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How to Ask for Directions in Korean When You’re Lost
Level
A1
Type
Guide
Theme
Travel
작성자
Y
작성시각
The shortest useful answer: show the Korean name of your destination and ask "How do I get here?": 여기 어떻게 가요?
If you know the place word, you can also use [place] 어디예요? — "Where is [place]?" This guide focuses on what you can say when you are lost. A separate listening guide can go deeper into the direction words people use in their answers.
If you know the place word, you can also use [place] 어디예요? — "Where is [place]?" This guide focuses on what you can say when you are lost. A separate listening guide can go deeper into the direction words people use in their answers.
Start politely
A natural way to approach someone is:
죄송한데요…
joesonghandeyo…
"Excuse me / Sorry to bother you…"
죄송한데요…
joesonghandeyo…
"Excuse me / Sorry to bother you…"
Then ask your question. You can keep the destination open on your phone so the person can read the Korean name.
Two patterns that solve most situations
1. [Place] 어디예요?
Use this when you are looking for a nearby place.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
화장실 어디예요? | hwajangsil eodiyeyo? | Where is the restroom? |
지하철역 어디예요? | jihacheol-yeok eodiyeyo? | Where is the subway station? |
버스 정류장 어디예요? | beoseu jeongnyujang eodiyeyo? | Where is the bus stop? |
출구 어디예요? | chulgu eodiyeyo? | Where is the exit? |
약국 어디예요? | yakguk eodiyeyo? | Where is the pharmacy? |
2. 여기 어떻게 가요?
Use this while showing a destination on a map or in a message.
여기 어떻게 가요?
yeogi eotteoke gayo?
"How do I get here?"
여기 어떻게 가요?
yeogi eotteoke gayo?
"How do I get here?"
The listener does not need to guess which place you mean because you are showing it.
Useful follow-up questions
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
가까워요? | gakkawoyo? | Is it close? |
멀어요? | meoreoyo? | Is it far? |
걸어서 갈 수 있어요? | georeoseo gal su isseoyo? | Can I walk there? |
이쪽이요? | ijjogiyo? | This way? |
왼쪽이요? | oenjjogiyo? | Left? |
오른쪽이요? | oreunjjogiyo? | Right? |
A one-word confirmation plus -이요? is useful when you heard only the key direction. Repeat it with rising intonation: 왼쪽이요? — "Left?"
What you may hear in the answer
You do not need to decode a long explanation. Listen for one or two direction words and watch the speaker's gesture.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
이쪽 | ijjok | This way |
저쪽 | jeojjok | That way |
왼쪽 | oenjjok | Left |
오른쪽 | oreunjjok | Right |
직진 | jikjin | Straight |
건너편 | geonneopyeon | Across from / the other side |
A common answer shape is [direction]으로 가세요 — "Go in [that direction]."
•
이쪽으로 가세요. — Go this way.
•
오른쪽으로 가세요. — Go to the right.
•
직진하세요. — Go straight.
When the answer is too fast
Use a repair phrase immediately:
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
다시 말씀해 주세요. | dasi malsseumhae juseyo | Please say that again. |
천천히 말씀해 주세요. | cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo | Please speak slowly. |
지도에 표시해 주세요. | jidoe pyosihae juseyo | Please mark it on the map. |
여기 맞아요? | yeogi majayo? | Is this the right place? |
If the explanation is still unclear, ask the person to point on your map. This is safer than pretending you understood.
Korean signs that help you navigate
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
입구 | ipgu | Entrance |
출구 | chulgu | Exit |
화장실 | hwajangsil | Restroom |
환승 | hwanseung | Transfer |
타는 곳 | taneun got | Boarding area |
가는 길 | ganeun gil | Way to / route to |
Exit numbers matter in large stations. If you need a specific exit, ask:
3번 출구 어디예요?
sam-beon chulgu eodiyeyo?
"Where is Exit 3?"
3번 출구 어디예요?
sam-beon chulgu eodiyeyo?
"Where is Exit 3?"
A short exchange you can copy
You: 죄송한데요, 지하철역 어디예요?
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Person: 저쪽으로 직진하세요.
Go straight that way.
You: 저쪽이요? 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?
That way? Can I walk there?
Person: 네, 가까워요.
Yes, it's close.
You: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Person: 저쪽으로 직진하세요.
Go straight that way.
You: 저쪽이요? 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?
That way? Can I walk there?
Person: 네, 가까워요.
Yes, it's close.
You: 감사합니다.
Thank you.
The phone-and-Korean method
Before asking, open the destination in Korean. Then:
1.
Say 죄송한데요.
2.
Show the screen.
3.
Ask 여기 어떻게 가요?
4.
Confirm the first direction: 이쪽이요?
5.
If needed, say 지도에 표시해 주세요.
You do not need to explain that you are lost. A visible destination plus one clear question is usually more useful than a long sentence.