Korean
10 Korean Words to Teach Your Kids Before a Trip to Korea
Planning a family trip to Seoul, Busan or Jeju? Teaching your kids a few Korean words before you go makes the trip more fun, and locals really light up when a child says thank you in Korean.
Here are ten words that are easy to say and genuinely useful. Practice two a day for a week before you fly.
| Korean | Say it | Meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | an-nyeong-ha-se-yo | Hello | Meeting anyone: shop staff, hotel staff, new friends |
| 감사합니다 | gam-sa-ham-ni-da | Thank you | After getting food, help or a gift |
| 네 | ne | Yes | Answering a question |
| 아니요 | a-ni-yo | No | Politely saying no |
| 죄송합니다 | joe-song-ham-ni-da | I'm sorry | Bumping into someone |
| 맛있어요 | ma-si-sseo-yo | It's delicious! | At every meal (chefs love this one) |
| 물 | mul | Water | Asking for a drink |
| 화장실 | hwa-jang-sil | Bathroom | The most important word for little travelers! |
| 이거 주세요 | i-geo ju-se-yo | This one, please | Pointing at a snack or toy |
| 안녕히 계세요 | an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo | Goodbye | Said when you are leaving a place |
Tip: In Korean, goodbye changes depending on who is leaving. If you are leaving, say 안녕히 계세요. If the other person is leaving, say 안녕히 가세요 (an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo). Kids think this is a fun puzzle!
How to practice
- Role play a shop: Set up a pretend Korean convenience store with snacks. Your child says 안녕하세요, points and says 이거 주세요, then 감사합니다.
- Bow and say hello: A small bow with 안녕하세요 is polite and adorable.
- Dinner challenge: Say 맛있어요 at every family dinner the week before your trip.
Bonus: three fun words
사랑해 (sa-rang-hae) = I love you · 하나, 둘, 셋 (ha-na, dul, set) = one, two, three · 김밥 (gim-bap) = kimbap, the perfect picnic food for little travelers.
From our shop
South Korea Travel Activity Book
Keep kids busy on the plane with coloring, puzzles, first Korean words and a travel journal for your trip.
See it on Etsy →
From our shop
Korean Flashcards for Kids
40 printable cards with colors, numbers, food, animals and first phrases, plus 5 easy games.
See it on Etsy →
