Introduction

Some fundamental Korean phrases are more valuable than others.

Why not concentrate on mastering these words first? We chose to write this post for you specifically for that reason.

The essential Korean phrases covered in this post will help you communicate better if you’re just beginning to learn Korean or are already fluent.

If you’re soon traveling to a Korean-speaking place, these will be especially useful to you.

Basic Korean Words and Sentences That You Must Know

The following are the basic Korean words and sentences that you must know:

1. My name is … 

제 이름은 ______입니다. (je ireumeun ____-imnida)

Use this phrase to tell someone your name.

3.What’s your name?

성함이 어떻게 되세요? (seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?)

Use this phrase to ask someone his/her name.

4.How much does this cost?

이것은 얼마입니까? (igeoseun eolmaimnikka?)

Use this phrase to know the cost of something.

5.How are you?

어떻게 지내십니까? (eotteoke jinaesimnikka?)

Use this phrase to ask someone how he or she is.

6.Fine, thank you.

 잘 지냅니다, 감사합니다. (jal jinaemnida, gamsahamnida)

Use this phrase to tell that you are fine.

7.I can’t speak Korean

저는 {언어를} [잘] 못합니다. (jeoneun Korean motamnida)

Use this phrase to tell someone that you can’t speak Korean.

8.Do you speak English?

________를 하십니까? ( English hasimnikka?)

Use this phrase to ask if that particular person speaks English.

9.Is there someone here who speaks English?

여기에 영어를 하시는 분 계십니까? (yeogi-e yeong-eoreul hasineun bun gyesimnikka?)

Use this phrase to ask if someone speak English in that area.

10.I’m lost

길을 잃었습니다. (gireul ireotseumnida)

Use this phrase to tell someone you are lost.

11.I don’t understand

이해가 안갑니다. (ihaega an-gamnida) / 모르겠습니다 (moreugetseumnida) [More Common]

Use this phrase to tell someone if you don’t understand something.

12.Where is the toilet?

화장실이 어디에 있습니까? (hwajangsiri eodi-e itseumnikka?)

Use this phrase to ask for the toilet.

13.I lost my wallet.

지갑을 잃었습니다. (jigabeul ireotseumnida)

Use this phrase to inform about losing your wallet.

Basic Korean words that you should know:

• Help! – 도와주십시오! (dowajusipsio!)
• Good evening – 좋은 저녁입니다. (jo-eun jeonyeogimnida)
• What? (shortened, more common) – 뭐? (mwo?)
• Where? – 어디? (eodi?)
• Who? – 누구? (nugu?)
• When? – 언제? (eonje?)
• Which? – 무슨? (museun?)
• How much? – 얼마? (eolma?)
• Look out! – 조심하십시오! (josimhasipsio!)
• Good morning – 좋은 아침입니다. (jo-eun achimimnida)
• Good night – 좋은 밤입니다. (jo-eun bamimnida)
• Good night (to sleep) – 안녕히 주무십시오. (annyeonghi jumusipsio)
• I understand – 알겠습니다 (algetseumnida)
• What? – 무엇? (mueot?)

Conclusion

We hope these foundational words and phrases will improve your ability to speak Korean confidently.

The first few times won’t be simple, so practice is the only and best option.

And always remember to prioritize the most important terms first rather than attempting to memorize all the phrases we shared with you today.