Sleep Korean

Key words & chunks

• 담요blanket
• 한 장one item, using the counter 장
• 주시겠어요?could you give me…?; very polite

Grammar & nuance

장 is commonly used for flat or sheet-like items such as paper, tickets, and blankets. -주시겠어요? is a softer, more respectful request than 주세요 and works well with service staff.

When to use it

Use this with cabin crew when you need a blanket.

Key words & chunks

• 물water
• 한 잔one glass/cup
• -만just; only
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

잔 is the counter for cups and glasses. 만 literally means “only,” but in requests it often makes the request sound modest: 한 잔만 = “just one glass.”

When to use it

Useful on a plane, in a restaurant, or at a café.

Key words & chunks

• 입국entry into a country
• 신고서declaration form
• 한 장one sheet/form
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

입국 신고서 is a compound noun. Because a form is a flat paper item, 장 is the natural counter. 주세요 is direct but still polite.

When to use it

Use when a paper immigration or customs form is being distributed.

Key words & chunks

• 펜pen
• 좀a little; request softener
• 빌리다to borrow
• -ㄹ 수 있을까요?would it be possible to…?

Grammar & nuance

좀 frequently softens a Korean request and often does not need a literal English translation. -ㄹ/을 수 있을까요? asks about possibility indirectly, so it sounds polite.

When to use it

Use with another passenger, cabin crew, hotel staff, or anyone nearby.

Key words & chunks

• 언제when
• -쯤about; approximately
• 도착하다to arrive
• 도착해요?do we arrive?

Grammar & nuance

-쯤 adds an approximate sense, so 언제쯤 means “around when.” It sounds more natural when you do not expect an exact minute.

When to use it

Ask about arrival time on a plane, train, bus, or tour.

Key words & chunks

• 관광sightseeing; tourism
• -하러in order to do
• 오다to come
• 왔어요came; am here

Grammar & nuance

-(으)러 오다/가다 expresses purpose: “come/go in order to do.” 관광하러 왔어요 is a natural short answer at immigration.

When to use it

Use when an immigration officer asks the purpose of your visit.

Key words & chunks

• 일주일one week
• 정도about; approximately
• 있다to stay/be
• -을 거예요will; plan to

Grammar & nuance

정도 gives an approximate amount. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 expresses a future plan or expectation.

When to use it

Use when asked how long you will stay in Korea.

Key words & chunks

• 호텔hotel
• -에서at; in, where an action happens
• 지내다to stay; spend time
• -ㄹ 거예요will; plan to

Grammar & nuance

에서 marks the place where the staying happens. 지내다 sounds natural for “stay/live for a period,” not merely “be located.”

When to use it

Use when asked where you will be staying.

Key words & chunks

• 여기here
• 처음first time
• 오다to come
• 왔어요came

Grammar & nuance

Korean commonly says “I came here for the first time” where English says “This is my first time here.” The subject is often omitted because it is obvious.

When to use it

Useful at immigration or in casual conversation.

Key words & chunks

• 혼자alone; by oneself
• 여행travel
• 오다to come
• 왔어요came

Grammar & nuance

여행 왔어요 is a conversational way to say you came on a trip. 혼자 placed before it means you came by yourself.

When to use it

Use when asked who you are traveling with.

Key words & chunks

• 돌아가다to go back; return
• 비행기 표plane ticket
• 여기here
• 있어요there is; I have

Grammar & nuance

돌아가는 modifies 비행기 표: literally “the plane ticket that goes back.” 여기 있어요 can mean “Here it is” when showing a document.

When to use it

Use if immigration staff asks for proof of onward or return travel.

Key words & chunks

• 영어English
• 하시다honorific form of 하다
• -는 분person who…; respectful
• 계세요?is there?; honorific

Grammar & nuance

분 is the respectful word for “person,” and 계세요 is the honorific form of 있어요. The whole sentence politely asks whether an English-speaking person is available.

When to use it

Use at airports, stations, hotels, stores, or offices when you need language help.

Key words & chunks

• 수하물baggage; luggage
• 찾는 곳place for finding/collecting
• 어디where
• -예요?is it?

