Learning Korean with me

Master Korean Connectors: Talk About Your Daily Life Smoothly | Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3–4) Ever felt like your Korean sentences sound short and choppy? In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use essential connectors such as -고, -아서/어서, -지만 to describe your daily life naturally and smoothly. Perfect for TOPIK 3–4 learners aiming for fluency! 📚 Table of Contents Why Connectors Are Important Common Connectors for Daily Life How to Use Them in Sentences Example Sentences Practice Dialogue Did You Know? Final Thoughts 💡 Why Connectors Are Important Connectors help you combine ideas and actions, making your speech sound natural and fluent . Without them, sentences can feel robotic or disconnected. Using connectors like -고, -아서/어서, and -지만 lets you describe sequences, reasons, and contrasts in daily life. 🛠 Common Connectors for Daily Life -고 : “and” – to connect actions or adjectives Example: 학교에 가고 친구를 만났어요. (I went to school...

How to Use -아/어야 해요 | Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3–4) Do you know how to say “I have to…” in Korean? This lesson will teach you how to use -아/어야 해요 , a key grammar pattern to express obligations or things you must do in everyday situations—perfect for intermediate learners aiming for natural Korean conversations. 📚 Table of Contents Meaning of -아/어야 해요 How to Form -아/어야 해요 When to Use It Example Sentences Practice Dialogue Did You Know? Final Thoughts 💡 Meaning of -아/어야 해요 -아/어야 해요 is used to express necessity or obligation , similar to “must” or “have to” in English. Example: 숙제를 해야 해요. – I have to do homework. 🛠 How to Form -아/어야 해요 If the verb stem has ㅏ or ㅗ → add -아야 해요 가다 → 가야 해요 (must go) If the verb stem has other vowels → add -어야 해요 먹다 → 먹어야 해요 (must eat) For 하다 verbs → add -해야 해요 공부하다 → 공부해야 해요 (must study) Tip: In casual speech, “해요” can change to “돼요” (e.g., 해야 돼요) and still means “must.” ...

Reading Korean Menus in Detail | Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3–4) Have you ever opened a Korean menu and felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar words and cooking terms? This lesson will guide you through reading Korean menus in detail, from food categories to cooking methods, so you can confidently order your favorite dishes in Korea. 📚 Table of Contents Menu Categories You Should Know Common Cooking Methods Useful Phrases for Ordering Example Menu Items Practice Dialogue Did You Know? Final Thoughts 🍱 Menu Categories You Should Know 한식 (Han-sik) – Traditional Korean cuisine 분식 (Bun-sik) – Light meals/snack foods (tteokbokki, gimbap) 구이 (Gui) – Grilled dishes (samgyeopsal, galbi) 찌개 (Jjigae) – Stews (kimchi jjigae, doenjang jjigae) 탕 (Tang) – Soups (samgyetang, gomtang) 볶음 (Bokkeum) – Stir-fried dishes (kimchi bokkeum, dakbokkeum) 전골 (Jeongol) – Hot pot dishes (haemul jeongol) 💡 Note: Menus often separate dishes into thes...

Ethics and Philosophy in Korean Language | Advanced Korean (TOPIK 5–6) Have you ever wanted to debate ethical dilemmas or explore philosophical ideas in Korean? This lesson equips advanced learners with the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural insights needed to discuss profound topics like morality, duty, and human nature—perfect for academic discussions, debates, or TOPIK 6 preparation. 📚 Table of Contents Why Study Ethics and Philosophy in Korean? Key Vocabulary for Ethics and Philosophy Advanced Grammar & Expressions Example Sentences Practice Dialogue Did You Know? Final Thoughts 💡 Why Study Ethics and Philosophy in Korean? Korean ethics and philosophy are deeply rooted in Confucianism, Buddhism, and modern democratic ideals . Understanding these frameworks allows you to interpret Korean proverbs, moral debates, and social expectations accurately—key for high-level fluency and cultural literacy. 📜 Key Vocabulary f...

Talking About History and Traditions in Korean | Advanced Korean (TOPIK 5–6) Do you want to talk about Korea’s long history and rich traditions in Korean with confidence? This guide helps you master advanced vocabulary, honorifics, and cultural context for conversations or presentations about history and traditions, suitable for TOPIK 5–6 learners and professionals. 📚 Table of Contents Why Learning Historical Expressions Matters Essential Vocabulary for History & Traditions Key Grammar & Phrases Example Sentences Practice Dialogue Did You Know? Final Thoughts 💡 Why Learning Historical Expressions Matters Discussing history and traditions in Korean requires more than vocabulary. It involves understanding honorific language, cultural references, and context . These skills are crucial for academic presentations, professional meetings, and meaningful conversations with native speakers who value historical awareness. ...

