🗣️ How to Express Your Opinion Politely in Korean – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)
🗣️ Expressing Your Opinion Politely in Korean (TOPIK 3–4)
Want to share your thoughts without sounding rude or too direct? Teacher Hoon explains the essential "softeners" and grammar patterns to help you communicate your ideas with respect and nuance.
The Importance of Nuance (EEAT Tip)
In Korean culture, maintaining social harmony (Jeong) is vital. Being too direct, especially when disagreeing, can be seen as aggressive. As a teacher with 20 years of professional experience, I recommend using "Cushion Phrases" like 제 생각에는 to soften your stance. Let's look at the patterns that make your Korean sound more mature and respectful.
🧾 Essential "Cushion" Expressions
| Korean Expression | Romanization | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 제 생각에는 | je saeng-gak-e-neun | In my opinion (Soft start) |
| 제 의견으로는 | je ui-gyeon-eu-ro-neun | From my perspective (Formal) |
| 그럴 수도 있지만... | geu-reol su-do it-ji-man | That may be true, but... |
| 조심스럽게 말씀드리면 | jo-sim-seu-reop-ge | If I may carefully say... |
🔍 Advanced Opinion Patterns
- -다고 생각하다: "I think that..."
이 방법이 더 효율적이라고 생각해요. - -지 않나 싶다: "I wonder if / It seems to me..." (Very polite)
그건 좀 위험하지 않나 싶어요.
💬 Polite Opinion Examples
제 생각에는 이 방법이 더 좋아요.
(In my opinion, this method is better.)
그럴 수도 있지만, 저는 좀 다르게 생각해요.
(That may be true, but I think a bit differently.)
조심스럽게 말씀드리면, 이건 다시 생각하는 게 좋을 것 같아요.
(If I may say carefully, I think this should be reconsidered.)
💡 Teacher Hoon's Cultural Insight
In meetings or group chats, avoid starting a sentence with "아니요" (No). Instead, start with "네, 좋은 의견입니다. 하지만..." (Yes, that's a good opinion. But...). This "Yes-But" technique is the ultimate secret to sounding like a professional and culturally aware Korean speaker!
🗨️ Practice Dialogue: Team Discussion
A (Hoon): 이 제안에 대해서 어떻게 생각하세요?
(What do you think about this proposal?)
B (Student): 제 생각에는 괜찮은 아이디어인 것 같아요. 하지만 조금 더 검토가 필요해 보입니다.
A: 네, 다양한 의견이 중요하죠! 감사합니다.
Want to Practice Debate & Discussion in Korean?
Sharing opinions is the best way to reach TOPIK 5 and 6 levels. Book a 1:1 intermediate session with Hoon on italki. We'll practice real-life discussion topics and I'll give you instant feedback on your tone and logic!
🚀 Master Polite Discussions with Hoon
Trust Resources from LearningKR:
About Us |
Contact/Lessons
