--- vocabulary: nouns: - ko: 아줌마 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v2.mp3 en: middle aged/older woman notes: |

The word "아주머니" is commonly used as well

아줌마 and 아주머니 are commonly used to refer to an older woman that you don't know the name of, or even do know the name of but aren't close enough to call her by her name. This also extends to older women who work in a restaurant.

The age that you could call a female an "아줌마" is ambiguous, but I would say that somewhere between late-thirties to mid-sixties would be appropriate. Any younger, and you would probably be offending a younger woman by thinking she is too old. Any older, and you are better off calling the woman "할머니."

examples: - ko: 저는 **아줌마**를 위해 문을 열었어요 en: I opened the door for **an older lady** - ko: 물건 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v3.mp3 en: thing, item, goods examples: - ko: "제가 산 **물건**을 언제 받을 수 있어요?" en: When can I receive the **goods** I purchased? - ko: 한국에서는 세금이 **물건** 값에 포함돼요 en: In Korea, tax is included in the price of **goods** - ko: 복도 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v4.mp3 en: hall, hallway notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "복또" examples: - ko: "**복도**에서 달리는 것은 위험해요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s14.mp3 en: It is dangerous to run in the **hallway** - ko: 이 **복도**를 걸레로 다 청소하는 데 시간이 많이 필요할 것 같아요 en: It will probably take a long time to clean this **hallway** with just a rag - ko: 목적 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v5.mp3 en: purpose, aim, goal notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "목쩍" examples: - ko: 저는 **목적**을 이루지 못했어요 en: I couldn't achieve my **goal** - ko: "우리 학교의 **목적**은 국제고등학교가 되는 것이다" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s6.mp3 en: Our school's **goal** is becoming an international school - ko: 친구와 여행의 **목적**을 정하고 여행 일정을 대충 만들었어요 en: I set the **goals** of the trip with my friend and then made rough travel plans - ko: 목적지 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v6.mp3 en: destination notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "목쩍찌"

As you know, "목적" translates to "goal." 지 is a common Hanja character (地) that refers to land or a place. Together, "목적지" literally refers to the "goal" place or "the place one is headed towards." This is easier translated to just "destination."

examples: - ko: 우리가 **목적지**에 거의 도착했어요 en: We have almost arrived at our **destination** - ko: "최종**목적지**가 어디예요?" en: Where is your final **destination**? - ko: 국가 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v7.mp3 en: nation, country notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "국까" examples: - ko: 모든 **국가**의 자원은 국민이다 en: The resource of all **nations** is its people - ko: 30개의 유럽**국가**에서 각 나라 대표들이 왔어요 en: Representatives from 30 European **nations** came - ko: 동네 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v8.mp3 en: neighborhood notes: |

This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.

examples: - ko: 여기는 역사적인 **동네**입니다 en: This (here) is a historical **neighborhood** - ko: "어느 **동네**에서 살아요?" en: Which **neighborhood** do you live in? - ko: 그 **동네**에는 가난한 사람이 많아요 en: There are many poor people in that **neighborhood** - ko: "이 **동네**에서 산 지 얼마나 되었어요?" en: How long have you lived in this **neighborhood** for? - ko: "이 **동네**에서 축구를 잘 하는 청소년들이 많아요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s1.mp3 en: There are a lot of kids who are good at playing soccer in this **neighborhood** - ko: 학비 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v9.mp3 en: tuition notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "학삐" examples: - ko: "**학비**를 언제까지 내야 돼요?" en: Until when do I have to pay my **tuition**? - ko: 저는 그 대학교에 가고 싶지만 **학비**가 너무 비싸요 en: I want to go to that university, but the **tuition** is too expensive - ko: 무기 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v10.mp3 en: weapon examples: - ko: 군대에서는 사람들이 **무기**훈련을 받아요 en: People in the army receive **weapon** training - ko: 학교에서 **무기**를 가지고 있는 것은 불법입니다 en: It is illegal to carry a **weapon** in school - ko: 정답 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v11.mp3 en: right/correct answer notes: |

