Essential Korean Phrases for Immigration and Boarding – Speak Confidently at the Airport

If you’re traveling to Korea soon, the airport will likely be your first real-life Korean test! From check-in to boarding, you’ll hear many short, fast, and formal Korean phrases. But don’t worry — you don’t need to be fluent to survive Korean immigration. You just need the right words in the right moment.

This guide is designed for English-speaking learners who want to feel confident when flying into or out of Korea. Each section teaches you real phrases used in Korean airports, including Hangul, Romanization, English meanings, and pronunciation tips. 

Let’s make your Korean travel experience smooth and stress-free!

🧳 Check-in: Basic Korean Sentences

Let’s start your Korean language airport journey at the check-in counter! When you arrive at the airport in Korea, you'll likely need to check your baggage, show your ID or ticket, and maybe make a seat request. Even if staff can speak English, trying Korean first shows respect — and may even get you better service!

 

Below are the most common expressions you'll hear and use. Each phrase is written in Hangul, followed by Romanization and an English meaning. Practice aloud, and try using them during your next flight!

 

Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	English
체크인 하고 싶어요	chekeuin hago sipeoyo	I want to check in
짐을 부치고 싶어요	jimeul buchigo sipeoyo	I want to check my bag
창가 자리 있어요?	changka jari isseoyo?	Do you have a window seat?
여권 여기 있어요	yeogwon yeogi isseoyo	Here’s my passport

 

Phrase Tip: Korean check-in counters are fast and polite. Speaking slowly and clearly helps. If you’re unsure, just point to your phone or passport and say "이거요 (igeoyo)" which means "This, please."

 

Also, remember that using “주세요 (juseyo)” after a noun is a polite way to request something. For example: "창가 자리 주세요" means "Window seat, please."

 

Repeat these phrases out loud 2–3 times. The rhythm of Korean is smooth and syllable-based. Focus on natural pauses between words, and you’ll sound more native in no time!

 

Ready for the next part of your journey? Let’s move on to the security checkpoint and learn what Korean phrases you’ll need there!

 

🛃 Security Checkpoint Korean Guide

Once you’ve checked in, the next step is the security checkpoint. You’ll need to place your bag on the belt, remove laptops or liquids, and sometimes answer simple questions. If you’re new to Korean, don’t worry — here are the essential phrases and expressions to help you pass through security with ease.

 

This section introduces key Korean expressions used by airport security staff, plus polite ways you can respond as a traveler. These are short, commonly repeated phrases. Even just recognizing them will boost your confidence!

 

Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	English
짐을 올려 주세요	jimeul olyeo juseyo	Please put your bag up
전자기기 꺼내 주세요	jeonjagigi kkeonae juseyo	Take out electronic devices
신발 벗어 주세요	sinbal beoseo juseyo	Please take off your shoes
이거 뭐예요?	igeo mwoyeyo?	What is this?

 

Officers may also gesture, so even if you don’t fully understand the words, try to match the action. If you want to ask something, use:

이거 괜찮아요? (igeo gwaenchanayo?) – “Is this okay?”

죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) – “I’m sorry” (very polite and often used!)

 

If you're carrying medicine, laptop, or battery banks, try these:

• 약이에요 (yag-ieyo) – It’s medicine
• 노트북이에요 (noteubug-ieyo) – It’s a laptop
• 보조배터리예요 (bojo bataerieyo) – It’s a power bank

 

Tip: Security staff in Korea are generally calm and professional. If you respond politely and stay relaxed, your experience will go smoothly. Knowing how to say even a few words in Korean shows cultural effort — and Koreans appreciate that a lot!

 

🛂 Immigration Questions and Responses

At immigration, you'll face short and direct questions from the officer. These questions are asked formally and often spoken quickly. Don't panic — you're not expected to respond in perfect Korean, but understanding a few key phrases will help you avoid confusion or delays.

 

This section teaches the most common Korean immigration questions and how you can respond. Even if you reply in English, knowing what they’re asking in Korean helps you feel more confident and prepared.

 

Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	English
왜 한국에 오셨어요?	wae hanguge osyeosseoyo?	Why did you come to Korea?
얼마나 계실 거예요?	eolmana gyesil geoyeyo?	How long will you stay?
어디에서 머무르실 거예요?	eodieseo meomureusil geoyeyo?	Where will you stay?
돌아가는 비행기 있어요?	doraganeun bihaenggi isseoyo?	Do you have a return ticket?

