Experiencing a Korean Noraebang (노래방) is a quintessential part of socializing in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for enjoying a night of singing with friends or colleagues. Learn how to find a room, select songs, sing your heart out, and navigate common situations you’ll encounter at a Noraebang.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for the activity itself.
- Expression: 노래방에서 노래 부르다
Pronunciation: no-rae-bang-e-seo no-rae bu-reu-da
Meaning: To sing at a Noraebang (karaoke room)
Getting Started at the Noraebang
These phrases cover arriving, getting a room, and understanding the basics.
- Expression: 노래방 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: no-rae-bang eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is a Noraebang? - Expression: 빈 방 있어요?
Pronunciation: bin bang i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have an empty room? - Expression: 몇 명이에요?
Pronunciation: myeot myeong-i-e-yo?
Meaning: How many people? - Expression: 저희 [숫자]명이에요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hi [number]-myeong-i-e-yo.
Meaning: There are [number] of us. (e.g., 저희 세 명이에요 – jeo-hi se myeong-i-e-yo – There are three of us.) - Expression: 한 시간에 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: han si-gan-e eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it per hour? - Expression: 서비스 시간 좀 더 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: seo-bi-seu si-gan jom deo ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give us some extra service time (free time)? - Expression: 마이크 하나 더 주세요.
Pronunciation: ma-i-keu ha-na deo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give us one more microphone. - Expression: 리모컨 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: ri-mo-kon yeo-gi i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Here is the remote control. - Expression: 어떻게 사용해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I use this? - Expression: 물 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: mul jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give us some water. - Expression: 음료수 주문할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eum-nyo-su ju-mun-hal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can we order drinks? - Expression: 방 번호가 몇 번이에요?
Pronunciation: bang beon-ho-ga myeot beon-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What is the room number?
Selecting and Singing Songs
Use these phrases to find, reserve, and start your favorite tunes.
- Expression: 노래방 책 주세요.
Pronunciation: no-rae-bang chaek ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give us the songbook. - Expression: 노래 검색 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: no-rae geom-saek eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I search for a song? - Expression: 가수 이름으로 검색할게요.
Pronunciation: ga-su i-reum-eu-ro geom-saek-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll search by the singer’s name. - Expression: 제목으로 검색할게요.
Pronunciation: je-mok-eu-ro geom-saek-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll search by the title. - Expression: 인기 차트 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: in-gi cha-teu eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the popular chart? - Expression: 이 노래 예약할게요.
Pronunciation: i no-rae ye-yak-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll reserve this song. - Expression: 예약 취소 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak chwi-so eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I cancel a reservation? - Expression: 다음 곡은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: da-eum gok-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the next song? - Expression: 내 노래 시작해주세요.
Pronunciation: nae no-rae si-jak-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please start my song. (Often automatic, but can be used if needed) - Expression: 음정 좀 높여주세요 / 낮춰주세요.
Pronunciation: eum-jeong jom nop-yeo-ju-se-yo / nat-chwo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please raise / lower the key. - Expression: 템포 좀 빠르게 / 느리게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: tem-po jom ppa-reu-ge / neu-ri-ge hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make the tempo faster / slower. - Expression: 간주 점프 해주세요.
Pronunciation: gan-ju jeom-peu hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please skip the instrumental part (interlude jump).
During the Singing Session
Phrases for encouragement, reactions, and interacting while others sing.
- Expression: 노래 잘 부르시네요!
Pronunciation: no-rae jal bu-reu-si-ne-yo!
Meaning: You sing well! - Expression: 목소리 정말 좋아요!
Pronunciation: mok-so-ri jeong-mal jo-a-yo!
Meaning: Your voice is really nice! - Expression: 이 노래 알아요!
Pronunciation: i no-rae a-ra-yo!
Meaning: I know this song! - Expression: 같이 불러요!
Pronunciation: ga-chi bul-leo-yo!
Meaning: Let’s sing together! - Expression: 탬버린 좀 쳐주세요!
Pronunciation: taem-beo-rin jom chyeo-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Please play the tambourine! - Expression: 분위기 좋다!
Pronunciation: bun-wi-gi jo-ta!
Meaning: The atmosphere is great! / Good vibes! - Expression: 신난다!
Pronunciation: sin-nan-da!
Meaning: This is exciting! / This is fun! - Expression: 다음은 제 차례예요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-eun je cha-rye-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s my turn next. - Expression: 무슨 노래 부를 거예요?
Pronunciation: mu-seun no-rae bu-reul geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What song are you going to sing? - Expression: 이 노래 정말 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: i no-rae jeong-mal jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I really like this song. - Expression: 점수 잘 나왔네요!
Pronunciation: jeom-su jal na-wan-ne-yo!
Meaning: You got a good score! - Expression: 앵콜! 앵콜!
Pronunciation: aeng-kol! aeng-kol!
Meaning: Encore! Encore!
Finishing Up and Paying
Essential phrases for when your time is up or you’re ready to leave.
