Learn Korean Step by Step

To introduce yourself in Korean, say "안녕하세요, 저는 [name]입니다" (Annyeonghaseyo, jeoneun [name]-imnida), which means "Hello, I am [name]." This is the standard polite self-introduction used in almost all situations.

To say "I love you" in Korean, say "사랑해" (saranghae) in casual speech to someone close to you, or "사랑해요" (saranghaeyo) for a polite version. The most formal form is "사랑합니다" (saranghamnida), often used in dramatic declarations or to parents and elders.

The most essential Korean greeting is "안녕하세요" (annyeonghaseyo), which means "hello" and works in almost every situation. For casual settings with close friends, use "안녕" (annyeong), and for very formal situations, use "안녕하십니까" (annyeonghasimnikka).

To say thank you in Korean, say "감사합니다" (gamsahamnida) for formal situations or "고마워요" (gomawoyo) for casual-polite situations. With close friends, use the casual "고마워" (gomawo). 감사합니다 is the safest choice and works everywhere.

To apologize in Korean, say "죄송합니다" (joesonghamnida) in formal situations or "미안해요" (mianhaeyo) in casual-polite situations. For close friends, use "미안" (mian) or "미안해" (mianhae). 죄송합니다 is the safest choice with strangers, elders, and at work.

To order food in Korean, say "이거 주세요" (igeo juseyo), meaning "Please give me this," while pointing at the menu, or say "[dish name] 하나 주세요" ([dish name] hana juseyo) meaning "One [dish], please." These polite phrases work at any Korean restaurant.

To order coffee in Korean, say "아메리카노 한 잔 주세요" (amerikano han jan juseyo), meaning "One Americano, please." For iced, add 아이스 (aiseu) before the drink name: "아이스 아메리카노 주세요" (aiseu amerikano juseyo).

To ask for directions in Korean, say "[place] 어디예요?" ([place] eodiyeyo?), meaning "Where is [place]?" For more polite situations, say "[place]에 어떻게 가요?" ([place]-e eotteoke gayo?), meaning "How do I get to [place]?"

The most important Korean restaurant phrase is "주문할게요" (jumunhalgeyo), meaning "I'd like to order." Combined with "[dish] 주세요" ([dish] juseyo — please give me [dish]) and "계산해 주세요" (gyesanhae juseyo — the bill, please), you can navigate any Korean restaurant.

To introduce yourself at work in Korean, say "안녕하세요, [company]의 [department] [name]입니다" (annyeonghaseyo, [company]-ui [department] [name]-imnida), meaning "Hello, I am [name] from [department] at [company]." Always use formal speech (-습니다 endings) in professional settings.

To haggle in Korean, say "깎아 주세요" (kkakka juseyo), meaning "Please give me a discount." You can also ask "좀 싸게 해주세요" (jom ssage haejuseyo — please make it cheaper) or directly suggest a price with "[amount]에 해주세요" ([amount]-e haejuseyo — please do it for [amount]).

To read a Korean menu, learn the key suffixes: -찌개 (jjigae) means stew, -탕 (tang) means soup, -구이 (gui) means grilled, -볶음 (bokkeum) means stir-fried, and -면 (myeon) means noodles. Combining these with ingredient names like 김치 (kimchi), 된장 (doenjang, soybean paste), or 불고기 (bulgogi) lets you decode most dish names.

Korean has two number systems: native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋 — hana, dul, set) used for counting objects and age, and Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼 — il, i, sam) used for dates, money, and phone numbers. You need both systems to speak Korean fluently.

Korean honorifics (존댓말, jondaenmal) are a system of speech levels and special vocabulary used to show respect based on the listener's age, social status, and your relationship. The most important rule is to always use polite speech (-요 or -습니다 endings) with anyone older or in a higher position than you.

Korean numbers use two systems: Sino-Korean (일, 이, 삼 — il, i, sam) for dates, money, phone numbers, and addresses, and native Korean (하나, 둘, 셋 — hana, dul, set) for counting objects, hours, and age. Each system pairs with specific counters (단위, danwi) to form complete expressions.

Formal Korean speech (존댓말, jondaenmal) uses polite endings like -요 (-yo) and -습니다 (-seumnida) and is used with strangers, elders, and superiors. Informal speech (반말, banmal) drops these endings and is only used with close friends, younger people, or children.

The Korean alphabet, called 한글 (Hangul), has 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels that combine into syllable blocks. It was scientifically designed in 1443 by King Sejong the Great and can be learned in just a few hours, making it one of the most logical writing systems in the world.

The most common Korean text slang is "ㅋㅋㅋ" (kkk), which represents laughter like "hahaha" in English. Other essential slang includes "ㅎㅎ" (hh, soft laughter), "ㅇㅇ" (oo, meaning yes/okay), and "ㄴㄴ" (nn, meaning no). Korean text slang heavily uses consonant abbreviations from Hangul.

The most important Korean drinking phrase is "건배" (geonbae), meaning "cheers," said while clinking glasses. Key etiquette rules include always pouring for others (never for yourself), turning away from elders when drinking, and receiving drinks with both hands.

The most iconic K-drama phrase is "가지 마" (gaji ma), meaning "Don't go" — used in countless dramatic separation scenes. Other essential K-drama phrases include "미쳤어?" (michyeosseo? — Are you crazy?), "어떡해" (eotteokae — What do I do?), and "진짜?" (jinjja? — Really?).