Settle. Seoul 2027
A busy Seoul shopping street lined with Korean signs
Learning Korean

A little Korean goes a long way.

Start with the language you can use today.

  • Learn Hangul first — it unlocks station names, menus and dictionary searches.
  • Practise phrases for situations you meet every week.
  • Choose a way to learn you can keep doing consistently.
Included in a guide PDF — Hangul & romanisation chart
Download PDFDownloads Library
Start here

Start with Hangul

You don't need to be fluent to make Seoul feel like home. Learning how letters combine into syllable blocks helps you recognise station names, read menus and type words into a dictionary.

Romanisation

Use it as a temporary aid. English spellings cannot capture every Korean sound, so move towards reading Korean directly.

Reference

Hangul to Roman at a glance

Revised Romanisation, the system on Seoul's street and station signs. Keep the Settle Seoul bookmark beside you while you learn.

Basic vowels

  • ㅏ a · ㅓ eo · ㅗ o · ㅜ u
  • ㅡ eu · ㅣ i · ㅐ ae · ㅔ e

Combined & y-vowels

  • ㅘ wa · ㅙ wae · ㅚ oe · ㅝ wo · ㅞ we · ㅟ wi · ㅢ ui
  • ㅑ ya · ㅕ yeo · ㅛ yo · ㅠ yu · ㅒ yae · ㅖ ye

Consonants

  • ㄱ g · ㄴ n · ㄷ d · ㄹ r/l · ㅁ m · ㅂ b · ㅅ s
  • ㅇ ng · ㅈ j · ㅊ ch · ㅋ k · ㅌ t · ㅍ p · ㅎ h

Double consonants

  • ㄲ kk · ㄸ tt · ㅃ pp · ㅆ ss · ㅉ jj
  • 화이팅 [hwaiting] — Good luck!
Sounds change

Letters can sound different at the start or end of a syllable (ㄱ is often k at the end). Listen to audio as well as reading the chart.

Download the Settle Seoul Hangul bookmark (PDF)
Everyday Korean

Learn phrases for your actual life

Romanisation is shown in brackets. These polite expressions are useful starting points when speaking with people you don't know.

  1. 01
    안녕하세요

    [annyeonghaseyo] Hello

  2. 02
    감사합니다

    [gamsahamnida] Thank you

  3. 03
    죄송합니다

    [joesonghamnida] I'm sorry

  4. 04
    저기요

    [jeogiyo] Excuse me — to get someone's attention

  5. 05
    이거 주세요

    [igeo juseyo] This one, please

  6. 06
    얼마예요?

    [eolmayeyo?] How much is it?

  7. 07
    화장실 어디예요?

    [hwajangsil eodiyeyo?] Where is the toilet?

  8. 08
    한국어를 잘 못해요

    [hangugeoreul jal motaeyo] I don't speak Korean well

  9. 09
    천천히 말씀해 주세요

    [cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo] Please speak slowly

  10. 10
    다시 말씀해 주세요

    [dasi malsseumhae juseyo] Please say that again

  11. 11
    영어 하세요?

    [yeongeo haseyo?] Do you speak English?

  12. 12
    포장해 주세요

    [pojanghae juseyo] To take away, please

Ways to learn

Choose a way to learn

The best starting point is something you can keep doing consistently.

Structured classes

  • A clear sequence, regular practice and feedback.
  • Look into university language centres, private schools and local programmes.

Community programmes

  • Check your district office, community centre and foreign-resident support organisations.
  • Eligibility and schedules vary.
Seoul Foreign Portal

Tutoring & language exchange

  • Tutoring helps with specific situations, such as workplace conversations or appointments.
  • In an exchange, agree time for each language so both people benefit.

Independent study

  • Combine a beginner course with audio, reading and short speaking practice.
  • Talk To Me In Korean offers structured beginner lessons with audio; King Sejong Institute runs public online courses.
Talk To Me In Korean
Before paying for a course

Check its level, teaching language, class size, location, timetable and cancellation policy.

Daily habit

A 15-minute routine

Keep a small note on your phone for useful words. Review a manageable selection rather than collecting a long list you never revisit.

  1. 01
    Five minutes: review

    Go over a few words or phrases from previous days.

  2. 02
    Five minutes: listen

    Listen to a short recording and repeat it aloud.

  3. 03
    Five minutes: prepare

    Practise a sentence you expect to use that day.

First month

Your first-month milestones

Treat these as flexible goals. Confidence grows through repetition, and progress looks different for everyone.

  1. 01
    Week 1

    Practise Hangul and recognise your nearest station's name.

  2. 02
    Week 2

    Order a familiar drink or meal using Korean.

  3. 03
    Week 3

    Introduce yourself and ask someone a simple question.

  4. 04
    Week 4

    Repeat a familiar everyday exchange with less help from your phone.

Settle Seoul challenge

Choose one phrase, say it aloud a few times, and use it this week. A small, successful exchange is a good reason to try again.

Translation

Use translation tools thoughtfully

Translation tools can help you check words and prepare a question. For important medical, legal or contractual conversations, seek appropriate language support rather than relying entirely on automatic translation.

Official routes: Talk To Me In Korean · King Sejong Institute Foundation · Seoul Foreign Portal

Editorial guide based on official sources, reviewed 15 October 2026. Confirm current requirements with the responsible office before acting.