How many words are in this list?

This page gives 100 Korean words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.

Which words should I start with?

With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.

How can I remember this Korean vocabulary?

By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.

Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?

Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.

Korean vocabulary: greetings and polite phrases

Hello, thank you, please, sorry, see you soon: the polite Korean phrases for greeting, thanking and starting a conversation.

Here are 100 Korean words on “Politeness and small talk”, translated into English and sorted from easiest to hardest.

Level 1: easy 39 words

Korean	English
먼저 가세요	after you
건배	cheers
행운을 빌어요	good luck
안녕히 주무세요	good nightWhen parting to go to sleep
안녕히 가세요	goodbye
생일 축하해요	happy birthday
새해 복 많이 받으세요	happy New Year
좋은 저녁 보내세요	have a good eveningWhen leaving someone early in the evening
안녕하세요	helloGreeting on arrival, during the day
안녕	hiInformal greeting
뭐라고 해요	how do you say
모르겠어요	I do not know
이해하지 못하겠어요	I do not understand
괜찮아요	it does not matter
힘내세요	keep it up
편하게 계세요	make yourself at home
도와드릴까요	may I help you
아니요	no
문제없어요	no problem
별말씀을요	not at all
물론이죠	of course
알겠어요	okay
잠시만요	one moment
이따 봐요	see you shortly
곧 봐요	see you soon
다행이네요	so much the better
미안해요	sorryApology
고마워요	thank you
아쉽네요	that is a pity
알고 지내다	to get acquainted
소개하다	to introduce
자기소개하다	to introduce oneself
다음에 봐요	until next time
조심하세요	watch out
무슨 뜻이에요	what does it mean
별일 없어요	what is new
기꺼이요	with pleasureEnthusiastic acceptance
네	yes
천만에요	you are welcomeEveryday use

Level 2: medium 35 words

Korean	English
사과	apology
축복을 빕니다	best wishes
대화	conversation
-해 주시겠어요	could you
토의	discussion
영어 하세요	do you speak English
맛있게 드세요	enjoy your meal
실례합니다	excuse me
작별 인사	farewell
따라오세요	follow me
쾌유를 빕니다	get well soon
안녕하세요	good eveningGreeting on arrival, from late afternoon onwards
악수	handshake
좋은 주말 보내세요	have a good weekend
도와주세요	help me
-하고 싶어요	I would like
소개	introduction
초대	invitation
메리 크리스마스	merry Christmas
더 천천히	more slowly
할 수 없죠	never mind
부탁합니다	please
만나 뵙게 되어 기쁩니다	pleased to meet you
책망	reproach
대단히 감사합니다	thanks a million
친절하시네요	that is kind
사과하다	to apologise
말을 걸다	to approach someone
인사하다	to greet
초대하다	to invite
빌어 주다	to wish
환대	welcomeNoun, the act of receiving someone
참 안타깝네요	what a shame
이름이 어떻게 되세요	what is your name
천만의 말씀입니다	you are welcomeFormal register

Level 3: hard 26 words

Korean	English
실례지만	allow me
어색한 침묵	awkward silence
들어오세요	come in
위로	comfort
칭찬	compliment
격려	encouragement
존댓말	formal address
인사	greeting
여보세요	helloOn the phone, when picking up
기다려 주세요	hold on
버릇없다	ill mannered
오해	misunderstanding
삼가 조의를 표합니다	my condolences
만나서 반갑습니다	nice to meet you
잠시 기다려 주십시오	please hold on
인사말	polite formula
공손히	politely
예의	politeness
다시 말씀해 주세요	repeat
무례	rudeness
앉으세요	sit down
축하하다	to congratulate
방해하다	to disturb
말을 끊다	to interrupt
볼에 입맞추다	to kiss on the cheek
반말하다	to use informal address

Mini quiz

5 words from this page, picked at random. Find their translation.

Frequently asked questions

How many words are in this list?: This page gives 100 Korean words on “Politeness and small talk”. The full topic holds 129 in the KoKo app: 51 at the easy level, 45 at the medium level and 33 at the hard level.
Which words should I start with?: With level 1: these are the easiest words of the topic. Move on to level 2 once they come to you without thinking, then to level 3.
How can I remember this Korean vocabulary?: By seeing each word again at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it: that is spaced repetition. The KoKo app does it for you and tells you each day which words to review.
Can I print this list or save it as a PDF?: Yes. The “Print the list” button at the top of the page opens your device’s print dialog: choose to save as PDF to keep the 100 words and their translation, with nothing else around them.