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Korean Location Expressions

Korean Location Expressions: Talking About Where Things Are

In this post we’ll cover Korean location expressions. That is, we’ll talk about essential grammar and vocabulary that you’ll need to say where things are. First, we’ll start with an introduction to give you a general idea of the topic. Second, we’ll go right to some very practical applications of this grammar: talking about where you live. After that we’ll turn to some common everyday expressions that involve talking about places and location. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a list of the most common location phrases that you should know as a student of Korean.

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Introduction to Korean Location Expressions and Key Grammar

Talking about location in Korean works somewhat differently than in English. Before we jump into the examples, let’s cover some basic concepts you’ll need to know.

Particles

Rather than relying mainly on prepositions such as in, at, and on, Korean uses particles, sometimes combining them with locationwords. Two especially important particles are:

  • 에 e (at, in, on, to)
  • μ—μ„œ eseo (at, in when an action takes place there)

A pair of examples with help show the difference between these two particles. In the first example below, I’m simply at home, so I use the basic or static location particle –에 -e. I’m just talking about my location there, and I’m not referring to any action happening at home. But in the second, I’m talking about an action (watching TV) happening at home, so I use the dynamic location particle –μ—μ„œ -eseo.

  • μ €λŠ” 집에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jeoneun jib-e isseoyo.
    I’m home.
  • μ €λŠ” μ§‘μ—μ„œ ν…”λ ˆλΉ„μ „μ„ λ΄μš”.
    jeoneun jib-eseo tellebijeoneul bwayo.
    I’m watching TV at home.

Particles Combined with Location Words

If you want to be specific about a location (inside, on, next to, etc.), you can combine the particles with location words such as:

  • μ•ˆ an (inside)
  • μœ„ wi (on, above)
  • μ•„λž˜ arae (under, below)
  • μ˜† yeop (next to)
  • 근처 geuncheo (near, vicinity)
  • λ’€ dwi (behind)
  • μ•ž ap (in front of)
  • μ™Όμͺ½ oenjjok (left)
  • 였λ₯Έμͺ½ (oreunjjok) (right)

These location words normally come after the noun they relate to, which is the opposite of English. And then they combine with one of the location particles – –에 –e or –μ—μ„œ –eseo – depending on the kind of location, static or dynamic. So the structure is:

[noun] + [location word] + –에 –e / –μ—μ„œ –eseo

  • ν˜Έν…” μ•žμ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    hotel ap-e isseoyo.
    I’m in front of the hotel.
  • ν˜Έν…” μ•žμ—μ„œ κΈ°λ‹€λ €μš”.
    hotel ap-eseo gidaryeoyo.
    I’m waiting in front of the hotel.

Special Verbs for Location

To say where something is in Korean, you use the verb μžˆλ‹€ itda / μžˆμ–΄μš” (isseoyo) / μžˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ isseumnida (to exist, to be located).

  • 책이 책상 μœ„μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    chaegi chaeksang wi-e isseoyo.
    The book is on the desk.
  • 고양이가 의자 μ•„λž˜μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    goyangiga uija arae-e isseoyo.
    The cat is under the chair.

There is a special negative verb μ—†λ‹€ eopda/ μ—†μ–΄μš” eopseoyo / μ—†μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ eopseumnida (not to exist, not to be located) that you use in negatives.

  • 책이 책상 μœ„μ— μ—†μ–΄μš”.
    chaegi chaeksang wi-e eopseoyo.
    The book isn’t on the desk.
  • 고양이가 의자 μ•„λž˜μ— μ—†μ–΄μš”.
    goyangiga uija arae-e eopseoyo.
    The cat is under the chair.

Korean Location Expressions for Talking About Where You Live: Countries and Cities

Now that you’ve learned the basic grammar you need to know about Korean location expressions, let’s see some typical contexts where you’d use them. The verb μ‚΄λ‹€ salda (to live) usually takes cities or countries with the location particle –에 -e. Notice that you add-에 -e to μ–΄λ”” eodi (where), although this is often optional in casual conversation.

  • 어디에 μ‚΄μ•„μš”?
    eodi-e sarayo?
    Where do you live?
  • μ €λŠ” μ„œμšΈμ— μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    jeoneun seour-e sarayo.
    I live in Seoul.
  • μ €λŠ” λ‰΄μš•μ— μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    jeoneun nyuyog-e sarayo.
    I live in New York.
  • λ―Όμˆ˜λŠ” 뢀산에 μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    minsuneun busan-e sarayo.
    Minsu lives in Busan.

The same pattern is used with countries.

