This guide covers essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for a common scenario: a friendly chat between a barista and a regular customer about a recently released movie. Learn how to initiate conversation, discuss films, express opinions, and understand the nuances of casual interactions in a Korean café setting.
Table Of Content
Core Greeting for a Regular
-
Expression: 어서 오세요! 또 오셨네요.
Pronunciation: eo-seo o-se-yo! tto o-syot-ne-yo.
Meaning: Welcome! You’re here again. (A friendly greeting for a returning customer)
Basic Greetings and Small Talk
-
Expression: 안녕하세요, [Customer Name]님.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, [Customer Name]-nim.
Meaning: Hello, [Customer Name]. (Using ‘님’ (nim) adds politeness) -
Expression: 오늘 날씨 좋네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul nal-ssi jon-ne-yo.
Meaning: The weather is nice today. -
Expression: 뭐 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: mwo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: What can I get for you? -
Expression: 늘 드시던 걸로 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: neul deu-si-deon geol-lo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I get you the usual? -
Expression: 요즘 어떻게 지내세요?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum eo-tteo-ke ji-nae-se-yo?
Meaning: How have you been lately? -
Expression: 주말 잘 보내셨어요?
Pronunciation: ju-mal jal bo-nae-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you have a good weekend? -
Expression: 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a moment? (To start a slightly longer chat if not busy) -
Expression: 오늘 좀 한가하네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul jom han-ga-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit slow today. -
Expression: 주문하신 [음료 이름] 나왔습니다.
Pronunciation: ju-mun-ha-sin [eum-ryo i-reum] na-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Your [Drink Name] is ready. -
Expression: 맛있게 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Enjoy your drink/food.
Talking About Movies
-
Expression: 혹시 새로 나온 영화 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si sae-ro na-on yeong-hwa bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, did you see the new movie? -
Expression: 요즘 [영화 제목] 인기 많던데요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum [yeong-hwa je-mok] in-gi man-deon-de-yo.
Meaning: [Movie Title] seems very popular lately. -
Expression: 저도 그 영화 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-do geu yeong-hwa bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see that movie too. -
Expression: 어떤 장르 영화 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jang-neu yeong-hwa jo-a-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What genre of movies do you like? -
Expression: 저는 액션 영화를 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun aek-syeon yeong-hwa-reul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like action movies. -
Expression: 그 영화 주인공이 누구예요?
Pronunciation: geu yeong-hwa ju-in-gong-i nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Who is the main actor in that movie? -
Expression: [배우 이름] 나오는 영화는 다 재미있어요.
Pronunciation: [bae-u i-reum] na-o-neun yeong-hwa-neun da jae-mi-i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: All movies starring [Actor’s Name] are fun. -
Expression: 영화 예고편 봤어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa ye-go-pyeon bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you see the movie trailer? -
Expression: 영화관 자주 가세요?
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa-gwan ja-ju ga-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you go to the movie theater often? -
Expression: 요즘 볼 만한 영화 추천 좀 해주세요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum bol man-han yeong-hwa chu-cheon jom hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a movie worth watching these days. -
Expression: 그 영화 줄거리가 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: geu yeong-hwa jul-geo-ri-ga eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: What’s the plot of that movie?
Expressing Opinions About the Movie
-
Expression: 영화 어땠어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa eo-ttae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How was the movie? -
Expression: 정말 재미있었어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal jae-mi-i-sseo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was really fun/interesting. -
Expression: 생각보다 별로였어요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-bo-da byeol-lo-yeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It wasn’t as good as I expected. -
Expression: 저는 좀 지루했어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun jom ji-ru-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I found it a bit boring. -
Expression: 감동적이었어요.
Pronunciation: gam-dong-jeo-gi-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was touching/moving. -
Expression: 배우들 연기가 훌륭했어요.
Pronunciation: bae-u-deul yeon-gi-ga hul-lyung-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The actors’ performances were excellent. -
Expression: 영상미가 좋았어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-sang-mi-ga jo-a-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The cinematography was good. -
Expression: 결말이 좀 아쉬웠어요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-mal-i jom a-swi-wo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The ending was a bit disappointing. -
Expression: 꼭 한번 보세요. 추천해요!
Pronunciation: kkok han-beon bo-se-yo. chu-cheon-hae-yo!
Meaning: You should definitely watch it. I recommend it! -
Expression: 기대했던 것만큼 좋았어요.
Pronunciation: gi-dae-haet-deon geot-man-keum jo-a-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was as good as I expected. -
Expression: 호불호가 갈릴 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ho-bul-ho-ga gal-lil geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think opinions will be divided (lit. likes and dislikes will be split).
Asking Follow-up Questions
-
Expression: 언제 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: When did you see it? -
Expression: 누구랑 같이 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: nu-gu-rang ga-chi bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Who did you see it with? -
Expression: 가장 인상 깊었던 장면이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-sang gi-peot-deon jang-myeon-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What was the most memorable scene? -
Expression: 그 배우 좋아하세요?
Pronunciation: geu bae-u jo-a-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you like that actor? -
Expression: 스포일러는 하지 말아 주세요.
Pronunciation: seu-po-il-leo-neun ha-ji ma-ra ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please don’t give any spoilers. -
Expression: 저도 주말에 보러 가려고요.
