Arrival and registration
Ask the carrier which identity and address documents are needed for a line in your name, and check charges and cancellation terms.
Ask the bank about account purpose and required documents. Never lend your account or verification codes to another person.
First home and settling in
Check the registered owner, contracting party, any representative's authority and the payment-account holder together.
Check mortgages, seizures, trusts, senior deposits and building use. Do not guess unknown items.
Understand the deposit, rent, management fees, early termination and deposit-return date before signing.
Check possession, address reporting and a fixed-date stamp for the lease. Ticking a box does not establish deposit protection.
Greetings & polite speech
You meet a neighbor in the elevator. Give a small nod and say “안녕하세요”.
Start with polite speech when meeting someone new.
Use both hands when passing something, as the situation allows.
Ask if informal speech feels comfortable to both of you.
“안녕하십니까 [an-nyeong-ha-sim-ni-kka]” sounds more formal at an interview or official presentation. It is not needed every time you greet a neighbor; age alone does not decide informal speech.
안녕하세요.
Hello.
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Sharing a meal
A friend invites you to a restaurant and side dishes arrive on large plates. Ask which dishes are shared.
Explain spice preferences and ingredients you avoid before ordering.
Check for serving utensils when sharing food.
At a formal meal with older guests, notice when others begin.
Many meals with friends are casual. You do not need to drink alcohol or eat unwanted food to be polite.
맵지 않게 해 주세요.
Please make it not spicy.
maep-jji an-ke hae ju-se-yo
Transport & shared spaces
It is your first subway ride. Wait beside the door and board after passengers have left.
Check the station name and travel direction together.
Read priority-seat signs and leave space for people who need it.
Keep calls and videos quiet, and leave doors clear.
Seating and food guidance varies by transport and region. Follow signs and ask staff if you need help.
어디에서 내려야 해요?
Where should I get off?
eo-di-e-seo nae-ryeo-ya hae-yo
Home & neighbors
You move into a new home but do not know where or when to put out rubbish. Ask the manager or a neighbor.
Check whether to remove shoes when entering a home.
Check local instructions for recycling, food waste and general rubbish.
Keep noise low late at night and discuss concerns calmly.
Bags, sorting rules and collection times vary by municipality and building. Check with the building manager or local district instead of copying another neighborhood.
쓰레기는 어디에 버려요?
Where should I put the rubbish?
sseu-re-gi-neun eo-di-e beo-ryeo-yo
Seasons & holidays
You want to try a cultural activity during Seollal or Chuseok. Check holidays and whether booking is needed.
Check Seollal and Chuseok dates on this year’s calendar.
Plan travel, shop opening times and activity bookings ahead.
When invited, ask what to bring and how to take part.
Families celebrate differently. Bowing, ancestral rites and trying hanbok are choices; event dates and activities are not the same nationwide.
예약하고 싶어요.
I would like to make a reservation.
ye-ya-ka-go si-peo-yo
Friends & community
You meet a new friend at a language exchange. Confirm where and when you will meet next.
Start a first meeting casually in a public place.
Ask before taking or posting someone’s photo.
Share both helpful experiences and difficulties in the community.
“Let’s have a meal sometime” may not be a fixed appointment. Confirm a date and respect different response habits, even when replies take time.
언제 만날까요?
When shall we meet?
eon-je man-nal-kka-yo
At the clinic
Describe discomfort and ask for an explanation.
배가 아파요.
My stomach hurts.
bae-ga a-pa-yo
언제부터 아팠어요?
When did the pain start?
eon-je-bu-teo a-pa-sseo-yo
어제부터 아팠어요.
It has hurt since yesterday.
eo-je-bu-teo a-pa-sseo-yo
쉽게 설명해 주세요.
Please explain in simple words.
swip-kke seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo
These phrases practice communication and do not provide medical advice.
A symptom needs a timeline
At a clinic, you can name the part that hurts, but the explanation gets long. Start with where it hurts and when it began. Asking for plain language is useful; you are not taking a vocabulary exam.
The “since when?” expression is a question you may hear from staff. The “since yesterday” expression is your reply only when accurate. These are communication examples, not a diagnosis or treatment guide.
Take turns as patient and staff. Ask when the pain began, give a truthful time, and request a simpler explanation.
여기가 아파요.
It hurts here.
yeo-gi-ga a-pa-yo
A useful follow-up · Point to the part that hurts while speaking. Add when it began if you can.
Language and qualifications
Check which TOPIK or KIIP level is recognized for your immigration route and whether the certificate is still valid.
After theory practice, complete the required skills and road tests. Finishing lessons is different from obtaining a licence.
Find qualifications relevant to your occupation and check their recognition under your immigration category first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start arranging housing, transport and daily life after arriving in Korea?
From arrival preparation to settling in or returning home. Choose what you need now and keep your own record.
What should I know about Arrival and registration?
Ask the carrier which identity and address documents are needed for a line in your name, and check charges and cancellation terms. Ask the bank about account purpose and required documents. Never lend your account or verification codes to another person.
What should I know about First home and settling in?
Check the registered owner, contracting party, any representative's authority and the payment-account holder together. Check mortgages, seizures, trusts, senior deposits and building use. Do not guess unknown items. Understand the deposit, rent, management fees, early termination and deposit-return date before signing. Check possession, address reporting and a fixed-date stamp for the lease. Ticking a box does not establish deposit protection.
Check official guidance
Official websites use the languages provided by each authority.