Vocabulary12 min read694 views
100 Essential Korean Words for Beginners — The Daily Seoul List
Not the 100 words from a textbook, but the 100 words I REALLY use daily after 12 years in Seoul.
Published on February 11, 2026
Real Daily Words, Not Textbook Words
Not "library" or "philosophy" — the 100 words I actually use every day in Seoul.
Greetings & Politeness (10)
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 안녕하세요 | annyeonghaseyo | Hello |
| 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Thank you |
| 네 | ne | Yes |
| 아니요 | aniyo | No |
| 괜찮아요 | gwaenchanayo | It's okay |
At Restaurants (15)
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 물 | mul | Water |
| 밥 | bap | Rice |
| 맛있어요 | masisseoyo | Delicious |
| 주세요 | juseyo | Please give me |
| 계산 | gyesan | Bill |
Getting Around (10)
역 (station), 택시 (taxi), 여기 (here), 거기 (there), 얼마예요? (how much?)
Daily Actions (15)
가다 (go), 먹다 (eat), 하다 (do), 보다 (see), 알다 (know)
Key Expressions (15)
진짜 (really), 너무 (too/very), 대박 (amazing), 화이팅 (fighting!), 같이 (together)
Ready to learn Korean?
Join thousands of learners on Seonsaengnim — structured courses, flashcards and a teacher available 24/7.
Start for free
