15 Korean phrases for taxis, cafés and convenience stores

2026-10-21

Startandstar / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)

You don't need much Korean to get through a day in Seoul, but a few well-chosen phrases make taxis, cafés and convenience stores much smoother. Everything below uses the polite -요 (-yo) ending or 주세요 (juseyo), "please give me / please do," which is right for talking to drivers and staff.

The pattern to remember: [thing] + 주세요 for "[thing], please," and [verb] + 아/어 주세요 for "please [do something]."

In a taxi

Many drivers speak little English, so show the address on your phone, preferably in Korean, and use these:

1. 여기로 가 주세요. (yeogiro ga juseyo.) – Please take me here. (while showing the address)
2. 명동역까지 가 주세요. (myeongdong-yeok-kkaji ga juseyo.) – Please go to Myeongdong Station. Swap in any place name before 까지 (kkaji), "to/as far as."
3. 여기 세워 주세요. (yeogi sewo juseyo.) – Please stop here.
4. 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) – Can I pay by card? Most taxis take cards and transit cards, but asking is polite.
5. 트렁크 좀 열어 주세요. (teureongkeu jom yeoreo juseyo.) – Could you open the trunk, please? Adding 좀 (jom), "a little," softens a request.

You may hear 어디로 가세요? (eodiro gaseyo?) – "Where are you going?" – as you get in. Fasten your seatbelt; drivers and passengers are expected to wear one.

At a café

6. 아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요. (aiseu amerikano han jan juseyo.) – One iced americano, please. 잔 (jan) is the counter for cups and glasses: 한 잔 (han jan) one, 두 잔 (du jan) two.
7. 따뜻한 걸로 주세요. (ttatteutan geollo juseyo.) – A hot one, please. Iced drinks are the default for many Koreans, even in winter, so staff may ask: 따뜻한 거요, 아이스요? (ttatteutan geoyo, aiseuyo?) – "Hot or iced?"
8. 먹고 갈게요. / 가져갈게요. (meokgo galgeyo. / gajyeogalgeyo.) – For here. / To go. You'll often be asked 드시고 가세요? (deusigo gaseyo?) – "Are you eating here?"
9. 얼음 적게 주세요. (eoreum jeokge juseyo.) – Less ice, please.
10. 화장실 비밀번호가 뭐예요? (hwajangsil bimilbeonhoga mwoyeyo?) – What's the restroom code? Many café restrooms have a keypad lock; the code is often printed on your receipt.

When your drink is ready, a buzzer (진동벨, jindongbel) may vibrate, or staff will call your order number.

At the convenience store

Korean convenience stores (편의점, pyeonuijeom) sell everything from lunch boxes to phone chargers, and most are open 24 hours.

11. 봉투 하나 주세요. (bongtu hana juseyo.) – One bag, please. Bags aren't free, so the cashier will often ask 봉투 필요하세요? (bongtu piryohaseyo?) – "Do you need a bag?" If not: 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo), "I'm fine, thanks."
12. 이거 원 플러스 원이에요? (igeo won peulleoseu wonieyo?) – Is this buy-one-get-one-free? Look for "1+1" and "2+1" stickers on the shelves.
13. 교통카드 충전해 주세요. (gyotong kadeu chungjeonhae juseyo.) – Please top up my transit card. Hand over the card with cash.
14. 젓가락 주세요. (jeotgarak juseyo.) – Chopsticks, please. Useful when you buy instant noodles or a lunch box.
15. 영수증은 괜찮아요. (yeongsujeungeun gwaenchanayo.) – I don't need the receipt.

The cashier may also ask 포인트 카드 있으세요? (pointeu kadeu isseuseyo?) – "Do you have a points card?" A simple 없어요 (eopseoyo), "I don't," is enough.

Two phrases that help everywhere

If you get lost in a conversation, two short phrases go a long way:

• 다시 한번 말씀해 주세요. (dasi hanbeon malsseumhae juseyo.) – Could you say that again, please?
• 감사합니다. (gamsahamnida.) – Thank you. Say it when you leave the taxi, take your coffee or walk out of the shop.

Korean you can use

Pick three phrases, use them today, and add more tomorrow. That's how survival Korean turns into real Korean.