Learning Korean: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Korean course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Korean is like
Korean is written in the clear, logical Hangul alphabet, so anyone can learn to read in a day. Word order is Subject–Object–Verb (English is Subject–Verb–Object): 저는 커피를 마셔요 = "I drink coffee". Instead of genders or articles, Korean uses small particles like 은/는 (subject) and 을/를 (object). There are two number systems — Sino-Korean for money and time, native Korean for counting things. Verbs change to the polite ending -요 (everyday) or -습니다 (formal).
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Hangul is a logical alphabet invented in the 1400s — not Chinese characters. Each block is a syllable built from a consonant and a vowel. Learn a few letters and you can sound out almost any word.
- ㄱ · ㅋ — ㄱ is a soft "g" (as in go); ㅋ is a strong "k" with a puff of air., as in 가 = ga · 커피 = keo-pi.
- ㄷ · ㅌ — ㄷ is a soft "d" (as in day); ㅌ is a strong "t" with a puff of air., as in 다 = da · 토마토 = to-ma-to.
- ㅂ · ㅍ — ㅂ is a soft "b" (as in bat); ㅍ is a strong "p" with a puff of air., as in 바 = ba · 포도 = po-do.
- final consonants — A syllable ends on one consonant that "closes" it — you can't add a vowel after it., as in 밥 = bap · 물 = mul.
- ㅓ · ㅗ — ㅓ is a wide, unrounded "uh/eu" sound; ㅗ is a round "o" with the lips forward., as in 어 = eo · 오 = o.
- ㅡ — ㅡ is a flat sound with no rounding, like the "u" in "sir" (but no r)., as in 으 = eu · 그 = geu.
- ㅅ · ㅆ — ㅅ is an "s" — a soft "sh" before ㅣ; ㅆ is a tense, sharper "s"., as in 사 = sa · 시 = si · 씨 = ssi.
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| 안녕히 가세요 | annyeonghi gaseyo | Goodbye (to someone leaving) |
| 만나서 반가워요 | mannaseo bangawoyo | Nice to meet you |
| 네 | ne | Yes |
| 아니요 | aniyo | No |
| 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Thank you |
| 죄송합니다 | joesonghamnida | I'm sorry |
| 실례합니다 | sillyehamnida | Excuse me |
| 괜찮아요 | gwaenchanayo | It's OK / no problem |
| 주세요 | juseyo | Please (give me) |
| 일 | il | 1 |
| 이 | i | 2 |
| 삼 | sam | 3 |
| 사 | sa | 4 |
| 오 | o | 5 |
| 십 | sip | 10 |
| 커피 | keopi | coffee |
| 물 | mul | water |
| 밥 | bap | rice / a meal |
| 김치 | kimchi | kimchi |
| 맛있어요 | masisseoyo | delicious |
| 어디예요? | eodiyeyo? | Where is...? |
| 오른쪽 | oreunjjok | to the right |
| 왼쪽 | oenjjok | to the left |
| 직진 | jikjin | straight ahead |
| 화장실 | hwajangsil | the bathroom |
| 얼마예요? | eolmayeyo? | How much is it? |
| 이거 주세요 | igeo juseyo | I'll take this |
| 비싸요 | bissayo | It's expensive |
| 도와주세요 | dowajuseyo | Help, please |
How the Korean course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & hello — 안녕하세요 · 감사합니다 · 네 · 아니요
- Being polite — 감사합니다 · 죄송합니다 · 괜찮아요 · -요
- Numbers 1–10 — 일 · 이 · 삼 · 사 · 오 · 십
- I want" — the verb 주세요 — 주세요 · 원해요 · 커피 · 물 · 을/를
- Food & drink — 밥 · 김치 · 커피 · 얼마예요? · 맛있어요
- Getting around — 어디예요? · 오른쪽 · 왼쪽 · 직진 · 역
- Questions & "do you have…?" — 있어요 · 없어요
- Family & people — 가족 · 엄마 · 아빠 · 친구 · 제
- Time, days & weather — 오늘 · 내일 · 어제 · -요일 · 날씨
- Small talk & your name — 저는 Alex입니다 · 이름이 뭐예요? · 만나서 반가워요
- Health & emergency — 도와주세요 · 아파요 · 약국 · 모르겠어요
- Putting it together — greet · order · ask the way · pay · thank
- Airport & tickets — 공항 · 여권 · 표 · 게이트
- The taxi — 택시 · 가 주세요 · 호텔 · 세워 주세요
- The hotel — 예약 · 방 · 열쇠 · 하룻밤
- Ask for help — 모르겠어요 · 천천히 · 영어
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & hello
Key pieces: 안녕하세요 · 감사합니다 · 네 · 아니요
Start with the greeting you'll use all day: 안녕하세요 — hello (it works any time of day). Say it out loud.
