Renting a bicycle is a fantastic way to explore Korean cities and countryside scenic routes. This guide provides essential Korean phrases you’ll need to navigate the bicycle rental process smoothly, from finding a rental shop to returning your bike. Learn these expressions to confidently enjoy cycling during your time in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 자전거 대여하기
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo dae-yeo-ha-gi
Meaning: Renting a bicycle
Basic Rental Phrases
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Expression: 자전거 어디서 빌릴 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo eo-di-seo bil-lil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I rent a bicycle? -
Expression: 자전거 대여소는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo dae-yeo-so-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the bicycle rental shop? -
Expression: 자전거 빌리고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo bil-li-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to rent a bicycle. -
Expression: 하루 빌리는 데 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ha-ru bil-li-neun de eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it to rent for a day? -
Expression: 시간당 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: si-gan-dang eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is it per hour? -
Expression: 신분증 필요해요?
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung pil-yo-hae-yo?
Meaning: Do I need an ID card? -
Expression: 보증금 있어요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a deposit? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 자전거가 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui ja-jeon-geo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: What types of bicycles do you have? -
Expression: 이 자전거로 할게요.
Pronunciation: i ja-jeon-geo-ro hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take this bicycle. -
Expression: 헬멧도 빌릴 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hel-met-do bil-lil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I rent a helmet too? -
Expression: 자물쇠도 같이 주세요.
Pronunciation: ja-mul-soe-do ga-chi ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a lock as well. -
Expression: 여기서 결제하면 되나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo gyeol-je-ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay here?
Asking About Rental Details
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Expression: 몇 시까지 반납해야 해요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-kka-ji ban-na-pae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: By what time do I need to return it? -
Expression: 반납 장소는 여기인가요?
Pronunciation: ban-nap jang-so-neun yeo-gi-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the return location here? -
Expression: 다른 곳에 반납해도 되나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun go-se ban-na-pae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I return it to a different location? -
Expression: 어린이용 자전거도 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-ri-ni-yong ja-jeon-geo-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have bicycles for children? -
Expression: 2인용 자전거 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-in-yong ja-jeon-geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have tandem bicycles (bicycles for two people)? -
Expression: 전기 자전거 빌릴 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-gi ja-jeon-geo bil-lil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I rent an electric bicycle? -
Expression: 안장 높이 조절해 주세요.
Pronunciation: an-jang no-pi jo-jeol-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please adjust the seat height. -
Expression: 브레이크 확인해 봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: beu-re-i-keu hwa-gin-hae bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I check the brakes? -
Expression: 대여 계약서 좀 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: dae-yeo gye-yak-seo jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me the rental agreement. -
Expression: 외국인도 빌릴 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do bil-lil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners also rent? -
Expression: 여권으로 신분 확인 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gwon-eu-ro sin-bun hwa-gin ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Can I use my passport for ID verification? -
Expression: 지도 같은 거 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do ga-teun geo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have something like a map?
During and After Rental
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Expression: 자전거에 문제가 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo-e mun-je-ga saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a problem with the bicycle. -
Expression: 타이어에 펑크가 났어요.
Pronunciation: ta-i-eo-e peong-keu-ga na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I got a flat tire. -
Expression: 체인이 빠졌어요.
Pronunciation: che-i-ni ppa-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The chain came off. -
Expression: 브레이크가 잘 안 들어요.
Pronunciation: beu-re-i-keu-ga jal an deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: The brakes aren’t working well. -
Expression: 자전거를 교환하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo-reul gyo-hwan-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to exchange the bicycle. -
Expression: 반납 시간이 조금 늦을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ban-nap si-ga-ni jo-geum neu-jeul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I’ll be a little late returning it. -
Expression: 추가 요금이 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-ga yo-geum-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an additional charge? -
Expression: 자전거 반납하러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo ban-na-pa-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m here to return the bicycle. -
Expression: 보증금 돌려주세요.
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-geum dol-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please return my deposit. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 자전거 잘 탔습니다.
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo jal ta-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I enjoyed riding the bicycle. (Lit: I rode the bicycle well) -
Expression: 근처에 수리점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e su-ri-jeom-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a repair shop nearby?
