Introduction:

Are you planning to go to Korea for a short vacation? It is important to learn at least the basic conversational skills to make your journey easier. So, before explaining more about the useful phrases of the Korean language let’s go back to the history of this beautiful language. Korean is spoken by 77 million people (about twice the population of California). It is the national language of both south and north Korea. Modern and historical linguists classified this language as an Altaic language. The present-day Hangul was invented by King Sejong the Great in the 15th century. The language is quite simple as compared to its counterpart hanja, the Chinese character that is used by the people before inventing hangul. 

Now we know a little bit about the history of the Korean language let me explain the few important aspects of the Korean language before coming to the useful phrases in Korean below

In learning Korean what you keep in mind is that Korean is a tonal language and bound by its formal and informal ending of the sentences, so let us say you are asking for price in the market and the seller seems older than you need to say in some specific tone and endings. Learn the greetings before you go, it is unavoidable not to greet and learn how to introduce yourself. 

Most useful phrases in Korean:

Basic Korean Phrases 

• Neh-Yes. 
• ah-nee-oh-No. 
• jwe-song-ha-ji-mahn-Excuse me but 
• gahm-sah-hahm-ni-da-Thank you. 
• chon-mahn-eh-yo-You’re welcome. 
• sil-le-hahm-ni-da-Excuse me. 
• ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo-Hello. 
• ahn-nyong-hee ga-se-yo-Good-bye, this goodbye is said by the person who is staying.The tricky part here is that there are two types of goodbye in Korean language, one is for the person who stays and the other is for the person who is leaving. The two should not be mixed at any cost. (Down below) 
• Ahn-nyong-hee-ge-se-yo-Good bye 
• Chu-un-achim- emnida- good morning 
• Chu-un-Hru-dwe-seyo-Have a good day ahead. 

Korean Phrases for Meeting and Greeting 

• yong-o-rul hahl-jool asim-ni-ka? Do you speak English? 
• jeo-nun han-kook-o-rul jo-gum-bah-ke mo-tahm-ni-da-I only speak a little Korean. 
• song-ha-mi o-teo-ke dwe-si-ji-yo? What is your name? (formal) 
• je-i-rum-eun Tom im-ni-da. My name is Tom. 
• Jal-ji-ne-seyo? How are you? 
• neh, jal-ji-ne-yo. I am fine 
• gahm-sa-hahm-ni-da- thank you. 
• Chon-beke-sum-ni-da-Nice to meet you (for the first time meeting.) 
• mahn-na-seo bahn-gahp-soum-ni-da-I am extremely glad to meet you. 
• jal mo-dara dut-ge-soum-ni-da. I do not understand. 
• mo-ra-go greo-shut-ji-yo? What did you say? 
• chon-chon-hee mahl-hae joo-se-yo?-Can you speak more slowly? 
• choong-boon-hee i-hae-hah-go i-soum-ni-da-I understand perfectly. 

Useful while traveling 

• Chi-gum-shigan-e-otteyo?- What is the time now? 
• Odiye-khayo?-Where are we going? 
• Dochak hamnida- reach. 
• Chulbal- journey started. 
• Ego-olma-yeyo?-How much is this? 
• Chum-kkak-ka-juseyo- please give me some discount. 
• Hwajang-sil-e odiye isoyo-Where is the washroom? 

Above are the few useful phrases that will be helpful for you as a beginner learner or if you’re planning to travel to Korea. It is a must to learn Korean basic conversation along with your plan for travel, as the majority of the people are not fluent in English so it will be difficult to communicate with you. If you have time for 1 or so there are many online educational platforms that provide online classes that cover the basics. Check out this website for more information