Want to start speaking Korean quickly? Learning essential phrases is the fastest path to real conversations—much faster than studying grammar rules alone.

This complete guide covers every must-know Korean phrase, from basic greetings to cultural expressions that unlock K-drama and K-pop content.

Why Learning Phrases Works Better Than Grammar-Only

Here’s the truth about language learning: native speakers don’t think about grammar rules when they talk.

They use memorized phrases and patterns. That’s exactly how you should start too.

Benefits of learning phrases first:

✅ Immediate communication - Use them right away
✅ Natural pronunciation - Learn words as complete units
✅ Cultural context - Understand when and how to use phrases
✅ Motivation boost - Quick wins keep you studying
✅ Grammar foundation - Patterns reveal grammar naturally

Let’s dive into the essential phrases every Korean learner needs.

Section 1: Greetings & Basic Responses

These are the first phrases you’ll use in any Korean conversation.

How to Say Hi in Korean

안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) - Formal “hello”

Use with: Everyone (safest choice)

안녕 (annyeong) - Casual “hi”

Use with: Close friends only

Deep dive: How to Say Hi in Korean (Complete Guide)

How to Say Goodbye in Korean

Korean has different goodbyes depending on who’s leaving:

안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) - “Go well” (to person leaving)

안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) - “Stay well” (you’re leaving)

안녕 (annyeong) - Casual goodbye (friends)

Full guide: How to Say Goodbye in Korean

Yes and No in Korean

네 (ne) - Yes (formal)

응 (eung) - Yeah (casual)

아니요 (aniyo) - No (formal)

아니 (ani) - Nah (casual)

Full guides:

Essential Response Phrases

Korean	Romanization	English	When to Use
네, 맞아요	ne, majayo	Yes, that’s right	Agreeing
괜찮아요	gwaenchanayo	It’s okay	Accepting/declining
잘 모르겠어요	jal moreugesseoyo	I don’t know	Polite uncertainty
알겠어요	algesseoyo	I understand	Acknowledging

Section 2: Polite Expressions

Korean culture emphasizes respect and politeness. These phrases are essential.

Thank You in Korean

감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) - Formal “thank you”

Use in: Business, formal settings, showing deep gratitude

고마워요 (gomawoyo) - Casual “thanks”

Use with: Friends, acquaintances

고마워 (gomawo) - Very casual

Use with: Close friends only

Full guide: How to Say Thank You in Korean

Sorry in Korean

죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) - Formal “I’m sorry”

Use when: You’ve made a real mistake or formal apology needed

미안해요 (mianhaeyo) - Casual “sorry”

Use when: Small mistakes, friends

실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) - “Excuse me”

Use when: Getting someone’s attention, passing by

Full guide: How to Say Sorry in Korean

Nice to Meet You

만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) - Formal

만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo) - Polite-casual (most common)

만나서 반가워 (mannaseo bangawo) - Casual

Full guide: Nice to Meet You in Korean

Please in Korean

Korean doesn’t have a single word for “please.” Instead:

주세요 (juseyo) - “Please give me”

Example: 물 주세요 (mul juseyo) - Water, please

-아/어 주세요 - Verb + please

Example: 도와 주세요 (dowa juseyo) - Please help

Section 3: Introducing Yourself

First meetings in Korea follow specific patterns.

Basic Self-Introduction

저는 [name]이에요/예요 (jeoneun [name]-ieyo/yeyo) “I’m [name]”

Use 이에요 after consonants: 민준이에요 Use 예요 after vowels: Sarah예요

Example introduction:

안녕하세요! 저는 Emily예요. (Annyeonghaseyo! Jeoneun Emily-yeyo.) “Hello! I’m Emily.”

Full guide: How to Introduce Yourself in Korean

Talking About Your Nationality

저는 [country]에서 왔어요 (jeoneun [country]-eseo wasseoyo) “I’m from [country]”

Examples:

미국에서 왔어요 (miguk-eseo wasseoyo) - I’m from America
영국에서 왔어요 (yeongguk-eseo wasseoyo) - I’m from UK
캐나다에서 왔어요 (kaenada-eseo wasseoyo) - I’m from Canada

Write Your Name in Korean

Part of introducing yourself is writing your name in Hangul.

Full guide: Write Your Name in Korean (Hangul Converter Guide)

Section 4: Cultural Relationship Terms

Korean has specific words for relationships based on age and gender.

Oppa, Unni, Hyung, Noona

These are family terms used for non-family members:

오빠 (oppa) - Older male (used by females)

언니 (eonni) - Older female (used by females)

형 (hyeong) - Older male (used by males)

누나 (nuna) - Older female (used by males)

Example: “오빠, 뭐 해요?” (Oppa, mwo haeyo?) - “Oppa, what are you doing?”

Essential reading:

Honorific Titles

선생님 (seonsaengnim) - Teacher (also used for doctors, lawyers)

-님 (-nim) - Honorific suffix (like Mr./Ms.)

