Giving Directions to a Friend
Learn to guide someone from point A to point B in Korean — using landmarks, subway exits, and natural spoken directions.
Iru Helper Note
When Koreans give directions, they rely heavily on landmarks, not street names. 직진하다 (go straight), 왼쪽/오른쪽으로 돌다 (turn left/right), and 나오다 (to come out, as in exiting) are the essential verbs. Subway exit numbers are key: 2번 출구로 나오면 바로 보여요 (Come out exit 2 and you'll see it right away).
2번 출구로 나와서 직진하면 왼쪽에 편의점이 있어요. 거기서 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 돼요.
(Come out of exit 2 and go straight — there's a convenience store on the left. From there, turn right and you're done.)
🗺️ What You'll Learn Today
Today you'll learn how to give spoken directions in Korean — using landmarks, subway exits, and natural turn-by-turn guidance. You'll practice 직진하다 (go straight), 꺾다 (to turn/bend), 나오다 (to come out of), and the landmark-anchored structure Koreans use constantly: [landmark]이/가 보이면 [action]. After this lesson you'll be able to guide a friend to a meeting spot confidently in Korean.
📌 Directions Vocabulary
Expression | Meaning | Notes |
직진하다 | To go straight | 계속 직진하면 돼요 |
왼쪽으로 꺾다 | To turn left | 꺾다 = to bend/turn |
오른쪽으로 꺾다 | To turn right | ㅤ |
~번 출구 | Exit number ~ | 2번 출구로 나오세요 |
나오다 | To come out | 지하철에서 나오면 |
건너다 | To cross | 횡단보도를 건너다 |
골목 | Alley / narrow street | 골목으로 들어가세요 |
사거리 | Four-way intersection | 사거리에서 왼쪽으로 |
삼거리 | T-intersection | ㅤ |
바로 보여요 | You'll see it right away | Very common in directions |
못 보면 지나친 거예요 | If you miss it, you've passed it | Warning landmark |
걸어서 ~분 | ~ minutes on foot | 걸어서 5분이에요 |
~을 끼고 돌다 | To turn at the corner of ~ | 편의점을 끼고 오른쪽으로 |
이정표 | Sign / landmark marker | ㅤ |
💡 Key pattern: [Landmark]이/가 보이면 [direction]. = "When you see [landmark], [do this]." Example: 편의점이 보이면 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 돼요. This is the most natural spoken direction structure in Korean — landmark-first, then action.
💬 Conversations in Action
Conversation 1 — Giving subway-based directions
A: 지금 어디예요? 어떻게 와요? (Where are you now? How do I get there?)
B: 지하철 2호선 홍대입구역에서 내려요. 9번 출구로 나오면 돼요. (Take subway line 2 and get off at Hongik University Station. Come out of exit 9.)
A: 나오면요? (After coming out?)
B: 나와서 직진하면 편의점이 보여요. 거기서 왼쪽으로 꺾으면 바로 제가 있는 카페예요. (After coming out, go straight and you'll see a convenience store. Turn left there and the café where I am is right there.)
Conversation 2 — Giving walking directions
A: 지금 사거리 앞이에요. (I'm in front of a four-way intersection now.)
B: 사거리에서 오른쪽으로 꺾어서 직진하면 왼쪽에 파란 건물이 보여요. (Turn right at the intersection and go straight — you'll see a blue building on the left.)
A: 파란 건물? 골목 안에 있어요? (Blue building? Is it inside an alley?)
B: 아니요, 길가에 바로 있어요. 못 보면 지나친 거예요. (No, it's right on the road. If you miss it, you've passed it.)
🌏 Cultural Note — Giving Directions Korean-Style
In Korea, street addresses are used for deliveries and apps, but spoken directions almost always use landmarks: 편의점 옆 (next to the convenience store), 카페 맞은편 (across from the café), 지하철 출구 앞 (in front of the subway exit). When giving directions to a friend, always include a landmark they can see and confirm as they walk. Exit numbers (출구) are sacred — Korean meetings often start with "몇 번 출구?" (Which exit?).