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — hello
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) — thank you
- 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) — goodbye (to someone leaving)
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) — I'm sorry
To say “Hello!” in Korean: 안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo!). Built from 안녕하세요 = hello.
Yes and no: 네 (yes) and 아니요 (no).
- 네 (ne) — yes
- 아니요 (aniyo) — no
- 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) — excuse me
To say “Thank you!” in Korean: 감사합니다! (gamsahamnida!). Built from 감사합니다 = thank you.
Being polite
Key pieces: 감사합니다 · 죄송합니다 · 괜찮아요 · -요
Korean politeness lives at the END of the sentence. The everyday polite ending is -요 ; the more formal one is -습니다 .
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) — thank you
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) — I'm sorry
- 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) — excuse me
To say “I'm sorry” in Korean: 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida). Built from 죄송합니다 = I'm sorry.
When someone thanks you, reply 괜찮아요 — it's fine / no problem.
To say “It's fine, thank you” in Korean: 괜찮아요, 감사합니다 (gwaenchanayo, gamsahamnida). Built from 괜찮아요 = it's fine; 감사합니다 = thank you.
To say “Thank you very much” in Korean: 정말 감사합니다 (jeongmal gamsahamnida). Built from 정말 = really; 감사합니다 = thank you.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: 일 · 이 · 삼 · 사 · 오 · 십
Korean has TWO number systems. Start with the Sino-Korean ones (from Chinese) — they're used for money, time and phone numbers.
- 일 (il) — 1
- 이 (i) — 2
- 삼 (sam) — 3
- 사 (sa) — 4
- 오 (o) — 5
- 십 (sip) — 10
To say “One, two, three” in Korean: 일, 이, 삼 (il, i, sam). Built from 일 = 1; 이 = 2; 삼 = 3.
To count objects (people, cups, things), Koreans use the native numbers: 하나, 둘, 셋, 넷, 다섯 .
- 하나 (hana) — 1 (native)
- 둘 (dul) — 2 (native)
- 셋 (set) — 3 (native)
- 넷 (net) — 4 (native)
- 다섯 (daseot) — 5 (native)
To say “It's five thousand won” in Korean: 오천 원이에요 (ocheon wonieyo). Built from 오천 = five thousand; 원 = won (Korean money); 이에요 = it is.
I want" — the verb 주세요
Key pieces: 주세요 · 원해요 · 커피 · 물 · 을/를
The magic ordering word: 주세요 — please give me. Stick it after any food or item.
- 주세요 (juseyo) — please give me
- 커피 (keopi) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
- 물 (mul) — water
To say “Water, please” in Korean: 물 주세요 (mul juseyo). Built from 물 = water; 주세요 = please give me.
To say "I want" something, use 원해요 . Mark the object with the particle 을 after a consonant, or 를 after a vowel.
- 원해요 (wonhaeyo) — I want
- 커피를 원해요 (keopireul wonhaeyo) — I want coffee
To say “I want water” in Korean: 물을 원해요 (mureul wonhaeyo). Built from 물 = water; 을 = object particle; 원해요 = I want.
Food & drink
Key pieces: 밥 · 김치 · 커피 · 얼마예요? · 맛있어요
Eating in Korea? 밥 = rice (and any meal), and 김치 = kimchi, the spicy pickled cabbage that comes with everything.
- 밥 (bap) — rice / a meal
- 김치 (kimchi) — kimchi Memory hook: ≈ English kimchi.
- 물 (mul) — water
- 맥주 (maekju) — beer
- 불고기 (bulgogi) — bulgogi (grilled beef) Memory hook: ≈ English bulgogi.
To say “Kimchi, please” in Korean: 김치 주세요 (kimchi juseyo). Built from 김치 = kimchi; 주세요 = please give me.
To ask the price: 얼마예요? — how much is it?
