Need translation for "韩国旅游必备韩语" and "韓国旅行 サバイバル 韓国語"?
如果您需要中文，请使用上方的谷歌翻译器(Translate)翻译成中文查看。第一次来韩国只需16句生存韩语就能应对90%的日常交流。
日本語が必要な場合は、上のGoogle翻訳(Translate)を使って日本語に翻訳してご覧ください。初めての韓国でも16のフレーズで90%の会話に対応できます。
Why Calling Staff Is the Hardest Part for Tourists
In many countries you press a bell or wait for a waiter to come. In Korea, there is usually no bell. You have to call staff verbally. For first-time visitors this feels awkward, even rude. But in Korea it is 100% normal and expected.
The magic word is jeo-gi-yo (Excuse me / Over here). Say it in a clear, medium voice while raising your hand slightly. Do not shout angrily. A friendly jeo-gi-yo is polite. Staff will answer with ne (Yes) and come to you.
If you stay silent, no one will come. If you learn only one phrase from this list, learn jeo-gi-yo.
Part 1: 8 Greetings and Thanks You Get Wrong
These 8 phrases handle hello, goodbye, and thank you. Use polite forms to everyone except close friends.
1. an-nyeong-ha-se-yo - Hello (polite, to anyone)
Use this to staff, strangers, and elders. Slight bow is a bonus. For friends your age, you can shorten to an-nyeong (Hi).
2. an-nyeong - Hi (casual)
Only for friends same age or younger. Do not use to staff or elders.
3. an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo - Goodbye to person leaving
You stay, the other person leaves. Literally "go in peace". Use at cafes, shops when customer leaves.
4. an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo - Goodbye to person staying
You leave, the other person stays. Literally "stay in peace". Use when you exit a restaurant.
5. gam-sa-ham-ni-da - Thank you (most formal)
Safest thank you for all situations. Use at restaurants, shops, hotels.
6. go-map-seum-ni-da - Thank you (formal, warm)
Same level as gam-sa-ham-ni-da, slightly warmer feeling. Also very polite.
7. go-ma-wo-yo - Thanks (polite casual)
Polite but less formal. Good for friendly cafes, convenience stores, younger staff.
8. cheon-man-e-yo - You're welcome
You will hear this after you say thank you. You can also use it if someone thanks you.
Part 2: 8 Restaurant Phrases - How to Call Staff and Finish a Meal
This is the part tourists actually need. Practice jeo-gi-yo until it feels natural.
9. jeo-gi-yo - Excuse me / Over here (to call staff)
Say it clearly with a small hand raise. If staff is far, you can say jeo-gi-yo twice. Do not say "excuse me" in English - staff may not hear you.
10. ju-mun-hal-ge-yo - I will order
After staff comes, start with this. Then point at menu.
11. i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo? - How much is this?
Point at item and say this. Useful for street food and markets.
12. mul jom ju-se-yo - Please give me water
Water is self-service in many places, but you can ask for it.
13. gye-san-seo ju-se-yo - Check please
When you finish, call staff with jeo-gi-yo then say this. In many restaurants you pay at the front counter.
14. jal meo-geot-seum-ni-da - I ate well (thanks for the meal)
Say this to staff or the cook when leaving. It is the most local-sounding thank you after a meal. Much more natural than just gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
15. ma-si-sseo-yo - It was delicious
Use this to compliment the food. Staff will smile big.
16. su-go-ha-se-yo - You've worked hard / Good job
Say this to staff who is cleaning, cooking, or working hard. It shows deep respect. Do not say to friends, only to people working.
Confusing Pair: an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo vs gye-se-yo
Tourists mix these two. Here is the simple rule: ga-se-yo = go, gye-se-yo = stay.
| Phrase (Romanization) | Literal Meaning | When You Use It |
|---|---|---|
| an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo |
Go in peace | You stay inside, other person leaves. Example: you are shop staff, customer is leaving. |
| an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo |
Stay in peace | You leave, other person stays. Example: you are customer leaving restaurant, staff stays. |
Tip: Just remember G for Go = ga-se-yo, and the other one is gye-se-yo.
5 Real-Life Tips to Sound Like a Local
FAQ
Q: Is shouting jeo-gi-yo rude?
A: No. A clear, friendly jeo-gi-yo is standard. Shouting angrily is rude, but a confident voice is expected. Think of it like saying "excuse me" in a busy cafe.
Q: What if staff does not come after I say jeo-gi-yo?
A: Say it once more after 10 seconds with hand raised. If still no response, you can say yeo-gi-yo (over here) - same meaning, slightly stronger. Both are okay.
Q: Do I need to say jal meo-geot-seum-ni-da every time?
A: Not required, but locals love it. It means "I ate well" and shows you enjoyed the food. It is more warm than a simple gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Q: Can I just say thank you in English?
A: You can, but gam-sa-ham-ni-da gets a much warmer smile. Korean staff appreciate the effort even with bad pronunciation.
- Experience from Seoul restaurant staff interviews (2024-2025)
- Audio uses browser SpeechSynthesis API with ko-KR voice. Pronunciation may vary slightly by device.
