Ordering Food and at Restaurants
Restaurant Korean follows simple patterns. Most interactions start with 주세요 (ju-seh-yo, "please give me"). You can point at the menu, point at someone else's dish, or ask the staff to recommend something.
Basic Ordering Phrases
- 메뉴판 주세요 (meh-nyu-pan ju-seh-yo): Menu, please
- 이거 주세요 (ee-go ju-seh-yo): This one, please (point while saying this)
- 이거 하나 주세요 (ee-go ha-na ju-seh-yo): One of this, please
- 추천해 주세요 (chu-chon-heh ju-seh-yo): What do you recommend?
Spice, Allergies, and Dietary Preferences
Korean food can be spicy. Ask before ordering if you have concerns about heat level or ingredients.
- 매워요? (meh-wo-yo): Is it spicy?
- 안 매운 거 있어요? (an-meh-un go ee-sso-yo): Do you have something not spicy?
- 알레르기가 있어요 (al-leh-reu-gee-ga ee-sso-yo): I have an allergy
Payments and Logistics
- 계산해 주세요 (keh-san-heh ju-seh-yo): Check, please
- 얼마예요? (ol-ma-yeh-yo): How much?
- 따로따로 계산해 주세요 (tta-ro-tta-ro keh-san-heh ju-seh-yo): Please split the bill
- 포장해 주세요 (po-jang-heh ju-seh-yo): To go, please
- 여기서 먹을게요 (yo-gee-so mo-geul-geh-yo): I will eat here (dine-in)
Other Useful Phrases
- 맛있어요! (ma-shee-sso-yo): It's delicious!
- 물 좀 주세요 (mul-jom ju-seh-yo): Water please
- 젓가락 주세요 (jot-kka-rak ju-seh-yo): Chopsticks please
- 반찬 더 주세요 (ban-chan duh ju-seh-yo): More side dishes please
- 잘 먹겠습니다 (jal mok-ket-seum-ni-da): Said before eating (thanks for the meal)
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 메뉴판 주세요 | Menu, please | meh-nyu-pan ju-seh-yo | 메뉴판 주세요, Please give me the menu |
| 이거 주세요 | This one, please (point while saying) | ee-go ju-seh-yo | 이거 하나 주세요, One of this, please |
| 추천해 주세요 | Please recommend something | chu-chon-heh ju-seh-yo | 뭐 추천해 주세요?, What do you recommend? |
| 맛있어요! | It's delicious! | ma-shee-sso-yo | 정말 맛있어요, Really delicious! |
| 매워요? | Is it spicy? | meh-wo-yo | 이거 많이 매워요?, Is this very spicy? |
| 안 매운 거 | Something not spicy | an-meh-un go | 안 매운 거 있어요?, Do you have something not spicy? |
| 포장해 주세요 | To go / takeout please | po-jang-heh ju-seh-yo | 포장해 주세요, Please pack it to go |
| 여기서 먹을게요 | I'll eat here | yo-gee-so mo-geul-geh-yo | 여기서 먹을게요, I'll eat here (dine-in) |
| 물 좀 주세요 | Water please | mul-jom ju-seh-yo | 물 좀 더 주세요, More water please |
| 젓가락 주세요 | Chopsticks please | jot-kka-rak ju-seh-yo | 젓가락 하나 더 주세요, One more pair of chopsticks |
| 계산해 주세요 | Check, please | keh-san-heh ju-seh-yo | 사장님, 계산해 주세요, Boss, the check please |
| 얼마예요? | How much? | ol-ma-yeh-yo | 모두 얼마예요?, How much total? |
| 따로따로 | Separate bills | tta-ro-tta-ro | 따로따로 계산해 주세요, Please split the bill |
| 반찬 더 주세요 | More side dishes please | ban-chan do ju-seh-yo | 반찬 더 주세요, More banchan please |
| 잘 먹겠습니다 | Said before eating (thanks for the meal) | jal mok-ket-seum-ni-da | 잘 먹겠습니다!, I will eat well (before meal) |
Shopping, Hotels, and Everyday Transactions
Shopping and hotel interactions center on requests and clarifications. Use the same -yo ending for politeness. Point, ask prices, and negotiate at markets (only traditional markets, not chain stores).
Shopping Essentials
- 이거 얼마예요? (ee-go ol-ma-yeh-yo): How much is this?
- 너무 비싸요 (no-mu bee-ssa-yo): Too expensive
- 깎아주세요 (kka-kka-ju-seh-yo): Please discount (markets only)
- 입어봐도 돼요? (ee-bo-bwa-do dwe-yo): Can I try it on?
- 다른 색깔 있어요? (da-reun sek-kkal ee-sso-yo): Do you have another color?
- 영수증 주세요 (yong-su-jeung ju-seh-yo): Receipt, please
Hotel Check-In and Check-Out
Say these phrases when arriving or leaving your accommodation.
