accept one gracefully.
- 8 ways to say hello in Korean, from 안녕하세요 to 안녕 The Korean greetings people actually use, with who you say each one to: the safe 안녕하세요, the casual 안녕, and the ones that stand in for 'how are you'.
- 6 ways to say goodbye in Korean (and when it's 가세요 or 계세요) The six goodbyes Koreans actually use, from 안녕히 가세요 vs 안녕히 계세요 to the office farewell, with notes on who says each one to whom.
- 7 lines to introduce yourself in Korean (and the one with no English equivalent) How to introduce yourself in Korean the way people actually do it: your name, where you're from, how long you've been here, and the closing line every Korean expects.
- 9 ways to say I don't understand in Korean (and get people to slow down) What to say when the Korean goes past you: 잘 못 알아들었어요, 천천히 말해 주세요 and seven more lines, with notes on which one fits which moment.
- 7 ways to say excuse me in Korean, and which one each moment needs 저기요, 실례합니다, 잠시만요: Korean has a different 'excuse me' for calling a server, squeezing past someone and interrupting a stranger. Here is which one fits where.
- 8 ways to ask how someone is in Korean (and when each one fits) How Koreans actually ask how you are: 잘 지냈어요?, 밥 먹었어요?, 별일 없어요? and more, with notes on who says each one and how long since you last met.
Dating and romance
- 8 ways to turn someone down in Korean without being cruel How to say no to a date or a confession in Korean: the softeners Koreans use, the line that means 'I'm taken', and the word for when someone won't take the hint.
- 7 pet names Korean couples actually use (자기야, 여보 and more) What Korean couples call each other, from 자기야 and 오빠 to 여보 after the wedding, with notes on who says each one and when it starts to sound serious.
- 7 texts to send after a first date in Korean What Koreans actually text after a first date, from 'did you get home okay?' to the follow-up that shows you mean it, all in polite 요 speech.
- 6 ways to say I miss you in Korean, from 보고 싶어요 to 그리워요 How Koreans say I miss you, starting with 보고 싶어요 (literally 'I want to see you'). Six real phrases, with notes on when each fits and which one sounds like a ballad.
- 7 ways to say I love you in Korean (사랑해, 좋아해 and what comes between) 사랑해, 사랑해요, 좋아해: the Korean ways to say I love you and I like you, with when couples actually say each one and why 'I miss you' comes first.
- 7 ways to flirt in Korean that don't sound like a textbook Real Korean flirting lines people actually use, from the classic 'have you eaten?' to 'I keep thinking about you', with notes on when each one lands.
- 8 compliments in Korean that actually land How Koreans compliment each other: notice a change, praise taste over looks, and say 'I feel comfortable with you'. Eight lines with notes on who says them.
- 8 things people say when they break up in Korean (헤어지자 and what comes after) How Koreans actually end a relationship: from 우리 얘기 좀 해 to 헤어지자, the softer versions, the counter-offer, and how to tell your friends afterwards.
- 7 ways to ask someone out in Korean, from coffee to 'will you go out with me?' How Koreans actually ask for a date: the weekend question, the coffee invitation, the second-date line, and the one sentence that makes it official.
Lines from K-dramas
- What does oppa mean? 8 Korean words for who calls whom what Oppa, unnie, hyung, noona and the rest, sorted by who says them to whom, plus the two questions that settle what to call someone in real life.
- What does daebak mean? 9 reactions you hear in every K-drama 대박, 헐, 진짜, 어떡해: what the one-word reactions in K-dramas actually mean, who says them to whom, and which ones are safe to say yourself.
- What does aigoo mean? 아이고 and 8 other sounds K-drama characters make 아이고 (aigoo) is the all-purpose Korean sigh. Here it is with 헐, 대박, 어머, 어떡해 and four more K-drama sounds, what each one means and who gets to say it.
- 9 office phrases you hear in every workplace K-drama 사장님, 수고하셨습니다, 회식, 야근: the Korean office vocabulary behind every workplace K-drama, with notes on who says what to whom.
- 10 Korean phrases you hear in every K-drama episode The lines that come up in every K-drama, from 괜찮아요? to 가지 마 and 죽을래?, with what they actually mean and who says them to whom.
