50 Common Korean Phrases for Beginners (With Politeness Levels)
🇰🇷 Korean · 50 cards · A1 · by Jiho Park
These are the fifty phrases I actually hear and say around Seoul every day: greetings, thank-yous, apologies, shop and restaurant lines, and the small reactions like 맞아요 and 진짜요? that make you sound human instead of like a textbook.
The hard part in Korean isn't the words, it's the level. 고마워 to your boss is rude, 감사합니다 to a close friend sounds stiff, and 안녕히 가세요 versus 안녕히 계세요 depends on who is walking out the door. So every card tells you whether the phrase is 반말 (casual), 해요체 (polite everyday) or 합니다체 (formal), and gives you the romanization.
Learn the 해요체 forms first. Use 반말 only with friends your own age or younger.
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Flip through the cards, then switch to Quiz. Tap the play button on any row to hear it. The full table below is there to read, print or copy into your own flashcard app.
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All 50 cards
| # | Korean | Pronunciation | English | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 안녕하세요 해요체, polite. Safe with anyone, any time of day. 안녕하십니까 is the extra-formal version used in speeches and announcements. | annyeonghaseyo | hello, hi | 안녕하세요, 오늘 날씨 좋네요. Hello, the weather is nice today. | |
| 2 | 안녕 반말, casual. Friends, kids, siblings only. Works for both hello and goodbye. Never to a boss or a stranger. | annyeong | hi, bye | 안녕! 오늘 학교 안 가? Hi! Aren't you going to school today? | |
| 3 | 네 Polite and neutral. Also used constantly as "mm-hm" to show you're listening. Casual version: 응 (eung). | ne | yes; that's right | 네, 저도 같이 갈게요. Yes, I'll go along too. | |
| 4 | 아니요 Polite. Casual version: 아니 (ani). Koreans usually soften a "no" by adding a reason right after it. | aniyo | no | 아니요, 저는 커피 안 마셔요. No, I don't drink coffee. | |
| 5 | 감사합니다 합니다체, formal polite. The default for strangers, staff, teachers, older people. You can never go wrong with this one. | gamsahamnida | thank you | 도와주셔서 감사합니다. Thank you for helping me. | |
| 6 | 고마워요 해요체, polite but warmer and softer than 감사합니다. Good with colleagues and people you already know a little. | gomawoyo | thanks | 선물 고마워요. 정말 마음에 들어요. Thanks for the present. I really like it. | |
| 7 | 고마워 반말, casual. Close friends and younger people only. | gomawo | thanks (to a friend) | 빌려줘서 고마워. 내일 돌려줄게. Thanks for lending it to me. I'll give it back tomorrow. | |
| 8 | 아니에요 해요체, polite. This is the normal reply to 감사합니다 — textbook 천만에요 is almost never said in real life. | anieyo | not at all, you're welcome; no, it's fine | 아니에요, 제가 좋아서 한 거예요. Not at all, I did it because I wanted to. | |
| 9 | 죄송합니다 합니다체, formal polite. Use for real apologies to strangers, customers, or anyone older or senior. | joesonghamnida | I'm sorry, I apologize | 늦어서 죄송합니다. I'm sorry for being late. | |
| 10 | 미안해요 해요체, polite but personal. Casual form: 미안해. Don't use 미안해요 with your boss; use 죄송합니다. | mianhaeyo | sorry | 어제 전화 못 받아서 미안해요. Sorry I couldn't answer your call yesterday. | |
| 11 | 괜찮아요 해요체, polite. Extremely versatile: accepting an apology, declining an offer, or saying something is good enough. Question form 괜찮아요? = "are you all right?" | gwaenchanayo | it's okay, I'm fine; no thanks | 괜찮아요, 신경 쓰지 마세요. It's okay, don't worry about it. | |