How to Write a Speech in Korean | Advanced Korean (TOPIK 5–6) Have you ever needed to give a speech in Korean but weren’t sure where to begin? This guide will teach you how to structure formal speeches in Korean, use advanced honorifics, and incorporate cultural elements to impress in academic, business, or public settings. 📚 Table of Contents Why Speech Writing Matters in Korean Formal Speech Structure Key Phrases and Honorifics Example Speech Excerpts Practice Exercise Did You Know? Final Thoughts 💡 Why Speech Writing Matters in Korean Korean speeches (연설문) reflect not only language skills but also cultural understanding. Properly crafted speeches use honorifics, indirect expressions, and humility —essential for showing respect in business, academic ceremonies, and public events. 📝 Formal Speech Structure Typical Korean speeches follow a three-part structure: Opening (시작): Greetings and gratitude to the audience ...

Korean Business Meetings: Phrases & Etiquette | Advanced Korean (TOPIK 5–6) Do you want to navigate Korean business meetings with confidence? In this advanced lesson, we’ll explore key phrases, etiquette rules, and cultural insights that professionals use in Korean corporate settings. This guide is perfect for TOPIK 5–6 learners preparing for real-world business communication. 📚 Table of Contents Why Business Meeting Etiquette Matters in Korea Essential Korean Business Meeting Phrases Key Etiquette Points for Professional Settings Practice Dialogue: Negotiation Meeting Did You Know? Corporate Culture in Korea Final Thoughts 💡 Why Business Meeting Etiquette Matters in Korea Korean business culture emphasizes respect, hierarchy, and indirect communication. Using correct phrases and etiquette helps build trust and ensures smooth negotiations. Mastering this skill allows you to adapt in multinational environments and handle formal meetings w...

Understanding Passive and Honorific Verbs in Korean | Advanced Korean (TOPIK 5–6) Do you find Korean honorifics and passive verbs confusing? This guide helps advanced learners understand how to combine respect and passivity in verbs—a crucial skill for formal writing, business communication, and advanced TOPIK exams. 📚 Table of Contents What Are Passive and Honorific Verbs? Key Passive and Honorific Forms Complex Sentence Examples Practice Dialogue: Formal Context Did You Know? Historical and Cultural Insights Final Thoughts 💡 What Are Passive and Honorific Verbs? Passive verbs describe actions received by the subject, while honorific verbs show respect to the subject. In Korean, you often combine these two to maintain politeness and objectivity in formal settings. Example: - Passive: 문이 열렸다 (The door was opened). - Honorific: 선생님께서 오셨어요 (The teacher came [respectfully stated]). Advanced learners must master when to prioritize respect vs...

Using Reported Speech in Complex Korean Sentences | Advanced Korean (TOPIK 5–6) Have you struggled to report what someone said or thought in Korean, especially in long and complex sentences? This advanced lesson guides you through reported speech (간접화법) with multiple clauses, different tenses, and emotional nuances. I’ll teach you as if we are in a real class, breaking it down with examples and tips for formal writing and conversations. 📚 Table of Contents What is Reported Speech (간접화법)? Key Reported Speech Forms Complex Sentence Examples Practice Dialogue: Advanced Quoting Did You Know? Politeness in Reported Speech Final Thoughts 💡 What is Reported Speech (간접화법)? Reported speech in Korean allows you to **relay what someone else said or thought** without quoting them directly. Instead of using quotation marks (“ ”), you attach specific endings like -다고 하다 , -냐고 하다 , or -자고 하다 . At the advanced level, you’ll combine these forms into **comp...

Expressing Emotions Using -고 싶다 and -기 싫다 | Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3–4) Have you ever wanted to say “I want to…” or “I don’t want to…” in Korean? In this lesson, we’ll explore how to express desires and dislikes naturally using “-고 싶다” and “-기 싫다.” As your teacher, I’ll guide you step by step with examples, cultural tips, and practice dialogues so you feel like you’re in a real classroom. 📚 Table of Contents What Do -고 싶다 and -기 싫다 Mean? How to Form These Expressions Example Sentences to Show Emotions Practice Dialogue: Sharing Feelings Did You Know? Emotional Nuances in Korean Final Thoughts 💡 What Do -고 싶다 and -기 싫다 Mean? -고 싶다 is used when you want to do something: 예: 집에 가고 싶다 – I want to go home. -기 싫다 is used when you don’t want to do something: 예: 공부하기 싫다 – I don’t want to study. At the intermediate level, you’ll learn not just the literal meaning but also how to use these expressions to *show emotions politely* or *soften y...

