Experiencing Korean culture firsthand through a homestay is a popular choice for language learners and travelers. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to finding, living in, and interacting during a homestay (홈스테이 – hom-seu-te-i) in Korea. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively with your host family and navigate daily life in a Korean home.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 홈스테이
Pronunciation: hom-seu-te-i
Meaning: Homestay (This is a direct loanword from English, commonly used in Korea.)
Finding a Homestay
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Expression: 홈스테이 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hom-seu-te-i ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to do a homestay. -
Expression: 홈스테이 가족을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: hom-seu-te-i ga-jok-eul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a homestay family. -
Expression: 홈스테이 프로그램에 대해 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: hom-seu-te-i peu-ro-geu-raem-e dae-hae al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me about the homestay program. -
Expression: 홈스테이 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: hom-seu-te-i bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much does the homestay cost? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 가족인가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui ga-jok-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of family is it? (e.g., children, pets) -
Expression: 식사는 포함되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: sik-sa-neun po-ham-doe-eo iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are meals included? -
Expression: 위치가 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: wi-chi-ga eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the location? -
Expression: 신청서를 작성해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to fill out an application form? -
Expression: 언제부터 시작할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo si-jak-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I start? -
Expression: 흡연자는 괜찮나요?
Pronunciation: heup-yeon-ja-neun gwaen-chan-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay for smokers?
Living with the Host Family
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Expression: 만나서 반갑습니다.
Pronunciation: man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Nice to meet you. -
Expression: 잘 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Please take good care of me. (Common polite phrase when starting something new or relying on someone) -
Expression: 이것은 제 방인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun je bang-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this my room? -
Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password? -
Expression: 세탁기는 어떻게 사용하나요?
Pronunciation: se-tak-gi-neun eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I use the washing machine? -
Expression: 아침 식사는 몇 시예요?
Pronunciation: a-chim sik-sa-neun myeot si-ye-yo?
Meaning: What time is breakfast? -
Expression: 저녁 식사는 같이 하나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-nyeok sik-sa-neun gat-i ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do we eat dinner together? -
Expression: 오늘 저녁은 밖에서 먹을게요.
Pronunciation: o-neul jeo-nyeog-eun bakk-e-seo meog-eul-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will eat out tonight. -
Expression: 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I help you? / Can I help? -
Expression: 맛있게 잘 먹었습니다.
Pronunciation: mas-iss-ge jal meog-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the delicious meal. (Said after eating) -
Expression: 다녀오겠습니다.
Pronunciation: da-nyeo-o-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’ll be back. (Said when leaving the house) -
Expression: 다녀왔습니다.
Pronunciation: da-nyeo-wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m back. / I’ve returned. (Said when returning home)
Discussing Rules and Expectations
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Expression: 집 규칙이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jip gyu-chik-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any house rules? -
Expression: 통금 시간이 있나요?
Pronunciation: tong-geum si-gan-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a curfew? -
Expression: 샤워는 언제 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sya-wo-neun eon-je hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I take a shower? -
Expression: 친구를 데려와도 되나요?
Pronunciation: chin-gu-reul de-ryeo-wa-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I bring a friend over? -
Expression: 밤에 시끄럽게 해도 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: bam-e si-kkeu-reop-ge hae-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to be noisy at night? (Usually implying you want to know if you should be quiet) -
Expression: 방 청소는 제가 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: bang cheong-so-neun je-ga hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to clean my room myself? -
Expression: 음식을 방으로 가져가도 돼요?
Pronunciation: eum-sik-eul bang-eu-ro ga-jyeo-ga-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I take food to my room? -
Expression: 열쇠는 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: yeol-soe-neun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What about the key? / How does the key work? -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 규칙을 잘 지킬게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. gyu-chik-eul jal ji-kil-ge-yo.
Meaning: I understand. I will follow the rules well. -
Expression: 궁금한 점이 있으면 물어봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: gung-geum-han jeom-i iss-eu-myeon mul-eo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: If I have questions, may I ask?
Expressing Gratitude and Farewell
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Expression: 그동안 감사했습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-dong-an gam-sa-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for everything during my stay. -
Expression: 덕분에 즐겁게 지냈어요.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e jeul-geop-ge ji-naess-eo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I had a pleasant time. -
Expression: 많이 배웠습니다.
