XX로 가주세요.
XX-ro ga-ju-se-yo
Please go to XX.
XX = destination. For an address, show it in Hangul on your phone — fewer transliteration errors.
Korean taxis are abundant, metered, and generally honest. The Kakao T app handles 80%+ of taxi calls in Seoul — but for street-hailed taxis, drivers occasionally don't speak English, and a few phrases save a lot of awkward gesturing.
Translate something specific →XX로 가주세요.
XX-ro ga-ju-se-yo
Please go to XX.
XX = destination. For an address, show it in Hangul on your phone — fewer transliteration errors.
이 주소로 가주세요.
i ju-so-ro ga-ju-se-yo
Please go to this address.
주소 = address. Typically said while showing your phone screen.
얼마나 걸려요?
eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo
How long will it take?
Useful if you have a flight or appointment. 걸려요 = takes.
길이 막혀요?
gil-i ma-kyeo-yo
Is there traffic?
막히다 = jammed. Drivers may suggest a different route if traffic is bad.
좀 빨리 가주실 수 있어요?
jom ppal-li ga-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo
Can you go a bit faster?
Polite. Don't expect aggressive driving in response — Korean taxi drivers prioritize safety.
여기서 내릴게요.
yeo-gi-seo nae-ril-ge-yo
I'll get off here.
내리다 = get off. Use 'I'll' (-ㄹ게요) form to politely indicate intent.
카드 돼요?
ka-deu dwae-yo
Do you take card?
All licensed taxis legally must — but this avoids disputes. For a yes/no answer.
영수증 주세요.
yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo
Receipt, please.
영수증 = receipt. Useful for business expense reports.
Kakao T로 잡았어요.
Kakao T-ro ja-ba-sseo-yo
I caught it on Kakao T.
Useful if the driver asks how you booked.
기다려 주실 수 있어요?
gi-da-ryeo ju-sil su i-sseo-yo
Can you wait for me?
Drivers may agree to wait for short stops; surcharge applies.
Korean taxis come in three tiers: regular (회색/주황), deluxe (검은색), and 'mobeum' premium (검은색 large vehicle). All are metered. Surge pricing exists during late-night hours after subway closes (around 12:30 AM). Kakao T is the dominant ride-hailing app — it works without a Korean phone number and accepts foreign credit cards. Tipping is not done; it can confuse drivers. Most drivers are honest, but a few stories exist of routes deliberately lengthened — having Kakao Maps open with a route on your phone deters this.
Use Panor's free Korean rhetoric translator to translate phrases not on this page. The translator preserves cultural register (반말, 존댓말, 비격식체) and explains rhetorical patterns specific to Korean — particularly useful for K-pop lyrics, drama dialogue, and marketing copy where literal translation misses the meaning.