Help-Seeking as a Skill: The 3-Step Pattern
When you need help in Korean, the goal is not to sound advanced—it’s to be understood quickly. Use a simple pattern: (1) get attention, (2) say you need help, (3) ask one clear question. Keeping it to one question at a time prevents confusion, especially in noisy streets or busy stations.
| Step | What to do | Useful Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Get attention | Be polite, brief | 저기요. | Excuse me |
| 2) State you need help | Say it plainly | 도와주세요. | Please help me |
| 3) Ask one question | One request only | 화장실 어디예요? | Where is the restroom? |
Mini rule: One question at a time
Instead of: “Where is the station and which line and how long?” ask in sequence:
역이 어디예요?(Where is the station?)여기서 멀어요?(Is it far from here?)어느 쪽으로 가요?(Which way do I go?)
Clarification Tools for Fast Speech
People may answer quickly, with unfamiliar place names. These four phrases let you slow the conversation down and verify what you heard.
| Korean | Pronunciation hint | Use it when… |
|---|---|---|
천천히 말해 주세요. | cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-se-yo | They’re speaking too fast |
다시 말해 주세요. | da-shi mal-hae ju-se-yo | You missed it / need repetition |
영어 돼요? | yeong-eo dwae-yo | You want to switch to English |
이게 맞아요? | i-ge ma-ja-yo | You want to confirm your understanding |
How to combine them (step-by-step)
- Pause the flow:
잠깐만요.(Wait a moment.) - Slow or repeat:
천천히 말해 주세요./다시 말해 주세요. - Confirm: repeat the key word +
맞아요?
Example: You hear “2번 출구로 가세요” (Go to Exit 2). Confirm with: 2번 출구요? 맞아요?
Sentence Frames You Can Reuse Anywhere
A) Asking for directions (one clear target)
Use this frame:
- Listen to the audio with the screen off.
- Earn a certificate upon completion.
- Over 5000 courses for you to explore!
Download the app
[장소] 어디예요?
여기 근처에 [장소] 있어요?(Is there a [place] near here?)[장소] 어떻게 가요?(How do I get to [place]?)이쪽이에요? 저쪽이에요?(Is it this way? That way?)
Useful place words for emergencies and daily needs:
화장실restroom/toilet역station지하철역subway station경찰서police station병원hospital약국pharmacy편의점convenience store출구exit
B) Asking for recommendations (restaurants, attractions)
Keep it simple and specific. Use one of these frames:
이 근처에 맛집 추천해 주세요.(Please recommend a good restaurant around here.)여기서 유명한 음식이 뭐예요?(What food is famous here?)가볼 만한 곳 추천해 주세요.(Please recommend a place worth visiting.)현지인들이 많이 가는 곳 있어요?(Is there a place locals go a lot?)
To narrow it down (ask one follow-up question):
혼자 가도 돼요?(Is it okay to go alone?)걸어서 갈 수 있어요?(Can I go on foot?)지금 열었어요?(Is it open now?)
C) Asking someone to write it down
When pronunciation or place names are hard, ask for writing. This is especially useful for restaurant names, exits, and bus stop names.
죄송한데, 써 주실 수 있어요?(Sorry, could you write it down?)여기에 써 주세요.(Please write it here.)지도에 표시해 주세요.(Please mark it on the map.)
Practical tip: open your phone notes or map and point to the screen while saying 여기에 (here).
Confirm-and-Repeat Technique (Survive Any Explanation)
When someone gives directions or instructions, don’t just say “okay.” Use a quick loop: repeat the key info + confirm. This reduces mistakes and signals you’re listening.
The pattern
[Key info] + (요)? 맞아요?
Common “key info” to repeat:
- Exit number:
2번 출구 - Landmark:
큰 건물(big building),은행(bank),신호등(traffic light) - Direction:
오른쪽(right),왼쪽(left),직진(straight) - Distance/time:
5분(5 minutes)
Micro practice scripts (read aloud)
A: 저기요. 역이 어디예요? (Excuse me. Where is the station?)
B: 저쪽으로 직진해서 오른쪽으로 가세요. (Go straight that way, then go right.)
A: 직진하고 오른쪽이요? 맞아요? (Straight and then right, correct?)A: 죄송한데, 화장실 어디예요? (Sorry, where is the restroom?)
B: 1층에 있어요. (It’s on the first floor.)
A: 1층이요? 다시 말해 주세요. (First floor? Please say it again.)A: 천천히 말해 주세요. (Please speak slowly.)
B: 3번 출구로 나가서 왼쪽이에요. (Go out Exit 3, it’s on the left.)
A: 3번 출구로 나가서 왼쪽이요. 맞아요? (Exit 3 and left, correct?)Dialogues (Model Conversations)
1) Asking for a good local dish (recommendation + one follow-up)
여행자: 저기요. 여기서 유명한 음식이 뭐예요?
현지인: 이 근처는 칼국수가 유명해요.
여행자: 칼국수요? 맛집 추천해 주세요.
현지인: 저쪽 골목에 “OO칼국수”가 유명해요.
여행자: 죄송한데, 가게 이름 써 주실 수 있어요?
현지인: 네, 여기요.
여행자: 감사합니다. 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?2) Confirming the nearest exit (directions + confirm-and-repeat)
여행자: 저기요. 가장 가까운 출구가 어디예요?
직원: 2번 출구로 가세요.
여행자: 2번 출구요? 맞아요?
직원: 네. 저쪽으로 직진하면 표지판이 있어요.
여행자: 직진하면 표지판이요. 감사합니다.3) Checking if you understood instructions correctly (slow down + repeat + confirm)
여행자: 죄송한데, 제가 잘 못 들었어요. 다시 말해 주세요.
현지인: 이 길로 쭉 가서 두 번째 신호등에서 왼쪽이에요.
여행자: 천천히 말해 주세요.
현지인: 쭉 가요. 두 번째 신호등. 왼쪽.
여행자: 쭉 가서 두 번째 신호등에서 왼쪽이요. 이게 맞아요?
현지인: 네, 맞아요.
