To make small talk, I need to have ready phrases. I need the phrases for the particular circumstances, but I do not want to have too many phrases to search through. More is not necessarily better. So I need to work on creating a list of “must have” phrases that I can make a minimal deck of flashcards from. This list right now needKos both things added and removed. As I make small talk, I want to refine this list.
Probably my custom “cheat sheet” for quick Korean phrases will be focused on what I need in chats, not in person, since all my contact with Koreans now is online. Often, I find in texting that I know how to say something, I have heard it in dramas, but I can’t remember how to spell it. Or I hear something, my brain is clawing at remembering the meaning of the phrase that I am sure I know.
By focusing on a small set of phrases for small talk, I want to become able to express myself quickly, even if that means cut-and-paste. Eventually, I will want to make quick reference cards I could carry with me for studying.
The phrases can be unique to me. I know where I live, how old I am, how many siblings I have, that I am single with no kids, etc. These come up often when I meet someone new. I should be able to have these sentences ready to go.
만나서 반갑습니다 Nice to meet you
나는 한국어를 배우고 있어, 그런데 아직 조금 밖에 물라요. I am learning Korean, but I only know a little.
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Thank You | 고맙습니다 |
| Don’t mention it | 천만에요 |
| Sorry | 미안합니다 |
| That’s OK | 괜찮아요 |
| Hello | 안녕하세요? |
| Excuse me (to get attention) | 저기요 |
| Excuse me (to apologize) | 실례합니다 |
| Excuse me (to pass someone) | 잠시만요 |
| Hello (on phone) | 여보세요 |
| Sleep well | 잘 자요 |
| Sweet dreams | 좋은 꿈 꿔요 |
| Goodbye (to person leaving) | 안녕히 가세요 |
| Goodbye (to person staying) | 안녕히 계셰요 |
| Get home safely | 잘 가요 |
| Have a nice day | 좋은 하루 보내세요 |
| Have a good trip! | 여행 잘해요 |
| Welcome | 환영합니다 |
| Yes | 네 |
| No | 아니오 |
| Maybe | 아마도 |
| Just a moment! | 잠깐만요! |
| I feel sick | 아파요 |
| I need a doctor | 의사가 필요해요 |
| Take me to the hospital (to taxi) | 병원에 가주세요 |
Everyday Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Where is the bathroom? | 화장실 어디에 있어요? |
| Please repeat that | 다시 말해 주세요 |
| Please speak slowly | 천천히 말해 주세요 |
| Please write it down | 적어 주세요 |
| I understand | 이해해요 |
| I don’t understand | 이해 못해요 |
| I don’t know | 몰라요 |
| I know | 알아요 |
| Can you speak Korean? | 한국말 할 수 있어요? |
| I can speak a little Korean | 한국말 조금 할 수 있어요 |
| I can’t speak Korean | 한국말 못해요 |
| How do you say _______ in Korean? | _______이 한국말로 뭐예요? |
| How much is this? | 이거 얼마예요? |
| I’ll be right back! | 금방 갔다 올거예요! |
| What is this? | 이게 뭐예요 |
| Don’t worry! | 걱정 하지 마세요! |
| No problem! | 문제 없어요 |
| Good | 좋아요 |
| Bad | 안 좋아요 |
| So-so | 그저 그래요 |
Dinner Table Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Bon appétit | 맛있게 드세요 |
| Eat up! | 많이 먹어요 |
| I will eat well! | 잘 먹겠습니다 |
| I ate well | 잘 먹었습니다 |
| It’s delicious! | 맛있어요! |
| It doesn’t taste good | 맛없어요 |
| I’m hungry | 배고파요 |
| I’m thirsty | 목 말라요 |
| Give me _______ please | _______ 주세요 |
| I’m a vegetarian | 저는 채식주의자예요 |
| I don’t eat meat | 고기 못 먹어요 |
| I can eat anything | 다 먹을 수 있어요 |
Getting to Know You Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Nice to meet you | 만나서 반가워요 |
| What is your name? | 이름이 뭐예요? |
| My name is _______ | 제 이름은 _______이에요 |
| Where are you from? | 어디에서 왔어요? |
| I’m from _______ | 저는 _______에서 왔어요 |
| How old are you? | 몇 살이에요? |
| I’m _______ years old | 저는 _______살이에요 |
| I can’t speak Korean well | 한국말 잘 못해요 |
| I’m learning Korean these days | 요즘 한국말 배워요 |
| What is your job? | 직업이 뭐예요? |
| My job is _______ | 제 직업은 _______이에요 |
| Really? | 정말요? |
| Where do you live? | 어디에 사세요? |
| Are you married? | 결혼했어요? |
| Do you like _______? | _______를 좋아해요? |
| I like _______ | _______를 좋아해요 |
Meeting Friends Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Long time no see | 오랜만이에요 |
| Have you eaten? (showing concern) | 밥 먹었어요? |
| How are you? | 잘 지내요? |
| How have you been? | 잘 지냈어요? |
| What have you been up to? | 어떻게 지냈어요? |
| Where shall we go? | 어디에 갈까요? |
| Say hi to _______ for me | _______한테 안부 전해 주세요 |
| Get home safely | 집에 잘 들어가요 |
Special Occasion Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Happy Birthday | 생일 축하해요 |
| Merry Christmas | 메리 크리스마스 |
