Getting Started with Essential Korean Vocabulary
When you begin learning Korean, a small set of high-frequency words and phrases will help you communicate quickly and build confidence. This guide focuses on practical Korean you can use from day one, with clear examples and English translations.
Throughout this article, Korean will be shown in Hangul (Korean alphabet), followed by romanization, and then the English meaning.
1. Basic Greetings and Polite Expressions
1.1 Core Greetings
These are the first phrases you should memorize.
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) – Hello / Hi (polite)
- 안녕 (annyeong) – Hi / Bye (casual, use with close friends or younger people)
- 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) – Goodbye (you are leaving, the other person stays)
- 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) – Goodbye (the other person is leaving)
Example sentences:
- 안녕하세요, 저는 마이클이에요.
(annyeonghaseyo, jeoneun maikeur-ieyo.)
– Hello, I am Michael.
- 그럼 내일 봐요. 안녕히 가세요.
(geureom nae-il bwayo. annyeonghi gaseyo.)
– Then see you tomorrow. Goodbye.
1.2 Thank You, Sorry, and Excuse Me
- 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) – Thank you (formal)
- 고마워요 (gomawoyo) – Thank you (polite)
- 고마워 (gomawo) – Thanks (casual)
- 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) – I am sorry (formal)
- 미안해요 (mianhaeyo) – I am sorry (polite)
- 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida) – Excuse me (to get attention / to pass by)
Example sentences:
- 도와줘서 감사합니다.
(dowajwoseo gamsahamnida.)
– Thank you for helping me.
- 늦어서 죄송합니다.
(neujeoseo joesonghamnida.)
– I am sorry for being late.
2. Introducing Yourself
2.1 Name and Nationality
Use these structures to introduce yourself politely.
- 저는 …이에요 / 예요. (jeoneun … ieyo / yeyo.) – I am …
- 제 이름은 …이에요 / 예요. (je ireumeun … ieyo / yeyo.) – My name is …
- 저는 미국 사람이에요. (jeoneun miguk saram-ieyo.) – I am American.
- 저는 한국 사람이에요. (jeoneun hanguk saram-ieyo.) – I am Korean.
Pattern tip: After a noun ending with a consonant, use -이에요 (ieyo). After a vowel, use -예요 (yeyo).
Example self-introductions:
- 안녕하세요, 제 이름은 사라예요. 저는 영국 사람이에요.
(annyeonghaseyo, je ireumeun sara-yeyo. jeoneun yeongguk saram-ieyo.)
– Hello, my name is Sarah. I am British.
- 저는 학생이에요.
(jeoneun haksaeng-ieyo.)
– I am a student.
2.2 Asking for Names and Origins
- 이름이 뭐예요? (ireumi mwoyeyo?) – What is your name?
- 어디에서 오셨어요? (eodieseo osyeosseoyo?) – Where are you from? (polite)
- 어디 사람 이에요? (eodi saram ieyo?) – Which country are you from?
Example conversation:
A: 안녕하세요. 이름이 뭐예요?
(annyeonghaseyo. ireumi mwoyeyo?)
– Hello. What is your name?
B: 안녕하세요. 제 이름은 마크예요.
(annyeonghaseyo. je ireumeun makeu-yeyo.)
– Hello. My name is Mark.
3. Yes, No, and Simple Responses
3.1 Agreement and Disagreement
- 네 (ne) – Yes
- 아니요 (aniyo) – No
- 맞아요 (majayo) – That’s right / Correct
- 몰라요 (mollayo) – I don’t know
Example sentences:
- 한국어 공부해요? 네, 공부해요.
(hangukeo gongbuhaeyo? ne, gongbuhaeyo.)
– Do you study Korean? Yes, I do.
- 여기가 서울이에요? 아니요, 부산이에요.
(yeogiga seoul-ieyo? aniyo, busan-ieyo.)
– Is this Seoul? No, it’s Busan.
4. Numbers and Time Basics
4.1 Sino-Korean Numbers (for phone, money, dates)
These numbers are used for phone numbers, prices, dates, and more.
- 일 (il) – 1
- 이 (i) – 2
- 삼 (sam) – 3
- 사 (sa) – 4
- 오 (o) – 5
- 육 (yuk) – 6
- 칠 (chil) – 7
- 팔 (pal) – 8
- 구 (gu) – 9
- 십 (sip) – 10
Example: 전화번호 (jeonhwabeonho, phone number)
010-3456-7890 → 공일공 (gong-il-gong) 삼사오육 (sam-sa-o-yuk) 칠팔구공 (chil-pal-gu-gong)
4.2 Days and Simple Time Expressions
- 오늘 (oneul) – Today
- 어제 (eoje) – Yesterday
- 내일 (nae-il) – Tomorrow
- 지금 (jigeum) – Now
- 나중에 (najunge) – Later
Example sentences:
- 오늘 뭐 해요?
(oneul mwo haeyo?)
– What are you doing today?
- 내일 다시 만나요.
(nae-il dasi mannayo.)
– Let’s meet again tomorrow.
5. Everyday Survival Phrases
5.1 Asking for Help and Repetition
- 도와주세요. (dowajuseyo.) – Please help me.
- 다시 말해 주세요. (dasi malhae juseyo.) – Please say it again.