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
For each situation below, give directions in Korean using the expressions from this lesson.
A. Tell your friend to take exit 3 out of the subway.
<summary>Answer
3번 출구로 나오면 돼요. (Come out of exit 3 and you're set.)
</summary>
B. Tell your friend to go straight after coming out of the subway.
<summary>Answer
지하철에서 나와서 계속 직진하면 돼요. (After coming out of the subway, just keep going straight.)
</summary>
C. Tell your friend to turn left at the convenience store.
<summary>Answer
편의점이 보이면 왼쪽으로 꺾으면 돼요. / 편의점을 끼고 왼쪽으로 꺾으세요. (When you see the convenience store, turn left. / Turn left at the corner of the convenience store.)
</summary>
D. Tell your friend it takes about 5 minutes on foot.
<summary>Answer
걸어서 5분 정도 걸려요. (It takes about 5 minutes on foot.)
</summary>
E. Tell your friend to cross the crosswalk and then turn right.
<summary>Answer
횡단보도를 건너서 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 돼요. (Cross the crosswalk and then turn right.)
</summary>
F. Tell your friend they'll see a blue building on the left.
<summary>Answer
왼쪽에 파란 건물이 보일 거예요. (You'll see a blue building on the left.)
</summary>
G. Warn your friend: if they don't see the café, they've passed it.
<summary>Answer
카페가 안 보이면 지나친 거예요. 다시 조금 뒤로 오세요. (If you can't see the café, you've passed it. Come back a little.)
</summary>
H. Tell your friend to turn at the four-way intersection.
<summary>Answer
사거리에서 오른쪽(왼쪽)으로 꺾으세요. (Turn right (left) at the four-way intersection.)
</summary>
I. Tell your friend to enter the alley and the restaurant is inside.
<summary>Answer
골목으로 들어가면 안쪽에 식당이 있어요. (Enter the alley and the restaurant is inside.)
</summary>
J. Give a complete mini-direction: subway exit → landmark → turn → destination.
<summary>Answer
2번 출구로 나와서 직진하다 보면 편의점이 보여요. 거기서 왼쪽으로 꺾으면 바로 도착이에요. (Come out of exit 2 and go straight — you'll see a convenience store. Turn left there and you've arrived.)
</summary>
Expression Reference
Expression | Nuance/Key |
~번 출구로 나오다 | Exit via exit # |
직진하다 | Go straight |
왼/오른쪽으로 꺾다 | Turn left/right |
~이/가 보이면 | When you see ~ |
건너다 | To cross |
골목 | Alley |
사거리 | 4-way intersection |
걸어서 ~분 | ~ min on foot |
바로 보여요 | Right there/visible |
지나친 거예요 | You've passed it |
Speaking Tip
The most natural Korean direction sequence: 출구 → landmark → 꺾다 → 도착. Practice giving directions to your own home or a café you know: 몇 번 출구 → 직진 → landmark 보이면 → 꺾다 → 바로예요. Once you can do it from memory, you're set.
</summary>
Want more reps?
Pick a place you know well — a café, your home, or a local landmark. Give directions there from the nearest subway station, out loud in Korean. Use: 출구 → 직진 → landmark → 꺾다 → 도착. Do it three times until it flows naturally.
📦 Practice Hub — Giving Directions to a Friend
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression
Pick the best word or phrase for each situation.
A. You want to say "go straight." You say: 계속 ___.
<summary>Answer
직진하면 돼요 → 계속 직진하면 돼요. (Just keep going straight.)
B. You want to say "come out of exit 2." You say: 2번 ___ 로 나오세요.
<summary>Answer
출구 → 2번 출구로 나오세요. (Come out of exit 2.)
C. You want to say "turn left." You say: 왼쪽으로 ___.
<summary>Answer
꺾으세요 → 왼쪽으로 꺾으세요. (Turn left.)
