Renting a car offers flexibility when exploring Korea beyond the major cities. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for navigating the car rental process, from making a reservation to returning the vehicle. Learn the key expressions needed to communicate effectively with rental agencies in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental term for the act of renting a car.
- Expression: 자동차 렌트하기 (or 차 렌트하기)
Pronunciation: Jadongcha renteuhagi (or Cha renteuhagi)
Meaning: Renting a car (Jadongcha = car, Cha = car (slightly more casual), Renteu = rent (loanword), -hagi = doing/the act of)
Making a Reservation
Use these phrases when booking your rental car online or over the phone.
- Expression: 자동차 렌트 예약을 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: Jadongcha renteu yeyageul hago sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to make a car rental reservation. - Expression: 렌터카 예약 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: Renteoka yeyak ganeunghangayo?
Meaning: Is it possible to reserve a rental car? - Expression: 어떤 종류의 차가 있나요?
Pronunciation: Eotteon jongnyuui chaga innayo?
Meaning: What types of cars are available? - Expression: 소형차/중형차/대형차/SUV를 원해요.
Pronunciation: Sohyeongcha/Jungyeongcha/Daehyeongcha/Eseuyuibeuireul wonhaeyo.
Meaning: I want a compact/mid-size/full-size car/SUV. - Expression: 자동 변속기(오토) 차량으로 주세요.
Pronunciation: Jadong byeonsokgi (oto) charyangeuro juseyo.
Meaning: Please give me an automatic transmission car. - Expression: 수동 변속기(스틱) 차량도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: Sudong byeonsokgi (seutik) charyangdo gwaenchanayo.
Meaning: A manual transmission car is also fine. - Expression: 며칠 동안 빌릴 건가요?
Pronunciation: Myeochil dongan billil geongayo?
Meaning: For how many days will you be renting? (Question you might be asked) - Expression: 3일 동안 빌리고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: Samil dongan billigo sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to rent it for 3 days. - Expression: 보험은 포함되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: Boheomeun pohamdoe-eo innayo?
Meaning: Is insurance included? - Expression: 완전 자차 보험으로 가입하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: Wanjeon jacha boheomeuro gaiphago sipeoyo.
Meaning: I want to sign up for full coverage insurance (CDW – Collision Damage Waiver). - Expression: 국제 운전 면허증이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: Gukje unjeon myeonheojeungi piryohangayo?
Meaning: Is an International Driving Permit required? - Expression: 총 비용이 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: Chong biyongi eolmaingayo?
Meaning: What is the total cost?
Picking Up the Car
These expressions are useful when you arrive at the rental office to collect your vehicle.
- Expression: 예약했습니다. 이름은 [Your Name]입니다.
Pronunciation: Yeyakaetseumnida. Ireumeun [Your Name]imnida.
Meaning: I have a reservation. My name is [Your Name]. - Expression: 렌터카 찾으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: Renteoka chajeureo wasseoyo.
Meaning: I came to pick up the rental car. - Expression: 운전 면허증이랑 국제 운전 면허증 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: Unjeon myeonheojeungirang gukje unjeon myeonheojeung yeogi itseumnida.
Meaning: Here are my driver’s license and International Driving Permit. - Expression: 신용카드 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: Sinyongkadeu yeogi itseumnida.
Meaning: Here is my credit card. - Expression: 계약서에 서명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Gyeyakseoe seomyeonghae juseyo.
Meaning: Please sign the contract. (Phrase you might hear) - Expression: 차는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: Chaneun eodie innayo?
Meaning: Where is the car? - Expression: 차 상태를 같이 확인해 볼까요?
Pronunciation: Cha sangtaereul gachi hwaginhae bolkkayo?
Meaning: Shall we check the car’s condition together? - Expression: 기존 흠집은 여기에 표시해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Gijon heumjibeun yeogie pyosihae juseyo.
Meaning: Please mark the existing scratches here. - Expression: 연료는 가득 채워져 있나요?
Pronunciation: Yeollyoneun gadeuk chae-wojyeo innayo?
Meaning: Is the fuel tank full? - Expression: 네비게이션 사용법 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: Nebigeisyeon sayongbeop jom allyeojuseyo.