To say “How much is it?” in Korean: 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?). Built from 얼마 = how much; 예요? = is it?.
맛있어요 = delicious. It's the fastest way to win over any cook.
To say “It's delicious!” in Korean: 맛있어요! (masisseoyo!). Built from 맛있어요 = delicious.
Getting around
Key pieces: 어디예요? · 오른쪽 · 왼쪽 · 직진 · 역
The most useful question when you're lost: 어디예요? — where is it?
- 어디예요? (eodiyeyo?) — where is it?
- 오른쪽 (oreunjjok) — the right
- 왼쪽 (oenjjok) — the left
- 직진 (jikjin) — straight ahead
- 역 (yeok) — station
- 화장실 (hwajangsil) — the bathroom
To say “Where is the station?” in Korean: 역이 어디예요? (yeogi eodiyeyo?). Built from 역 = station; 어디예요? = where is it?.
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Korean: 화장실이 어디예요? (hwajangsiri eodiyeyo?). Built from 화장실 = bathroom; 어디예요? = where is it?.
오른쪽 = right, 왼쪽 = left, and 직진 = straight ahead.
To say “Straight ahead” in Korean: 직진 (jikjin). Built from 직진 = straight ahead.
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: 있어요 · 없어요
있어요 = there is / I have. Ask it as a question ( 있어요? ) to mean "is there…? / do you have…?"
- 있어요 (isseoyo) — there is / I have
- 없어요 (eopseoyo) — there isn't / I don't have
To say “Do you have kimchi?” in Korean: 김치 있어요? (kimchi isseoyo?). Built from 김치 = kimchi; 있어요? = do you have?.
To say “Is there a bathroom?” in Korean: 화장실 있어요? (hwajangsil isseoyo?). Built from 화장실 = bathroom; 있어요? = is there?.
To say you DON'T have it: 없어요 . Handy when the shop is out of stock.
To say “There isn't / I don't have it” in Korean: 없어요 (eopseoyo). Built from 없어요 = there isn't / I don't have.
Family & people
Key pieces: 가족 · 엄마 · 아빠 · 친구 · 제
Family words: 가족 = family. 엄마 = mom and 아빠 = dad.
- 가족 (gajok) — family
- 엄마 (eomma) — mom Memory hook: ≈ mama (universal).
- 아빠 (appa) — dad Memory hook: ≈ papa/dada (universal).
- 친구 (chingu) — friend
- 동생 (dongsaeng) — younger sibling
To say “My family” in Korean: 제 가족 (je gajok). Built from 제 = my; 가족 = family.
제 = my (polite). Just put it before a noun.
To say “My mom” in Korean: 제 엄마 (je eomma). Built from 제 = my; 엄마 = mom.
To say “I have a friend” in Korean: 친구가 있어요 (chinguga isseoyo). Built from 친구 = friend; 가 = subject particle; 있어요 = I have.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: 오늘 · 내일 · 어제 · -요일 · 날씨
Today = 오늘 , tomorrow = 내일 , yesterday = 어제 .
- 오늘 (oneul) — today
- 내일 (naeil) — tomorrow
- 어제 (eoje) — yesterday
- 날씨 (nalssi) — weather
To say “See you tomorrow” in Korean: 내일 봐요 (naeil bwayo). Built from 내일 = tomorrow; 봐요 = see you.
Days of the week end in -요일 : 월요일 Mon, 화요일 Tue, 수요일 Wed, 목요일 Thu, 금요일 Fri, 토요일 Sat, 일요일 Sun.
- 월요일 (woryoil) — Monday
- 금요일 (geumyoil) — Friday
- 토요일 (toyoil) — Saturday
- 일요일 (ilyoil) — Sunday
Ask about the weather: 날씨가 어때요? A common answer: 비가 와요 — it's raining.
To say “It's raining” in Korean: 비가 와요 (biga wayo). Built from 비 = rain; 와요 = comes.
Small talk & your name
Key pieces: 저는 Alex입니다 · 이름이 뭐예요? · 만나서 반가워요
Introduce yourself: 저는 Alex입니다 — I am Alex. 저는 = I (polite).
To say “My name is Alex” in Korean: 저는 Alex입니다 (jeoneun Aleximnida). Built from 저는 = I; Alex = your name; 입니다 = am.
To ask someone's name: 이름이 뭐예요?
