How many times a day do you answer a question with “no,” politely reject an invitation, or ask someone not to do something? Pretty often, right?
Depending on your personality, saying no might come as naturally as breathing to you. But what about in a foreign language?
As you study Korean, one of the most important things you’ll learn is how to form negative sentences. This is a skill that will make you a more effective communicator and add depth to your day-to-day interactions with native speakers.
In this article, you’ll learn how to construct negative sentences in Korean and become familiar with the most common words of negation. Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
- Negate a Statement
- Giving a Negative Response to a Question
- Other Negating Words and Phrases
- KoreanClass101 Can Help with Your Korean Studies!
1. Negate a Statement
To begin, let’s examine how to make negative Korean sentences. There are a few different structures you can use:
1. 안 (an) + Predicate // 못 (mot) + Predicate
The negative 안 (an) is an abbreviation of 아니 (ani), meaning “no.” The negative 못 (mot) means “cannot.” You can easily make a negative sentence or phrase by placing either 안 (an) or 못 (mot) in front of the predicate.
For example:
1. 안 (an) + Verb
- 안 (an) + 가요 (gayo) ➞ 안 가요 (an gayo) – “not going”
- 안 (an) + 마셔요 (masyeoyo) ➞ 안 마셔요 (an masyeoyo) – “not drinking”
- 안 (an) + 자요 (jayo) ➞ 안 자요 (an jayo) – “not sleeping”
2. 안 (an) + Adjective
- 안 (an) + 아파요 (apayo) ➞ 안 아파요 (an apayo) – “not painful”
- 안 (an) + 예뻐요 (yeppoyo) ➞ 안 예뻐요 (an yeppoyo) – “not pretty”
- 안 (an) + 바빠요 (bappayo) ➞ 안 바빠요 (an bappayo) – “not busy”
3. 못 (mot) + Verb
- 못 (mot) + 가요 (gayo) ➞ 못 가요 (mot gayo) – “cannot go”
- 못 (mot) + 마셔요 (masyeoyo) ➞ 못 마셔요 (mot masyeoyo) – “cannot drink”
- 못 (mot) + 자요 (jayo) ➞ 못 자요 (mot jayo) – “cannot sleep”
Remember that 못 (mot) is related to one’s inability to do something. You should not confuse it with the negative particle 안 (an).
For example:
- 아파요 (apayo) ➞ 못 아파요 (mot apayo) – “cannot be painful” (X)
- 아파요 (apayo) ➞ 안 아파요 (an apayo) – “not painful” (O)
2. Stem + ~지 않아요 (~ji anayo) // Stem + ~지 못해요 (~ji mothaeyo)
To make this Korean negative form, add 지 (ji) to the stem of the verb or adjective, followed by the negative auxiliary 않다 (anta) or 못 하다 (mot hada).
For example:
1. Verb stem + 지 않다 (ji anta)
- 가다 (gada) ➞ 가지 않아요 (gaji anayo) – “(I) don’t go.”
- 먹다 (meokda) ➞ 먹지 않아요 (meokji anayo) – “(I) don’t eat.”
- 마시다 (masida) ➞ 마시지 않아요 (masiji anayo) – “(I) don’t drink.”
2. Adjective stem + 지 않다 (ji anta)
- 넓다 (neolbda) ➞ 넓지 않아요 (neolbji anayo) – “(It) isn’t spacious.”
- 싸다 (ssada) ➞ 싸지 않아요 (ssaji anayo) – “(It) isn’t cheap.”
- 크다 (keuda) ➞ 크지 않아요 (keuji anayo) – “(It) isn’t big.”
- 비싸다 (bissada) ➞ 비싸지 않아요 (bissaji anayo) – “(It) isn’t expensive.”
3. Verb stem + 지 못 하다 (ji mot hada)
- 팔다 (palda) ➞ 팔지 못 해요 (paji mothaeyo) – “(I) cannot sell.”
- 뛰다 (ttwida) ➞ 뛰지 못 해요 (ttwiji mothaeyo) – “(I) cannot run.”
- 읽다 (ikda) ➞ 읽지 못 해요 (ikji mothaeyo) – “(I) cannot read.”
3. The Auxiliary Verb 말다 (malda)
To make an imperative sentence negative in Korean, use the auxiliary verb 말다 (malda). This word has a polite form and a casual form:
Polite: 하지 말아요 (haji marayo) – “Please don’t do…”
Casual: 하지마 (hajima) – “Don’t do…”
For example:
1. Polite Form of 말다
- 게임을 하지 말아요. (Geimeul haji marayo.) – “Please don’t play the game.”
- 뛰어 놀지 말아요. (Ttwieo nolji marayo.) – “Please don’t run around.”
- 소주를 많이 마시지 말아요. (Sojuleul mani masiji marayo.) – “Please don’t drink too much soju.”
- 집에 가지 말아요. (Jibe gaji marayo.) – “Please don’t go home.”
2. Casual Form of 말다
- 게임(을) 하지 마. (Geim[eul] haji ma.) – “Don’t play the game.”
- 뛰어 놀지 마. (Ttwieo nolji ma.) – “Don’t run around.”
- 소주 많이 마시지 마. (Soju manh-i masiji ma.) – “Don’t drink too much soju.”
- 집에 가지 마. (Jibe gaji ma.) – “Don’t go home.”
4. ~없다 (eopda) – “to not have”
~없다 (eopda) indicates that you don’t have something, and it’s the opposite of ~있다 (itda), which means “to have.”
For example:
- 시간이 없어요. (Sigani eopseoyo.) – “I don’t have time.”
- 돈이 없어요. (Doi eopseoyo.) – “I don’t have money.”
- 애완동물이 없어요. (Aewandongmuri eopseoyo.) – “I don’t have a pet.”
~없다 (eopda) can also be used to mean that something was not at a particular location.
For example:
- 사람이 한명도 없었어요. (Sarami hanmyeongdo eopseoyo.) – “There was not even one person.”
- 수미는 지금 한국에 없어요. (Sumineun jigeum hanguge eopseoyo.) – “Sumi is not in Korea now.”
5. 싫어하다 (sireohada) – “to not like”
싫어하다 (sireohada) is a verb that’s used to say that one does not like something. The opposite of 싫어하다 (sireohada) is 좋아하다 (joahada), which means “to like something.”
For example:
- 저는 동물을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun dongmureul joahaeyo.) – “I like animals.”
- 저는 동물을 싫어해요. (Jeoneun dongmul-eul sireohaeyo.) – “I dislike animals.”
- 저는 여름을 좋아해요. (Jeoneun yeoreumeul joahaeyo.) – “I like summer.”
- 저는 여름을 싫어해요. (Jeoneun yeoreumeul sireohaeyo.) – “I dislike summer.”
