The more formal/neutral term for "bus driver."
Compare with 버스 아저씨, which is less formal but far more commonly used in casual, everyday speech.
examples: - ko: "**버스 기사**님이 친절하셨어요" en: The **bus driver** was kind notes: Generated by Claude - ko: "**버스 기사**한테 길을 물어봤어요" en: I asked the **bus driver** for directions notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 버스 아저씨 en: bus driver notes: |[In theory this is a little bit impolite, but it is definitely more common, especially when not talking directly to the driver himself.]
It could in theory be "버스 아주머니," but the overwhelming majority of bus drivers (at least in Seoul) are male.
Compare with the more formal/neutral 버스 기사.
examples: - ko: "**버스 아저씨**가 문을 열어 줬어요" en: The **bus driver** opened the door notes: Generated by Claude - ko: "**버스 아저씨**한테 인사했어요" en: I greeted the **bus driver** notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 전철 en: subway notes: |[Literally translates to "electric train."]
Largely interchangeable with 지하철. 지하철 (literally "underground train") is generally the more common everyday word, while 전철 is often seen/heard in more official contexts like station announcements.
examples: - ko: 거기에 가려면 **전철**을 타야 돼요 en: In order to get there, you must take the **subway** - ko: "**전철**이 전역에서 출발하였습니다" en: The **train** has departed from the previous station - ko: 지하철 en: subway notes: |[Literally translates to "underground train."]
Compare with 전철 ("electric train"), which is largely interchangeable but slightly more common in formal/announcement contexts.
examples: - ko: 버스로 가면 **지하철**보다 더 빨라요 en: If you go by bus, it is faster than the **subway** - ko: 저는 벌써 **지하철**을 타고 있어요 en: I am already on/riding the **subway** - ko: 역 en: station notes: |Often attached directly to a place name, e.g. 서울역 = "Seoul station."
examples: - ko: 사당**역** 4번 출구에서 만나자 en: Let's meet at exit four of Sadang **station** - ko: 서울**역**에서 1호선으로 갈아타는 것은 복잡해요 en: It is confusing transferring to line 1 at Seoul **Station** - ko: 서울**역**으로 가 주세요 en: Please take me to Seoul **Station** - ko: 서울**역**까지 가는 데 보통 얼마나 나와요? en: How much will it usually cost to get to Seoul **Station**? - ko: 서울**역**에 가려면 어느 쪽으로 가야 돼요? en: In order to get to Seoul **station**, which way should I/one go? - ko: 위치 en: location examples: - ko: 그 식당의 **위치**를 핸드폰으로 검색할 거에요 en: I'll look up the **location** of the restaurant on my phone - ko: 길 en: street/road notes: |Largely interchangeable with 거리.
[길 tends to emphasize the route/path itself — a road to walk or drive on — while 거리 tends to emphasize the street as a place/area.]
examples: - ko: 저는 **길**을 잃었어요 en: I'm lost - ko: 우리는 **길**을 건너야 돼요 en: We have to cross the **street** - ko: 이 **길**에서 직진하셔요 en: Go straight on this **road** - ko: 거리 en: street/road notes: |Largely interchangeable with 길.
[거리 tends to emphasize the street as a place/area, while 길 tends to emphasize the route/path itself.]
examples: - ko: 저는 **거리**를 안전하게 건넜어요 en: I crossed the **street** safely - ko: 사거리 en: intersection examples: - ko: "**사거리**에서 오른쪽으로 가세요" en: Go right at the **intersection** notes: Generated by Claude - ko: "**사거리**에서 사고가 났어요" en: There was an accident at the **intersection** notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 교통카드 en: transportation card examples: - ko: "**교통카드**를 어디서 살 수 있어요?" en: Where can you buy a **transportation card**? - ko: 교통 카드를 어디서 충전할 수 있어요? en: Where can I charge my **transportation card**? - ko: 교통 카드를 잃어버렸어요 en: I lost my **transportation card**? - ko: 자리 en: a place to sit examples: - ko: "**자리**에 앉으세요" en: Please sit in your **seat** notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 저 **자리**가 비어 있어요 en: That **seat** is empty notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 노약 좌석 en: a seat for the elderly and weak examples: - ko: "**노약 좌석**에는 앉지 마세요" en: Please don't sit in the **seat for the elderly and weak** notes: Generated by Claude - ko: "**노약 좌석**은 비어 있어야 돼요" en: The **priority seat** should be left empty notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 호선 en: line in a subway notes: |Attached to a number, e.g. 4호선 = "Line 4."
