Learning Korean with me

Do you want to say someone is tall, pretty, or kind in Korean? 🥰 In this post, you’ll learn how to describe people's appearance and personality using basic Korean adjectives — a must for any conversation! 📌 Common Adjectives to Describe People Korean Romanization English 예쁘다 yeppeuda to be pretty 잘생기다 jalsaenggida to be handsome 귀엽다 gwiyeopda to be cute 키가 크다 kiga keuda to be tall 키가 작다 kiga jakda to be short (height) 날씬하다 nalssinhada to be slim 뚱뚱하다 ttungttunghada to be chubby 친절하다 chinjeolhada to be kind 조용하다 joyonghada to be quiet 명랑하다 myeongnanghada to be cheerful 📝 Useful Sentences 그 사람은 키가 커요. Geu sarameun kiga keoyo. That person is tall. 제 친구는 정말 예뻐요. Je chinguneun jeongmal yeppeoyo. My friend is really pretty. 그 아이는 아주 귀여워요. Geu aineun aju gwiyeowoyo. That child is very cute. 우리 선생님은 친절해요. Uri seonsaengnimeun chinjeolhaeyo. Our teacher is kind. 저는 조용한 사람을 좋아해요. Jeoneun joyonghan sarameul joahaeyo. I like qui...

Is it sunny or raining today? ☀️🌧 In this post, you’ll learn how to talk about the weather in Korean. Whether you're checking the forecast or making small talk, these essential expressions will help you sound more natural! 📌 Common Weather Vocabulary Korean Romanization English 날씨 nalssi weather 맑다 makda to be clear/sunny 흐리다 heurida to be cloudy 비가 오다 biga oda to rain 눈이 오다 nuni oda to snow 덥다 deopda to be hot 춥다 chupda to be cold 📝 Useful Sentences 오늘 날씨가 어때요? Oneul nalssiga eottaeyo? How’s the weather today? 오늘은 맑고 따뜻해요. Oneureun malkgo ttatteushaeyo. It’s sunny and warm today. 지금 비가 와요. Jigeum biga wayo. It’s raining right now. 겨울에는 눈이 많이 와요. Gyeoure-neun nuni mani wayo. It snows a lot in winter. 밖이 너무 추워요. Bakki neomu chuwayo. It’s really cold outside. 🗣 Practice Dialogue 👩 A: 오늘 날씨 어때요? Oneul nalssi eottaeyo? How's the weather today? 👨 B: 날씨가 흐려요. 비도 올 것 같아요. Nalssiga heuryeoyo. Bido ol geot gata...

Did you know Korean has two number systems? 🤔 In this post, we’ll break down Sino-Korean vs Native Korean numbers and show you when and how to use them — with clear examples you can start using today! 📌 What Are Sino and Native Numbers? 🟦 Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼…) are used for dates, money, minutes, phone numbers, etc. 🟩 Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋…) are used for counting items, age, hours, and people. 🔢 Number Chart: 1 to 10 Number Sino-Korean Native Korean 1 일 (il) 하나 (hana) 2 이 (i) 둘 (dul) 3 삼 (sam) 셋 (set) 4 사 (sa) 넷 (net) 5 오 (o) 다섯 (daseot) 6 육 (yuk) 여섯 (yeoseot) 7 칠 (chil) 일곱 (ilgop) 8 팔 (pal) 여덟 (yeodeol) 9 구 (gu) 아홉 (ahop) 10 십 (sip) 열 (yeol) 🕒 When to Use Each Number System 🧍‍♂️ Age: Native Korean (스물다섯 살 – 25 years old) 💰 Money & Prices: Sino-Korean (오천 원 – 5,000 won) 🕐 Time (Hours): Native (한 시 – 1 o’clock) 🕐 Time (Minutes): Sino (십오 분 – 15 minutes) 📅 Dates / Months: Sino (일월 – Januar...