| 12 | 만나서 반갑습니다 합니다체, formal polite. Softer version: 만나서 반가워요 (해요체). Casual: 반가워. | mannaseo bangapseumnida | nice to meet you | 만나서 반갑습니다. 말씀 많이 들었습니다. Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you. | |
| 13 | 처음 뵙겠습니다 합니다체, very formal. Literally "I will see you for the first time." Business settings and meeting someone's parents. | cheoeum boepgetseumnida | how do you do (first meeting) | 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 신입 사원 박지호입니다. How do you do. I'm Park Jiho, a new employee. | |
| 14 | 이름이 뭐예요? 해요체, polite but friendly — fine with peers, children, pets. To someone older or senior say 성함이 어떻게 되세요? | ireumi mwoyeyo? | what's your name? | 강아지 이름이 뭐예요? What's your dog's name? | |
| 15 | 잘 부탁드립니다 합니다체, formal. Said when joining a team, starting a class, or asking a favour. No real English equivalent. | jal butakdeurimnida | I look forward to working with you; please take care of me | 앞으로 잘 부탁드립니다. I look forward to working with you from now on. | |
| 16 | 안녕히 가세요 해요체, polite. Literally "go peacefully" — say it to the person who is leaving while you stay. | annyeonghi gaseyo | goodbye (to someone leaving) | 안녕히 가세요, 다음에 또 오세요. Goodbye, please come again. | |
| 17 | 안녕히 계세요 해요체, polite. Literally "stay peacefully" — this is the one you say as you walk out of a shop or office. | annyeonghi gyeseyo | goodbye (to someone staying) | 저 먼저 갈게요. 안녕히 계세요. I'll head off first. Goodbye. | |
| 18 | 또 봐요 해요체, polite but friendly. Casual: 또 봐. Use with people you expect to see again soon. | tto bwayo | see you again | 오늘 재미있었어요. 또 봐요! Today was fun. See you again! | |
| 19 | 여보세요 해요체, polite. Phone only — never say it face to face. | yeoboseyo | hello? (on the phone) | 여보세요? 지금 통화 괜찮으세요? Hello? Is now a good time to talk? | |
| 20 | 저기요 해요체, polite and everyday. Use it to flag down staff or a stranger. In restaurants 여기요 is equally common. | jeogiyo | excuse me (getting attention) | 저기요, 이 자리 비었어요? Excuse me, is this seat free? | |
| 21 | 잠시만요 해요체, polite. Also used to mean "let me through" in a crowd. Casual: 잠깐만. | jamsimanyo | just a moment, one second | 잠시만요, 가방 좀 챙길게요. One second, let me grab my bag. | |
| 22 | 실례합니다 합니다체, formal. More polished than 저기요; good in offices, lifts, formal situations. | sillyehamnida | excuse me (interrupting, passing) | 실례합니다, 잠깐 지나가겠습니다. Excuse me, I'm just going to pass through. | |
| 23 | 어서 오세요 해요체, polite. Staff say this to customers and hosts say it to guests — you hear it, you don't usually say it. | eoseo oseyo | welcome, come on in | 어서 오세요, 몇 분이세요? Welcome, how many people? | |
| 24 | 수고하셨습니다 합니다체, formal polite. Said at the end of work or a task. To someone clearly senior to you, 감사합니다 is safer. Casual: 수고했어. | sugohasyeotseumnida | good work, thanks for your effort | 오늘도 수고하셨습니다. 내일 뵐게요. Good work again today. See you tomorrow. | |
| 25 | 잘 지냈어요? 해요체, polite. For someone you haven't seen in a while, not an everyday greeting. Casual: 잘 지냈어? | jal jinaesseoyo? | how have you been? | 오랜만이에요! 그동안 잘 지냈어요? Long time no see! How have you been? | |
| 26 | 저도요 해요체, polite. Casual: 나도. A handy one-word agreement when you can't build a full sentence yet. | jeodoyo | me too, same here | 저도요! 그 드라마 정말 재미있죠? Me too! That drama is really good, isn't it? | |
