Level 1 · Survival Korean
Learn to ask for and give directions, and talk about places around town.
13 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Getting around in Korea is easier than you think — the subway system is world-class and signs are often bilingual. But knowing how to ask for directions in Korean will save you when GPS fails or when you're exploring smaller neighborhoods.
In this unit, you'll learn direction words (left, right, straight), place names you'll see everywhere, and two essential grammar patterns: saying where something is (에 있어요) and making polite requests (-(으)세요).
Useful tip: Koreans often give directions using landmarks rather than street names!
left
왼쪽으로 가세요.Go to the left.
💡 Memory tip: 왼 (left) + 쪽 (side/direction). 쪽 is the "-side" suffix you'll reuse: 오른쪽, 이쪽, 저쪽.
Pronunciation: ㅚ is pronounced close to [we]; 쪽 has a tense ㅉ
right
오른쪽에 은행이 있어요.There's a bank on the right.
💡 Memory tip: 오른 (right) + 쪽 (side). The opposite of 왼쪽 — most people's 오른손 (right hand) is the one they write with.
straight ahead
직진하세요.Go straight.
💡 Memory tip: 직(直, straight) + 진(進, advance) — "advance straight ahead." The same 직 appears in 직접 (directly).
Pronunciation: ㄱ받침 + ㅈ → tensification: [직찐]
front / ahead
학교 앞에서 만나요.Let's meet in front of the school.
💡 Memory tip: Pair it with its opposite 뒤 (behind). 앞 = what's ahead of you, 뒤 = what's behind you.
Pronunciation: ㅍ받침 → [ㅂ] sound: [압]
behind / back
건물 뒤에 주차장이 있어요.There's a parking lot behind the building.
💡 Memory tip: The opposite of 앞 (front). Learn the pair together: 앞 ↔ 뒤.
beside / next to
편의점 옆에 약국이 있어요.There's a pharmacy next to the convenience store.
💡 Memory tip: 옆 always takes 에: 옆에 = "beside/next to." Think of 옆사람 — the person sitting next to you.
Pronunciation: ㅂ받침: [엽]
bank
은행이 어디에 있어요?Where is the bank?
💡 Memory tip: 은(銀, silver) + 행(行, business/firm) — a "silver business," the old word for where money is handled.
Pronunciation: 은행 is pronounced [은행] — the ㅎ is clearly aspirated
restroom / bathroom
화장실이 어디예요?Where is the restroom?
💡 Memory tip: 화장 (makeup) + 실 (room) — literally "makeup room"
convenience store
편의점에서 물을 샀어요.I bought water at the convenience store.
💡 Memory tip: 편의 (convenience) + 점 (store) — literally "convenience store"
Pronunciation: 편의 is pronounced [펴니] due to liaison
pharmacy
약국에서 약을 사요.I buy medicine at the pharmacy.
💡 Memory tip: 약 (medicine) + 국 (bureau/office) — medicine office
Pronunciation: ㄱ + ㄱ → [ㄱ꾹]: [약꾹]
close / near
여기서 가까워요.It's close from here.
💡 Memory tip: Opposite of 멀다 (far). The double ㄲ feels "tight/close," matching the meaning.
Pronunciation: ㅂ irregular: 가깝다 → 가까워요 (ㅂ becomes 워)
far
역에서 멀어요?Is it far from the station?
💡 Memory tip: Opposite of 가깝다 (near). Related noun 멀리 = "far away (adverb)."
road / street / way
이 길로 가세요.Go this way.
💡 Memory tip: A single building block: 길 = road/way. You'll see it everywhere in address names ending in -길 (e.g. 가로수길).
Pronunciation: ㄹ받침: tongue touches behind upper teeth
Unlike many Western countries, Koreans traditionally navigate by landmarks rather than street names. If you ask for directions, you'll often hear:
• "스타벅스 옆에 있어요" (It's next to Starbucks) • "큰 건물 뒤에 있어요" (It's behind the big building) • "지하철역 3번 출구에서 가세요" (Go from subway exit 3)
Subway exits (출구) are VERY important in Korea. When meeting someone, Koreans always specify which exit number: "강남역 4번 출구에서 만나요" (Let's meet at Gangnam Station Exit 4).
Korea did adopt a street address system (도로명 주소) in 2014, but many people still use the older system based on neighborhoods (동) and lot numbers (번지). Taxi drivers often prefer the older system or a nearby landmark.
Pro tip: Naver Map (네이버 지도) works better than Google Maps in Korea!
Practice these 13 words with quizzes & spaced repetition
Start learning free