6. ~ 기 싫다 (~gi silta) – “don’t want to”
~ 기 싫다 (~gi silta) is used to express that one doesn’t want to (or like to) do something, with that something being an action verb. To construct this type of sentence, the rule is as follows:
| Verb 기 (gi) + 싫다 (silta) |
Let’s practice with the verbs 걷다 (geotda) and 쓰다 (sseuda)!
We must transform these action verbs into nouns to use them in this structure:
걷다 (geotda) – “to walk” ➞ 걷기 (geotgi)
쓰다 (sseuda) – “to write” ➞ 쓰기 (sseugi)
For example:
- 걷기 싫어. (geodgi sireo.) – “I dislike walking.”
- 일기 쓰기 싫어. (ilgi sseugi sireo.) – “I dislike writing a diary.”
How do you say “no” in Korean?
2. Giving a Negative Response to a Question
A common situation in which you might need to use negation in Korean is when giving a negative answer to a question. There are a few ways you can do this:
1. 아니다 (anida) – “not to be”
아니다 (anida) means “not to be.” Like most Korean verbs, this one is conjugated by removing ~다 (~da) to get the verb stem 아니 (ani).
For example:
- 그릇 누가 깼어? 너야? (Geureut nuga kkaesseo? Neoya?) – “Who broke the bowl? Is it you?”
- 아니, 나 아니야. (Ani, na aniya.) – “No, it’s not me.”
- 혹시 수미 씨? (Hoksi sumi ssi?) – “Are you Sumi?”
- 아니요, 수미 아니예요. (Aniyo, sumi aniyeyo.) – “No, I’m not Sumi.”
2. 아니 (ani) + ㅂ니다 (mnida) = 아닙니다 (animnida)
This negative form is also used to say “not to be,” as explained above. The only difference is that 아니야 (aniya) is casual and 아닙니다 (animnida) is more polite.
For example:
- 아까 도와주셔서 감사해요. (Akka dowajusyeoseo gamsahaeyo.) – “Thank you for helping me earlier.”
- 아닙니다. (Animnida.) – “No problem.”
- * The direct translation is “not to be,” but in context it means “no problem” or “don’t mention it.”
3. Noun1 는 (neun) or 은 (eun) + Noun2 가 (ga) +이 (i) + 아닙니다 (animnida)
This structure forms a complete negative sentence. We highly recommend you memorize it because it’s commonly used and you can use this sentence structure in any situation. For example, you could say that [Noun1] is not [Noun2]:
- 저는 학생이 아닙니다. (Jeoneun haksengi animnida.) – “I am not a student.”
- 요한은 의사가 아닙니다. (Yohaneun uisaga animnida.) – “Yohan is not a doctor.”
- 요한은 영국사람이 아닙니다. (Yohaneun yeongguksarami animnida.) – “Yohan is not British.”
If you’re not sure whether to use 는 (neun) or 은 (eun), here’s the rule:
- 는 (neun) is used after words ending in a vowel.
- 은 (eun) is used after words ending in a consonant.
Learning negating words will help you effectively communicate with others.
3. Other Negating Words and Phrases
To conclude, let’s look at just a few more Korean negators and how to use them.
1. 절대로 (jeoldaero) – “Never”
절대로 그 사람들과 싸워서는 안돼.
Jeoldaelo geu saramdeulgwa ssawoseoneun andwae.
“You should never fight them.”
2. 아무도 (amudo) – “No one”
아무도 내 이름을 몰라.
Amudo nae ireumeul molla.
“Nobody knows my name.”
3. 어디에도 (eodiedo) – “Nowhere”
휴, 내가 앉을 데가 어디에도 없어.
Hyu, naega anj-eul dega eodiedo eopseo.
“Sigh, there was nowhere for me to sit.”
4. 거의…할 수가 없다 (geoui…hal suga eobsda) – “Hardly”
(너무 졸려서) 눈을 제대로 뜨고 있을 수가 없어.
(Neomu jollyeoseo) nuneul jedaero tteugo isseul suga eopseo.
“I can hardly keep my eyes open.”
5. 별로 (byeolo) – “Not particularly,” “Not especially”
별로 크지 않아.
Byeollo keuji ana.
“It’s not particularly big.”
Here are a couple more pages on KoreanClass101.com where you can study more negative vocabulary:
4. KoreanClass101 Can Help with Your Korean Studies!
In this article, you’ve learned everything about negation in Korean, from basic negative expressions to more advanced rules. If you would like to continue learning with us, KoreanClass101 also has tons of vocabulary lists with audio recordings as well as free resources to keep your Korean learning entertaining! Also, you can upgrade to Premium PLUS in order to access all of our study materials and get personal 1-on-1 coaching!
To explore today’s topic further, here are study pages from KoreanClass101 and across the web where you can learn more about negation!
- It’s not my fault!: Learn about reported speech and acts as quotation marks
- Please Don’t Say That in Korean!: Learn how to make negative requests with the Korean word that means “don’t”
- That’s a Negative: Learn how to use the negative copula
- Negative Feeling Particles: Learn how to use negative feeling particles
- Negative Adjectives: Learn five negative adjectives
- Making Negative Commands: Learn how to use the sentence pattern “Don’t ___”
- N + 밖에 negative ending: Learn how to construct N + 밖에
- Korean Verbs (Negative prefixes): Learn how to construct negative forms on Wikipedia
- Making Negative Sentences: Learn basic negative forms on Wikia
- Korean Negative Forms: Great page that explains how to construct negative sentences
Before you go, let us know in the comments how confident you feel about forming Korean negative sentences now! We look forward to hearing from you, and will do our best to help if you have any questions or concerns.
12 Reasons Why Learning Korean is Important
Whether you want to travel or work in South Korea, there are many reasons as to why learning Korean is important. More and more people are learning the Korean language to better understand K-Pop and Korean dramas—and if you’re a fan of a Korean celebrity, you don’t want to miss out on subtle messages or cultural references while listening to them speak in Korean!
Another great reason to learn the Korean language? In addition to understanding the vocabulary and grammar, studying Korean will also familiarize you with Korean culture and all the benefits that come with that knowledge!
Interested?
In this article, I’ll outline 10 reasons why learning Korean is important and discuss why it’s easy to study the language.
Table of Contents
- 한류 (Hallyu): Korean Dramas, Korean Pop Songs!
- Increase Brain Power and Become More Open-Minded!
- Become More Competitive in the Job Market!
- Make Travel Easier and More Enjoyable!
- Improve Your Social Life and Connect with More People!
- It’s Easier to Learn a Third Language!
- 한글 (Hangul), the “Korean Alphabet,” is Easy to Learn
- Korean Doesn’t Have Grammatical Gender!
- Konglish Makes Learning Even More Fun
- Make More Korean Friends!
- Hello, Academic Advantages!
- You Can Raise Your Children to be Bilingual
- How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Korean
1. 한류 (Hallyu): Korean Dramas, Korean Pop Songs!
