KOREAN LEVEL UP › Korean phrases › Introductions & meeting people › 한국에는 처음 왔어요
How to Say “This is my first time in Korea” in Korean
한국에는 처음 왔어요
hangugeneun cheoeum wasseoyo
Meaning
This is my first time in Korea.
Usage note
처음 means “for the first time.” Say it while traveling and people often share recommendations.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 한국에는 | ||
| 한 | ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄴ | han |
| 국 | ㄱ+ㅜ+ㄱ | [구] gu |
| 에 | ㅇ+ㅔ | [게] ge |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 처음 | ||
| 처 | ㅊ+ㅓ | cheo |
| 음 | ㅇ+ㅡ+ㅁ | eum |
| 왔어요 | ||
| 왔 | ㅇ+ㅘ+ㅆ | [와] wa |
| 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. 국에 → [구게]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “처음”
- 처음 뵙겠습니다Pleased to meet you
Phrases with “왔어요”
- 저는 외국에서 왔어요I came from abroad
- 어디서 왔어요?Where are you from
- 한국 친구를 사귀고 싶어서 왔어요I came because I want to make Korean friends
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “한국에는 처음 왔어요” mean?
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Answer: This is my first time in Korea
Question 2 How do you say “This is my first time in Korea” in Korean?
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Answer: 한국에는 처음 왔어요 hangugeneun cheoeum wasseoyo
Learn this phrase by playing: typing drills and quizzes help it stick.
Practice in the gameMore phrases for this situation
- 가족이 몇 명이에요?How many people are in your family
- 메신저 아이디가 뭐예요?What’s your messenger ID
- 한국 음식 좋아하세요?Do you like Korean food
- 무슨 일을 하세요?What do you do for work
- 한국어를 아직 잘 못해요I can’t speak Korean well yet
- 한국어를 공부하고 있어요I’m studying Korean
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