Survival Korean Phrasebook Toolkit: High-Frequency Templates and Quick Reference

How to Use This Toolkit (Fast Access)

This chapter is a quick-reference phrasebook built from high-frequency Korean “templates.” Instead of memorizing hundreds of full sentences, you reuse a small set of patterns by swapping in a noun, place, time, or action. Use it like a checklist: (1) pick the function you need (request, locate, confirm, correct, thank), (2) choose a template, (3) insert a keyword from the compact list, (4) deliver it with a polite ending.

Step-by-step: Build a sentence in 10 seconds

1. Choose function: requesting / locating / confirming / correcting / thanking.

2. Pick a template (below) and fill the slot: NOUN, PLACE, TIME, or VERB.

3. Add a pointer if needed: 이거 (this), 저거 (that), 여기 (here), 저기 (over there).

4. Say it slowly, then pause: Koreans often respond quickly; pausing invites them to adjust speed.

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1) Requesting (Asking for Things or Actions)

Use these when you want an item, a service, or someone to do something. Keep it simple: keyword + polite request.

Template A: NOUN + 주세요 (Please give me…)

Use for: ordering, buying, asking for a specific item.

• 물 주세요. = Water, please.

• 티켓 주세요. = A ticket, please.

• 영수증 주세요. = Receipt, please.

Upgrade (quantity): NOUN + (숫자)개 주세요

• 물 두 개 주세요. = Two waters, please.

Template B: ~해 주세요 (Please do…)

Use for: asking staff to do an action (slow down, show, write, call).

• 천천히 말해 주세요. = Please speak slowly.

• 여기 표시해 주세요. = Please mark it here (on a map/screen).

• 이름 써 주세요. = Please write the name.

Template C: ~할 수 있어요? (Can you / Can I…?)

Use for: permission and ability. This is one of the most reusable travel patterns.

• 카드로 결제할 수 있어요? = Can I pay by card?

• 여기 앉을 수 있어요? = Can I sit here?

• 사진 찍을 수 있어요? = Can I take a photo?

Template D: TIME + 괜찮아요? (Is TIME okay?)

Use for: checking if a time works (meeting, check-in, reservation, pickup).

• 지금 괜찮아요? = Is now okay?

• 내일 오전 10시 괜찮아요? = Is tomorrow 10 a.m. okay?

2) Locating (Finding Places, Items, People)

These templates help you find restrooms, exits, platforms, counters, and specific items. Keep the place word in front, then ask where it is.

Template A: PLACE + 어디예요? (Where is PLACE?)

• 화장실 어디예요? = Where is the restroom?

• 출구 어디예요? = Where is the exit?

• 매표소 어디예요? = Where is the ticket office?

Template B: PLACE + 어디에 있어요? (Where is PLACE located?)

Very similar meaning; often feels slightly more “located/exists.”

• 엘리베이터 어디에 있어요? = Where is the elevator?

Template C: PLACE + 가려면 어떻게 가요? (How do I get to PLACE?)

Use when you need directions rather than a point location.

• 호텔 가려면 어떻게 가요? = How do I get to the hotel?

3) Confirming (Checking You Understood Correctly)

Confirming prevents wrong trains, wrong orders, and wrong times. Use short “check” questions and repeat key words back.

Template A: 맞아요? (Is that correct?)

• 여기 맞아요? = Is it here?

• 이거 맞아요? = Is this the right one?

Template B: ~(으)로 가요? (Does it go to…?)

Use for routes/destinations. Insert destination as a noun.

• 이거 서울역으로 가요? = Does this go to Seoul Station?

Template C: ~예요? (Is it…?) for identity/price/time

• 얼마예요? = How much is it?

• 몇 시예요? = What time is it?

• 지금 출발이에요? = Is it departing now?

Micro-skill: Repeat + confirm

Repeat the key word(s) you heard, then add 맞아요?

• 2번 출구… 맞아요? = Exit 2… right?

• 오후 7시… 맞아요? = 7 p.m.… right?

4) Correcting (Fixing Mistakes Politely)

Use these when something is wrong (order, amount, destination) or when you need to clarify. Keep your tone calm; the grammar does the politeness.