This word is commonly yelled by Korean people if somebody asks a question to a large group. The group is usually students, but they could also be contestants on a game show or some quiz show on TV. It is common for the person who knows the correct answer to raise his/her hand and yell "정답!"

examples: - ko: 그는 **정답**을 아는 척했어요 en: He pretended to know the **right answer** - ko: "**정답**을 안다면 손을 들어!" en: If you know the **correct answer**, raise your hand! - ko: 청소년 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v12.mp3 en: youth examples: - ko: "**청소년**들은 그들 자신을 사랑하지 않는다" en: "**Young people** don't love themselves" - ko: 이 지역에 **청소년**을 데려와서는 안 돼요 en: You shouldn't bring **young people** to this area - ko: 일본에서 성인들은 미국 **청소년**보다 만화책을 더 많이 읽어요 en: In Japan, adults read more comic books than **kids** do in America - ko: "이 동네에서 축구를 잘 하는 **청소년**들이 많아요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s1.mp3 en: There are a lot of **kids** who are good at playing soccer in this neighborhood - ko: 지역 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v13.mp3 en: a certain area or region notes: |

지역 and 구역 are often confused. 지역 is more about the area of a city or country. Like 경기도 지역 (the area of 경기 province) or something like that. 구역 is more about the area of any other place, like a specific designated area of a building or park or something like that (for example, 견인구역 = tow away zone)

examples: - ko: 우리가 사는 **지역**이 조금 위험해요 en: The **area** we live in is a little bit dangerous - ko: 이 **지역**에 청소년을 데려와서는 안 돼요 en: You shouldn't bring young people to this **area** - ko: 경기 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v14.mp3 en: match or game examples: - ko: 우리는 3대 2로 **경기**를 이겼어요 en: We won the **game** 3 to 2 - ko: 우리는 다른 팀을 농구**경기**에서 이겼어요 en: We beat the other team in the basketball **game** - ko: 축구**경기**를 보면서 맥주를 마셨어요 en: I watched the **match** while drinking beer - ko: 축구 **경기**를 내일 보러 갈래요? en: Shall we go to see a soccer **game** tomorrow? - ko: 야구 **경기**에서 두산은 LG를 이기게 되었어요 en: Doosan ended up beating LG in the baseball **game** - ko: 제가 생각한 대로 태권도 올림픽 **경기**에서 대한민국 선수는 일본 선수를 이겼어요 en: As I thought, the Korean athlete beat the Japanese athlete in the Taekwondo **match** - ko: 점수 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v15.mp3 en: grade, score examples: - ko: 제가 받을 **점수**는 중요해요 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson26-31.mp3 en: The **score** I will receive is important - ko: 학생들한테 **점수**를 안 보여줘도 돼요 en: I/you don't need to show the **scores** to the students - ko: 학생들이 자기의 **점수**가 너무 낮다고 불평하지 않았으면 좋겠어요 en: I wish students didn't complain that their **score** was too low - ko: 선수 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v16.mp3 en: player (in sports) notes: |

In English, we call athletes who play game-like sports "players." For example, a basketball "player." However, other athletes are not called "players," for example, it would be unnatural to call a swimmer a "swimming player." In Korean, the word 선수 is used to refer to any athlete of any sport.

examples: - ko: 야구**선수**는 공을 세게 던졌어요 en: The baseball **player** threw the ball hard - ko: 그는 축구**선수**만큼 달리기를 잘해요 en: He runs as well as a soccer **athlete/player** - ko: "**선수**는 숨을 못 쉬도록 뛰었어요" en: The **athlete** ran to the extent that he couldn't breathe - ko: "**선수**가 공을 골대에 넣자마자 관중들은 환호하기 시작했어요" en: As soon as the **player** put the ball into the net, the spectators/crowd started cheering - ko: 제가 생각한 대로 태권도 올림픽 경기에서 대한민국 **선수**는 일본 **선수**를 이겼어요 en: As I thought, the Korean **athlete** beat the Japanese **athlete** in the Taekwondo match - ko: 목숨 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v17.mp3 en: life notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "목쑴"