D. You want to say "you'll see it right away." You say: ___ 보여요.
<summary>Answer
바로 → 바로 보여요. (You'll see it right away.)
E. You want to say "cross the crosswalk." You say: 횡단보도를 ___.
<summary>Answer
건너세요 → 횡단보도를 건너세요. (Cross the crosswalk.)
F. You want to say "enter the alley." You say: ___ 으로 들어가세요.
<summary>Answer
골목 → 골목으로 들어가세요. (Enter the alley.)
G. You want to say "at the four-way intersection." You say: ___ 에서.
<summary>Answer
사거리 → 사거리에서 (at the four-way intersection)
H. You want to say "5 minutes on foot." You say: 걸어서 ___ 이에요.
<summary>Answer
5분 → 걸어서 5분이에요. (It's 5 minutes on foot.)
I. You want to say "when you see the convenience store." You say: 편의점이 ___ 면.
<summary>Answer
보이 → 편의점이 보이면 (when you see the convenience store)
J. You want to warn someone "if you miss it, you've passed it." You say: 못 보면 ___ 거예요.
<summary>Answer
지나친 → 못 보면 지나친 거예요. (If you miss it, you've passed it.)
Quick Reference
Expression | Meaning |
직진하다 | Go straight |
~번 출구 | Exit number ~ |
왼/오른쪽으로 꺾다 | Turn left/right |
바로 보여요 | See it right away |
건너다 | To cross |
골목 | Alley |
사거리 | 4-way intersection |
걸어서 ~분 | ~min on foot |
~이/가 보이면 | When you see ~ |
지나친 거예요 | You've passed it |
Pitfall
꺾다 (to turn/bend) is the natural word for turning at a corner in spoken Korean. Don't say 돌다 for directions — 돌다 means to spin or rotate and sounds unnatural for corners. 왼쪽으로 꺾으세요 is correct. 왼쪽으로 돌다 = to spin to the left (like a top), which is wrong.
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
Translate each direction into natural English.
A. 2번 출구로 나오면 돼요.
<summary>Answer
Just come out of exit 2.
B. 나와서 계속 직진하면 편의점이 보여요.
<summary>Answer
After coming out, keep going straight and you'll see a convenience store.
C. 편의점을 끼고 왼쪽으로 꺾으세요.
<summary>Answer
Turn left at the corner of the convenience store.
D. 사거리에서 오른쪽으로 꺾어서 직진하면 돼요.
<summary>Answer
Turn right at the four-way intersection and then go straight.
E. 횡단보도를 건너면 왼쪽에 파란 건물이 있어요.
<summary>Answer
Cross the crosswalk and there's a blue building on the left.
F. 걸어서 5분 정도 걸려요.
<summary>Answer
It takes about 5 minutes on foot.
G. 골목으로 들어가면 안쪽에 있어요.
<summary>Answer
Enter the alley and it's inside.
H. 못 보면 지나친 거예요. 조금 뒤로 오세요.
<summary>Answer
If you miss it, you've passed it. Come back a little.
I. 식당이 보이면 바로 거기예요.
<summary>Answer
When you see the restaurant, that's right there / you've arrived.
J. 지하철에서 나와서 직진하다 보면 바로 보여요.
<summary>Answer
After coming out of the subway, keep going straight and you'll see it right away.
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Word | Meaning |
출구 | Exit |
직진 | Going straight |
꺾다 | To turn (at corner) |
끼고 | At the corner of |
사거리 | 4-way intersection |
횡단보도 | Crosswalk |
골목 | Alley |
안쪽 | Inside, further in |
지나치다 | To pass/miss |
걸어서 | On foot |
Grammar Tip
~다 보면 = "if you keep doing ~, you'll eventually ~": 직진하다 보면 편의점이 보여요 (if you keep going straight, you'll eventually see the convenience store). This is softer than a definite promise — perfect for directions where the exact distance is uncertain. It implies "just keep going and you'll find it."
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
Fill in the blank with the correct word or ending.