There’s no denying that 한류 (hallyu), or the “Korean wave,” has taken over the world.
Korean pop culture used to be popular only in Asia, but it has gained popularity in Western countries in recent years. You have only to look at famous Korean groups such as BTS (their concerts have always been full!) and the increasing popularity of Korean skincare products and routines to see why more and more people have started learning the Korean language.
Here are just a few pop culture-related benefits of learning Korean:
1) It will allow you to understand (and sing along to) the lyrics of your favorite Korean songs. The reverse is also true: Listening to Korean songs can help you learn the language in a fun, entertaining way!
2) You’ll be able to ‘read the air’ while watching Korean dramas and pick up on subtle hints regarding Korean culture. Have you ever watched a Korean drama and felt confused about a specific behavior exhibited by a character? This could be the result of not knowing enough about Korean culture and its many nuances.
3) It will increase your awareness of other cultures. Being able to speak a foreign language exposes you to diverse ideas and perspectives from other countries. Next time you’re watching a Korean drama, pay close attention to cultural differences!
Here are some additional pages on KoreanClass101.com where you can read about Korean dramas and K-Pop:
- Best Netflix Korean Dramas to Learn Korean
- 10 High-Rated Korean Dramas to Improve Your Korean
- The Top 5 K-Pop Songs to Learn Korean!
- 217 Facts About BTS Members You Didn’t Know
2. Increase Brain Power and Become More Open-Minded!
Learning a language has a positive effect on your brain, and it’s a great way to keep your brain healthy and sharp. It can, for example, help you improve your multitasking, problem-solving, and creative abilities because it promotes outside-the-box thinking. It can even improve your memory!
By learning a new language, you’ll be able to see the world from a brand-new perspective; each country has its own unique culture and way of seeing the world. You can compare these worldviews with your own and realize that there are many different ways to see the world. This open-mindedness and cultural awareness can help you adjust appropriately to life in other countries.
3. Become More Competitive in the Job Market!
Whether you want to work at a trading company or find a job in South Korea, being able to speak the Korean language will increase your chances of getting hired. Korean is the official language in Korea, so doing business with or in the country requires Korean proficiency. More specifically, you’ll need Korean proficiency certification through a test such as the TOPIK.
Want to learn more about how to get a job in South Korea? Check out the pages below:
4. Make Travel Easier and More Enjoyable!
Traveling becomes a lot more enjoyable when you take away the language barrier!
Korean people are very curious about tourists and they’re always eager to chat with you! They also appreciate it a lot when they see foreigners trying different Korean dishes at a local restaurant.
I had a friend who visited Seoul, Korea last year and the Korean man next to him started asking him questions about himself. My friend could speak a little bit of Korean, so he managed to hold a small conversation with the stranger—and guess what happened? The kind stranger ordered different Korean dishes for them to share and paid for the dinner, and they still keep in touch!
You don’t need to speak the Korean language fluently: As long as you can speak the basics and respect the culture, you’ll have a very positive experience in South Korea!
Want to make the most of your South Korea travels? Then check out these pages for more information:
- 10 Korean Hand Gestures You Need to Know
- Essential Korean Language for Travel that You Must Know
- South Korea – Travel guide
5. Improve Your Social Life and Connect with More People!
Speaking the Korean language will certainly open up a whole new range of social opportunities for you. This is because you’ll be able to converse with Korean people and experience more meaningful relationships with them. Being able to speak Korean will not only open up the doors for more social opportunities, but also boost your confidence too! Imagine chatting with your Korean friends at a pajama party, or even having a good conversation with your Korean family! By speaking with locals, it’s guaranteed that your Korean skills will advance in no time.
6. It’s Easier to Learn a Third Language!
Learning a new language helps you reflect on your own language and gain a better aptitude for languages in general. Once you understand how language works, it will be a lot easier for you to pick up a third language if it’s similar to your own language or to Korean. A lot of Korean learners find it easier to learn Japanese and Chinese, for example, because many Korean and Japanese characters originated from China.
Learning the Korean alphabet is very simple.
7. 한글 (Hangul), the “Korean Alphabet,” is Easy to Learn
You may think that the Korean language is difficult to learn because the “alphabet” looks completely different from that of your language. But 한글 (hangul), or the Korean alphabet, is extremely easy to learn. In fact, it’s considered to have the most logical system of writing in the world.
During the 조선 (Joseon) period, 세종대왕 (sejongdaewang), or “King Sejong,” created 한글 (Hangul) because Chinese characters were used at that time and the majority of Koreans could not read them. After he introduced this simple and logical Korean alphabet, everyone was able to read and write the Korean language. Hangul is still used today and it’s simple enough for absolute beginners to memorize within a week! So why don’t you give it a try?
You can read more about the history of Hangul on Wikipedia or learn how to write in Korean on KoreanClass101.com.
8. Korean Doesn’t Have Grammatical Gender!
A lot of French-, Spanish-, and German-learners struggle to learn the language in question because of the gendered nouns. This takes time for learners to memorize and it can be frustrating. The good news is that Korean has no grammatical gender, which makes it much faster and simpler to learn!
Once you know the meaning of a Konglish word, you won’t be able to stop laughing!
9. Konglish Makes Learning Even More Fun
Konglish is a style of English used by Korean speakers.
For example, when you’re at a restaurant in South Korea, you’ll hear 셀프 (selfeu) a lot. This means that you’ll need to bring water and side dishes from a designated area by yourself.
Here’s a trickier example: Can you guess what 디카 (dika) means? It’s an abbreviation of Digital Camera.
A lot of modern words are derived from English, so have fun exploring Konglish while studying the Korean language as well! Test your Konglish skills for fun and see if you can answer all the questions correctly!
10. Make More Korean Friends!
If you can speak the Korean language, you’ll have more chances to gain Korean friends. There are a lot of Korean people who can speak different languages such as English, Chinese, Japanese, French, and the list goes on. So if you can find someone who speaks a second language, you’ll have a higher chance of becoming great friends. I recommend Conversation Exchange, where you can find a language exchange partner in your area or someone to practice the language with over the phone or Skype.
Koreans will also be very curious to know you if you’re from a different country, so don’t be afraid to converse with them if they approach you first! We’re always curious and want to get to know you!
Being bilingual will bring so many benefits to your life.
11. Hello, Academic Advantages!
If you can read and understand Korean, you’ll have more opportunities to find valuable books that have not been translated into other languages.
For example, if you’re majoring in Korean at a university, there will be many books in your language at the library that teach you about Korean culture and the language. But what about other Korean books that have not been translated into different languages? If you know the Korean language, you can easily read through these books and learn something that other books may not have mentioned.
Think of all the advantages that you could have!
