Basic Nouns

1. 물

   Mul

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with a gesture

2. 음식

   Eum-sik

   Food

   Usage

   The general word to use when you are looking for something to eat

3. 돈

   Don

   Money

   Usage

   The basic word when talking about paying or changing money

4. 화장실

   Hwa-jang-sil

   Toilet

   Usage

   This single word is usually enough for someone to point the way

5. 휴지

   Hyu-ji

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking for paper at an eatery or a public toilet

6. 약

   Yak

   Medicine

   Usage

   The general word to lead with at a pharmacy

7. 짐

   Jim

   Luggage

   Usage

   For storing, carrying, or collecting your bags

8. 열쇠

   Yeol-soe

   Key

   Usage

   At a hotel front desk when handing over or collecting a key

9. 표

   Pyo

   Ticket

   Usage

   Covers both travel tickets and entry tickets

10. 여권

    Yeo-gwon

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at check-in, money changers, and immigration

11. 전화

    Jeon-hwa

    Phone

    Usage

    Used both for the device and for making a call

12. 충전기

    Chung-jeon-gi

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café, or buy one

13. 역

    Yeok

    Station

    Usage

    The most common landmark word when asking for directions

14. 병원

    Byeong-won

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word to say when you feel seriously unwell

15. 경찰

    Gyeong-chal

    Police

    Usage

    Who to ask for after a theft or an accident

16. 가게

    Ga-ge

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when asking where you can buy something

17. 방

    Bang

    Room

    Usage

    For booking, changing, or checking availability at a hotel

18. 길

    Gil

    Road

    Usage

    For asking the way, usually while showing a map

19. 가족

    Ga-jok

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up constantly in introductions and small talk

20. 이름

    I-reum

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. 머리

    Meo-ri

    Head

    Usage

    The head; "머리" can also mean "hair", so use "머리카락" when you mean hair alone

22. 눈

    Nun

    Eye

    Usage

    The eye; the same spelling also means "snow", so point at your own eye while showing it

23. 치아

    Chi-a

    Tooth

    Usage

    The word used in dental and medical settings; the everyday word "이" also means "this" and "two", so this card uses "치아"

24. 목구멍

    Mok-gu-meong

    Throat

    Usage

    The throat itself; "목" on its own can also mean "neck", so use this when you mean the throat

25. 배

    Bae

    Belly, stomach

    Usage

    The belly; the same spelling also means "pear" and "boat", so hold your stomach while showing it. The clinical term is "복부"

26. 등

    Deung

    Back

    Usage

    The back; the same spelling also means "etc." and "lamp", so gesture at your back while showing it

27. 허리

    Heo-ri

    Lower back, waist

    Usage

    The lower back and waist; use it for back pain or a strained back

28. 다리

    Da-ri

    Leg

    Usage

    The leg from thigh to ankle; the foot itself is "발". The same spelling also means "bridge"

29. 손

    Son

    Hand

    Usage

    The hand; use it to indicate where an injury or pain is

30. 가슴

    Ga-seum

    Chest

    Usage

    The chest; the clinical term is "흉부". "가슴" can also mean "breast" or "heart/feelings", so hold your chest while showing it

31. 소방차

    So-bang-cha

    Fire engine

    Usage

    A fire engine; the number for fire and ambulance in Korea is 119

32. 영사관

    Yeong-sa-gwan

    Consulate

    Usage

    Where a consul works in the host country; placed outside the capital, unlike the embassy ("대사관")

Browse all TravelPhrases languages