Korean Dictionary
How to say "How do I get to...?" in Korean
“How do I get to...?” in Korean is 어떻게 가요 (pronounced "Eotteoke gayo").
어떻게 가요
Eotteoke gayo
Usage & Context
Asking for directions. Combine with a destination: 경복궁에 어떻게 가요? (How do I get to Gyeongbokgung?). Koreans are generally very helpful with directions. Many will walk you to your destination rather than just pointing.
Example Sentence
경복궁에 어떻게 가요? 처음이라 잘 모르겠어요.
How do I get to Gyeongbokgung? It's my first time and I'm not sure.
How to use 어떻게 가요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “How do I get to...?” is 어떻게 가요, romanized as Eotteoke gayo.
Usage tip
Pair this travel word with polite request endings like -요 so it works in hotels, stations, taxis, and shops.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 어떻게 가요.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'eo-tteo-ke ga-yo' — 'eotteoke' flows as 'uh-tuh-keh,' and 'gayo' ends with a soft rising 'yo.' The 'ㄸ' is a tensed 'tt.'
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
어떻게 가야 합니까?
eotteoke gaya hamnikka?
Formal, used in official contexts
Casual (반말)
어떻게 가?
eotteoke ga?
Casual, used with close friends
More Example Sentences
asking a passerby
서울역까지 어떻게 가요?
How do I get to Seoul Station?
asking a hotel concierge
여기서 공항까지 어떻게 가요?
How do I get from here to the airport?
planning a route
지하철로 어떻게 가요?
How do I get there by subway?
Cultural Context
The structure is [destination] + 까지 + 어떻게 가요 — 'how do I get to X?' It's one of the most useful phrases for tourists. Koreans often answer by sending you to the nearest 지하철역 (subway station) since the metro is the fastest option in Seoul. Apps like 카카오맵 and 네이버지도 dominate Korean navigation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 어떻게 가요 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
어떻게 가요?
How do I get there?
여기까지 어떻게 가요?
How do I get to here?
지하철로 어떻게 가요?
How by subway?
Related Expressions
길
gil
road / way
가는 길
ganeun gil
the way to get there
지도
jido
map
방향
banghyang
direction
More Travel Words
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