12. You Can Raise Your Children to be Bilingual
After reading about why to learn Korean and the numerous benefits that come with it, you may want to make sure that your children can have that chance as well. If you can pass down your language skills to your kids, they will most likely be bilingual and maybe even learn a third language later. It’s a great skill to pass down to your children!
13. How KoreanClass101 Can Help You with Korean
In summary, you’ve learned 12 reasons why you should learn the Korean language! I hope this article made you want to study Korean even more!
Which of these facts was new to you? And why would you like to learn Korean? Let us know in the comments!
Learning a new language takes time and you need to be ready to make a continuous effort. I understand that you’re very busy, so I have a suggestion for you.
To speed up your Korean learning, I would recommend taking an online class because it will allow you to choose a study schedule that works for you. KoreanClass101 is a 100% online course offering a unique Korean learning experience designed to help you learn faster while staying engaged. Create a free lifetime account and start your Korean lessons with native speakers today!
Lastly, if you want to spend more time understanding the Korean culture, here are some interesting articles from KoreanClass101 that you might want to read!
- 10 Culture Shocks in Korea: Be Aware of These!
- Giving Directions in Korean: Learn Korean Direction Words
- “Happy Birthday” in Korean & More Korean Life Event Messages
Thank you and have a great day!
Learn Korean Tenses
There’s no denying that K-Pop has taken over the world and played a huge role in popularizing the Korean language. According to The Korea Herald, the King Sejong Institute is busy at work opening new Korean-language learning centers around the globe. This institute currently operates 172 branches and teaches Korean to 57,000 students in 56 different countries.
Whether you’re learning the Korean language to understand the lyrics of your favorite K-Pop songs or to follow along with the subtitles for Korean films, you’ve come to the right place!
Korean tenses are an essential part of the Korean language you should become familiar with early on. In today’s article, we’ll teach you about the present, past, and future tenses in Korean and show you how they’re formed. The information provided here is intended for beginners, but intermediate and advanced students can also read it to brush up on their skills.
Let’s go!
Having a goal is very important in learning the Korean language.
Table of Contents
1. Present Tense
The Korean present tense is used to describe something that is happening in the present. Take the English phrases “I eat” and “I drink,” for example. There are three different ways to form the present tense in Korean.
RULE #1
When the last syllable of the stem ends in a consonant, -는다 (-neunda) is added to the stem of the word.
For example:
- 먹다 (meokda) – “to eat”
- 먹 (meok) + 는다 (neunda) = 먹는다 (meokneunda) or “I eat”
- 닫다 (datda) – “to close”
- 닫 (dat) + 는다 (neunda) = 닫는다 (datneunda) or “I close”
Example sentences:
- 라면을 먹는다. (Ramyeoneul meokneunda.) – “I eat ramen.”
- 문을 닫는다. (Muneul datneunda.) – “I close the door.”
RULE #2
When the last syllable of the stem ends in a vowel, -ㄴ (-n) is added to the last syllable followed by 다 (da).
For example:
- 배우다 (baewuda) – “to learn”
- 배우 (baewu) + ㄴ다 (nda) = 배운다 (baewunda) or “I learn”
- 공부하다 (gongbuhada) – “to study”
- 공부하 (gongbuha) + ㄴ다 (nda) = 공부한다 (gongbuhanda) or “I study”
- 가다 (gada) – “to go”
- 가 (ga) + ㄴ다 (nda) = 간다 (ganda) or “I go”
- 오다 (oda) – “to come”
- 오 (o) + ㄴ다 (nda) = 온다 (onda) or “I come”
Example sentences:
- 영어를 배운다. (Yeongeoreul baewunda.) – “I learn English.”
- 한국어를 공부한다. (Hangukeoreul gongbuhanda.) – “I study Korean.”
- 집으로 간다. (Jibeuro ganda.) – “I go home.”
- 친구가 온다. (Chinguga onda.) – “My friend comes.”
RULE #3
This grammar rule is used to describe something happening right now, such as “I am eating” and “I am drinking” in English.
Remove the stem and simply add -고 있어요 (-go itseoyo) to complete the sentence.
For example:
- 먹다 (meokda) – “to eat”
- 먹 (meok) + 고 있어요 (go isseoyo) = 먹고 있어요 (meokgo isseoyo) or “I’m eating”
- 마시다 (masida) – “to drink”
- 마시 (masi) + 고 있어요 (go isseoyo) = 마시고 있어요 (masigo isseoyo) or “I’m drinking”
- 입다 (ibda) – “to put on” or “to wear”
- 입 (ib) + 고 있어요 (go isseoyo) = 입고 있어요 (ipgo isseoyo) or “I’m wearing”
Example sentences:
- 밥을 먹고 있어요. (Babeul meokgo isseoyo.) – “I am eating some rice.”
- 물을 마시고 있어요. (Mureul masigo isseoyo.) – “I am drinking some water.”
- 드레스를 입고 있어요. (Deureseureul ipgo isseoyo.) – “I am wearing a dress.”
The conversation will be a lot smoother if you can construct tenses correctly.
2. Past Tense
The past tense is used to describe actions that took place at some point in the past, which is especially important in storytelling or conveying certain types of information. There are three ways to form the Korean past tense.
RULE #1
When the final vowel of a verb is ㅗ (o) orㅏ(a), add -았다 (-atda).
For example:
- 만나다 (mannada) – “to meet”
- 만나 (manna) + 았다 (atda) = 만났다 (manatda) or “I met”
- 가다 (gada) – “to go”
- 가 (ga) + 았다 (atda) = 갔다 (gatda) or “I went”
Example sentences:
- 친구를 만났다. (Chingureul mannatda.) – “I met a friend.”
- 집으로 갔다. (Jibeuro gatda.) – “I went home.”
RULE #2
When the final vowel of a verb is anything but ㅗ (o) orㅏ(a), add -었다 (-eotda).
For example:
- 먹다 (meokda) – “to eat”
- 먹 (meok) + ~았다 (-atda) = 먹었다 (meokatda) or “I ate”
- 배우다 (baewuda) – “to learn”
- 배우 (baewu) + ~았다 (-atda) = 배웠다 (baeweotda) or “I learned”
Example sentences:
- 수박을 먹었다. (Subageul meogeotda.) – “I ate a watermelon.”
- 한국어를 배웠다. (Hangugeoreul baeweotda.) – “I studied Korean.”
RULE #3
If a verb ends with the syllable 하 (ha), add -였다 (-yeotda).
For example:
- 요리하다 (yorihada) – “to cook”
- 요리하 (yoriha) + 였다 (yeotda) = 요리했다 (yorigatda) or “I cooked”
- 공부하다 (gongbuhada) – “to study”
- 공부하 (gongbuha) + 였다 (yeotda) = 공부했다 (gongbuhaetda) or “I studied”
Example sentences:
- 한식을 요리하다. (Hansigeul yorihada.) – “I cooked Korean dishes.”
