Korean Phrases for Transportation Cards, Subways, and Reading Subway Maps

This guide explains how to use Korean transportation cards, navigate the subway system, and read subway line maps. Each phrase includes Korean text, romanized pronunciation, and English meaning.

1. Transportation Cards (T-money, Cashbee)

Buying a transportation card:

• T머니 카드 주세요. (ti-meo-ni ka-deu ju-se-yo) – Please give me a T-money card.
• 카드 얼마예요? (ka-deu eol-ma-ye-yo?) – How much is the card?

Recharging the card:

• 충전해 주세요. (chung-jeon hae ju-se-yo) – Please recharge my card.
• 만원 충전해 주세요. (man-won chung-jeon hae ju-se-yo) – Recharge 10,000 won, please.
• 카드 어디에서 충전해요? (ka-deu eo-di-e-seo chung-jeon hae-yo?) – Where can I recharge my card?

You may hear:

• 카드 올려 주세요. (ka-deu ol-lyeo ju-se-yo) – Please place your card here.
• 충전 완료됐어요. (chung-jeon wan-ryo dwaet-seo-yo) – Your recharge is complete.

2. Using the Subway

Basic questions:

• 지하철 어디에서 타요? (ji-ha-cheol eo-di-e-seo ta-yo?) – Where do I take the subway?
• [노선번호]호선 어디예요? (ho-seon eo-di-ye-yo?) – Where is Line [number]?
• 이 열차 [방향] 가요? (i yeol-cha [bang-hyang] ga-yo?) – Does this train go toward [direction]?
• 갈아타는 곳 어디예요? (ga-ra-ta-neun got eo-di-ye-yo?) – Where do I transfer?
• [역이름]까지 얼마나 걸려요? (eok-kka-ji eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?) – How long does it take to get to [station]?

Common replies you may hear:

• 반대편이에요. (ban-dae-pyeon-i-e-yo) – It’s the opposite platform.
• 다음 역에서 갈아타세요. (da-eum yeok-e-seo ga-ra-ta-se-yo) – Transfer at the next station.
• 두 정거장 남았어요. (du jeong-geo-jang na-mat-seo-yo) – There are two stops left.

3. Entering and Exiting the Subway

Useful phrases:

• 카드 찍는 곳 어디예요? (ka-deu jjik-neun got eo-di-ye-yo?) – Where do I tap the card?
• 출구 어디예요? (chul-gu eo-di-ye-yo?) – Where is the exit?
• [번호]번 출구 가려면 어디로 가요? (beon chul-gu ga-ryeo-myeon eo-di-ro ga-yo?) – How do I get to Exit [number]?

You may hear:

• 여기로 나가세요. (yeo-gi-ro na-ga-se-yo) – Go out this way.
• 계단 내려가세요. (gye-dan nae-ryeo-ga-se-yo) – Go down the stairs.

4. Reading Korean Subway Line Maps

The Korean subway map is color-coded, and each subway line has a unique number and color.

Key terms:

• 호선 (ho-seon) – subway line
• 역 (yeok) – station
• 환승 (hwan-seung) – transfer
• 방향 (bang-hyang) – direction
• 종착역 (jong-chak-yeok) – last station / terminal

How to understand directions:

Korean lines often show the direction based on the terminal station.

For example:

• 강남 방향 (gang-nam bang-hyang) – Toward Gangnam
• 홍대입구 방향 (hong-dae-ip-gu bang-hyang) – Toward Hongdae
• 서울역 방향 (seo-ul-yeok bang-hyang) – Toward Seoul Station

To choose the correct platform, look for:

• The line number (예: 2호선 = Line 2)
• The direction (terminal station name)
• Transfer stations marked with special icons

How to ask for help when reading the map:

• 이 노선도 읽는 법 알려 주세요. (i no-seon-do ilg-neun beop al-lyeo ju-se-yo) – Please tell me how to read this line map.
• 이 방향 맞아요? (i bang-hyang ma-ja-yo?) – Is this the right direction?
• 이 역에서 갈아타요? (i yeok-e-seo ga-ra-ta-yo?) – Do I transfer at this station?
• [역]까지 어떤 방향으로 가요? (eok-kka-ji eo-tteon bang-hyang-eu-ro ga-yo?) – Which direction should I take to go to [station]?

5. Common Subway Announcements (What You’ll Hear)

• 이번 역은 [역이름]입니다. (i-beon yeo-geun [name] im-ni-da) – This stop is [station].
• 내리실 문은 왼쪽입니다. (nae-ri-sil mun-eun oen-jjok im-ni-da) – The doors will open on the left.
• 환승하실 분은 내리신 후 좌측으로 이동해 주세요. (hwan-seung-ha-sil bun-eun nae-ri-sin hu jwa-cheuk-eu-ro i-dong-hae ju-se-yo) – Transfer passengers, move left after getting off.

6. Bus Connections from Subway

Useful phrases:

• 이 역에서 버스 갈아탈 수 있어요? (i yeok-e-seo beo-seu ga-ra-tal su i-sseo-yo?) – Can I transfer to a bus at this station?
• 버스 정류장은 어디예요? (beo-seu jeong-ryu-jang eo-di-ye-yo?) – Where is the bus stop?

7. Example Subway Dialogue

You: 이 열차 강남 방향 가요? (i yeol-cha gang-nam bang-hyang ga-yo?) – Does this train go toward Gangnam?
Local: 아니요, 반대편이에요. (a-ni-yo, ban-dae-pyeon-i-e-yo) – No, it's the opposite platform.

You: 홍대까지 얼마나 걸려요? (hong-dae-kka-ji eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?) – How long to Hongdae?
Local: 다섯 정거장이에요. (da-seot jeong-geo-jang-i-e-yo) – Five stops.

Final Note

Korean public transportation is fast, safe, and visitor-friendly. With these phrases and basic map-reading skills, you will be able to travel confidently on the subway and bus systems across Korea.