Join easy, learn steady, feel proud.
Join Free
Korean Phrases for Asking If a Seat Is Taken
Level
A1
Type
phrase
Theme
Travel
작성자
Y
작성시각
You are at a café in Seoul, a busy train station, or a food court where every empty chair looks like hope. There is a seat, but there is also a bag, a coat, or maybe someone nearby who might be saving it.
In Korean, the safest move is not to point and sit. Ask one short, polite question first. You only need a few natural phrases to handle most seat situations in Korea.
The safest phrase: May I sit here?
If you remember one sentence, make it this one.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
여기 앉아도 될까요? | yeogi anjado doelkkayo? | May I sit here? |
여기 앉아도 돼요? | yeogi anjado dwaeyo? | Can I sit here? |
여기 자리 있나요? | yeogi jari innayo? | Is this seat taken? / Is someone sitting here? |
Why 자리 있어요 can mean it's taken
The word 자리 means seat or spot. When Koreans say 자리 있어요, they may mean "there is someone for this seat," or "this seat is being saved."
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
네, 있어요. | ne, isseoyo. | Yes, someone is sitting here. / Yes, it’s taken. |
아니요, 없어요. | aniyo, eopseoyo. | No, no one is sitting here. / No, it’s not taken. |
When there is a bag, coat, or phone on the chair
In Korea, people sometimes place a bag or jacket on a chair to save a seat, especially in cafés, food courts, libraries, or waiting areas. It does not always mean they are trying to be rude. They may be ordering, using the restroom, or waiting for a friend.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
죄송한데, 여기 앉아도 될까요? | joesonghande, yeogi anjado doelkkayo? | Sorry, may I sit here? |
혹시 여기 자리 있나요? | hoksi yeogi jari innayo? | By any chance, is this seat taken? |
이 자리 비었나요? | i jari bieonnayo? | Is this seat empty? |
What you might hear back
You do not need to understand a long answer. Listen for a few short phrases.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
네, 앉으세요. | ne, anjeuseyo. | Yes, please sit. |
네, 괜찮아요. | ne, gwaenchanayo. | Yes, it’s okay. |
비었어요. | bieosseoyo. | It’s empty. |
죄송해요, 자리 있어요. | joesonghaeyo, jari isseoyo. | Sorry, this seat is taken. |
사람 있어요. | saram isseoyo. | Someone is sitting here. |
친구가 올 거예요. | chinguga ol geoyeyo. | My friend is coming. |
Quick seat phrases by situation
Situation | Best Korean phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning |
Café seat near someone | 여기 앉아도 될까요? | yeogi anjado doelkkayo? | May I sit here? |
Train or bus seat | 여기 자리 있나요? | yeogi jari innayo? | Is this seat taken? |
Bag on a chair | 혹시 여기 자리 있나요? | hoksi yeogi jari innayo? | By any chance, is this seat taken? |
Food court table | 이 자리 비었나요? | i jari bieonnayo? | Is this seat empty? |
More polite opening | 죄송한데, 여기 앉아도 될까요? | joesonghande, yeogi anjado doelkkayo? | Sorry, may I sit here? |
A small etiquette note for public transportation
On Korean buses and subways, some seats are marked for elderly passengers, pregnant passengers, or people with mobility needs. Even if the seat is empty, it may be better not to sit there unless you really need it.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
노약자석 | noyakjaseok | Priority seating |
임산부 배려석 | imsanbu baeryeoseok | Seat reserved as consideration for pregnant passengers |
In these areas, the question is not just "Is the seat taken?" but "Is this seat appropriate for me to use?"
The Seat Phrase to Trust
For a smooth seat moment in Korea, trust this sentence: 여기 앉아도 될까요?
It is polite enough for strangers, simple enough to remember, and clear enough that the other person can answer quickly. If they say yes, sit. If they say the seat is taken, smile and try the next one. That tiny exchange is exactly the kind of Korean that makes travel feel easier.