Moving to Korea soon? Learn useful Korean phrases for food, delivery, convenience stores, directions, and banking before you arrive.
Moving to Korea? Korean Phrases You Need Before You Arrive
Moving to Korea is exciting, but it can also feel a little scary at first.
You might be thinking, “What do I say when I order food?” or “How do I ask for help at the bank?” That feeling is completely normal. Even if you are just starting to learn Korean, a few simple phrases can make your first weeks in Korea feel much smoother.
The good news is you do not need to speak perfectly. You just need practical Korean phrases for real-life moments.
Let’s walk through this together.
Why You Should Learn a Few Phrases Before Moving to Korea
When you first arrive in Korea, you will probably use Korean in small but important moments.
You may need to order lunch, ask where the subway station is, buy a SIM card, talk to a delivery driver, or open a bank account. These situations can feel fast, especially when people speak quickly.
That is why learning basic Korean phrases before you arrive helps so much. You do not need long grammar explanations on day one. You need clear, useful sentences you can say out loud.
Even simple phrases like hello in Korean and thank you in Korean can make daily life feel warmer.
Hello in Korean is:
안녕하세요.
Annyeonghaseyo.
Hello.
Thank you in Korean is:
감사합니다.
Gamsahamnida.
Thank you.
These two phrases will help you everywhere, from cafes to banks to convenience stores.
1. Ordering Food in Korea
Food is one of the best parts of living in Korea. You will find kimbap shops, Korean BBQ restaurants, noodle places, cafes, bakeries, and small local restaurants everywhere.
When you first start using the Korean language in restaurants, keep things simple. Pointing is okay. Smiling is okay. Saying just one clear sentence is enough.
Useful Phrases for Ordering Food
이거 주세요.
Igeo juseyo.
This one, please.
김밥 하나 주세요.
Gimbap hana juseyo.
One kimbap, please.
물 주세요.
Mul juseyo.
Water, please.
메뉴판 주세요.
Menyupan juseyo.
Menu, please.
포장해 주세요.
Pojanghae juseyo.
Please make it to go.
여기서 먹을게요.
Yeogiseo meogeulgeyo.
I’ll eat here.
계산할게요.
Gyesanhalgeyo.
I’ll pay now.
If you are nervous, start with “이거 주세요.” It works in restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and markets. It is one of the most useful basic Korean words and phrases you can learn.
Mini Dialogue: Ordering at a Local Restaurant
Staff: 뭐 드릴까요?
What would you like?
You: 이거 하나 주세요.
One of this, please.
Staff: 드시고 가세요?
Are you eating here?
You: 네, 여기서 먹을게요.
Yes, I’ll eat here.
Staff: 네, 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Okay, please wait a moment.
You: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
You’re doing great. This is real Korean conversation practice, even if the conversation is short.
2. Food Delivery in Korea
Korea has amazing delivery culture. You can order fried chicken, jjajangmyeon, tteokbokki, coffee, groceries, and more. Many people use apps, but you may still need to talk to a delivery driver by phone or message.
This can feel stressful because delivery calls are often quick. So it helps to prepare a few phrases before you arrive.
Useful Phrases for Delivery
주소는 여기예요.
Jusoneun yeogiyeyo.
The address is here.
문 앞에 놔 주세요.
Mun ape nwa juseyo.
Please leave it at the door.
전화하지 말고 문자 주세요.
Jeonhwahaji malgo munja juseyo.
Please text me instead of calling.
지금 내려갈게요.
Jigeum naeryeogalgeyo.
I’ll come down now.
잠시만요.
Jamsimanyo.
One moment, please.
못 찾겠어요.
Mot chatgesseoyo.
I can’t find it.
다시 말씀해 주세요.
Dasi malsseumhae juseyo.
Please say that again.
For delivery, “문 앞에 놔 주세요” is especially useful if your building allows door drop-off.
Mini Dialogue: Talking to a Delivery Driver
Driver: 배달 왔습니다.
Your delivery is here.
You: 네, 문 앞에 놔 주세요.
Yes, please leave it at the door.
