Asking for Directions in Korean: Essential Phrases for Getting Around

In this lesson

What you will take away

• 01 Politely stop someone and name your destination
• 02 Understand straight, left, and right directions
• 03 Find crosswalks and nearby landmarks
• 04 Ask walking time and request clarification

Key phrase

가장 가까운 지하철역이 어디예요?

▶ Listen

“가장 가까운 ~이/가 어디예요?” asks where the closest place is. When a spoken route is hard to follow, you can ask to see it on a map.

01

Start with a polite question

Begin with “실례합니다” (excuse me) when approaching someone you do not know. Wait for them to acknowledge you before continuing.

“길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?” politely asks if you may ask for directions. A brief introduction makes the conversation more comfortable for both of you.

Pattern

실례합니다 / ~ 여쭤봐도 될까요?

실례합니다.

Excuse me.

길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?

May I ask you for directions?

잠깐만요.

Just a moment / Excuse me for a second.

Traveler

실례합니다. 길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?

Passerby

네, 말씀하세요.

Traveler

감사합니다.

02

Ask where your destination is

When you know what you need, be specific: “가장 가까운 지하철역이 어디예요?” asks where the nearest subway station is.

Use “시청역에 어떻게 가요?” to ask how to get to City Hall Station. A clear station or place name helps someone give useful directions.

Pattern

~ 어디예요? / ~ 어떻게 가요?

가장 가까운 지하철역이 어디예요?

Where is the nearest subway station?

시청역에 어떻게 가요?

How do I get to City Hall Station?

여기에서 멀어요?

Is it far from here?

Traveler

시청역에 어떻게 가요?

Passerby

이 길로 쭉 가시면 돼요.

Traveler

여기에서 멀어요?

Passerby

아니요, 가까워요.

03

Follow straight-ahead and turning directions

“쭉 가세요” and “직진하세요” both tell you to keep going straight. “왼쪽으로 도세요” means turn left, and “오른쪽으로 도세요” means turn right.

You may also hear “첫 번째 골목에서 오른쪽으로 도세요”—turn right at the first side street. When unsure, point to check the direction.

Pattern

쭉 가세요 / ~쪽으로 도세요

이 길로 직진하세요.

Go straight along this road.

첫 번째 골목에서 왼쪽으로 도세요.

Turn left at the first side street.

오른쪽으로 도세요.

Turn right.

Passerby

여기서 쭉 가세요.

Traveler

계속 직진하면 돼요?

Passerby

네, 그리고 오른쪽으로 도세요.

04

Look for crosswalks and landmarks

Directions in Korea often refer to visible landmarks such as a crosswalk or a convenience store. “횡단보도를 건너세요” means to cross at the marked pedestrian crossing.

“편의점 옆에 있어요” means it is beside the convenience store. Follow real traffic signals and conditions whenever you cross a road.

Pattern

~을/를 건너세요 / ~ 옆에 있어요

횡단보도를 건너세요.

Cross at the crosswalk.

편의점 옆에 있어요.

It is next to the convenience store.

신호등 앞에서 기다리세요.

Wait by the traffic light.

Passerby

횡단보도를 건너면 편의점이 보여요.

Traveler

그 편의점 옆인가요?

Passerby

네, 바로 옆이에요.

05

Ask how many minutes it takes on foot

After receiving directions, ask “걸어서 몇 분 걸려요?” to find out the approximate walking time.

“걸어서 10분 정도 걸려요” means about ten minutes on foot. “정도” signals an estimate; your actual journey may take longer or shorter.

Pattern

걸어서 몇 분 걸려요?

걸어서 몇 분 걸려요?

How many minutes does it take to walk?

걸어서 10분 정도 걸려요.

It takes about ten minutes on foot.

가까워요?

Is it close?

Traveler

걸어서 몇 분 걸려요?

Passerby

10분 정도 걸려요.

Traveler

아, 생각보다 가깝네요.

06

Ask someone to slow down or clarify

If an explanation is too fast, say “천천히 말씀해 주실 수 있나요?” to ask the speaker to slow down.

