Visiting a Korean spa, known as an 온천 (oncheon) or 찜질방 (jjimjilbang), is a unique cultural experience. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and etiquette tips to help you navigate your visit smoothly, from paying the entrance fee to understanding the rules and enjoying the various facilities like baths and saunas.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 온천 이용 방법
Pronunciation: on-cheon i-yong bang-beop
Meaning: How to use a hot spring/spa (Usage method for spa)
Basic Phrases for Entry and Payment
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Expression: 안녕하세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Meaning: Hello. (Formal) -
Expression: 온천 이용하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: on-cheon i-yong-ha-go si-peo-yo
Meaning: I want to use the hot spring/spa. -
Expression: 입장료 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-nyo eol-ma-ye-yo
Meaning: How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: 성인 한 명이요.
Pronunciation: seong-in han myeong-i-yo
Meaning: One adult, please. -
Expression: 어린이 두 명이요.
Pronunciation: eo-rin-i du myeong-i-yo
Meaning: Two children, please. -
Expression: 계산해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please calculate the bill / Check, please. -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 락커 키 주세요.
Pronunciation: ra-kkeo ki ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me a locker key. -
Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Thank you. (Formal)
Using the Facilities
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Expression: 탈의실은 어디예요?
Pronunciation: tal-ui-si-reun eo-di-ye-yo
Meaning: Where is the changing room? -
Expression: 락커 번호는 몇 번이에요?
Pronunciation: ra-kkeo beon-ho-neun myeot beon-i-e-yo
Meaning: What is my locker number? -
Expression: 목욕탕은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: mok-yok-tang-eun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo
Meaning: Where is the bath area? -
Expression: 사우나는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: sa-u-na-neun eo-di-ye-yo
Meaning: Where is the sauna? -
Expression: 수건은 어디서 받아요?
Pronunciation: su-geo-neun eo-di-seo ba-da-yo
Meaning: Where can I get a towel? -
Expression: 수건 더 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: su-geon deo ju-sil su i-sseo-yo
Meaning: Can I have more towels? -
Expression: 샤워는 어디서 해요?
Pronunciation: sya-wo-neun eo-di-seo hae-yo
Meaning: Where do I shower? -
Expression: 탕에 들어가기 전에 샤워해야 해요?
Pronunciation: tang-e deu-reo-ga-gi jeon-e sya-wo-hae-ya hae-yo
Meaning: Do I need to shower before entering the bath? (Yes, you must!) -
Expression: 비누/샴푸 있어요?
Pronunciation: bi-nu/syam-pu i-sseo-yo
Meaning: Is there soap/shampoo? -
Expression: 이 탕은 뜨거워요?
Pronunciation: i tang-eun tteu-geo-wo-yo
Meaning: Is this bath hot? -
Expression: 찜질복으로 갈아입어야 해요?
Pronunciation: jjim-jil-bo-geu-ro ga-ra-i-beo-ya hae-yo
Meaning: Do I need to change into the spa clothes (jjimjilbok)? (For co-ed areas) -
Expression: 때밀이 서비스는 어디서 받아요?
Pronunciation: ttae-mi-ri seo-bi-seu-neun eo-di-seo ba-da-yo
Meaning: Where can I get the body scrub service?
Asking Questions and Understanding Rules
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Expression: 여기 규칙이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi gyu-chi-gi mwo-ye-yo
Meaning: What are the rules here? -
Expression: 사진 찍어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jji-geo-do dwae-yo
Meaning: Is it okay to take pictures? (Usually prohibited in bath/changing areas) -
Expression: 음식물 반입 금지예요?
Pronunciation: eum-sing-mul ba-nip geum-ji-ye-yo
Meaning: Is bringing in outside food prohibited? -
Expression: 수영복 입어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: su-yeong-bok i-beo-do dwae-yo
Meaning: Can I wear a swimsuit? (Usually not allowed in traditional bath areas) -
Expression: 몇 시까지 운영해요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-kka-ji un-yeong-hae-yo
Meaning: Until what time are you open? -
Expression: 휴게실은 어디예요?
