🟠 Describing How to Use Korean Apps – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)
.jpg "Describing How to Use Korean Apps – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)")
Are you struggling to understand how Koreans use apps like KakaoTalk or Coupang? You're not alone! Understanding common app functions and everyday expressions can make your Korean life a lot smoother. Learn how to describe what you're doing in Korean apps, from texting friends to ordering food!
🎯 Learning Goal
- Learn how to describe actions inside common Korean apps
- Understand key expressions and abbreviations used in Korean messaging apps
- Practice practical conversation using these terms
📚 Table of Contents
- Introduction to Korean Apps
- App Vocabulary & Expressions
- 🙋 Practice Dialogue
- 📰 Reading Practice
- 🌀 Say What?
- 🧠 Pop Quiz
- 🚀 It’s Your Turn!
- 👩🏫 Teacher’s Tips
- 📊 Did You Know?
- 🎓 Practice on italki
- 💬 Stay Connected
📱 Introduction to Korean Apps
KakaoTalk (카카오톡) is the most widely used messenger app in South Korea, used by over 90% of the population across all age groups. It's not just for texting—people use it for banking (KakaoBank), shopping, calling taxis (KakaoT), and even managing appointments.
Apps like 네이버 (search and dictionary), 쿠팡 (shopping), and 배달의 민족 (food delivery) are also part of daily life in Korea.
🔑 App Vocabulary & Expressions
- 메시지를 보내다 – to send a message
- 이모티콘을 보내다 – to send an emoji
- 프로필 사진을 바꾸다 – to change profile picture
- 채팅방을 나가다 – to leave the chat room
- 카카오페이로 송금하다 – to send money via KakaoPay
- 장바구니에 담다 – to add to cart (shopping app)
- 배달 주문을 하다 – to place a delivery order
🙋 Practice Dialogue
| 한국어 | English |
|---|---|
| 카카오톡으로 메시지 보냈어? | Did you send the message on KakaoTalk? |
| 응, 답장도 바로 왔어. | Yes, I got a reply right away. |
| 이모티콘 진짜 귀엽다! | That emoji is really cute! |
| 그 사람 프로필 사진 바뀌었어. | That person changed their profile picture. |
| 카카오페이로 돈 보낼 수 있어? | Can I send money through KakaoPay? |
| 응, 엄청 간단해! | Yeah, it's super easy! |
| 쿠팡에서 뭐 샀어? | What did you buy on Coupang? |
| 핸드폰 케이스 샀어. | I bought a phone case. |
| 배달 언제 와? | When will it be delivered? |
| 내일 오전 도착 예정이래. | It’s supposed to arrive tomorrow morning. |
📰 Reading Practice
“한국의 20대~30대는 카카오톡, 10대는 인스타그램 DM을 더 선호하는 것으로 나타났다.”
“People in their 20s and 30s prefer KakaoTalk, while teens tend to use Discord and Instagram DMs more often.”
📌 Key Vocabulary
- 선호하다 – to prefer
- 디스코드 – Discord (app name)
- DM – direct message
🌀 Say What?
ㅇㅋ: Abbreviation for "오케이 (OK)" – Often used in chats.
ㅋㅋ: Laughter, like "haha" – More casual than 하하 or ㅎㅎ.
ㅂㅂ: Short for "bye-bye."
ㄱㄱ: Means "go-go" – Let’s go or let’s do it.
ㄴㄴ: Short for "no no" – Denial or refusal.
🧠 Pop Quiz
- “ㄱㄱ”의 뜻은 무엇인가요? (정답: Let's go)
- “배달 주문을 하다”는 어떤 앱에서 자주 쓰일까요? (정답: 배달의 민족)
- “프로필 사진을 바꾸다”는 무슨 의미인가요? (정답: to change profile picture)
🚀 It’s Your Turn!
- 카카오톡에서 실제로 사용하는 표현 3가지를 골라 문장으로 만들어 보세요.
- 친구에게 앱을 사용하는 방법을 한국어로 설명해보세요.
- 가장 자주 쓰는 앱을 묘사해 보고, 그 이유를 말해보세요.
👩🏫 Teacher’s Tips
앱에서 쓰는 줄임말은 대화 속도가 빠른 만큼 자주 사용돼요. 초보 학습자들은 당황할 수 있지만, 익숙해지면 금방 따라갈 수 있어요.
예를 들어 “ㄱㄱ”는 단순히 “가자”의 의미지만, 상황에 따라 “시작하자” 또는 “준비됐어”로도 해석될 수 있어요.
Abbreviations used in apps come from the need for speed. Beginners may feel confused at first, but once you get used to them, they’re fun and easy!
For example, “ㄱㄱ” usually means “let’s go,” but depending on context, it can also mean “let’s get started” or “I’m ready.”
📊 Did You Know?
한국 사람들이 가장 많이 쓰는 앱은 무엇일까요? 카테고리별로 보면 예상보다 훨씬 다양한 앱들이 사랑받고 있어요!
- 📱 메신저: 카카오톡 (KakaoTalk) – 거의 모든 한국인이 사용!
- 🛍 쇼핑: 쿠팡 (Coupang) – 로켓배송으로 유명한 1위 쇼핑 앱
- 🍔 음식배달: 배달의 민족 (Baemin) – 배달앱의 대표주자
- 🚗 내비게이션: 티맵 (T Map) – SKT 이용자 중심으로 가장 인기
- 🔎 검색 & 사전: 네이버 (Naver) – 구글보다 자주 사용하는 포털
- 🎬 영상 스트리밍: 유튜브 (YouTube) – 전 연령대에서 압도적 사용률
- 🎧 음악: 멜론 (Melon), 유튜브 뮤직 – 두 앱이 나란히 인기
- 💬 커뮤니티: 네이버 카페, 인스타그램, 디시인사이드 등도 활발히 사용돼요
Koreans have specific go-to apps by category! Here are the most popular ones:
- Messenger: KakaoTalk – used by nearly everyone in Korea
- Shopping: Coupang – famous for its Rocket Delivery service
- Food Delivery: Baemin (Baedal Minjok) – the top delivery app
- Navigation: T Map – especially popular among SKT users
- Search & Dictionary: Naver – often used more than Google in Korea
- Video Streaming: YouTube – dominates all age groups
- Music: Melon, YouTube Music – top choices for Korean music lovers
- Community: Naver Cafe, Instagram, DC Inside – popular for sharing and chatting
🎓 Practice on italki
Want to practice describing your favorite apps in Korean? Join my italki class where we role-play real app situations using KakaoTalk, Coupang, and more! I speak English, Japanese, and Indonesian to support learners from all backgrounds. 🧑🏫
💬 Stay Connected
If you found this lesson helpful, please share it, bookmark it, or leave a comment below! 😊