examples: - ko: 4**호선**으로 갈아타야 돼요 en: You have to transfer to **line** 4 - ko: 홍대에 가려면 몇 **호선**을 타야 돼요? en: In order to get to 홍대, which **line** should I take? - ko: 서울역에서 1**호선**으로 갈아타는 것은 복잡해요 en: It is confusing transferring to **line** 1 at Seoul Station - ko: 동대문으로 가실 분은 이번 역에서 2**호선**으로 환승하시기 바랍니다 en: Passengers who are going to 동대문, please transfer to **line** 2 at this station - ko: 출구 en: exit of a subway station notes: |Attached to a number, e.g. 4번출구 = "exit 4."
examples: - ko: 사당역 4번 **출구**에서 만나자 en: Let's meet at **exit** four of Sadang station - ko: 택시 en: taxi examples: - ko: "**택시**를 타고 공항에 갈 거에요" en: I'm going to take a **taxi** to the airport notes: Generated by Claude - ko: "**택시**가 안 잡혀요" en: I can't catch a **taxi** notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 막차 en: last train/bus examples: - ko: 저는 안산으로 가는 **막차**를 놓쳤어요 en: I missed the **last train** going to Ansan - ko: "**막차**가 몇 시에 출발해요?" en: What time does the **last train** depart? - ko: 첫차 en: first train/bus examples: - ko: 저는 내일 **첫차**를 타야 돼요 en: I have to take the **first train** tomorrow - ko: "**첫차**가 몇 시에 출발해요?" en: What time does the **first train** depart? verbs: - ko: 가다 en: to go examples: - ko: 오른 쪽으로 **가면** 돼요 en: "**Go** right" notes: |[The full nuance is closer to "you should/need to go right."]
- ko: 왼 쪽으로 **가면** 돼요 en: "**Go** left" notes: |[The full nuance is closer to "you should/need to go left."]
- ko: 거기에 **가려면** 어느 쪽으로 가야 돼요? en: In order to **get** there, which way should I/one go? - ko: 서울역에 **가려면** 어느 쪽으로 가야 돼요? en: In order to **get** to Seoul station, which way should I/one go? - ko: 거기에 어떻게 **가는** 지 알아요? en: Do you know how to **get** there? - ko: 오다 en: to come examples: - ko: 버스 **온다**! en: The bus is **coming**! - ko: 버스가 5분 후에 **올** 거에요 en: The bus will **come** in 5 minutes - ko: 이 버스는 10분마다 **와요** en: This bus **comes** each/every 10 minutes - ko: 만나다 en: to meet examples: - ko: 사당역 4번 출구에서 **만나자** en: Let's **meet** at exit four of Sadang station - ko: 건너다 en: to cross examples: - ko: 우리는 길을 **건너야** 돼요 en: We have to **cross** the street - ko: 저는 거리를 안전하게 **건넜어요** en: I **crossed** the street safely - ko: 내리다 en: to get off (a bus/subway) examples: - ko: 저는 금방 **내려요** (**내릴** 거에요) en: I'm **getting off** soon - ko: 다음 정류장에서 **내리면** 돼요 en: You should **get off** at the next station - ko: 다 다음 정류장에서 **내리면** 돼요 en: You should **get off** two stations from now - ko: 여기서 **내려** 주세요 en: Please let me **get off** here - ko: "**내리실** 문은 오른 쪽입니다" en: The doors you will **get off** from are on the right - ko: 타다 en: to get on (a bus/subway) examples: - ko: 거기에 가려면 버스를 **타야** 돼요 en: In order to get there, you must **take** the bus - ko: 빨리 **타세요** en: "**Get on**, quick!" - ko: 저는 내일 첫차를 **타야** 돼요 en: I have to **take** the first train tomorrow - ko: 52번을 **타면** 돼요 en: You should **take** bus number 52 - ko: 저는 벌써 지하철을 **타고** 있어요 en: I am already **on**/riding the subway - ko: 찍다 en: to scan a card examples: - ko: 저는 카드를 안 **찍었어요** en: I didn't **scan** my card - ko: 버스를 탈 때 카드를 **찍어야** 되고 내릴 때도 **찍어야** 돼요 en: You need to **scan** your card when you get on the bus and also when you get off the bus - ko: 갈아타다 en: to transfer notes: |Largely interchangeable with 환승하다.
[갈아타다 is more colloquial/spoken, while 환승하다 is more commonly heard in official/formal contexts, such as station announcements.]
examples: - ko: 4호선으로 **갈아타야** 돼요 en: You have to **transfer** to line 4 - ko: 어디서 **갈아타야** 돼요? en: Where do I need to **transfer**? - ko: 서울역에서 1호선으로 **갈아타는** 것은 복잡해요 en: It is confusing **transferring** to line 1 at Seoul Station - ko: 환승하다 en: to transfer notes: |Largely interchangeable with 갈아타다.
