Korean Transportation WordsTransport & getting around with romanization — free list

The Korean word for transportation is 교통 (gyotong). To say you ride a vehicle, use 타다: 버스를 타다 (to take the bus). To get off, use 내리다. The particle 으로/로 marks the means of transport: 지하철로 가요 (I go by subway). This free list covers 24 transport words with romanization.

KoreanRomanizationMeaning
교통 gyotong transportation / traffic
버스 beoseu bus
지하철 jihacheol subway / metro
기차 gicha train
택시 taeksi taxi
자동차 jadongcha car / automobile
자전거 jajeongeo bicycle
오토바이 otobai motorcycle
비행기 bihaenggi airplane
bae boat / ship
트럭 teureok truck
기차역 gicha yeok train station
정류장 jeongnyujang bus stop
지하철역 jihacheol yeok subway station
pyo ticket
교통카드 gyotong kadeu transit card (T-money)
기사 gisa driver
운전 unjeon driving
타다 tada to ride / to take (a vehicle)
내리다 naerida to get off / to disembark
갈아타다 garatada to transfer (change vehicles)
신호등 sinhodeung traffic light
횡단보도 hoengdan bodo pedestrian crossing / crosswalk
주유소 juyuso gas station

💡 Good to know

타다 (to ride/take) and 내리다 (to get off) are the two core transport verbs. Use 으로/로 for the means of transport: 버스로 가요 (go by bus). 갈아타다 means to transfer (change vehicles). The T-money card (교통카드) works on Seoul's buses and subway.

Lesson: Transport in Korea →Lesson: Transport & time →

FAQ

How do you say take the bus in Korean?
버스를 타다 (beoseureul tada) means 'to take the bus'. 타다 is the verb for riding any vehicle. To get off, use 버스에서 내리다.
How do you say subway in Korean?
Subway is 지하철 (jihacheol), literally 'underground iron'. A subway station is 지하철역. Seoul's subway is fast and affordable — pay with 교통카드 (transit card).
How do you say transfer in Korean?
To transfer between lines or vehicles, use 갈아타다 (garatada): 2호선으로 갈아타세요 means 'transfer to Line 2'.
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Written by Alvin Lim Certified Korean Language Teacher (Level 2)