Driver: 네, 알겠습니다.
Okay, got it.
You: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
Simple and clear is perfect.
3. Convenience Store Phrases
Convenience stores in Korea are part of daily life. You can buy snacks, drinks, lunch boxes, umbrellas, chargers, medicine-like basic items, and sometimes even pay bills or pick up packages.
You will probably visit a convenience store within your first day in Korea.
Useful Phrases for Convenience Stores
봉투 주세요.
Bongtu juseyo.
Please give me a bag.
봉투 필요 없어요.
Bongtu piryo eopseoyo.
I do not need a bag.
카드 돼요?
Kadeu dwaeyo?
Can I pay by card?
현금 돼요?
Hyeongeum dwaeyo?
Can I pay with cash?
이거 얼마예요?
Igeo eolmayeyo?
How much is this?
영수증 주세요.
Yeongsujeung juseyo.
Receipt, please.
영수증 괜찮아요.
Yeongsujeung gwaenchanayo.
I do not need a receipt.
전자레인지 어디예요?
Jeonjareinji eodiyeyo?
Where is the microwave?
Many convenience stores have self-service microwaves, hot water, and small eating areas. If you buy instant noodles or a lunch box, this phrase is very useful:
젓가락 주세요.
Jeotgarak juseyo.
Chopsticks, please.
Mini Dialogue: Buying Food at a Convenience Store
Staff: 봉투 필요하세요?
Do you need a bag?
You: 네, 봉투 주세요.
Yes, please give me a bag.
Staff: 영수증 필요하세요?
Do you need a receipt?
You: 괜찮아요. 감사합니다.
No, that’s okay. Thank you.
This is a small moment, but it is great Korean speaking practice. The more you repeat it, the easier it gets.
4. Asking for Directions
Even with map apps, you may still need to ask for directions. Maybe you are looking for a subway exit, your new apartment, a bus stop, or a bank branch.
Koreans may answer quickly, so it helps to know the key words first.
Useful Direction Words
여기
Yeogi
Here
저기
Jeogi
There
왼쪽
Oenjjok
Left
오른쪽
Oreunjjok
Right
앞
Ap
Front
뒤
Dwi
Behind
근처
Geuncheo
Nearby
지하철역
Jihacheolyeok
Subway station
버스 정류장
Beoseu jeongnyujang
Bus stop
These are simple Korean words, but they make a big difference when you are lost.
Useful Phrases for Asking Directions
지하철역 어디예요?
Jihacheolyeok eodiyeyo?
Where is the subway station?
화장실 어디예요?
Hwajangsil eodiyeyo?
Where is the bathroom?
은행 어디예요?
Eunhaeng eodiyeyo?
Where is the bank?
여기 어떻게 가요?
Yeogi eotteoke gayo?
How do I get here?
이 주소 어디예요?
I juso eodiyeyo?
Where is this address?
걸어서 갈 수 있어요?
Georeoseo gal su isseoyo?
Can I walk there?
멀어요?
Meoreoyo?
Is it far?
If this feels hard at first, that’s completely normal. Asking directions in a new country is stressful. You can show the address on your phone and say:
여기 가고 싶어요.
Yeogi gago sipeoyo.
I want to go here.
That one phrase can help a lot.
Mini Dialogue: Asking for the Subway
You: 죄송한데요, 지하철역 어디예요?
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Local: 저기 오른쪽이에요.
It is over there on the right.
You: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
Short. Useful. Real.
5. Bank Phrases You Need in Korea
Banking can feel more serious than ordering food, but you can still prepare simple phrases.
When you move to Korea, you may need to open a bank account, get a debit card, set up online banking, or ask about your ARC, which is your Alien Registration Card.
For banks, polite Korean is helpful. But do not worry if your sentences are not perfect. Staff at banks in bigger areas may be used to foreign residents.
Useful Bank Phrases
계좌를 만들고 싶어요.
Gyejwaleul mandeulgo sipeoyo.
I want to open a bank account.
체크카드 만들고 싶어요.
Chekeukadeu mandeulgo sipeoyo.
I want to make a debit card.
