Participating in Events for Foreigners in Korean

Joining events specifically designed for foreigners is a fantastic way to meet people, practice Korean, and experience local culture during your time in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights to help you find, register for, and actively participate in various events organized for the international community in Korea.

Core Expression

• Expression: 외국인 행사 참여하기
  Pronunciation: oe-guk-in haeng-sa cham-yeo-ha-gi
  Meaning: Participating in an event for foreigners

Finding Events

• Expression: 외국인을 위한 행사가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: oe-guk-in-eul wi-han haeng-sa-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any events for foreigners?
• Expression: 어떤 종류의 행사가 있어요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui haeng-sa-ga iss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of events are there?
• Expression: 문화 체험 행사를 찾고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: mun-hwa che-heom haeng-sa-reul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I’m looking for a cultural experience event.
• Expression: 언어 교환 모임 정보는 어디서 얻을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: eon-eo gyo-hwan mo-im jeong-bo-neun eo-di-seo eo-deul su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I get information about language exchange meetups?
• Expression: 이 행사 정보는 어디에 나와 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i haeng-sa jeong-bo-neun eo-di-e na-wa it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the information for this event posted?
• Expression: 온라인으로 행사 정보를 확인할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro haeng-sa jeong-bo-reul hwak-in-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I check the event information online?
• Expression: 서울에서 열리는 외국인 행사를 추천해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: seo-ul-e-seo yeol-li-neun oe-guk-in haeng-sa-reul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please recommend events for foreigners held in Seoul.
• Expression: 주말에 참여할 만한 행사가 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: ju-mal-e cham-yeo-hal man-han haeng-sa-ga iss-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any events worth participating in this weekend?
• Expression: 외국인 커뮤니티 웹사이트를 확인해 보세요.
  Pronunciation: oe-guk-in keo-myu-ni-ti wep-sa-i-teu-reul hwak-in-hae bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please check foreigner community websites.
• Expression: 구청 홈페이지에도 정보가 있을 수 있어요.
  Pronunciation: gu-cheong hom-pe-i-ji-e-do jeong-bo-ga iss-eul su iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: There might be information on the district office website too.
• Expression: 이 행사는 누구를 위한 건가요?
  Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-neun nu-gu-reul wi-han geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Who is this event for?
• Expression: 참가 자격이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga ja-gyeok-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there eligibility requirements?

Registering for Events

• Expression: 이 행사에 참여하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-e cham-yeo-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to participate in this event.
• Expression: 참가 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I register to participate?
• Expression: 신청 마감일이 언제인가요?
  Pronunciation: sin-cheong ma-gam-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When is the application deadline?
• Expression: 참가비가 있나요? 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga-bi-ga it-na-yo? eol-ma-ye-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a participation fee? How much is it?
• Expression: 온라인으로 신청할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro sin-cheong-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can I apply online?
• 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: 선착순인가요?
  Pronunciation: seon-chak-sun-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is it first-come, first-served?
• Expression: 예약이 필요한가요?
  Pronunciation: ye-yak-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is a reservation required?
• Expression: 참가 확인은 어떻게 받나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga hwak-in-eun eo-tteo-ke bat-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I receive confirmation of participation?
• Expression: 필요한 서류가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any required documents?
• Expression: 문의할 사항이 있으면 어디로 연락해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: mun-ui-hal sa-hang-i iss-eu-myeon eo-di-ro yeol-lak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where should I contact if I have questions?
• Expression: 등록 완료했습니다.
  Pronunciation: deung-nok wan-lyo-haet-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I have completed the registration.

During the Event

• Expression: 안녕하세요, 저는 [이름]입니다.
  Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jeo-neun [i-reum]-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Hello, I am [Name].
• Expression: 만나서 반갑습니다.
  Pronunciation: man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Nice to meet you.
• Expression: 어느 나라에서 오셨어요?
  Pronunciation: eo-neu na-ra-e-seo o-syeoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Which country are you from?
• Expression: 한국 생활은 어떠세요?
  Pronunciation: han-guk saeng-hwal-eun eo-tteo-se-yo?
  Meaning: How is your life in Korea?
• Expression: 이 행사에 어떻게 오게 되셨어요?
  Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-e eo-tteo-ke o-ge doe-syeoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: How did you come to this event? / What brought you to this event?
• Expression: 여기 분위기가 정말 좋네요.
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi bun-wi-gi-ga jeong-mal jon-ne-yo.
  Meaning: The atmosphere here is really nice.
• Expression: 이 활동은 어떻게 하는 건가요?
  Pronunciation: i hwal-dong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: How do we do this activity?
• Expression: 저도 같이 해도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: jeo-do ga-chi hae-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: May I join you?
• Expression: 정말 재미있어요!
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-eo-yo!
  Meaning: This is really fun!
• Expression: 사진 좀 찍어 주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: sa-jin jom jjik-eo ju-sil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Could you please take a picture for me/us?
• Expression: 이 음식 이름이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: i eum-sik i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the name of this food?
• Expression: 한국어를 배우고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: han-guk-eo-reul bae-u-go iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I am learning Korean.