Pronunciation: man-i bae-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I learned a lot. -
Expression: 정말 친절하셨어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal chin-jeol-ha-syeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: You were really kind. -
Expression: 이건 작은 선물이에요.
Pronunciation: i-geon jag-eun seon-mul-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This is a small gift. -
Expression: 연락하고 지내요.
Pronunciation: yeol-lak-ha-go ji-nae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s keep in touch. -
Expression: 나중에 꼭 다시 올게요.
Pronunciation: na-jung-e kkok da-si ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will definitely come back later. -
Expression: 건강하세요.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Stay healthy. / Take care. (Formal farewell) -
Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Goodbye. (Said by the person leaving) -
Expression: 홈스테이 가족분들께 안부 전해주세요.
Pronunciation: hom-seu-te-i ga-jok-bun-deul-kke an-bu jeon-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give my regards to the homestay family.
Korean Culture Notes
Gift Giving: It’s customary (though not strictly required) to bring a small gift from your home country for the host family upon arrival. Similarly, giving a small thank-you gift when leaving is a nice gesture.
Respect for Elders: Korean culture places strong emphasis on respecting elders. Use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) with older members of the host family unless they specifically ask you to speak comfortably (편하게 말해요 – pyeon-ha-ge mal-hae-yo).
Mealtime Etiquette: Wait for the elders to start eating before you begin. Try to eat at a similar pace to others. It’s polite to try all the dishes offered, even if it’s just a small amount. Expressing thanks after the meal (잘 먹었습니다 – jal meog-eot-seum-ni-da) is important.
Shoes Indoors: Always remove your shoes before entering a Korean home. There will usually be an area (현관 – hyeon-gwan) designated for shoes. You might be offered indoor slippers.
Participation: Host families often appreciate it when homestay students show interest in family activities or offer to help with small chores like setting the table or clearing dishes. It shows respect and willingness to be part of the household.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A student (A) has just arrived at their homestay and is meeting the host mother (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 오늘부터 홈스테이 하게 된 마이클입니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. o-neul-bu-teo hom-seu-te-i ha-ge doen ma-i-keul-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello. I’m Michael, the one starting the homestay from today. -
Expression: B: 아, 마이클 씨. 어서 와요. 기다리고 있었어요. 저는 홈스테이 엄마예요.
Pronunciation: a, ma-i-keul ssi. eo-seo wa-yo. gi-da-ri-go iss-eoss-eo-yo. jeo-neun hom-seu-te-i eom-ma-ye-yo.
Meaning: Ah, Michael. Welcome. We were waiting for you. I’m the homestay mom. -
Expression: A: 만나서 반갑습니다. 잘 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Nice to meet you. Please take good care of me. -
Expression: B: 네, 반가워요. 오는 길은 힘들지 않았어요? 짐은 이쪽으로 옮기세요. 방을 안내해 줄게요.
Pronunciation: ne, ban-ga-wo-yo. o-neun gil-eun him-deul-ji an-ass-eo-yo? jim-eun i-jjok-eu-ro om-gi-se-yo. bang-eul an-nae-hae jul-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, nice to meet you too. Was the journey difficult? Bring your luggage this way. I’ll show you your room. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 혹시 와이파이 비밀번호 좀 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. hok-si wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho jom al su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Thank you. By any chance, could I get the Wi-Fi password? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 여기 적어놨어요. 편하게 사용하세요. 필요한 거 있으면 언제든지 물어봐요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo. yeo-gi jeog-eo-nwass-eo-yo. pyeon-ha-ge sa-yong-ha-se-yo. pil-yo-han geo iss-eu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mul-eo-bwa-yo.
Meaning: Of course. I wrote it down here. Feel free to use it. If you need anything, just ask anytime.
Practice Tips
Mastering these homestay phrases will greatly enhance your experience in Korea! Try practicing them aloud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Imagine yourself arriving at your host family’s home or asking about house rules. Role-playing with a friend or language partner can be very helpful! Don’t be afraid to use these expressions, even if you make mistakes. Your host family will appreciate your effort to communicate in Korean! Good luck with your homestay journey!
