1 · 40 words
Everyday phrases
Phrases learnt as a whole: excuse me, just a moment, come in, well done.
Most of these are verbs in a polite form, and they are easier to learn whole than to build. An ending in -세요 asks someone politely to do something: 앉으세요, “please sit down”. Forms in -습니다, such as 알겠습니다, are more formal and are heard at work and in shops. To catch someone's attention, 저기요 works with anyone; 여기요 is how you call staff to your table.
The words
Adverb (1)
빨리빨리quickly, quickly; hurry upAdverb1
Phrase (39)
잠깐만요just a momentPhrase1
여기요excuse me (calling staff); here you arePhrase1
저기요excuse me (to get attention)Phrase1
실례합니다excuse me (formal)Phrase1
실례지만excuse me, but …Phrase1
맞아요that's rightPhrase1
몰라요I don't knowPhrase1
Blunt; 잘 모르겠어요 is softer.
알겠습니다understood; certainlyPhrase1
알았어요OK, got itPhrase1
Less formal than 알겠습니다; not to a superior.
그래요is that so?; all rightPhrase1
Rising, it means “really?”; falling, “all right, let’s do that”.
축하해요congratulationsPhrase1
어서 오세요welcome (said by staff)Phrase1
들어오세요come inPhrase1
앉으세요please sit downPhrase1
이리 오세요come here, this wayPhrase1
먼저 가세요after you; go aheadPhrase1
조심하세요be careful; take carePhrase1
힘내세요cheer up; keep goingPhrase1
도와 주세요please help mePhrase1
이게 뭐예요what is this?Phrase1
화장실이 어디예요where is the toilet?Phrase1
천천히 말해 주세요please speak slowlyPhrase1
무슨 뜻이에요what does it mean?Phrase1
한국어로 뭐예요what is it in Korean?Phrase1
영어 할 줄 아세요do you speak English?Phrase1
사진 좀 찍어 주세요could you take a photo (for me)?Phrase1
저도요me tooPhrase1
들어가세요take care, goodbye (to someone heading home)Phrase1
Literally “go in”; said when parting at night or ending a phone call.
늦어서 죄송해요sorry I am latePhrase1
좋아요OK; sounds goodPhrase1
싫어요no, I don't want toPhrase1
Blunt; to turn down an offer politely, say 괜찮아요.
연락할게요I will be in touchPhrase1
괜찮으세요are you all right?Phrase1
할머니, “grandmother”, is also how you address an older woman.
어디 가요where are you going?Phrase1
Often a greeting rather than a real question.
잘했어요well donePhrase1
그만하세요please stopPhrase1
어떡해요oh no, what shall I do?Phrase1
좋은 하루 보내세요have a nice dayPhrase1
주말 잘 보내세요have a good weekendPhrase1
This list belongs to Greetings and conversation — seven lists and 279 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.