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Taking a Taxi in Korea: Essential Phrases
Level
A1
Type
Guide
Theme
Travel
작성자
Y
작성시각
Most visitors to Korea end up taking a taxi at least once. Maybe the subway has already stopped. Maybe you are carrying luggage. Maybe it is raining, your phone battery is dying, and you are very done with figuring out bus routes.
The good news is that taking a taxi in Korea is usually straightforward. Taxis are common, meters are standard, and for many everyday rides you do not need a long conversation. But even then, a few Korean phrases help a lot — especially when you need to confirm the destination, ask the driver to wait, mention a payment issue, or say something simple but polite.
This guide focuses on the phrases you are actually likely to use, not textbook lines you will never say from the back seat.
The First Words You Need
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
택시 | taeksi | taxi |
기사님 | gisanim | driver (polite) |
여기요 | yeogiyo | Over here / Excuse me |
안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Thank you |
천천히 가 주세요 | cheoncheonhi ga juseyo | Please go slowly |
세워 주세요 | sewo juseyo | Please stop |
여기서 내려 주세요 | yeogiseo naeryeo juseyo | Please let me out here |
If you remember only one address strategy, remember this: having the destination written in Korean is better than trying to pronounce it perfectly. Show the address on your phone if needed. That is normal in Korea.
Getting the Driver's Attention
If you are hailing a taxi on the street, 여기요! is a useful and natural way to get attention. It means something like "Over here" or "Excuse me, here."
Once you get in, a simple 안녕하세요 is enough. You do not need a long greeting.
If you want to sound polite, use 기사님 when addressing the driver. It is the standard respectful term. Avoid calling the driver just "아저씨" unless you really know what tone you are using. 기사님 is safer.
Saying Where You Want to Go
This is the most important part of the whole ride.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
강남역 가 주세요 | Gangnam-yeok ga juseyo | Please go to Gangnam Station |
이 주소로 가 주세요 | i juso-ro ga juseyo | Please go to this address |
여기로 가 주세요 | yeogiro ga juseyo | Please go here |
명동까지 가 주세요 | Myeongdong-kkaji ga juseyo | Please go to Myeongdong |
OO호텔로 가 주세요 | OO hotel-ro ga juseyo | Please go to OO Hotel |
The basic pattern is simple:
[place] + 가 주세요 = Please go to [place].
Examples:
•
서울역 가 주세요. (Please go to Seoul Station.)
•
이 주소로 가 주세요. (Please go to this address.)
•
롯데호텔로 가 주세요. (Please go to Lotte Hotel.)
If your pronunciation is shaky, point to the map or address and say 여기로 가 주세요. That is completely fine.
Saying Landmarks Is Often Easier Than Full Addresses
In Korea, a station name, major hotel, department store, hospital, or apartment complex name is often more useful than a long street address.
For example, instead of trying to say every part of a complicated address, you can say:
•
홍대입구역 가 주세요. (Please go to Hongdae Entrance Station.)
•
신촌 세브란스병원으로 가 주세요. (Please go to Severance Hospital in Sinchon.)
•
이마트 앞에 세워 주세요. (Please stop in front of E-Mart.)
This is practical Korean, not lazy Korean.
Real moment: Late-night ride back to your hotel
It is past midnight in Seoul, the subway is closed, and you are standing outside a restaurant with tired feet. You get into a taxi and show the hotel name on your phone.
You say, "이 호텔로 가 주세요."
The driver nods. A few minutes later, you realize the map pin is slightly behind the main entrance, so as you get closer, you add: "저기 앞에서 세워 주세요." (Jeogi apeseo sewo juseyo — Please stop up ahead over there.)
That is a completely real taxi conversation in Korea. Short, clear, and polite.
Checking If the Driver Understands
Usually the driver will either nod, repeat the destination, or start driving. But if you want to confirm, these phrases help.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
맞아요? | majayo? | Is that right? |
여기 맞아요 | yeogi majayo | This is the right place |
맞는 것 같아요 | manneun geot gatayo | I think this is right |
이 길 맞아요? | i gil majayo? | Is this the right road? |
You probably will not need to backseat-navigate unless the map looks very wrong. Still, 맞아요? is an easy phrase to keep.
Asking the Driver to Stop or Wait
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
여기 세워 주세요 | yeogi sewo juseyo | Please stop here |
저기 앞에 세워 주세요 | jeogi ape sewo juseyo | Please stop up ahead |
여기서 내려 주세요 | yeogiseo naeryeo juseyo | Please let me out here |
잠깐만 세워 주세요 | jamkkanman sewo juseyo | Please stop for a moment |
잠깐 기다려 주세요 | jamkkan gidaryeo juseyo | Please wait a moment |
A quick note: 내려 주세요 literally means "please let me get off" and sounds very natural in taxis.
If you are being dropped near a corner, building entrance, or convenience store, 여기 세워 주세요 is one of the most useful phrases in the whole article.
Real moment: You need the convenience store first
You are heading to your Airbnb, but you realize you need water and a toothbrush. There is a convenience store right before your building.