[환승하다 is more commonly heard in official/formal contexts, such as station announcements, while 갈아타다 is more colloquial.]
examples: - ko: 어디서 **환승해야** 돼요? en: Where do I need to **transfer**? - ko: 동대문으로 가실 분은 이번 역에서 2호선으로 **환승하시기** 바랍니다 en: Passengers who are going to 동대문, please **transfer** to line 2 at this station - ko: 데려다 주다 en: to bring a person to a certain point examples: - ko: 거기까지 **데려다 줄까요**? en: Shall I **take you** there? notes: |[More literally, "Let me take you there."]
- ko: 집까지 **데려다 줄게요** en: I'll **take you** home - ko: 길을 잃다 en: to be lost examples: - ko: 저는 **길을 잃었어요** en: I'm **lost** - ko: 앉다 en: to sit examples: - ko: "**앉으세요**" en: "Please, **sit** down" notes: |[Often said to an older person when giving up your seat.]
- ko: 충전하다 en: to recharge examples: - ko: 교통 카드를 어디서 **충전할** 수 있어요? en: Where can I **charge** my transportation card? - ko: 카드를 **충전해** 주세요 en: Please **recharge** my card - ko: 카드에 10,000원 (만원)을 **충전해** 주세요 en: Please **recharge** my card with 10,000 won - ko: 멈추다 en: to stop notes: |[Used for a vehicle, like a bus or subway, coming to a stop — not for a person stopping an action.]
examples: - ko: 버스가 **멈추지** 않았어요 en: The bus didn't **stop** - ko: 자리를 맡다 en: to save a seat for somebody examples: - ko: 친구를 위해서 **자리를 맡았어요** en: I **saved a seat** for my friend notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 저 대신 **자리 좀 맡아** 주세요 en: Please **save a seat** for me notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 놓치다 en: to miss examples: - ko: 저는 안산으로 가는 막차를 **놓쳤어요** en: I **missed** the last train going to Ansan adjectives: - ko: 빠르다 en: fast examples: - ko: 버스로 가면 지하철보다 더 **빨라요** en: If you go by bus, it is **faster** than the subway - ko: 느리다 en: slow examples: - ko: 이 버스는 지하철보다 **느려요** en: This bus is **slower** than the subway notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 막차는 첫차보다 **느려요** en: The last train is **slower** than the first train notes: Generated by Claude - ko: 복잡하다 en: confusing examples: - ko: 서울역에서 1호선으로 갈아타는 것은 **복잡해요** en: It is **confusing** transferring to line 1 at Seoul Station other_words: - ko: 오른쪽 en: the right side/direction examples: - ko: "**오른** 쪽으로 가면 돼요" en: Go **right** - ko: 내리실 문은 **오른** 쪽입니다 en: The doors will open on the **right** - ko: 왼쪽 en: the left side/direction examples: - ko: "**왼** 쪽으로 가면 돼요" en: Go **left** - ko: 건너편 en: the opposite side (across the street) examples: - ko: 그 식당은 은행 **건너편**에 있어요 en: That restaurant is **across the street** from the bank - ko: 반대로 en: the opposite direction examples: - ko: "**반대로** 가야 돼요" en: You need to go the **opposite direction** - ko: 여기 en: here examples: - ko: "**여기**서 내려 주세요" en: Please let me get off **here** - ko: 거기 en: there notes: |Compare with 저기.
[거기 refers to a place near the listener or already mentioned in conversation, while 저기 refers to a place far from both speaker and listener.]
examples: - ko: "**거기**에 가려면 어느 쪽으로 가야 돼요?" en: In order to get **there**, which way should I/one go? - ko: "**거기**에 어떻게 가는 지 알아요?" en: Do you know how to get **there**? - ko: "**거기**까지 데려다 줄까요?" en: Shall I take you **there**? - ko: "**거기**에 가려면 버스를 타야 돼요" en: In order to get **there**, you must take the bus - ko: "**거기** 가려면 몇 번 버스를 타야 돼요?" en: In order to get **there**, what bus should I take? - ko: 저기 en: there notes: |Compare with 거기.
[저기 refers to a place far from both speaker and listener, often visible in the distance, while 거기 refers to a place near the listener.]
examples: - ko: "**저기**에 버스 정류장이 있어요" en: There's a bus stop **over there** notes: Generated by Claude - ko: "**저기**로 가 주세요" en: Please go **over there** notes: Generated by Claude --- # (Theme) Unit 1: #2 – Transportation ## Introduction Everybody needs to get around, right? Most foreigners who move to Korea do not buy cars; but instead rely on the fast, efficient, and available mass transportation or taxis. Even if you don’t live in Korea, buses and subways are everywhere, and it is good to have some basic vocabulary and sentences ready in case you are going from place to place with a Korean person in a country other than Korea Below is a list of vocabulary you may find useful when getting from place to place, particularly by public transportation or taxi. ## Vocabulary