This word translates to "life" but is usually used when one 'loses,' 'saves,' or 'dedicates' a life.

examples: - ko: 사람 네 명은 **목숨**을 잃었다 en: Four people lost their **lives** - ko: 그 사람은 사고로 인해 **목숨**을 잃었어요 en: That person **died** from due to a car accident (lost his **life**) - ko: 모기 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v18.mp3 en: mosquito examples: - ko: 숲에는 **모기**가 많아요 en: There are a lot of **mosquitos** in the forest - ko: "**모기**가 파리보다 잡아죽이는 것이 더 쉬워요" en: It is easier to catch and kill **mosquitos** than flies - ko: 허리 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v19.mp3 en: waist notes: |

Although this typically translates to "waist," Korean people often say "허리(가) 아프다" when their lower-back is sore. For example, if somebody came home after a hard day of work with lots of standing around and/or physical labor, he/she would say "아우! 허리 아파!" In English, it would be unnatural to say "Ahh! My waist hurts!" It would be more natural to say "My back hurts."

examples: - ko: 하루 종일 일을 해서 이제 **허리**가 아파요 en: My **back** is sore after working all day - ko: 달 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v20.mp3 en: moon notes: When talking about the moons of other planets, the word "위성" (which typically translates to "satellite") is used. examples: - ko: 오늘 **달**이 왠지 아주 커 보여요 en: For some reason the **moon** looks big tonight - ko: 인사 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v21.mp3 en: greeting examples: - ko: "할아버지께 **인사**를 드리고 싶어요" en: I want to **greet** my grandfather (**give a greeting**) - ko: 저는 친구에게 반갑게 **인사**했어요 en: I **greeted** my friend happily - ko: 그 사람에게 **인사**하기 싫어서 다른 사람과 통화하고 있는 척했어요 en: I didn't want to **say 'hi' (greet)** that person, so I pretended to be talking on the phone with somebody else - ko: 소금 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v22.mp3 en: salt notes: When Korean people put "salt" on the road, they refer to it as "염화칼슘" (Calcium Chloride) examples: - ko: "**소금**을 많이 먹는 것은 건강에 안 좋아요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s7.mp3 en: It is not healthy to eat a lot of **salt** - ko: 담배 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v23.mp3 en: tobacco, cigarettes examples: - ko: "**담배**를 피우는 것은 건강에 나빠요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s8.mp3 en: It is unhealthy to smoke **cigarettes** - ko: "옛날에 **담배**를 많이 피운 환자가 많아요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s3.mp3 en: There are a lot of patients who smoked a lot of **cigarettes** a long time ago - ko: 이곳은 흡연 구역이라서 **담배**를 피워도 돼요 en: You are allowed to smoke **cigarettes** here because this is a smoking area - ko: 환자 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v24.mp3 en: patients examples: - ko: "옛날에 담배를 많이 피운 **환자**가 많아요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s3.mp3 en: There are a lot of **patients** who smoked a lot a long time ago - ko: 의사가 **환자**에게 열이 다 내렸냐고 물어봤어요 en: the doctor asked the **patient** if his/her fever went down - ko: "**환자**분이 느끼는 고통은 부작용 중 하나 일 뿐이에요" en: The pain you (the **patient**) are feeling is just one of the side effects - ko: 옷걸이 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v25.mp3 en: clothes hanger notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "옫꺼리" examples: - ko: 옷을 말릴 때 **옷걸이**에 걸어서 말리는 것이 좋아요 en: When you dry your clothes, it is good to put them on a **hanger** and dry them - ko: 국제 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v26.mp3 en: international notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "국쩨" examples: - ko: "우리 학교의 목적은 **국제**고등학교가 되는 것이다" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s6.mp3 en: Our school's goal is becoming an **international** school - ko: 일반 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v27.mp3 en: usual, normal, typical notes: |