- 9 lines you hear in every K-drama crying scene (가지 마, 미안해) The Korean lines behind the rain, the hospital bed and the airport goodbye: 가지 마, 보고 싶었어, 사랑했어 and more, with what each one really says.
- 7 K-drama confession lines, and how they sound in real life The confession lines every K-drama uses, from 나 너 좋아해 to 처음부터 너였어, with what each one means, its speech level and whether real Koreans say it.
- 8 angry Korean phrases you hear in every K-drama (야! 미쳤어? 장난해?) What K-drama characters actually say when they lose it: 야, 뭐라고, 미쳤어, 장난해, 됐어 and more, with notes on who can say them to whom.
K-pop and fandom
- 9 phrases you hear on every Korean variety show From 잘 부탁드립니다 at the start to 수고하셨습니다 at the end: the Korean words that fill K-pop variety shows, captions included, and what they actually mean.
- 10 Korean words that appear in every K-pop song Learn these ten words (사랑, 마음, 눈물, 밤, 꿈 and five more) and K-pop choruses start to make sense. With notes on why lyrics say 너 and never 당신.
- 9 Korean phrases for a K-pop fansign or video call What to say to your idol in Korean at a fansign or video call: the greeting, the compliment, 밥 잘 챙겨 먹어요 and how to answer when they praise your Korean.
- 10 K-pop fandom words in Korean, from 최애 to 응원법 The Korean words fans actually use: 최애 (bias), 입덕, 덕질, 떡밥, 포카, 팬싸 and more, with what each one means and how to use it in a sentence.
- 8 Korean words every K-pop fan should know (최애, 입덕, 떡밥) The fandom vocabulary behind K-pop comments and fan letters: bias, becoming a fan, comeback, teasers and the maknae, with the Korean behind each term.
- 8 Korean phrases for a fan letter to your idol What fans actually write to their idols in Korean: 항상 응원하고 있어요, 건강 꼭 챙기세요, 오래오래 함께해요 and more, with notes on tone and how to address them.
- 8 things to shout at a K-pop concert in Korean, and when the crowd shouts them From 사랑해요 between songs to 수고했어요 at the final bow: the Korean phrases fans actually shout at concerts, with the moment each one belongs to.
- 8 Korean comments to leave on your idol's posts (and what fans actually write) Korean phrases for Weverse, Instagram and fan cafes: 사랑해요, 수고하셨어요, 밥 잘 챙겨 먹어요 and more, with the honorific habits Korean fans follow.
Food and ordering
- 8 ways to say delicious in Korean beyond 맛있어요 How to say delicious in Korean like a local: 맛있어요, 꿀맛이에요, 밥도둑이에요, 간이 딱 맞아요 and the one you say when the meal is over.
- 8 phrases for ordering food at a Korean restaurant From calling the server with 저기요 to paying at the counter: the eight Korean phrases that get you through a restaurant, with notes on how ordering really works.
- 8 Korean phrases for ordering street food at a 포장마차 or 떡볶이 stall How to order tteokbokki, hotteok and fish cake from a Korean street cart: one serving please, not spicy, some broth, to go, and do you take card.
- 8 Korean phrases for ordering food delivery (배달), from the app request box to the door What to type in the delivery app's request box, what to say on the phone, and what the rider will say through the intercom. Eight real 배달 phrases with notes.
- 9 Korean drinking phrases and the manners that go with them 건배, 원샷, 2차 and the lines you need at a Korean table: how to toast, how to pour, how to say no politely, and what to order with the soju.
- 8 Korean phrases for allergies, vegetarians and anyone who can't eat spicy food How to say I'm vegetarian, I don't eat pork, I have a peanut allergy and less spicy please in Korean, with what each one actually gets you in a restaurant.
- 8 Korean phrases for the convenience store, from 1+1 deals to heating your lunch What the clerk asks at a Korean 편의점 and what to say back: bags, points, paying by card, the microwave, hot water for ramyeon and the 1+1 shelf tags.
- 8 phrases for ordering coffee in Korean (yes, 아아 is a word) How to order at a Korean cafe, from an iced Americano to extra shots, takeaway and the wifi password, with the slang baristas hear all day.
- 8 phrases you need at a Korean barbecue restaurant How to order at a Korean BBQ place, ask for a new grill, get free lettuce refills, and offer to do the grilling, with the Korean customs behind each line.