Grammar & nuance

찾는 modifies 곳, literally “the place where [you] collect baggage.” Korean often uses a descriptive phrase instead of a fixed English-style noun.

When to use it

Use after immigration when looking for baggage claim.

Key words & chunks

• 제my; humble form of 저의
• 짐luggage; belongings
• 안not
• 나왔어요came out

Grammar & nuance

안 before a verb makes a simple negative. 나오다 means “come out,” which is the natural verb for luggage appearing on the carousel.

When to use it

Use at a baggage service counter if your bag never appears.

Key words & chunks

• 카트cart
• 어디where
• 있어요?is there?; is it?

Grammar & nuance

In spoken Korean, particles are often dropped in simple location questions. 카트가 어디 있어요? is fuller; 카트 어디 있어요? is very natural.

When to use it

Use in an airport, large station, or hotel.

Key words & chunks

• 신고하다to declare; report
• -ㄹ 물건items to declare
• 없어요there are none; I don't have

Grammar & nuance

-(으)ㄹ before a noun can describe something that is to be done: 신고할 물건 = “items to declare.” 없어요 then says there are none.

When to use it

Use at customs when appropriate.

Key words & chunks

• 환전하다to exchange currency
• -려고 하다intend to; plan to
• -는데요soft conversational ending

Grammar & nuance

-려고 하다 expresses intention. -는데요 makes the opening less abrupt and often invites the other person to respond or offer help.

When to use it

Use at a currency exchange counter or bank.

Key words & chunks

• 달러dollars
• -를object marker
• 원으로into won
• 바꾸다to change/exchange
• 주세요please

Grammar & nuance

-(으)로 can mark the result of a change: 원으로 = “into won.” 바꿔 주세요 means “please change/exchange it.”

When to use it

Use when specifying the currency you want.

Key words & chunks

• 오늘today
• 환율exchange rate
• 어떻게 돼요?how is it; what does it come to?

Grammar & nuance

어떻게 돼요? is a common Korean way to ask “What is it?” when asking about a rate, arrangement, system, or outcome.

When to use it

Use before exchanging money.

Key words & chunks

• 만 원10,000 won
• -짜리one worth/valued at…
• -로in; as
• 좀 주세요please give me some

Grammar & nuance

-짜리 turns a price or denomination into “one of that value.” 만 원짜리 means a 10,000-won bill/item. -로 indicates the form you want.

When to use it

Use when asking for specific banknote denominations.

Key words & chunks

• 근처nearby area
• -에at/in
• ATMATM
• 있어요?is there?

Grammar & nuance

있어요? is the basic existence pattern. 근처에 puts the location first: “Nearby, is there an ATM?”

When to use it

Use anywhere when you need cash.

Key words & chunks

• 유심 카드SIM card
• 사다to buy
• -고 싶어요want to

Grammar & nuance

-고 싶어요 attaches to a verb stem to express what the speaker wants to do: 사고 싶어요 = “I want to buy.”

When to use it

Use at an airport telecom counter or phone shop.

Key words & chunks

• 여기here
• 와이파이Wi-Fi
• 돼요?does it work?; is it available?

Grammar & nuance

되다 has many uses. In service contexts, N 돼요? often means “Is N available/possible/accepted?” Here it naturally means “Do you have Wi-Fi / does Wi-Fi work here?”

When to use it

Use at hotels, cafés, restaurants, stations, and stores.

Key words & chunks

• 와이파이Wi-Fi
• 비밀번호password
• -가subject marker
• 뭐예요?what is it?

Grammar & nuance

뭐예요? is the polite conversational form of “What is it?” The subject marker 가 is natural after 비밀번호.

When to use it

Use after confirming Wi-Fi is available.

Key words & chunks

• 택시taxi
• 어디서where; at what place
• 타다to ride; get on
• 타요?do I take?

Grammar & nuance

에서 marks the place where an action happens. 타다 is used for getting on or riding vehicles.

When to use it

Use at airports, stations, hotels, or busy streets.

Key words & chunks

• 이this
• 주소address
• -로to; toward
• 가 주세요please go

Grammar & nuance

-(으)로 can mark direction or destination. Showing the address on your phone while saying this is very natural.