A. 3번 ___ 로 나오세요. (Come out of exit 3.)
<summary>Answer
출구 → 3번 출구로 나오세요.
B. 나와서 계속 ___. (After coming out, keep going straight.)
<summary>Answer
직진하면 돼요 → 나와서 계속 직진하면 돼요.
C. 편의점이 ___ 왼쪽으로 꺾으세요. (When you see the convenience store, turn left.)
<summary>Answer
보이면 → 편의점이 보이면 왼쪽으로 꺾으세요.
D. 횡단보도를 ___. (Cross the crosswalk.)
<summary>Answer
건너세요 → 횡단보도를 건너세요.
E. ___ 에서 오른쪽으로 꺾어요. (Turn right at the four-way intersection.)
<summary>Answer
사거리 → 사거리에서 오른쪽으로 꺾어요.
F. ___ 으로 들어가면 안쪽에 있어요. (Enter the alley and it's inside.)
<summary>Answer
골목 → 골목으로 들어가면 안쪽에 있어요.
G. 걸어서 ___ 분 정도 걸려요. (It takes about 10 minutes on foot.)
<summary>Answer
10 → 걸어서 10분 정도 걸려요.
H. 파란 건물이 ___ 에 있어요. (The blue building is on the left.)
<summary>Answer
왼쪽 → 왼쪽에 있어요.
I. 못 보면 ___ 거예요. (If you miss it, you've passed it.)
<summary>Answer
지나친 → 못 보면 지나친 거예요.
J. 직진하___ 보면 바로 보여요. (If you keep going straight, you'll see it right away.)
<summary>Answer
다 → 직진하다 보면 바로 보여요.
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use for |
~번 출구로 나오세요 | Subway exit |
직진하면 돼요 | Go straight |
~이/가 보이면 | Landmark trigger |
~으로 꺾으세요 | Turn direction |
걸어서 ~분이에요 | Time estimate |
~다 보면 보여요 | Keep going & find it |
Production Tip
Use three steps for any direction: (1) 출구 or starting landmark, (2) 직진 + intermediate landmark, (3) 꺾다 + arrival. Practice: 2번 출구 → 직진 편의점 → 왼쪽 꺾다 → 도착. This three-step formula covers 90% of Korean meeting-spot directions.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
Fill in the missing direction line.
A. A: 지금 홍대입구역에서 나왔어요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
9번 출구로 나와서 직진하면 편의점이 보여요. 거기서 왼쪽으로 꺾으면 바로 제가 있는 곳이에요. (Come out of exit 9 and go straight — you'll see a convenience store. Turn left there and it's right where I am.)
B. A: 사거리 앞이에요. 어떻게 해요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
사거리에서 오른쪽으로 꺾어서 직진하면 돼요. 걸어서 3분 정도예요. (Turn right at the intersection and go straight. It's about 3 minutes on foot.)
C. A: 편의점이 보여요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
잘 왔어요! 편의점을 끼고 왼쪽으로 꺾으면 바로 보여요. (You're on the right track! Turn left at the corner of the convenience store and you'll see it right away.)
D. A: 횡단보도를 건넜어요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
건넌 다음에 왼쪽을 보면 파란 건물이 있어요. 그 건물 안에 있어요. (After crossing, look left and there's a blue building. I'm inside that building.)
E. A: 카페가 안 보여요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
조금 지나친 것 같아요. 조금 뒤로 오세요. 골목 입구 바로 옆에 있어요. (I think you passed it a little. Come back a bit. It's right next to the entrance of the alley.)
F. A: 여기서 얼마나 걸려요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
걸어서 한 5분 정도 걸려요. 멀지 않아요. (About 5 minutes on foot. It's not far.)
G. A: 골목이 보이는데 들어가면 돼요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
네, 골목으로 들어가서 직진하면 왼쪽에 있어요. (Yes, enter the alley and go straight — it's on the left.)
H. A: 지금 삼거리 앞이에요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
삼거리에서 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 바로 보여요. (Turn right at the T-intersection and you'll see it right away.)