Meaning: Please show me how to use the navigation system. - Expression: 반납 장소는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: Bannap jangsoneun eodingayo?
Meaning: Where is the return location? - Expression: 비상 연락처는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: Bisang yeollakcheoneun mueosingayo?
Meaning: What is the emergency contact number?
During the Rental
Phrases you might need while using the rental car.
- Expression: 주유소는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: Juyusoneun eodie innayo?
Meaning: Where is a gas station? - Expression: 휘발유 넣어주세요. / 경유 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: Hwiballyu neoeojuseyo. / Gyeong-yu neoeojuseyo.
Meaning: Please fill it with gasoline. / Please fill it with diesel. - Expression: 가득 채워주세요.
Pronunciation: Gadeuk chae-wojuseyo.
Meaning: Please fill it up. - Expression: 타이어에 바람 좀 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: Taieoe baram jom neoeojuseyo.
Meaning: Please put some air in the tires. - Expression: 차에 문제가 생긴 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: Chae munjega saenggin geot gatayo.
Meaning: I think there’s a problem with the car. - Expression: 시동이 걸리지 않아요.
Pronunciation: Sidongi geolliji anayo.
Meaning: The car won’t start. - Expression: 경고등이 켜졌어요.
Pronunciation: Gyeonggodeungi kyeojyeosseoyo.
Meaning: A warning light came on. - Expression: 사고가 났어요.
Pronunciation: Sagoga nasseoyo.
Meaning: I had an accident. - Expression: 경찰에 신고해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: Gyeongchare singohaeya hanayo?
Meaning: Do I need to report this to the police? - Expression: 보험 회사에 연락해야 해요.
Pronunciation: Boheom hoesae yeollakaeya haeyo.
Meaning: I need to contact the insurance company. - Expression: 가장 가까운 정비소는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: Gajang gakkaun jeongbisoneun eodingayo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest repair shop? - Expression: 주차는 어디에 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: Juchaneun eodie hal su innayo?
Meaning: Where can I park?
Returning the Car
Expressions for when you bring the car back to the rental agency.
- Expression: 차 반납하러 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: Cha bannapareo watseumnida.
Meaning: I’m here to return the car. - Expression: 주행 거리는 [Number] 킬로미터입니다.
Pronunciation: Juhaeng georineun [Number] killomiteoimnida.
Meaning: The mileage is [Number] kilometers. - Expression: 연료는 가득 채워서 반납해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: Yeollyoneun gadeuk chae-woseo bannapaeya hanayo?
Meaning: Do I need to return the car with a full tank of fuel? - Expression: 주유 영수증 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: Juyu yeongsujeung yeogi itseumnida.
Meaning: Here is the gas receipt. - Expression: 차 상태 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Cha sangtae hwaginhae juseyo.
Meaning: Please check the car’s condition. - Expression: 추가 요금이 있나요?
Pronunciation: Chuga yogeumi innayo?
Meaning: Are there any additional charges? - Expression: 보증금은 언제 돌려받나요?
Pronunciation: Bojeunggeumeun eonje dollyeobatnayo?
Meaning: When will I get the deposit back? - Expression: 영수증 좀 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: Yeongsujeung jom jusigesseoyo?
Meaning: Could I have the receipt, please? - Expression: 공항/역까지 셔틀 버스가 있나요?
Pronunciation: Gonghang/Yeokkkaji syeoteul beoseuga innayo?
Meaning: Is there a shuttle bus to the airport/station? - Expression: 이용해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: Iyonghae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida.
Meaning: Thank you for using our service. (Phrase you might hear) - Expression: 즐거운 여행 되세요.
Pronunciation: Jeulgeo-un yeohaeng doeseyo.
Meaning: Have a pleasant trip. (Phrase you might hear) - Expression: 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: Gamsahamnida. Annyeonghi gyeseyo.
Meaning: Thank you. Goodbye.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can make your driving experience in Korea smoother.
- International Driving Permit (IDP): An IDP is mandatory for most foreigners renting a car in Korea, alongside your valid home country driver’s license. Ensure your IDP is valid and obtained before arriving in Korea.