To say “What's your name?” in Korean: 이름이 뭐예요? (ireumi mwoyeyo?). Built from 이름 = name; 뭐예요? = what is it?.
Pleased to meet you: 만나서 반가워요 .
To say “Nice to meet you” in Korean: 만나서 반가워요 (mannaseo bangawoyo). Built from 만나서 = meeting you; 반가워요 = glad.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: 도와주세요 · 아파요 · 약국 · 모르겠어요
If you need help: 도와주세요 — please help me. It's one of the most important phrases to know.
- 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo) — help me, please
- 아파요 (apayo) — it hurts / I'm sick
- 의사 (uisa) — doctor
- 약국 (yakguk) — pharmacy
- 모르겠어요 (moreugesseoyo) — I don't understand
To say “Please help me!” in Korean: 도와주세요! (dowajuseyo!). Built from 도와주세요 = please help me.
To say “It hurts” in Korean: 아파요 (apayo). Built from 아파요 = it hurts.
모르겠어요 = I don't understand. Combine it with pointing at what you need.
To say “I don't understand” in Korean: 모르겠어요 (moreugesseoyo). Built from 모르겠어요 = I don't understand.
Putting it together
Key pieces: greet · order · ask the way · pay · thank
Great — you've built a real toolkit. This capstone only uses words and phrases you've already met. Build each line yourself before revealing it.
To say “Hello!” in Korean: 안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo!). Built from 안녕하세요 = hello.
To say “Coffee, please” in Korean: 커피 주세요 (keopi juseyo). Built from 커피 = coffee; 주세요 = please give me.
To say “Where is the station?” in Korean: 역이 어디예요? (yeogi eodiyeyo?). Built from 역 = station; 어디예요? = where is it?.
To say “How much is it?” in Korean: 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?). Built from 얼마 = how much; 예요? = is it?.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: 공항 · 여권 · 표 · 게이트
You have landed. The building is the 공항 . Your document is a 여권 .
- 공항 (gonghang) — airport
- 여권 (yeogwon) — passport
- 표 (pyo) — ticket
- 비행기 (bihaenggi) — airplane / flight
- 게이트 (geiteu) — gate
To say “Where is the airport?” in Korean: 공항이 어디예요? (gonghangi eodiyeyo?). Built from 공항 = airport; 이 = subject particle; 어디예요? = where is it?.
To say “Here is my passport” in Korean: 여기 제 여권이요 (yeogi je yeogwonyo). Built from 여기 = here; 제 = my (polite); 여권 = passport; 이요 = polite ending.
To say “A ticket, please” in Korean: 표 주세요 (pyo juseyo). Built from 표 = ticket; 주세요 = please give me.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Korean: 게이트가 어디예요? (geiteuga eodiyeyo?). Built from 게이트 = gate; 가 = subject particle; 어디예요? = where is it?.
The taxi
Key pieces: 택시 · 가 주세요 · 호텔 · 세워 주세요
The driver is waiting. 택시 is a loanword. Tell them where to go with …에 가 주세요 .
- 택시 (taeksi) — taxi
- 기사님 (gisanim) — driver (polite)
- 가 주세요 (ga juseyo) — please go
- 여기서 세워 주세요 (yeogiseo sewo juseyo) — please stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Korean: 택시 주세요 (taeksi juseyo). Built from 택시 = taxi; 주세요 = please.
To say “Please go to the hotel” in Korean: 호텔에 가 주세요 (hotele ga juseyo). Built from 호텔 = hotel; 에 = to; 가 주세요 = please go.
To say “Stop here, please” in Korean: 여기서 세워 주세요 (yeogiseo sewo juseyo). Built from 여기서 = here; 세워 주세요 = please stop.
To say “How much is it?” in Korean: 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?). Built from 얼마 = how much; 예요? = is it?.
The hotel
Key pieces: 예약 · 방 · 열쇠 · 하룻밤
At the desk: 예약이 있어요 — I have a reservation.
- 호텔 (hotel) — hotel
- 예약 (yeyak) — reservation
- 방 (bang) — room
- 열쇠 (yeolsoe) — key
- 하룻밤 (harutbam) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Korean: 예약이 있어요 (yeyagi isseoyo). Built from 예약 = reservation; 이 = subject particle; 있어요 = I have.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Korean: 하룻밤 방 주세요 (harutbam bang juseyo). Built from 하룻밤 = one night; 방 = room; 주세요 = please give me.