- 요리를 공부했다. (Yorireul gongbuhaetda.) – “I studied cooking.”
Learning the Korean language takes time, but it’s absolutely worth it!
3. Future Tense
The future tense is used to talk about future events. There are two Korean future tenses: one that describes something that will happen in the future and one that describes what might happen.
Simple Future Tense
The simple future tense is very easy to learn because all you need to do is add -겠다 (-getta) to the stem of a verb. Simple, right?
For example:
- 배우다 (baewuda) – “to learn”
- 배우 (baewu) + 겠다 (getda) = 배우겠다 (baewugetda) or “I will learn”
- 먹다 (meokda) – “to eat”
- 먹 (meok) + 겠다 (getda) = 먹겠다 (meokgetda) or “I will eat”
- 가다 (gada) – “to go”
- 가 (ga) + 겠다 (getda) = 가겠다 (gagetda) or “I will go”
- 키우다 (kiuda) – “to raise”
- 키우 (kiu) + 겠다 (getda) = 키우겠다 (kiugetda) or “I will raise”
Example sentences:
- 포토샵을 배우겠다. (Potosyapeul baewugetda.) – “I will learn Photoshop.”
- 나중에 먹겠다. (Najunge meokgetda.) – “I will eat later.”
- 저녁에 가겠다. (Jeonyuge gagetda.) – “I will go in the evening.”
- 토끼를 키우겠다. (Tokkireul kiwugetda.) – “I will raise a rabbit.”
Probable Future
The probable future tense is used when you want to say, “I will probably ___.” The rule is to attach 으 (eu) or ㄹ 거에요 (r geoyeyo) to the verb stem.
Here are the rules:
1) If the stem ends in a consonant, attach 을 거예요 (eul geoyeyo).
2) If it ends in a vowel, attach ㄹ 거예요 (r geoyeyo).
- 먹다 (meokda) – “to eat”
- 먹 (meok) + 을 거예요 (eul geoyeyo) = 먹을 거예요 (meogeul geoyeyo) or “I will probably eat”
- 가다 (gada) – “to go”
- 가 (ga) + ㄹ 거예요 (r geoyeyo) = 갈 거예요 (gal geoyeyo) or “I will probably go”
Revise, revise, and revise! It is the fastest way to learn Korean well.
4. Revise Your Knowledge with KoreanClass101!
How about a quick exercise to revise everything you’ve learned today?
Below is a table featuring words from our free list “Vocabulary for the 25 Most Commonly Used Verbs of Any Language.” You can either print out this page or get a notebook ready, and fill in the answers for the blank cells. Don’t be discouraged if you struggle to remember the correct answers! When you’re done with the exercise, simply drag each column to see the answer.
| Dictionary Form | Present Tense | Past Tense | Future Tense |
| 먹다 (meokda) | 먹는다 (meokneunda) | 먹었다 (meokeotda) | 먹겠다 (meokgetda) |
| 가다 (gada) | 간다 (ganda) | 갔다 (gatda) | 가겠다 (gagetda) |
| 사용하다 (sayonghada) | 사용한다 (sayonghanda) | 사용했다 (sayonghaetda) | 사용하겠다 (sayonghageta) |
| 보다 (boda) | 본다 (bonda) | 봤다 (bwatda) | 보겠다 (bogetda) |
| 일하다 (ilhada) | 일한다 (ilhanda) | 일했다 (ilhaeta) | 일하겠다 (ilhageta) |
| 말하다 (malhada) | 말한다 (malhanda) | 말했다 (malhaetda) | 말하겠다 (malhagetda) |
| 오다 (oda) | 온다 (onda) | 왔다 (watda) | 오겠다 (ogetda) |
| 마시다 (masida) | 마신다 (masinda) | 마셨다 (masyeotda) | 마시겠다 (masigetda) |
| 자다 (jada) | 잔다 (janda) | 잤다 (jatda) | 자겠다 (jageta) |
| 생각하다 (saengakhada) | 생각한다 (saengakhanda) | 생각했다 (saengakhaetda) | 생각하겠다(saengakhageta) |
| 알아듣다 (aladeutda) | 알아듣는다 (aladeutneunda) | 알아들었다 (aladeuleotda) | 알아들겠다 (aladeulgetda) |
| 물어보다 (mureoboda) | 물어본다 (mureobonda) | 물어봤다 (mureobwatda) | 물어보겠다 (mureobogetda) |
| 주다 (juda) | 준다(junda) | 줬다 (jweotda) | 주겠다 (jugetda) |
| 시작하다 (sijakhada) | 시작한다(sijakhanda) | 시작했다 (sijakhaetda) | 시작하겠다 (sijakhagetda) |
How many did you get right? If you’re still struggling to understand Korean tenses, go back to the corresponding section from the article and try it again. Practice makes perfect!
Here’s another list of Korean verbs from our website that you can use to practice the past, present, and future tenses:
And here are lessons that we made just for you (that is, if you’re an absolute beginner):
- Korean Past Tense: Did You Wash Yourself or Brush Your Teeth?
- Using Korean Future Tense: When Are You Going on Vacation?
- I Did It, I’m Doing It, And I’m Going To Do It
Did you find those too easy? Here are some pages for intermediate and advanced learners:
Check out these other pages from the web to learn more about Korean-language verbs in general:
- Korean verbs (Wikipedia)
- Korean verbs (Wiktionary)
5. Why Learn with Us?
KoreanClass101 offers free vocabulary lists and a free dictionary where you can learn new words and practice their pronunciation. We also have a Korean word of the day feature, which allows you to receive a free daily Korean lesson from us. We know that some Korean learners love challenging themselves by memorizing a word everyday, so we’ve also compiled the Korean Core 100 Word List so that you can challenge yourself and learn Korean words that are used every day in Korea. We also have 200-, 300-, and 2000-word lists! So do check them out if you’re up to the challenge!
Have a question? Feel free to leave a comment below or simply visit our forum page where you can learn all about Korea and practice your language skills. A lot of Korean learners share their Korean travel experiences and provide learning tips here. In addition, native Korean speakers also visit this page to help Korean learners like yourself.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article, and good luck with your Korean studies!
How Long Does it Take to Learn Korean?
Many aspiring Korean learners are plagued by a common question: How long does it take to learn Korean?
Unfortunately, there’s no definite answer. It really depends on a number of factors, such as your native language, education, experience with languages, exposure, and motivation.
Your intended proficiency level also plays a role in determining how long it takes to learn the Korean language. Do you want to be able to…
- …read simple Korean words?
- …hold a conversation with locals?
- …work in South Korea?
Each of these goals requires a different skillset and time commitment, so keep this in mind before taking the leap and beginning your studies.
In this article, you’ll learn how to estimate how long it will take you to learn the Korean language based on your background and the proficiency level you have in mind. As a reference point, we’ll be using standards from the TOPIK proficiency test.
