The Only 5 Korean Phrases You Need at the Airport (Simple Pronunciation Guide)

Welcome to Korea! The moment you land, using a few simple Korean phrases can make your journey smoother and more fun. Forget complicated grammar—here are 5 crucial situations you'll face at the airport and the easy-to-use phrases for each!

 

Situation 1: Immigration (입국 심사대)

"The immigration officer might ask questions in English, but you can try using simple Korean phrases if needed."

 

Goal	Korean Phrase	Pronunciation (Romanized)
1. Stating your purpose	여행입니다. (It's travel.)	Yeo-haeng-i-mni-da.
2. Stating your duration of stay	5일 동안 있을 거예요. (I will stay for 5 days.)	O-il dongan is-seul geo-ye-yo.
3. Presenting your passport	여기 있습니다. (Here it is.)	Yeo-gi is-seum-ni-da.

 

 

Situation 2: Asking for Help (도움 요청하기)

Use these to politely get someone's attention and ask for assistance.

 

Goal	Korean Phrase	Pronunciation (Romanized)
1. Getting attention (Excuse me)	저기요.	Jeo-gi-yo.
2. Asking for help	도와주세요. (Please help me.)	Do-wa-ju-se-yo.
3. Asking for the restroom	화장실이 어디예요? (Where is the restroom?)	Hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?

 

 

Situation 3: Duty-Free Shopping (면세점 쇼핑 시)

These are handy phrases when you need information about a product you want to buy.

 

Goal	Korean Phrase	Pronunciation (Romanized)
1. Asking for the price	이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)	I-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
2. Asking for a product	이것 좀 찾아주세요. (Please find this for me.)	I-geot jom cha-ja-ju-se-yo.
3. Asking for other colors	다른 색깔도 있어요? (Do you have other colors?)	Da-reun saek-kkal-do is-seo-yo?

 

 

Situation 4: Asking for Directions (출구 및 길 찾기)

Use these to locate specific gates or exit points in the large airport.

Goal	Korean Phrase	Pronunciation (Romanized)
1. Asking for a Gate	5번 게이트가 어디예요? (Where is Gate 5?)	O-beon ge-i-teu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
2. Asking for the Exit	출구가 어디예요? (Where is the exit?)	Chul-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
3. Giving simple directions	쭉 가세요. (Go straight.)	Jjuk ga-se-yo.

 

Situation 5: Baggage Claim (수하물 수취대)

Phrases to use when dealing with your luggage or offering thanks.

Goal	Korean Phrase	Pronunciation (Romanized)
1. Asking for Baggage Claim	짐 찾는 곳이 어디예요? (Where is the baggage claim?)	Jim chat-neun got-i eo-di-ye-yo?
2. Expressing thanks	감사합니다. (Thank you.)	Gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
3. Expressing apology	죄송합니다. (I apologize / I'm sorry.)	Joe-song-ham-ni-da.

 

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These simple phrases will help you navigate the airport with confidence! Practice these a few times before your trip. Enjoy your stay in Korea!

P.S. If you want to learn more exciting and real-life Korean expressions used in K-Dramas and variety shows, check out our next post!