This word is usually placed before a noun to describe it as something that is "normal" or "not special." For example: "일반 사람" = "most people (typical people - the people who are typical)"

examples: - ko: 고속도로가 막혀서 **일반** 길로 갈 거예요 en: The highway is jammed, so I will take the **normal** road - ko: 급행열차가 출발하자마자 **일반** 전철이 역에 들어왔어요 en: As soon as the express train left, the **regular** train came into the station - ko: 사이 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v28.mp3 en: space, gap notes: |

If you place 사이 after nouns, it represents the space between them. For example: "저는 차 두 대 사이에서 서 있어요" = "I am standing between two cars"

It is also used to indicate that the relationship "between" people: "저와 학생들 사이는 좋아요" = "The relationship between my students and me is good"

This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.

examples: - ko: 저는 차 두 대 **사이**에서 서 있어요 en: I am standing **between** two cars - ko: 그 건물과 우리 학교 **사이**에 사거리가 있어요 en: There is an intersection **between** our school and that building - ko: 저와 학생들 **사이**는 좋아요 en: The relationship **between** my students and me is good - ko: 밖 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v29.mp3 en: the outside of something notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "박"

밖 can be placed after a noun to mean "outside" of that noun. For example: "건물 밖에" = "outside the building"

It can also be used on its own to refer to "outside" in general. For example: "밖이 너무 추워요" = "It's so cold outside!"

examples: - ko: "**밖**에 일찍 나가려고 숙제를 빨리 했어요" en: I did my homework fast so that I could go **out (outside)** - ko: 나는 **밖**에 별로 나가고 싶지 않아 en: I don't really want to go **outside** - ko: 제가 밥을 먹은 후에 **밖**에 나갈 거예요 en: After I eat, I will go **outside** - ko: 저는 **밖**에 갈 수 없을 거라고 했어요 en: I said I can't go **outside**/won't be able to go **outside** - ko: 그는 잠옷 차림으로 **밖**에 나갔어요 en: He went **outside** wearing his pajamas verbs: - ko: 깎다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v30.mp3 en: to peel, cut, trim, shave notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "깍따"

As you can see, there are many possible translations for this word. It generally refers to the action of "cutting" something. In English, depending on what you cut, the word might change.

examples: - ko: "머리를 **깎**았어요?" en: Did you get a hair**cut**? - ko: "값을 좀 **깎**아 주세요!" en: Please **lower** the price for me a little bit - ko: 알아보다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v31.mp3 en: to recognize, to try to know notes: |

This word can be used to indicate that one recognizes (or does not recognize) something, usually because of a change in appearance. When used like this, "알아보다" is formed by combining the meanings of the words "알다" (to know) and "보다" (to see). For example: "머리를 깎아서 못 알아봤어요" = "I couldn't recognize you because you cut your hair"

It can also be formed by combining "알다" (to know) with the grammatical principle ~아/어보다 (to try to), which is introduced in Lesson 32. When used like this, the translation is closer to "to try to know," and is often used when somebody looks into something new. For example: "저는 캐나다 숙소를 알아봐야 돼요" = "I need to look into places to stay in Canada"

examples: - ko: "머리를 깎아서 못 **알아봤어요**" en: I couldn't **recognize** you because you cut your hair - ko: 친구가 수술을 받은 후에 **알아보**기 어려워요 en: It is difficult to **recognize** my friend after she got surgery - ko: 저는 캐나다 숙소를 **알아봐**야 돼요 en: I need to **look into** places to stay in Canada - ko: 어제 비행기표를 **알아봤**는데 싼 게 없어요 en: I **looked into** plane tickets last night, and there is nothing cheap - ko: 극복하다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v32.mp3 en: to overcome notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "극뽀카다"

The noun form of this word ("극복") translates to something like "conquest"

examples: - ko: "이 문제를 **극복**하는 것이 힘들 거예요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s10.mp3 en: It will be difficult to **overcome** this problem - ko: 우리는 이렇게 어려운 시련을 절대 **극복**하지 않을 거예요 en: We will never **overcome** this difficult situation - ko: 맞추다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v33.mp3 en: to adjust, fix, set notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "맏추다" examples: - ko: 이 셔츠를 바지에 **맞춰** 입기 위해 노력했어요 en: I tried to **match** this shirt with the pants - ko: 어젯밤에 알람을 **맞추**는 것을 깜빡해서 늦게 일어났어요 en: I forgot to **set** my alarm last night, so I woke up late - ko: 합격하다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v34.mp3 en: to pass, to get accepted notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "합껴카다"