Korean Culture Notes
Public Bike Systems: Many Korean cities have excellent public bicycle rental systems. Seoul’s 따릉이 (dda-reung-i) is very popular and accessible via an app, often requiring a Korean phone number or specific registration. Other cities have similar systems like 타슈 (ta-syu) in Daejeon or 누비자 (nu-bi-ja) in Changwon. These are usually cheaper for short-term use than private rental shops.
ID and Deposit: Private rental shops, especially in tourist areas or parks, often require some form of identification (passport is usually acceptable for foreigners) and sometimes a cash deposit (보증금 – bo-jeung-geum). Public systems typically use app-based payment and verification.
Bike Paths: Korea has invested heavily in bicycle infrastructure. Major rivers like the Han River in Seoul have extensive, well-maintained bike paths (자전거 도로 – ja-jeon-geo do-ro) that are great for leisurely rides. Be mindful of pedestrians who might also use these paths.
Safety and Helmets: While helmet use (헬멧 착용 – hel-met cha-gyong) is legally encouraged and sometimes required, enforcement can vary. It’s always recommended to wear one for safety. Rental shops may offer helmets, sometimes for a small additional fee.
Returning Bikes: For public bike systems, you usually need to return the bike to a designated docking station. Private shops require returning it to the original location unless otherwise specified. Always confirm the return procedure (반납 절차 – ban-nap jeol-cha) when renting.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) wants to rent a bicycle for a few hours at a rental shop near the Han River.
Roles: A: Tourist, B: Rental Shop Staff
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 자전거 빌리고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ja-jeon-geo bil-li-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I’d like to rent a bicycle. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 몇 시간 이용하실 건가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. myeot si-gan i-yong-ha-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. How many hours will you use it for? -
Expression: A: 3시간 정도 탈 거예요. 시간당 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: A: se-si-gan jeong-do tal geo-ye-yo. si-gan-dang eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: I’ll ride for about 3 hours. How much is it per hour? -
Expression: B: 시간당 5,000원입니다. 신분증 있으세요? 보증금 만 원도 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: B: si-gan-dang o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. sin-bun-jjeung i-sseu-se-yo? bo-jeung-geum man won-do pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: It’s 5,000 won per hour. Do you have an ID? A 10,000 won deposit is also required. -
Expression: A: 네, 여권 여기 있어요. 보증금은 나중에 돌려받는 거죠?
Pronunciation: A: ne, yeo-gwon yeo-gi i-sseo-yo. bo-jeung-geum-eun na-jung-e dol-lyeo-bat-neun geo-jyo?
Meaning: A: Yes, here’s my passport. I get the deposit back later, right? -
Expression: B: 네, 자전거 반납하실 때 문제없으면 돌려드립니다. 저쪽에서 원하시는 자전거 고르시면 됩니다. 헬멧은 무료로 빌려드려요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ja-jeon-geo ban-na-pa-sil ttae mun-je-eop-seu-myeon dol-lyeo-deu-rim-ni-da. jeo-jjo-ge-seo won-ha-si-neun ja-jeon-geo go-reu-si-myeon doem-ni-da. hel-me-seun mu-ryo-ro bil-lyeo-deu-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, we’ll return it when you bring the bike back if there are no issues. You can choose the bicycle you want over there. Helmets are lent free of charge. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 이 자전거로 할게요. 안장 좀 높여주세요.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. i ja-jeon-geo-ro hal-ge-yo. an-jang jom no-pyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you. I’ll take this bike. Please raise the seat a bit. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 3시간이면 15,000원에 보증금 만 원, 총 25,000원입니다. 지금 시간부터 3시간 뒤인 5시까지 반납해 주시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-get-sseum-ni-da. se-si-gan-i-myeon man-o-cheon-won-e bo-jeung-geum man won, chong i-man-o-cheon-won-im-ni-da. ji-geum si-gan-bu-teo se-si-gan dwi-in da-seot-si-kka-ji ban-na-pae ju-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay, I understand. For 3 hours that’s 15,000 won plus the 10,000 won deposit, so 25,000 won total. Please return it by 5 PM, which is 3 hours from now.
Practice Tips
Renting a bike is a practical situation where you can really use your Korean! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Don’t be afraid to use these phrases at a real rental shop in Korea. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, people will appreciate the effort! Maybe start by renting from a public system like 따릉이 using the app, then try a private shop for more interaction. Happy cycling! 화이팅!
