Korean phrases: Getting to know people
Koreans often ask about age and work early on, because it helps them choose the right way to speak to you.
Speed:
- 이름이 뭐예요?Ireumi mwoyeyo?What's your name? · More polite: (seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?)
- 저는 존이에요.Jeoneun Jonieyo.I'm John. · 이에요 after a consonant, 예요 after a vowel: (jeoneun Emayeyo).
- 어디에서 왔어요?Eodieseo wasseoyo?Where are you from?
- 영국에서 왔어요.Yeonggugeseo wasseoyo.I'm from the UK. · (Miguk), US; (Kaenada), Canada; (Hoju), Australia.
- 무슨 일 하세요?Museun il haseyo?What do you do?
- 회사원이에요.Hoesawonieyo.I work for a company. · The usual answer for an office job.
- 한국에 온 지 얼마나 됐어요?Hanguge on ji eolmana dwaesseoyo?How long have you been in Korea?
- 한국어를 배우고 있어요.Hangugeoreul baeugo isseoyo.I'm learning Korean.
- 취미가 뭐예요?Chwimiga mwoyeyo?What are your hobbies?
- 나이가 어떻게 되세요?Naiga eotteoke doeseyo?May I ask how old you are? · To someone clearly older, ask (yeonsega eotteoke doeseyo?)
- 카톡 해요?Katok haeyo?Are you on KakaoTalk? · KakaoTalk is the messaging app almost everyone in Korea uses.
- 말 편하게 하세요.Mal pyeonhage haseyo.Feel free to talk to me casually. · Invites the other person to use casual (banmal) with you; usually said by the older of the two.