Navigating a large university campus in Korea can be confusing, especially when looking for a specific lecture hall. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural tips for students needing to ask for directions, particularly when approaching campus staff like a janitor (관리인 – gwan-ri-in or 청소부 – cheong-so-bu). Learn how to politely ask for help and understand the directions given.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 실례합니다, [강의실 이름/번호] 강의실이 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, [gang-ui-sil i-reum/beon-ho] gang-ui-sil-i eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, where is the [Lecture Hall Name/Number] lecture hall?
Asking for Directions
-
Expression: 저기요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me (to get someone’s attention). -
Expression: 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me (polite). -
Expression: 잠시만요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment / Excuse me for a second. -
Expression: 길 좀 여쭤볼게요.
Pronunciation: gil jom yeo-jjwo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to ask for directions. -
Expression: [장소] 어디에 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: [jang-so] eo-di-e it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know where [Place] is? -
Expression: [장소] 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: [jang-so] eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to [Place]? -
Expression: [강의실 이름/번호] 강의실을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: [gang-ui-sil i-reum/beon-ho] gang-ui-sil-eul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for the [Lecture Hall Name/Number] lecture hall. -
Expression: 이 건물이 맞나요?
Pronunciation: i geon-mul-i mat-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this the right building? -
Expression: 여기가 [건물 이름] 인가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga [geon-mul i-reum] in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the [Building Name] building? -
Expression: 혹시 [강의실 번호] 강의실 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [gang-ui-sil beon-ho] gang-ui-sil a-se-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, do you know lecture hall [Lecture Hall Number]? -
Expression: 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me? -
Expression: 제가 길을 잃었어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga gil-eul il-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am lost.
Understanding Directions
-
Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 똑바로 가세요.
Pronunciation: ttok-ppa-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight. -
Expression: 오른쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go to the right. / Turn right. -
Expression: 왼쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: oen-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go to the left. / Turn left. -
Expression: 이쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: i-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go this way. -
Expression: 저쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go that way. -
Expression: [숫자] 층에 있어요.
Pronunciation: [sut-jja] cheung-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s on the [Number] floor. (e.g., 3층에 있어요 – sam-cheung-e i-sseo-yo – It’s on the 3rd floor.) -
Expression: 엘리베이터를 타세요.
Pronunciation: el-li-be-i-teo-reul ta-se-yo.
Meaning: Take the elevator. -
Expression: 계단으로 올라가세요/내려가세요.
Pronunciation: gye-dan-eu-ro ol-la-ga-se-yo / nae-ryeo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go up/down the stairs. -
Expression: 복도 끝에 있어요.
Pronunciation: bok-tto kkeut-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s at the end of the hallway. -
Expression: [장소] 옆에 있어요.
Pronunciation: [jang-so] yeop-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s next to [Place]. -
Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you (formal).
Referring to Locations
-
Expression: 강의실
Pronunciation: gang-ui-sil
Meaning: Lecture hall -
Expression: 건물
Pronunciation: geon-mul
Meaning: Building -
Expression: 도서관
Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan
Meaning: Library -
Expression: 학생회관
Pronunciation: hak-saeng-hoe-gwan
Meaning: Student union building -
Expression: 식당 / 학생 식당
Pronunciation: sik-ttang / hak-saeng sik-ttang
Meaning: Cafeteria / Student cafeteria -
Expression: 화장실
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil
Meaning: Restroom -
Expression: 사무실
Pronunciation: sa-mu-sil
Meaning: Office -
Expression: 학과 사무실
Pronunciation: hak-kkwa sa-mu-sil
Meaning: Department office -
Expression: 정문 / 후문
Pronunciation: jeong-mun / hu-mun
Meaning: Main gate / Back gate -
Expression: 엘리베이터
Pronunciation: el-li-be-i-teo
Meaning: Elevator -
Expression: 계단
Pronunciation: gye-dan
Meaning: Stairs -
Expression: 캠퍼스 지도
Pronunciation: kaem-peo-seu ji-do
Meaning: Campus map
Cultural Tips
When approaching campus staff like janitors (관리인 – gwan-ri-in / 청소부 – cheong-so-bu) or security guards (경비원 – gyeong-bi-won), always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal). Start with a polite greeting like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da).
Address staff respectfully. While specific titles might not be necessary, using polite speech endings like -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da) is crucial. Avoid overly casual language.
Janitorial or maintenance staff are often older individuals. Showing respect for elders is important in Korean culture. A slight bow when greeting and thanking them is appropriate.
Clearly state the lecture hall number or building name you are looking for. If you have it written down, showing it can help overcome language barriers.
Always express gratitude clearly after receiving directions. A simple 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) or 고맙습니다 (go-map-seum-ni-da) is essential.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (A) is lost inside a university building and asks a janitor (B) for directions to lecture hall 301.
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Excuse me. -
Expression: B: 네, 학생. 무슨 일이에요?
Pronunciation: ne, hak-saeng. mu-seun il-i-e-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, student. What can I help you with? -
Expression: A: 제가 301호 강의실을 찾고 있는데, 어디로 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: je-ga sam-baek-il-ho gang-ui-sil-eul chat-go it-neun-de, eo-di-ro ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I’m looking for lecture hall 301, where should I go? -
Expression: B: 아, 301호요? 이 복도 끝까지 쭉 가셔서 오른쪽으로 도세요. 그럼 바로 보일 거예요.
Pronunciation: a, sam-baek-il-ho-yo? i bok-tto kkeut-kka-ji jjuk ga-syeo-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo. geu-reom ba-ro bo-il geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, 301? Go straight to the end of this hallway and turn right. You’ll see it right there. -
Expression: A: 복도 끝에서 오른쪽이요?
Pronunciation: bok-tto kkeut-e-seo o-reun-jjok-i-yo?
Meaning: A: Right at the end of the hallway? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 계단 바로 옆에 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. gye-dan ba-ro yeop-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s right. It’s right next to the stairs. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Okay, I understand. Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 네, 조심히 가세요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, take care.
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases out loud! Knowing the building names and numbers relevant to your classes is very helpful~ Try saying “[Building Name] 어디에 있어요?” ([Building Name] eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?) or “[Lecture Hall Number] 어떻게 가나요?” ([Lecture Hall Number] eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?).
Role-play with a friend, taking turns being the student and the person giving directions. If you’re on a campus, try asking for directions to a place you already know just to practice the interaction!
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand the directions! You can say 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? – Could you please say that again?). Good luck navigating your campus! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