Template A: 아니요, ~예요/이에요 (No, it’s…)

• 아니요, 이거 말고 저거예요. = No, not this—it's that.

• 아니요, 두 개예요. = No, it’s two.

Template B: ~(이/가) 아니에요 (It’s not…)

• 이거 제 거 아니에요. = This isn’t mine.

• 지금은 아니에요. = Not now.

Template C: 다시 말해 주세요 / 다시 한 번 (Please say it again / one more time)

• 다시 말해 주세요. = Please say it again.

• 다시 한 번 보여 주세요. = Please show me one more time.

Template D: 영어로 할 수 있어요? / 번역해 주세요 (Language fallback)

• 영어로 할 수 있어요? = Can we do it in English?

• 이거 번역해 주세요. = Please translate this.

5) Thanking (Closing Interactions Smoothly)

Thanking is a functional tool: it ends exchanges, softens corrections, and encourages extra help.

• 감사합니다. = Thank you (standard polite).

• 고맙습니다. = Thank you (also polite; slightly warmer in some contexts).

• 도와주셔서 감사합니다. = Thank you for helping me.

• 괜찮아요. = It’s okay / No worries (use when declining help or responding to apologies).

Compact Keyword List (Everyday Travel)

Use these as “plug-ins” for the templates above. Keep them in your notes app for instant access.

Pronunciation Reminder (Common Endings You’ll Use Constantly)

This is not a full pronunciation lesson—just quick reminders for the endings that appear in this toolkit. Aim for clarity over speed.

• 주세요 (please give/do): often sounds like “ju-se-yo” in four beats; keep the middle vowel clear.

• 어디예요? (where is it?): keep 어-디 distinct; the end 예요 is a smooth “ye-yo.”

• 괜찮아요? (is it okay?): many learners blur it; say it in three chunks: 괜-찮-아-요.

• 할 수 있어요? (can you/can I?): keep 수 short; don’t over-stress 있어요.

• 맞아요? (right/correct?): short and rising at the end to signal a check question.

Integrated Situational Scripts (One Continuous Travel Flow)

These scripts combine multiple functions in one realistic sequence. Treat them as “macro-templates”: memorize the structure, then swap keywords (station name, dish, amount, hotel).

Script 1: Arrive at a station → locate exit → confirm direction

실례합니다. 화장실 어디예요?  (Excuse me. Where is the restroom?)
출구 어디예요?  (Where is the exit?)
2번 출구… 맞아요?  (Exit 2… right?)
호텔 가려면 어떻게 가요?  (How do I get to the hotel?)
여기 표시해 주세요.  (Please mark it here.)
감사합니다.  (Thank you.)

Script 2: Ask for a recommendation → order → correct → confirm

이 근처에 맛있는 곳 있어요?  (Is there a good place around here?)
이거 주세요.  (This, please.)
물 두 개 주세요.  (Two waters, please.)
아니요, 이거 말고 저거예요.  (No, not this—it's that.)
이거 맞아요?  (Is this correct?)
감사합니다.  (Thank you.)

Script 3: Pay → ask for receipt → check card/cash → thank

얼마예요?  (How much is it?)
카드로 결제할 수 있어요?  (Can I pay by card?)
영수증 주세요.  (Receipt, please.)
감사합니다.  (Thank you.)

Script 4: Return to hotel → confirm time → request help

지금 괜찮아요?  (Is now okay?)
내일 오전 10시 괜찮아요?  (Is tomorrow 10 a.m. okay?)
여기 표시해 주세요.  (Please mark it here.)
도와주셔서 감사합니다.  (Thank you for helping me.)

Checklist: Phrases to Memorize First (Safety + Frequency Priority)

Memorize in order. These cover the highest-impact needs: urgent help, finding essentials, preventing wrong turns, and completing transactions.

1. 도와주세요.

2. 화장실 어디예요?

3. 출구 어디예요?

4. 이거 주세요.

5. 얼마예요?

6. 카드로 결제할 수 있어요?

7. 지금 괜찮아요?

8. 맞아요?

9. 다시 말해 주세요.

10. 여기 표시해 주세요.

11. 감사합니다.