You will shortly learn the Korean alphabet, and then you should use this section to review the Basic Expressions. Until then, you may find it helpful to have a rough Roman-script indication of how the sentences sound, and we have provided you with this in the following section. The transcription there reproduces the same set of expressions, but in a phonetic notation so as to give you a guide to pronunciation.
| 1. | 네 or 예. | Yes. |
| 2. | 아니오. | No. |
| 3. | 김선생님, 안녕하세요? | How are you, Mr. Kim? [Explanation: 김 (a family name); 선생 teacher, Mr. or Mrs. or Ms.; 선생님 revered teacher, Mr., Mrs. or Ms.; 안녕하세요? Are you peaceful (=well)?] |
| 4. | 네. 안녕하세요? | Fine, how are you? |
| 5. | …입니다. | I’m… |
| 6. | 만나서 반갑습니다. | Nice to meet you; nice to see you. [Literally: I meet you, so I am pleased] |
| 7. | 안녕히 가세요. | Good-bye! [To one who is leaving = Go in peace (i.e. health)] |
| 8. | 안녕히 계세요. | Good-bye! [To one who is staying = Stay in peace (= health)] |
| 9. | 수고하십니다. | Hello! [to someone working] |
| 수고하세요. | Good-bye! [to someone working] | |
| 수고하셨어요. | Thank you for helping me or Well done! [Explanation: 수고 hard work, i.e. You’re doing a great job, Keep up the good work, and Well done.] | |
| 10. | 처음 뵙겠습니다.. | Pleased to make your acquaintance. [Literally: I see you for the first time (formally), i.e. How do you do?] |
| 11. | 또 뵙겠습니다. | See you later! [FORMAL] [Explanation: 또 again, 뵙겠습니다 will humbly see / meet = I will see you] |
| 12. | 고맙습니다 or 감사합니다. | Thank you. |
| 13. | 천만에요 or 괜찮아요. | You’re welcome! or Don’t mention it! [= It’s one of ten million (words)] |
| 14. | 어서 오세요! | Welcome! [= Come (in) right away!] |
| 15. | 들어오세요! | Come in! [= Please enter] |
| 16. | 앉으세요. | Please take a seat / sit down. |
| 17. | 실례합니다. | Excuse me (for what I am doing). [= I am committing a discourtesy] |
| 실례했습니다. | Excuse me (for what I did). [= I have committed a discourtesy] | |
| 실례하겠습니다. | Excuse me (for what I’m about to do). [= I am about to commit a discourtesy] | |
| 18. | 미안합니다 or 죄송합니다. | I’m sorry or Excuse me. [= I feel uneasy] |
| 19. | 아니오, 괜찮아요. | Not at all, it’s all right; No, thanks. [Explanation: 아니오 No; 괜찮아요 It makes no difference, it doesn’t matter, it’s okay] |
| 20. | 여보세요! | Hello! or Hey there! [Hello on the telephone, or when peering into a dark house. Also means Look here!] |
| 21. | 시간이 다 됐습니다. | It’s time (to begin or stop). [Explanation: 시간 time; 시간이 time (as subject); 다 all, completely; 됐습니다 it has become. . .] |
| 22. | 또 봐요. | See you later! [POLITE] [= See you again. This is less formal than 20] |
| 23. | 그래요? | Is that so? Really? |
| 그래요. | That’s so. Really. |