I leave you a nice list of Korean phrases to learn, dedicate or congratulate someone you appreciate. First of all, you will find proverbs, reflections on topics as varied as happiness, courage, self-knowledge, struggle, patience, perseverance and beauty. Then there are some phrases of common use in Korean to say hello, talk, and ask for directions and help.
You may also be interested in these historical phrases.
Korean proverbs
- 손바닥 으로 하늘 을 가리 려 한다 (Sonbadageuro haneuleul gariryeohanda).
Meaning: If you are not honest with yourself and admit your feelings, you will have to face the consequences.
- 로마 는 하루 아침 에 이루어진 것이 아니다 (Lomaneun haluachim-e ilueojin geos-i nests).
Meaning: Rome wasn't built in a day.
- 소 잃고 외양간 고치기 (Soh-ilgo-weyang-gan gochi-gi).
Meaning: Prepare yourself, and you will never end up regretting it.
- 꿩 먹고 알 먹는다 (Kkwong meoggo al meogneunda).
Meaning: Kill two birds with one stone.
- 옷 이 날개 다 (Os-i nal-gae-da).
Meaning: How you dress, they treat you.
- 고생 끝에 낙이 온다 (Gosaeng kkeut-e nag-i wave).
Meaning: At the end of adversity, happiness comes.
- 늦 더라도 안 하느니 보다 낫다 (neuralized an haneuniboda nasda).
Meaning: Better late than never.
- 정직 은 최선 의 방책 이다 (jeongjig-eun choeseon-ui bangchaeg-ida).
Meaning: Honesty is the best policy.
- 콩 심은 데 콩 나고, 팥 심은 데 팥 난다 (Kong sim-eun-dae kong-na-go, pat sim-eun-dae pat nanda).
Meaning: It is easy to judge a man by his surroundings.
- 등잔 밑 이 어둡다 (Deung-jan mit-i eo-dub-da).
Meaning: The answer we are looking for is usually under our noses.
- 호랑이 에게 물려 가 도 정신 만 차리면 산다 (Horangi-egeh mool-ryeo-gado jeong-shin-man chari-myeon sanda).
Meaning: Sit patiently by the river and you will see the corpse of your enemy pass by.
- 개똥 도 약 에 쓰 려면 없다 (Gae-ttong-do yag-e sseu-lyeo-myeon eobs-da).
Meaning: Things are never where we want them to be.
- 서당 개 삼 년 에 풍월 읊는 다 (Seo – dang – gae sam nyeon – e poong – weol eulp – neun – da).
Meaning: Practice makes perfect.
- 시작 이 반 이다 (Shi-jaki bani-da).
Meaning: Getting started is half the way.
- 제 눈 에 안경 이다 (Je nun-e angyeong-ida).
Meaning: Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
- 엎질러 진 물 이다 (Eopjilleojin mul-ida).
Meaning: There is no point in lamenting over a would.
- 원숭이 도 나무 에서 떨어질 때가 잇다 (Wonsung-ido namueseo tteol-eojil ttaega isda).
Meaning: Even monkeys sometimes fall out of trees.
- 개구리 올챙이 적 생각 도 못 한다 (Gae-goo-ri ol-chaengi jeok saeng-gak-do mot-handa).
Meaning: It is foolish to hate those who are now as you once were.
- 김치국 부터 마시지 말라 (Kim-chi-gug-bu-teo ma-si-ji mal-la).
Meaning: Don't put the sandal on before you spine.
- 웃음 은 최고의 명약 이다 (Us-eum-eun choegoui myeong-yag-ida).
Meaning: Laughter is the best of medicines.
- 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다 (Ga-neun mali gowa-ya oneun gop-da).
Meaning: Treat others the way you want them to treat you.
- 고양이 에게 생선 을 맡기다 (Goyang-iege saengseon-eul matgida).
Meaning: Don't trust people in situations where they can take advantage of you.
- 낮말 은 새 가 듣고 밤말 은 쥐 가 듣는다 (Nat – mal – eun sae – ga deud – go bam – mal – eun jui – ga deud – neun – da).
Meaning: Be careful who you speak of, because they may find out.
- 찬물 도 위아래 가 있다 (Chan-mool-do ooi-arae-ga it-da).
Meaning: Everything in its respective order. / Respect the order of things.
- 말 을 냇가 에 끌고 갈 수 는 있어도 억지로 물 을 먹일 수 는 없다 (Mal-eul naesga-e kkeulgo gal suneun iss-eodo eogjilo mul-eul meog-il suneun eobsda).
Meaning: A horse can be guided to the pond, but it cannot be made to drink water.
- 과부 설움 은 홀아비 가 안다 (Gwabu seol-um-eun hol-abiga walks).
Meaning: Misery loves company.
- 백지장 도 맞들면 낫다 (Baegjijangdo majdeulmyeon nasda).
Meaning: Two heads are better than one.
- 궁 하면 통한다 (Gunghamyeon tonghanda).
Meaning: There is always a way out.
- 콩 심은 데 콩 나고, 팥 심은 데 팥 난다 (Kong simeundae kongnago, pat simeundae pat nanda).
Meaning: The fruit does not fall far from the tree.
- 낮말 은 새 가 듣고 밤말 은 쥐 가 듣는다 (Najmal-eun saega deudgo bammal-eun jwiga deudneunda).
Meaning: The walls have ears.
- 누워서 떡 먹기 (Nuwoseo tteog meoggi).
Meaning: No brainer.
- 아는 길 도 물어 가라 (Aneun gildo muleogara).
