Navigating everyday tasks like refueling your car in Korea requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean expressions for using gas stations (주유소 – juyuso), covering everything from asking for fuel to handling payments and understanding self-service options. Learn these phrases to confidently manage refueling during your travels or stay in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most fundamental phrase you’ll need at a full-service gas station.
- Expression: 기름 넣어 주세요.
Pronunciation: Gireum neoeo juseyo.
Meaning: Please put gas in (the car). (This is the general request for refueling).
Basic Phrases at the Gas Station
Here are some foundational phrases you might need when looking for or arriving at a gas station.
- Expression: 주유소 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: Juyuso eodi isseoyo?
Meaning: Where is a gas station? - Expression: 이 근처에 주유소 있나요?
Pronunciation: I geuncheo-e juyuso innayo?
Meaning: Is there a gas station near here? - Expression: 저기 주유소 맞죠?
Pronunciation: Jeogi juyuso matjyo?
Meaning: That’s a gas station over there, right? - Expression: 영업 시간 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: Yeongeop sigan eotteoke doenayo?
Meaning: What are the operating hours? - Expression: 24시간 주유소인가요?
Pronunciation: Isipsa sigan juyuso-ingayo?
Meaning: Is it a 24-hour gas station? - Expression: 여기 세차도 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: Yeogi secha-do hal su innayo?
Meaning: Can I also get a car wash here? - Expression: 화장실 좀 써도 될까요?
Pronunciation: Hwajangsil jom sseodo doelkkayo?
Meaning: May I use the restroom? - Expression: 차 좀 세울게요.
Pronunciation: Cha jom se-ulgeyo.
Meaning: I’ll park the car here for a moment. - Expression: 어느 쪽으로 들어가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: Eoneu jjogeuro deureogaya hanayo?
Meaning: Which way should I enter? - Expression: 출구가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: Chulgu-ga eodiyeyo?
Meaning: Where is the exit? - Expression: 잠깐만요.
Pronunciation: Jamkkanmanyo.
Meaning: Just a moment, please. - Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: Ne, algesseumnida.
Meaning: Yes, I understand.
Specifying Fuel Type and Amount
Clearly state the type and amount of fuel you need.
- Expression: 휘발유 넣어 주세요.
Pronunciation: Hwibalyu neoeo juseyo.
Meaning: Please put in gasoline (petrol). - Expression: 경유 넣어 주세요.
Pronunciation: Gyeong-yu neoeo juseyo.
Meaning: Please put in diesel. - Expression: 고급 휘발유 있어요?
Pronunciation: Gogeup hwibalyu isseoyo?
Meaning: Do you have premium gasoline? - Expression: 가득 채워 주세요.
Pronunciation: Gadeuk chae-wo juseyo.
Meaning: Please fill it up. - Expression: 5만원어치 넣어 주세요.
Pronunciation: O manwon-eochi neoeo juseyo.
Meaning: Please put in 50,000 won worth. - Expression: 30리터 넣어 주세요.
Pronunciation: Samsip riteo neoeo juseyo.
Meaning: Please put in 30 liters. - Expression: 보통 휘발유로 주세요.
Pronunciation: Botong hwibalyu-ro juseyo.
Meaning: Please give me regular gasoline. - Expression: 주유구는 왼쪽에 있어요.
Pronunciation: Juyugu-neun oenjjoge isseoyo.
Meaning: The gas cap is on the left side. - Expression: 주유구 열어 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: Juyugu yeoreo deurilgeyo.
Meaning: I’ll open the gas cap for you. - Expression: 시동 꺼 주세요.
Pronunciation: Sidong kkeo juseyo.
Meaning: Please turn off the engine. - Expression: 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: Eolmana geollilkkayo?
Meaning: How long will it take? - Expression: 다 됐나요?
Pronunciation: Da dwaennayo?
Meaning: Is it all done?
Payment and Additional Services
These phrases cover payment methods and common extra services.
- Expression: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: Eolmayeyo?
Meaning: How much is it? - Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: Kadeu-ro gyesanhalgeyo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. - Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: Hyeongeum-euro gyesanhalgeyo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. - Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: Yeongsujeung juseyo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. - Expression: 포인트 카드 있으세요?
Pronunciation: Pointeu kadeu isseuseyo?
Meaning: Do you have a loyalty/point card? (Attendant might ask this) - Expression: 포인트 적립해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Pointeu jeongnip-hae juseyo.
Meaning: Please add points (to my loyalty card). - Expression: 세차도 같이 할게요.
Pronunciation: Secha-do gachi halgeyo.
Meaning: I’ll get a car wash too. - Expression: 자동 세차 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: Jadong secha eolmayeyo?
Meaning: How much is the automatic car wash? - Expression: 타이어 공기압 체크해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Taieo gonggiap chekeu-hae juseyo.
Meaning: Please check the tire pressure. - Expression: 워셔액 좀 채워 주세요.
Pronunciation: Wosyeoaek jom chae-wo juseyo.
Meaning: Please fill up the washer fluid. - Expression: 쓰레기 좀 버려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: Sseuregi jom beoryeodo doelkkayo?
Meaning: May I throw away some trash? - Expression: 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: Gamsahamnida. Annyeonghi gyeseyo.
Meaning: Thank you. Goodbye. (Said to someone staying)
Using Self-Service Stations
Self-service (셀프 – selpeu) stations are common. You’ll interact with a machine.
- Expression: 셀프 주유소예요?
Pronunciation: Selpeu juyuso-yeyo?
Meaning: Is this a self-service gas station? - Expression: 어떻게 사용하나요?
Pronunciation: Eotteoke sayonghanayo?