- Expression: 시간 다 됐어요?
Pronunciation: si-gan da dwae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is our time up? - Expression: 시간 추가할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: si-gan chu-ga-hal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can we add more time? - Expression: 30분 추가해주세요.
Pronunciation: sam-sip-bun chu-ga-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add 30 minutes. - Expression: 계산해주세요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give us the bill. / Check, please. - Expression: 총 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total? - 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: 저희 이제 갈게요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hi i-je gal-ge-yo.
Meaning: We’re leaving now. - Expression: 잘 놀다 갑니다.
Pronunciation: jal nol-da gam-ni-da.
Meaning: We had a good time. (Said when leaving) - Expression: 놓고 가는 물건 없어요?
Pronunciation: no-ko ga-neun mul-geon eop-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did we leave anything behind? - Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Goodbye (to someone staying).
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points enhances your Noraebang experience.
- Noraebang is a Social Staple: It’s not just about singing; it’s a primary way Koreans socialize, de-stress, and bond with friends, family, and colleagues (회식 – hwesik – company dinner often includes Noraebang).
- “Service Time” (서비스 시간): It’s common for Noraebangs to add free extra time (‘service’) to your paid time, especially if you buy drinks/snacks or if it’s not peak hours. Don’t be afraid to politely ask!
- Song Selection Etiquette: Generally, people take turns selecting songs. Avoid hogging the remote or reserving too many songs consecutively unless encouraged by the group. It’s polite to ask others what they want to sing.
- Enthusiasm Over Skill: Don’t worry if you’re not a great singer! Enthusiasm, participation (clapping, tambourine, singing along) are more valued than perfect pitch. It’s about having fun together.
- Variety of Noraebangs: There are basic rooms, luxurious themed rooms, coin Noraebangs (코인 노래방 – ko-in no-rae-bang, pay per song, popular with students), and even rooms designed for solo singers. Prices and atmospheres vary.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun and Sarah, are at a Noraebang. Sarah is choosing a song.
Roles:
* A: Minjun (민준)
* B: Sarah (사라)
- Expression: A: 사라 씨, 무슨 노래 부를 거예요?
Pronunciation: sa-ra ssi, mu-seun no-rae bu-reul geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Sarah, what song are you going to sing? - Expression: B: 음… 뭘 부를까… 아! 이 노래 알아요? 제가 정말 좋아하는 노래예요.
Pronunciation: eum… mwol bu-reul-kka… a! i no-rae a-ra-yo? je-ga jeong-mal jo-a-ha-neun no-rae-ye-yo.
Meaning: Hmm… what should I sing… Ah! Do you know this song? It’s a song I really like. - Expression: A: 아, 네! 알아요. 좋아요! 예약하세요!
Pronunciation: a, ne! a-ra-yo. jo-a-yo! ye-yak-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Ah, yes! I know it. It’s good! Reserve it! - Expression: B: 네, 예약했어요. 다음 제 차례네요. 탬버린 좀 쳐줄래요?
Pronunciation: ne, ye-yak-hae-sseo-yo. da-eum je cha-rye-ne-yo. taem-beo-rin jom chyeo-jul-lae-yo?
Meaning: Yes, I reserved it. It’s my turn next. Can you play the tambourine for me? - Expression: A: 그럼요! 신나게 불러봐요! 제가 옆에서 도와줄게요!
Pronunciation: geu-reom-nyo! sin-na-ge bul-leo-bwa-yo! je-ga yeop-e-seo do-wa-jul-ge-yo!
Meaning: Of course! Sing it excitedly! I’ll help you out from the side! - Expression: B: (노래 부른 후) 휴, 잘 불렀나 모르겠네.
Pronunciation: (no-rae bu-reun hu) hyu, jal bul-leon-na mo-reu-gen-ne.
Meaning: (After singing) Phew, I don’t know if I sang well. - Expression: A: 와~ 점수 대박! 95점! 진짜 잘 불렀어요! 목소리 너무 좋아요!
Pronunciation: wa~ jeom-su dae-bak! gu-sip-o-jeom! jin-jja jal bul-leo-sseo-yo! mok-so-ri neo-mu jo-a-yo!
Meaning: Wow~ Great score! 95 points! You sang really well! Your voice is so nice! - Expression: B: 고마워요, 민준 씨! 이제 민준 씨 차례예요. 무슨 노래 부를 거예요?
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo-yo, min-jun ssi! i-je min-jun ssi cha-rye-ye-yo. mu-seun no-rae bu-reul geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Thanks, Minjun! Now it’s your turn. What song are you going to sing?
Practice Tips
Now you have the essential phrases for a Noraebang adventure~! Try listening to popular Korean songs to get familiar with melodies and lyrics. Don’t be shy when you go – remember, enthusiasm is key! Practice saying the phrases aloud, maybe even sing along to K-Pop videos at home first. The best way to learn is to go out and experience it, so gather some friends and hit the Noraebang! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – Fighting/Good luck)!
