Learn basic Korean phrases every beginner should know
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| 한 번 더 (han beon deo) |
| 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) |
| 네 (Ne) |
| What do these words mean? Stick around. |
| In this quick lesson, you’ll learn basic Korean phrases all beginners must know. |
| Before we start, did you know that in Korea, even a small age difference can change the way friends talk to each other? |
| Do you know why? |
| Keep watching for the answer at the end. |
| 네 (Ne) |
| "yes" |
| [SLOW] 네 (Ne) |
| 네 (Ne) |
| 네 (ne) means "yes," but it is also used very often to acknowledge that you are listening, similar to "I see" in English. It's a key part of polite Korean conversation! |
| Tom helps Oscar at an electronics store. |
| Oscar: 이 브랜드 좋아해요? (I beuraendeu joahaeyo?) |
| Tom: 네, 좋은 브랜드라고 생각해요. (Ne, joeun beuraendeurago saenggakhaeyo.) |
| 아니요 (Aniyo) |
| "no" |
| [SLOW] 아니요 (Aniyo) |
| 아니요 (Aniyo) |
| If you are speaking with someone very close, like a friend, you can use the more casual form, 아니 (Ani). Remember that in Korea, politeness levels are very important, so when in doubt, use the more formal Aniyo! |
| Jack mistakes Steve for a student. |
| Jack: 여기 학생이에요? (Yeogi haksaengieyo?) |
| Steve: 아니요, 저는 여기 학생이 아니에요. 그냥 방문한 거예요. (Aniyo, jeoneun yeogi haksaengi anieyo. Geunyang bangmunhan geoyeyo.) |
| 한 번 더 (han beon deo) |
| "one more time" |
| [SLOW] 한 번 더 (han beon deo) |
| 한 번 더 (han beon deo) |
| You can use this phrase when you want someone to repeat something or perform an action again. It's a clear way to ask for repetition! For polite version you can add 부탁드립니다 after 한 번 더 |
| Lina asks Seul-gi for clarification. |
| Lina: 미안해요, 못 들었어요. 한 번 더 말해줄래요? (Mianhaeyo, mot deureosseoyo. Han beon deo malhaejullaeyo?) |
| Seul-gi: 그럼요, 당연하죠. (Geureomyo, dangyeonhajyo.) |
| 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) |
| "slowly" |
| [SLOW] 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) |
| 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) |
| 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) is an adverb. It’s often used when you need someone to slow down, like when speaking or walking. |
| A polite way to use it would be |
| 천천히 말해 주세요 (cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo), |
| which means "Please speak slowly." |
| Susan needs clarification when asking Yu-seok for directions. |
| Susan: 미안한데, 천천히 말해 주세요. (Mianhande, cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo.) |
| Yu-seok: 먼저 좌회전한 다음 우회전하세요. (Meonjeo jwahoejeonhan daeum uhoejeonhaseyo.) |
| 저기요. (Jeogiyo.) |
| "Excuse me." |
| [SLOW] 저기요. (Jeogiyo.) |
| 저기요. (Jeogiyo.) |
| Jeogiyo is the polite and common way to get someone's attention, like a waiter in a restaurant. You can also use it to politely interrupt someone or ask a stranger for help. |
| Jack expresses interest in an item at a store. |
| Jack: 저기요, 이건 얼마예요? (Jeogiyo, igeon eolmayeyo?) |
| Tom: 이만 원이에요. 하나 드릴까요? (Iman wonieyo. Hana deurilkkayo?) |
| 죄송해요. (Joesonghaeyo.) |
| "I'm sorry." |
| [SLOW] 죄송해요. (Joesonghaeyo.) |
| 죄송해요. (Joesonghaeyo.) |
