Navigating the extensive Korean subway system is usually straightforward, but unexpected line changes or service alterations can occur. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for inquiring about subway line changes, understanding alternative routes, and asking for help at the station, ensuring you can adapt your journey smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 지하철 노선 변경 문의하기
Pronunciation: ji-ha-cheol no-seon byeon-gyeong mun-ui-ha-gi
Meaning: Asking about subway line changes
Basic Inquiry Phrases
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Expression: 이 노선 운행하나요?
Pronunciation: i no-seon un-haeng-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this line operating? -
Expression: [X]호선 운행 중단됐나요?
Pronunciation: [X]-ho-seon un-haeng jung-dan-dwaet-na-yo?
Meaning: Has Line [X] stopped running? (Replace [X] with the line number) -
Expression: [Y]역 가려면 어떻게 가야 해요?
Pronunciation: [Y]-yeok ga-ryeo-myeon eo-tteo-ke ga-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to [Y] Station? (Replace [Y] with the station name) -
Expression: 여기서 갈아타야 하나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo gal-a-ta-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to transfer here? -
Expression: 노선이 변경되었나요?
Pronunciation: no-seon-i byeon-gyeong-doe-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Has the route changed? -
Expression: 어디서 갈아타야 해요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo gal-a-ta-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Where should I transfer? -
Expression: 이 열차 [Z]역 가나요?
Pronunciation: i yeol-cha [Z]-yeok ga-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this train go to [Z] Station? (Replace [Z] with the station name) -
Expression: 다음 열차는 언제 와요?
Pronunciation: da-eum yeol-cha-neun eon-je wa-yo?
Meaning: When does the next train come? -
Expression: 막차가 몇 시예요?
Pronunciation: mak-cha-ga myeot si-ye-yo?
Meaning: What time is the last train? -
Expression: 운행 정보 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: un-haeng jeong-bo jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the operation information. -
Expression: [X]호선 타는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: [X]-ho-seon ta-neun got-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the platform for Line [X]? (Replace [X] with the line number) -
Expression: 이 방향 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i bang-hyang maj-a-yo?
Meaning: Is this the right direction?
Specific Questions about Changes
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Expression: 왜 노선이 변경되었어요?
Pronunciation: wae no-seon-i byeon-gyeong-doe-eo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Why has the route changed? -
Expression: 언제부터 변경되었어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo byeon-gyeong-doe-eo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Since when has it been changed? -
Expression: 언제까지 정상 운행 안 해요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-kka-ji jeong-sang un-haeng an hae-yo?
Meaning: Until when will normal operation be suspended? -
Expression: [Y]역 가려면 다른 방법이 있나요?
Pronunciation: [Y]-yeok ga-ryeo-myeon da-reun bang-beob-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there another way to get to [Y] Station? (Replace [Y] with the station name) -
Expression: 대체 노선이 있나요?
Pronunciation: dae-che no-seon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an alternative route? -
Expression: 어떤 노선으로 갈아타야 해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon no-seon-eu-ro gal-a-ta-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Which line should I transfer to? -
Expression: 공사 중인가요?
Pronunciation: gong-sa jung-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it under construction? -
Expression: 사고가 있었나요?
Pronunciation: sa-go-ga i-sseot-na-yo?
Meaning: Was there an accident? -
Expression: 안내 방송을 못 들었어요.
Pronunciation: an-nae bang-song-eul mot deul-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I couldn’t hear the announcement. -
Expression: 변경된 노선도를 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: byeon-gyeong-doen no-seon-do-reul bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I see the changed route map? -
Expression: 셔틀버스가 운행되나요?
Pronunciation: syeo-teul-beo-seu-ga un-haeng-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a shuttle bus operating? -
Expression: 추가 요금이 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga yo-geum-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an additional fare?
Understanding Responses
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? -
Expression: 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please speak a little more slowly. -
Expression: 그러니까 [X]호선으로 갈아타라는 말씀이시죠?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ni-kka [X]-ho-seon-eu-ro gal-a-ta-ra-neun mal-sseum-i-si-jyo?
