Speaking a few handy phrases in Korean just might save your life but can most certainly make vacationing or living in Korea a lot easier. It also helps with speaking to your Korean friends. In this wikiHow we list a few common expressions in Korean to get you started. Remember, the following listed below is written the way it sounds.
Step 1 Try these basics:
- My name is _iris__= Neh ee rhum eun ___ im ni da ???? ____???.
- Any = ah-moo guh-nah ????
- Hi or Bye (informal) = ahn-nyung ??
- Thank you = kam-sa-ham-ni-da (thank you)/ kom-mahp-seum-nee-dah (thanks) ?????, ?????
- I'm hungry = beh go-pah-yo (use yo when talking to adults) ????
- Rice (or meal) = pap ?
- Give me that food please = bahp joo-seh-yo ? ? ???
- Water = mool ?
- Some water please = mool jom joo-seh-yo ? ? ???(??? or joo seh yo means please give me something)
- The food was delicious (I ate well) = jal-mug-ut-sum-ni-da ??????
- I love you = naneun dangshineul saranghamnida ?? ??? ?????
- Turn around = di-ro-dora ????
- Mom = um-ma ??
- Dad = ah-pah ??
- Older Sister (for a girl) = Uhnee
- Older Sister (for a boy) = Noona
- Older Brother (for a girl) = Oppa
- Older Brother (for a boy) = Hyung
- Grandma - hal-muh-nee
- Grandpa - ha-da-buh-gee / ha-ra-buh-gee
- Aunt (mom's side) - ee-mo
- Uncle (mom's side) - ee-mo-boo
- Aunt (dad's side) - gho-mo
- Uncle (dad's side) - gho-mo-boo
Step 2 Hold a conversation:
- Where is the restroom? = hwa-jang-shil-uh-dit-suh-yo? ??? ??? ????
- Yes = ye ?
- No = ah-nee-yo ???
- Are you O.K? = gwen-chahn-ah-yo? ?????
- How much does it cost? = ull-mah-yeh-yo ?????
Step 3 Try some more general words:
- Pretty = ee-pu-dah (meaning beautiful) ???
- Hurt = ahp-puh-da ???
Step 4 Learn the animals:
- Puppy = gang-ah-jee ???
- Tiger = hoe-rang-ee ???
- Cow = so ?
- Cat = go-yang-ee ???
- Rabbit = to-ki ??
- Elephant = ko-kee-ree ???
- Monkey = won-soong-ee ???
- Dog = gae ?
Step 5 Continue learning with these words:
- Taxi = tek-shi ??
- School = hak-gyo ??
- I Like you (I like it) = joh wah heh yo ????
- Friend = Chingu ??
- Loser/Fool = Pabo / Babo ??
Step 6 Learn to talk about hobbies in Korean:
- ?? [chwimi] Hobby
- ?? [jumal] Weekend
- ?? ? ?????? [Jumal jal b0naesyeosseyo?] Did you have a nice weekend ?
- ???(???) [chin-gu-rang] With a friend
- ? [sahn] Mountain
- ??? [bukansan] Bukhan mountain
- ?? [deungsan] Hiking
- ???? [deungsanhada] To hike
- ???? [joahada] To like/to enjoy
Step 7 Try some more words:
- ?? [aju] Very
- ?? [geo-ui] Almost
- ?? [gajang] The most
- ?? [je-il] The best
- ?? [teuki] Especially
- ?? [ga-eul] Fall/autumn
- ?? [danpung] Maple
- ???? [areumdaptta] Beautiful
- ?? ?? [ibeon jumal] Last weekend
- ?? [anae] Wife
- ?? [yeong-hwa] Movie
- ??(?) ?? [yeong-hwa(reul) boda] To see a movie
- ???? [jaemi itta] to be fun
- ?? [jaju] Often
- ???? [yeong-hwa gamsang] Watching movies
- [2217]seumun dul[22]yol ilgop[17]
Tips
- Watch Korean Movies/Dramas and look for pronunctiation
- Find a Korean speaker to help you practice.
- Take a Korean speaking class.
- Buy and use a Korean speaking homeschooling product like a tape or computer training course.
- Find friends who speak Korean, and ask them to help you with your pronunciation.
- Try to listen some Korean Songs.
- Take an afternoon and learn to read the Korean alphabet[1] as that will really help your pronunciation and speed up your progress.
- To learn how to write in Korean [no speak]... go to: www.google.com/translate
- Korean pronounciation sounds are often more solid and firm than English.
Warnings
- Speaking a new language is almost as much about accent and pronunciation as it is about memorization.
- The Korean shows/dramas can become very addictive.