| 죄송해요 (Joesonghaeyo) is a polite and slightly formal way to say "I'm sorry" in Korean. Remember, politeness is very important in Korean culture, so using the -요 ending helps show respect! |
| Steve apologizes to Oscar for a misunderstanding. |
| Steve: 죄송해요. 제 실수였어요. (Joesonghaeyo. Je silsuyeosseoyo.) |
| Oscar: 괜찮아요. 걱정 마세요. (Gwaenchanayo. Geokjeong maseyo.) |
| 고마워요. (Gomawoyo.) |
| "Thank you." |
| [SLOW] 고마워요. (Gomawoyo.) |
| 고마워요. (Gomawoyo.) |
| Gomawoyo is a friendly and common way to say "Thank you." This is the polite form, ending in -yo. If you want to show even more respect, you can use Gamsahamnida. Or if you are talking with your friend, you can casually say Gomawo! |
| Susan thanks Lina for a party invite. |
| Susan: 초대해줘서 정말 고마워요. (Chodaehaejwoseo jeongmal gomawoyo.) |
| Lina: 아니에요. 와줘서 고마워요. (Anieyo. Wajwoseo gomawoyo.) |
| 천만에요. (Cheonmaneyo.) |
| "You are welcome." |
| [SLOW] 천만에요. (Cheonmaneyo.) |
| 천만에요. (Cheonmaneyo.) |
| Cheonmaneyo literally means "a thousand reasons," implying that thanking you is not a big deal at all. However, it's very common for Koreans to simply use "Ne" (yes) or "Gwaenchanayo" (It's okay/no problem) instead. |
| It is good to know "Cheonmaneyo," but don't be surprised if you don't hear it often! |
| Seon-hui provides legal advice to Steve. |
| Steve: 도와줘서 정말 고마워요! (Dowajwoseo jeongmal gomawoyo!) |
| Seon-hui: 천만에요. 도움이 되었다니 다행이에요. (Cheonmaneyo. Doumi doeeotdani dahaengieyo.) |
| 부탁해요. (Butakhaeyo.) |
| "Please." |
| [SLOW] 부탁해요. (Butakhaeyo.) |
| 부탁해요. (Butakhaeyo.) |
| While Butakhaeyo translates to "Please," a more common and polite way to ask for something in Korean is often by using the verb stem with the polite ending - 주세요 (-juseyo). |
| Butakhaeyo is great for asking a general favor! |
| Jack asks Seul-gi for a drink. |
| Jack: 물 좀 부탁해요. (Mul jom butakhaeyo.) |
| Seul-gi: 네, 여기 물이에요! (Ne, yeogi murieyo!) |
| Let's review. |
| You'll see the words in English and your job is to say the words in Korean. |
| Ready? |
| Do you remember how to say "yes"? |
| 네 (Ne) |
| 네 (Ne) |
| And how to say "no"? |
| 아니요 (Aniyo) |
| 아니요 (Aniyo) |
| What about "one more time"? |
| 한 번 더 (han beon deo) |
| 한 번 더 (han beon deo) |
| Do you remember how to say "slowly"? |
| 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) |
| 천천히 (cheoncheonhi) |
| Let's try "Excuse me."! |
| 저기요. (Jeogiyo.) |
| 저기요. (Jeogiyo.) |
| What about "I'm sorry."? |
| 죄송해요. (Joesonghaeyo.) |
| 죄송해요. (Joesonghaeyo.) |
| Now, let's see if you remember how to say "Thank you."! |
| 고마워요. (Gomawoyo.) |
| 고마워요. (Gomawoyo.) |
| Another one! What about "You are welcome."? |
| 천만에요. (Cheonmaneyo.) |
| 천만에요. (Cheonmaneyo.) |
| And finally, do you remember how to say "Please."? |
| 부탁해요. (Butakhaeyo.) |
| 부탁해요. (Butakhaeyo.) |
| Did you know that in Korea, even a small age difference can change the way friends talk to each other? |
| Do you know why? |
| In Korea, if one friend is even a little bit older than another, we use respectful language to talk to them. This shows respect and is a way to be polite because age is highly valued in Korean culture. It's like saying 'you're important'! |
| Thanks for watching! Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time! |
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