12 Basic Korean Phrases for Everyday Conversation

Hello everyone!

Learning a new language can be very tricky. But starting off with the basics helps build the foundation and makes the journey easier.

It's like playing basketball for the first time. We may already know how to make the ball bounce, but we can't dribble it while we are running, just like basketball players do.

Although it looks easy, it can be challenging for the first time. That's why we practice every day, starting with the easiest step, and eventually, things get better and easier.

It is also the same when learning a new language.

That's why in this article, I'm going to teach you 12 basic Korean phrases that's similar to what we use in everyday conversation.

Are you ready? Let's start!

1. Nice to meet you: 만나서 반가워요 (Mannaseo bangawoyo)

This is a friendly greeting used when meeting someone for the first time. 만나서 (mannaseo) means 'to meet' and 반가워요 (bangawoyo) means 'pleasant/welcome'. Together, it means that someone is happy to meet the other one.

Example:

Tom: 안녕! 제 이름은 톰이에요. 이름이 뭐예요? (Annyeong! Je ireumeun Tom-ieyo.)

Hi! My name is Tom. What's your name?

Jess: 만나서 반가워요, 톰씨! 전 제스예요. (Mannaseo bangawoyo, Tom-ssi! Jeon Jess-yeyo.)

Nice to meet you, Tom! I'm Jess.

Tom: 저도 만나서 반가워요, 제스씨. (Jeodo mannaseo bangawoyo, Jess-ssi.

Nice to meet you too, Jess.

2. Can you help me? Please help me: 도와주세요 (Dowajuseyo)

This is a polite way to ask for help or assistance from someone. For example, if you can't open a door, you can ask for help from people near you.

Example:

이 문이 안 열려요. 도와주세요. (I muni an yeolreoyo. Dowajuseyo.)

I can't open this door. Please help me.

3. Where is the ___?: ___ 어디예요? (___ eodiyeyo?)

어디 (eodi) means the question 'where'. When asking for the location of something, put the word or thing that you are looking for before 어디예요? (eodiyeyo?).

Example:

화장실 어디예요? (Hwajangshil eodiyeyo?)

Where is the restroom?

4. I don't know: 모르겠어요 (Moreugesseoyo)

When you don't know the answer to a particular question, we say 모르겠어요 (Moreugesseoyo).

Example:

Jess: 열쇠가 어디에 있는지 알아요? (Yeolsuiga eodie itneunji arayo)

Do you know where my key is?

Tom: 모르겠어요 (Moreugesseoyo.)

I don't know.

5. Thanks a lot! : 정말 고마워요! (Jeongmal gomawoyo)

정말 (jeongmal) means 'real/really' or 'truth'. When combined with 고마워요 (gomawoyo) which is 'thank you', it means that someone is really thankful and expresses deep gratitude.

Example:

오늘 도와주셔서 정말 고마워요. (Oneul dowajusyeoseo jeongmal gomawoyo.)

I'm really thankful for your help today.

6. I'm hungry: 배고파요 (Baegopayo)

This word means 'to be hungry'. This is used when someone is starving and wants to eat something.

Example:

엄마, 너무 배고파요. (Eomma, neomu baegopayo.)

Mom, I'm really hungry.

7. What is this: 이게 뭐에요? (Ige mwoeyo?)

이게 (ige) means 'this' or 'this thing' and 뭐에요 (mwoeyo) means the question 'what'. We ask this if we want to know what the thing is that we are pointing at.

Example:

이거 너무 맛있어요. 이게 뭐예요? (Igo neomu masisseoyo. Ige mwoyeyo?)

This tastes good. What is this?

8. I want to eat ___ : ___ 먹고 싶어요 (___ meokgo sipeoyo)

This is used to express a desire to eat a specific food. Just add the food you want to eat before the phrase 먹고 싶어요 (mokgo sipeoyo).

Example:

떡볶이 먹고 싶어요. (Tteokbokki meokgo sipeoyo.)

I want to eat spicy rice cake.

9. I'm not feeling well: 몸이 안 좋아요 / 좋지 않아요 (Momi an johayo/Momi joji anhayo)

This is used to express that you're not feeling good or well (like when you feel sick and uncomfortable).

몸이 (momi or mom) means ‘body’, and 안 좋아요 (an joayo) / 좋지 않아요 (johji anhayo) means 'not being good or well'.

Example:

선생님, 오늘 수업 못 가서 죄송해요. 몸이 안 좋아요. (Seonsaengnim, oneul sueob mot gaseo jwoesonghaeyo. Momi an joayo.)

Teacher, I'm sorry that I can't attend the class today. I'm not feeling well.

10. It's okay / Are you okay?: 괜찮아요 / 괜찮아요? (Gwaenchanayo)

This is used when we want to assure someone that everything is okay or fine, or if we want to ask if everything is okay / if they are okay.

Example:

Tom: 오늘 저녁에 피자 먹을까? 괜찮아? (Oneul jeonyeoke pija meokeulkka? Gwaenchanha?)

Can we eat a pizza at dinner? Is it okay?

Jess: 네, 괜찮아요. (Ne, gwaenchanhayo.)

Yes, it's okay.

11. See you tomorrow! : 내일 봐요 (Naeil bwayo)

This is a casual way to say goodbye, indicating you will meet again tomorrow. 내일 (naeil) means 'tomorrow', and 봐요 (bwayo) means 'to see' or, in this case, 'to meet'.

Example:

이제 가야해요, 내일 봐요! (ige gayahaeyo, naeil bwayo!)

I have to go now. See you tomorrow!

12. Have a nice day: 좋은 하루 보내세요 (Joeun haru bonaeseyo)

We say this when we wish someone a good day.

Example:

커피 감사합니다, 좋은 하루 보내세요. (Keopi kamsahamnida, joeun haru bonaeseyo.)

Thanks for the coffee. Have a nice day.

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These are some of the phrases we often use in our everyday conversations. Every time you have a conversation with someone or when you practice speaking Korean, try to recall these phrases, and in no time, you will master the basics of the Korean language!

Writer : Camille Ced

(@camilleced_copywriter)

Record : Hoorimi