| 27 | 맞아요 해요체, polite. Casual: 맞아. Repeating it (맞아요 맞아요) sounds enthusiastic, not strange. | majayo | that's right, exactly | 맞아요, 여기가 3번 출구예요. That's right, this is exit 3. | |
| 28 | 좋아요 해요체, polite. Accepts a suggestion or says something is nice. Casual: 좋아. | joayo | good, sounds good, I like it | 좋아요, 그럼 일곱 시에 만나요. Sounds good, let's meet at seven then. | |
| 29 | 싫어요 해요체 in form, but blunt in tone. Fine with friends and about food; to a boss or client say 조금 어려울 것 같아요 instead. | sireoyo | I don't like it, I don't want to | 저는 매운 거 싫어요. I don't like spicy food. | |
| 30 | 진짜요? 해요체, polite and very common in speech. Casual: 진짜? 정말요? means the same but sounds a little more standard and less colloquial. | jinjjayo? | really? | 진짜요? 저는 몰랐어요. Really? I had no idea. | |
| 31 | 알겠어요 해요체, polite. At work use the formal 알겠습니다. Casual: 알았어. | algesseoyo | got it, I understand | 알겠어요, 내일까지 보낼게요. Got it, I'll send it by tomorrow. | |
| 32 | 모르겠어요 해요체, polite. Softer than 몰라요, which can sound curt. Casual: 모르겠어. | moreugesseoyo | I don't know, I'm not sure | 글쎄요, 저도 잘 모르겠어요. Hmm, I'm not really sure either. | |
| 33 | 다시 말해 주세요 해요체, polite request. Add 한 번만 for extra softness: 한 번만 다시 말해 주세요. | dasi malhae juseyo | please say that again | 잘 못 들었어요. 다시 말해 주세요. I didn't catch that. Please say it again. | |
| 34 | 천천히 말해 주세요 해요체, polite request. The single most useful sentence for a beginner in Korea. | cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo | please speak slowly | 조금만 천천히 말해 주세요. Please speak just a little more slowly. | |
| 35 | 한국말 잘 못해요 해요체, polite. 한국말 is the everyday spoken word; 한국어 sounds more written or academic. | hangungmal jal motaeyo | I don't speak Korean well | 아직 한국말 잘 못해요. I still don't speak Korean well. | |
| 36 | 영어 할 수 있어요? 해요체, polite. Starting with 혹시 ("by any chance") makes the question much softer. | yeongeo hal su isseoyo? | can you speak English? | 혹시 영어 할 수 있어요? Do you happen to speak English? | |
| 37 | 이게 뭐예요? 해요체, polite. 이게 is the contraction of 이것이. Casual: 이게 뭐야? | ige mwoyeyo? | what is this? | 이게 뭐예요? 처음 봤어요. What is this? I've never seen it before. | |
| 38 | 얼마예요? 해요체, polite. Just point and say it — no full sentence needed in shops and markets. | eolmayeyo? | how much is it? | 이 가방 얼마예요? How much is this bag? | |
| 39 | 이거 주세요 해요체, polite. -주세요 is your all-purpose "please give me": ordering food, buying things, asking for anything. | igeo juseyo | I'll take this one, please | 이거 두 개 주세요. I'll take two of these, please. | |
| 40 | 카드 돼요? 해요체, polite and practical. 돼요? is literally "does it work?" — also used as 현금 돼요?, 배달 돼요? | kadeu dwaeyo? | can I pay by card? | 현금이 없는데 카드 돼요? I don't have cash — can I pay by card? | |
| 41 | 계산해 주세요 해요체, polite. In most Korean restaurants you pay at the counter on the way out, so you'll often say it there. | gyesanhae juseyo | the check, please | 여기 계산해 주세요. Check, please, over here. | |
| 42 | 화장실 어디예요? 해요체, polite. The full form is 화장실이 어디예요?, but dropping 이 sounds natural in speech. | hwajangsil eodiyeyo? | where is the bathroom? | 화장실 어디예요? 2층에 있어요? Where's the bathroom? Is it on the second floor? | |
| 43 | 도와주세요 해요체, polite request. In an emergency people shout 도와주세요! on its own. | dowajuseyo | please help me | 가방이 너무 무거워요. 도와주세요. This bag is too heavy. Please help me. | |