As the taxi approaches, you say: "저 편의점 앞에 세워 주세요." (Jeo pyeonuijeom ape sewo juseyo — Please stop in front of that convenience store.)
Then, if your friend is still in the cab and you want the driver to wait one minute, you can say: "잠깐 기다려 주세요."
Even if your grammar is simple, the driver will understand what you need.
Talking About Time or Speed
Most of the time, you do not need to discuss speed unless traffic or road conditions make you uncomfortable.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
천천히 가 주세요 | cheoncheonhi ga juseyo | Please go slowly |
빨리 가 주세요 | ppalli ga juseyo | Please go quickly |
안 급해요 | an geuphaeyo | I'm not in a hurry |
조금 급해요 | jogeum geuphaeyo | I'm in a bit of a hurry |
Use 빨리 가 주세요 carefully. It means "please go quickly," not "please break traffic laws." In real life, many people would rather say something softer like 조금 급해요 if they want the driver to understand there is some urgency.
Asking About Payment
Many taxis in Korea take cards, and mobile payment is common too. Still, it helps to check in simple situations.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
카드 돼요? | kadeu dwaeyo? | Do you take cards? |
현금만 돼요? | hyeongeumman dwaeyo? | Cash only? |
영수증 주세요 | yeongsujeung juseyo | Receipt, please |
얼마예요? | eolmayeyo? | How much is it? |
If you get in and want to confirm card payment before the ride starts, 카드 돼요? is the phrase you need.
At the end of the ride, many drivers will just tell you the amount or point to the meter. But 얼마예요? is always available if you need it.
Talking About Your Final Destination More Precisely
Sometimes saying the area is not enough. You may need to specify building entrances, side streets, or exact pickup spots.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
이 건물 앞이에요 | i geonmul api-yeyo | It's in front of this building |
저쪽이에요 | jeojjog-ieyo | It's that way / over there |
오른쪽이에요 | oreunjjog-ieyo | It's on the right |
왼쪽이에요 | oenjjog-ieyo | It's on the left |
여기에서 가까워요 | yeogieseo gakkawoyo | It's close from here |
These directional phrases are especially useful in the last 30 seconds of a ride.
For example:
•
오른쪽에 세워 주세요. (Please stop on the right.)
•
저 건물 앞이에요. (It's in front of that building.)
•
여기에서 가까워요. (It's close from here.)
If You Need to Say You Do Not Speak Korean Well
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
한국어 잘 못해요 | hangugeo jal motaeyo | I don't speak Korean well |
천천히 말씀해 주세요 | cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo | Please speak slowly |
주소 보여 드릴게요 | juso boyeo deurilgeyo | I'll show you the address |
These are very helpful backup phrases. You do not need perfect pronunciation. And in reality, many taxi rides in Korea are quiet. Some drivers enjoy chatting; others do not. Both are normal.
Common Taxi Questions You Might Hear
Here are a few things a driver may say to you.
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
어디로 가세요? | eodiro gaseyo? | Where are you going? |
이쪽으로 갈까요? | ijjogeuro galkkayo? | Shall I go this way? |
여기 맞아요? | yeogi majayo? | Is this the right place? |
카드 있으세요? | kadeu isseuseyo? | Do you have a card? |
영수증 드릴까요? | yeongsujeung deurilkkayo? | Would you like a receipt? |
If you hear 어디로 가세요?, just say the destination or show it on your phone.
If you hear 여기 맞아요?, the driver is asking whether you have arrived at the correct place.
A Short Sample Ride
Here is what a very normal simple ride might sound like:
•
Driver: 어디로 가세요?
•
You: 이 주소로 가 주세요.
•
Driver: 네.
•
You near the destination: 저기 앞에 세워 주세요.
•
Driver: 여기 맞아요?
•
You: 네, 맞아요. 감사합니다.
That is enough Korean for a successful taxi ride.
Practical Taxi Tips That Matter More Than Fancy Korean
First, if possible, use a map app and keep the destination visible. The clearest Korean sentence in the world is still less useful than the correct address.
Second, look at the taxi sign and meter. Standard taxis are common, and the meter should be running.
Third, if you have luggage, just point and ask politely if needed. Many situations can be handled with a short phrase plus gesture.
Fourth, do not worry if the conversation is minimal. Silence in a taxi is normal.
Fifth, if you are in a rush, be clear but polite. Korean taxi conversations usually reward direct simplicity more than complicated grammar.
The Three Phrases to Memorize First
If you only memorize three lines, make them these:
1.
이 주소로 가 주세요. — Please go to this address.
2.
저기 앞에 세워 주세요. — Please stop up ahead.
3.
카드 돼요? — Do you take cards?
Those three alone cover a huge percentage of real taxi situations.
Final Thought
Taking a taxi in Korea does not require advanced Korean. It requires a few high-value phrases, a polite tone, and a usable destination.
So do not aim for a perfect long conversation. Aim for clear, calm Korean that gets you where you need to go.
When you can say 이 주소로 가 주세요 with confidence, taxi rides in Korea get much easier very fast.