What do you like to do in your free time? 🎧 In this lesson, you’ll learn how to talk about your hobbies and interests in Korean. Whether it’s reading, dancing, or cooking — let’s express what you love doing! 📌 Basic Hobby Vocabulary Korean Romanization English 취미 chwimi hobby 음악 듣기 eumak deutgi listening to music 책 읽기 chaek ilkki reading books 운동 undong exercise 요리하기 yorihagi cooking 영화 보기 yeonghwa bogi watching movies 사진 찍기 sajin jjikgi taking photos 📝 Useful Sentences 제 취미는 독서예요. Je chwimineun dokseo-yeyo. My hobby is reading. 저는 음악 듣는 것을 좋아해요. Jeoneun eumak deunneun geoseul joahaeyo. I like listening to music. 주말에 영화를 자주 봐요. Jumare yeonghwareul jaju bwayo. I often watch movies on weekends. 요리를 잘해요? Yorireul jalhaeyo? Are you good at cooking? 아니요, 배우는 중이에요. Aniyo, baeuneun jung-ieyo. No, I’m still learning. 🗣 Practice Dialogue 👨 A: 취미가 뭐예요? Chwimiga mwoyeyo? What’s your hobby? 👩 B...

Want to talk about your family in Korean? 💬 Whether you're introducing your parents or talking about siblings, this post will give you the essential vocabulary and expressions to describe your 가족 (gajok — family) in natural Korean! 📌 Basic Family Vocabulary Korean Romanization English 가족 gajok family 아버지 / 아빠 abeoji / appa father / dad 어머니 / 엄마 eomeoni / eomma mother / mom 형 / 오빠 hyeong / oppa older brother (for males / females) 누나 / 언니 nuna / eonni older sister (for males / females) 남동생 namdongsaeng younger brother 여동생 yeodongsaeng younger sister 할아버지 harabeoji grandfather 할머니 halmeoni grandmother 📝 Useful Sentences 제 가족은 네 명이에요. Je gajok-eun ne myeong-ieyo. There are four people in my family. 아버지는 회사원이에요. Abeojineun hoesawon-ieyo. My father is an office worker. 어머니는 요리를 잘해요. Eomeonineun yorireul jalhaeyo. My mother is good at cooking. 저는 오빠가 한 명 있어요. Jeoneun oppaga han myeong isseoyo. I have on...

What time is it now? 🕒 When is your birthday? 🎂 If you want to talk about time and dates in Korean, this post is your go-to guide! We’ll cover numbers, time units, and how to form questions and answers easily. 📌 Telling Time in Korean In Korean, telling the time uses **native Korean numbers for hours** and **Sino-Korean numbers for minutes**. Time Expression Romanization Meaning 한 시 han si 1 o’clock 세 시 십오 분 se si sib-o bun 3:15 열두 시 반 yeoldu si ban 12:30 (half past twelve) 지금 몇 시예요? jigeum myeot si-yeyo? What time is it now? 🕒 Example Sentences: Time 지금 두 시예요. Jigeum du si-yeyo. It’s 2 o’clock now. 회의는 네 시에 시작해요. Hoeuineun ne si-e sijakhaeyo. The meeting starts at 4 o’clock. 저는 아침 7시에 일어나요. Jeoneun achim ilgop sie ireonayo. I wake up at 7 a.m. 📅 Talking About Dates In Korean, the date format is **Year + Month + Day**. Korean Romanization Meaning 2025년 7월 15일 icheon isibo nyeon chilwol sibo il July 15, 2025 ...

Lost in Seoul? 🚶 Don’t panic! In this post, you’ll learn simple and polite ways to ask and give directions in Korean — perfect for traveling, shopping, or just exploring Korea on your own. 📌 Must-Know Direction Words 한국어 Romanization English 오른쪽 oreunjjok right 왼쪽 oenjjok left 쭉 가세요 jjuk gaseyo go straight 여기 yeogi here 거기 geogi there 건너편 geonneopyeon across the street 근처 geuncheo nearby 📝 Useful Phrases for Asking Directions [장소] 어떻게 가요? [jangso] eotteoke gayo? How do I get to [place]? [장소] 어디에 있어요? [jangso] eodie isseoyo? Where is [place]? 화장실이 어디에 있어요? Hwajangsil-i eodie isseoyo? Where is the restroom? 지하철역은 어디예요? Jihacheol-yeogeun eodieyo? Where is the subway station? 🗣 Useful Responses 저기 왼쪽에 있어요. Jeogi oenjjoge isseoyo. It’s over there on the left. 쭉 가세요. 그리고 오른쪽으로 가세요. Jjuk gaseyo. Geurigo oreunjjok-euro gaseyo. Go straight. Then go to the right. 여기에서 가까워요. Yeogieseo...