| 44 | 조심하세요 해요체, polite. Casual: 조심해. Often said as 조심해서 가세요 ("get home safe") when someone leaves. | josimhaseyo | be careful, watch out | 바닥이 미끄러워요. 조심하세요. The floor is slippery. Be careful. | |
| 45 | 잘 먹겠습니다 합니다체 in form, but used by everyone, including children. Say it to whoever is cooking or paying. After the meal: 잘 먹었습니다. | jal meokgetseumnida | thanks for the food (before eating) | 와, 맛있겠다. 잘 먹겠습니다! Wow, that looks good. Thanks for the food! | |
| 46 | 맛있어요 해요체, polite. Casual: 맛있어. Say it out loud at someone's home — it's expected, not flattery. | masisseoyo | it's delicious | 이 국수 정말 맛있어요. These noodles are really delicious. | |
| 47 | 배고파요 해요체, polite. Casual: 배고파. The opposite is 배불러요 (I'm full). | baegopayo | I'm hungry | 저 너무 배고파요. 뭐 좀 먹을까요? I'm so hungry. Shall we get something to eat? | |
| 48 | 축하해요 해요체, polite. Formal: 축하합니다 (weddings, ceremonies). Casual: 축하해. For birthdays: 생일 축하해요. | chukahaeyo | congratulations | 합격 축하해요! Congratulations on passing! | |
| 49 | 화이팅 A set exclamation with no politeness ending, used with friends and coworkers alike. From English "fighting"; also spelled 파이팅. To someone clearly senior, 힘내세요 is safer. | hwaiting | you can do it!, go for it! | 시험 잘 봐요. 화이팅! Do well on your exam. You've got this! | |
| 50 | 안녕히 주무세요 해요체 with the honorific 주무시다 — say it to parents, grandparents, hosts. To a friend or partner: 잘 자. | annyeonghi jumuseyo | good night (sleep well) | 먼저 들어갈게요. 안녕히 주무세요. I'm heading in first. Good night. |
Jiho Park
Native Korean · Speaks English, Japanese
Seoul native. I mark every phrase with its politeness level, because that is the part textbooks skip and the part that gets you in trouble.
Published
Questions about this deck
- What's the difference between 안녕히 가세요 and 안녕히 계세요?
- Both mean "goodbye," but which one you use depends on who moves. Say 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo, "go well") to the person who is leaving, and 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo, "stay well") when you are the one leaving. So walking out of a café, you say 안녕히 계세요 and the staff say 안녕히 가세요. If you're both leaving, 또 봐요 is easier.
- Should I say 감사합니다 or 고마워요 for thank you?
- Use 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) as your default: strangers, shop staff, teachers, anyone older or senior. 고마워요 (gomawoyo) is polite but warmer and slightly less formal — good for classmates, colleagues you know, or a friendly neighbour. 고마워 (gomawo) is 반말 and only for close friends, siblings, or people younger than you. When in doubt, 감사합니다 is never wrong.
- Are these phrases polite enough to use with older Koreans?
- Yes, with two exceptions: the 반말 cards 안녕 and 고마워 (plus any casual variants mentioned in the notes, such as 맛있어 or 잘 자). Everything else is 해요체 (polite everyday) or 합니다체 (formal). With people clearly older or senior, lean on the 합니다체 cards — 감사합니다, 죄송합니다, 알겠습니다, 잘 부탁드립니다 — and avoid blunt phrases like 싫어요.
- Can I really just point and say 이거 주세요 in a shop or restaurant?
- Yes. 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo, "this one, please") with a gesture is completely normal and polite in Korean shops, markets and restaurants. Add a number if you want more than one: 이거 두 개 주세요. The same -주세요 ending works for almost any request: 물 주세요, 계산해 주세요, 천천히 말해 주세요.
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