Countries - KoreanClass101

Vocabulary (Review)

Learn New Words FAST with this Lesson’s Vocab Review List

Get this lesson’s key vocab, their translations and pronunciations. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.

Already a Member?

Lesson Transcript

북한 (Bukhan), 중국 (Jungguk), 태국 (Taeguk).

What do these words mean?

Stick around.

In this quick lesson you will learn Korean country vocabulary.

Before we start, did you know that Korea has a poetic nickname meaning "Land of Morning Calm"?

Do you know what this name is?

Keep watching for the answer at the end.

한국 (Hanguk).

South Korea.

한국 (Hanguk).

한국 (Hanguk) is the shortened version of South Korea in Korean, 대한민국 (Daehanminguk), which literally translates to the Republic of Great Han.

The name comes from 삼한 (Samhan), the three Han confederacies that existed in ancient Korea, 마한 (Mahan), 진한 (Jinhan), and 변한 (Byeonhan).

These were early Korean states in the southern part of the peninsula.

And later, 한 (Han) ended up becoming the word representing the Korean people and land.

Jack quizzes Steve on capital cities.

한국의 수도는 어디예요?

(Hangugui sudoneun eodiyeyo?)

서울이에요.

(Seourieyo.)

맞죠?

(Matjyo?)

북한 (Bukhan).

North Korea.

북한 (Bukhan).

After Korea was divided in 1945, South Korea became 대한민국 (Daehanminguk) and North Korea 조선민주주의인민공화국 (Joseonminjujuuiinmingonghwaguk).

South Koreans need an easier term for North Korea to refer in daily life, so we started calling North Korea 북한 (Bukhan), which literally means northern Han.

But do notice, 북한 (Bukhan) is mainly used in South Korea, but North Korea does not use the term 북한 (Bukhan).

Steve quizzes Jack on capital cities.

북한의 수도는 어디예요?

(Bukhanui sudoneun eodiyeyo?)

평양이 북한의 수도예요.

(Pyeongyangi Bukhanui sudoyeyo.)

중국 (Jungguk).

China.

중국 (Jungguk).

The Korean name 중국 (Jungguk) means middle, 중 (jung), country, 국 (guk).

It comes from China seeing itself as the center of civilization in ancient East Asia.

Steve and Jack chat about different countries.

아시아에서 어느 나라를 가장 좋아해요?

(Asiaeseo eoneu narareul gajang joahaeyo?)

중국이요.

(Junggugiyo.)

러시아 (Reosia).

Russia.

러시아 (Reosia).

Koreans don't use Chinese characters for Russia anymore.

They just write the sound 러시아 (Reosia).

But older text used 노서아 (Noseoa), which was a phonetic Chinese-based version.

Tom quizzes Oscar on capital cities.

러시아의 수도 알아요?

(Reosiaui sudo arayo?)

네, 모스크바예요.

(Ne, Moseukubayeyo.)

인도 (Indo).

India.

인도 (Indo).

The name 인도 (Indo) comes from the Indus River, just like the English name India.

Koreans borrowed the name from the Chinese historical records.

Oscar and Tom chat about travel destinations.

인도에 머물 수 있는 시간이 3일밖에 없어요.

(Indoe meomul su inneun sigani samilbakke eopseoyo.)

충분할까요?

(Chungbunhalkkayo?)

아니요.

(Aniyo.)

인도는 큰 나라예요.

(Indoneun keun narayeyo.)

태국 (Taeguk).

Thailand.

태국 (Taeguk).

The Korean name 태국 (Taeguk) means Thai nation.

The word 태 (tae) comes from the sound of Thai, not from 대 (dae) meaning big or great.

Lina and Sulgi chat about travel destinations.

여행을 가려고 하는데, 해변이 예쁜 나라를 추천해 주세요.

(Yeohaengeul garyeogo haneunde, haebyeoni yeppeun narareul chucheonhae juseyo.)

그럼요.

(Geureomyo.)

태국 어때요?

(Taeguk eottaeyo?)

일본 (Ilbon).

Japan.

일본 (Ilbon).

일본 (Ilbon) means origin of the sun.

That's why Japan is called the Land of the Rising Sun.

The meaning is inside the name itself.

Tom and Sulgi chat about travel destinations.

섬나라에 가보고 싶어요.

(Seomnarae gabogo sipeoyo.)

일본 어때요?

(Ilbon eottaeyo?)

일본도 섬나라예요.

(Ilbondo seomnarayeyo.)

필리핀 (Pillipin).

Philippines.

필리핀 (Pillipin).

Did you know that the name 필리핀 (Pillipin) comes from King Philip II of Spain?

So the country name actually has European royal origins.

Emily and Susan chat about the Philippines.

필리핀에 7,000개가 넘는 섬이 있다는 거 알고 있었나요?

(Pillipine chilcheon gaega neomneun seomi itdaneun geo algo isseonnayo?)

정말요?

(Jeongmalyo?)

정말 많네요.

(Jeongmal manneyo.)

영국 (Yeongguk).

United Kingdom.

영국 (Yeongguk).

영국 (Yeongguk) comes from the Chinese name for England.

The Chinese character 영 (yeong), which is used in the name 영국 (Yeongguk), can mean hero or brave, which makes the name sound like country of superheroes.

Oscar quizzes Steve on capital cities.

영국의 수도는 어디예요?

(Yeonggugui sudoneun eodiyeyo?)

런던이에요.

(Reondeonieyo.)

미국 (Miguk).

United States.

미국 (Miguk).

The name 미국 (Miguk) also originates from the Chinese name, meaning beautiful country.

But it's actually not about beauty.

The Chinese character 미 (mi) was chosen because its pronunciation sound like the first syllable of America, 미국 (Miguk).

Tom tests Oscar's knowledge of the United States.

미국에 있는 주 하나를 말해 볼래요?

(Miguge inneun ju hanareul malhae bollaeyo?)

뉴욕주요.

(Nyuyokjuyo.)

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 South Korea?

한국 (Hanguk).

And how to say North Korea?

북한 (Bukhan).

How about China?

중국 (Jungguk).

Do you remember how to say Russia?

러시아 (Reosia).

And how to say India?

인도 (Indo).

Let's try Thailand.

태국 (Taeguk).

What about Japan?

일본 (Ilbon).

Now, let's see if you remember how to say Philippines.

필리핀 (Pillipin).

Another one.

What about United Kingdom?

영국 (Yeongguk).

Do you remember how to say United States?

미국 (Miguk).

Did you know that Korea has a poetic nickname meaning "Land of Morning Calm"?

Do you know what this name is?

It's 조선 (Joseon).

This old name for Korea, 조선 (Joseon), means "Land of Morning Calm".

It was used to describe Korea's peaceful nature and beautiful landscapes in the past.

People still use it as a poetic way to refer to Korea.

Thanks for watching.

Don't forget to practice these new words and phrases, and see you next time.

Comments

Hide