- 체크인 하고 싶어요 (cheh-keu-een ha-go shee-po-yo): I would like to check in
- 예약했어요 (yeh-yak-hess-o-yo): I have a reservation
- 방 열쇠 주세요 (bang yol-sweh ju-seh-yo): Room key please
- 와이파이 비밀번호 (wa-ee-pa-ee bee-mil-bon-ho): Wi-Fi password
- 체크아웃 할게요 (cheh-keu-a-ut hal-geh-yo): I will check out
Hotel Services
- 충전기 빌릴 수 있어요? (chung-jon-gee bil-lil-su ee-sso-yo): Can I borrow a charger?
- 세탁 서비스 있어요? (seh-tak so-bee-seu ee-sso-yo): Do you have laundry service?
- 현금만 받아요? (hyon-geum-man ba-da-yo): Cash only?
Transit and Everyday
- 티머니 카드 주세요 (tee-mo-nee ka-deu ju-seh-yo): A T-money card please
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 이거 얼마예요? | How much is this? | ee-go ol-ma-yeh-yo | 이거 얼마예요?, How much is this? |
| 너무 비싸요 | Too expensive | no-mu bee-ssa-yo | 너무 비싸요, 깎아주세요, Too expensive, please discount |
| 깎아주세요 | Please discount (markets only) | kka-kka-ju-seh-yo | 조금 깎아주세요, Please discount a little |
| 입어봐도 돼요? | Can I try it on? | ee-bo-bwa-do dwe-yo | 이거 입어봐도 돼요?, Can I try this on? |
| 다른 색깔 있어요? | Do you have another color? | da-reun sek-kkal ee-sso-yo | 다른 색깔 있어요?, Any other colors? |
| 영수증 주세요 | Receipt, please | yong-su-jeung ju-seh-yo | 영수증 주세요, Please give me a receipt |
| 체크인 하고 싶어요 | I'd like to check in | cheh-keu-een ha-go shee-po-yo | 체크인 하고 싶어요, I'd like to check in |
| 예약했어요 | I have a reservation | yeh-yak-hess-o-yo | 제 이름으로 예약했어요, I made a reservation in my name |
| 와이파이 비밀번호 | Wi-Fi password | wa-ee-pa-ee bee-mil-bon-ho | 와이파이 비밀번호 뭐예요?, What's the Wi-Fi password? |
| 열쇠 주세요 | The key please | yol-sweh ju-seh-yo | 방 열쇠 주세요, Room key please |
| 체크아웃 할게요 | I'll check out | cheh-keu-a-ut hal-geh-yo | 지금 체크아웃 할게요, I'll check out now |
| 충전기 빌릴 수 있어요? | Can I borrow a charger? | chung-jon-gee bil-lil-su ee-sso-yo | 충전기 빌릴 수 있어요?, Can I borrow a charger? |
| 세탁 서비스 있어요? | Do you have laundry service? | seh-tak so-bee-seu ee-sso-yo | 세탁 서비스 있어요?, Is there laundry service? |
| 티머니 카드 | T-money card (transit) | tee-mo-nee ka-deu | 티머니 카드 주세요, A T-money card please |
| 현금만 받아요? | Cash only? | hyon-geum-man ba-da-yo | 현금만 받아요?, Do you only take cash? |
Transit, Navigation, and Emergencies
Getting around Korea requires a few key phrases for directions, taxis, and subway navigation. Keep these phrases accessible on your phone for quick reference.
Asking for Directions
- 어떻게 가요? (o-tto-keh ga-yo): How do I get there?
- 이 주소로 가주세요 (ee ju-so-ro ga-ju-seh-yo): Please go to this address (show to taxi)
- 길 좀 알려주세요 (kil jom al-lyo-ju-seh-yo): Please tell me the way
- 지도 좀 보여주세요 (jee-do jom bo-yo-ju-seh-yo): Please show me on a map
Subway and Transit
- 몇 번 출구예요? (myot-bon chul-gu-yeh-yo): Which exit number?
- 어디서 환승해요? (o-dee-so hwan-seung-heh-yo): Where do I transfer?
Taxi Specific
- 여기서 세워주세요 (yo-gee-so seh-wo-ju-seh-yo): Please stop here
- 영수증 필요해요 (yong-su-jeung pee-ryo-heh-yo): I need a receipt
Emergencies and Lost Items
Korea has excellent safety, but it is good to know these phrases.
- 도와주세요! (doh-wa-ju-seh-yo): Help!
- 119에 전화해 주세요 (il-il-gu-eh jon-hwa-heh ju-seh-yo): Please call 119 (fire or ambulance)
- 지갑을 잃어버렸어요 (jee-gab-eul il-o-bo-ryoss-o-yo): I lost my wallet
- 여권을 잃어버렸어요 (yo-gwon-eul il-o-bo-ryoss-o-yo): I lost my passport
Finding Help
- 대사관이 어디예요? (deh-sa-gwan-ee o-dee-yeh-yo): Where is the embassy?