  Hungry in Korea? 🍜 Don’t worry! In this post, you'll learn how to order food at a restaurant in Korean, from getting the server’s attention to paying the bill. Let’s get ready to eat like a local! 📌 Useful Phrases for Ordering Food 한국어 Romanization English 여기요! yeogiyo! Excuse me! (to call staff) 이거 주세요. igeo juseyo. Please give me this. 추천해 주세요. chucheonhae juseyo. Please recommend something. 물 주세요. mul juseyo. Please give me water. 계산할게요. gyesanhalgeyo. I’ll pay (check, please). 📝 Sample Sentences 여기요! 메뉴판 주세요. Yeogiyo! Menyupan juseyo. Excuse me! Please give me the menu. 불고기 하나 주세요. Bulgogi hana juseyo. One bulgogi, please. 이거 정말 맛있어요. Igeo jeongmal masisseoyo. This is really delicious. 물 좀 더 주세요. Mul jom deo juseyo. Please give me more water. 계산할게요. 카드 돼요? Gyesanhalgeyo. Kadeu dwaeyo? I’ll pay. Can I use a card? 🗣 Practice Dialogue 👩‍🍳 Staff: 어서 오세요! 몇 분이세요? Eoseo oseyo! Myeot bun...

What do you do every day? ☀️ In this lesson, we’ll explore common daily routine expressions in Korean. You'll learn basic verbs and sentence patterns to talk about your mornings, evenings, and everything in between! 📌 Must-Know Daily Routine Verbs Here are some essential Korean verbs used to describe your daily life: 한국어 Romanization English 일어나다 ireonada to wake up 씻다 ssitda to wash 먹다 meokda to eat 출근하다 chulgeunhada to go to work 공부하다 gongbuhada to study 운동하다 undonghada to exercise 자다 jada to sleep 📝 Sample Sentences 저는 아침 7시에 일어나요. Jeoneun achim ilgop sie ireonayo. I wake up at 7 a.m. 일어난 후에 샤워를 해요. Ireonan hue syaworeul haeyo. After I wake up, I take a shower. 아침을 먹고 회사에 가요. Achimeul meokgo hoesae gayo. I eat breakfast and go to work. 저녁에는 운동을 해요. Jeonyeogeneun undongeul haeyo. In the evening, I exercise. 11시에 자요. Yeolhan sie jayo. I go to bed at 11 o’clock. 🗣 Practice Dialogue A: 몇 ...

Want to say "Hi, my name is..." in Korean? 🙋‍♀️ In this post, you’ll learn how to introduce yourself naturally and politely in Korean — including your name, nationality, job, hobbies, and more. Let’s make a great first impression in Korean! 📌 Basic Korean Self-Introduction 안녕하세요. 제 이름은 [이름]입니다. Annyeonghaseyo. Je ireumeun [name] imnida. Hello. My name is [name]. 저는 [나라] 사람이에요. Jeoneun [nara] saram-ieyo. I’m from [country]. 만나서 반가워요. Mannaseo bangawoyo. Nice to meet you. 제 직업은 [직업]입니다. Je jigeop-eun [job] imnida. My job is [job]. 제 취미는 [취미]이에요. Je chwimineun [hobby] ieyo. My hobby is [hobby]. 🗣 Extended Example: Full Self-Introduction 안녕하세요. 제 이름은 Emily입니다. 저는 호주 사람이에요. 서울에 살고 있어요. Annyeonghaseyo. Je ireumeun Emily imnida. Jeoneun Hojeu saram-ieyo. Seoure salgo isseoyo. Hello. My name is Emily. I'm from Australia. I live in Seoul. 제 직업은 영어 선생님이에요. 제 취미는 요리하기와 여행이에요. 만나서 반가워요! Je jigeop-eun ye...

