South Korea
East Asia · Korean · South Korean Won
Pour drinks for others, never for yourself, and accept anything from an elder with both hands.
Today in South Korea
No South Korea stories in today's wires — read the global briefing.
5 phrases you need in South Korea
- Hello안녕하세요ahn-nyeong-ha-seh-yo
- Goodbye안녕히 계세요ahn-nyeong-hee gyeh-seh-yo
- Please부탁합니다boo-tahk-hahm-nee-dah
- Thank you감사합니다gahm-sah-hahm-nee-dah
- Excuse me실례합니다shil-lyeh-hahm-nee-dah
The Trovlr app drills all 8 South Korea phrases with audio, Duolingo-style. Get the app →
Know before you go
money
Grab a T-money card from any convenience store — it covers subway, buses, and taxis nationwide. Foreign cards still fail at some small restaurants, so keep won in cash.
connectivity
Google Maps barely functions for directions in Korea — download Naver Map or Kakao Map before you land, and pick up an eSIM or airport SIM for data.
etiquette
Pass and receive things with both hands, never plant chopsticks upright in rice, and keep phone calls off the subway — Koreans text in silence.
tipping
No tipping anywhere — not taxis, not restaurants, not hotels. Leaving extra causes genuine confusion rather than gratitude.
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