Basic Korean Words and Expressions: Essential Vocabulary for Beginners

Learning Korean can be a rewarding journey, especially as you start to build your vocabulary and communicate in everyday situations. For beginners, mastering some essential Korean words and expressions is crucial. This post will introduce you to basic Korean vocabulary and phrases that will help you navigate daily conversations, make polite requests, and express your basic needs.

1. Essential Korean Pronouns and People-Related Terms

Understanding and using pronouns correctly in Korean is vital, as they are often different from English in terms of usage and formality.

a. Pronouns

• 나 (Na) - I (informal)
• 저 (Jeo) - I (formal)
• 너 (Neo) - You (informal)
• 당신 (Dangsin) - You (formal; rarely used in direct conversation)
• 우리 (Uri) - We (can also mean "our")
• 그/그녀 (Geu/Geunyeo) - He/She (Note: "그" is often used for both genders in casual speech)
• 그들 (Geudeul) - They

b. Family Terms

• 어머니/엄마 (Eomeoni/Eomma) - Mother/Mom
• 아버지/아빠 (Abeoji/Appa) - Father/Dad
• 형/오빠 (Hyeong/Opba) - Older brother (used by males/females)
• 누나/언니 (Nuna/Unni) - Older sister (used by males/females)
• 동생 (Dongsaeng) - Younger sibling

2. Common Greetings and Polite Expressions

In Korean culture, using the right greeting or polite expression is a key part of communication. Here are some of the most frequently used ones.

a. Greetings

• 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) - Hello (formal)
• 안녕 (Annyeong) - Hi/Hello (informal)
• 좋은 아침입니다 (Joeun Achimimnida) - Good morning (formal)
• 안녕히 주무세요 (Annyeonghi Jumuseyo) - Good night (formal)
• 잘 자요 (Jal Jayo) - Sleep well (less formal)
• 잘 가요 (Jal Gayo) - Goodbye (when someone is leaving)
• 안녕히 계세요 (Annyeonghi Gyeseyo) - Goodbye (when you are leaving)

b. Polite Expressions

• 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida) - Thank you (formal)
• 고맙습니다 (Gomapseumnida) - Thank you (formal)
• 죄송합니다 (Joesonghamnida) - I'm sorry (formal)
• 미안합니다 (Mianhamnida) - I'm sorry (formal)
• 괜찮아요 (Gwaenchanayo) - It's okay/Are you okay?
• 천만에요 (Cheonmaneyo) - You're welcome

3. Basic Korean Verbs

Learning basic verbs is essential to forming sentences and expressing actions in Korean. Here are some of the most commonly used verbs:

• 하다 (Hada) - To do
• 가다 (Gada) - To go
• 오다 (Oda) - To come
• 먹다 (Meokda) - To eat
• 마시다 (Masida) - To drink
• 보다 (Boda) - To see/watch
• 만나다 (Mannada) - To meet
• 말하다 (Malhada) - To speak/say
• 사다 (Sada) - To buy
• 읽다 (Ikda) - To read
• 쓰다 (Sseuda) - To write/use
• 알다 (Alda) - To know
• 모르다 (Moreuda) - To not know

Example Sentences:

• 나는 밥을 먹어요 (Naneun babeul meogeoyo) - I am eating rice.
• 어디 가요? (Eodi gayo?) - Where are you going?
• 책을 읽어요 (Chaekeul ilgeoyo) - I am reading a book.

4. Numbers in Korean

Korean uses two number systems: Sino-Korean (based on Chinese characters) and Native Korean. Knowing when to use each is important.

a. Sino-Korean Numbers (used for dates, money, addresses, phone numbers, etc.)

• 일 (Il) - 1
• 이 (I) - 2
• 삼 (Sam) - 3
• 사 (Sa) - 4
• 오 (O) - 5
• 육 (Yuk) - 6
• 칠 (Chil) - 7
• 팔 (Pal) - 8
• 구 (Gu) - 9
• 십 (Sip) - 10

b. Native Korean Numbers (used for counting things, age, etc.)