The noun form of this word ("합격") translates to something like "acceptance"

examples: - ko: 그 시험을 **합격**하기 위해 공부를 안 해도 되었다 en: I didn't need to study to **pass** that test - ko: 내가 공부했더라면 시험을 **합격**했을 것이다 en: If I studied, I would have **passed** the test - ko: 어쩌다 시험을 **합격**하게 되었어요 en: I ended up **passing** the exam - ko: 결정하다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v35.mp3 en: to decide notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "결쩡하다"

The noun form of this word ("결정") translates to "a decision."

examples: - ko: 미국은 경제적인 **결정**을 했어요 en: The US made an economical **decision** - ko: 서울에 지하철로 가기로 **결정**했어요 en: We **decided** that we would take the subway to Seoul - ko: 이혼하다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v36.mp3 en: to get a divorce notes: The noun form of this word ("이혼") translates to "a divorce" examples: - ko: 소문에 의하면 그 남자는 아내랑 **이혼**했어요 en: According to rumors, he **divorced** his wife - ko: 우리가 서로를 사랑하지 않아서 **이혼**하기로 했어요 en: We decided to **get a divorce** because we didn't love each other - ko: 물어보다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v37.mp3 en: to ask notes: |

The formal version of this word (when asking a question to somebody who deserves high respect) is 여쭈다 (often combined with ~아/어보다 to say "여쭤보다")

The original word for "to ask" is 묻다, but it is much more commonly used as "물어보다," which puts a spin on the meaning of the word to "to try to ask about" (the grammar of adding ~아/어보다 to a verb is introduced in Lesson 32).

To prevent confusion between "묻다" (to ask) and "물다" (to bite), Korean people often use "물어보다" to mean "to ask."

examples: - ko: 저는 점원한테 질문을 **물어봤어요** en: I **asked** the clerk a question - ko: 그것을 하려면 먼저 부장님께 **물어봐**야 돼요 en: In order to do that, you need to **ask** the boss first - ko: 저는 그들에게 결혼식에 갈 거냐고 **물어봤어요** en: I **asked** if they were going to the wedding - ko: 우리 아빠는 나에게 어디 갔냐고 **물어봤어** en: My dad **asked** me where I went - ko: 저는 그에게 수영을 할 수 있냐고 **물어봤어요** en: I **asked** him if he could swim - ko: 선생님이 저에게 그 질문을 **물어본** 것이 기억 안 나요 en: I don't remember the teacher **asking** that question to me - ko: 피우다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v38.mp3 en: to smoke, to light a fire of some sort examples: - ko: "담배를 **피우**는 것은 건강에 나빠요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s8.mp3 en: It is unhealthy to **smoke** cigarettes - ko: "옛날에 담배를 많이 **피운** 환자가 많아요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s3.mp3 en: There are a lot of patients who **smoked** a lot a long time ago - ko: 이곳은 흡연 구역이라서 담배를 **피워**도 돼요 en: You are allowed to **smoke** here because this is a smoking area - ko: 불다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v39.mp3 en: to blow examples: - ko: 안산에서는 바람이 세게 **불어요** en: The wind **blows** is strong in Ansan - ko: 저는 입으로 풍선을 **불었어요** en: I **blew** up a balloon with my mouth - ko: "바다 근처에는 바람이 세게 **불어요**" en: The wind **is** strong near the ocean (the wind **blows** strongly) - ko: 계속하다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v40.mp3 en: to continue notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "계소카다"

