K-PLAZA.COM Korean Learning › Korean phrases › Introductions & meeting people › 저는 외국에서 왔어요
“I came from abroad” in Korean: 저는 외국에서 왔어요
저는 외국에서 왔어요
jeoneun oegugeseo wasseoyo
Meaning
I came from abroad.
Usage note
Replace 외국 with your own country’s name. 에서 왔어요 means “came from.”
Romanization follows the Revised Romanization system and is a guide to pronunciation.
Practical guide
When to use it
A simple, neutral way to introduce yourself, and you can name your country first: 저는 미국에서 왔어요. Locals often react warmly.
Watch out
Use 에서 (“from”), not 에. Among friends 저는 becomes 나는, and since 외국 is generic, people will usually ask which country.
How to pronounce it
In natural speech, sounds link and shift across words. The table below reads each word separately, as it sounds when said on its own.
| Syllable | Letters (consonant + vowel + final) | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 | ||
| 저 | ㅈ+ㅓ | jeo |
| 는 | ㄴ+ㅡ+ㄴ | neun |
| 외국에서 | ||
| 외 | ㅇ+ㅚ | oe |
| 국 | ㄱ+ㅜ+ㄱ | [구] gu |
| 에 | ㅇ+ㅔ | [게] ge |
| 서 | ㅅ+ㅓ | seo |
| 왔어요 | ||
| 왔 | ㅇ+ㅘ+ㅆ | [와] wa |
| 어 | ㅇ+ㅓ | [써] sseo |
| 요 | ㅇ+ㅛ | yo |
A ㅇ at the start of a syllable is silent; at the end of a syllable it sounds like “ng”.
Sound changes in this phrase
- Linking: when a syllable ending in a consonant (patchim) is followed by a syllable that starts with a vowel, the consonant moves over to the next syllable. 국에 → [구게]
Speech style
Ends in -요. The everyday polite style, and a safe choice with shop staff, colleagues, strangers and anyone older than you.
Phrases that use the same word
Phrases with “왔어요”
- 어디서 왔어요?Where are you from?
- 한국 친구를 사귀고 싶어서 왔어요I came because I want to make Korean friends
Phrases with “저는”
- 저는 비빔밥으로 할게요I’ll have bibimbap
- 저는 책임감이 강하다고 생각합니다I believe I have a strong sense of responsibility
- 저는 학생이에요I’m a student
- 저는 음악 듣는 걸 좋아해요I like listening to music
Quick self-check
Test yourself before you move on. Tap an answer.
Question 1 What does “저는 외국에서 왔어요” mean?
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Answer: I came from abroad
Question 2 How do you say “I came from abroad” in Korean?
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Answer: 저는 외국에서 왔어요 jeoneun oegugeseo wasseoyo
Reinforce what you learn with typing drills and quizzes.
Practice nowMore phrases for this situation
- 한국어를 공부하고 있어요I’m studying Korean
- 한국어를 아직 잘 못해요I can’t speak Korean well yet
- 무슨 일을 하세요?What do you do for work?
- 한국 음식 좋아하세요?Do you like Korean food?
- 가족이 몇 명이에요?How many people are in your family?
- 한국에는 처음 왔어요This is my first time in Korea
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