Taxi in Korean, Plus Subway Phrases
Taxi in Korean is 택시 (taeksi). To tell the driver where to go, say the place plus 로 가 주세요 (ro ga juseyo, please go to) or 까지 가 주세요 (kkaji ga juseyo, as far as). To get out, say 여기서 세워 주세요 (yeogiseo sewo juseyo, please stop here). Below are 32 phrases in the order a trip happens, from hailing a cab to paying, then the subway: lines, transfers and exits. Each group includes what drivers and train announcements say.
Korean Taxi and Subway Phrases
Teaches the Korean phrases for taking a taxi and the subway in Korea, from hailing a cab and giving the destination to paying and finding the right line and exit. Includes what drivers and train announcements say, so you recognize it.
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Call or hail a taxi
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 택시 | taeksi | Taxi. The word comes from English and is said with a Korean sound: taek-si. | |
| 빈차 | bincha | Vacant. The lit sign that shows a taxi is free. If you see it, wave the taxi down. | |
| 택시 정류장이 어디예요? | taeksi jeongnyujang-i eodiyeyo | Where is the taxi stand? Useful at airports, train stations and big hotels, where taxis wait in line. | |
| 택시 좀 불러 주세요. | taeksi jom bulleo juseyo | Could you call a taxi for me, please? Say it to hotel or shop staff. | |
| 택시 불렀어요. | taeksi bulleosseoyo | I called a taxi. Use it when you booked a ride on an app, such as Kakao T, and staff or a driver asks if you are waiting. |
Give the destination
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 서울역으로 가 주세요. | seoullyeogeuro ga juseyo | To Seoul Station, please. Put the place name before 로 가 주세요 (으로 after a final consonant). This is the standard way to tell a driver where to go. | |
| 공항까지 가 주세요. | gonghangkkaji ga juseyo | Please take me to the airport. 까지 means "as far as". It works the same as 로 가 주세요; both are polite. | |
| 여기로 가 주세요. | yeogiro ga juseyo | Please go here. Say it while you show the driver an address or a map on your phone. Many drivers find this easier than a spoken name. | |
| 홍대입구역이요. | hongdaeipguyeogiyo | Hongik University Station, please. The short way: just the place name plus 이요 (요 after a vowel). Drivers hear this all day. | |
| 명동까지 얼마나 걸려요? | myeongdongkkaji eolmana geollyeoyo | How long does it take to Myeongdong? Swap in your destination before 까지. |
On the way
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 여기서 세워 주세요. | yeogiseo sewo juseyo | Please stop here. Say it when you want the car to pull over now. | |
| 여기서 내려 주세요. | yeogiseo naeryeo juseyo | Please let me off here. Means almost the same as 세워 주세요, from the rider's side. | |
| 우회전해 주세요. | uhoejeonhae juseyo | Please turn right. Drivers use the words for right and left turns, 우회전 and 좌회전. | |
| 좌회전해 주세요. | jwahoejeonhae juseyo | Please turn left. | |
| 직진해 주세요. | jikjinhae juseyo | Please go straight ahead. 쭉 가 주세요 (jjuk ga juseyo) is also common. |
Pay
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 얼마예요? | eolmayeyo | How much is it? The fare shows on the meter, so you can also just look. | |
| 카드 돼요? | kadeu dwaeyo | Can I pay by card? Most taxis in Seoul take cards, but ask before you set off if you are not sure. | |
| 교통카드로 할게요. | gyotongkadeuro halgeyo | I'll pay with my transit card. A transit card such as T-money works in many taxis as well as on the subway and bus. | |
| 영수증 주세요. | yeongsujeung juseyo | A receipt, please. | |
| 수고하세요. | sugohaseyo | A common polite goodbye as you get out, said to someone at work. Some people feel it sounds a little casual toward an older driver; 감사합니다 (thank you) is always safe. |
What drivers say
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 어디 가세요? | eodi gaseyo | Where are you going? The driver asks this as you get in. You will also hear 어디로 가세요? or 어디까지 가세요? | |
| 안전벨트 매 주세요. | anjeonbelteu mae juseyo | Please fasten your seatbelt. A driver may say this as you set off, in the back seat too. | |
| 여기서 내려 드릴까요? | yeogiseo naeryeo deurilkkayo | Shall I let you off here? The driver asks when you are close. Answer 네 (yes) or 조금 더 가 주세요 (a little further, please). | |
| 카드 여기 대 주세요. | kadeu yeogi dae juseyo | Tap your card here, please. The driver points to the card reader. |
Subway basics
| Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning | Listen |
|---|---|---|---|
| 지하철역이 어디예요? | jihacheollyeogi eodiyeyo | Where is the subway station? Ask a passer-by or shop staff. | |
| 몇 호선이에요? | myeot hoseonieyo | Which line is it? Seoul subway lines have numbers and colors, so the answer is often a number plus 호선. | |
| 이거 강남역 가요? | igeo gangnamyeok gayo | Does this go to Gangnam Station? Ask on the platform before you get on. Swap in your station name. | |
| 어디서 갈아타야 돼요? | eodiseo garataya dwaeyo | Where do I need to transfer? 갈아타다 means to change trains. Signs for transfers say 환승. | |
| 몇 번 출구로 나가야 해요? | myeot beon chulguro nagaya haeyo | Which exit number should I take? Big stations have many numbered exits, and directions in Korea often use the exit number. | |
| 교통카드 충전해 주세요. | gyotongkadeu chungjeonhae juseyo | Please top up my transit card. Say it at a convenience store counter. Stations also have top-up machines. Top-up is often cash only, so carry some won. | |
| 이번 역은 강남역입니다. | ibeon yeogeun gangnamyeogimnida | This stop is Gangnam Station. The train announcement you will hear before each stop, with the station name in the middle. Listen for 이번 역은 and the name. | |
| 내리실 문은 오른쪽입니다. | naerisil muneun oreunjjogimnida | The doors open on the right. An announcement before each stop; 왼쪽 means left. |
Frequently asked questions
How do you tell a taxi driver where to go in Korean?
Say the place name plus 로 가 주세요 or 까지 가 주세요, for example 서울역으로 가 주세요 (to Seoul Station, please). If the name is hard to say, show the address or a map on your phone and say 여기로 가 주세요 (please go here).
Can you pay for a taxi in Korea by card?
Most taxis in Seoul take credit cards, and many take transit cards such as T-money. Cash also works. If you are not sure, ask 카드 돼요? (can I pay by card?) before the ride starts.
Do you tip taxi drivers in Korea?
No. Tipping is not expected in Korea. You pay the fare on the meter.
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