50 Basic Korean Expressions
You Should Know
If you haven’t signed up for Korean classes yet, here’s a list of basic greetings, common expressions, and basic questions in Korean to get you started. These expressions cover a variety of situations and will be useful as you’ll hear them often in Korean conversations. Practice using them regularly to improve your language skills!
- 안녕하세요? (Annyeonghaseyo?) – Hello (formal)
- 안녕! (Annyeong!) – Hello (informal)
- 안녕히 가세요! (Annyeonghi gaseyo!) – Goodbye (to someone leaving, formal)
- 안녕히 계세요! (Annyeonghi gyeseyo!) – Goodbye (to someone staying, formal)
- 안녕히 주무세요! (Annyeonghi jumuseyo!) – Goodnight (formal)
- 잘 자요. (Jal jayo.) – Good night.
- 감사합니다. (Gamsahamnida.) – Thank you.
- 고마워요. (Gomawoyo.) – Thanks.
- 네 (Ne) – Yes
- 아니요 (Aniyo) – No
- 죄송합니다. (Joesonghamnida.) – I’m sorry.
- 어떻게 지내세요? (Eotteoke jinaeseyo?) – How are you? (formal)
- 잘 지내요. (Jal jinaeyo.) – I’m good.
- 이름이 뭐에요? (Ireumi mwoeyo?) – What is your name?
- 몇 살이에요? (Myeot sarieyo?) – How old are you?
- 어디서 왔어요? (Eodiseo wasseoyo?) – Where are you from?
- 무슨 일을 하세요? (Museun ire haseyo?) – What do you do for a living? (formal)
- 뭐라고요? (Mworago?) – What did you say?
- 싫어. (Sireo.) – I hate it.
- 사랑해요. (Saranghaeyo.) – I love you.
- 괜찮아요. (Gwaenchanayo.) – It’s okay.
- 미안해요. (Mianaeyo.) – I’m sorry.
- 어디에 있어요? (Eodie isseoyo?) – Where are you?
- 여기 있어요. (Yeogi isseoyo.) – I’m here.
- 뭐 먹을래요? (Mwo meogeurae?) – What do you want to eat?
- 맛있어요. (Masisseoyo.) – It’s delicious.
- 무슨 말인지 모르겠어요. (Museun marinji moreugesseoyo.) – I don’t understand what you’re saying.
- 좋아요. (Joayo.) – That’s good./I like it.
- 이게 뭐예요? (Ige mwoyeyo?) – What is this?
- 이해해요. (Ihaehaeyo.) – I understand.
- 나중에 봐요. (Najunge bwayo.) – See you later.
- 어떻게 가요? (Eotteoke gayo?) – How do I get there?
- 가까워요. (Gakkawoyo.) – It’s close.
- 멀어요. (Meoreoyo.) – It’s far.
- 오늘 날씨 어때요? (Oneul nalssi eottaeyo?) – How’s the weather today?
- 비가 와요. (Biga wayo.) – It’s raining.
- 맑아요. (Malgayo.) – It’s sunny.
- 추워요. (Chuwoyo.) – It’s cold.
- 더워요. (Deowoyo.) – It’s hot.
- 새로운 친구를 사귀고 싶어요. (Saeroun chingureul sagwigo sipeoyo.) – I want to make new friends.
- 바쁘세요? (Bappeuseyo?) – Are you busy? (Formal)
- 오늘 뭐 할까요? (Oneul mwo halkkayo?) – What should we do today?
- 오늘 뭐 하셨어요? (Oneul mwo hasyeosseoyo?) – What did you do today? (Formal)
- 나는 한국어를 공부하고 있어요. (Naneun hangugeoreul gongbuhago isseoyo.) – I am studying Korean.
- 조용히 해주세요. (Joyonghi haejuseyo.) – Please be quiet.
- 천천히 말씀해 주세요. (Cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo.) – Please speak slowly.
- 그럼요. (Geureomyo.) – Of course.
- 어서 오세요. (Eoseo oseyo.) – Welcome.
- 내일 봐요. (Naeil bwayo.) – See you tomorrow.
- 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) – Have you eaten?