- 약국이 어디예요? (yak-kkuk-ee o-dee-yeh-yo): Where is the pharmacy?
| Term | Meaning | Pronunciation | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 어떻게 가요? | How do I get there? | o-tto-keh ga-yo | 여기 어떻게 가요?, How do I get here? |
| 이 주소로 가주세요 | Please go to this address (show to taxi driver) | ee ju-so-ro ga-ju-seh-yo | 이 주소로 가주세요, Please drive to this address |
| 여기서 세워주세요 | Please stop here | yo-gee-so seh-wo-ju-seh-yo | 여기서 세워주세요, Please stop here |
| 영수증 필요해요 | I need a receipt | yong-su-jeung pee-ryo-heh-yo | 영수증 필요해요, I need a receipt (taxis) |
| 몇 번 출구예요? | Which exit number? | myot-bon chul-gu-yeh-yo | 강남역 몇 번 출구예요?, Which exit of Gangnam Station? |
| 환승하는 곳 | Transfer point | hwan-seung-ha-neun got | 어디서 환승해요?, Where do I transfer? |
| 길 좀 알려주세요 | Please tell me the way | kil jom al-lyo-ju-seh-yo | 길 좀 알려주세요, Please show me the way |
| 지도 좀 보여주세요 | Please show me a map | jee-do jom bo-yo-ju-seh-yo | 지도 좀 보여주세요, Please show me on a map |
| 도와주세요! | Help! | doh-wa-ju-seh-yo | 도와주세요, 급해요!, Help, it's urgent! |
| 119에 전화해 주세요 | Please call 119 (emergency) | il-il-gu-eh jon-hwa-heh ju-seh-yo | 119에 전화해 주세요!, Call 119 please! |
| 지갑을 잃어버렸어요 | I lost my wallet | jee-gab-eul il-o-bo-ryoss-o-yo | 지갑을 잃어버렸어요, I lost my wallet |
| 여권을 잃어버렸어요 | I lost my passport | yo-gwon-eul il-o-bo-ryoss-o-yo | 여권을 잃어버렸어요, I lost my passport |
| 대사관이 어디예요? | Where is the embassy? | deh-sa-gwan-ee o-dee-yeh-yo | 미국 대사관이 어디예요?, Where is the American embassy? |
| 알레르기가 있어요 | I have an allergy | al-leh-reu-gee-ga ee-sso-yo | 땅콩 알레르기가 있어요, I have a peanut allergy |
| 약국이 어디예요? | Where is the pharmacy? | yak-kkuk-ee o-dee-yeh-yo | 가까운 약국이 어디예요?, Where's a nearby pharmacy? |
How to Study Korean Effectively
Mastering Korean travel phrases requires the right study approach, not just more hours. Research shows three techniques produce the best learning outcomes: active recall (testing yourself rather than re-reading), spaced repetition (reviewing at scientifically-optimized intervals), and interleaving (mixing related topics rather than studying one at a time).
FluentFlash uses all three. The FSRS algorithm schedules every phrase for review at the exact moment you are about to forget it. This maximizes retention while minimizing study time.
Why Passive Review Fails
The most common mistake is relying on passive methods. Re-reading notes, highlighting passages, or watching videos feels productive, but these produce only 10-20% of the retention that active recall achieves. Flashcards force your brain to retrieve information, which strengthens memory far more than recognition alone.
Your Practical Study Plan
- Create 15-25 flashcards covering the highest-priority phrases for your trip
- Review them daily for the first week using FSRS scheduling
- As phrases become easier, intervals automatically expand from minutes to days to weeks
- You will always work on material at the edge of your knowledge
- After 2-3 weeks of consistent practice, Korean phrases become automatic rather than effortful
The key is consistency. Twenty minutes per day beats marathon study sessions. Your brain needs repeated retrieval to move phrases from short-term memory into long-term storage.
- 1
Generate flashcards using FluentFlash AI or create them manually from your notes
- 2
Study 15-20 new cards per day, plus scheduled reviews
- 3
Use multiple study modes (flip, multiple choice, written) to strengthen recall
- 4
Track your progress and identify weak topics for focused review
- 5
Review consistently, daily practice beats marathon sessions
Why Flashcards Work Better Than Other Study Methods for Korean
Flashcards are one of the most research-backed study tools for any subject, including Korean phrases. The reason comes down to how memory actually works. When you read a textbook, your brain stores information in short-term memory, but without retrieval practice, it fades within hours.
The Testing Effect
Flashcards force retrieval, which transfers information from short-term to long-term memory. The "testing effect," documented in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies, shows that flashcard students consistently outperform re-readers by 30-60% on delayed tests. This is not because flashcards contain more information. It is because retrieval strengthens neural pathways in ways that passive exposure cannot.
Every time you successfully recall a Korean phrase, you make that phrase easier to recall next time. Your brain is literally rewiring itself with each retrieval attempt.
FSRS Algorithm Advantage
FluentFlash amplifies this effect with the FSRS algorithm, a modern spaced repetition system. It schedules reviews at mathematically-optimal intervals based on your actual performance. Cards you find easy move further into the future. Cards you struggle with come back sooner.
Over time, this builds remarkable retention with minimal time investment. Students using FSRS systems typically retain 85-95% of material after 30 days, compared to roughly 20% retention from passive review alone. The science is clear: active retrieval plus spaced repetition beats every other study method.