Planning to explore Seoul’s coolest cafes in 2025? From aesthetic hideaways to art-themed espresso bars, Seoul’s cafe culture is a major attraction for young travelers. Here's a guide to help you find the best spots, understand menu pricing, and learn a few handy Korean expressions. 😊 📍 Popular Areas for Themed Cafes Ikseon-dong : Vintage alleyways filled with floral cafés and retro dessert spots Seongsu-dong : Known as "the Brooklyn of Seoul"—industrial-chic cafes and art spaces Hannam-dong : Upscale concept cafés with design shops and galleries Itaewon/Yongsan : International flair, rooftop cafés, and cultural fusions Myeongdong : Tourist-friendly with major dessert cafés and rooftop views Gangnam : Trendy cafes often featured in K-dramas and social media Top 5 Most Visited by Foreigners: Ikseon-dong, Seongsu-dong, Myeongdong, Itaewon, Gangnam 🗣️ Useful Korean Expression If you want to ask for a menu, just say: "메뉴판 주세요 (menyu-pa...

Planning a 2‑week adventure in Seoul, Busan & Jeju without overspending? This 2025 guide offers realistic cost estimates—from flights and food to accommodation and attractions—for visitors from different continents. All costs are approximate and may vary—happy budgeting! 😊 ✈️ Sample Itineraries & Budget by Departure Country (14 days) Departing From Flight (round‑trip) Accommodation Food & Transport Activities & Extras Total ≈ USA (LA) $1,200 $45/night hostel = $630 $65/day = $910 $300 $3,040 UK (London) $900 $50/night guesthouse = $700 $65/day = $910 $300 $2,810 Australia (Sydney) $1,000 $45/night hostel = $630 $65/day = $910 $300 $2,840 Japan (Tokyo) $400 $45/night = $630 $65/day = $910 $300 $2,240 *All prices based on mid‑2025 rates. Your actual expenses may vary based on exchange rates, season, and travel style. 🚆 Transportation & Accommodation in Ko...

  Military service is a major part of life for Korean men and an important topic to understand if you’re living in or studying Korean culture. In this post, we’ll cover what Korean military service involves, who must serve, what they do, and the expressions you might hear in K-dramas or daily life related to it. 🇰🇷 📌 Who Has to Serve? All able-bodied Korean men between the ages of 18 and 28 are required to serve in the military. The service usually lasts: Army & Marines: 18 months Navy: 20 months Air Force: 21 months Some may serve in alternative services due to health, religion, or national recognition (like Olympic medalists or K-pop stars in special cases). 🪖 What Do Soldiers Do? After a few weeks of basic training, soldiers are assigned to specific bases and roles. Typical duties include border patrol, equipment maintenance, training drills, and daily routines. Military life is strict and hierarchical, which teaches discipline and teamwork. ?...

  Visiting a 찜질방 (jjimjilbang) is one of the most relaxing and unique cultural experiences in Korea. These large public bathhouses often include hot tubs, saunas, nap areas, snack bars, and even movie rooms! But if it’s your first time, it can feel a bit intimidating. In this post, you’ll learn exactly how to enjoy a jjimjilbang like a local. 🧖‍♀️🧖‍♂️ 🧾 Step-by-Step Guide Pay at the counter (~₩10,000–₩15,000) and receive a locker key and uniform. Remove your shoes and place them in the shoe locker. Change into your uniform in the gender-specific locker room. Before entering the sauna or public bath, shower thoroughly —this is a strict hygiene rule in Korea. Enjoy the facilities! Relax in hot tubs, try different saunas (salt, charcoal, ice), and lie down on warm floors. Try local snacks like sikhye (sweet rice drink), eggs roasted in the sauna, or instant ramen from vending machines. 🍳 What to Enjoy Inside a Jjimjilbang Jjimjilbangs are more ...

  Need to send a polite email to your Korean professor, coworker, or landlord? 🧐 Korean formal emails and letters have a unique structure and tone. In this post, you'll learn how to write a professional and respectful message in Korean, whether it’s a short request or a detailed inquiry. ✉️ Korean Email Structure Overview A formal Korean email or letter usually follows this order: Subject line Greeting (인사말) Self-introduction (if needed) Main content (요청, 질문, 설명 등) Closing statement (마무리 인사) Signature (이름, 소속 등) 1. Modern Email Greetings (인사말) 안녕하세요. OO팀 홍길동입니다. An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. OO-tim Hong Gil-dong-im-ni-da. Hello, this is Hong Gil-dong from the OO team. 바쁘신 와중에 메일 드리게 되어 죄송합니다. Ba-ppeu-sin wa-jung-e mail deu-ri-ge doe-eo joe-song-ham-ni-da Sorry to bother you during your busy schedule. 확인 부탁드립니다. Hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rip-ni-da Please take a look. (commonly used after the opening) 2. Making a Polite Request (요청) 자료를 공유해 주시면 감사하겠습...