| Happy New Year! | 새해 복 많이 받으세요! |
| Happy Chuseok! | 즐거운 추석 보내세요 |
| Cheers! | 건배! |
| Congratulations! | 축하해요 |
Restaurant Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Do you have a table for 4 people? | 네명 자리 있어요? |
| Please give me a menu | 매뉴판 주세요 |
| Do you have vegetarian dishes? | 채식주의자용 식사 있어요? |
| Is this spicy? | 이거 매워요? |
| Please do not make this spicy | 맵지 않게 요리해 주세요 |
| Please give me 4 orders of galbi | 갈비 사인분 주세요 |
| Please give me 1 bottle of soju | 소주 한병 주세요 |
| Please give me 3 glasses | 유리잔 세개 주세요 |
| It’s delicious! | 맛있어요! |
| I don’t like it | 맛없어요 |
| It was a delicious meal! | 잘 먹었습니다! |
| What time do you close? | 몇시에 문 닫아요? |
| Do you take credit cards? | 카드 돼요? |
Cafe Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Please give me 1 hot coffee | 따뜻한 아메리카노 한잔 주세요 |
| Please give me 2 ice coffees | 아이스 아메리카노 두잔 주세요 |
| Do you have non-caffeinated drinks? | 카페인 없는 음료 있어요? |
| I’d like to eat here | 여기서 먹고 갈게요 |
| I’d like this to go (drink only) | 테이크 아웃이에요 |
| I’d like this to go (food and drink) | 포장해 주세요 |
| Please throw away my receipt | 영수증 버려 주세요 |
| Do you have wifi here? | 와이파이 있어요? |
| What is the wifi password? | 비밀 번호 알려 주세요 |
| Do you have electrical outlets? | 콘센트 있어요? |
| Where are your electrical outlets? | 콘센트 어디에 있어요? |
Shopping Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Throw away the receipt | 영수증 버려 주세요 |
| Please give me a receipt | 영수증 주세요 |
| Put it in a bag | 봉투에 넣어 주세요 |
| Please give me a discount | 좀 깎아 주세요 |
| How much is it? | 얼마예요? |
| Please give me _______ | _______ 주세요 |
| Do you have _______? | _______ 있어요? |
| Can I pay with credit card? | 카드 되요? |
| Please give me a refund | 환불해 주세요 |
| Please exchange this | 교환해 주세요 |
| Please wrap it for me | 포장해 주세요 |
| One-time payment | 일시불 |
| 3 month installments | 3개월 할부 |
Phone Call Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Hello? (on phone) | 여보세요? |
| Who is calling please? | 누구세요? |
| Can I speak to _______ please? | _______씨와 통화 할 수 있을까요? |
| Just a moment please | 잠시만 기다려 주세요 |
| _______ isn’t in at the moment | _______씨가 자리를 비웠어요 |
| Should I tell _______ to call you back? | _______씨에게 다시 전화하라고 할까요? |
| Would you like to leave a message? | 메시지를 남기시겠어요? |
| Can I take a message? | 메시지를 받을 수 있어요? |
| I will connect you | 제가 연결해 드릴게요 |
| Please repeat that for me | 다시 말해 주세요 |
| Please speak up a little for me | 좀 더 크게 말해 주세요 |
| I will call you back | 제가 다시 걸게요 |
| When shall I call? | 언제쯤 통화가 가능할까요? |
I need to add the phrases that voice mail/answering machines have. I’ve been unable to understand things like “the person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable”.
Mobile Phone Korean Phrases:
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Please charge my mobile for me | 휴대폰 충전해 주세요 |
| When can I pick up my phone? | 휴대폰 언제 찾으러 올 수 있어요? |
Korean Exclamations
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Amazing! or Unbelievable! | 대박! |
| What?! or Oh my god! | 헐! |
| Yay! or Hurray! | 아싸! |
| Oh my goodness! | 아이고! |
| Unbelievable! or Impossible! | 말도 안돼요! |
| Really?! | 진짜요? |
| Ouch! | 아야! |
Impress the Locals Korean Phrases
Social chatting
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Self-camera | 셀카 |
| Company dinner | 회식 |
| Bomb drink (i.e. boilermaker or soju bomb) | 폭탄주 |
| Soju and beer | 소맥 |
| Chimek | 치맥 |
| Membership training (retreat) | 엠티 |
| Part-time job | 알바 |
| Of course! | 당근! |
| Starbucks | 별다방 |
| Boyfriend | 남친 |
| Girlfriend | 여친 |
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| Did a package arrive for me? | 소포 왔어요? |
| I expect a package tomorrow | 내일 소포가 올거예요 |
| My _______ is broken | 내 _______ 고장났어요 |
| My hot water doesn’t work | 뜨거운 물이 안 나와요 |
| My hot water heater is broken | 보일러가 고장났어요 |
| My sink is clogged | 내 싱크대가 막혔어요 |
| My toilet is clogged | 내 변기 막혔어요 |
| The water doesn’t work | 수돗물이 안 나와요 |
| The lights don’t work | 불이 안 켜져요 |
| The neighbors are too loud | 이웃이 너무 시끄러워요 |
| The neighbors dog keeps barking | 이웃집 강아지가 계속 짖어요 |
Instead of these phrases, I need the ones I would use for online purchases.
Bank Korean Phrases
| English | 한국어 (Korean) |
|---|---|
| I need to reset my password | 비밀번호 재발급 하고 싶어요 |
| I want to send money to _______ | _______에 돈 보내려고 왔어요 |
| Can I apply for a credit card? | 신용 카드 신청할 수 있어요? |
Hanguk Babble 