  • μ €λŠ” 미ꡭ에 μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    jeoneun migug-e sarayo.
    I live in the United States.
  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ ν•œκ΅­μ— μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    chinguga hangug-e sarayo.
    My friend lives in Korea.
  • 제 μ–Έλ‹ˆλŠ” 일본에 μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    je eonnineun ilbon-e sarayo.
    My older sister lives in Japan.
  • μš°λ¦¬λŠ” ν”„λž‘μŠ€μ— μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    urineun peurangseue sarayo.
    We live in France.

에 for destinations

Remember that에 is also used with destinations, so it can mean to as well as in or at.

  • μ €λŠ” μ„œμšΈμ— κ°€μš”.
    jeoneun seour-e gayo.
    I’m going to Seoul.
  • λ‹€μŒ 주에 ν•œκ΅­μ— κ°€μš”.
    daeum jue hangug-e gayo.
    I’m going to Korea next week.
  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 일본에 κ°”μ–΄μš”.
    chinguga ilbon-e gasseoyo.
    My friend went to Japan.

To learn more about the range of meanings of the particle 에, check out this post. https://thelanguagegarage.com/korean-particles/

Korean Location Expressions for Daily Life

Now let’s turn to some other typical situations that call for Korean location expressions in daily life. Remember that Korean uses the verb μžˆλ‹€ itda / μžˆμ–΄μš” (isseoyo) / μžˆμŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ isseumnida (to exist, to be located) to say where someone or something is. The negative is μ—†λ‹€ eopda/ μ—†μ–΄μš” eopseoyo / μ—†μŠ΅λ‹ˆλ‹€ eopseumnida (not to exist, not to be located). These verbs are typically used with the static location particle –에 –e, although this may be dropped in casual speech in some common expressions.

At Home: 집에

집 (jip) means house or home, so adding the location particle means at home. Remember to use the dynamic location particle –μ—μ„œ -eseo to talk about something that you’re doing at home.

  • μ €λŠ” 집에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jeoneun jib-e isseoyo.
    I’m at home.
  • μ§€κΈˆ 집에 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
    jigeum jib-e isseoyo?
    Are you at home now?
  • 아이듀이 집에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    aideuri jib-e isseoyo.
    The children are at home.
  • μš°λ¦¬λŠ” μ§‘μ—μ„œ μ˜ν™”λ₯Ό μŠ€νŠΈλ¦¬λ°ν•΄μš”.
    urineun jib-eseo yeonghwareul seuteuriminghaeyo.
    We’re streaming a movie at home.

At work: 직μž₯에 / νšŒμ‚¬μ—

There are several ways to talk about being at work. 직μž₯ (jikjang) means workplace, while νšŒμ‚¬ (hoesa) means company/office and is very common for office workers.

  • μ €λŠ” 직μž₯에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jeoneun jikjang-e isseoyo.
    I’m at work.
  • λ‚¨νŽΈμ€ νšŒμ‚¬μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    nampyeoneun hoesa-e isseoyo.
    My husband is at work / at the office.
  • μ§€κΈˆ νšŒμ‚¬μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jigeum hoesa-e isseoyo.
    I’m at the office now.
  • μ €λŠ” 직μž₯μ—μ„œ λ°œν‘œν•΄μš”.
    jeoneun jikjang-eseo balpyohaeyo.
    I’m giving a presentation at work.
  • μ €λŠ” νšŒμ‚¬μ—μ„œ λ°œν‘œν•΄μš”.
    jeoneun hoesa-eseo balpyohaeyo.
    I’m giving a presentation at work / at the office.

At school: 학ꡐ에

The noun학ꡐ hakgyo means school.

  • 학생듀이 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    haksaengdeuri hakgyo-e isseoyo.
    The students are at school.
  • μ§€κΈˆ 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jigeum hakgyo-e isseoyo.
    I’m at school now.
  • 학생듀이 ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.
    haksaengdeuri hakgyo-eseo gongbuhaeyo.
    The students study at school.
  • λ―Όμˆ˜κ°€ 학ꡐ에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    minsuga hakgyo-e isseoyo.
    Minsu is at school.
  • λ―Όμˆ˜κ°€ ν•™κ΅μ—μ„œ κ³΅λΆ€ν•΄μš”.
    minsuga hakgyo-eseo gongbuhaeyo.
    Minsu studies at school.

At a restaurant: 식당에

The noun 식당 shikdang means restaurant.

  • μš°λ¦¬λŠ” 식당에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    urineun shikdang-e isseoyo.
    We’re at a restaurant.
  • μš°λ¦¬λŠ” μ‹λ‹Ήμ—μ„œ λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
    urineun shikdang-eseo meogeoyo.
    We eat at a restaurant.
  • μΉœκ΅¬λ“€μ΄ μ‹λ‹Ήμ—μ„œ 점심을 λ¨Ήμ–΄μš”.
    chingudeuri shikdang-eseo jeomsimeul meogeoyo.
    My friends are eating lunch at a restaurant.