- Navigation Apps: While some rental cars have built-in GPS, they might be in Korean only. Using apps like Naver Maps (네이버 지도) or Kakao Maps (카카오맵) on your smartphone is highly recommended. Google Maps has limited driving navigation functionality in Korea.
- Driving Style: Korean driving culture can sometimes feel fast-paced (“ppalli-ppalli” 빨리빨리 culture). Be prepared for quick lane changes and less space between vehicles than you might be used to. Stay alert and drive defensively.
- Toll Roads (Hi-Pass): Many highways are toll roads. Rental cars are often equipped with a “Hi-Pass” (하이패스) electronic toll collection device. Ask the rental company how tolls will be charged (usually settled upon return). If no Hi-Pass, use the cash/card lanes at toll booths.
- Insurance: Understand the insurance options (자차 보험 – jacha boheom). Basic insurance might have a high deductible. Opting for full coverage (면책금 없음 – myeonchaekgeum eopseum, meaning no deductible) can provide peace of mind, though it costs more.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) approaches the rental counter to pick up a car they reserved online. The rental agent (B) assists them. Roles: A: Customer, B: Rental Agent
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 자동차 렌트 예약했는데요.
Pronunciation: Annyeonghaseyo. Jadongcha renteu yeyakaenneundeyo.
Meaning: Hello. I made a car rental reservation. - Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 예약하신 성함이 어떻게 되시나요?
Pronunciation: Ne, annyeonghaseyo. Yeyakasin seonghami eotteoke doesinayo?
Meaning: Yes, hello. What is the name on the reservation? - Expression: A: 제 이름은 [Customer’s Name]입니다.
Pronunciation: Je ireumeun [Customer’s Name]imnida.
Meaning: My name is [Customer’s Name]. - Expression: B: 네, [Customer’s Name]님. 확인되었습니다. 운전 면허증과 국제 운전 면허증, 그리고 예약 시 사용하신 신용카드 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: Ne, [Customer’s Name]nim. Hwagin doe-eotseumnida. Unjeon myeonheojeunggwa gukje unjeon myeonheojeung, geurigo yeyak si sayonghasin sinyongkadeu butakdeurimnida.
Meaning: Yes, Mr./Ms. [Customer’s Name]. Confirmed. Could I please have your driver’s license, International Driving Permit, and the credit card used for the reservation? - Expression: A: 네, 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: Ne, yeogi itseumnida.
Meaning: Yes, here they are. - Expression: B: 감사합니다. 잠시만요… 네, 소형차 자동 변속기로 예약하셨네요. 보험은 완전 자차로 하시겠어요? 추가 비용이 발생합니다.
Pronunciation: Gamsahamnida. Jamsimanyo… Ne, sohyeongcha jadong byeonsokgiro yeyakasyeotneyo. Boheomeun wanjeon jacharo hasigesseoyo? Chuga biyongi balsanghamnida.
Meaning: Thank you. Just a moment… Yes, you reserved a compact car with automatic transmission. Would you like full coverage insurance? There is an additional charge. - Expression: A: 네, 그걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: Ne, geugeollo halgeyo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll take that. - Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 그럼 이 계약서에 서명 부탁드립니다. 차량은 주차장 C 구역에 준비되어 있습니다. 직원이 안내해 드릴 겁니다.
Pronunciation: Algesseumnida. Geureom i gyeyakseoe seomyeong butakdeurimnida. Charyangeun juchajang C guyeoge junbidoeeo itseumnida. Jigwoni annaehae deuril geomnida.
Meaning: Understood. Then please sign this contract. The car is ready in parking area C. A staff member will guide you. - Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: Ne, gamsahamnida.
Meaning: Okay, thank you.
Practice Tips
Now you have the essential phrases for renting a car in Korean! Try practicing them out loud~ Imagine yourself at the rental counter or calling to make a reservation. Listen to Korean dialogues online (maybe dramas featuring driving scenes?) to get used to the natural speed and intonation. Don’t be afraid to use these phrases when you travel to Korea – rental staff are usually helpful, especially at airports and major locations! 화이팅 (Hwaiting – You can do it)!
