Korea Trip Ready? Airport Luggage Phrases You Need!
Hello! This is [Daily Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Are you planning a trip to Korea? How exciting! The first step after arriving at the airport is checking in your luggage. It can feel a little intimidating, but don’t worry! Today, we’ll learn some super useful Korean phrases to make your airport check-in experience smooth and easy.
Lately in Korea, travel is booming again! Airports are buzzing with energy, especially with so many K-drama and K-pop fans visiting. You might be carrying extra K-pop albums or souvenirs, so knowing how to talk about your luggage is more important than ever. Let’s get you ready for takeoff!
Core Expressions for Airport Check-in
Here are three essential expressions you’ll need at the check-in counter.
1. 짐 (Jim)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Jim
- English Meaning: Luggage, baggage, stuff
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most common and simple word for all your bags and suitcases. It’s a must-know noun! You can use it for both your checked baggage and your carry-on. It’s a neutral word, so you can use it in any situation.
2. 이 짐을 부치고 싶어요. (I jim-eul buchigo sip-eoyo.)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Ee jim-eul boo-chi-go ship-eo-yo.
- English Meaning: I’d like to check this luggage.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the magic sentence! Let’s break it down:
- 이 (i): This
- 짐 (jim): Luggage
- 을 (eul): A particle that marks the object of the sentence.
- 부치고 싶어요 (buchigo sip-eoyo): This comes from the verb 부치다 (buchida), which means “to send” or “to check (mail/luggage),” combined with the grammar pattern -고 싶어요 (-go sip-eoyo), which means “I want to…”. It’s a polite and clear way to express what you want to do.
3. 창가/복도 쪽 자리로 주세요. (Changga/Bokdo jjok jari-ro juseyo.)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Chang-ga / Bok-do jjok ja-ri-ro joo-se-yo.
- English Meaning: A window/aisle seat, please.
- Detailed Explanation: After checking your bag, the airline staff will assign you a seat. You can use this phrase to ask for your preference!
- 창가 (changga): Window side
- 복도 (bokdo): Aisle
- 쪽 (jjok): Side / Direction
- 자리 (jari): Seat
- 로 주세요 (ro juseyo): Please give me… (a polite request)
- Just choose the one you want: “창가 쪽 자리로 주세요” for a window seat, or “복도 쪽 자리로 주세요” for an aisle seat.
Example Conversation
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation at Incheon Airport! (A = Traveler, B = Airline Staff)
B: 안녕하세요. 여권하고 항공권 보여주시겠어요?
(Annyeonghaseyo. Yeogwon-hago hanggong-gwon boyeojusigesseoyo?)
(Hello. May I see your passport and ticket?)
A: 네, 여기 있습니다. 그리고 이 짐을 부치고 싶어요.
(Ne, yeogi itseumnida. Geurigo i jim-eul buchigo sip-eoyo.)
(Yes, here they are. And I’d like to check this luggage.)
B: 네, 가방을 저울 위에 올려주세요. 감사합니다. 좌석은 어디로 드릴까요?
(Ne, gabang-eul jeoul wie ollyeo-juseyo. Gamsahamnida. Jwaseog-eun eodi-ro deurilkkayo?)
(Okay, please place the bag on the scale. Thank you. Where would you like to sit?)
A: 창가 쪽 자리로 주세요. K-드라마처럼 하늘 사진을 찍고 싶어요!
(Changga jjok jari-ro juseyo. K-deurama-cheoreom haneul sajin-eul jjikgo sip-eoyo!)
(A window seat, please. I want to take pictures of the sky like in a K-drama!)
B: 알겠습니다. 창가 쪽 자리로 드렸습니다. 즐거운 여행 되세요!
(Algesseumnida. Changga jjok jari-ro deuryeotsseumnida. Jeulgeoun yeohaeng doeseyo!)
(I understand. I’ve given you a window seat. Have a pleasant trip!)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
- Hallyu Wave at the Airport: With the global popularity of K-pop and K-beauty, Incheon Airport staff are very used to seeing travelers with luggage full of merchandise and cosmetics. So don’t be surprised if they make a friendly comment like, “와, 화장품을 많이 사셨네요!” (Wow, you bought a lot of cosmetics!).
- The Power of
-요 (-yo): You’ll notice that all our polite phrases end in -요 (-yo). This is a simple but powerful way to show respect in Korean. When talking to airport staff, always try to use the-요ending. It shows you’re making an effort to be polite, and they will really appreciate it! - A Pro Tip: Staff might ask if you have any lithium batteries (리튬 배터리 – rityum baeteori) in your checked luggage. These must be in your carry-on bag, so knowing this word can help you avoid any last-minute trouble!
Let’s Practice!
Great job, everyone! Today we learned how to say 짐 (luggage), how to ask to check it in (이 짐을 부치고 싶어요), and how to request your favorite seat. You’re now ready for a smooth check-in!
Now, let’s test your knowledge.
- Fill in the blank: You want to check in your bag. You point to it and say:
“이 ______을/를 부치고 싶어요.” - Make a sentence: How would you politely ask for an aisle seat?
Leave your answers in the comments below! Also, tell us what you would pack in your 짐 for a trip to Korea