At a cafΓ©: μΉ΄νŽ˜μ—

카페 kape means café or coffee shop.

  • μˆ˜μ§„μ€ μΉ΄νŽ˜μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    sujineun kape-e isseoyo.
    Sujin is at a cafΓ©.
  • μˆ˜μ§„μ€ μΉ΄νŽ˜μ—μ„œ 컀피λ₯Ό λ§ˆμ…”μš”.
    sujineun kape-eseo keopireul masyeoyo.
    Sujin drinks coffee at a cafΓ©.
  • μΉ΄νŽ˜μ—μ„œ λ§Œλ‚˜μš”.
    kape-eseo mannayo.
    Let’s meet at the cafΓ©.

In the car: μ°¨ μ•ˆμ—

To specifically say that someone or something is inside the car, use μ°¨ μ•ˆμ— (cha ane). μ°¨ cha means car, and μ•ˆan means the inside.

  • 아이듀이 μ°¨ μ•ˆμ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    aideuri cha an-e isseoyo.
    The children are in the car.
  • 가방이 μ°¨ μ•ˆμ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    gabangi cha an-e isseoyo.
    The bag is in the car.
  • μš°λ¦¬λŠ” μ°¨ μ•ˆμ—μ„œ μž€μ–΄μš”.
    urineun cha an-eseo jasseoyo.
    We slept in the car.

Essential Korean Location Expressions: Location Words and Particles

Earlier you saw that you can combine the particles –에 –e or –μ—μ„œ –eseo with location words such as μ•ˆ an (inside), μœ„ wi (on, above), μ˜† yeop (next to), and so on in the structure:

[noun] + [location word] + 에 / μ—μ„œ

  • ν…Œμ΄λΈ” μœ„μ—
    teibeul wi-e
    on/above the table
  • 집 μ•žμ—
    jip ap-e
    in front of the house
  • 은행 μ˜†μ—
    eunhaeng yeop-e
    next to the bank

In this section we’ll look at each one and give a few examples to help you practice.

In / Inside: μ•ˆμ—

μ•ˆ means inside. With 에, μ•ˆμ— means in or inside.             

  • μ—΄μ‡ κ°€ κ°€λ°© μ•ˆμ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    yeolsoega gabang an-e isseoyo.
    The keys are in the bag.
  • μš°μœ κ°€ 냉μž₯κ³  μ•ˆμ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    uyuga naengjanggo an-e isseoyo.
    The milk is in the refrigerator.
  • 고양이가 집 μ•ˆμ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    goyangiga jip an-e isseoyo.
    The cat is inside the house.
  • 집 μ•ˆμ—μ„œ 곡을 λ˜μ§€μ§€ λ§ˆμ„Έμš”!
    jip aneseo gongeul deonjiji maseyo!
    Don’t throw a ball inside the house!

In many situations, μ•ˆ can be omitted when the meaning is obvious. Adding μ•ˆμ— emphasizes that something is physically inside.

  • μš°μœ κ°€ 냉μž₯고에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    uyuga naengjanggo-e isseoyo.
    The milk is in the refrigerator.

On / Above: μœ„μ—

μœ„ means top or upper part. Therefore, μœ„μ— can mean on or above, depending on the context.

  • 책이 ν…Œμ΄λΈ” μœ„μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    chaegi teibeul wi-e isseoyo.
    The book is on the table.
  • μ „ν™”κΈ°κ°€ 책상 μœ„μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jeonhwagiga chaeksang wi-e isseoyo.
    The phone is on the desk.
  • λž¨ν”„κ°€ ν…Œμ΄λΈ” μœ„μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    raempeuga teibeul wi-e isseoyo.
    The lamp is above the table.
  • 고양이가 ν…Œμ΄λΈ” μœ„μ—μ„œ 자고 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    goyangiga teibeul wi-eseo jago isseoyo.
    The cat is sleeping on the table.

Under / Below: μ•„λž˜μ—, 밑에

μ•„λž˜ arae means below or lower part. λ°‘ mit means bottom/underside and is also very common for under.

  • 고양이가 ν…Œμ΄λΈ” μ•„λž˜μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    goyangiga teibeul arae-e isseoyo.
    The cat is under the table.
  • μ°¨κ³ κ°€ μ•„νŒŒνŠΈ μ•„λž˜μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    chagoga apateu arae-e isseoyo.
    The garage is below the apartment.
  • μ•„κΈ°κ°€ ν…Œμ΄λΈ” μ•„λž˜μ—μ„œ κΈ°μ–΄ λ‹€λ…€μš”.
    agiga teibeul ara-eseo gieo danyeoyo.
    The baby is crawling under the table.
  • μ‹ λ°œμ΄ μΉ¨λŒ€ 밑에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    sinbari chimdae mit-e isseoyo.
    The shoes are under the bed.