Mastering the Korean language takes time and effort.
Table of Contents
- The Many Factors That May Impact Your Studies
- TOPIK Beginner’s Level
- TOPIK’s Intermediate Level
- TOPIK’s Advanced Level
- How KoreanClass101 Can Help You Reach Your Goals
The Many Factors That May Impact Your Studies
Before we jump right into how long it takes to reach each level, there are a few factors you need to keep in mind.
Your Native Language vs. Korean
Thanks to King Sejong, you don’t need to learn all the complicated Chinese characters to learn Korean! But you do need to understand that Koreans use Sino-Korean vocabulary, which refers to Korean words of Chinese origin and words directly borrowed from the Chinese language. For this reason, if your first language is Chinese or Japanese (Kanji), you’ll get the hang of Sino-Korean vocabulary a lot faster than speakers of other languages will.
Your Language Learning Experience
If you already speak a foreign language or have been raised in a bilingual (or even a trilingual) environment, you’ll save so much time! It’s usually faster to pick up a third or fourth language than it is to learn a second language. A new study from the University of Haifa revealed that bilinguals can pick up a third language more effectively than monolinguals can a second language. This is because bilinguals have already developed an aptitude for language learning.
Your Motivation and Attitude
Whether you want to learn the Korean language to understand the lyrics of your favorite K-pop songs or because you want to work in South Korea, your motivation and attitude toward learning Korean will significantly affect how quickly you pick up the language.
Learning Methods
Are you planning to study Korean casually on your own? Or are you already in a Korean-speaking country and fully immersed in the language? Maybe you want to go to a language school or learn online? There are many different learning methods out there, so make sure you choose the one that suits you best.
Little by little, you’ll reach the level you want.
TOPIK Beginner’s Level
Reaching the beginner level of Korean is a huge milestone and a victory that will propel you forward in your studies. But how long does this usually take?
The TOPIK test ranks beginners as either Level 1 or Level 2, depending on how well they score. Here’s what each level means:
Level 1
Level 2
|
At this level, you’ll have a very limited vocabulary but can participate in greetings or short talks about your day. It will take about three to six months to reach the beginner level, depending on your study schedule. At this point, it’s important to master Korean spelling and to build a strong fundamental grammar foundation. Without this foundation in place, it will be challenging for you to move forward.
The perfect way to study at this stage is to write each Korean character down on a piece of paper several times until you have each one memorized. To start, you can download free PDF materials from KoreanClass101.com on the page Learn the Korean Alphabet, Hangul, from A to Z!
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the Korean characters, move on to learning the basic Korean grammar rules. After that, I recommend you learn basic phrases for introducing yourself, greeting people, and even ordering food at a restaurant! KoreanClass101.com has you covered with the following lesson series:
- All About (15 Lessons • 1hr 54min)
- Absolute Beginner Season 1 (25 Lessons • 5hrs 1min)
- Listening Comprehension for Absolute Beginners (25 Lessons • 40min)
- Absolute Beginner Korean for Every Day (64 Lessons • 6hrs 20min)
Learning basic Korean grammar principles will help you build your vocabulary skills, too. Check out the pages below if you want to speed up your studies and learn the most important and commonly used words.
- Korean Core 100 Word List
- Korean Word of the Day
- Free Vocabulary Lists
- Korean words and phrases (Wikipedia)
At this level, flashcards will be your best friends! We recommend you check out a few different apps that provide a flashcard function.
If you’re struggling to understand the rules of grammar or anything related to the Korean language, ask around. Our Korean forum is a great place to ask questions to other Korean students as well as native Korean speakers.
The more you practice the Korean language, the faster you will reach the level you want!
TOPIK’s Intermediate Level
Your next milestone will be to reach the intermediate level of Korean. But what exactly does this look like, and how long will it take to get there? The TOPIK test has two intermediate level rankings: Level 3 and Level 4.
Level 3
Level 4
|
It can take anywhere from one to two years to reach Level 3, which equates to about 600 hours of studying.
At this level, you have familiarized yourself with Korean spelling and basic Korean grammar concepts. You also have the ability to hold short conversations and exchanges, such as greeting someone or buying items. Here are some KoreanClass101 lesson series you can study in conjunction with your textbooks:
- Daily Conversation: Lower Intermediate Korean (50 Lessons • 14hrs 37min)
- An Intermediate Korean Lesson Review (73 Lessons • 10hrs 22min)
- Intermediate Season 1 (25 Lessons • 7hrs 42min)
- Intermediate Season 2 (25 Lessons • 5hrs 11min)
In order to achieve Level 4, you should be willing to dedicate 2 to 4 years (or about 1,000 hours) of studying. The great news is that once you reach this level, you can start learning more complex grammar rules and a variety of verb conjugations used in advanced contexts.
If you’re studying on your own, this would be a good time to get at least a few hours of private lessons or online coaching to solidify your knowledge and make sure you’re on the right track. Also, watching Korean dramas, films, or even news stations is a great way to level up your Korean language skills. Here are a few more Korean resources you can check out on KoreanClass101.com:
- Listening Comprehension for Intermediate Learners (20 Lessons • 57min)
- Reading Comprehension for Intermediate Learners (10 Lessons • 15min)
- Upper Intermediate Season 1 (25 Lessons • 6hrs 46min)
This is only a snapshot of what we have to offer our learners. When you have time, explore our site to get an even better idea of how we can help you reach the intermediate level and beyond!
TOPIK’s Advanced Level
Are you shooting for the stars and hoping to attain an advanced level of Korean? Good for you—we know you can do it. But how long does it take to learn Korean fluently?
Level 5
Level 6
|
At this stage, you can use Korean fluently and accurately in academic or professional contexts.
If you want to achieve this level, be prepared. It will take at least a few years, though just how quickly you learn depends on you and your methods for studying. Nevertheless, expect to spend about 1,500 hours or more to get to this level.
Start watching Korean movies without subtitles, reading books, listening to Korean music, and most importantly, find native speakers you can interact with regularly. At this point, living in South Korea is the best option because you’ll get a massive dose of real-life Korean every day. You’ll constantly be introduced to new accents, slang terms, and idiomatic expressions you wouldn’t find in grammar books.
Here are some additional study materials for you as you progress from intermediate to advanced:
- Conversation Starters for Advanced Listeners (12 Lessons • 1hr 4min)
- Listening Comprehension for Advanced Learners (20 Lessons • 1hr 10min)
- Advanced Audio Blog 1 (30 Lessons • 1hr 33min)
- Advanced Season 1 (12 Lessons • 3hrs 22min)
How KoreanClass101 Can Help You Reach Your Goals
In this article, you learned how long it takes to learn Korean for each proficiency level, reviewed the many factors involved in calculating those numbers, and received some advice on how to learn Korean effectively at each stage. Feel free to let us know in the comments if you have any questions on what we covered today!