Networking and Making Friends

• Expression: 연락처 교환할까요?
  Pronunciation: yeol-lak-cheo gyo-hwan-hal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall we exchange contact information?
• Expression: 카카오톡 아이디 있으세요?
  Pronunciation: ka-ka-o-tok a-i-di iss-eu-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you have a KakaoTalk ID?
• Expression: 인스타그램 하세요?
  Pronunciation: in-seu-ta-geu-raem ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: Are you on Instagram?
• Expression: 나중에 또 만나요!
  Pronunciation: na-jung-e tto man-na-yo!
  Meaning: Let’s meet again later!
• Expression: 다음에 같이 식사해요.
  Pronunciation: da-eum-e ga-chi sik-sa-hae-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s have a meal together next time.
• Expression: 오늘 만나서 정말 즐거웠어요.
  Pronunciation: o-neul man-na-seo jeong-mal jeul-geo-woss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: It was really nice meeting you today.
• Expression: 앞으로 자주 연락해요.
  Pronunciation: ap-eu-ro ja-ju yeol-lak-hae-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s keep in touch often from now on.
• Expression: 혹시 다른 모임에도 참여하세요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun mo-im-e-do cham-yeo-ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you happen to participate in other meetups/gatherings?
• Expression: 좋은 정보 있으면 공유해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun jeong-bo iss-eu-myeon gong-yu-hae ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please share if you have any good information.
• Expression: 페이스북 친구 추가해도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: pe-i-seu-buk chin-gu chu-ga-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: May I add you as a friend on Facebook?
• Expression: 한국 생활에 대해 더 이야기하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: han-guk saeng-hwal-e dae-hae deo i-ya-gi-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I’d like to talk more about life in Korea.
• Expression: 조심히 들어가세요.
  Pronunciation: jo-sim-hi deu-reo-ga-se-yo.
  Meaning: Get home safely. (A common farewell)

Korean Culture Notes

Event Types: Events for foreigners in Korea range widely, from language exchange cafes (언어 교환 카페, eon-eo gyo-hwan ka-pe) and cultural workshops (e.g., cooking, crafts) to city tours, hiking groups, and volunteer activities. Many local governments and cultural centers actively organize these events.

Networking Etiquette: Exchanging contact information, usually via KakaoTalk, is very common after meeting someone you connect with. Don’t be shy to ask! Offering your information first can be a good approach. Using formal language (존댓말, jon-daen-mal) is generally recommended when first meeting people, regardless of perceived age, especially in more structured event settings.

Participation: Koreans appreciate active participation. If it’s a workshop or interactive event, try to engage fully. Asking questions (질문하기, jil-mun-ha-gi) shows interest. Even if your Korean isn’t perfect, making an effort is highly valued.

Finding Information: Besides official websites (like city or district offices), platforms like Meetup, Facebook groups (search for “foreigners in [city name]”), and specific expat community sites are great resources for finding events.

Punctuality: While Koreans are generally understanding, arriving on time (시간 엄수, si-gan eom-su) for scheduled events is considered polite and respectful to the organizers and other participants.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two foreigners, Anna (new to Korea) and Ben (has attended several events), meet at a Korean cooking class organized for foreigners.

• Expression: A (Ben): 안녕하세요, 혹시 여기 처음 오셨어요?
  Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, hok-si yeo-gi cheo-eum o-syeoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Hello, is this perhaps your first time here?
• Expression: B (Anna): 네, 맞아요. 이런 외국인 행사는 처음 참여해 봐요. 저는 안나예요.
  Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. i-reon oe-guk-in haeng-sa-neun cheo-eum cham-yeo-hae bwa-yo. jeo-neun an-na-ye-yo.
  Meaning: Yes, that’s right. It’s my first time participating in an event for foreigners like this. I’m Anna.
• Expression: A (Ben): 반가워요, 안나 씨. 저는 벤이에요. 저도 처음엔 좀 어색했는데, 이런 행사들 정말 재미있어요.
  Pronunciation: ban-ga-wo-yo, an-na ssi. jeo-neun ben-i-e-yo. jeo-do cheo-eum-en jom eo-saek-haet-neun-de, i-reon haeng-sa-deul jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Nice to meet you, Anna. I’m Ben. I felt a bit awkward at first too, but these kinds of events are really fun.
• Expression: B (Anna): 그렇군요! 혹시 다른 추천할 만한 외국인 행사 아세요? 정보 얻기가 좀 어렵더라고요.
  Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo! hok-si da-reun chu-cheon-hal man-han oe-guk-in haeng-sa a-se-yo? jeong-bo eot-gi-ga jom eo-ryeop-deo-ra-go-yo.
  Meaning: I see! Do you happen to know any other events for foreigners worth recommending? I found it a bit difficult to get information.
• Expression: A (Ben): 아, 네. 페이스북 그룹이나 구청 웹사이트 확인해 보면 꽤 많아요. 언어 교환 모임도 괜찮고요. 연락처 교환할까요? 정보 있으면 공유해 드릴게요.
  Pronunciation: a, ne. pe-i-seu-buk geu-rup-i-na gu-cheong wep-sa-i-teu hwak-in-hae bo-myeon kkwae man-a-yo. eon-eo gyo-hwan mo-im-do gwaen-chan-go-yo. yeol-lak-cheo gyo-hwan-hal-kka-yo? jeong-bo iss-eu-myeon gong-yu-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
  Meaning: Ah, yes. If you check Facebook groups or the district office website, there are quite a few. Language exchange meetups are good too. Shall we exchange contact info? I can share information if I find any.
• Expression: B (Anna): 네, 좋아요! 카카오톡 아이디 알려주세요. 오늘 만나서 반가웠어요, 벤 씨.
  Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! ka-ka-o-tok a-i-di al-lyeo-ju-se-yo. o-neul man-na-seo ban-ga-woss-eo-yo, ben ssi.
  Meaning: Yes, great! Please tell me your KakaoTalk ID. It was nice meeting you today, Ben.

Practice Tips

Actively look for events happening in your area! Check local community centers, university bulletin boards, or online groups dedicated to foreigners in Korea~ Don’t be afraid to register and go, even if you go alone. These events are specifically designed to be welcoming!

Before attending, practice some basic introduction phrases like your name and where you’re from. During the event, try using the phrases for asking questions or expressing enjoyment. Remember, the goal is communication, not perfection! Most importantly, be open to meeting new people and learning about different cultures, including Korean culture. Have fun participating! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)