  Ever heard someone say something in Korean that sounded incredibly polite, gentle, or vague? 🫣 That may be a form of sentence softening —a vital communication skill in Korean that helps you avoid sounding too blunt or direct. In this post, you'll learn common grammar endings and phrases used to "soften" speech in Korean, also known as downtoning . 🤔 What Is Downtoning in Korean? Korean is a language that values indirectness, humility, and relational harmony. Rather than stating things too bluntly, Koreans often use grammar patterns that reduce assertiveness or add politeness. This is especially common in requests, refusals, opinions, and disagreements. 1. Using -것 같다 (It seems / I think) 그 사람이 학생인 것 같아요 . Geu sa-ram-i hak-saeng-in geot ga-ta-yo I think that person is a student. 조금 늦을 것 같아요 . Jo-geum neut-eul geot ga-ta-yo I might be a bit late. 2. Using -는데요 / -은데요 (Polite softening) 지금은 바쁜데요... Ji-geum-eun ba-ppeun-de-yo Well... I’m a bit ...

Have you ever wanted to say “What a relief!” or “That’s too bad…” in Korean? 😢 These emotional expressions are essential for sounding natural and connecting with Korean speakers on a deeper level. In this post, we’ll dive into three must-know words: 다행이다 (what a relief), 아쉽다 (what a pity), and 섭섭하다 (I feel let down). 🎯 Why This Matters Understanding how to express regret or relief is not just about vocabulary—it’s about sounding human and empathetic in conversations. These words appear often in K-dramas, Korean conversations, and even news reports. Let's break them down one by one. 💨 다행이다 – “What a Relief” Meaning: Used when something bad could have happened, but didn’t. Usage: Often expresses relief, gratitude, or fortunate outcomes. 비가 안 와서 다행이에요 . Bi-ga an waseo da-haeng-i-e-yo It’s a relief it didn’t rain. 큰 사고가 아니라서 정말 다행이야 . Keun sa-go-ga aniraseo jeong-mal da-haeng-i-ya I’m so relieved it wasn’t a big accident. 너무 걱정했는데 결과가 좋아서 다행이야 . Neo-mu ...

Have you ever noticed how written Korean in books, news articles, or essays looks different from what you hear in K-dramas or everyday conversations? That’s because of 문어체 , or "written/formal style" Korean. 📝 In this post, we’ll explore how advanced verb conjugation changes when writing in formal Korean. If you're preparing for TOPIK II, writing an academic essay, or just want to sound more polished in writing, this guide is for you! 📚 What is 문어체? 문어체 (literary or written style) is used in formal texts like reports, academic writing, news, and books. It’s more structured, objective, and polite than the spoken style, which is called 구어체 . 🔍 Common Verb Endings in 문어체 Verb Ending Usage Example -는다 / -ㄴ다 / -다 Plain statement (present tense) 학생이 도서관에 간다. (The student goes to the library.) -았다 / -었다 Plain past tense 그는 책을 읽었다. (He read a book.) -겠다 ...

Have you ever been confused by the endings ~더라 and ~던 in Korean? They both refer to the past, but they’re used in very different ways. Let’s clear up the mystery together! 🕵️‍♀️ This post is designed for intermediate and advanced learners who want to express nuanced past experiences and descriptions like native speakers. Let’s dive in! 🇰🇷 🧠 Core Differences at a Glance Ending Meaning Time Reference Perspective ~더라 Realized/experienced something in the past (new information) Specific past event Speaker's direct past observation or discovery ~던 Describing an action or state that was ongoing in the past Habitual or incomplete past Speaker's memory or description of past state 🔍 ~더라: Past Realization or Discovery This ending is used when the speaker is recalling something they personally witnessed or experienced for the first time. 그 사람...