Level 1 · Survival Korean
Navigate Korean cities with confidence -- learn transportation vocabulary, direction words, and how to say where you want to go.
12 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Korea has one of the best public transportation systems in the world. The subway is clean, efficient, and cheap. Buses cover every corner of the city. Taxis are affordable compared to most countries. In this unit, you'll learn how to ask for directions, name your destination, and ride with confidence. Let's go -- 가요!
taxi
택시 타고 갈까요?Shall we take a taxi?
💡 Memory tip: From English "taxi." Korean taxis are orange, black, or silver depending on type.
Pronunciation: ㅌ is aspirated -- a strong "t" with a puff of air.
bus
몇 번 버스 타야 해요?Which number bus should I take?
💡 Memory tip: From English "bus." Seoul has color-coded buses: blue (trunk), green (branch), red (express).
Pronunciation: The final ㅡ is a short neutral vowel added to English loanwords.
subway / metro
지하철이 제일 빨라요.The subway is the fastest.
💡 Memory tip: 지하 (underground) + 철 (iron/rail) = underground railway!
Pronunciation: 지하철 is pronounced [지하철]. Clean and straightforward.
station
서울역에서 내려요.I get off at Seoul Station.
💡 Memory tip: Attach 역 after a place name to make it a station: 강남역, 홍대역, 서울역.
Pronunciation: The final ㄱ is unreleased [k] when alone, but links to the next syllable if followed by a vowel.
airport
인천 공항까지 가 주세요.Please go to Incheon Airport.
💡 Memory tip: 공 (air/sky) + 항 (port) = air port. Same logic as English!
Pronunciation: ㅎ in 항 is clearly aspirated. 공항 is pronounced [공항].
hotel
호텔까지 얼마예요?How much to the hotel?
💡 Memory tip: From English "hotel." Budget travelers might stay at a 게스트하우스 (guesthouse) or 모텔 (motel).
here (this place)
여기에서 내려 주세요.Please drop me off here.
💡 Memory tip: Part of the "here/there/where" trio: 여기 (here), 거기 (there), 어디 (where).
there (that place)
거기까지 걸어갈 수 있어요?Can I walk there?
💡 Memory tip: Points to somewhere near the listener or a known location.
where
화장실이 어디예요?Where is the restroom?
💡 Memory tip: The question word for location. 어디 + 에 = at where, 어디 + 에서 = from where.
to go
학교에 가요.I go to school.
💡 Memory tip: One of the most essential Korean verbs! Polite form: 가요. Past tense: 갔어요.
Pronunciation: The dictionary form ends in -다. For polite speech, conjugate to 가요.
to come
여기로 오세요.Come here, please.
💡 Memory tip: The opposite of 가다. Polite form: 와요. Past tense: 왔어요.
Pronunciation: Conjugation: 오 + 아요 contracts to 와요 (not 오아요).
to ride / to board
지하철을 타세요.Take the subway.
💡 Memory tip: Use 타다 for any vehicle you board: bus, subway, taxi, plane, bicycle.
Pronunciation: Polite form: 타요. Past tense: 탔어요. ㅌ is strongly aspirated.
Korea's public transit is world-class. Here's what you need to know:
-- T-money card (교통카드): A rechargeable transit card that works on all subways, buses, and even taxis and convenience stores. Buy one at any convenience store or subway station for about 4,000 won. Tap when boarding AND when exiting buses for transfer discounts.
-- Subway announcements: All stations are announced in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese. Station names are displayed in both Korean and English.
-- Taxi tips: Regular taxis (일반택시) are silver or orange. Deluxe taxis (모범택시) are black and more expensive but roomier. Most drivers don't speak much English, so have your destination written in Korean or use a map app.
-- Kakao Taxi (카카오택시): The Korean equivalent of Uber. Almost everyone uses this app. You can set your destination in advance, see the fare estimate, and pay by card -- no Korean needed!
-- Bus etiquette: Board through the front door, exit through the back. Tap your T-money card on the reader both times. Give up priority seats (노약자석) for the elderly and pregnant women.
-- Useful phrases: "___에 어떻게 가요?" (How do I get to ___?) "여기에서 내려 주세요." (Please drop me off here.) "얼마예요?" (How much is it?)
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