Getting around
지하철
어디로 가요?
Where to?
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
Seoul
South Korea
Seoul is the capital of South Korea. The palace, the old houses of Bukchon, and the stream through the centre are in the same city.
How the language is used
Korean is the language of the metro, the restaurant, and the district office. You use it for an ordinary errand.
In this city
- Language
- Korean
- Also heard
- Mostly Korean
- A local word
- 감사합니다 — Thank you.
- Writing
- Hangul
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
카페
커피 하나 주세요.
One coffee, please.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
가게
얼마예요?
How much is it?
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
거리
감사합니다.
Thank you.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
Korean is the language of the ride, the shop, and the street.
A first day in Seoul can run on four lines: “어디로 가요?”, “커피 하나 주세요.”, “얼마예요?”, and “감사합니다.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in Hangul.
- Staff use polite forms. A shorter answer from you is still understood.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Seoul, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: 감사합니다. It means Thank you..
Places you can see
- Gyeongbokgung — The main palace, with gates that open onto a wide court.
- Bukchon — Lanes of old houses on the hill between two palaces.
- Cheonggyecheon — The stream that runs through the centre, with a path beside the water.
Food
Rice, kimchi, and a bowl of soup are the ordinary order. You ask in Korean.
Getting around
The metro crosses the city. Announcements are in Korean. Many lines also say the stop in English. A neighborhood shop still runs in Korean.
Daily life
A short question in Korean gets you through a restaurant. The reading beside Hangul on this site shows the sound. It is not a second spelling.
A few everyday phrases
Korean
| Phrase | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | Annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| 감사합니다 | Gamsahamnida | Thank you |
| 좋은 아침이에요 | Joeun achimieyo | Good morning |
| 제 이름은… | Je ireumeun… | My name is… |
