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40 essential phrases for navigating Seoul and beyond — from the subway and street food stalls to jjimjilbangs and K-pop selfie spots.
Each phrase includes Hangul (Korean script), romanization, and English meaning. Learning to read Hangul takes just a few hours — it will change your entire trip.
Start every interaction on the right foot
Navigating Seoul's world-class subway and more
Order like a local, handle dietary needs
Markets, convenience stores, duty-free
Selfie spots, jjimjilbang, convenience stores
Stay safe and get help fast
Small gestures that make a big difference with locals.
A slight bow (15–30°) is standard for greetings and thanks. Deeper bows signal greater respect. Handshakes are fine with foreigners.
At restaurants and bars, pour drinks for your companions before pouring your own. Accepting with two hands or one hand supporting the other is polite.
Get a T-Money card at any convenience store (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven) for seamless subway and bus payment across Korea — no cash juggling.
Korean pronunciation — especially the difference between tense, aspirated, and plain consonants — is tricky from text alone. A 30-minute session with a native teacher before you fly will pay off every time you open your mouth in Seoul.
Start for $1 — No CommitmentFirst lesson $1 · Cancel anytime