 

You can answer simply with a few English words, or try a basic Korean reply:

• 관광이에요 (gwangwang-ieyo) – “It’s tourism.”
• 5일이에요 (o-il-ieyo) – “It’s 5 days.”
• 호텔이에요 (hotel-ieyo) – “It’s a hotel.”
• 네, 있어요 (ne, isseoyo) – “Yes, I have one.”

 

If you don’t understand, it’s totally okay to say:

잘 모르겠어요 (jal moreugesseoyo) – “I’m not sure.”

영어로 말해 주세요 (yeongeoro malhae juseyo) – “Please speak in English.”

 

Korean immigration officers are generally professional and efficient. Keep your answers short and polite. A calm tone and effort to use Korean will leave a positive impression!

 

🛫 Boarding Gate Communication in Korean

You're almost ready to fly! After immigration, your final stop before boarding is the gate area. Gate announcements in Korean can be fast and formal, so it's helpful to understand a few keywords and phrases related to boarding time, zone numbers, and last calls.

 

At this stage, Korean announcements are often made over the speaker. You might also be called by name or asked to present your boarding pass. Staff may switch to English, but knowing the Korean terms will give you an edge and reduce stress in case of last-minute gate changes.

 

Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	English
탑승 시작합니다	tapsseung sijakhamnida	Boarding is starting
탑승권 보여 주세요	tapseungkwon boyeo juseyo	Please show your boarding pass
탑승 게이트가 변경됐습니다	tapseung geiteuga byeongyeong dwaetseumnida	The boarding gate has changed
마지막 탑승 안내입니다	majimak tapsseung annaeimnida	Final boarding announcement

 

Korean boarding announcements often include formal expressions like “안내드립니다 (annaedeurimnida)”, meaning “we are informing you.” You might hear something like:

"OO 편 탑승 안내드립니다." – "We are now boarding flight OO."

 

Useful responses include:

• 여기 있어요 (yeogi isseoyo) – “Here it is” (when showing your boarding pass)
• 몇 번 게이트예요? (myeot beon geiteuyeyo?) – “Which gate is it?”
• 지금 탑승해요? (jigeum tapsseung haeyo?) – “Is it boarding now?”

 

Tip: Listen carefully for your flight number (편명: pyeonmyeong) and gate number. Korean numbers are used in announcements, so practice them beforehand!

 

You're almost on the plane! Let’s now review how to handle arrival and baggage claim phrases in Korean.

 

🛄 Arrival and Baggage Claim Phrases

You've landed in Korea! Now it's time to get through customs and find your luggage. This section teaches you the essential Korean phrases you'll need after arriving — from asking where the baggage carousel is, to reporting lost luggage. These are phrases every traveler should know, and if you're living in Korea, even more so.

 

Whether you're a tourist or a student, these Korean expressions will help you navigate through arrivals smoothly. You’ll be able to ask questions, respond to airport staff, and handle problems like a missing suitcase with calm and confidence.

 

Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	English
수하물 찾는 곳 어디예요?	suhamul chatneun got eodieyo?	Where is baggage claim?
제 가방이 안 보여요	je gabangi an boyeoyo	I can't find my bag
이게 제 짐이에요	ige je jim-ieyo	This is my luggage
분실물 신고하려고요	bunshilmul singo haryeogoyo	I want to report a lost item

 

You can also use simple short sentences like:

• 안에 컴퓨터 있어요 (ane keompyuteo isseoyo) – "There's a computer inside"
• 검은색 캐리어예요 (geomeunsaek kaerieo-yeyo) – "It's a black suitcase"

 

Tip: Koreans often use the word 짐 (jim) for baggage. So instead of saying “가방 (bag),” you might hear “짐 어디예요?” from a staff member — meaning “Where’s your luggage?”

 

You're almost done with your airport Korean training! In the next section, we’ll cover phrases you’ll need for unexpected situations like flight delays, missed connections, or medical help. Let’s prepare for anything.

 

🚨 Emergency & Delay Phrases in Korean

Air travel doesn’t always go as planned. Flights can be delayed, gates can change, or you might feel unwell. That’s why it’s important to learn practical Korean phrases for emergency and delay situations. These expressions will help you communicate your needs quickly and clearly, even in stressful moments.

 

This section covers the most essential emergency-related Korean expressions used at the airport — from asking for help to dealing with flight delays and medical needs. Whether you’re talking to airline staff or just trying to explain a problem, you’ll feel more prepared after learning these phrases.

