📘 How to Write a Short Korean Diary – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)

Learn how to write a short diary in Korean using common sentence patterns and expressions. Great practice for intermediate learners!

• 🟠 Introduction
• 📝 Common Diary Expressions
• 📚 Useful Grammar Patterns
• ✍️ Sample Diary Entry
• 🧠 Did You Know?
• 💡 Final Thoughts

🟠 Introduction

Writing a diary in Korean is an effective way to improve your grammar, vocabulary, and self-expression. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to write short, natural-sounding diary entries using key patterns and expressions.

📝 Common Diary Expressions

• 오늘은 기분이 좋았다. (Oneureun gibuni joatda.) – I felt good today.
• 날씨가 정말 좋았다. (Nalssiga jeongmal joatda.) – The weather was really nice.
• 친구와 맛있는 저녁을 먹었다. (Chinguwa masinneun jeonyeogeul meogeotda.) – I had a delicious dinner with a friend.
• 피곤하지만 뿌듯한 하루였다. (Pigonhajiman ppudeutan haruyieotda.) – I was tired but felt accomplished today.

📚 Useful Grammar Patterns

Here are a few essential grammar patterns to use in your diary:

• -았/었어요: Past tense for most verbs.
  예: 재미있는 영화를 봤어요. (I watched an interesting movie.)
• -지만: Contrastive meaning “but.”
  예: 피곤했지만 운동했어요. (I was tired, but I exercised.)
• 그래서: Connects cause and effect.
  예: 비가 왔어요. 그래서 집에 있었어요. (It rained. So I stayed home.)

✍️ Sample Diary Entry

오늘은 정말 바쁜 하루였다.
아침부터 회의가 있어서 일찍 일어났다. 회사에서 중요한 프레젠테이션을 했는데 다행히 잘 끝났다. 점심으로는 김치찌개를 먹었고, 저녁에는 운동을 했다. 피곤하지만 성취감을 느꼈다.

Translation:
Today was a really busy day. I woke up early because I had a meeting in the morning. I gave an important presentation at work, and fortunately, it went well. I had kimchi stew for lunch and exercised in the evening. I’m tired but feel a sense of accomplishment.

🧠 Did You Know?

South Korea ranks among the top countries with the most prolific journal and diary culture. Many Koreans start writing journals from elementary school. In fact, the phrase “일기 써라!” (“Write your diary!”) is something many students hear from their teachers regularly. Some stationery stores in Korea even sell "감정일기" (emotion journals) that help people express how they felt each day using stickers and mood charts!

💡 Final Thoughts

Writing a diary in Korean can become a powerful tool for emotional expression and language development. Try writing a few lines daily using the expressions and grammar you’ve learned here. Over time, you’ll notice improvement in your fluency and confidence.

I hope that while reading various posts on my blog, you’ll learn Korean and grow to love Korea. As a Korean, I sincerely wish for that. Please come back anytime to discover new expressions and cultural insights!

👉 Check out related posts: Korean Particles Explained | Describing Your Day in Korean

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