What are the most essential Korean phrases and expressions that every foreigner living in Korea should memorize for daily life?

A handful of phrases go a long way here, and locals really appreciate the effort. The everyday politeness ones are 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo, hello), 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida, thank you), and 죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida, sorry or excuse me). For shopping and eating out, 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo, I'll have this one) while pointing works for almost anything, 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo, how much is it), and 계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo, the check please).

To get around, 화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodiyeyo, where is the bathroom) and 여기 세워 주세요 (yeogi sewo juseyo, please stop here) in a taxi are gold. When you need help or want to bow out politely, 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo, please help me), 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo, I'm okay or no thanks), and 영어 할 수 있어요? (yeongeo hal su isseoyo, do you speak English) cover a lot. Two useful ones people forget are 이거 뭐예요? (igeo mwoyeyo, what is this) and 안 매워요? (an maewoyo, is it not spicy). A couple of tips: adding 요 to the end keeps you polite, and the Papago app fills any gap instantly. Even attempting these earns genuine warmth, so do not stress about perfect pronunciation.