π Korean Transportation Vocabulary: How to Get Around Like a Local
Planning to travel in Korea? π°π·
Whether you're riding the subway in Seoul or taking a taxi in Busan, knowing basic Korean transportation words can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. ππ
In this post, you'll learn essential vocabulary and phrases to navigate buses, subways, taxis, and directions — just like a local!
π¦ Basic Transportation Words
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| μ§νμ² | jihacheol | subway |
| λ²μ€ | beoseu | bus |
| νμ | taeksi | taxi |
| κΈ°μ°¨ | gicha | train |
| λΉνκΈ° | bihaenggi | airplane |
| μμ κ±° | jajeongeo | bicycle |
| μλμ°¨ | jadongcha | car |
| μ λ₯μ₯ | jeongryujang | bus stop |
| μ | yeok | station |
| κ΅ν΅μΉ΄λ | gyotongkadeu | transportation card |
| νμΉ | hwanseung | transfer |
| μΆκ΅¬ | chulgu | exit (of station) |
π§ Common Transportation Phrases
| Korean Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| λͺ λ² λ²μ€μμ? | What bus number is it? |
| μ΄λμμ λ΄λ €μ? | Where do I get off? |
| λ€μ μ λ₯μ₯μ μ΄λμμ? | What’s the next stop? |
| μ§νμ² λͺ νΈμ μ νμ? | Which subway line should I take? |
| νμΉν΄μΌ λΌμ? | Do I need to transfer? |
| μ΄ μμμ λ΄λ €μ. | Get off at this station. |
| νμ νκ³ κ°κ³ μΆμ΄μ. | I want to go by taxi. |
| 곡νκΉμ§ μΌλ§λ κ±Έλ €μ? | How long does it take to the airport? |
| κ΅ν΅μΉ΄λ μμ΄μ? | Do you have a T-money card? |
| μΉ΄λλ‘ κ³μ°ν κ²μ. | I’ll pay by card. |
π Subway Tips in Korea
✅ Most cities use line numbers (1νΈμ , 2νΈμ ...)
✅ Stations are announced in Korean, English, and Chinese
✅ Use T-money or cash-beep apps for payment
✅ Many stations have free Wi-Fi, convenience stores, and underground malls
π‘ Example:
-
νλμ ꡬμ 2νΈμ μμ κ°μνμΈμ.
→ Transfer at Hongdae Station, Line 2.
π Taking a Taxi in Korean
-
νμ λΆλ¬ μ£ΌμΈμ. → Please call a taxi.
-
μ΄ μ£Όμλ‘ κ° μ£ΌμΈμ. → Please go to this address.
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μμμ¦ μ£ΌμΈμ. → Please give me a receipt.
π Tip: Use Kakao T (μΉ΄μΉ΄μ€νμ) for easy booking with English options.
πΊ️ Asking for Directions
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| [μ₯μ]μ μ΄λ»κ² κ°μ? | How do I get to [place]? |
| μ΄ κ·Όμ²μ μ§νμ² μ μμ΄μ? | Is there a subway nearby? |
| κ±Έμ΄μ κ° μ μμ΄μ? | Can I walk there? |
| μ€λ₯Έμͺ½ / μΌμͺ½μΌλ‘ κ°μΈμ. | Go right / left. |
| μ§μ§νμΈμ. | Go straight. |
π― Practice Prompts
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Practice saying: "μ§νμ² 3νΈμ μ νκ³ κ°λ¨μμμ λ΄λ¦¬μΈμ."
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Write out your commute to school or work in Korean.
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Try role-playing a taxi ride with a friend or teacher.
π©π« Want to Practice Korean Transportation Conversations?
Whether you're learning for travel or daily life, I can help you master real-world expressions for subways, taxis, and directions in Korean!
π Book a class with me on italki:
https://www.italki.com/ko/teacher/7916559
Let’s get you moving — in fluent Korean! ππ£️
