How to Ask Which Platform a Train Departs From in Korean
Learn to ask 'Which platform is the train to ___ on?' in Korean, say platform numbers, and understand the answer at the station.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
At a Korean train station, the fastest way to find your train is to ask which platform it leaves from. In this lesson you will learn the fixed question pattern '...행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요?' and how to understand the answer, which usually names a platform number such as '3번 승강장'. You will also learn the polite word for 'excuse me' to open the question, and how to confirm the destination so you get on the right train. All phrases use polite -요 style, which is safe with station staff you do not know.
By the end, you can…
- ask which platform the train to a destination departs from.
- understand and repeat a platform number in Korean.
- confirm the destination of a train before boarding.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
실례합니다
Excuse me
sil-lye-ham-ni-da
Polite opener used to get a staff member's attention before asking a question.
부산행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요?
Which platform does the train to Busan depart from?
bu-san-haeng gi-cha-neun myeot beon seung-gang-jang-e-seo chul-bal-hae-yo?
Replace 부산 with your destination. -행 means 'bound for' and attaches directly to the place name.
서울행이에요?
Is this the one to Seoul?
seo-ul-haeng-i-e-yo?
A short confirmation question you can ask while pointing at a train or a sign.
3번 승강장이에요
It is platform 3
sam-beon seung-gang-jang-i-e-yo
The likely shape of the answer. The number comes before 번, and the Sino-Korean numbers are used.
몇 번 승강장이에요?
Which platform number is it?
myeot beon seung-gang-jang-i-e-yo?
A shorter question when the topic is already clear, for example right after someone mentions your train.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is [destination]행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요? The particle 행 is added straight onto the destination: 부산행 (bound for Busan), 대전행 (bound for Daejeon). The topic particle 는 marks the train as the topic, and 에서 marks the platform as the place of departure. 몇 번 means 'which number', so 몇 번 승강장 is literally 'which-number platform'. If you only need the number, you can ask 몇 번 승강장이에요? and the answer will be a number plus 번, such as 5번 (o-beon, platform 5).
When to use it
Use the full question when you are at the concourse or an information desk and have not yet found your train. Use the short form 몇 번 승강장이에요? when a staff member has already mentioned your train, or when you are standing at a departure board and just need the number. To confirm a train, point and ask 서울행이에요? (Is this the one to Seoul?). If the answer is not your destination, you can say 아, 아니에요. 감사합니다 (Ah, no. Thank you) and keep looking. Always add 실례합니다 before stopping a staff member.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
실례합니다, 부산행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요?
Excuse me, which platform does the train to Busan depart from?sil-lye-ham-ni-da, bu-san-haeng gi-cha-neun myeot beon seung-gang-jang-e-seo chul-bal-hae-yo?부산행은 3번 승강장이에요.
The train to Busan is platform 3.bu-san-haeng-eun sam-beon seung-gang-jang-i-e-yo.3번 승강장이요? 감사합니다.
Platform 3? Thank you.sam-beon seung-gang-jang-i-yo? gam-sa-ham-ni-da.네, 맞아요. 저쪽으로 가세요.
Yes, that's right. Go that way.ne, ma-ja-yo. jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.A little context goes a long way
Korean station staff usually answer briefly and factually, so a short reply like 3번 승강장이에요 is normal and not rude. Numbers on platforms and tickets are written in Arabic numerals, but they are read with Sino-Korean numbers: 1 is 일 (il), 2 is 이 (i), 3 is 삼 (sam), 4 is 사 (sa), 5 is 오 (o). At large stations such as Seoul Station or Busan Station, signs also show the platform number and the train's final destination, so you can double-check before boarding.
One thing to watch for
Using native Korean numbers for platform numbers, or dropping 에서 so the departure place is not marked, as in 부산행 기차는 몇 번 승강장 출발해요?
Try this instead: Use Sino-Korean numbers for platform numbers: 3번 승강장 (sam-beon seung-gang-jang), not 세 번 승강장. Also keep 에서 to mark where the departure happens: 부산행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요? Without 에서, the sentence sounds incomplete.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Which platform does the train to Daejeon depart from?'
Show a sample answer
대전행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요?
This keeps the pattern [destination]행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요? and replaces 부산 with 대전. The particle 행 attaches directly to 대전.
2A staff member says 5번 승강장이에요. What does this mean, and how do you read 5?
Show a sample answer
It means 'It is platform 5', and 5 is read 오 (o) in Sino-Korean numbers.
Platform numbers use Sino-Korean numerals, so 5번 is o-beon. Native Korean numbers are not used for platform numbers.
3You are standing in front of a train and want to check that it goes to Seoul. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
서울행이에요?
This short question means 'Is this the one to Seoul?' and works while pointing at the train or its sign. You could also ask 이 기차가 서울행이에요? for a slightly fuller sentence.
Memorize the frame [destination]행 기차는 몇 번 승강장에서 출발해요? and answer with a Sino-Korean number plus 번 승강장. Add 실례합니다 first, and confirm with [destination]행이에요? before boarding.
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