-씨 (-ssi) - Polite suffix for names (Emily씨)

Section 5: Fun & Modern Korean Phrases

Make your Korean more natural with slang and modern expressions.

Funny Korean Phrases

대박! (daebak!) - “Awesome! / OMG!”

헐 (heol) - “What?! / No way!”

귀엽다 (gwiyeopda) - “So cute!”

짱 (jjang) - “The best!”

Full list: 20 Funny Korean Phrases You’ll Love Using with Friends

Korean Texting Slang

Learn how Koreans actually text:

ㅋㅋㅋ (kkk) - Laughing (like “lol”)

ㅠㅠ (ㅠㅠ) - Crying face

ㄱㄱ (gg) - “Go go” (let’s go)

ㅇㅋ (ok) - “Okay”

ㅎㅎ (hh) - Light laugh (like “hehe”)

Full guide: How to Text in Korean: ㅋㅋ, ㅠㅠ, ㄱㄱ Explained

K-pop and K-drama Expressions

화이팅! (hwaiting!) - “Fighting! / You can do it!”

오빠 사랑해! (oppa saranghae!) - “Oppa, I love you!”

진짜? (jinjja?) - “Really?!”

완전 (wanjeon) - “Totally / completely”

Section 6: Asking Questions

Essential question phrases for conversations.

Basic Questions

이게 뭐예요? (ige mwoyeyo?) “What is this?”

어디예요? (eodiyeyo?) “Where is it?”

얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) “How much is it?”

몇 시예요? (myeot si-yeyo?) “What time is it?”

Asking for Help

도와주세요 (dowa juseyo) “Please help me”

[word] 뭐예요? ([word] mwoyeyo?) “What is [word]?”

영어 할 수 있어요? (yeongeo hal su isseoyo?) “Can you speak English?”

천천히 말해 주세요 (cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo) “Please speak slowly”

Section 7: Everyday Useful Phrases

Phrases for daily situations.

At Restaurants

주문할게요 (jumunhalgeyo) “I’ll order”

계산서 주세요 (gyesanseo juseyo) “Bill, please”

맛있어요! (massisseoyo!) “Delicious!”

잘 먹겠습니다 (jal meokgetseumnida) “I will eat well” (before eating)

잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida) “I ate well” (after eating)

Shopping

이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo) “This one, please”

할인 있어요? (halin isseoyo?) “Is there a discount?”

카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) “Do you take cards?”

봉투 주세요 (bongtu juseyo) “Bag, please”

Transportation

[place]에 가 주세요 ([place]-e ga juseyo) “Please go to [place]”

여기서 내려 주세요 (yeogiseo naeryeo juseyo) “Please stop here”

얼마나 걸려요? (eolmana geollyeoyo?) “How long does it take?”

Section 8: Survival Phrases for Korea

Essential phrases if you’re visiting Korea.

Emergency

도와주세요! (dowa juseyo!) “Help!”

119 - Emergency number (police/fire/ambulance)

병원 어디예요? (byeongwon eodiyeyo?) “Where is the hospital?”

Lost & Confused

길을 잃었어요 (gireul ilheosseoyo) “I’m lost”

화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodiyeyo?) “Where is the bathroom?”

죄송한데, [place] 어디예요? (joesongande, [place] eodiyeyo?) “Excuse me, where is [place]?”

Reading Korean Phrases Fluently

Knowing these phrases is great—but can you read them quickly when you see them in Korean text?

Whether you’re:

Reading Korean menus
Following K-drama subtitles
Chatting with Korean friends
Reading webtoons

You need to recognize common phrases instantly, not sound them out letter-by-letter.

That’s exactly what Batchim trains:

✅ Phrase recognition drills ✅ Real-world scenario practice ✅ Speed reading training ✅ Natural pronunciation patterns

Start building fluency today: Download Batchim free

Complete Phrases Article Directory

Greetings & Basics

Polite Expressions

Introductions

Cultural Phrases

Fun & Modern

Next Steps: Use Your Phrases

Now that you know essential Korean phrases:

Practice daily - Use them in conversation or with language partners
Learn Hangul - Read our Complete Hangul Guide to read these phrases
Build speed - Train with Batchim to recognize phrases automatically
Add grammar - Check our Korean Grammar Guide to understand sentence patterns
Immerse in culture - Read our Culture & Practice Guide for context

Conclusion: Phrases Are Your Foundation

Mastering essential Korean phrases gives you:

✅ Immediate communication ability ✅ Cultural understanding ✅ Confidence to practice ✅ Foundation for grammar learning ✅ Real-world usability

Don’t just memorize—use them. The more you practice, the more natural they become.

Ready to take your Korean beyond phrases?

Download Batchim and start reading Korean at native speed.

Related Guides:

화이팅! (You can do it!) 🇰🇷

#phrases #greetings #beginners #culture