12 Useful Korean Phrases Used in Public Transportation
Are you planning for a trip to many tourist places in Korea, but worried about the transportation? Don’t worry! I will teach you the phrases commonly used when riding public transportations in Korea.
Public transport in Korea is advanced, and foreign-friendly. Most stations have automated ticket machines with English options, and they have free wifi as well! They are also cheap and fast so you will get to your destination in an instant.
In this blog, we will cover these 4 public transport in Korea:
버스 - bus
지하철 - subway
택시 - taxi
기차 - train
버스 - Bus
1. Does this bus go ____ by any chance?
: 혹시 이 버스 ____ 가나요? (Hokshi, i beoseu ____ ganayo?)
Before you get on the bus, you can ask this question to the driver to know if that bus will go to the location you want to go. Just put the name of the place in the blank.
Example:
Passenger: 혹시 이 버스 강남 가나요?
Does this bus go to Gangnam?
Driver: 네, 강남 지나가요.
Yes, it goes through Gangnam.
2. Excuse me, please press the bell.
: 죄송한데, 벨 좀 눌러주세요. (Joesonghande, bel jom nulleojuseyo.)
If you are almost at your destination and the bell button/stop button is hard to reach, you can ask the person who is near to it to press it for you. Use this phrase to respectfully ask them for a favor.
Example:
Passenger 1: 죄송한데, 벨 좀 눌러주세요.
Excuse me, please press the bell/can you please press the bell?
Passenger 2: 아 네, 눌러드릴게요.
Oh sure, I will press it.
Passenger 1: 감사합니다!
Thank you!
3. I'll just pass by.
: 좀 지나갈게요. (Jom jinagalkeyo.)
When you are getting off at the station but the bus is too crowded, you can use this phrase to politely ask others to make way so you can pass through.
Example:
Passenger 1: 죄송한데, 좀 지나갈게요.
Excuse me, I’ll just pass by.
Passenger 2: 아, 네. 잠시만요.
Oh, sure. Just a moment.
Passenger 1: 감사합니다!
Thank you!
지하철 - Subway
1. Which direction is ____ station?
: ____역이 어느 방향이에요? (_____yeoki eoneu banghyangieyo?)
When you are looking for directions on where a specific subway station is, you can ask a local or subway staff member.
Example:
Passenger: 홍대역이 어느 방향이에요?
Which direction is Hong-dae Station?
Staff: 합정 방향으로 가면 돼요.
You can go in the direction of Hapjeong.
Passenger: 감사합니다!
Thank you!
2. Please sit here.
: 여기 앉으세요. (Yeogi anjeuseyo.)
It’s a common practice to offer seats to elders, pregnant women, or people with disabilities. If you happen to see one on your trip, you can offer your seat so they don’t have to stand up. This can also be used in other places as well such as in waiting areas or any public places.
Example:
Passenger 1: 할머니, 여기 앉으세요.
Grand mother, please sit here.
Elderly Woman: 어유, 고마워요!
Oh thank you!
3. Is this _____ Station?
: 여기가 _____ 역 맞나요? (Yeogiga _____ yeok matnayo?)
You can use this phrase when you want to confirm if you are currently at the station you are going to.
Example:
Passenger 1: 죄송한데, 여기가 동대문역 맞나요?
Excuse me, Is this Dongdaemun Station?
Passenger 2: 네, 맞아요! 지금 내리세요.
Yes, that's right! You can get off now.
Passenger: 감사합니다!
Thank you!
택시 - Taxi
1. Hello. Please go to _____.
: 안녕하세요. _____로 가주세요. (Annyeonghaseyo. _____ro gajuseyo.)
Use this phrase to ask the taxi driver to take you to the destination you want to go. Just put the place name in the blank.
Example:
Passenger: 안녕하세요. 명동거리로 가주세요.
Hello. Please take me to Myeongdong Street.
Taxi Driver: 네, 알겠습니다.
Yes, I got it.
Passenger: 감사합니다!
Thank you!
2. I have luggage, please open the trunk.
: 짐이 있어서 트렁크 좀 열어주세요. (Jimi isseoseo, teureongkeu jom yeoreojuseyo.)
If you have luggage with you, use this phrase to politely ask the taxi driver to open the trunk so you can put it inside.
Example:
Passenger: 짐이 있어서, 트렁크 좀 열어주세요.
I have luggage, please open the trunk.
Taxi Driver: 네, 열었습니다.
Yes, I opened it.
Passenger: 감사합니다!
Thank you!
3. How much is it? / Can I pay in cash?
: 얼마예요? / 현금 되나요? (Eolmayeyo? Hyeonggeum dwaenayo?)
Once you get to your destination, you can ask this question when you are paying.
Example:
Passenger: 얼마예요?
How much is it?
Taxi driver: 1만 원이에요.
The fare is 10,000 won.
Passenger: 현금 되나요?
Do you take cash?
Taxi driver: 네, 현금도 되고 카드도 돼요.
Yes, I take cash and cards.
Passenger: 오! 현금으로 낼게요.
Great, I'll pay with cash.
기차 - Train
1. One ticket to ______.
: ______로 가는 표 한 장이요. (_____ro ganeun pyo han jangiyo.)
Use this phrase when you purchase a ticket for a specific destination. Put the location name in the blank.
Example:
Passenger: 부산으로 가는 표 한 장이요.
One ticket to Busan, please.
Staff: 네, 여기요.
Yes, here you go.
Passenger: 감사합니다!
Thank you!
2. Where do I catch it from?
: 몇 번 홈에서 타야하나요? (Myeot beon homeseo tayahanayo?)
Use this phrase to ask where to board a specific train or bus at a station, specifying the platform number.
Example:
Passenger: 몇 번 홈에서 타야하나요?
Where do I catch it from?
Staff: 3번 홈으로 가시면 돼요.
You can go to Platform 3.
Passenger: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
3. Excuse me, This is my seat.
: 죄송한데, 여기가 제 자리에요. (Joesonghamnida. Yeogiga je jarieyo.)
If your seat is next to the window, and someone is already sitting at the side or the other end, you can use this phrase to politely ask them to make space so you can get to your seat.
Example:
Passenger 1: 죄송한데, 여기가 제 자리에요.
Excuse me, this is my seat.
Passenger 2: 아 네, 비켜드릴게요!
Oh okay, I'll get out of your way!
Passenger 1: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
4. Sorry, but I'm getting off at this station.
: 죄송한데, 저 이번 역에서 내려요. (Joesonghande, jeo ibeon yeokeseo naeryeoyo.)
If your seat is next to the window and you are getting off at the station you are currently at, you can use this phrase to politely ask the people next to you to make space so you can get out.
Example:
Passenger 1: 죄송한데, 저 이번 역에서 내려요.
Excuse me, I'm getting off at this station.
Passenger 2: 아 네, 잠시만요.
Oh yes, wait a minute.
Passenger 1: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
And that’s it! You’re ready to take trips in Korea with ease. What phrases would you like to learn next? Comment down below!
Writer : Camille
Camille is a Korean language learner and a freelance copywriter.
I presented her these phrases and she wrote this blog. Lastly, I approved this blog.
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