When to use it

Use when entering a taxi.

Key words & chunks

• 시내downtown; city center
• -까지to; until
• 얼마나how much/how long
• 걸려요?does it take?

Grammar & nuance

걸리다 means “to take” for time. Place + 까지 + 얼마나 걸려요? is one of the most useful travel patterns.

When to use it

Ask a driver or staff member about travel time.

Key words & chunks

• 요금fare; charge
• 얼마나about how much
• 나오다to come out; amount to
• 나와요?does it come to?

Grammar & nuance

나오다 is often used for prices, bills, results, or totals: 얼마 나와요? = “How much does it come to?”

When to use it

Use before or during a taxi ride when estimating the fare.

Key words & chunks

• 여기서here; at this place
• 세우다to stop something; pull over
• 세워 주세요please stop

Grammar & nuance

세우다 is causative: “make/bring something to a stop.” In a taxi, 세워 주세요 naturally means “Please pull over/stop.”

When to use it

Use when you want to get out at the current spot.

Key words & chunks

• 카드로by card
• 계산payment; checkout
• 돼요?is it possible?

Grammar & nuance

-로 marks the method: 카드로 = “by card.” 돼요? asks whether that method is accepted or possible.

When to use it

Use in taxis, restaurants, stores, and ticket counters.

Key words & chunks

• 트렁크trunk
• 좀request softener
• 열다to open
• 열어 주세요please open

Grammar & nuance

좀 makes the request sound less abrupt. Verb + 아/어 주세요 is the standard polite “please do…” request.

When to use it

Use with a taxi driver when loading or unloading luggage.

Key words & chunks

• 지하철역subway station
• -이subject marker
• 어디where
• -예요?is it?

Grammar & nuance

N이/가 어디예요? is the basic polite pattern for asking where something is.

When to use it

Use when walking around a city.

Key words & chunks

• 교통카드transit card
• 어디서where
• 사다to buy
• 사요?do I buy?

Grammar & nuance

어디서 asks “where” for an action. The object marker 를 is omitted, which is very common in everyday speech.

When to use it

Use at a convenience store, station, or airport.

Key words & chunks

• 이거this
• 충전하다to charge; top up
• -고 싶어요want to

Grammar & nuance

충전하다 can mean charging a battery or adding stored value to a transit card. Context tells the listener which meaning applies.

When to use it

Use while showing your transit card at a station or convenience store.

Key words & chunks

• 서울역Seoul Station
• -까지to; as far as
• 어떻게how
• 가요?do I go?

Grammar & nuance

Place + 까지 어떻게 가요? is a core travel pattern meaning “How do I get to [place]?”

When to use it

Use when asking for route directions.

Key words & chunks

• 몇which/how many
• 호선subway line number
• 타다to take/ride
• -아/어야 돼요?have to; should

Grammar & nuance

-아/어야 돼요 expresses necessity: 타야 돼요 = “have to take.” In a question it naturally becomes “Which line should I take?”

When to use it

Use when planning a subway route.

Key words & chunks

• 어디서where
• 갈아타다to transfer; change vehicles
• 갈아타요?do I transfer?

Grammar & nuance

갈아타다 literally combines “change” + “ride” and is used for transferring between buses, subway lines, or trains.

When to use it

Use in subway, bus, or rail travel.

Key words & chunks

• 이this
• 방향direction
• 맞다to be correct/right
• 맞아요?is it right?

Grammar & nuance

맞아요? is a very common confirmation question meaning “Is that right/correct?”

When to use it

Use on platforms, at exits, or while walking.

Key words & chunks

• 이 버스this bus
• 남산Namsan
• 가요?does it go?

Grammar & nuance

Korean often omits destination particles in quick spoken questions. 남산에 가요? is fuller; 남산 가요? is natural in conversation.

When to use it

Ask a driver or passenger before boarding.

Key words & chunks

• 명동Myeongdong
• -가려면if I want to go
• 몇 번 버스which bus number
• 타요?do I take?

Grammar & nuance

-(으)려면 means “if you want/intend to do.” It is extremely useful for asking what is necessary to reach a destination.