"계속" is used as an adverb that means "always" or "continually/continuously"

examples: - ko: 건물을 지나가서 오른 쪽으로 가지 말고 **계속** 직진하세요 en: Go past the building, then don't turn right, but **keep** going straight (**continue** going straight) - ko: 우리가 **계속** 얘기하다가 선생님의 말씀을 못 들었어요 en: We were **continuously** talking, and then (as a result) we didn't hear what the teacher said - ko: 제가 가자고 했지만 애기는 가고 싶지 않은 듯이 **계속** 자고 일어나지 않았어요 en: I said "let's go," but the baby **kept** sleeping as if he didn't want to go (**continued** to sleep) - ko: 우리 집 옆에 살고 있는 사람이 **계속** 노래하는 것이 싫어요 en: I hate that the person who lives in the house beside ours **always** sings - ko: 제가 학생들에게 뛰지 말라고 했지만 학생들이 **계속** 했어요 en: I told the students to stop running, but they **continued** to do it - ko: 다치다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v41.mp3 en: to injure, to hurt examples: - ko: 저는 저의 손목을 **다쳤어요** en: I **hurt** my wrist - ko: "병원에서 넘어져서 팔을 **다친** 아줌마가 약을 무료로 받았어요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s15.mp3 en: The woman who fell in the hospital and **hurt** her arm received free medicine - ko: 답하다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v42.mp3 en: to answer, to respond notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "다파다"

The noun form of this word ("답") translates to "an answer"

When answering a letter or e-mail, the word "답장하다" is more commonly used.

examples: - ko: 시험을 끝내기 전에 **답**을 확인하세요 en: Check your **answers** before finishing the test - ko: "선생님은 학생들이 물어본 질문에 **답했어요**" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s2.mp3 en: The teacher **answered** the question that the student asked adjectives: - ko: 틀리다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v43.mp3 en: to be incorrect examples: - ko: 그 달력은 **틀린** 것 같아요 en: It seems like this calendar is **wrong** - ko: "네가 지금 말하는 것이 **틀려**" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s12.mp3 en: (the thing that) What you are saying now is **incorrect** - ko: 깨끗하다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v44.mp3 en: to be clean notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "깨끄타다"

The adverb form of this verb can be 깨끗하게 or 깨끗이, which both translate to "cleanly"

examples: - ko: 이 집은 아주 **깨끗해요** en: This house is very **clean** - ko: 나는 엄마를 도와 정리를 했다. 거실을 **깨끗하게** 정리하고 엄마한테 진심으로 감사하다는 말을 전했다 en: I helped mom clean-up/organize. We **cleanly** organized the living room, and then said 'thank you' to my mom from the bottom of my heart - ko: 남다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v45.mp3 en: to be remaining, to be left over notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "남따"

This word is often used in the present tense, the past tense or with ~아/어 있다 attached. Each has a very similar meaning. For example: "두 개 남아요" = "Two are left"

examples: - ko: "**남은** 음식을 포장하고 싶어요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lesson26-23.mp3 en: I want to pack up the food that is **left over** - ko: 맑다 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v46.mp3 en: to be clear, clean, pure notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "막따" examples: - ko: 오늘 하늘이 아주 **맑아** 보여요 en: Today, the sky looks so **clear** adverbs: - ko: 무료 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v47.mp3 en: free notes: |

The word 공짜(로) is very similar to 무료(로). 무료 is quite easy to remember if you know the Hanja characters: 無(무) = nothing, without; 料(요/료) = money, fee

When used as an adverb, ~로 is often attached to 무료. For example: "캐나다 사람들은 병원에서 치료를 무료로 받을 수 있어요" = "Canadian people can receive treatment at hospitals free of charge"

It is often placed before a noun, acting like an adjective that describes the upcoming noun. When used like this, ~로 is usually not used. For example: "캐나다 사람들은 병원에서 무료 치료를 받을 수 있어요" = "Canadian people can receive free treatment at hospitals"

examples: - ko: "병원에서 넘어져서 팔을 다친 아줌마가 약을 **무료**로 받았어요" audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Lesson26s15.mp3 en: The woman who fell in the hospital and hurt her arm received **free** medicine - ko: 캐나다 사람들은 병원에서 **무료** 치료를 받을 수 있어요 en: Canadian people can receive **free** treatment at hospitals - ko: 영업 시간 audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Lesson26v48.mp3 en: business hours notes: |