If you are unsure of the route, point and ask “이쪽이 맞나요?” (Is this the right way?). With a map, “지도에서 보여 주실 수 있나요?” can help clarify the location.

Pattern

다시 말씀해 주실 수 있나요?

천천히 말씀해 주실 수 있나요?

Could you speak slowly, please?

이쪽이 맞나요?

Is this the right direction?

지도에서 보여 주실 수 있나요?

Could you show me on the map?

Traveler

죄송한데, 천천히 말씀해 주실 수 있나요?

Passerby

네. 여기서 왼쪽으로 도세요.

Traveler

이쪽이 맞나요?

Passerby

네, 맞아요.

07

Practice a full directions conversation

Put the pieces together: approach politely, name your destination, then confirm the route and estimated walking time.

Finish with “알려 주셔서 감사합니다” (Thank you for telling me). Double-check signs and your map as you go.

Pattern

실례합니다 → 어디예요? → 감사합니다

실례합니다. 지하철역이 어디예요?

Excuse me. Where is the subway station?

횡단보도를 건너서 오른쪽으로 도세요.

Cross at the crosswalk and turn right.

알려 주셔서 감사합니다.

Thank you for the directions.

Traveler

실례합니다. 지하철역이 어디예요?

Passerby

쭉 가서 횡단보도를 건넌 다음 오른쪽으로 도세요.

Traveler

걸어서 몇 분 걸려요?

Passerby

5분 정도 걸려요.

Traveler

알려 주셔서 감사합니다.

08

6 useful words for getting directions

Practice map, subway station, straight ahead, left, right, and crosswalk with useful Korean phrases.

지도

map; a drawing showing streets and places

지도에서 보여 주실 수 있나요?

Could you show me on the map?

지하철역

subway station

지하철역이 어디예요?

Where is the subway station?

직진

straight ahead; continuing in one direction

직진하세요.

Go straight ahead.

왼쪽

left side or direction

왼쪽으로 도세요.

Turn left.

오른쪽

right side or direction

오른쪽으로 도세요.

Turn right.

횡단보도

marked pedestrian crossing

횡단보도를 건너세요.

Cross at the crosswalk.

Culture tip

Beginning with “실례합니다” is a polite way to approach a stranger. Showing a place name or map pin can make directions easier to explain. Always prioritize actual street signs and pedestrian signals.

Common mistake

“왼쪽” is left and “오른쪽” is right. “건너세요” tells you to cross over, while “직진하세요” means keep going straight. Walking-time estimates are approximate.

Mini quiz

1. Which is a polite way to ask a stranger for directions?

1. 계산할게요. 2. 실례합니다. 길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요? 3. 영수증 주세요. 4. 맛있어요.

2. What does “이 길로 직진하세요” mean?

1. Keep going straight. 2. Wait here. 3. Turn left. 4. Take the bus.

3. How do you ask about the walking time?

1. 지하철역이 어디예요? 2. 이쪽이 맞나요? 3. 걸어서 몇 분 걸려요? 4. 여기 앉아도 돼요?

Keep reading

Previous / Next article

Explore another Korean learning journal on a related topic.

All articles →

← Previous

How to Order Food in Korean: Restaurant Phrases from Seating to Paying

Learn natural, polite Korean for asking for a table, reading a menu, ordering dishes, checking spice and ingredients, requesting water or side dishes, and paying.

Next →

Hotel Check-In in Korean: Reservations, Room Keys, and Breakfast

Learn seven practical Korean hotel check-in situations: confirming a booking, showing your passport, asking check-in times, finding your room, and asking about breakfast and luggage.

Create an account for more learning

Keep learning with a free account

Sign in to save your learning and access more Haniverse content.

Save progress

Keep track of lessons you started and completed.

Review anytime

Return to what you learned and review quiz results.

Track attendance

Build a steady learning habit little by little.

More content

Access learning journals, conversation practice, and more.

Start for free →

Already have an account? Log in →