For many students, the ability to study Korean anywhere and anytime is a major factor in how motivated they are and how quickly they learn. Online classes are the best option in this regard, because they’re usually suitable for any level and are more affordable than attending school or paying for private lessons. There are plenty of free language learning websites that allow you to study from home at your own pace—so why choose KoreanClass101.com?
We make learning both fun and effective through proven teaching methods, and we cater our lessons to learners at each level. Even without a paid subscription, you can access tons of free Korean study materials:
- Vocabulary lists
- Video and audio lessons
- Podcasts
- Our YouTube channel
We also provide the option to upgrade to a Premium or Premium PLUS account for even more learning materials, exclusive content, and additional benefits. For example, Premium PLUS members can get one-on-one coaching with their own private tutor through MyTeacher.
Happy Korean learning! You can do this. 😉
The 11 Most Well-Known Korean Proverbs
Learning Korean proverbs is not only a great way to study the language, but also a window to the unique Korean culture. To help you get the most out of your language studies, we’ve put together this useful Korean proverbs list for you to study. Who knows—you may find that you can start applying these words of wisdom to your own life!
Table of Contents
- 꿩 먹고 알 먹는다 (kkwong meokgo al meongneunda)
- 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다 (bogi joeun tteogi meokgido jota)
- 로마는 하루아침에 이루어진 것이 아니다 (romaneun haruachime irueojin geosi anida)
- 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다 (nanmareun saega deutgo bammareun jwiga deunneunda)
- 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다 (se sal beoleus yeodeunkkaji ganda)
- 말 한마디에 천냥 빚도 갚는다 (mal hanmadie cheonnyang bijdo gapneunda)
- 궁하면 통한다 (gunghamyeon tonghanda)
- 뜻이 있는 곳에 길이 있다 (tteusi inneun gose giri itda)
- 병 주고 약 준다 (byeong jugo yak junda)
- 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어질 때가 있다 (wonsungido namueseo tteoreojil ttaega itda)
- 옷이 날개다 (osi nalgaeda)
- Want to Learn More? KoreanClass101 Can Help!
1. 꿩 먹고 알 먹는다 (kkwong meokgo al meongneunda)
Vocabulary List:
Literal Translation: Eat a pheasant and eat its egg.
Close English Proverb: Kill two birds with one stone.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where you do one action and receive two benefits at the same time.
For example, imagine that you finally decide to stop smoking to improve your health. You could use this phrase to emphasize that you would not only become healthier than before, but also spend less money on hospital visits and insurance.
Another example would be if you were cleaning your house and found a stack of money that you had completely forgotten about. In that case, you might say:
꿩 먹고 알도 먹고! 방 청소하다가 돈 찾았어.
Kkwong meokgo aldo meokgo! Bang cheongsohadaga don chajasseo.
“Kill two birds with one stone! I found some money while cleaning the house.”
2. 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다 (bogi joeun tteogi meokgido jota)
Vocabulary List:
- 보기 (bogi) – “to see”
- 좋은 (joeun) – “and to be good”
- 떡 (tteok) – “rice cake”
- 먹기도 (meokgido) – “and to eat”
- 좋다 (jota) – “good”
Literal Translation: Good looking tteok (rice cake) tastes good too.
Close English Proverb: What looks good also tastes good.
When you see something that looks good, it will likely be of good quality. This is because the nice appearance shows that someone put a lot of effort into it.
Example:
민수: 이 책, 내용이 주제별로 잘 분류되어 있고 사진의 질도 참 좋네.
Minsu: I chaek, naeyongi jujebyeollo jal bunryudoeeo itgo sajinui jildo cham jonne.
Minsu: “The contents of this book are well-organized by topic, and the quality of the photos is great.”
철수: 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다는데, 한번 읽어봐.
Cheolsu: Bogi joeun tteogi meokgido jotaneunde, hanbeon ilgeobwa.
Cheolsu: “What looks good is usually good too, so read it.”
3. 로마는 하루아침에 이루어진 것이 아니다 (romaneun haruachime irueojin geosi anida)
Vocabulary List:
- 로마 (roma) – “Roma”
- 하루아침 (haruachim) – “one morning”
- 이루어지다 (irueojida) – “be achieved”
Literal Translation: Rome wasn’t made in one morning.
Close English Proverb: Rome wasn’t built in a day.
This Korean proverb is used to remind us that we cannot expect to do important tasks really quickly, because quality work takes time. For example, it takes time and effort to become 몸짱 (momzzang), meaning someone with muscle.
Example:
민수: 나 헬스클럽 등록했어. 몸짱 빨리 되고 싶다.
Minsu: Na helseukeulleop deungnokaesseo. Momjjang ppalli doego sipda.
Minsu: “I registered for a health club. I want to gain muscle quickly.”
철수: 로마는 하루아침에 이루어진 것이 아닌건 알지?
Cheolsu: Romaneun haruachime irueojin geosi aningeon alji?maneun haluachim-e ilueojin geos-i aningeon alji?
Cheolsu: “You know that Rome didn’t happen overnight, right?”
4. 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다 (nanmareun saega deutgo bammareun jwiga deunneunda)
Vocabulary List:
- 낮말 (nanmal) – “words spoken during daytime”
- 새 (sae) – “bird”
- 밤말 (bammal) – “words spoken during nighttime”
- 쥐 (jwi) – “mouse”
- 듣는다 (deutneunda) – “listens”
Literal Translation: “Birds hear the words spoken in the day, and mice hear the words spoken at night.”
Close English Proverb: The walls have ears.
This proverb means that no matter how secretly you say something, others are likely to hear. If you know someone who spreads rumors or says bad things about others, you should step in and quote this Korean proverb.
Example:
민수: 너 내가 없을때 나에 대해 나쁜 얘기 했다면서?
Minsu: Neo naega eopseulttae nae daehae nappeun yaegi haetdamyeonseo?
Minsu: “You said bad things about me when I wasn’t there?”
철수: 아니 그런적 없는데?
Cheolsu: Ani geureonjeok eomneunde?
Chulsoo: “No, I didn’t.”
민수: 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 듣는다고, 너 말 조심하고 다녀.
Minsu: Nanmareun saega deutgo bammareun jwiga deunneundago, neo mal josimhago danyeo.
Minsu: “Birds listen during the day, and rats listen during the night. Watch your mouth.”
5. 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다 (se sal beoleus yeodeunkkaji ganda)
Vocabulary List:
- 세 살 (se sal) – “3 years old”
- 버릇 (beoreut) – “habit” (usually bad habits)
- 여든 (yeodeun) – “80 years old”
- 까지 (kkaji) – “until”
- 간다 (ganda) – “to go”
Literal Translation: Habits (learned) at three last until one is eighty.