Meaning: It never hurts to ask again.
- 가재 는 게 편이라 (Ga-jae-neun ge pyeon-i-la).
Meaning: Like-minded people attract.
- 화약 을 지고 불 속 으로 들어간다 (Hwa-yakeul ji-go bool sok-euro deoreo-kanda).
Meaning: You see the storm and do not kneel. / You invite danger to the door of your house.
- 눈 에서 멀어 지면, 마음 에서도 멀어진 다 (Nun-eseo meol-eojimyeon, ma-eum-eseodo meol-eojinda).
Meaning: Eyes that do not see, heart that does not feel.
- 장구 를 쳐야 춤 을 추지 (Jang-gu-reul chyeo-ya choom-eul chuji).
Meaning: Help is needed on some occasions.
- 공자 앞에서 문자 쓴다 (Gong-ja ap-es-eo mun-ja sseun-da).
Meaning: You don't want to tell an expert how to do his job.
- 그림 의 떡 (Crim-ue ddeok).
Meaning: If you want something that you cannot have, it is better to forget about it.
- 개천 에서 용 난다 (Gae-cheon-es-eo yong nan-da).
Meaning: Great men and women come from humble origins.
- 고슴도치 도자기 새끼 는 예쁘다 (Goseumdochidojagisaekkineun-yeppeuda).
Meaning: All parents think their babies are pretty.
- 뜻 이 있는 곳에 길이 있다 (Tteus-i issneun gos-e gil-i issda).
Meaning: Where the will exists, the way exists.
- 빈 수레 가 요란 하다 (Bin surega yoranhada).
Meaning: Whoever is boastful of his abilities is not the best person to achieve the best results.
- 말보다는 실천 을 하라 (malbodaneun silcheon-eul hala).
Meaning: Actions speak louder than words.
Commonly used phrases
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo).
Meaning: Hello.
- 어떻게 지내 세요? (eotteohke jinaeseyo?).
Meaning: How are you?
- 나는 괜찮아. 고마워. 그리고 너? (Naneun gwaenchanh-a, rubberwo. Geuligo neo?).
Meaning: I'm fine, thank you. And you?
- 이름 은 무엇 입니까? (ireumeun mueosip nikka?).
Meaning: What is your name?
- 제 이름 은… 입니다 (heh ireum-eun… imnida).
Meaning: My name is…
- 만나서 반갑 습니다 (bangapseumnida mannaseo).
Meaning: Nice to meet you.
- 네 (ne) / 예 (ye).
Meaning: Yes.
- 아니요 (aniyo).
Meaning: No.
- 나도 몰라 (nado molla).
Meaning: I don't know.
- 모르겠습니다 (moreugesseumnida).
Meaning: I don't understand.
- 한국말 잘 못해요 (hangugmal jal moshaeyo).
Meaning: I don't speak Korean very well.
- 천천히 말씀해 주세요? (cheoncheonhi malssuemhae juseyo?).
Meaning: Could you speak more slowly?
- 다시 한번 말씀 해주시 겠어요? (Dasi hanbeon malsseumhaejusigess-eoyo?).
Meaning: Could you repeat what you just said to me?
- 스페인어 할 수 있어요 ?? (seupein-eo hal jul aseyo?).
Meaning: Can you speak Spanish?
- 영어 할 수 있어요? (yeong-eo hal her issseubnida).
Meaning: Can you speak English?
- 부탁 합니다 (butakamnida).
Meaning: Please.
- 감사 합니다 (kamsahamnida) / 고맙습니다 (komapsumnida).
Meaning: Thank you.
- 죄송 합니다 (joesonghamnida) / 미안 합니다! (mianhamnida!).
Meaning: Sorry / I'm sorry. Note: The first is a slight, inadvertent “pardon”. The second is a more meaningful "forgiveness", such as: "I'm really sorry, forgive me."
- 실례 하겠습니다 (sillyehagessseubnida).
Meaning: With permission.
- 실례 합니다 (sillyehabnida).
Meaning: Excuse me (to get someone's attention).
- 안녕하십니까 (annyeong hashimnikka).
Meaning: Good morning / afternoon.
- 안녕히 주무 십시요 (annyeong-hi jumusipsio).
Meaning: Good evening.
- 안녕 (annyeong).
Meaning: Goodbye.
- 좋은 하루 되세요! (joeun haru dweseyo!).
Meaning: Have a nice day!
- 화장실 이 어디 예요? (hwajangsil-i eodiyeyo?).
Meaning: Where can I find the bathroom?
- 얼마 예요? (eolmayeyo?).
Meaning: How much does this cost?
- 사랑해 (salanghae).
Meaning: I love you.
- 길 을 잃었 어요… 어디 인지 아세요? (gil-eul ilh-eoss-eoyo… eodiinji aseyo?).
Meaning: I got lost. Do you know / could you tell me where it is…?
- 왼쪽 (oen-jjok) / 오른쪽 (oh-reun-jjok) / 직진 (jik-jjin).
Meanings: Left / Right / Right.
-… 주세요 (… juseyo).
Meaning: I am going to order a… please.
-… 저 알러지 있어요 (… jeo alleoji iss-eoyo).
Meaning: I am allergic to…
- 계산서 주세요 (gyesanseo juseyo).
Meaning: Can I have the bill please?
- 도와 주세요! (dowajuseyo!).
Meaning: Help me please! / Help me please!
- 병원 (byeong-won) / 의사 가 필요 해요 (uisaga pil-yohaeyo).
Meaning: I need a hospital. / I need a doctor.