 

Korean (Hangul)	Romanization	English
비행기가 연착됐어요	bihaenggiga yeonchak dwaesseoyo	The flight is delayed
탑승구가 바뀌었어요	tapseunggu-ga bakwieosseoyo	The gate has changed
몸이 안 좋아요	momi an joayo	I feel sick
의사 불러 주세요	uisa bulleo juseyo	Please call a doctor

 

Other useful phrases include:

• 지연 안내 좀 해 주세요 (jiyeon annae jom hae juseyo) – “Please explain the delay.”
• 환승할 수 있어요? (hwanseunghal su isseoyo?) – “Can I transfer?”
• 약 있어요? (yak isseoyo?) – “Do you have medicine?”

 

Tip: In Korea, emergency numbers are 119 (medical/fire) and 112 (police). Airport staff are trained to respond quickly, and using calm Korean can speed up the help you get.

 

You’ve now learned Korean for every stage of air travel — from check-in to arrival. In the final section, we’ll answer the most common questions about speaking Korean at the airport.

 

✈️ FAQ: Korean at the Airport

Q1. How do I say "I want to check in" in Korean?

You can say 체크인 하고 싶어요 (chekeuin hago sipeoyo).

 

Q2. What's the Korean word for 'luggage'?

It’s 짐 (jim). “수하물 (suhamul)” is more formal and used at airports.

 

Q3. How can I ask "Where is the boarding gate?"

Say 탑승구 어디예요? (tapseunggu eodieyo?).

 

Q4. How do I say “My flight is delayed”?

Use 비행기가 연착됐어요 (bihaenggi-ga yeonchak dwaesseoyo).

 

Q5. Can I ask for a window seat in Korean?

Yes! Say 창가 자리 주세요 (changka jari juseyo).

 

Q6. What’s the Korean for “boarding pass”?

It's 탑승권 (tapseungkwon).

 

Q7. How do I say “I lost my bag”?

Say 가방을 잃어버렸어요 (gabang-eul ilheobeoryeosseoyo).

 

Q8. How do Koreans usually ask for help?

Use 도와 주세요 (dowa juseyo) to say “Please help me.”

 

Q9. How to say “I’m feeling sick”?

Say 몸이 안 좋아요 (momi an joayo).

 

Q10. What phrase should I use for “customs declaration”?

It’s called 세관 신고서 (segwan singoseo) in Korean.

 

Q11. What does “지연” mean in airport announcements?

It means “delay.” Example: 지연 안내 (jiyeon annae) = delay notice.

 

Q12. Is it rude to speak English at the airport in Korea?

Not at all! But speaking basic Korean is polite and appreciated.

 

Q13. What’s a polite way to say “Excuse me” to staff?

Say 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida).

 

Q14. Can I say just “passport” in Korean?

Yes. It’s 여권 (yeogwon).

 

Q15. How to say “Where is the restroom?” in Korean?

Say 화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodieyo?).

 

Q16. How do I ask “What time does the flight leave?” in Korean?

Say 비행기 몇 시에 출발해요? (bihaenggi myeot sie chulbalhaeyo?).

 

Q17. How do I say “I missed my flight”?

Use 비행기를 놓쳤어요 (bihaenggireul nochyeosseoyo).

 

Q18. What's the Korean for “visa”?

It’s 비자 (bija), pronounced almost the same as in English.

 

Q19. How do I ask “Where is the transfer desk?”

Say 환승 데스크 어디예요? (hwanseung deseukeu eodieyo?).

 

Q20. What’s the phrase for “duty-free” in Korean?

It’s 면세점 (myeonsejeom).

 

Q21. How to say “Please speak slowly” in Korean?

Use 천천히 말해 주세요 (cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo).

 

Q22. What’s the polite way to say “thank you”?

Say 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida).

 

Q23. How can I ask “Can I sit here?”

Say 여기 앉아도 돼요? (yeogi anjado dwaeyo?).

 

Q24. How do I say “I have a connecting flight”?

Use 환승 비행기 있어요 (hwanseung bihaenggi isseoyo).

 

Q25. What if I need to say “I don’t speak Korean”?

Say 한국어 못해요 (hangugeo motaeyo).

 

Q26. How to say “I need help” urgently?

Use 도움이 필요해요 (doumi piryohaeyo).

 

Q27. What’s “customs” in Korean?

It’s 세관 (segwan).

 

Q28. How to say “I have nothing to declare”?

Say 신고할 것 없어요 (singohal geot eopseoyo).

 

Q29. Can I ask “Do you speak English?” in Korean?

Yes, say 영어 할 수 있어요? (yeongeo hal su isseoyo?).

 

Q30. What phrase helps in most situations?

A safe go-to is 죄송합니다, 영어 가능하세요? (joesonghamnida, yeongeo ganeunghaseyo?) – “Excuse me, can you speak English?”