Close English Proverb: What’s learned in the cradle is carried to the grave.
This wise Korean proverb is used to warn that bad habits should be corrected early in life, since they’re very difficult to correct later in life. You could say this, for instance, when somebody keeps repeating the same mistakes.
Example:
민수: 세 살 버릇 여든까지 간다는 말 몰라? 그 버릇 때문에 힘들어질걸?
Minsu: Se sal beoreut yeodeunkkaji gandaneun mal molla? Geu beoreut ttaemune himdeureojilgeol?
Minsu: “Don’t you know the saying that 3-year-old habits last until you’re 80? You’re going to suffer from that habit!”
6. 말 한마디에 천냥 빚도 갚는다 (mal hanmadie cheonnyang bijdo gapneunda)
Vocabulary List:
- 말 (mal) – “saying”
- 한마디 (hanmadi) – “a single word”
- 천 (cheon) – “a thousand”
- 냥: (nyang) – “an old unit of Korean coinage”
- 빚 (bit) – “a debt”
- 도 (do) – “also”
- 갚는다 (gamneunda) – “to pay back”
Literal Translation: One word can repay a thousand nyang (old Korean currency) debt.
Close English Proverb: A good tongue is a good weapon.
This proverb highlights the importance of how you speak to people. You could use this proverb in a situation where someone is trying to persuade another party to do something; it would emphasize the importance of choosing their words carefully.
Example:
말 한마디에 천냥 빚도 갚는다고, 항상 말 조심해야해.
mal hanmadie cheonnyang bijdo gapneundago, hangsang mal josimhaeyahae.
“A good tongue is a good weapon, so be careful what you say.”
7. 궁하면 통한다 (gunghamyeon tonghanda)
Vocabulary List:
- 궁하면 (gunghamyeon) – “if you need something”
- 통한다 (tonghanda) – “it will open up”
Literal Translation: If you need something, it will open up.
Close English Proverb: There is always a way out.
This is a proverb often used to motivate others to find an innovative solution to a problem that otherwise seems helpless. For example, if a friend of yours wanted to become a YouTuber, you could use this proverb to encourage them.
Example:
민수: 유튜버가 되고 싶다.
Minsu: Yutyubeoga doego sipda.
Minsu: “I want to be a YouTuber.”
철수: 궁하면 통한다고 한번 해봐!
Cheolsu: Gunghamyeon tonghandago hanbeon haebwa!
Chulsoo: “Try it, maybe it will work!”
8. 뜻이 있는 곳에 길이 있다 (tteusi inneun gose giri itda)
Vocabulary List:
Literal Translation: In the place there is a will, there is a way.
Close English Proverb: Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
You can use this Korean proverb exactly the same way you would use its English equivalent. It means that a person can achieve anything, despite the difficulties, if they want it bad enough.
Example:
민수: 저 직장 너무 갖고 싶다.
Minsu: Jeo jigjang neomu gatgo sipda.
Minsu: “I really want that job.”
철수: 뜻이 있는 곳에 길이 있다고 열심히 해봐!
Cheolsu: Tteusi itneun gose giri itdago yeolsimhi haebwa!
Chulsoo: “Try hard because where there’s a will, there’s a way!”
9. 병 주고 약 준다 (byeong jugo yak junda)
Vocabulary List:
Literal Translation: Give a disease then give medicine.
Close English Proverb: To make trouble and then give help.
This proverb describes the actions of a deceptive person, who first causes harm and then offers a remedy in order to appear like the rescuer.
Example:
철수: 콜록콜록
Cheolsu: kollogkollog
Chulsoo: coughing
수미: 야! 너 감기 걸렸어?
Sumi: Ya! neo gamgi geollyeoss-eo?
Sumi: “Hey! Do you have a cold?”
다음날 (daeumnal) – “Next day”
수미: 콜록콜록
Sumi: kollogkollog
Sumi: coughing
철수: 미안해, 이 약 먹고 빨리 나아.
Cheolsu: Mianhae, i yag meoggo ppalli naa.
Chulsoo: “Sorry, I hope you get better with this medicine.”
수미: 지금 병 주고 약 주냐?
Sumi: Jigeum byeong jugo yag junya?
Sumi: “Are you being nice or nasty?”
10. 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어질 때가 있다 (wonsungido namueseo tteoreojil ttaega itda)
Vocabulary List:
- 원숭이 (wonesungi) – “a monkey”
- 도 (do) – “also” / “too”
- 나무 (namu) – “a tree”
- 에서(eseo) – “from”
- 떨어질 때가 (tteoreojil ttaega) – There is a time when one falls~
- 있다 (itda) – “there is”
Literal Translation: Monkeys sometimes fall from trees.
Close English Proverb: Even Homer sometimes nods.
Use this phrase to emphasize that even an expert sometimes makes mistakes.
Example:
민수: 저 피겨스케이터 전세계 1위인데도 넘어질때가 있네.
Minsu: Jeo pigyeoseukeiteo jeonsegye irwiindedo neomeojilttaega itne.
Minsu: “Even though she is the number-one figure skater in the world, she sometimes falls too.”
철수: 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어질 때가 있잖아.
Cheolsu: Wonsungido namueseo tteoreojil ttaega itjana.
Chulsoo: “Even Homer sometimes nods.”
11. 옷이 날개다 (osi nalgaeda)
Vocabulary List:
- 옷 (ot) – “clothing”
- 날개 (nalgae) – “wing”
Literal Translation: Clothes are your wings.
Close English Proverb: Dress to impress.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of dressing well.
Example:
민수: 우와, 너 오늘따라 진짜 멋있어 보인다.
Minsu: Uwa, neo oneulttala jinjja meosisseo boinda.
Minsu: “Wow, you look really cool today.”
철수: 옷이 날개라고, 새로운 옷 좀 샀지.
Cheolsu: Osi nalgaerago, saeroun ot jom satji.
Chulsoo: “Dress to impress. I bought some new clothes.”
12. Want to Learn More? KoreanClass101 Can Help!
In this article, you learned several unique Korean proverbs as well as a few you may recognize from English. Memorizing these proverbs is a fun way to complement your Korean studies, because you can compare them with proverbs from your country. While some of them are difficult to understand, this gives you more reason to brush up on your knowledge of Korean culture!
If you want to learn more about Korean proverbs and other sayings, there are several pages on KoreanClass101.com (and elsewhere on the web) where you can find more proverbs. Feel free to check them out when you have time!
KoreanClass101:
- Do You Know These Korean Proverbs? (you’ll be surprised!) / YouTube
- Do You Know the Most Common Korean Proverbs? | Learn Basic Korean / YouTube
- Top 10 Quotes About Language Learning
- Top 10 Inspirational Quotes
Other:
Do you have any questions about the proverbs we’ve covered? If so, leave us a comment below and we’ll be glad to help!
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