Korean Dictionary
How to say "I'm lost" in Korean
“I'm lost” in Korean is 길을 잃었어요 (pronounced "Gireul ireosseoyo").
길을 잃었어요
Gireul ireosseoyo
Usage & Context
Admitting you're lost and asking for help. Koreans are generally very kind and willing to help lost tourists. Download Naver Maps or Kakao Maps before your trip. The Korea Tourism Organization also has a helpline (1330) with English assistance for tourists in need.
Example Sentence
죄송한데요, 길을 잃었어요. 도와주실 수 있어요?
Excuse me, I'm lost. Could you help me?
How to use 길을 잃었어요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “I'm lost” is 길을 잃었어요, romanized as Gireul ireosseoyo.
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 길을 잃었어요.
Pronunciation Guide
"Gireul ireosseoyo" sounds like "GEE-reul ee-ruh-SSAW-yo." "Gee" is like "key" but with a 'g'. "Reul" is like "rule" but with a softer 'r' and a short 'eu' sound. "I-ruh" is like "eerie" without the final 'e', followed by "raw" with a softer 'r'. "Ssaw-yo" is like "saw" with a tense 's' and "yo" as in "yogurt." The stress falls slightly on "SSAW."
Formal & Casual Forms
Casual (반말)
길을 잃었어
Gireul ireosseo
This is the casual form, dropping the polite '-yo' ending.
More Example Sentences
Politely asking a stranger for directions to a specific location.
죄송하지만, 길을 잃었어요. 이 주소로 어떻게 가나요?
Excuse me, I'm lost. How do I get to this address?
Realizing you're disoriented while exploring alone.
어쩌지? 길을 잃은 것 같아.
Oh no, I think I'm lost.
Advice given to tourists by a guide or information center.
길을 잃었을 때는 1330으로 전화하세요.
When you're lost, call 1330.
Cultural Context
Koreans are generally very helpful to tourists, especially if you politely ask for directions. While navigation apps like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps are indispensable, knowing "길을 잃었어요" can be a lifesaver if your phone dies or you're in an area with no signal. Don't be shy to ask for help; many Koreans will go out of their way to assist you, sometimes even walking you to your destination.
Editorial note
We review entries like 길을 잃었어요 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
여기 어디예요?
Where am I?
지도를 보여줄 수 있어요?
Can you show me on the map?
감사합니다.
Thank you.
Related Expressions
어디예요?
Eodiyeyo?
Where is it?
도와주세요.
Dowajuseyo.
Please help me.
길을 찾다
Gireul chatda
To find the way
헤매다
Hemaeda
To wander around, to be lost (more general)
More Travel Words
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