Are these Korean phrases polite enough for strangers?

Yes. Most use polite 해요체 or formal polite forms suitable for routine interactions with adults you do not know well. Context still matters, and tone can change the effect. Use titles such as 교수님 for a professor, avoid casual 반말 with new people, and listen to how your university community speaks.

Should I memorize the romanization?

No. Romanization is included as a temporary pronunciation guide, but it cannot capture every Korean sound or sound change. Learn Hangul early, listen to reliable audio, and connect the written phrase directly to its sound and meaning. Cover the romanization during review as soon as you can decode the Korean.

What is the difference between 예요 and 이에요?

Both are polite forms used after a noun. Use 예요 after a noun ending in a vowel and 이에요 after a noun ending in a consonant. For example, 학생이에요 means “I am a student,” while 의사예요 means “I am a doctor.” In spontaneous speech, follow corrected examples rather than overthinking every ending.

What numbers should students memorize in Korea?

Learn both native Korean and Sino-Korean number systems because their uses differ. Sino-Korean numbers appear in dates, money, phone numbers, and many measurements. Native Korean numbers are common with age, hours, and counters. Begin with prices, clock time, dates, addresses, and your phone number, then add the relevant counters.

What should I say in a real emergency in Korea?

Say 긴급 상황이에요, meaning “It is an emergency,” and give your location as clearly as possible. In South Korea, 112 is the police emergency number and 119 is for fire and ambulance emergencies. If speaking is difficult, ask someone nearby for help and use your university's emergency contact or residence staff.

50 Essential Korean Phrases for Study Abroad

These phrases use polite Korean suitable for many everyday interactions with adults you do not know well. Tone, relationship, and setting still matter. A phrase from a table is a starting point, not a substitute for listening.

Romanization follows official principles and is approximate. Learn Hangul so you can connect Korean spelling directly to audio.

Greetings and courtesy

#	Korean	Romanization	Meaning and use
1	안녕하세요	annyeonghaseyo	Hello
2	감사합니다	gamsahamnida	Thank you
3	죄송합니다	joesonghamnida	I am sorry
4	실례합니다	sillyehamnida	Excuse me, before interrupting or entering
5	괜찮아요	gwaenchanayo	It is okay, or I am okay
6	네	ne	Yes, or I understand
7	아니요	aniyo	No
8	잠시만요	jamsimanyo	Just a moment, or excuse me
9	잘 모르겠어요	jal moreugesseoyo	I am not sure, or I do not know well
10	다시 말씀해 주세요	dasi malsseumhae juseyo	Please say that again

Clarification and introductions

#	Korean	Romanization	Meaning and use
11	천천히 말씀해 주세요	cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo	Please speak slowly
12	한국어를 조금 해요	hangugeoreul jogeum haeyo	I speak a little Korean
13	영어를 할 줄 아세요?	yeongeoreul hal jul aseyo?	Do you know how to speak English?
14	무슨 뜻이에요?	museun tteusieyo?	What does it mean?
15	어떻게 읽어요?	eotteoke ilgeoyo?	How do you read it?
16	이름이 뭐예요?	ireumi mwoyeyo?	What is your name?
17	저는 ___예요/이에요	jeoneun ___yeyo/ieyo	I am ___
18	만나서 반가워요	mannaseo bangawoyo	Nice to meet you
19	도와주세요	dowajuseyo	Please help me
20	질문이 있어요	jilmuni isseoyo	I have a question

Use 예요 after a noun ending in a vowel and 이에요 after a noun ending in a consonant.

Directions and transport

#	Korean	Romanization	Meaning and use
21	화장실이 어디예요?	hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?	Where is the restroom?
22	지하철역이 어디예요?	jihacheolyeogi eodiyeyo?	Where is the subway station?
23	여기 어떻게 가요?	yeogi eotteoke gayo?	How do I get here?
24	이 버스가 ___에 가요?	i beoseuga ___e gayo?	Does this bus go to ___?
25	교통카드를 어디에서 사요?	gyotongkadeureul eodieseo sayo?	Where do I buy a transit card?
26	여기에서 내려 주세요	yeogieseo naeryeo juseyo	Please let me off here
27	얼마예요?	eolmayeyo?	How much is it?
28	카드 돼요?	kadeu dwaeyo?	Can I pay by card?
29	영수증 주세요	yeongsujeung juseyo	Please give me a receipt
30	이거 주세요	igeo juseyo	Please give me this

For phrase 23, show the destination on your phone or map. To ask how to get to a named place, use “___에 어떻게 가요?”

Food and shops

#	Korean	Romanization	Meaning and use
31	메뉴 주세요	menyu juseyo	Please give me the menu
32	추천해 주세요	chucheonhae juseyo	Please recommend something
33	물 주세요	mul juseyo	Please give me water
34	안 매운 걸로 주세요	an maeun geollo juseyo	Please give me a non-spicy option
35	채식 메뉴가 있어요?	chaesik menyuga isseoyo?	Is there a vegetarian menu?
36	___ 알레르기가 있어요	___ allereugiga isseoyo	I have a ___ allergy
37	포장해 주세요	pojanghae juseyo	Please pack it to go
38	계산해 주세요	gyesanhae juseyo	The bill, please
39	기숙사가 어디예요?	gisuksaga eodiyeyo?	Where is the dormitory?
40	와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?	waipai bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo?	What is the Wi-Fi password?

If you have a serious allergy, carry a professionally translated allergy card. Do not rely on a single memorized sentence to explain cross-contact or emergency treatment.

Campus, health, and emergencies

#	Korean	Romanization	Meaning and use
41	수업이 몇 시에 시작해요?	sueobi myeot sie sijakaeyo?	What time does class start?
42	이 과제는 언제까지예요?	i gwajeneun eonjekkajiyeyo?	When is this assignment due?
43	이해가 안 돼요	ihaega an dwaeyo	I do not understand
44	다시 설명해 주세요	dasi seolmyeonghae juseyo	Please explain it again
45	아파요	apayo	I am sick, or it hurts
46	병원이 어디예요?	byeongwoni eodiyeyo?	Where is the hospital?
47	약국이 어디예요?	yakgugi eodiyeyo?	Where is the pharmacy?
48	경찰을 불러 주세요	gyeongchareul bulleo juseyo	Please call the police
49	잃어버렸어요	ireobeoryeosseoyo	I lost it
50	긴급 상황이에요	ginggeup sanghwangieyo	It is an emergency

In South Korea, call 112 for police and 119 for fire or ambulance emergencies. Save your university's security and residence contacts as well.

How to learn the phrases

Learn by situation

Choose five phrases you will use in the same setting. Practice the whole exchange, including the answer you may hear.

Replace the blank

Use your dormitory name, station, allergy, nationality, or major. Personal examples are easier to retrieve under pressure.

Listen and record

Use the National Institute of Korean Language learner dictionary to check words and audio. Record yourself and compare one feature at a time.

Keep polite speech as your default

Most phrases here use 해요체 or formal polite forms. Before switching to casual Korean, learn how speech endings, titles, and subject honorification work in the honorifics guide.

Practice the response

“Where is the subway station?” is useful only if you can understand left, right, straight, near, and far. Add likely answers to every question phrase.

Continue with the complete Korean learning plan. For help choosing a Korean language or university program, contact Asia Pathway.

50 Essential Korean Phrases for Study Abroad