Next to: μ˜†μ—

μ˜† means side, so μ˜†μ— means beside or next to.

  • 약ꡭ이 은행 μ˜†μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    yakgugi eunhaeng yeop-e isseoyo.
    The pharmacy is next to the bank.
  • μ œκ°€ 민수 μ˜†μ— μ•‰μ•„μš”.
    jega minsu yeop-e anjayo.
    I sit next to Minsu.
  • μ „ν™”κΈ°κ°€ 컴퓨터 μ˜†μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jeonhwagiga keompyuteo yeop-e isseoyo.
    The phone is next to the computer.
  • 그듀은 λΆ„μˆ˜ μ˜†μ—μ„œ μ΄μ•ΌκΈ°ν•˜κ³  μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    geudeureun bunsu yeop-eseo iyagihago isseoyo.
    They are talking next to the fountain.

Near: κ·Όμ²˜μ—

근처 means vicinity or nearby area. The structure is often [place] κ·Όμ²˜μ—. You will also encounter κ°€κΉŒμ΄μ— gakkaie, nearby/close by.

  • μ €λŠ” μ—­ κ·Όμ²˜μ— μ‚΄μ•„μš”.
    jeoneun yeok geuncheo-e sarayo.
    I live near the station.
  • ν˜Έν…” κ·Όμ²˜μ— μΉ΄νŽ˜κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    hotel geuncheo-e kapega isseoyo.
    There’s a cafΓ© near the hotel.
  • 학ꡐ κ·Όμ²˜μ— 식당이 λ§Žμ•„μš”.
    hakgyo geuncheo-e shikdangi manayo.
    There are many restaurants near the school.
  • 은행이 κ°€κΉŒμ΄μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    eunhaengi gakkaie isseoyo.
    The bank is nearby.

Behind: 뒀에

λ’€ means back or behind.

  • μ°¨κ°€ 집 뒀에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    chaga jip dwi-e isseoyo.
    The car is behind the house.
  • 정원이 ν˜Έν…” 뒀에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jeongwoni hotel dwi-e isseoyo.
    The garden is behind the hotel.
  • λ―Όμˆ˜κ°€ 제 뒀에 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    minsuga je dwi-e isseoyo.
    Minsu is behind me.
  • 아이듀이 집 λ’€μ—μ„œ 놀고 μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    aideuri jip dwi-eseo nolgo isseoyo.
    The kids are playing behind the house.

In Front of: μ•žμ—

μ•ž means front, so μ•žμ— means in front of.

  • νƒμ‹œκ°€ ν˜Έν…” μ•žμ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    taeksiga hotel ap-e isseoyo.
    The taxi is in front of the hotel.
  • 집 μ•žμ— λ‚˜λ¬΄κ°€ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    jip ap-e namuga isseoyo.
    There’s a tree in front of the house.
  • μΉœκ΅¬κ°€ 식당 μ•žμ—μ„œ κΈ°λ‹€λ €μš”.
    chinguga shikdang ap-eseo gidaryeoyo.
    My friend is waiting in front of the restaurant.

To the Left of: μ™Όμͺ½μ—

μ™Όμͺ½ means left side.

  • 은행이 우체ꡭ μ™Όμͺ½μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    eunhaengi ucheguk oenjjoge isseoyo.
    The bank is to the left of the post office.
  • ν™”μž₯싀이 μΉ¨μ‹€ μ™Όμͺ½μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    hwajangsiri chimsil oenjjoge isseoyo.
    The bathroom is to the left of the bedroom.
  • 식당이 ν˜Έν…” μ™Όμͺ½μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    sikdangi hotel oenjjoge isseoyo.
    The restaurant is to the left of the hotel.

To the Right of: 였λ₯Έμͺ½μ—

였λ₯Έμͺ½ means right side.

  • μΉ΄νŽ˜κ°€ 은행 였λ₯Έμͺ½μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    kapega eunhaeng oreunjjoge isseoyo.
    The cafΓ© is to the right of the bank.
  • λΆ€μ—Œμ΄ κ±°μ‹€ 였λ₯Έμͺ½μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    bueogi geosil oreunjjoge isseoyo.
    The kitchen is to the right of the living room.
  • μ—˜λ¦¬λ² μ΄ν„°κ°€ 계단 였λ₯Έμͺ½μ— μžˆμ–΄μš”.
    ellibeiteoga gyedan oreunjjoge isseoyo.
    The elevator is to the right of the stairs.
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