Learn Korean directions and location vocabulary — left, right, straight, above, below — plus the exact phrases you need to ask for and give directions.
Getting lost is part of traveling, but knowing how to ask for and understand directions in Korean turns a stressful moment into a manageable one. This vocabulary is some of the most immediately useful Korean you can learn.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 왼쪽 | oenjjok | left |
| 오른쪽 | oreunjjok | right |
| 앞 | ap | front |
| 뒤 | dwi | back |
| 위 | wi | above/on top |
| 아래/밑 | arae/mit | below/under |
| 옆 | yeop | next to/beside |
| 근처 | geuncheo | nearby |
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 직진하다 | to go straight |
| 돌다 | to turn |
| 건너다 | to cross |
| 나오다 | to come out (of a station/building) |
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 사거리 | intersection |
| 신호등 | traffic light |
| 골목 | alley |
| 건물 | building |
| 출구 | exit (as in subway exits, numbered) |
Subway exits in Korea are numbered (1번 출구, 2번 출구), so directions are often given relative to a specific exit number rather than compass directions.
Is it common for locals to walk you to a location instead of explaining? Yes — many Koreans will walk with you part of the way rather than give complicated verbal directions, especially if the route is confusing.
Are map apps reliable in Korea? Google Maps has limited functionality for walking/driving directions in Korea; locals mostly rely on Naver Map or Kakao Map instead.
Knowing this vocabulary means you can actually navigate a new city with confidence. Klovers' practical lessons prepare you for exactly these real-world situations.