How to Ask for Directions in Korean
10-Second Answer
Asking for directions in Korean centers on one core question — "[place]이/가 어디예요?" ("Where is [place]?") — plus a small set of direction words (왼쪽, 오른쪽, 직진) to understand the answer. Showing a map on your phone alongside these phrases covers almost any situation.
Asking Where Something Is
지하철역이 어디예요?
jihacheollyeog-i eodiyeyo?
Where is the subway station?
여기가 어디예요?
yeogiga eodiyeyo?
Where is this (on the map)?
Useful when you're lost and pointing at your own location.
이 근처에 화장실 있어요?
i geuncheo-e hwajangsil isseoyo?
Is there a bathroom nearby?
Understanding the Directions You're Given
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 직진 | Go straight |
| 왼쪽 | Left |
| 오른쪽 | Right |
| 횡단보도 | Crosswalk |
| 건너편 | Across the street / on the other side |
| 모퉁이 | Corner |
직진하다가 왼쪽으로 가세요.
jikjinhadaga oenjjogeuro gaseyo.
Go straight, then turn left.
-세요, the polite command form covered on its own page.
건너편에 있어요.
geonneopyeon-e isseoyo.
It's across the street.
Checking Distance and Time
여기서 멀어요?
yeogiseo meoreoyo?
Is it far from here?
걸어서 갈 수 있어요?
georeoseo gal su isseoyo?
Can I walk there?
얼마나 걸려요?
eolmana geollyeoyo?
How long does it take?
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1 — Not having a backup for complex answers
Even fluent speakers sometimes get long, fast directions — showing your phone map and saying 여기로 어떻게 가요? ("how do I get here?") while pointing at a pin works well as a fallback.
Mistake #2 — Confusing 왼쪽/오른쪽
왼쪽 (left) and 오른쪽 (right) are easy to mix up under pressure — worth deliberately practicing the pair together.
Mini Quiz
1. How do you ask "Where is the subway station?"
2. What does 직진 mean?
3. How do you ask "How long does it take?"
Related Knowledge
Learn Next
Taxi Korean Phrases You'll Actually Need
If directions get too complicated, a taxi is always the reliable fallback — here's how to use one.
Will you remember this tomorrow?
Add it to your review queue — the daily session brings it back before you forget.
Start today's study →Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Written and reviewed by a native Korean speaker.