45 Helpful Korean Vocabulary About Transportation

Learning Korean vocabulary about transportation will help keep you onboard on one of the most modern and environment-friendly public transportation in the world, which is Transportation in Korea. The extensive railways, ferry services, bus routes, highways, and air routes would not want to tour Korea and learn Korean vocabulary about transportation.

Korea never stops developing its modern infrastructure throughout the country. With their complex subways and extensive railways that connect large cities, you can go to your destination fast and conveniently. What’s interesting about Korea’s public transportation (대중교통 / daejung-gyotong) is that they use T-Money Transit cards for payment. You don’t have to worry about the struggle of bringing your money in and out of your pocket. Payment can be made with just a swipe or tap of a card. Cash is still accepted, but this is one of the best experiences you should never miss in Korea.

Korean Transportation Vocabulary

Now that you have learned a little bit about Korean Transportation culture, let us learn Korean vocabulary about transportation. This will really be essential if you are traveling to Korea to experience its beautiful culture.


1. 택시 – Taxi 

Pronunciation: taekssi

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Taxi 택시
Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Taxi 택시

When you are in a large city like Seoul, one of the best public transportation (대중교통 / daejung-gyotong) that you can use is the 택시 / taxi. This will really be convenient for the tourists since there is an increasing number of taxi drivers who know how to speak English. Taxis can be flagged down the streets, or you can also book taxis online. Taxis booked online is more expensive than the one in the streets.

Korean 택시 / taxi usually has four different types and colors: General Taxi,  International Taxi, Model Taxi, and Large Taxi. You should know that in Korea, each color has a different purpose and price range.

2. 버스 – Bus

Pronunciation: beoseu

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Bus 버스
Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Bus 버스

Korea has several intra-city buses (buses within your local area) and inter-city buses (buses outside your local area). 버스 – the bus is one of the most convenient means of transportation. It is readily available, which is why it is easy for travelers to reach their destinations easily. For the fare, passengers can pay cash or using a transportation card. This can make passengers easily transfer from one bus line or subway system, whether locals or foreigners.

Korean 버스 – bus has designated colors and numbers for each route. Here are the different types of Korean buses:

  1. Blue Buses- These buses run relatively long distances through Seoul. They also travel on major roads.
  2. Green Buses – These buses travel shorter distances than the first one. These can carry travelers between transfer points like longer bus routes.
  3. Red Buses- These buses are express buses that travel from Seoul to suburban areas.
  4. Yellow Buses – These buses operate on a closed circuit within a district of Seoul.

4. 지하철 Subway 

Pronunciation: jihacheol

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Subway 지하철
Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Subway 지하철

Did you know that Korea has one of the most extensive 지하철 subway systems in the world? When you are in Seoul or any other large city, it is hard not to take the subway. They are fast, cheap, and convenient, which is basically what foreigners want when they travel. Just like in buses, you can also pay the fare through cash and a transportation card. But, when you are taking the subway in Korea, you should at least learn some basic words and phrases in Korean or Korean vocabulary about transportation. It would be best to learn some etiquette since you are a foreigner, and respect and discipline are really valued in Korea. Check out these etiquettes below:

  1. Don’t sit in the priority seating.
  2. Seats are for people. Put your bags up on top.
  3.  Wear your backpack in front.
  4. Stand by the door and always allow passengers to alight first.
  5. Sleeping is acceptable in subways, just don’t lay down on it.
  6. Do not eat and drink inside the train.
  7. Let the passenger off first before you enter.
  8. Avoid talking loudly.

5. 기차 – Train

Pronunciation: gicha

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Train 기차
Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Train 기차

Another convenient means of transportation in Korea is the 기차 train. Just like other means of transportation, there are different options in 기차 trains. There is a standard train system with six different lines that access several areas of Korea, and there is also the Korea Train Express, also known as the KTX. Etiquettes in riding 지하철 subway can also apply to 기차 train.

6. 자전거 – Bicycle

Pronunciation: jajeongeo

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Bicycle 자전거
Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Bicycle 자전거

Imagine going around the city in a 자전거 bicycle? You don’t have to worry about traffic, you can visit your friends, you can save money, and most of all, you can get exercise. The Korean government really spends a lot on making bike lanes to be safe for cyclists. You can buy a brand new 자전거 bicycle or a second-hand one cheaper than the new one.

7. 자동차 – Car

Pronunciation: jadongcha

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Car 자동차 / 객차
Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Car 자동차

Some people prefer to use 자동차 cars for personal reasons. However, if you want to buy or rent a car, you should have your own license. If you are a foreigner, you can get one without having your license from your country revoked.

8. 스쿠터 – Scooter

Pronunciation: seukuteo

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Scooter 스쿠터
Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Scooter 스쿠터

스쿠터 Scooter is also a common means of transportation that many people invest in. You don’t have to apply for a license or insurance. It is affordable, and you can also buy second-hand scooters.

9. 배 – Boat / Ship Or 선박 – Ferry

Pronunciation: bae / seonbak

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Boat 배

Some people prefer traveling by ferry. Many ferries can transport passengers’ vehicles. Aside from this, passengers can also have a beautiful view of the ocean along with sunrises and sunsets.