Living in Korea
- 8 Korean phrases for the taxi, from 어디로 가세요 to 여기서 내릴게요 Getting in, saying where to, asking the driver to slow down, stopping, paying by card and getting a receipt: eight taxi phrases in Korean with a note on each.
- 8 Korean phrases for the hair salon (just a trim, not too short) What to say at a Korean 미용실, from booking a cut to 'just the ends', bangs, thinning and dye, so you walk out with the haircut you asked for.
- 9 Korean phrases for the gym (헬스장) Korean for the gym: asking if a machine is free, sharing a rack, saying it's leg day, complaining about soreness, and the 오운완 caption for your selfie.
- 9 Korean phrases for the 주민센터 and the immigration office The Korean you need at a government counter: taking a number, asking which documents, saying what you came for, and understanding when your card will be ready.
- 9 Korean phrases for the doctor and the pharmacy What to say at a Korean clinic, from checking in to describing pain and asking the pharmacist how often to take the medicine, in polite Korean you can use today.
- 9 Korean phrases for the bank and the phone shop Korean for opening a bank account, getting a debit card, sending money abroad, buying a SIM, and picking a prepaid plan, with the words the clerk will use back.
- 8 Korean phrases you need to rent an apartment The Korean for walking into a 부동산 and renting a place: deposit, monthly rent, jeonse, maintenance fees and what comes furnished, with notes on how Korean leases work.
- 8 Korean phrases for neighbours: the elevator, the parcels and the noise upstairs Elevator greetings, which floor, introducing yourself after a move, thanking someone for taking in a parcel, and the careful way Koreans raise noise from the flat above.
- 9 Korean phrases for parcels and delivery drivers (택배 and 배달) What the driver says at the door and what to type in the app: 택배 왔어요, 문 앞에 놔 주세요, the building entrance code, contactless delivery, returns and more.
Texting and slang
- 9 Korean texts to send your crush (and what the ㅋㅋ is doing) How Koreans text someone they like: 뭐 해요?, 집에 잘 들어갔어요?, 보고 싶다, the weekend ask, and the message that proposes dropping formal speech.
- 10 Korean texting abbreviations explained: ㅋㅋ, ㅎㅎ, ㅇㅇ, ㄱㄱ and more What ㅋㅋ, ㅎㅎ, ㅇㅇ, ㄴㄴ, ㅇㅋ, ㄱㄱ, ㄱㅅ, ㅈㅅ, ㅊㅋ and ㅠㅠ mean in Korean chats, which ones are casual, and how to read them.
- 8 quick replies for KakaoTalk that sound natural The short Korean replies people actually send on KakaoTalk: 넵, 알겠어요, 지금 가요, ㅋㅋㅋ, 헐, 대박, with notes on which ones are safe to send your boss.
- 10 Korean slang words people actually use right now Current Korean slang you will see in group chats and captions, from 인정 and 킹받다 to 꾸안꾸 and 느좋, with where each one came from and who can get away with it.
- 8 Korean Instagram captions people actually post, and what they mean 일상, 오늘의 한 컷, 날씨 미쳤다: the short Korean captions and hashtags that fill real feeds, with what each one signals and the spelling mistakes to avoid.
- 9 Korean group chat phrases for the 단톡방 What Koreans actually type in a KakaoTalk group chat: making plans, posting a poll, bailing, splitting the bill and complaining about being left on read.
- ㅋㅋㅋ, ㅠㅠ, 헐: 9 Korean text reactions and what they mean What ㅋㅋㅋ, ㅎㅎ, ㅠㅠ, ㅇㅇ, 넵, 헐, 대박, ㄷㄷ and ㄱㄱ mean in Korean texts, how many letters to use, and which ones are safe with your boss.
- 8 polite ways to end a text conversation in Korean How Koreans close a chat without sounding abrupt: the wrap-up signal, the 'I have to go', the good-night lines and the one-word reply that ends a work thread.
Travel
- 9 Korean phrases for the subway and the bus Korean for the Seoul subway and bus: does this go to…, where do I transfer, how many stops, which exit, and the phrase that means you're on the wrong platform.