To say “The key, please” in Korean: 열쇠 주세요 (yeolsoe juseyo). Built from 열쇠 = key; 주세요 = please give me.
To say “Where is my room?” in Korean: 제 방이 어디예요? (je bangi eodiyeyo?). Built from 제 = my; 방 = room; 어디예요? = where is it?.
Ask for help
Key pieces: 모르겠어요 · 천천히 · 영어
When Korean is too fast: 천천히 말씀해 주세요 — please speak slowly.
- 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) — slowly
- 다시 한 번요 (dasi han beonyo) — once more, please
- 영어 (yeongeo) — English
- 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo) — please help me
To say “I don't understand” in Korean: 모르겠어요 (moreugesseoyo). Built from 모르겠어요 = I don't understand.
To say “Please speak slowly” in Korean: 천천히 말씀해 주세요 (cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo). Built from 천천히 = slowly; 말씀해 주세요 = please speak (polite).
To say “Can you help me?” in Korean: 도와주실 수 있어요? (dowajusil su isseoyo?). Built from 도와주실 수 = can you help; 있어요? = is it possible?.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Korean: 영어 하세요? (yeongeo haseyo?). Built from 영어 = English; 하세요? = do you speak?.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo): to someone leaving.
- 하나 (hana): native.
- 둘 (dul): native.
- 셋 (set): native.
- 넷 (net): native.
- 다섯 (daseot): native.
- 불고기 (bulgogi): grilled beef.
- 기사님 (gisanim): polite.
Culture and etiquette
Bows & politeness
A small bow or a nod is the standard greeting. Korean has several politeness levels — the everyday -요 and the formal -습니다 you'll hear in shops and announcements. When in doubt, the polite form is always safe.
Rice is life
밥 (bap) means both "rice" and "a meal". Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, a Korean table almost always has rice, a soup and banchan (side dishes) to share.
The spice of Korea
Kimchi, gochujang (red pepper paste) and gochugaru (chili flakes) show up everywhere. Korean food is often bold, spicy and served family-style, meant for the whole table.
No tipping expected
Tipping is not customary in Korea. Prices are as marked, and a polite 감사합니다 (thank you) is the best "tip" you can give. Some cafés have you order at a kiosk or counter first.
Age shapes your words
Language shifts with age and closeness. Younger women call an older sister 언니, younger men call an older brother 형, and so on. When unsure, the polite -요 ending is always fine.
Ordering apps & cards
Korea is hyper-connected. Most payments happen by card, and many places rely on kiosks and local apps. A little Korean — ordering, "to go", a thank-you — still makes everything smoother.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: 안녕하세요! 커피 주세요. (annyeonghaseyo! keopi juseyo.) — Hello! Coffee, please.
Barista: 네, 여기 있어요. (ne, yeogi isseoyo.) — Sure, here you go.
You: 감사합니다. 얼마예요? (gamsahamnida. eolmayeyo?) — Thank you. How much is it?
Barista: 사천 원이에요. (sacheon wonieyo.) — It's 4,000 won.
You: 네, 여기요. (ne, yeogiyo.) — Here you go.
At the subway station
You: 실례합니다. 지하철역이 어디예요? (sillyehamnida. jihacheoryeogi eodiyeyo?) — Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Local: 저기, 오른쪽이에요. (jeogi, oreunjjogieyo.) — It's over there, on the right.
You: 감사합니다. 서울역까지 표 주세요. (gamsahamnida. seoulyeokkkaji pyo juseyo.) — Thanks. One ticket to Seoul Station, please.
Clerk: 네, 천오백 원이에요. (ne, cheonobaek wonieyo.) — Sure, that's 1,500 won.
At a restaurant
Waiter: 어서 오세요. 뭐 드릴까요? (eoseo oseyo. mwo deurilkkayo?) — Welcome. What can I get you?
You: 불고기 주세요. (bulgogi juseyo.) — Bulgogi, please.
You: 물도 주세요. (muldo juseyo.) — Water too, please.
Waiter: 네, 잠시만요. (ne, jamsimanyo.) — Sure, just a moment.
You: 맛있어요! 감사합니다. (masisseoyo! gamsahamnida.) — It's delicious! Thank you.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.