Navigating public transportation in Korea often involves using the extensive bus network. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary needed to ask for directions and locate a bus stop (버스 정류장). Mastering these expressions will help you travel more confidently and efficiently throughout Korean cities and towns.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 버스 정류장
Pronunciation: beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang
Meaning: Bus stop
Asking for Directions
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Expression: 버스 정류장이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the bus stop? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 버스 정류장이 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-i eo-di-e iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest bus stop? -
Expression: 이 근처에 버스 정류장 있어요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a bus stop near here? -
Expression: 실례지만, 버스 정류장 좀 가르쳐 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ji-man, beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang jom ga-reu-chyeo ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, could you please tell me where the bus stop is? -
Expression: 여기서 버스 정류장까지 어떻게 가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-kka-ji eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to the bus stop from here? -
Expression: 버스 정류장까지 걸어서 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-kka-ji geol-eo-seo eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to walk to the bus stop? -
Expression: 저쪽으로 가면 버스 정류장이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-myeon beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a bus stop if I go that way? -
Expression: [장소] 가는 버스 정류장이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: [jang-so] ga-neun beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the bus stop for the bus going to [Place]? (e.g., 명동 가는 버스 정류장 – myeong-dong ga-neun beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang) -
Expression: 이 버스 정류장 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this bus stop? -
Expression: 혹시 버스 정류장 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know where the bus stop is?
Understanding Directions
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Expression: 쭉 가세요.
Pronunciation: jjuk 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: 길 건너편에 있어요.
Pronunciation: gil geon-neo-pyeon-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s across the street. -
Expression: 저기 모퉁이에 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi mo-tung-i-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s over there on the corner. -
Expression: 여기서 가까워요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ga-kka-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s close from here. -
Expression: 조금 멀어요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum meol-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit far. -
Expression: 횡단보도를 건너세요.
Pronunciation: hoeng-dan-bo-do-reul geon-neo-se-yo.
Meaning: Cross the crosswalk. -
Expression: 첫 번째 신호등에서 오른쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: cheot beon-jjae sin-ho-deung-e-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn right at the first traffic light. -
Expression: 은행 옆에 있어요.
Pronunciation: eun-haeng yeop-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s next to the bank. -
Expression: 편의점 앞에 있어요.
Pronunciation: pyeon-ui-jeom ap-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s in front of the convenience store.
Confirming Information
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Expression: 여기가 [정류장 이름] 맞아요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga [jeong-nyu-jang i-reum] maj-a-yo?
Meaning: Is this [Bus Stop Name]? (e.g., 여기가 시청 앞 정류장 맞아요? – yeo-gi-ga si-cheong ap jeong-nyu-jang maj-a-yo?) -
Expression: 이 버스 정류장에서 [번호]번 버스 타면 돼요?
Pronunciation: i beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-e-seo [beon-ho] beon beo-seu ta-myeon dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I take bus number [Number] from this bus stop? (e.g., 100번 버스 – baek beon beo-seu) -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? -
Expression: 오른쪽이요? 왼쪽이요?
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok-i-yo? oen-jjok-i-yo?
Meaning: Right? Left? -
Expression: 저 건물이 맞아요?
Pronunciation: jeo geon-mul-i maj-a-yo?
Meaning: Is that the right building? -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: al-gess-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. Thank you. -
Expression: 여기서 얼마나 더 가야 해요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na deo ga-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: How much further do I need to go from here? -
Expression: 저쪽 방향 맞죠?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok bang-hyang maj-jyo?
Meaning: It’s that direction, right? -
Expression: 이 지도를 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i ji-do-reul bwa-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you look at this map? -
Expression: 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please speak slowly.
Korean Culture Notes
Bus Stop Signs: Korean bus stops (버스 정류장 – beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang) are usually clearly marked with signs. These signs often list the bus numbers that stop there and sometimes the major stops along the route. Pay attention to the direction indicated on the sign or the side of the road the stop is on.
Real-Time Information: Many bus stops, especially in larger cities like Seoul, have electronic displays showing estimated arrival times for upcoming buses (버스 도착 안내 – beo-seu do-chak an-nae). You can also use popular Korean map apps like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps, which provide excellent real-time bus tracking.
Transportation Cards: Using a rechargeable transportation card like T-Money (티머니 – ti-meo-ni) or Cashbee is the most convenient way to pay for buses (and subways). You tap the card when boarding and again when getting off to ensure the correct fare is charged, especially for distance-based fares.
Asking for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask people for directions. Koreans are generally helpful, especially towards foreigners trying to navigate. Using polite phrases like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me) and 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) is always appreciated.
Queueing: While sometimes less formal than in other countries, people generally form a line or gather near the front of the bus stop sign to wait. Allow passengers to get off the bus before boarding.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) needs to find the bus stop to go to City Hall and asks a local person (B) for directions.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 시청 가는 버스 정류장이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. si-cheong ga-neun beo-seu jeong-nyu-jang-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me. Where is the bus stop for the bus going to City Hall? -
Expression: B: 아, 시청 가세요? 저기 길 건너편에 있어요. 횡단보도 건너서 오른쪽으로 조금만 가시면 돼요.
Pronunciation: a, si-cheong ga-se-yo? jeo-gi gil geon-neo-pyeon-e iss-eo-yo. hoeng-dan-bo-do geon-neo-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro jo-geum-man ga-si-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, going to City Hall? It’s over there across the street. Cross the crosswalk and go just a little bit to the right. -
Expression: A: 길 건너서 오른쪽이요?
Pronunciation: gil geon-neo-seo o-reun-jjok-i-yo?
Meaning: A: Across the street and to the right? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 파란색 간판 편의점 바로 앞에 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. pa-ran-saek gan-pan pyeon-ui-jeom ba-ro ap-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s right. It’s right in front of the convenience store with the blue sign. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: al-gess-seum-ni-da. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: I understand. Thank you very much! -
Expression: B: 아니에요. 조심히 가세요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-e-yo. jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo.
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. Travel safely.
Practice Tips
Finding your way around using buses is a great skill to have in Korea! Try practicing these phrases out loud, maybe even role-playing with a friend~ Look at online maps of Korean cities and try to describe how to get from one point to a bus stop using the direction phrases.
When you’re in Korea, don’t be afraid to actually ask someone for directions using these expressions! It’s fantastic real-world practice. Even if you feel a bit shy, remember that trying is the best way to improve. Good luck navigating the Korean bus system! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