Pronunciation: jeo-do ju-ma-re bo-reo ga-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: I’m planning to go see it this weekend too. -
Expression: 영화 보기 전에 뭐 하셨어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa bo-gi jeo-ne mwo ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: What did you do before watching the movie? -
Expression: 영화 보고 나서 뭐 하셨어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa bo-go na-seo mwo ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: What did you do after watching the movie? -
Expression: 다른 재미있는 영화는 없어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jae-mi-in-neun yeong-hwa-neun eop-seo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other interesting movies? -
Expression: 평점이 높던데요?
Pronunciation: pyeong-jeom-i nop-deon-de-yo?
Meaning: The ratings were high, weren’t they?
Korean Culture Notes
Café culture is very prominent in Korea. It’s common for baristas, especially in smaller neighborhood cafes, to recognize and chat with regular customers. Making small talk about weather, recent events, or popular culture like movies is quite normal.
When discussing movies, Koreans often talk about the actors (배우 – bae-u), the director (감독 – gam-dok), the plot (줄거리 – jul-geo-ri), and the overall feeling or message. Sharing opinions, both positive and negative, is common, but usually done politely.
Using ‘님’ (nim) after a customer’s name shows respect and is standard practice in service interactions, even with regulars you might feel friendly towards. Maintaining this level of politeness is key.
Spoiler culture (스포일러 – seu-po-il-leo, from English) is a big deal. People are generally careful not to reveal major plot points unless they know the other person has already seen the movie or doesn’t mind.
Movie recommendations often come up in conversation. Asking for or giving recommendations (추천 – chu-cheon) is a good way to engage further about shared interests.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A regular customer, Jimin, orders coffee. The barista, Sora, recognizes him and starts a conversation about a popular new sci-fi movie.
Roles:
A: Sora (Barista)
B: Jimin (Regular Customer)
-
Expression: A: 어서 오세요, 지민님! 늘 드시던 아이스 아메리카노 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo, ji-min-nim! neul deu-si-deon a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Welcome, Jimin! Shall I get you your usual iced Americano? -
Expression: B: 네, 그걸로 주세요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, geu-geol-lo ju-se-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, please give me that. Thank you. -
Expression: A: 네. 참, 지민님 혹시 새로 나온 SF 영화 ‘우주 탐험가’ 보셨어요? 요즘 인기 많더라고요.
Pronunciation: A: ne. cham, ji-min-nim hok-si sae-ro na-on eseuepeu yeong-hwa ‘u-ju tam-heom-ga’ bo-syeot-seo-yo? yo-jeum in-gi man-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay. By the way, Jimin, have you by any chance seen the new sci-fi movie ‘Space Explorer’? It’s really popular these days. -
Expression: B: 아, 네! 저 주말에 보고 왔어요. 소라님도 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: B: a, ne! jeo ju-ma-re bo-go wa-sseo-yo. so-ra-nim-do bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, yes! I saw it over the weekend. Have you seen it too, Sora? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 아직 못 봤어요. 어땠어요? 재미있었어요?
Pronunciation: A: a-ni-yo, a-jik mot bwat-seo-yo. eo-ttae-sseo-yo? jae-mi-i-sseo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: No, I haven’t seen it yet. How was it? Was it interesting? -
Expression: B: 네, 저는 정말 재미있게 봤어요. 특히 영상미가 대단하더라고요. 내용은 조금 예측 가능했지만요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jeo-neun jeong-mal jae-mi-it-ge bwat-seo-yo. teu-ki yeong-sang-mi-ga dae-dan-ha-deo-ra-go-yo. nae-yong-eun jo-geum ye-cheuk ga-neung-haet-ji-man-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I really enjoyed it. The visuals especially were amazing. Though the plot was a little predictable. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 저도 SF 좋아해서 꼭 보고 싶어요. 추천하시는 거죠?
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. jeo-do eseuepeu jo-a-hae-seo kkok bo-go si-peo-yo. chu-cheon-ha-si-neun geo-jyo?
Meaning: A: Ah, I see. I like sci-fi too, so I definitely want to watch it. You recommend it then? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요! SF 좋아하시면 분명 만족하실 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, geu-reom-yo! eseuepeu jo-a-ha-si-myeon bun-myeong man-jo-ka-sil geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, of course! If you like sci-fi, you’ll surely be satisfied. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다! 조만간 보러 가야겠네요. 아이스 아메리카노 나왔습니다!
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da! jo-man-gan bo-reo ga-ya-gen-ne-yo. a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no na-wat-seum-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Got it! I should go see it soon. Your iced Americano is ready! -
Expression: B: 감사합니다! 좋은 하루 보내세요!
Pronunciation: B: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! jo-eun ha-ru bo-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Thank you! Have a great day!
Practice Tips
Try practicing these phrases by yourself first, focusing on the pronunciation! Pay attention to the syllable breaks~ You can imagine yourself as the barista or the customer. Watching Korean movie reviews or cafe vlogs can also help you hear these expressions used naturally!
Don’t be afraid to initiate small talk next time you visit a cafe in Korea (or a Korean cafe abroad!). Start with simple greetings and maybe ask about a popular movie. Even a short exchange is great practice! Good luck~!