• 하나 (Hana) - 1
• 둘 (Dul) - 2
• 셋 (Set) - 3
• 넷 (Net) - 4
• 다섯 (Daseot) - 5
• 여섯 (Yeoseot) - 6
• 일곱 (Ilgop) - 7
• 여덟 (Yeodeol) - 8
• 아홉 (Ahop) - 9
• 열 (Yeol) - 10

Example Sentences:

• 전화번호가 뭐예요? (Jeonhwabeonhoga mwoyeyo?) - What is your phone number?
• 나이가 몇 살이에요? (Naiga myeot salieyo?) - How old are you?

5. Days of the Week and Time Expressions

Knowing the days of the week and common time expressions is essential for making plans and understanding schedules.

a. Days of the Week

• 월요일 (Woryoil) - Monday
• 화요일 (Hwayoil) - Tuesday
• 수요일 (Suyoil) - Wednesday
• 목요일 (Mokyoil) - Thursday
• 금요일 (Geumyoil) - Friday
• 토요일 (Toyoil) - Saturday
• 일요일 (Iryoil) - Sunday

b. Time Expressions

• 오늘 (Oneul) - Today
• 내일 (Naeil) - Tomorrow
• 어제 (Eoje) - Yesterday
• 지금 (Jigeum) - Now
• 나중에 (Najunge) - Later
• 아침 (Achim) - Morning
• 저녁 (Jeonyeok) - Evening
• 밤 (Bam) - Night

Example Sentences:

• 오늘은 월요일이에요 (Oneureun woryoilieyo) - Today is Monday.
• 내일 뭐 할 거예요? (Naeil mwo hal geoyeyo?) - What are you going to do tomorrow?

6. Basic Korean Nouns

Understanding some basic Korean nouns will help you describe objects, places, and people.

a. Common Objects

• 책 (Chaek) - Book
• 연필 (Yeonpil) - Pencil
• 의자 (Uija) - Chair
• 테이블 (Teibeul) - Table
• 문 (Mun) - Door
• 창문 (Changmun) - Window
• 전화 (Jeonhwa) - Telephone
• 컴퓨터 (Keompyuteo) - Computer

b. Places

• 학교 (Hakgyo) - School
• 집 (Jip) - Home/House
• 회사 (Hoesa) - Company
• 병원 (Byeongwon) - Hospital
• 공원 (Gongwon) - Park
• 식당 (Sikdang) - Restaurant

c. Common Food Items

• 밥 (Bap) - Rice/Meal
• 물 (Mul) - Water
• 김치 (Kimchi) - Kimchi
• 빵 (Ppang) - Bread
• 고기 (Gogi) - Meat
• 과일 (Gwa-il) - Fruit

Example Sentences:

• 식당에 가요 (Sikdange gayo) - I’m going to a restaurant.
• 이 책은 재미있어요 (I chaekeun jaemiisseoyo) - This book is interesting.

7. Phrases for Basic Conversation

When you start speaking Korean, these simple phrases will help you navigate basic conversations.

a. Common Questions

• 이름이 뭐예요? (Ireumi mwoyeyo?) - What’s your name?
• 어디에 살아요? (Eodie sarayo?) - Where do you live?
• 몇 시예요? (Myeot siyeyo?) - What time is it?
• 얼마예요? (Eolmayeyo?) - How much is it?

b. Useful Phrases

• 괜찮아요 (Gwaenchanayo) - It’s okay/No problem
• 도와주세요 (Dowajuseyo) - Please help me
• 잠시만요 (Jamsimanyo) - Just a moment, please
• 알겠습니다 (Algetseumnida) - I understand/I got it
• 모르겠어요 (Moreugesseoyo) - I don’t know

Conclusion

Mastering basic Korean words and expressions is the first step toward achieving fluency. By familiarizing yourself with these essential phrases, you can start to feel more comfortable in everyday conversations, whether you’re traveling in Korea, interacting with Korean speakers, or studying the language seriously. Remember to practice regularly, and don't be afraid to use these phrases in real-life situations.