타다 (To Ride / Take)
When you use public transportation in Korea, the most essential verb is 타다 (to ride, to take, to get on).
Instead of worrying about complex grammar, learn it as a chunk: [Vehicle]을/를 타요 .
Common Combinations
Korean · English
버스를 타요 · I take a bus
지하철을 타요 · I take the subway
택시를 타요 · I take a taxi
비행기를 타요 · I take an airplane
내리다
When you reach your destination, you need 내리다 (to get off).
We use the particle 에서 (at/from) to show where the action of getting off happens: [Place]에서 내려요 .
Useful Sentence Frames
다음 역에서 내려요. (I get off at the next station.)
이번 정류장에서 내려요. (I get off at this stop.)
서울역에서 내려요. (I get off at Seoul Station.)
Note: A subway or train stop is 역 (station), and a bus stop is 정류장 .
갈아타다
갈아타다 means "to transfer." It is literally a combination of changing (갈다) and riding (타다).
When you transfer to a new vehicle, use the particle 로/으로 (by/toward): [Vehicle]로 갈아타요 .
Transfer Examples
지하철로 갈아타요. (I transfer to the subway.)
버스로 갈아타요. (I transfer to a bus.)
Asking "Where"
When navigating a new city, asking questions is just as important as making statements.
By adding 어디에서 (where / at what place) to the front of our verbs, you can instantly ask for directions.
Essential Questions
어디에서 타요? · Where do I get on?
어디에서 내려요? · Where do I get off?
어디에서 갈아타요? · Where do I transfer?