There are so many basic Korean words and phrases to choose from, so it can be tough to decide which ones are essential for a beginner. To help you with that, we’ll introduce you to the top Korean words every beginner must learn through this blog post. Then, from basic greetings to essential vocabulary, we’ll make sure you’re prepared for your next conversation in Korean.
Why learn Korean?
- To communicate with a family member or friend who is Korean in their native language.
- To learn Korean culture.
- To watch Korean dramas and movies without subtitles.
How to get started learning Korean
If you’re interested in learning Korean, there are a few different methods that you can try.
- Find a tutor or course: This is a great way to learn in a group setting and get teacher feedback.
- Online resources: There are a number of websites and apps that offer lessons and quizzes to help you learn Korean at your own pace.
- Books and audio materials: This option can be a bit more challenging, yet you can have a lot of fun. You can find books and audio materials at your local library or online.
Whatever method you choose, the most important thing is to be consistent and keep practising. The more you practice and dedicate yourself, the more quickly you get to learn Korean and the easy Korean words.
What are Korean Words
Korean words are the basic units of the Korean language. They are used to represent the building blocks of grammar and syntax and can be combined to form larger words and phrases. There are two types of Korean words: Sino-Korean words, which are based on Chinese characters, and native Korean words, which are not based on Chinese characters.
Sino-Korean words make up the majority of Korean vocabulary and are typically used for more formal or academic purposes. Native Korean words are more commonly used in everyday speech and are often considered to be more “authentic” or “true” Korean.
Both Sino-Korean and native Korean words can be written with Hangul, the Korean alphabet. However, many Sino-Korean words are also written with Hanja, the Chinese characters derived from. Hanja is not used as frequently as it once was, but it can still be seen in some older texts or documents.
Top common Korean Words
When learning Korean daily words, it is important to start with the basic Korean words list. A few of the most common and most popular Korean words that you should learn are discussed below (The words are converted from the Korean language to English)
1. 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo)
This word comes under one of the most common Korean phrases that you will hear. It means “hello” or “hi”. You can use it while greeting someone or when starting a conversation.
2. 저 (jeo)
This word means “I” or “me”. It is a very important word to learn as it is often used in Korean sentences.
3. 있어요 (isseoyo)
This word means “to have” or “to be”. It is used when stating that something exists. For example, to express “I have a book”, you need to say “저 책 있어요 (jeo chaek isseoyo)”.
4. 없어요 (eobseoyo)
This word, under the Korean Basic words list, means “to not have” or “to be not”. It is the opposite of 있어요 and is used when stating that something does not exist. For example, to express “I don’t have a book”, you need to say “저 책 없어요” (jeo chaek eobseoyo)
5. 사랑해요 (sa-rang-hae-yo)
This word means “I love you” and expresses romantic love. You can also use it to express love for family and friends.
6. 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da)
This word means “Thank you” and is used to express gratitude.
7. 죄송합니다 (joe-song-ham-ni-da)
This word means “I’m sorry” or “Excuse me” and is used to express apologies.
8. 잘 있어요 (jal is-seo-yo)
This phrase means “Take care” or “Bye” and is used as a farewell.
9. 귀엽다 (gwiyeobda)
Cute in the Korean language is 귀엽다. It can be used to say “Cute,” “Adorable,” etc.
Top phrases in Korean you need to know
There are some essential phrases you should know. Here are the top 10 Korean phrases you need to know:
1. 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo)
This is the standard way to say “hello” in Korean. You can use it with anyone, whether you know them or not.
2. 잘 지내세요 (jal ji-nae-se-yo)
This phrase means “how are you?” and is a great way to start a conversation.
3. 반갑습니다 (ban-gap-seup-ni-da)
This phrase means “nice to meet you.” You can use it when you meet someone for the first time.
4. 죄송합니다 (joe-song-hap-ni-da)
This phrase means “I’m sorry.” You can use it if you make a mistake or if you want to apologize for something.
5. 감사합니다 (gam-sa-hap-ni-da)
This phrase means “thank you.” You can use it when someone does something nice for you or if you want to express your gratitude.
6. 제발 (je-bal)
This is a more informal way of saying “please.”
Tips for Learning Basic Korean Words
- Immersion: One of the most efficient techniques to learn basic Korean words is immersion. Try to find opportunities to speak and listen to Korean as much as possible. This could include watching Korean TV shows or movies, listening to Korean music, or chatting with Korean friends.
- Learn basic Korean words: Write down the Korean word for common objects, animals, and actions, then practice saying them out loud. You can also try creating Korean sentences using the simple Korean words you’ve learned.
- Learn Writing in Korean: It’s also helpful to practice writing in Korean. This could involve keeping a Korean journal, writing out Korean vocabulary words, or even trying your hand at Korean calligraphy.
- Stay confident: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Learning new Korean language words is always a challenge, but it’s also an exciting and rewarding experience. Just keep at it, and eventually, you’ll be able to master those Korean words for beginners.
5 simple steps to learn Korean
1. Figure out what you want to learn.
When it comes to learning Korean, it’s important to first figure out what you want to learn. Do you want to learn to speak, read, or write Korean? Each of these skills requires different approaches and amounts of time and effort. Once you know what you should focus on, you can look for the best resources to help you learn. There are many ways to learn Korean, so find the one that fits you best!
2. Find a good resource to help you learn.
You can find both online resources and offline resources for help. Whichever route you choose, ensure proper research and find a resource that is best suited to your needs.
3. Follow a structured learning plan.
It is important to have a structured learning plan when you are trying to learn a new skill. This will help you make progress and stay on track. A good learning plan will have specific goals and a timeline for achieving them. It will also include a variety of different learning activities to help you learn the skill in a variety of ways.
4. Practice, practice, practice!
Practice makes one perfect, or so they say. And it’s definitely true when it comes to learning a new language. So how can you practice your new language? There are lots of different ways. You can look for a partner to practice with, watch movies or TV shows in your new language, or read books in your new language. You can also practice your writing, speaking, and listening skills online.
5. Keep motivated and have fun learning Korean!
A few things can help keep you motivated while learning Korean. First, find something that you really enjoy about the language and focus on that. For example, maybe you love how the language sounds or how interesting the culture is. Whatever it is, find something to appreciate and keep you excited about learning.
FAQs
1. What are some quality resources for learning Korean words?
There are many great resources out there for learning Korean words. A few of them include KoreanClass101.com, TalkToMeInKorean.com, and HowToStudyKorean.com. You can also join the Korean language course by Curiotory.
2. How long will it take me to learn Korean words?
This really depends on how much time you’re able to dedicate to studying. If you’re able to dedicate an hour or so each day to study, you could learn a significant amount of Korean words within a few months.
3. What’s the best way to practice Korean words?
Finding a Korean language partner is a great way to practice Korean words. This is someone who you can practice speaking with regularly. You can also practice by writing out Korean words and sentences and then saying them out loud.
4. I’m worried I won’t be able to pronounce Korean words correctly. What can I do?
This is a common concern among language learners. The best way to overcome this is to practice! Record yourself saying Korean words and sentences, and then listen back to see how you sound. With enough practice, you’ll be able to pronounce Korean words correctly.
5. What are some common Korean words that I should learn?
Here are a few common Korean words that you may want to start with:
- Hello = 안녕하세요
- I’m sorry = 죄송합니다
- Excuse me = 실례합니다
- Yes = 예
No = 아니요
