Don’t Miss Your Stop in Korea! (내릴 곳 묻기)
Hello! This is [Daily Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Ever been on a bus or subway in a new city, anxiously staring at a map, worried you’ll miss your stop? We’ve all been there! Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean phrases to ask for directions and make sure you get off at the right place.
Especially now, as Seoul’s public transport is buzzing with people heading to pop-up stores and fan events, knowing how to ask “Where should I get off?” is a real superpower. Let’s learn how to navigate Korea like a local!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are three key phrases that will make your travels in Korea smooth and stress-free.
1. 어디에서 내려야 해요? (Where should I get off?)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Eodieseo naeryeoya haeyo?
- English Meaning: Where should I get off? / Where do I need to get off?
- Detailed Explanation: This is the golden phrase! It’s polite, clear, and universally understood. You can ask the bus driver or a friendly-looking passenger this question. It’s formed from 어디 (eodi) = where, -에서 (eseo) = at/from, 내리다 (naerida) = to get off, and the grammar -어야 해요 (eoya haeyo) = should / have to.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The syllable ‘에 (e)’ sounds like the ‘e’ in “net”.
- The syllable ‘서 (seo)’ is tricky! It’s not ‘so’. Try to say “uh” with your lips slightly rounded, like you’re surprised. That’s the sound! So it’s [eodi-eseo].
2. 다음 정류장 (The next stop)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Daeum jeongnyujang
- English Meaning: The next (bus) stop.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a phrase you’ll hear a lot in response to your question. 다음 (daeum) means “next,” and 정류장 (jeongnyujang) means “bus stop.” If you’re on the subway, you’ll hear 다음 역 (daeum yeok), which means “next station.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- The final consonant in ‘장 (jang)’ is ‘ㅇ’, which is an ‘ng’ sound, like in the English word “sing“. Make sure you don’t pronounce it with a hard ‘g’ sound at the end. It’s a soft [jang].
3. 알려주세요 (Please let me know)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Allyeojuseyo
- English Meaning: Please let me know / Please tell me.
- Detailed Explanation: This is an incredibly useful and polite phrase. You can combine it with your destination to make a specific request. For example, “Myeongdong Station에서 알려주세요 (Myeongdong-yeogeseo allyeojuseyo)” means “At Myeongdong Station, please let me know.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
- When the consonant ‘ㄹ (l)’ is followed by another ‘ㄹ (l)’, like in 알려 (allyeo), they blend together to make a clear, smooth ‘L’ sound, similar to the ‘ll’ in “million”. So, you pronounce it as [al-lyeo], not ‘al-re-yo’. It flows much more naturally!
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation on a bus in Seoul!
(A: A helpful local passenger, B: A tourist)
A: 어디 가세요?
* [Eodi gaseyo?]
* Where are you going?
B: 저는 강남역에 가요. 어디에서 내려야 해요?
* [Jeoneun Gangnam-yeoge gayo. Eodieseo naeryeoya haeyo?]
* I’m going to Gangnam Station. Where should I get off?
A: 아, 다음 정류장에서 내리면 돼요. 제가 알려줄게요.
* [A, daeum jeongnyujang-eseo naerimyeon dwaeyo. Jega allyeojulgeyo.]
* Ah, you can get off at the next stop. I’ll let you know.
B: 정말 감사합니다!
* [Jeongmal gamsahamnida!]
* Thank you so much!
Culture Tip & Trend Analysis
Navigating a new place can be intimidating, but in Korea, you’re in luck! The public transportation system is top-notch, and people are generally very willing to help a lost foreigner.
Pro-Tip: Nowadays, many young Koreans are glued to their phones on the subway, watching the latest viral web-drama or fancams of their favorite idols like SEVENTEEN or NewJeans. Don’t be shy! A polite “저기요…” (Jeogiyo… / Excuse me…) is usually enough to get their attention. Showing them your destination on a map app like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps along with your question, “어디에서 내려야 해요?” is a perfect combination. They’ll appreciate your effort to speak Korean and will likely go out of their way to help you. You might even make a new friend!
Wrap-up & Practice Time!
Great job! You’ve now learned the essential phrases to ask for your stop and travel confidently around Korea. You can now ask where to get off, understand the answer “next stop,” and politely ask someone to let you know.
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
1. Fill in the blank: You are trying to go to Hongdae (홍대). How do you ask “Where should I get off for Hongdae?”
홍대에서 ______ ______?
2. Make a sentence: You want to ask someone to please let you know when you arrive at “Gyeongbokgung Palace” (경복궁).
(Combine: 경복궁에서 / 알려주세요)
Leave your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see you practice. Happy travels
