Seoul–Tokyo Phrasebook

Korean and Japanese for work and everything else. Switch languages at the top. The English under each line follows the original word order. Open "Trigger words" to see what the other person might say. Blue words are the ones to listen for.

Tap a line for pronunciation and breakdown. Blue = words to listen for.

Hover over a line (or tap it on a phone) for its pronunciation and word-by-word breakdown.
Step 1

Opening

The first 30 seconds. In Korea, cards are exchanged right after your name, with both hands.

Trigger words
어느 회사에서 오셨어요?eo-neu / hoe-sa-e-seo / o-syeo-sseo-yo?which / company-from / came?
성함이 어떻게 되세요?seong-ha-mi / eo-tteo-ke / doe-se-yo?(your) name / how / is?
Trigger words
명함 있으세요?myeong-ham / i-sseu-se-yo?business card / have?
Trigger words
만나서 반갑습니다man-na-seo / ban-gap-sseum-ni-dameeting-so / am glad
처음 뵙겠습니다cheo-eum / boep-get-sseum-ni-dafirst time / humbly meet
Step 2

Introducing yourself

If they're mid-conversation or busy, ask first so you don't come across as abrupt.

Trigger words
무슨 일 하세요?mu-seun / il / ha-se-yo?what / work / do?
담당이 어떻게 되세요?dam-dang-i / eo-tteo-ke / doe-se-yo?role / how / is?
Trigger words
어떤 회사예요?eo-tteon / hoe-sa-ye-yo?what kind of / company is?
엘리움은 뭐 하는 회사예요?el-li-u-meun / mwo / ha-neun / hoe-sa-ye-yo?Allium (as for) / what / does / company is?
Trigger words
어떤 회사예요?eo-tteon / hoe-sa-ye-yo?what kind of / company is?
엘리움은 뭐 하는 회사예요?el-li-u-meun / mwo / ha-neun / hoe-sa-ye-yo?Allium (as for) / what / does / company is?
Trigger words
한국에 파트너가 있으세요?han-gu-ge / pa-teu-neo-ga / i-sseu-se-yo?Korea-in / partner / have?
Trigger words
한국에 왜 오셨어요?han-gu-ge / wae / o-syeo-sseo-yo?Korea-to / why / came?
Step 3

Getting to know them

Ask about them before pitching further. 혹시 keeps the questions soft.

Step 4

Next steps

Leave with something concrete: a meeting, or permission to follow up.

Trigger words
오늘 무슨 일로 오셨어요?o-neul / mu-seun / il-lo / o-syeo-sseo-yo?today / what matter-for / came?
Trigger words
다음에 연락 주세요da-eu-me / yeol-lak / ju-se-yonext time / contact / please give
나중에 얘기해요na-jung-e / yae-gi-hae-yolater / talk-let's
Trigger words
자료 있으세요?ja-ryo / i-sseu-se-yo?materials / (you) have?
Step 5

Closing

Pick the thank-you that fits the setting.

Trigger words
그럼 이만…geu-reom / i-man…then / this much… (wrapping up)
Trigger words
와 주셔서 감사합니다wa / ju-syeo-seo / gam-sa-ham-ni-dacoming-(you kindly did)-so / thank you
Trigger words
잘 부탁드립니다jal / bu-tak-tteu-rim-ni-dawell / (I) humbly ask
Any time

If they ask about you

Replies for small talk, especially once they hear you try Korean.

Trigger words
어디서 오셨어요?eo-di-seo / o-syeo-sseo-yo?where-from / came?
한국 분이세요?han-guk / bu-ni-se-yo?Korea / person are?
Trigger words
한국어 잘하시네요!han-gu-geo / jal-ha-si-ne-yo!Korean / (you) do well, huh!
한국말 잘하세요han-gung-mal / jal-ha-se-yoKorean speech / (you) do well
Trigger words
한국어 어디서 배우셨어요?han-gu-geo / eo-di-seo / bae-u-syeo-sseo-yo?Korean / where / (you) learnt?
Any time

When your Korean runs out

Say it with a smile. It usually gets a laugh, then switch to English.

Any time

Saying sorry

죄송합니다 apologises for something you did. 죄송한데요 opens a request.

Trigger words
아니요, 그게 아니라…a-ni-yo, / geu-ge / a-ni-ra…no / that / not-but…

Basics and opposites

Quick pairs to recognise and reply with.

네ne= yes
/
아니요a-ni-yo= no
맞아요ma-ja-yo= that's right
/
아니에요a-ni-e-yo= it's not / not at all
알겠습니다al-get-sseum-ni-da= understood
/
잘 모르겠어요jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo= I'm not sure
조금jo-geum= a little
/
많이ma-ni= a lot
주세요ju-se-yo= please give
/
괜찮아요gwaen-cha-na-yo= no thanks / I'm fine
있어요i-sseo-yo= there is / I have
/
없어요eop-sseo-yo= there isn't / I don't have
돼요dwae-yo= okay / possible
/
안 돼요an dwae-yo= not okay / not possible
좋아요jo-a-yo= good / I like it
/
별로예요byeol-lo-ye-yo= not really
맛있어요ma-si-sseo-yo= tasty
/
배불러요bae-bul-leo-yo= I'm full
매워요mae-wo-yo= spicy
/
안 매워요an mae-wo-yo= not spicy
지금ji-geum= now
/
나중에na-jung-e= later
빨리ppal-li= quickly
/
천천히cheon-cheon-hi= slowly
여기yeo-gi= here
/
저기jeo-gi= over there

아니요 is the answer "no". 아니에요 means "it's not" or "not at all" (e.g. replying to a compliment). 괜찮아요 is the polite way to say no thanks.

