What Language Do They Speak in South Korea?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
The official language of South Korea is Korean. Korean is also an official language in 1 other country worldwide.
Learn some Korean before you go
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Korean Phrasebook & Dictionary
The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of South Korea at a glance
| Official language | Korean |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 1 |
| Countries on this site where Korean is official | 2 |
| People (demonym) | South Korean |
| Capital | Seoul |
| Internet domain | .kr |
Other countries where Korean is official
Korean is also an official language in 1 other country covered here:
Languages of neighbouring countries
| North Korea | Korean |
|---|
South Korea in context
- South Korea covers 100,210 kmΒ², making it the 107th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 511 people per kmΒ² ranks 16th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 1 country: North Korea.
- With 51,159,889 people, South Korea holds about 3.1% of the population of Eastern Asia.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- South Korea is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare South Korea
Useful phrases for visitors to South Korea
Everyday Korean phrases you will hear and use in South Korea:
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| Hello | μλ νμΈμ (annyeonghaseyo) |
| Thank you | κ°μ¬ν©λλ€ (gamsahamnida) |
| Please | λΆνν©λλ€ (butakhamnida) |
| Goodbye | μλ ν κ°μΈμ (annyeonghi gaseyo) |
| Yes | λ€ (ne) |
| No | μλμ (aniyo) |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in South Korea β FAQ
What language do they speak in South Korea?
The official language of South Korea is Korean.
How many official languages does South Korea have?
South Korea has 1 official language: Korean.
Is Korean spoken anywhere else?
Korean is also an official language in 1 other country.
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