Hello! This is Daily Hangul, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever been watching a K-drama, seen the characters eating delicious-looking fried chicken, and thought, “I want that right now!”? You’re in luck! In Korea, you can get almost anything delivered right to your door. But there’s one small step you need to master first: entering your address in Korean.
In Korea these days, food delivery is a huge part of daily life, from late-night chimaek (chicken and beer) to a cozy meal at home. Today, we’ll learn the essential vocabulary to type in your address like a pro so you can join in on this amazing part of Korean culture!
Key Expressions for Your Address
Here are the must-know words you’ll see on every delivery app.
1. 주소 (Juso)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Juso
- English Meaning: Address
- Detailed Explanation: This is the general word for “address.” When you see 주소 입력 (Juso imnyeok), it means “Enter Address.” It’s the first word you’ll look for when ordering!
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘ㅈ’ (j) sound in Korean is often softer than the English ‘j’. Think of it as somewhere between a ‘j’ and a ‘ch’ sound. Try saying it without a hard “d” sound at the beginning, like in the English word “jump.”
2. 도로명주소 (Doromyeong-juso)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Doromyeong-juso
- English Meaning: Street Name Address (The “new” address system)
- Detailed Explanation: Korea officially switched to a new address system based on street names. This is the system most delivery apps use. It usually consists of a street name ending in -로 (-ro) for major roads or -길 (-gil) for smaller streets, followed by a building number.
- Example: 세종대로 209 (Sejong-daero 209)
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: Notice the ‘ㅇ’ (ng) consonant at the end of ‘명’ (myeong). It acts as a placeholder when it’s at the beginning of a syllable (like in 주소 – juso), but at the end (the batchim position), it makes the “ng” sound, like in the English word “singing.”
3. 상세주소 (Sangse-juso)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Sangse-juso
- English Meaning: Detailed Address
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Detailed Explanation: This is for the information that makes your home unique within a building. It includes your apartment number (호, ho) and your building number (동, dong) or floor number (층, cheung). This is super important! Without it, the delivery driver won’t know which door to knock on.
- Example: 101동 502호 (Building 101, Apartment 502)
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The Korean ‘ㅅ’ (s) can sometimes sound like a soft ‘sh’ before certain vowels, but here in 상세 (sangse), it’s a clear ‘s’ sound. Make sure to pronounce both syllables distinctly: sang-se.
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these words are used in a real conversation! Alex is trying to order food with his Korean friend, Minjun.
- Alex: 이 치킨 맛있겠다! 배달시키자! (I chikin masitgetda! Baedal-sikija!)
- This chicken looks delicious! Let’s order delivery!
- Minjun: 좋아! 앱 켰어. 주소가 어디야? (Joa! Aep kyeosseo. Jusoga eodiya?)
- Okay! I opened the app. What’s your address?
- Alex: 여기는 도로명주소를 써야 해. 한글로 123길이야. (Yeogineun doromyeong-jusoreul sseoya hae. Hangeul-ro 123-gil-iya.)
- You have to use the street name address here. It’s Hangeul-ro 123-gil.
- Minjun: 알겠어. 그럼 상세주소는? 아파트 호수 말이야. (Argesseo. Geureom sangse-jusoneun? Apateu hosu mariya.)
- Got it. And the detailed address? I mean, your apartment number.
- Alex: 아, 맞아! 201호야. (A, maja! Ibaeg-il-ho-ya.)
- Oh, right! It’s apartment 201.
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
Why Your “Detailed Address” is Everything!
In Korea, especially in big cities like Seoul, huge apartment complexes are extremely common. A single address might cover dozens of identical-looking buildings! That’s why the 상세주소 (sangse-juso) is the most critical piece of information.
- Pro Tip: Korean delivery drivers are famous for their “빨리빨리 (ppalli-ppalli)” or “hurry, hurry” culture. They are incredibly fast! Providing a clear and accurate
상세주소helps them find you quickly, ensuring your food arrives hot and fresh. Forgetting it can cause delays and confusion. So, always double-check your 동 (dong) and 호 (ho)! -
Modern Trend: Many Koreans save their home and work addresses in delivery apps under nicknames like 우리집 (uri-jip – our house) or 회사 (hoesa – company) for one-tap ordering. Once you’ve successfully entered your address once, you can do this too and feel like a true local!
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned the key vocabulary to conquer the Korean delivery world.
Quick Quiz:
- The general word for “address” is __________.
- Your apartment number (e.g., #502) is part of your:
a) 도로명주소 (Doromyeong-juso)
b) 상세주소 (Sangse-juso)
(Answers: 1. 주소 (juso), 2. b)
Now you’re ready! What’s the first thing you want to order for delivery in Korea? Leave a comment below telling us what food you’d order using the new words you learned today!
