In this workshop you will practice understanding spoken Korean directions. You will hear single direction words, a polite turn instruction, and a short two-step direction that includes a place. You will also practice the difference between a location on the right and an instruction to turn right. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer checks to judge your own listening.
Hear the direction words
Start with the three direction words. «왼쪽» means left or left side. «오른쪽» means right or right side. «직진» means straight ahead or go straight. These can appear alone as short answers, or inside a longer instruction. Listen for the first syllable of each word. In fast speech, the second syllable of the right word may sound a little different, so focus on the whole shape of the word. When you hear a direction word alone, you can repeat it and point in that direction to check your understanding.
A polite turn instruction
Now listen to a full instruction. «오른쪽으로 도세요» means Please turn right. The ending makes it polite, and the particle before it means toward or to, so the direction word is attached to the turning verb. This is different from simply naming a location on the right. If someone says the right word alone, they may be telling you where something is. If they use the full instruction, they are telling you to turn. Listen for the verb at the end to know which one you are hearing.
A place and a two-step direction
Next, listen to a short exchange. Speaker A says «저기 은행에서 오른쪽으로 도세요.», which means Turn right at the bank over there. Speaker B checks the instruction with «네, 은행에서 오른쪽이요?», which means OK, right at the bank? Speaker A adds «네, 그리고 직진하세요.», which means Yes, and then go straight. Speaker B answers with «알겠습니다. 감사합니다.», which means I understand. Thank you. Notice the order: first a place, then a turn, then a second step. When you listen, catch the place word first, then the direction, then the next action.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
왼쪽
left side; left
oen-jjok
오른쪽
right side; right
o-reun-jjok
직진
straight ahead; go straight
jik-jin
오른쪽으로 도세요
Please turn right
o-reun-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
저기 은행에서 오른쪽으로 도세요.
Turn right at the bank over there.네, 은행에서 오른쪽이요?
OK, right at the bank?네, 그리고 직진하세요.
Yes, and then go straight.알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
I understand. Thank you.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided listening exchange
Play the short exchange with the two speakers. You will hear a place, a turn, and a second step. Listen once without stopping.
Your task: After the first listen, say or write the place you heard, the direction of the turn, and the second action. Then play the exchange again and check. Finally, play it a third time and repeat each line after the speaker.
Choose the correct meaning
You will hear three short items. One is a single direction word, one is a polite turn instruction, and one is a two-step direction with a place.
Your task: For each item, choose the best meaning: a location word, an instruction to turn, or a two-step direction. Write your choices, then play the items again and check your answers.
Recall and switch roles
Play the full exchange again. This time, focus on who gives the direction and who checks it.
Your task: First, play only the first speaker's lines and say the second speaker's lines from memory. Then switch: play only the second speaker's lines and say the first speaker's lines from memory. Use the same words you heard.
Common questions
How can I tell a location on the right from an instruction to turn right?
Listen for the ending. A single direction word like the right word can name a location. A full instruction like the polite turn line includes a verb at the end, so it tells you to turn. The particle before the verb also signals direction toward something.
What should I listen for first in a longer direction?
Listen for the place word first, then the direction, then the next action. In the exchange, the place comes before the turn, and the second step comes after. Catching the place first helps you hold the whole instruction together.
Sources and further reading
- korean: understanding directionsChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Korean into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr