Ever stepped out of a subway station and wondered which exit leads to the café? In Korea, a few simple phrases can save you time and stress. Today you’ll learn how to ask for directions in Korean—politely, clearly, and confidently. We’ll practice real phrases you’ll use on the street, in stations, and around town.

Polite openers you can trust

Koreans value politeness, especially when speaking to strangers. Start your question with one of these:

• 실례지만… (Excuse me, but…)
• 죄송하지만… (I’m sorry, but…)

After this, add your question.

화장실이 있어요?

Key question patterns

Here are the most common ways to ask for directions:

• …이/가 어디에 있어요? = Where is …?
  • 병원이 어디에 있어요? (Where is the hospital?)
• …에 어떻게 가요? = How do I get to …?
  • 시청에 어떻게 가요? (How do I get to City Hall?)
• 이 근처에 … 있어요? = Is there … near here?
  • 이 근처에 은행 있어요? (Is there a bank near here?)

Answer patterns you’ll hear:

• 오른쪽(으로) 가세요. = Go to the right.
• 왼쪽(으로) 도세요. = Turn left.
• 쭉 직진하세요. = Go straight.
• 앞/뒤/건너편에 있어요. = It’s in front/behind/across.

Direction vocabulary you’ll use today

Learn these handy words. Try to picture a map as you read them.

Quick practice: word order

Put the words in the correct order to make a natural direction.

Mini-dialog: asking for a bus stop

Read the lines and put them in the right order to form a natural conversation.

How locals give directions

In Korean, the polite command ending -(으)세요 is used to tell someone what to do in a friendly way:

• 가다 (to go) → 가세요 (Please go.)
• 돌다 (to turn) → 도세요 (Please turn.)
• 직진하다 (to go straight) → 직진하세요 (Please go straight.)

You’ll often hear short, clear sentences: “이쪽으로 가세요.” (Go this way.) “왼쪽으로 도세요.” (Turn left.) “쭉 직진하세요.” (Go straight.)

Exit numbers matter!

Subway stations in Korea have numbered exits (출구). Locals often say “몇 번 출구로 가세요.” (Go to exit number X.)

• 몇 번 출구예요? = Which exit number is it?
• 3번 출구로 나가세요. = Exit through number 3.

번 출구로 나가세요.

Quick check quiz

Test your understanding.

Common mistakes to avoid

시청은 어디에 가요? → 시청이 어디에 있어요? Use 있어요 to ask where something is located. “어디에 가요?” means “Where do (you) go?” not “Where is …?”

Example: 횡단보도 앞에서 왼쪽으로 도세요. (At the crosswalk, turn left.) You’ll hear this near busy roads.

Put it all together

Here’s a full, simple exchange you can model:

• A: 실례지만, 시청에 어떻게 가요?
• B: 이 길로 쭉 직진하세요. 그리고 왼쪽으로 도세요.
• A: 몇 번 출구예요?
• B: 3번 출구로 나가세요.
• A: 감사합니다!
• B: 천만에요.

Keep your sentences short. Use 에 for places, -(으)세요 for polite directions, and direction words (오른쪽/왼쪽/직진).

Cultural notes

• Politeness: Start with 실례지만 or 죄송하지만, and end with 감사합니다.
• Gestures: People often point the way. Listen for short instructions like “쭉” (straight) and “이쪽/저쪽” (this/that way).
• Maps: Exit numbers (출구) are crucial in big stations. Asking “몇 번 출구예요?” is very common.
• Apps: Naver Map or KakaoMap are popular. Still, locals are happy to help if you ask politely.

You’ve got this! Next time you’re out and about, try one new phrase from this lesson. A small “실례지만…” goes a long way.