When to use it

Use at a bus stop or information desk.

Key words & chunks

• 내리다to get off
• -ㄹ 때when
• 벨bell
• 누르다to press
• -면 돼요?is it enough/okay if…?

Grammar & nuance

-면 돼요? asks whether doing something is the correct or sufficient action: “Is it okay if I…?”

When to use it

Use if you are unfamiliar with Korean bus procedure.

Key words & chunks

• 이번this/current
• 정류장bus stop
• -에서at
• 내리다get off
• -면 돼요?should I; is it right if I…?

Grammar & nuance

Again, -면 돼요? asks for confirmation of the correct action. 이번 정류장 means the upcoming/current stop in context.

When to use it

Use when checking whether you have reached your stop.

Key words & chunks

• 명동Myeongdong
• 도착하다to arrive
• -하면when/if
• 알리다to let someone know
• 알려 주세요please tell me

Grammar & nuance

-(으)면 can mean “if” or “when,” depending on context. 알려 주세요 is the natural request “Please let me know.”

When to use it

Useful on buses or taxis when you are unsure of the stop.

Key words & chunks

• 체크인하다to check in
• -려고요I'm planning/intending to…

Grammar & nuance

-려고요 is a conversational shortened form of -려고 해요. It politely states your purpose without sounding overly formal.

When to use it

Use at a hotel front desk.

Key words & chunks

• 예약하다to reserve; book
• -했어요did; have done

Grammar & nuance

Korean uses the past form 예약했어요 because the act of booking was completed earlier. In English the natural translation is “I have a reservation.”

When to use it

Use at hotels, restaurants, tours, and ticket counters.

Key words & chunks

• 짐luggage
• 좀softener
• 맡기다to leave/entrust something
• -ㄹ 수 있어요?can I?

Grammar & nuance

맡기다 means to entrust or leave something in someone’s care. -ㄹ 수 있어요? asks whether it is possible.

When to use it

Use before check-in or after check-out.

Key words & chunks

• 몇 시what time
• -에at
• 체크아웃check-out
• -이에요?is it?

Grammar & nuance

몇 시에 asks the exact clock time. N이에요/예요? identifies what something is.

When to use it

Use at hotel reception.

Key words & chunks

• 방room
• -에in/with
• 문제problem
• 있어요there is

Grammar & nuance

The existence pattern N에 문제가 있어요 literally means “There is a problem in/with N.”

When to use it

Use to start explaining an issue at the front desk.

Key words & chunks

• 수건towel
• 좀softener
• 더more
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

좀 더 means “a little/more.” The sentence is short, polite, and completely natural in service situations.

When to use it

Use at hotels, spas, or pools.

Key words & chunks

• 길way; directions
• 좀softener
• 물어보다to ask
• -아/어도 될까요?may I?; would it be okay if…?

Grammar & nuance

-아/어도 될까요? asks permission politely. 물어보다 literally means “try asking / ask.”

When to use it

Use to politely get someone's attention before asking directions.

Key words & chunks

• 이 근처around here
• -에in/at
• 지하철역subway station
• 있어요?is there?

Grammar & nuance

Place + 에 + N 있어요? is the standard way to ask whether something exists in a location.

When to use it

Use while walking or at a store/hotel desk.

Key words & chunks

• 여기here
• -가subject marker
• 어디where
• -예요?is it?

Grammar & nuance

Literally, “Where is this place?” In context, it means “Where am I?” or “What place is this?”

When to use it

Use if you are disoriented or checking your location.

Key words & chunks

• 여기서from here
• 멀다to be far
• 멀어요?is it far?

Grammar & nuance

에서 can mean “from” as a starting point. 멀어요? is the polite adjective question “Is it far?”

When to use it

Use after asking about a destination.

Key words & chunks

• 걷다to walk
• 걸어서by walking; on foot
• 가다to go
• -ㄹ 수 있어요?can I?

Grammar & nuance

-아서/어서 can show manner or means here: 걸어서 = “by walking.” -ㄹ 수 있어요? asks possibility.

When to use it

Use to judge whether a destination is walkable.

