The Taxi Taxonomy

When taking a taxi you have to realize that addresses are not used to find buildings. Taxi drivers use landmarks (and the Earth’s magnetic field) to navigate the streets of Korea. So, make sure you know a big, well-known landmark in the vicinity of your destination. Prepare yourself. A taxi ride in Korea is whole new experience, unless you have driven pedal-to-the-metal on the Autobon during rush hour. Before you ask, those sudden, violent applications of the brakes indicate speed cameras.

Take me to ______ : ______ say wah choo-say-yo
Turn left: Jah-ee jun ha say yo
Turn right: oo-way jun ha say yo
Go straight: Cheek jin ha say yo
Where is the seat belt? Ahn jun belta odi ee-soy-yo?
What do you mean there is no seat belt? Way ahn jun belta ohp-soy-yo
Let me out here: Yogi say-wah choo-say yo.
Please let me out here. I don’t want to die a virgin! Jae bahl yogi say-wah choo say yo. Cha nyaw ro choo go sheep jee ahn-ah-yo
Ok I’m not a virgin, but I still want to get out here! Na nun Cha nyaw ahn ee jee mahn, ahjeek do yogi saw ne-ri go sheep-aw-yo

Subway
What line do I take to get to ________?: _______ ay saw myut ho sun tah-yah-day-yo?
Where do I transfer at?: Audi saw bok kwa tie-yo
Round trip: Wahng Bok
Transfer point: bok kwa tah-nun goat
Excuse me: She lay hahm-nee-da. (A woman over 50 may substitute a sharp elbow in the ribs for ‘excuse me’)
What is that god-awful smell? (after 10pm): Jah Name say moe ee-ay-yo
You will most likely hear: It’s a mix of kimchi and soju: Kimchi wah soju name say ee-ay-yo

Walking
I’m lost: Gil –ul il-yus-sum-nee-dah
How do I get to ______?: ______ay aw-taw-kay guy-yo?
How far is it to ______? : _______ ay ull-ma-na mum-nee-ka

Taxi drivers, subway workers and passengers, and pedestrians are a great way to practice your Korean. Korean people are so helpful when finding your way. I learned a lot of Korean from taxi drivers. Be warned though: when you use the practiced phrases, taxi drivers may assume you know more than you do, and start speaking Korean to you at lightning fast speed. Just nod politely and throw in a “yeah, yeah” every once in a while.

You can reach Prof. Gus at: gswanda@yahoo.com