- 천천히 말해 주세요. (cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo.) – Please speak slowly.
- 영어 할 수 있어요? (yeongeo hal su isseoyo?) – Can you speak English?
Example:
- 죄송한데, 천천히 말해 주세요.
(joesonghande, cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo.)
– I’m sorry, but please speak slowly.
5.2 In Shops and Restaurants
- 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?) – How much is this?
- … 주세요. (… juseyo.) – Please give me … / I’d like …
- 메뉴 좀 주세요. (menyu jom juseyo.) – Please give me the menu.
- 물 좀 주세요. (mul jom juseyo.) – Water, please.
- 계산서 주세요. (gyesanseo juseyo.) – The bill, please.
Example mini-dialogue:
A: 이거 얼마예요?
(igeo eolmayeyo?)
– How much is this?
B: 만 원이에요.
(man won-ieyo.)
– It’s 10,000 won.
6. Essential Question Words
Question words are powerful for beginners. You can combine them with very simple grammar.
- 뭐 / 무엇 (mwo / mueot) – What
- 어디 (eodi) – Where
- 언제 (eonje) – When
- 왜 (wae) – Why
- 어떻게 (eotteoke) – How
- 누구 (nugu) – Who
Useful patterns:
- 어디에 가요? (eodie gayo?) – Where are you going?
- 언제 와요? (eonje wayo?) – When are you coming?
- 왜 늦었어요? (wae neujeosseoyo?) – Why are you late?
- 이거 뭐예요? (igeo mwoyeyo?) – What is this?
7. Talking About Likes, Dislikes, and Wants
7.1 Like and Dislike
- 좋아해요 (joahaeyo) – I like (it).
- 싫어해요 (sireohaeyo) – I dislike (it).
- 맛있어요 (masisseoyo) – It’s delicious.
- 맛없어요 (madeopseoyo) – It’s not tasty.
Example sentences:
- 한국 음식 좋아해요.
(hanguk eumsik joahaeyo.)
– I like Korean food.
- 김치는 좀 싫어해요.
(gimchineun jom sireohaeyo.)
– I don’t really like kimchi.
7.2 Expressing Wants
- … 싶어요. (… sipeoyo.) – I want to …
Examples:
- 한국어 잘 하고 싶어요.
(hangukeo jal hago sipeoyo.)
– I want to speak Korean well.
- 쉬고 싶어요.
(swigo sipeoyo.)
– I want to rest.
8. Basic Verbs You Will Use Every Day
Learn a few key verbs in their polite present form.
- 가요 (gayo) – (I) go
- 와요 (wayo) – (I) come
- 먹어요 (meogeoyo) – (I) eat
- 마셔요 (masyeoyo) – (I) drink
- 봐요 (bwayo) – (I) see / watch
- 공부해요 (gongbuhaeyo) – (I) study
- 일해요 (ilhaeyo) – (I) work
- 자요 (jayo) – (I) sleep
Example sentences:
- 지금 집에 가요.
(jigeum jibe gayo.)
– I’m going home now.
- 커피 마셔요.
(keopi masyeoyo.)
– I drink coffee.
- 저는 한국어 공부해요.
(jeoneun hangukeo gongbuhaeyo.)
– I study Korean.
9. Useful Everyday Nouns
9.1 People and Places
- 사람 (saram) – Person
- 친구 (chingu) – Friend
- 집 (jip) – House / Home
- 학교 (hakgyo) – School
- 회사 (hoesa) – Company / Office
- 식당 (sikdang) – Restaurant
- 카페 (kape) – Café
- 역 (yeok) – Station
9.2 Everyday Objects
- 전화 (jeonhwa) – Phone
- 가방 (gabang) – Bag
- 책 (chaek) – Book
- 돈 (don) – Money
- 물 (mul) – Water
- 밥 (bap) – Cooked rice / Meal
Example sentences:
- 친구랑 카페에 가요.
(chingurang kape-e gayo.)
– I go to a café with a friend.
- 지금 회사에 있어요.
(jigeum hoesae isseoyo.)
– I am at the office now.
10. Politeness and Speech Levels (Beginner Overview)
Korean has several speech levels. As a beginner, focus on:
- Polite present: …요 (yo)
Used in most everyday situations with strangers, older people, or anyone you want to respect.
Example: 가요 (gayo) – I go.
- Formal: …습니다 / …ㅂ니다 (seumnida / mnida)
Used in news, announcements, or very formal situations.
Example: 갑니다 (gamnida) – I go.
For now, using the …요 (yo) form is safe and polite in almost all beginner situations.
11. How to Practice These Words Effectively
- Make mini-dialogues using 3–4 phrases, for example: greeting, name, origin, and goodbye.
- Shadow native audio (repeat after recordings) to practice pronunciation of phrases like 안녕하세요, 감사합니다, and 이거 얼마예요?.
- Label objects in your home with Korean words: 문 (door), 창문 (window), 책 (book), 가방 (bag).
- Use Korean daily for simple actions: say 먹어요 when you eat, 자요 before sleeping, etc.
By mastering these essential words and phrases, you’ll have a practical toolkit for real conversations in Korean. Build from here by adding new verbs, nouns, and expressions each week, and keep reviewing these core phrases until they feel natural.