- 9 Korean phrases for skincare shopping at Olive Young Korean for the cosmetics aisle: saying you're just browsing, asking to try a tester, naming your skin type, checking for 1+1 deals, tax refunds and skipping the bag.
- 9 Korean phrases for shopping and markets (얼마예요, 깎아 주세요) How to ask the price, try things on, bargain at a market and get a refund in Korea, with notes on where 깎아 주세요 works and where it will get you a polite stare.
- 8 Korean phrases for getting your photo taken on a trip How to ask a stranger in Korea to take your picture, say vertical or full-body, ask for one more, and offer to return the favour, in polite speech.
- 9 Korean phrases for hotel check-in, your stay, and checking out The Korean you need at a hotel front desk: I have a reservation, can I leave my bags, the wifi password, more towels, and what time is check-out.
- 9 Korean phrases for emergencies, lost wallets and getting un-lost The Korean you need when something goes wrong: calling 119, saying where it hurts, reporting a lost wallet or passport, finding the police and the lost-and-found.
- 9 Korean phrases for the airport and immigration, including what the officer will ask Check-in, the immigration desk, baggage claim and the train into town: nine airport phrases in Korean, with the questions you will hear and the short answers that work.
- 9 phrases for asking directions in Korean How to ask the way in Korea and understand the answer: the polite opener, 'is it far', 'go straight', and the subway exit number everyone gives directions by.
Work and school
- 8 Korean work email phrases: how to open, ask and sign off The fixed formulas of a Korean business email: the greeting with your team name, 수고 많으십니다, how to make a request without it sounding like one, and 드림 at the end.
- 9 Korean office greetings, from 좋은 아침입니다 to 수고하셨습니다 The greetings that run a Korean workday: arriving, lunch, stepping out, leaving before your boss, and the difference between 수고하셨습니다 and 수고하세요.
- 9 Korean phrases for meetings, from 시작하겠습니다 to 수고하셨습니다 Opening a meeting, asking a question, disagreeing politely, buying time and closing: nine phrases in the formal Korean that offices actually use, with a note on each.
- 9 Korean phrases for a job interview, in the formal register they expect Korean for a 면접: the greeting, stating your major and strengths without sounding boastful, asking a question back, and the formal 합니다 endings interviewers listen for.
- 8 Korean phrases to get through the company dinner (회식) What to say at a Korean 회식: the toast, pouring for your senior, declining a drink politely, asking about round two, and leaving without offending anyone.
- 9 Korean phrases to use in your Korean class What to say to your teacher in Korean when you have a question, missed what they said or forgot the homework, in the polite speech a classroom expects.
- 8 Korean phrases for calling in sick and asking for a day off How to tell your Korean boss you're sick, ask to see a doctor, use annual leave or a half day, request remote work, and promise a doctor's note.
- 8 ways to ask a favour at work in Korean without sounding demanding How to ask a Korean colleague or manager for help: the opener, 부탁 하나 드려도 될까요, the softeners 혹시 and 좀, the email line 확인 부탁드립니다, and how to repay it.
Feelings
- 6 ways to say I'm tired in Korean (피곤해요, 힘들어요 and the rest) Tired, sleepy, worn out, drained, burned out: six Korean phrases for being tired, with the difference between 피곤해요 and 힘들어요 that learners miss.
- 10 ways to say I'm sad in Korean (슬퍼요, 우울해요, 속상해요) Korean has a different word for each kind of sad. 슬퍼요, 우울해요, 속상해요, 서운해요, 허전해요 and more, with notes on which one fits what you actually feel.
- 8 ways to say I'm nervous or worried in Korean (긴장돼요, 걱정돼요) 긴장돼요, 떨려요, 걱정돼요 and five more ways to say you are nervous, anxious or worried in Korean, with the 하다/되다 detail that trips learners up and what to say back.
- 9 ways to say I'm happy in Korean: 행복해요, 신나요, 설레요 and the difference Happy, excited, giddy, relieved, proud: the Korean words for each kind of good feeling, why 행복해요 is heavier than you think, and what people actually say instead.
- 8 ways to say I'm bored in Korean (심심해, 귀찮아 and the difference) 심심해, 지루해, 귀찮아, 노잼: the Korean words for bored, boring and can't-be-bothered, which one fits a slow Sunday and which one fits a bad film.