I. A: 지하철에서 나왔는데 어디로 가야 해요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
2번 출구로 나왔어요? 나왔으면 그냥 직진하면 돼요. 편의점 지나고 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 도착이에요. (Did you come out of exit 2? If so, just go straight. Pass the convenience store and turn right and you've arrived.)
J. A: 아, 도착한 것 같아요! 여기 맞아요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
맞아요! 잘 찾아왔어요. 여기예요! (That's right! You found it well. This is it!)
Useful Phrases
Phrase | Meaning |
잘 왔어요 | You're on the right track |
지나친 것 같아요 | I think you passed it |
멀지 않아요 | It's not far |
골목 입구 | Alley entrance |
건물 안에 | Inside the building |
잘 찾아왔어요 | You found it well |
Conversation Tip
When giving directions by text or phone in Korean, use connectors: 나와서 (after coming out), 보이면 (when you see), 꺾고 나서 (after turning). Each step connects naturally. Avoid long sentences — break each instruction into its own short sentence so your friend can follow one step at a time.
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
Answer each prompt out loud in Korean. Give real, natural directions.
A. Tell a friend to come out of subway exit 5 and go straight.
<summary>Suggested answer
5번 출구로 나와서 계속 직진하면 돼요. (Come out of exit 5 and just keep going straight.)
B. Give a landmark-based direction: turn left at the convenience store.
<summary>Suggested answer
편의점이 보이면 왼쪽으로 꺾으세요. 바로 보일 거예요. (When you see the convenience store, turn left. You'll see it right away.)
C. Tell a friend how long it takes on foot from the subway.
<summary>Suggested answer
지하철에서 나오면 걸어서 한 7분 정도 걸려요. 멀지 않아요. (After coming out of the subway, it takes about 7 minutes on foot. It's not far.)
D. Tell a friend they've passed it and to come back.
<summary>Suggested answer
못 보면 지나친 거예요. 조금 뒤로 오세요. (If you missed it, you've passed it. Come back a little.)
E. Tell a friend to cross the crosswalk and turn right.
<summary>Suggested answer
횡단보도를 건너서 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 돼요. (Cross the crosswalk and turn right.)
F. Give a full mini-direction: exit → straight → landmark → turn → arrive.
<summary>Suggested answer
3번 출구로 나와서 직진하다 보면 파란 건물이 보여요. 그 건물 앞에서 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 바로 도착이에요. (Come out of exit 3 and keep going straight — you'll see a blue building. Turn right in front of that building and you've arrived.)
G. Ask a Korean friend which subway exit to use.
<summary>Suggested answer
몇 번 출구로 나와요? (Which exit should I come out of?)
H. Tell a friend to enter the alley and the restaurant is on the left.
<summary>Suggested answer
골목으로 들어가면 왼쪽에 식당이 있어요. (Enter the alley and the restaurant is on the left.)
I. Tell a friend to turn at the four-way intersection.
<summary>Suggested answer
사거리에서 오른쪽으로 꺾으면 돼요. 거기서 직진하면 바로 보여요. (Turn right at the four-way intersection. Go straight from there and you'll see it right away.)
J. React when a friend says they've arrived.
<summary>Suggested answer
잘 찾아왔어요! 여기예요! 수고했어요. (You found it! This is it! Good job.)
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use for |
~번 출구로 나오세요 | Starting point |
직진하다 보면... | Keep going until |
~이/가 보이면... | Landmark trigger |
~으로 꺾으면 돼요 | Turn instruction |
걸어서 ~분이에요 | Time estimate |
못 보면 지나친 거예요 | Missed it warning |
Speaking Challenge
Pick a real place you know well — a café, your home, or a park. Give complete spoken directions from the nearest subway station in Korean. Use: 출구 → 직진 → landmark → 꺾다 → 도착. Time yourself — aim to do it in under 30 seconds without pausing.
한국어로 길을 알려줄 수 있으면, 진정한 한국 생활의 달인이에요. ✨
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