Meaning: How do I use this? - Expression: 시작 버튼을 누르세요.
Pronunciation: Sijak beoteun-eul nureuseyo.
Meaning: Press the start button. (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 유종을 선택하세요. (휘발유/경유)
Pronunciation: Yujong-eul seontaekhaseyo. (Hwibalyu/Gyeong-yu)
Meaning: Select the fuel type. (Gasoline/Diesel) (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 결제 방법을 선택하세요. (신용카드/현금)
Pronunciation: Gyeolje bangbeob-eul seontaekhaseyo. (Sin-yongkadeu/Hyeongeum)
Meaning: Select the payment method. (Credit Card/Cash) (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 금액/리터를 입력하세요.
Pronunciation: Geumaek/Riteo-reul imnyeokaseyo.
Meaning: Enter the amount (in won)/liters. (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 정전기 방지 패드에 손을 대세요.
Pronunciation: Jeongjeon-gi bangji paedeu-e son-eul daeseyo.
Meaning: Touch the anti-static pad. (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 주유구를 여세요.
Pronunciation: Juyugu-reul yeoseyo.
Meaning: Open the gas cap. (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 노즐을 주유구에 넣으세요.
Pronunciation: Nojeul-eul juyugu-e neoeuseyo.
Meaning: Insert the nozzle into the fuel tank opening. (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 주유가 완료되면 노즐을 제자리에 놓으세요.
Pronunciation: Juyuga wallyodoemyeon nojeul-eul jejari-e noeuseyo.
Meaning: When fueling is complete, return the nozzle to its place. (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 영수증을 받으시겠습니까?
Pronunciation: Yeongsujeung-eul badeusigessemnikka?
Meaning: Would you like a receipt? (Instruction on screen) - Expression: 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: Doumi piryohaeyo.
Meaning: I need help. (If an attendant is nearby)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can make your gas station experience smoother.
- Full-Service vs. Self-Service: Both types are common. Full-service (일반 주유소 – ilban juyuso) stations have attendants who pump the gas, clean windshields (sometimes), and handle payment. Self-service (셀프 주유소 – selpeu juyuso) stations are usually slightly cheaper, and you operate the pump yourself following screen instructions (often available in English too).
- Fuel Types: 휘발유 (hwibalyu) is gasoline/petrol, and 경유 (gyeong-yu) is diesel. Ensure you know which one your car needs. Premium gasoline is 고급 휘발유 (gogeup hwibalyu). LPG (액화석유가스 – aekhwa seogyu gaseu) is also available for specific vehicles.
- Payment: Credit cards are widely accepted. At self-service stations, you usually pay at the pump before fueling. At full-service stations, the attendant will often bring a portable card reader to your window, or you might pay inside a small office.
- Tipping: Tipping gas station attendants is not customary in Korea.
- Loyalty Programs: Many gas station chains (like SK, GS Caltex, S-Oil, Hyundai Oilbank) have point cards (포인트 카드 – pointeu kadeu) or apps offering discounts or rewards. Attendants might ask if you have one.
Real Conversation Example
Here’s a typical interaction at a full-service gas station.
- Situation: A driver (A) pulls into a full-service gas station. An attendant (B) approaches the car.
-
Roles:
- A: Driver
- B: Gas Station Attendant
-
Expression: B: 어서 오세요! 어떤 기름 넣어 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: Eoseo oseyo! Eotteon gireum neoeo deurilkkayo?
Meaning: Welcome! What kind of fuel can I get for you? - Expression: A: 휘발유, 가득 채워 주세요.
Pronunciation: Hwibalyu, gadeuk chae-wo juseyo.
Meaning: Gasoline, please fill it up. - Expression: B: 네, 휘발유 가득이요. 시동 꺼 주시겠어요? 포인트 카드 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: Ne, hwibalyu gadeugiyo. Sidong kkeo jusigesseoyo? Pointeu kadeu isseusin-gayo?
Meaning: Okay, gasoline, fill it up. Could you please turn off the engine? Do you have a point card? - Expression: A: 네, 시동 끌게요. 포인트 카드는 없어요.
Pronunciation: Ne, sidong kkeulgeyo. Pointeu kadeu-neun eopseoyo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll turn off the engine. I don’t have a point card. - Expression: B: (Finishes fueling) 다 됐습니다. 총 65,000원입니다. 결제는 어떻게 하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: Da dwaetseumnida. Chong yungman ocheon wonimnida. Gyeolje-neun eotteoke hasigesseoyo?
Meaning: All done. The total is 65,000 won. How would you like to pay? - Expression: A: 카드로 할게요. 여기요.
Pronunciation: Kadeu-ro halgeyo. Yeogiyo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. Here you go. - Expression: B: (Processes payment) 네, 결제됐습니다. 영수증 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: Ne, gyeolje dwaetseumnida. Yeongsujeung deurilkkayo?
Meaning: Okay, the payment is complete. Would you like a receipt? - Expression: A: 네, 주세요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: Ne, juseyo. Gamsahamnida.
Meaning: Yes, please. Thank you. - Expression: B: 감사합니다. 안녕히 가세요!
Pronunciation: Gamsahamnida. Annyeonghi gaseyo!
Meaning: Thank you. Goodbye! (Safe travels!)
Practice Tips
Getting comfortable with these phrases takes practice!
Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Even saying the phrases out loud by yourself helps build confidence. If you use a self-service station, pay attention to the Korean prompts on the screen – they often match the phrases listed here! Don’t be afraid to use simple phrases like “휘발유, 가득” (Hwibalyu, gadeuk – Gasoline, full) if you’re feeling unsure. Good luck, and drive safely! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)