Out and about

Trigger words
더 드릴까요?deo / deu-ril-kka-yo?more / shall (I) give?
많이 드세요ma-ni / deu-se-yoa lot / (please) eat

Korean slang

Casual only. Japanese is the nearest equivalent.

joking / self-deprecating
Trigger words
술 잘 드세요?sul / jal / deu-se-yo?alcohol / well / (you) drink?

Flirty

Light and friendly. Japanese versions are the natural equivalent, not word-for-word.

Follow-up messages for Telegram or KakaoTalk. Tap Copy, paste, then fill in the [brackets].

After the event

Nice to meet you formal
Same day or next morning after meeting them.
안녕하세요 [이름]님, [행사명]에서 인사드렸던 엘리움(Allium)의 Sarah입니다 🙂 만나 뵙게 되어 반가웠습니다. 앞으로 잘 부탁드립니다!
Hi [Name], this is Sarah from Allium. We met at [event]. It was great meeting you, and I look forward to staying in touch!
Thanks for today formal
After a meeting or a longer chat.
오늘 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다! 말씀 나눈 내용 정리해서 곧 공유드리겠습니다.
Thank you for your time today! I'll summarise what we discussed and share it shortly.

What we do + materials

Refresher + deck formal
Remind them who you are and send the deck.
[이름]님, 말씀드렸던 엘리움 소개 자료 공유드립니다. 엘리움은 150개 이상의 블록체인 데이터를 기관용으로 제공하고 있으며, Visa, Stripe 등이 저희 데이터를 활용하고 있습니다. 편하실 때 한번 확인 부탁드립니다! [링크]
[Name], here's the Allium intro deck I mentioned. Allium provides institutional-grade data across 150+ blockchains, used by Visa, Stripe and others. Please take a look when convenient! [link]
Free trial offer formal
When they seem interested but aren't ready for a call.
필요하시면 팀을 위해 무료 체험 계정을 세팅해 드릴 수 있습니다. 편하게 말씀 주세요!
If helpful, I can set up a free trial account for your team. Just let me know!

Scheduling

Meeting request formal
Open ask for a call.
혹시 다음 주 중에 30분 정도 온라인 미팅 가능하실까요? 가능하신 시간 알려주시면 맞춰서 초대 보내드리겠습니다.
Would you have about 30 minutes for an online meeting next week? Let me know what times work and I'll send an invite.
Propose two times formal
Faster than an open ask. Always state the time zone.
[날짜] [시간] 또는 [날짜] [시간] 중 편하신 시간이 있으실까요? (한국 시간 기준)
Would [date] [time] or [date] [time] work for you? (Korea time)
Confirm meeting formal
Once they pick a time.
확인 감사합니다! [날짜] [시간]에 뵙겠습니다. 캘린더 초대 보내드렸습니다.
Thanks for confirming! See you on [date] at [time]. I've sent a calendar invite.

Follow-ups

Gentle nudge formal
No reply after 4–5 working days.
안녕하세요 [이름]님, 바쁘신 와중에 연락드려 죄송합니다. 지난번 보내드린 자료 관련해서 혹시 궁금하신 점 있으실까요? 편하실 때 답장 주시면 감사하겠습니다 🙏
Hi [Name], sorry to reach out while you're busy. Do you have any questions about the materials I sent? I'd appreciate a reply whenever convenient.
Ask for the right person very formal
When they aren't the decision-maker.
혹시 이 건과 관련해서 연결해 주실 수 있는 담당자분이 계실까요?
Is there someone responsible for this that you could connect me with?
Loop in a colleague formal
Adding a teammate to the chat. Don't add 님 to your own colleague's name.
저희 팀 동료 [이름] 씨를 이 채팅방에 초대했습니다. 기술 관련 문의는 [이름] 씨가 도와드릴 예정입니다.
I've added my colleague [Name] to this chat. [Name] will help with any technical questions.

Wrapping up

Not now, keep in touch formal
They say it's not a priority right now.
알겠습니다, 말씀 감사합니다! 나중에 필요하시면 언제든 편하게 연락 주세요.
Understood, thank you for letting me know! Feel free to reach out anytime if you need anything later.

Trigger words

When you hear the blue word, reply with the line on the right.