Key words & chunks

• 지도map
• -에서on/in
• 여기here
• 짚다to point out/indicate
• 짚어 주세요please point it out

Grammar & nuance

짚다 can mean to indicate a specific point. 지도에서 여기 좀 짚어 주세요 is natural when asking someone to show a location visually.

When to use it

Use when spoken directions are difficult to follow.

Key words & chunks

• 두two, before a counter
• 명counter for people
• -이요polite identifying ending

Grammar & nuance

Native Korean 둘 changes to 두 before a counter. 이요 is a polite short answer used constantly in restaurants.

When to use it

Use when staff asks 몇 분이세요? — “How many people?”

Key words & chunks

• 자리seat; place; table/space
• 있어요?is there; do you have?

Grammar & nuance

자리 literally means “place/seat.” In a restaurant, 자리 있어요? naturally asks whether seating is available.

When to use it

Use when entering a busy restaurant or café.

Key words & chunks

• 메뉴판menu
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

This is a simple N 주세요 request. 메뉴판 is the physical menu; 메뉴 can mean the menu or menu items more broadly.

When to use it

Use if a menu has not been brought to you.

Key words & chunks

• 이거this
• -로as; with
• 할게요I'll choose/do it

Grammar & nuance

이걸로 is contracted from 이것으로. -(으)ㄹ게요 expresses the speaker's decision or choice made in the moment.

When to use it

Use while pointing to a menu item, product, or option.

Key words & chunks

• 뭐가what + subject marker
• 제일the most
• 맛있다to be delicious
• 맛있어요?is delicious?

Grammar & nuance

제일 means “the most.” Literally, the sentence asks “What is the most delicious?” — a natural way to ask for a recommendation.

When to use it

Use when you want the server's recommendation.

Key words & chunks

• 안not
• 맵다to be spicy
• -게so that; in a … way
• 해 주세요please make/do

Grammar & nuance

Adjective + -게 하다 means “make it [adjective].” 안 맵게 해 주세요 asks for the dish to be prepared so it is not spicy.

When to use it

Use when ordering food that can be adjusted.

Key words & chunks

• 물water
• 좀softener
• 더more
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

좀 더 means “a little more / more.” This is a very common polite service request.

When to use it

Use at restaurants or cafés.

Key words & chunks

• 반찬Korean side dishes
• 좀softener
• 더more
• 주세요please

Grammar & nuance

The structure is identical to 물 좀 더 주세요. In many Korean restaurants, some basic side dishes may be refilled, depending on the restaurant.

When to use it

Use when you want another serving of a side dish.

Key words & chunks

• 포장packing; takeout
• 돼요?is it possible?

Grammar & nuance

In food contexts, 포장 means takeout. 포장돼요? literally asks “Is takeout possible?”

When to use it

Use at restaurants, bakeries, street-food stalls, and cafés.

Key words & chunks

• 계산calculation; bill/payment
• 하다to do
• -ㄹ게요I'll do it

Grammar & nuance

Literally “I'll pay/calculate.” In a restaurant this naturally signals that you are ready to pay.

When to use it

Use when finishing a meal, especially where payment is made at the counter.

Key words & chunks

• 아이스 아메리카노iced Americano
• 한 잔one cup
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

잔 is the counter for drinks in cups/glasses. This exact phrase is extremely common in Korean cafés.

When to use it

Use when ordering coffee.

Key words & chunks

• 뜨겁다to be hot
• 뜨거운hot, modifying a noun
• 걸로것으로 → as the one/option
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

걸로 is a spoken contraction of 것으로. N/description + 걸로 주세요 means “Give me the [specified] option.”

When to use it

Use when choosing hot instead of iced.

Key words & chunks

• 여기서here
• 먹고eat and…
• 가다go
• -ㄹ게요I'll choose to…

Grammar & nuance

먹고 가다 literally means “eat and then go,” a common Korean way to say you will consume it on the premises rather than take it out.

When to use it

Use at cafés, bakeries, and casual food shops.

Key words & chunks

• 텀블러tumbler
• -에in/into
• 담다to put/contain
• 담아 주세요please put it in

Grammar & nuance

담다 is used for putting food or drink into a container. -에 marks the destination container.

