KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Getting around & directions › 길을 잃었어요
“I’m lost” in Korean: 길을 잃었어요 (gireul ileosseoyo)
길을 잃었어요
gireul ileosseoyo
Meaning
I’m lost.
Usage note
A first line for asking for help. Follow with “○○에 가고 싶어요” to state your destination.
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
How to pronounce it
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 길을 | ||
| 길 | ㄱ+ㅣ+ㄹ | [기] gi |
| 을 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㄹ | [를] reul |
| 잃었어요 | ||
| 잃 | ㅇ+ㅣ+ㅀ | [이] i |
| 었 | ㅇ+ㅓ+ㅆ | [러] reo |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [써] sseo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 길을 → [기를]
- Silent ㅎ: a final ㅎ (including the ㅎ inside ㄶ and ㅀ) is not pronounced before a vowel. 잃었어 → [이러써]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Words in this phrase
These words from the TOPIK vocabulary lists appear in the phrase (shown in dictionary form).
| Korean | Part of speech | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 길 | noun | road, way | TOPIK level 1 |
| 잃다 | verb | to lose | TOPIK level 4 |
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “길을”
- 길을 잃어버렸어요I’m lost. (I lost my way.)
- 길을 잃어버린 것 같아요I think I’m lost
- 길을 잘못 들어서 한참 돌아왔어요I took a wrong turn and went a long way around
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “길을 잃었어요” mean?
Show the answer
Answer: I’m lost
Question 2 How do you say “I’m lost” in Korean?
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Answer: 길을 잃었어요 gireul ileosseoyo
Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.
Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 어디서 갈아타요?Where do I transfer
- 얼마나 걸려요?How long does it take
- 이 버스 서울역에 가요?Does this bus go to Seoul Station
- 교통카드 충전하고 싶어요I’d like to add money to my transit card
- 막차가 몇 시예요?What time is the last train or bus
- 기차표를 사고 싶어요I’d like to buy a train ticket
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