Order anything by pointing in Korean

All 11 Korean phrases in this lesson

...주세요ju-SEH-yo

I would like...

Literally "please give me ...": 커피 주세요 (KO-pi ju-SEH-yo), a coffee, please.

이거요i-GO-yo

This one

Short for "this one please," used while pointing. Adding 요 makes it politely casual. You can also say 이걸로 할게요 (I'll take this one) when making a final decision at the till.

얼마예요?ol-MA-ye-yo

How much is it?

A polite and universally understood way to ask the price. You can also point at something and raise your eyebrows while saying this and you will be understood immediately.

계산서 주세요gye-SAN-so JU-se-yo

The bill, please

In many Korean restaurants you pay at the counter rather than at the table. You can also simply say 계산해 주세요 (please process the payment) or ask 여기요 to get a server's attention.

카드로 할게요KA-deu-ro hal-GE-yo

By card

Card payments are almost universal in South Korea, even for very small amounts. Contactless and mobile payments via KakaoPay and Naver Pay are extremely common.

현금으로 할게요hyon-GEU-meu-ro hal-GE-yo

In cash

Cash is still accepted everywhere but increasingly rare. ATMs are easy to find and many accept foreign cards. Some markets and street food stalls still prefer cash.

물mul

Water

Tap water in South Korea is technically safe to drink but most locals prefer bottled or filtered water. Sparkling water is 탄산수. Convenience stores stock water cheaply around the clock.

커피KO-pi

Coffee

Korea has a phenomenal cafe culture. Americano (아메리카노) is the most popular order by far. Just say 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요 and you will fit right in.

차cha

Tea

The same word means car. On a menu the context makes it clear.

맥주MAEK-ju

Beer

Mixed with soju, it becomes 소맥 (so-MAEK), the classic office-dinner drink.

...빼 주세요ppae ju-SEH-yo

Without...

Literally "please take out ...": 얼음 빼 주세요 (o-REUM ppae ju-SEH-yo), no ice.

Where Korean is spoken

• 🇰🇵 Facts about North Korea · Map of North Korea
• 🇰🇷 Facts about South Korea · Map of South Korea