When to use it

Use when you bring a reusable cup.

Key words & chunks

• 이거this thing
• 얼마how much
• -예요?is it?

Grammar & nuance

This is one of the most useful shopping questions. 이거 is the conversational form of 이것.

When to use it

Use in markets, stores, street stalls, or anywhere prices are unclear.

Key words & chunks

• 봉투bag; envelope
• 하나one
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

하나 is the native Korean number “one.” For many everyday objects, speakers can use 하나 without a specific counter when the context is obvious.

When to use it

Use at convenience stores and shops.

Key words & chunks

• 이거this
• 데우다to heat/warm
• 데워 주세요please heat it

Grammar & nuance

Verb + 아/어 주세요 makes a polite request. 데우다 becomes 데워 주세요.

When to use it

Use at convenience stores for food that can be microwaved.

Key words & chunks

• 이것this
• 좀softener
• 보다to see/look
• -ㄹ 수 있어요?can I?

Grammar & nuance

보다 + -ㄹ 수 있어요? asks whether you can look at or inspect something. 좀 softens the request.

When to use it

Use in stores when an item is behind a counter or in a case.

Key words & chunks

• 다른different; another
• 색color
• 있어요?do you have?

Grammar & nuance

다른 + noun asks for a different/another option. 있어요? can mean “Do you have…?” in shops.

When to use it

Use when shopping for clothes, accessories, or products with variants.

Key words & chunks

• 더more
• 크다to be big
• 큰big, modifying a noun
• 사이즈size
• 있어요?do you have?

Grammar & nuance

더 + adjective means “more [adjective].” 큰 is the noun-modifying form of 크다.

When to use it

Use while shopping for clothing or shoes.

Key words & chunks

• 그냥just; simply
• 구경하다to look around; browse
• -는 거예요it is that I'm…; explanatory

Grammar & nuance

-는 거예요 gives an explanatory tone. 그냥 makes it clear you are browsing rather than ready to buy.

When to use it

Use if a salesperson asks whether you need help.

Key words & chunks

• 이거this
• 하나one
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

A very general purchasing pattern: point + quantity + 주세요.

When to use it

Use in shops, markets, bakeries, ticket booths, and food stalls.

Key words & chunks

• 카드card
• 돼요?is it possible/accepted?

Grammar & nuance

N 돼요? is a compact, highly common Korean pattern meaning “Is N okay/possible/accepted?”

When to use it

Use before paying at small shops, markets, taxis, or restaurants.

Key words & chunks

• 현금cash
• -으로by; with
• 내다to pay
• -ㄹ게요I'll do it

Grammar & nuance

-(으)로 marks the method of payment. -ㄹ게요 expresses the speaker's decision.

When to use it

Use when choosing cash instead of card.

Key words & chunks

• 영수증receipt
• 주세요please give me

Grammar & nuance

A simple noun + 주세요 request. Very natural and polite.

When to use it

Use after paying in a store, restaurant, hotel, or taxi.

Key words & chunks

• 따로separately
• 계산하다to calculate/pay
• 계산해 주세요please process the payment

Grammar & nuance

따로 means “separately.” The exact interpretation depends on context: separate checks, separate items, or separate transactions.

When to use it

Use when you want purchases or bills separated.

Key words & chunks

• 여기here
• 세금tax
• 환급refund
• 돼요?is it available/possible?

Grammar & nuance

Again, 돼요? asks whether a service is available. 세금 환급 refers to tax refund procedures.

When to use it

Use at eligible shops if you need to ask about tourist tax-refund service.

Key words & chunks

• 계산bill/calculation
• -이subject marker
• 잘못되다to be wrong
• -ㄴ 것 같아요I think/seems that…

Grammar & nuance

-것 같아요 softens an assertion into “I think / it seems.” This is useful when raising a problem politely rather than accusing someone directly.

When to use it

Use when a total, charge, or bill appears incorrect.

Key words & chunks

• 화장실restroom
• -이subject marker
• 어디where
• 있어요?is it located?

Grammar & nuance

어디 있어요? asks where something is located. It is one of the most essential travel patterns.

When to use it

Use anywhere.