10. 비행기 – Airplane / Plane

Pronunciation: bihaenggi

Korean Vocabulary About Transportation | Airplane 비행기

If you are a foreigner, you must probably arrive by plane. Korea’s Incheon International Airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. It is also the most widely used international airport in Korea. Korea’s airport has foreigner-friendly services that you will enjoy, like golf courses, spas, private sleeping rooms, and more.

 

Other Korean Vocabulary About Transportation

If you want to create meaningful memories and experiences in Korea, you should learn how to connect with people. This will not just help you travel with ease but, it can also help you experience the beauty of their culture through their people. This is also a sign of respect that you will give to them as a foreigner.

Korean PronunciationEnglish TranslationAudio
공항으로 가 주세요gonghang-eulo ga juseyoPlease take me to the airport.
서울역으로 가 주세요Seoul-yeog-eulo ga juseyoPlease take me to Seoul Station.
공항까지 가시나요?gonghangkkaji gasinayo?Do you go (can you go) to the airport?
지름길로 가주세요jileumgillo gajuseyo?Please take the shortcut.
여기서 내려 주세요yeogiseo naelyeo juseyoPlease let me get off here.
정류장jeonglyujangstop/ station
버스 정류장beoseu jeonglyujangbus stop
버스 기사beoseu gisabus driver
yeogstation
일반 버스ilban beoseuregular bus
좌석 버스jwaseogbeoseu express city bus
마을 버스ma-eul beoseu“Village” bus
급행 열차geubhaeng-yeolchaexpress train
공항 철도gonghangcheoldoairport railroad
거기에 가려면 버스를 타야 돼요geogie galyeomyeon beoseuleul taya dwaeyoTo get there, you must take the bus.
이 버스는 강남에 가요?i beoseuneun gangnam-e gayo?Does this bus go to Gangnam?
버스 온다! beoseu onda!The bus is coming!
버스가 서지 않았어요beoseuga seoji anh-ass-eoyoThe bus didn’t stop.
저는 버스정류장에서 버스를 기다리고 있어요jeoneun beoseujeonglyujang-eseo beoseuleul gidaligo iss-eoyoI’m waiting for the bus at the bus station
이 버스는 10분마다 와요i beoseuneun 10bunmada wayoThis bus comes each/every 10 minutes.
버스가 5분 후에 올 거에요beoseuga 5bun hue ol geoeyoThe bus will come in 5 minutes.
버스를 탈 때 카드를 찍어야 되고 내릴 때도 찍어야 돼요beoseuleul tal ttae kadeuleul jjig-eoya doego naelil ttaedo jjig-eoya dwaeyoYou need to scan your card when you get on the bus and also when you get off the bus.
다음 버스는 저 정류장에서 출발할 거에요da-eum beoseuneun jeo jeonglyujang-eseo chulbalhal geoeyoThe next bus will depart from that station.
저는 동전이 없어요jeoneun dongjeon-i eobs-eoyoI don’t have any change (coins).
아저씨! 문을 열어 주세요!ajeossi! mun-eul yeol-eo juseyo!Sir! Open the door, please.
거기 가려면 몇 번 버스를 타야 돼요?geogi galyeomyeon myeoch beon beoseuleul taya dwaeyo?To get there, what bus should I take?
버스 카드가 없어서 현금으로 낼 게요beoseu kadeuga eobs-eoseo hyeongeum-eulo nael geyoI don’t have my bus card so that I will pay in cash.
거기에 가려면 전철을 타야 돼요geogie galyeomyeon jeoncheol-eul taya dwaeyoTo get there, you must take the subway.
어디서 환승해야 돼요?eodiseo hwanseunghae ya dwaeyo?Where do I need to transfer?
저는 벌써 지하철을 타고 있어요jeoneun beolsseo jihacheol-eul tago iss-eoyoI am already on/riding the subway.
교통카드를 어디서 살 수 있어요?gyotongkadeuleul eodiseo sal su iss-eoyo?Where can you buy a bus/subway card?
교통 카드를 어디서 충전할 수 있어요?gyotong kadeuleul eodiseo chungjeonhal su iss-eoyo?Where can I charge my transportation card?
교통 카드를 잃어버렸어요gyotong kadeuleul ilh-eobeolyeoss-eoyoI lost my transportation card.
카드에 10,000원 (만원)을 충전해 주세요kadeue 10,000won (man-won)eul chungjeonhae juseyoPlease recharge my card with 10,000 won.
카드를 충전해 주세요kadeuleul chungjeonhae juseyoPlease recharge my card.

Learning the Korean language will lead you to different destinations that you might not expect. You can also use different transportation that will lead you to your destination which is learning Korean. If you are wondering what’s that transportation, check it out below.


Heading To Korea? Why Not Learn The Korean Language?

South Korea offers everything a traveler wants. From its magnificent tourist spots down to its rich culture and incredible people. If you are watching their dramas and listening to their songs, you will actually know why people want to learn Korean. Now that you have learned Korean vocabulary about transportation, it is time to go to the next 역 station to learn Korean words and phrases through Ling App.

Korean vocabulary about transportation

If you choose Ling App to Learn Korean language or any other languages, learning will be like traveling where lessons can be compared to different 역 stations and 정류장 bust stop. Each station or bus stop has something new to offer. Learning Korean won’t cause you any struggle because, like booking taxis in Korea, it can be done online. Just download the app or visit the Ling App website. Learning languages is in the palm of your hand. So, do not miss any learning stations. Start learning Korean now!

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