회사hoe-sa
company
→ 안녕하세요~ 저는 엘리움의 Sarah입니다, or the Allium one-liner
무슨 일 · 담당mu-seun il · dam-dang
what work · role
→ 저는 엘리움에서 아시아태평양 사업개발을 총괄하고 있습니다
어떤 · 뭐 하는eo-tteon · mwo ha-neun
what kind of · what does it do
→ 저희 회사는 블록체인 시장 정보를 제공합니다 (funds) · 블록체인 데이터를 제공합니다 (banks, payments)
어디 · 분eo-di · bun
where · person
→ 저는 싱가포르 사람입니다
한국어 · 잘하시네요han-gu-geo · jal-ha-si-ne-yo
Korean / Japanese · you're good at it
→ 아니에요, 한국어 조금밖에 못해요
반갑습니다 · 처음 뵙겠습니다ban-gap-sseum-ni-da · cheo-eum boep-get-sseum-ni-da
nice to meet you
→ 저도 만나서 반갑습니다
잘 부탁드립니다jal bu-tak-tteu-rim-ni-da
please treat me well
→ 저도 잘 부탁드립니다
명함myeong-ham
business card
→ 명함 드려도 괜찮을까요?
파트너pa-teu-neo
partner
→ 포필러스와 타이거리서치는 저희 주요 파트너사입니다
무슨 일로mu-seun il-lo
what brings you
→ 함께 협업할 기회를 찾고 싶습니다
와 주셔서wa ju-syeo-seo
thanks for coming
→ 초대해 주셔서 감사합니다
아니라a-ni-ra
not that, but…
→ 아, 죄송합니다
술 · 드세요sul · deu-se-yo
alcohol · do you drink
→ 알쓰예요
더 · 많이deo · ma-ni
more · a lot
→ 조금만 주세요
어디서 배우셨어요eo-di-seo bae-u-syeo-sseo-yo
where did you learn
→ 한국어 조금 배웠어요
연락 · 나중에yeol-lak · na-jung-e
contact · later
→ 혹시 다음 주에 미팅 가능하실까요?
자료ja-ryo
materials
→ 자료 보내드려도 될까요?
그럼 이만geu-reom i-man
well then (wrapping up)
→ 오늘 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다
왜 · 한국wae · han-guk
why · Korea / Japan
→ 한국은 저희에게 매우 중요한 시장입니다

Keywords

Small words that make you sound natural.

By any chance / Just wondering
KR혹시hok-si
Start a question with it to soften it: 혹시 다음 주에 시간 괜찮으세요? (By any chance, are you free next week?) Japanese splits it: もしかして when guessing, もしよろしければ when asking a favour.
Me too / I also
KR저도jeo-do
(저도) 만나서 반갑습니다. In greetings, Japanese uses こちらこそ (likewise).
Good (before a noun)
KR좋은jo-eun
좋은 자리 = a good occasion. On its own, 좋아요 = good / I like it.
A little
KR조금jo-geum
조금만 = just a little (조금만 주세요). 조금밖에 + negative = only a little (조금밖에 못해요). Japanese: 少しだけ and 少ししか + negative.
It's okay / I'm fine / No thanks
KR괜찮아요gwaen-cha-na-yo
괜찮으시면 = if it's okay with you. 괜찮을까요? = would it be okay?
Excuse me / Sorry (like すみません / 不好意思)
KR저기요 · 실례합니다 · 죄송합니다 · 죄송한데요jeo-gi-yo · sil-lye-ham-ni-da · joe-song-ham-ni-da · joe-song-han-de-yo
저기요 gets someone's attention (a waiter, a stranger). 실례합니다 is formal: interrupting, entering a room, squeezing past. 죄송합니다 apologises for something you did wrong. 죄송한데요 means "sorry, but…" before a request. Japanese すみません covers all four.
One moment, please
KR잠시만요jam-si-man-yo
Also used to squeeze past people in a crowd.
Then / In that case
KR그럼geu-reom
그럼 다음 주에 뵐게요. (Then I'll see you next week.)
Actually
KR사실sa-sil
Use it before sharing something new or correcting gently.
Ah, I see
KR아, 그렇군요a, geu-reo-kun-yo
Shows you're following. Say it often while listening.

Formality

Each line is tagged with how formal it is.

casual
Close friends onlyKR ends in -어/-아 or plain -다 · JP plain forms like だ, する
polite
Everyday, safe with strangersKR -요 endings · JP です / ます
formal
Business, presentations, first meetingsKR -습니다 / -ㅂ니다 · JP humble words like 弊社, しております
very formal
Showing extra respect: senior people, first contactKR humble verbs 뵙다, 드리다 · JP させていただく, いただく, よろしいでしょうか

Pronunciation

How to read the romanization.

Korean

as it sounds
Written the way it's said, not letter by letter못해요 → mo-tae-yo
eo
"uh" as in up저 → jeo
eu
"oo" with flat, unrounded lips그럼 → geu-reom
ae · e
"e" as in bed대박 → dae-bak
oe
"weh"뵙겠습니다 → boep-get-sseum-ni-da
kk tt pp ss jj
Tense and tight, no puff of air진짜 → jin-jja

Japanese

ō ū ē ī
Hold the vowel twice as long統括 → tōkatsu
kk tt ss
A tiny pause before the consonant一か所 → ikkasho
r
A light tap, between r and lありがとう → arigatō
wa
After a name, this is the particle は私は → watashi wa
u · i
Often nearly silent at the end of desu, masuです → dess