온라인 뱅킹 신청하고 싶어요.
Onlain baengking sincheonghago sipeoyo.
I want to apply for online banking.
외국인등록증이 필요해요?
Oegugin deungnokjeungi piryohaeyo?
Do I need an Alien Registration Card?
여권만 있어요.
Yeogwonman isseoyo.
I only have my passport.
주소를 바꾸고 싶어요.
Jusoreul bakkugo sipeoyo.
I want to change my address.
수수료가 있어요?
Susuryoga isseoyo?
Is there a fee?
다시 설명해 주세요.
Dasi seolmyeonghae juseyo.
Please explain again.
천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo.
Please speak slowly.
This last phrase is very important when you are still learning. It is one of the best phrases for learning Korean language for beginners because it gives you room to breathe.
Mini Dialogue: Opening a Bank Account
Staff: 어떻게 도와드릴까요?
How can I help you?
You: 계좌를 만들고 싶어요.
I want to open a bank account.
Staff: 외국인등록증 있으세요?
Do you have your Alien Registration Card?
You: 아직 없어요. 여권만 있어요.
Not yet. I only have my passport.
Staff: 네, 확인해 드릴게요.
Okay, I’ll check for you.
You: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
You may not understand everything the first time. That is okay. Ask them to repeat or explain slowly.
Phrases That Work Almost Everywhere
Some phrases are useful in almost every situation. Learn these first if you are short on time.
Joesonghamnida.
Sorry.
괜찮아요.
Gwaenchanayo.
It is okay.
잠시만요.
Jamsimanyo.
One moment, please.
잘 모르겠어요.
Jal moreugesseoyo.
I am not sure.
한국어 잘 못해요.
Hangugeo jal motaeyo.
I do not speak Korean well.
천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo.
Please speak slowly.
영어 할 수 있어요?
Yeongeo hal su isseoyo?
Can you speak English?
다시 말씀해 주세요.
Dasi malsseumhae juseyo.
Please say that again.
These are survival phrases, but they are also confidence phrases. They help you stay calm when the conversation gets too fast.
A Simple 7-Day Practice Plan Before You Arrive
You do not need to memorize everything at once. Try this simple plan.
Day 1: Practice greetings
Say 안녕하세요 and 감사합니다 out loud 10 times.
Day 2: Practice food phrases
Use 이거 주세요, 물 주세요, and 포장해 주세요.
Day 3: Practice convenience store phrases
Use 봉투 주세요 and 카드 돼요?
Day 4: Practice delivery phrases
Use 문 앞에 놔 주세요 and 지금 내려갈게요.
Day 5: Practice directions
Use 어디예요? with subway station, bank, and bathroom.
Day 6: Practice bank phrases
Use 계좌를 만들고 싶어요 and 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Day 7: Role-play everything
Pretend you are ordering, asking, paying, and thanking someone.
This is a gentle way to build confidence with the Korean language before your first week in Korea.
How to Remember These Phrases
The best way to remember Korean phrases is to connect them to real situations.
Do not only read the phrase. Picture yourself using it.
Imagine yourself at a kimbap shop saying “이거 주세요.”
Imagine yourself at a convenience store saying “봉투 주세요.”
Imagine yourself at the bank saying “계좌를 만들고 싶어요.”
This kind of real-life practice is better than memorizing random lists. It helps your brain understand when to use the phrase, not just what it means.
And because Korean pronunciation can feel new at first, say each phrase out loud. Quiet reading is helpful, but speaking is where confidence grows. This is why many learners use a learn Korean app or speaking tool to practice real conversations before they arrive.
Final Thoughts: You Do Not Need Perfect Korean to Start
Moving to Korea is a big step. You might make mistakes. You might freeze for a second. You might answer with one word instead of a full sentence.
That is all okay.
Real communication does not have to be perfect. It just has to begin.
Start with hello in Korean, thank you in Korean, and a few practical phrases for food, delivery, convenience stores, directions, and banking. These small phrases will help you feel more settled, more independent, and more ready for daily life in Korea.
You’ve got this. One phrase at a time.
