🟠 Talking About Korean Cultural Taboos and Manners – Intermediate Level (TOPIK 3–4)

Have you ever worried about making a cultural mistake in Korea — like sticking your chopsticks in rice or handing something with one hand?

Understanding cultural taboos (금기) and manners (예절) is essential for building good relationships in Korea. This guide will teach you what to avoid, how to act politely, and phrases to navigate these situations smoothly.

By the end of this post, you’ll know:

Common taboos in Korean culture (e.g., gestures, dining habits)
Essential polite manners in social and professional settings
Korean phrases to use in sensitive situations

🚫 Major Cultural Taboos

Sticking chopsticks upright in rice – Reminds Koreans of funeral rites.
Writing names in red ink – Traditionally symbolizes death.
Pointing with your finger – Considered rude; use an open hand instead.
Pouring your own drink – In group settings, you pour for others, and they pour for you.

🙏 Important Manners

Use **two hands** when giving or receiving items (especially to elders).
Bow slightly when greeting, thanking, or apologizing.
Remove shoes before entering someone’s home.
Wait for elders to start eating before you begin your meal.

🗣 Useful Phrases

죄송합니다. (joesonghamnida) – I’m sorry / Excuse me

먼저 드세요. (meonjeo deuseyo) – Please eat first

감사합니다. (gamsahamnida) – Thank you

🧩 Teacher’s Tips

Many of my students worry about accidentally offending someone. Here’s my advice:

**Don’t panic**: Koreans understand foreigners might not know every custom. A polite smile and “죄송합니다” go a long way.
**Watch others first**: In group settings (like company dinners), observe what seniors do and follow their lead.
**Practice common phrases**: Saying “먼저 드세요” or using two hands when passing items makes a big impression.

I’ve seen students gain confidence quickly once they practice these small gestures in real life!

🗯 Say what?

눈치 (nunchi) – A uniquely Korean word meaning “reading the room” or sensing others’ feelings. Mastering 눈치 helps you know when to speak, when to pour drinks, or when to stay quiet — a key to fitting in socially.

🌏 Did You Know?

This section keeps readers curious even if it’s off-topic. Did you know Korea has one of the **highest coffee shop densities** in the world — more than 25,000 cafés nationwide? It’s why social meetings often happen in cafés rather than homes, shaping unique manners like “buying coffee for the group” as a polite gesture.

📦 Final Thoughts

Learning cultural taboos and manners will help you avoid awkward moments and connect better with Koreans. Practice small gestures like using two hands or waiting for elders — they make a big difference in how locals perceive you.

If you found this helpful, bookmark, share, or leave a comment — your feedback inspires me to create more posts that combine Korean language and culture! 🙏

📘 More Posts You’ll Find Helpful!

❶ Korean Tipping Culture: Should You Tip in Korea?

❷ Sentence-final Endings in Korean: -지, -잖아, -거든

❸ Advanced Verb Conjugation for Writing in Korean (문어체)

Keep exploring more posts like these and grow your Korean skills step by step!

📚 Want to practice Korean manners and polite phrases for real life?
Book a lesson with me on italki and learn how to act and speak naturally in Korean culture.

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About the Author

I’m an office worker with 20 years of experience who enjoys studying English and Japanese. Through this blog, I share simple guides to help you learn Korean and understand Korean culture better.