Learn how to talk about directions and positions in Korean β useful for navigating streets, taking public transport, or asking for locations!
From left and right to turns and across the street, this bilingual Korean-English list will help you move around Korea with confidence.
π Direction Words (λ°©ν₯ νν)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| μΌμͺ½ | Left |
| μ€λ₯Έμͺ½ | Right |
| μ | Front / Ahead |
| λ€ | Back / Behind |
| μ | Up / Above |
| μλ | Down / Below |
| μ | Inside |
| λ° | Outside |
| μ | Beside / Next to |
| κ·Όμ² | Nearby / Around |
| λ§μνΈ | Opposite side / Across from |
| 건λνΈ | Across the street |
| κ°μ΄λ° | Middle / Center |
| μ½λ | Corner |
| λ°©ν₯ | Direction |
π‘ Tip:
When giving directions, Koreans often use -μͺ½μΌλ‘ (-jjog-euro) to mean βtoward.β
For example, μΌμͺ½μΌλ‘ κ°μΈμ β βGo to the left.β
π¦ Movement and Turning (μ΄λ & νμ νν)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| μ§μ§νλ€ | To go straight |
| μ’νμ νλ€ | To turn left |
| μ°νμ νλ€ | To turn right |
| μΌμͺ½μΌλ‘ κ°λ€ | To go to the left |
| μ€λ₯Έμͺ½μΌλ‘ κ°λ€ | To go to the right |
| λμκ°λ€ | To go back / return |
| λκ°λ€ | To go out |
| λ€μ΄κ°λ€ | To go in |
| λ©μΆλ€ | To stop |
| 건λκ°λ€ | To cross (the road) |
π‘ Example Sentences:
-
μ΄ κΈΈλ‘ μ μ§μ§νμΈμ. β Go straight on this road.
-
μ¬κ±°λ¦¬μμ μ’νμ νμΈμ. β Turn left at the intersection.
-
νΈμμ 건λνΈμ μμ΄μ. β Itβs across from the convenience store.
ποΈ Location and Place Expressions (μμΉ κ΄λ ¨ νν)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| μ¬κΈ° | Here |
| κ±°κΈ° | There |
| μ κΈ° | Over there |
| μ΄μͺ½ | This way |
| κ·Έμͺ½ | That way |
| μ μͺ½ | That (far) way |
| κ·Όμ²μ | Nearby |
| μμ | In front of |
| λ€μ | Behind |
| μμ | Next to |
| μμ | On / Above |
| μλμ | Under / Below |
| μμ | Inside |
| λ°μ | Outside |
| λ§μνΈμ | Across from |
| 건λνΈμ | Opposite side of |
π‘ Tip:
Koreans often combine location + position particle βμ (at/in/on)β for clarity.
μ:
-
νκ΅ μμ μμ΄μ. β Itβs in front of the school.
-
μν μμ μμ΄μ. β Itβs next to the bank.
πΊοΈ Useful Phrases for Asking Directions (κΈΈ λ¬Όμ΄λ³Ό λ μμ£Ό μ°λ νν)
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| μ΄λμμ? | Where is it? |
| μ΄λ»κ² κ°μ? | How do I get there? |
| κ°κΉμμ? | Is it close? |
| λ©μ΄μ? | Is it far? |
| μ΄ κ·Όμ²μ μμ΄μ? | Is it near here? |
| μ§νμ² μμ΄ μ΄λμμ? | Where is the subway station? |
| μ€λ₯Έμͺ½μΌλ‘ κ°μΈμ. | Please go to the right. |
| μΌμͺ½μΌλ‘ κ°μΈμ. | Please go to the left. |
| μ κ°μΈμ. | Go straight ahead. |
| μ¬κΈ°μ λ΄λ¦¬μΈμ. | Get off here. |
π‘ Example Conversation:
A: μ§νμ² μμ΄ μ΄λμμ? β Where is the subway station?
B: μ κ°λ€κ° μΌμͺ½μΌλ‘ κ°μΈμ. β Go straight, then turn left.
πΏ Summary
Whether youβre traveling, commuting, or just exploring, these Korean direction and position words will help you find your way around confidently.
Mastering these expressions will make it easier to understand street signs, maps, and instructions in Korean!