The pronunciation of this word is closer to "영업 씨간"

Although "영업" is a word by itself (which is one meaning of the word "business"), for a beginner of Korean the most common place you will see this word is as "영업 시간," which refers to the time that a business is in operation during the day. You would most likely see this written on a sign outside of a store/restaurant or any type of business to indicate their hours.

examples: - ko: 우리 **영업시간**은 오전 8시부터 오후 5시까지입니다 en: Our **business hours** are from 8 am to 5 pm - ko: "**영업시간**이 몇 시부터 몇 시까지예요?" en: From when to when are you **open**? (What are your **business hours**?) --- # Lesson 26: \~는 것 Describing Nouns with Verbs ## Vocabulary ### Nouns 아줌마 = middle aged/older woman
Notes: The word “아주머니” is commonly used as well 아줌마 and 아주머니 are commonly used to refer to an older woman that you don’t know the name of, or even _do_ know the name of but aren’t close enough to call her by her name. This also extends to older women who work in a restaurant. The age that you could call a female an “아줌마” is ambiguous, but I would say that somewhere between late-thirties to mid-sixties would be appropriate. Any younger, and you would probably be offending a younger woman by thinking she is too old. Any older, and you are better off calling the woman “할머니.” Common Usages: - 청소아줌마 = cleaning lady Examples: - 저는 아줌마를 위해 문을 열었어요 = I opened the door for an older lady
물건 = thing, item, goods
Common Usages: - 비싼 물건 = an expensive item Examples: - 제가 산 물건을 언제 받을 수 있어요? = When can I receive the goods I purchased? - 한국에서는 세금이 물건 값에 포함돼요 = In Korea, tax is included in the price of goods
복도 = hall, hallway
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “복또” Common Usages: - 좁은 복도 = narrow hallway - 긴 복도 = long hallway Examples: - 복도에서 달리는 것은 위험해요 = It is dangerous to run in the hallway - 이 복도를 걸레로 다 청소하는 데 시간이 많이 필요할 것 같아요 = It will probably take a long time to clean this hallway with just a rag
목적 = purpose, aim, goal
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “목쩍” Common Usages: - 목적을 이루다 = to achieve a goal - 목적을 달성하다 = to achieve a goal - 목적을 세우다 = to set a goal - 목적어 = an object (in a sentence), in other words, the thing that “\~을/를” is attached to - 목적지 = destination (the “goal” place) Examples: - 저는 목적을 이루지 못했어요 = I couldn’t achieve my goal - 우리 학교의 목적은 국제고등학교가 되는 것이다 = Our school’s goal is becoming an international school - 친구와 여행의 목적을 정하고 여행 일정을 대충 만들었어요 = I set the goals of the trip with my friend and then made rough travel plans
목적지 = destination
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “목쩍찌” Notes: As you know, “목적” translates to “goal.” 지 is a common [Hanja character (地)](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-15/) that refers to land or a place. Together, “목적지” literally refers to the “goal” place or “the place one is headed towards.” This is easier translated to just “destination.” Common Usages: - 목적지에 도착하다 = to arrive at a destination - 목적지를 정하다 = to decide on a destination - 최종목적지 = final destination Examples: - 우리가 목적지에 거의 도착했어요 = We have almost arrived at our destination - 최종목적지가 어디예요? = Where is your final destination?
국가 = nation, country
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “국까” Common Usages: - 공산국가 = communist nation - 민주국가 = democratic nation - 국가주의자 = nationalist - 국가대표팀 = national team Examples: - 모든 국가의 자원은 국민이다 = The resource of all nations is its people - 30개의 유럽국가에서 각 나라 대표들이 왔어요 = Representatives from 30 European nations came
동네 = neighborhood