How to Describe a Movie or Drama in Korean | Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3–4) Do you want to talk about your favorite K-drama or movie in Korean? This guide teaches you essential Korean phrases and vocabulary to describe plots, characters, and opinions about movies or dramas. Perfect for intermediate learners preparing for everyday conversations or cultural discussions. 📚 Table of Contents Essential Vocabulary for Describing Movies and Dramas Key Grammar and Opinion Expressions Example Sentences Practice Dialogue: Sharing Thoughts About a Movie Did You Know? Korean Drama Culture Final Thoughts 🎞 Essential Vocabulary for Describing Movies and Dramas 영화 (yeong-hwa) – movie 드라마 (deu-ra-ma) – drama (TV series) 배우 (bae-u) – actor/actress 줄거리 (jul-geo-ri) – plot/storyline 장면 (jang-myeon) – scene 감동적이다 (gam-dong-jeo-gi-da) – touching, moving 재미있다 (jae-mi-it-da) – fun, interesting 슬프다 (seul-peu-da) – sad 긴장되다 (gin-jang-dwe-d...

Talking About Health and Illness in Korean | Intermediate Korean (TOPIK 3–4) Need to describe your symptoms in Korean? This guide teaches key Korean health vocabulary, useful expressions for doctor visits, and cultural tips for polite communication about illness. Perfect for intermediate learners who want to handle real-life situations in Korea confidently. 📚 Table of Contents Essential Health Vocabulary Key Grammar and Expressions Example Sentences About Illness Practice Dialogue: Visiting a Clinic Did You Know? Korean Health Culture Final Thoughts 🩺 Essential Health Vocabulary 감기 (gam-gi) – cold 열 (yeol) – fever 두통 (du-tong) – headache 복통 (bok-tong) – stomachache 병원 (byeong-won) – hospital/clinic 약 (yak) – medicine 의사 (ui-sa) – doctor 아프다 (a-peu-da) – to be sick/hurt 📝 Key Grammar and Expressions When talking about health in Korean, you often use: -이/가 아파요 : [body part] hurts 머리가 아파요 – Meo-ri-ga...

How to Read Korean Menus | Beginner Korean Guide (TOPIK 1–2) Confused by Korean menus when dining out? This guide will teach you how to read Korean menus using Hangul, understand common food vocabulary, and order confidently at restaurants in Korea. 📚 Table of Contents Menu Basics: Why Learn Hangul? Essential Menu Vocabulary Example Menu Items and Meanings Practice Dialogue: Ordering Food Did You Know? Cultural Tips Final Thoughts 🍽 Menu Basics: Why Learn Hangul? Most Korean menus are written in Hangul, sometimes without English translations. Knowing basic Korean alphabet reading skills helps you identify dishes and avoid surprises. Recognizing words like “볶음” (bokkeum, stir-fried) or “찌개” (jjigae, stew) makes ordering easier and more fun. 📖 Essential Menu Vocabulary 밥 (bap) – rice / meal 국 (guk) – soup 찌개 (jjigae) – stew 볶음 (bokkeum) – stir-fried 구이 (gui) – grilled 김치 (kimchi) – fermented vegetables 비빔밥 (bibimba...

How to Use -고 싶어요 in Korean Grammar | Beginner Korean Guide Do you want to eat Korean food or visit Seoul? In Korean, you can express what you want politely using “-고 싶어요.” This guide will teach you how to form sentences with -고 싶어요, provide practice examples, and give cultural tips so you can confidently talk about your desires in Korean conversations. 📚 Table of Contents Meaning of -고 싶어요 Grammar Rules and Formation Example Sentences with -고 싶어요 Practice Dialogue Did You Know? Cultural Note Final Thoughts 🌟 Meaning of -고 싶어요 “-고 싶어요” is one of the first expressions beginners learn to show what they want to do in Korean. It literally means “I want to (verb).” For example: 먹고 싶어요 (I want to eat), 가고 싶어요 (I want to go). This polite form is perfect for daily conversations, ordering food, or telling friends your plans. 📝 Grammar Rules and Formation **How to form -고 싶어요:** Take the verb stem (remove -다). Example: 먹다 → 먹 A...