Pronunciation: hyu-ge-si-reun eo-di-ye-yo
Meaning: Where is the resting area? -
Expression: 식당은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: sik-dang-eun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo
Meaning: Where is the restaurant? -
Expression: 와이파이 비밀번호 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i bi-mil-beon-ho mwo-ye-yo
Meaning: What is the Wi-Fi password? -
Expression: 조용히 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi hae-ya ha-na-yo
Meaning: Do I need to be quiet? (Especially in sleeping areas) -
Expression: 락커 키를 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: ra-kkeo ki-reul i-reo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo
Meaning: I lost my locker key. -
Expression: 나갈 때 키 반납해야 해요?
Pronunciation: na-gal ttae ki ban-na-pae-ya hae-yo
Meaning: Do I need to return the key when leaving?
Korean Culture Notes
Nudity in Bath Areas: Be prepared for full nudity in the gender-segregated bath areas (목욕탕 – mok-yok-tang). This is standard practice, and swimsuits are generally not allowed here. Towels provided are small and typically used for scrubbing or drying off slightly before returning to the locker room.
Shower Before Bathing: It is crucial etiquette to shower thoroughly and wash with soap before entering any of the communal baths (탕 – tang). This ensures hygiene for everyone using the facilities.
The ‘Korean Scrub’ (때밀이 – Ttaemiri): Many spas offer a vigorous body scrub service called ‘ttaemiri’. This is performed by professionals (usually older men or women called 세신사 – sesinsa) in a designated area within the bathhouse. It’s an intense but popular way to exfoliate.
Quiet Zones: While conversation is fine in general areas, be mindful of noise levels, especially in designated quiet or sleeping zones often found in larger jjimjilbangs. Respect others who are resting.
Using the Locker Key: Your locker key often doubles as your payment method inside the spa for snacks, drinks, or extra services. You settle the bill charged to your key number when you leave.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreign visitor (A) is at the front desk of a Korean spa, asking the staff (B) for information.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 온천 이용하고 싶어요. 입장료 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. on-cheon i-yong-ha-go si-peo-yo. ip-jang-nyo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. I’d like to use the spa. How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: B: 네, 성인 만 오천 원입니다. 여기 키 받으세요.
Pronunciation: ne, seong-in man o-cheon won-im-ni-da. yeo-gi ki ba-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it’s 15,000 won for adults. Please take this key. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 탈의실은 어디예요?
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. tal-ui-si-reun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Thank you. Where is the changing room? -
Expression: B: 저쪽으로 가시면 남자/여자 탈의실이 있습니다. 신발은 입구 락커에 넣어주세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjo-geu-ro ga-si-myeon nam-ja/yeo-ja tal-ui-si-ri it-seum-ni-da. sin-ba-reun ip-gu ra-kkeo-e neo-eo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: If you go that way, there are the men’s/women’s changing rooms. Please put your shoes in the locker at the entrance. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 탕에 들어가기 전에 샤워해야 하죠?
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. tang-e deu-reo-ga-gi jeon-e sya-wo-hae-ya ha-jyo?
Meaning: A: I understand. I should shower before entering the baths, right? -
Expression: B: 네, 꼭 샤워 먼저 하시고 이용해 주세요. 즐거운 시간 보내세요!
Pronunciation: ne, kkok sya-wo meon-jeo ha-si-go i-yong-hae ju-se-yo. jeul-geo-un si-gan bo-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Yes, please make sure to shower first before using them. Have a pleasant time!
Practice Tips
Visiting a Korean spa is the best way to practice these phrases! Don’t be afraid to use simple sentences like asking for the entrance fee or the location of the changing rooms~ Staff are usually helpful, especially if you try speaking Korean!
Listen carefully to announcements or instructions given by staff. You can also practice pronunciation by repeating the phrases aloud. Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Enjoy the relaxing and unique experience of a Korean spa! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