Meaning: So you mean I should transfer to Line [X], right? (Replace [X] with the line number) -
Expression: [Y]역에서 내리면 되는 거죠?
Pronunciation: [Y]-yeok-e-seo nae-ri-myeon doe-neun geo-jyo?
Meaning: So I just need to get off at [Y] Station, right? (Replace [Y] with the station name) -
Expression: 어디에 써 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-e sseo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is it written? -
Expression: 안내 표지판을 따라가면 되나요?
Pronunciation: an-nae pyo-ji-pan-eul tta-ra-ga-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I follow the signs? -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help. -
Expression: 이해가 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t understand well. -
Expression: 영어로 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeong-eo-ro seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you explain in English? -
Expression: 지도에 표시해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-e pyo-si-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you mark it on the map? -
Expression: 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you very much.
Cultural Tips
Station staff (역무원 – yeok-mu-won) are usually helpful and can be found at information booths or near the ticket gates. Don’t hesitate to approach them with questions.
Listen for announcements (안내 방송 – an-nae bang-song) on platforms and inside trains. While they might be fast, major changes or disruptions are often announced in English as well, especially in large cities like Seoul.
Subway maps (지하철 노선도 – ji-ha-cheol no-seon-do) are prominently displayed in stations and inside train cars. Also, look for digital screens which often show real-time train information and service updates.
Using Korean navigation apps like Naver Maps or Kakao Map is highly recommended. They usually reflect real-time service changes, construction delays, and suggest the best alternative routes.
If you need quick directions, asking a fellow passenger politely can work, but for official information about line changes or disruptions, it’s best to ask station staff. Always start with “실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me)”.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A traveler (A) notices their usual subway line isn’t running as expected and asks a station attendant (B) for information.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 2호선 운행 안 하나요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. i-ho-seon un-haeng an ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. Is Line 2 not operating? -
Expression: B: 네, 죄송하지만 지금 점검 중이라 일부 구간 운행이 중단되었습니다. 어디 가시는데요?
Pronunciation: ne, joe-song-ha-ji-man ji-geum jeom-geom jung-i-ra il-bu gu-gan un-haeng-i jung-dan-doe-eot-seum-ni-da. eo-di ga-si-neun-de-yo?
Meaning: Yes, sorry, but operation is suspended in some sections due to inspection right now. Where are you heading? -
Expression: A: 강남역 가려고 하는데요. 어떻게 가야 해요?
Pronunciation: gang-nam-yeok ga-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo. eo-tteo-ke ga-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: I’m trying to get to Gangnam Station. How should I go? -
Expression: B: 아, 강남역 가시려면 여기서 4호선 타시고 사당역에서 2호선으로 갈아타시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: a, gang-nam-yeok ga-si-ryeo-myeon yeo-gi-seo sa-ho-seon ta-si-go sa-dang-yeok-e-seo i-ho-seon-eu-ro gal-a-ta-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, to go to Gangnam Station, take Line 4 from here and transfer to Line 2 at Sadang Station. -
Expression: A: 사당역에서 2호선으로요? 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-dang-yeok-e-seo i-ho-seon-eu-ro-yo? al-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Transfer to Line 2 at Sadang Station? Okay, I understand. Thank you. -
Expression: B: 네, 안내 표지판 잘 보고 가세요.
Pronunciation: ne, an-nae pyo-ji-pan jal bo-go ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please follow the signs carefully.
Practice Tips
Make sure to practice pronouncing the Korean names of subway stations and line numbers clearly! This will help station staff understand you better~
Try role-playing scenarios! Ask a friend or language partner about hypothetical line changes or ask for directions using the phrases learned today.
Pay attention to the announcements (안내 방송) next time you use the subway in Korea. Even catching a few words helps build listening skills!
Familiarize yourself with the subway map and the Korean names of key stations on your common routes. Using navigation apps regularly also helps reinforce vocabulary. Keep practicing these expressions, and you’ll feel much more confident handling any unexpected changes during your subway journeys! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