- 8 ways to say you're angry in Korean, from 짜증 나 to 됐어 Annoyed, offended, furious or done talking: the Korean phrases for each level of anger, what 화나다 and 짜증 나다 actually mean, and the ones that end an argument.
- 8 ways to say 'I don't care' in Korean, from easygoing to cold 아무거나, 상관없어요, 관심 없어요: how to say you don't mind, you don't care or you are not interested in Korean, and which ones end a conversation.
- 9 ways to comfort someone in Korean, beyond 힘내 and 괜찮아 What to say in Korean when a friend is hurting: 많이 힘들었겠어요, 네 잘못이 아니야, 고생했어요, 다 잘될 거예요 and more, with notes on tone and who you can say them to.
Friends and family
- 9 ways to tease a friend in Korean without crossing a line 야, 바보야, 뭐래, 꼴 좋다: nine casual Korean lines for joking with close friends, with notes on who you can say each one to and the one that takes all of them back.
- 9 Korean phrases for meeting your partner's parents, and what to call them The formal greetings, the gift line, what to call your partner's mother and father, and the thank-you at the door: Korean for the first dinner with the parents.
- 8 phrases for making friends in Korean The sentences that turn a Korean acquaintance into a friend: asking someone's age, swapping KakaoTalk, suggesting a hangout, and agreeing to drop formal speech.
- 9 ways to say get well soon in Korean 빨리 나으세요, 푹 쉬세요, 몸조리 잘하세요: how to say get well soon in Korean to a friend, a colleague or someone's parent, and what to ask when a friend says they're sick.
- 10 Korean family words you hear every day: 엄마, 아빠, 할머니, 이모 and the rest The Korean family terms that turn up far outside the family: 엄마, 아빠, 할머니, 이모, 삼촌, and the four sibling words (오빠, 언니, 형, 누나) that depend on who is speaking.
- 8 ways to say congratulations in Korean (축하해요 and what to add) Congratulations in Korean for birthdays, exams, new jobs and weddings, plus the lines Koreans add that a plain 축하해요 leaves out.
- 8 ways to say happy birthday in Korean (to a friend, a boss, a late one) Happy birthday in Korean at every level of politeness, plus the seaweed-soup question, the wish Koreans write in cards, who pays, and what to say when you're a day late.
- 9 ways to invite a friend to hang out in Korean How to ask a Korean friend to hang out: checking if they're free, suggesting food or coffee, a drink, a movie, or your place, in the casual speech friends actually use.
Culture and manners
- 9 Korean phrases for a wedding, from the invitation to the buffet What to say at a Korean wedding: congratulating the couple, the cash gift question, complimenting the bride, the group photo, the meal, and the farewell wish.
- 8 Korean table manners phrases (잘 먹겠습니다 and what comes after) The phrases that go with Korean table manners: before and after the meal, pouring drinks, waiting for elders, asking for more side dishes and who pays.
- 9 Korean New Year (설날) phrases, from the greeting to the bow What Koreans say at Seollal: 새해 복 많이 받으세요, the words that go with the New Year's bow, the tteokguk joke about getting older, and what to tell your coworkers.
- 9 Korean housewarming (집들이) phrases, for guests and for hosts Why friends ask about your 집들이 the week you move, what to bring (toilet paper, really), the house tour, and the lines a host says while filling your plate.
- 8 phrases that show when to use 요 and 니다: Korean honorifics for beginners 요 speech, 니다 speech and casual 반말 explained through pairs like 맞아요 / 맞습니다 and 어디 가 / 어디 가세요, plus the honorific verbs that change the word itself.
- 9 Korean condolence phrases and when to say them (삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다) What to say at a Korean funeral or to a grieving friend: 삼가 고인의 명복을 빕니다, 얼마나 상심이 크세요 and more, with the customs around the funeral hall.
- 7 Chuseok phrases for Korea's harvest holiday What Koreans say around Chuseok: the two standard greetings, 'are you going down to your hometown', songpyeon, the ancestral rite, and the question every relative asks.
- 9 Korean phrases for asking someone's age (and what nunchi has to do with it) Why Koreans ask your age in the first minute, how to ask politely, what to say when you're the same age, how to drop formal speech, and how to use the word 눈치.
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