How to Say "Almost There" in Korean and Ask If a Place Is Far
Learn to ask "Is it far from here?" in Korean, understand time estimates, and say "almost there" naturally with 거의 다 왔어요. Includes a short dialogue and practice.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you are moving through a Korean city, the most useful distance question is not just "Where is it?" but "Is it far from here?" This lesson teaches you to ask that directly, understand a simple time answer, and respond naturally when you are close to your destination. The key expression for "almost there" is 거의 다 왔어요 (geoui da wasseoyo). You will also learn 여기서 멀어요? (yeogiseo meoreoyo?) and how to ask how long it takes on foot. The focus is beginner-level spoken Korean, with polite -요 endings that work in most everyday situations.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether a place is far from here in polite Korean.
- say "almost there" and understand a simple time estimate.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
여기서 멀어요?
Is it far from here?
yeo-gi-seo meol-eo-yo?
Use 여기서 for "from here." This is a polite, standard question for staff, taxi drivers, or friends.
거의 다 왔어요.
We're almost there. / I'm almost there.
geo-ui da wa-sseo-yo.
The direct answer for "almost there." It can mean the speaker and listener are almost at the destination, or that the speaker alone is almost there.
걸어서 얼마나 걸려요?
How long does it take on foot?
geo-reo-seo eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Use this after asking if it is far. 걸어서 means "on foot," and 얼마나 걸려요? asks about time duration.
십 분쯤 걸려요.
It takes about ten minutes.
sip bun-jjeum geol-lyeo-yo.
A typical time answer. Replace 십 분 with other times, such as 오 분 (five minutes) or 이십 분 (twenty minutes).
금방 가요.
It's quick. / It doesn't take long.
geum-bang ga-yo.
A natural short answer meaning the trip is short or fast. It does not mean "almost there," but it often appears together with 거의 다 왔어요.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern for distance is 장소 + 에서 멀어요? Use 여기서 멀어요? for "Is it far from here?" You can replace 여기 with a specific place: 역에서 멀어요? (Is it far from the station?), 학교에서 멀어요? (Is it far from school?). To answer, use a place + 에서 + 가까워요 (close) or 멀어요 (far). For example, 여기서 가까워요 (It is close from here) or 여기서 좀 멀어요 (It is a bit far from here). If you want a time estimate, ask 걸어서 얼마나 걸려요? and listen for a number plus 분 (minutes).
When to use it
Use 여기서 멀어요? when you are standing in one place and asking about another place. Use 거의 다 왔어요 when you are already moving and the destination is near. This expression is common in a taxi, on a walk, or on the phone. If someone asks you 여기서 멀어요?, you can answer 아니요, 금방 가요 (No, it's quick) or 네, 좀 멀어요 (Yes, it's a bit far). For "almost there," say 거의 다 왔어요. If you are speaking to a close friend, 거의 다 왔어 is fine, but the -요 form is safer for strangers and staff.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
저기요, 여기서 지하철역까지 멀어요?
Excuse me, is it far from here to the subway station?jeo-gi-yo, yeo-gi-seo ji-ha-cheol-yeok-kka-ji meol-eo-yo?아니요, 걸어서 십 분쯤 걸려요.
No, it takes about ten minutes on foot.a-ni-yo, geo-reo-seo sip bun-jjeum geol-lyeo-yo.아, 다행이네요. 거의 다 왔어요?
Oh, that's a relief. Are we almost there?a, da-haeng-i-ne-yo. geo-ui da wa-sseo-yo?네, 거의 다 왔어요. 저기 보여요.
Yes, we're almost there. You can see it over there.ne, geo-ui da wa-sseo-yo. jeo-gi bo-yeo-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean, polite -요 endings are the default with strangers, staff, and casual acquaintances. 거의 다 왔어요 is neutral and safe. With close friends, dropping -요 is common, but in a taxi or a store, keep the polite form. Time answers often include 쯤 (about) to avoid sounding too exact.
One thing to watch for
Using 여기서 멀어요? to mean "Are we almost there?"
Try this instead: 여기서 멀어요? asks about distance from here, not about being near the destination. To say "almost there," use 거의 다 왔어요. For example, if you are in a taxi and the destination is close, say 거의 다 왔어요, not 여기서 멀어요?
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask "Is it far from here?" in polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
여기서 멀어요?
This uses 여기서 (from here) plus 멀어요 (is far) with a rising polite question intonation. You may also hear 여기서 먼가요? in some contexts, but 여기서 멀어요? is the standard beginner pattern.
2You are walking with a friend and the destination is very close. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
거의 다 왔어요.
This means "We're almost there." If you are speaking casually to a close friend, 거의 다 왔어 is also acceptable, but the -요 form is polite and safe.
3How do you ask "How long does it take on foot?"
Show a sample answer
걸어서 얼마나 걸려요?
걸어서 means "on foot," and 얼마나 걸려요? asks how long something takes. A possible answer is 십 분쯤 걸려요 (It takes about ten minutes).
Ask 여기서 멀어요? to check distance, listen for a time answer like 십 분쯤 걸려요, and say 거의 다 왔어요 when you are close. Keep the polite -요 endings with staff and strangers.
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