Examples: - 여기는 역사적인 동네입니다 = This (here) is a historical neighborhood - 어느 동네에서 살아요? = Which neighborhood do you live in? - 그 동네에는 가난한 사람이 많아요 = There are many poor people in that neighborhood - 이 동네에서 산 지 얼마나 되었어요? = How long have you lived in this neighborhood for? - 이 동네에서 축구를 잘 하는 청소년들이 많아요 = There are a lot of kids who are good at playing soccer in this neighborhood [This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.]
학비 = tuition
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “학삐” Common Usages: - 학비를 내다 = to pay one’s tuition Examples: - 학비를 언제까지 내야 돼요? = Until when do I have to pay my tuition? - 저는 그 대학교에 가고 싶지만 학비가 너무 비싸요 = I want to go to that university, but the tuition is too expensive
무기 = weapon
Examples: - 군대에서는 사람들이 무기훈련을 받아요 = People in the army receive weapon training - 학교에서 무기를 가지고 있는 것은 불법입니다 = It is illegal to carry a weapon in school
정답 = right/correct answer
Notes: This word is commonly yelled by Korean people if somebody asks a question to a large group. The group is usually students, but they could also be contestants on a game show or some quiz show on TV. It is common for the person who knows the correct answer to raise his/her hand and yell “정답!” Common Usages: - 정답을 알다 = to know the right answer - 정답을 맞추다 = to guess the right answer Examples: - 그는 정답을 아는 척했어요 = He pretended to know the right answer - 정답을 안다면 손을 들어! = If you know the correct answer, raise your hand!
청소년 = youth
Examples: - 청소년들은 그들 자신을 사랑하지 않는다 = Young people don’t love themselves - 이 지역에 청소년을 데려와서는 안 돼요 = You shouldn’t bring young people to this area - 일본에서 성인들은 미국 청소년보다 만화책을 더 많이 읽어요 = In Japan, adults read more comic books than kids do in America - 이 동네에서 축구를 잘 하는 청소년들이 많아요 = There are a lot of kids who are good at playing soccer in this neighborhood
지역 = a certain area or region
Notes: 지역 and 구역 are often confused. 지역 is more about the area of a city or country. Like 경기도 지역 (the area of 경기 province) or something like that. 구역 is more about the area of any other place, like a specific designated area of a building or park or something like that (for example, 견인구역 = tow away zone) Common Usages: - 지역 번호 = area code Examples: - 우리가 사는 지역이 조금 위험해요 = The area we live in is a little bit dangerous - 이 지역에 청소년을 데려와서는 안 돼요 = You shouldn’t bring young people to this area
경기 = match or game
Common Usages: - 경기장 = sports stadium - 경기력 = sports performance Examples: - 우리는 3대 2로 경기를 이겼어요 = We won the game 3 to 2 - 우리는 다른 팀을 농구경기에서 이겼어요 = We beat the other team in the basketball game - 축구경기를 보면서 맥주를 마셨어요 = I watched the match while drinking beer - 축구 경기를 내일 보러 갈래요? = Shall we go to see a soccer game tomorrow? - 야구 경기에서 두산은 LG를 이기게 되었어요 = Doosan ended up beating LG in the baseball game - 제가 생각한 대로 태권도 올림픽 경기에서 대한민국 선수는 일본 선수를 이겼어요 = As I thought, the Korean athlete beat the Japanese athlete in the Taekwondo match
점수 = grade, score
Common Usages: - 시험 점수 = exam score - 높은 점수 = high score - 낮은 점수 = low score Examples: - 제가 받을 점수는 중요해요 = The score I will receive is important - 학생들한테 점수를 안 보여줘도 돼요 = I/you don’t need to show the scores to the students - 학생들이 자기의 점수가 너무 낮다고 불평하지 않았으면 좋겠어요 = I wish students didn’t complain that their score was too low
선수 = player (in sports)
Notes: In English, we call athletes who play game-like sports “players.” For example, a basketball “player.” However, other athletes are not called “players,” for example, it would be unnatural to call a swimmer a “swimming player.” In Korean, the word 선수 is used to refer to any athlete of any sport. Common Usages: - 축구선수 = soccer player - 농구선수 = basketball player - 수영선수 = swimmer Examples: - 야구선수는 공을 세게 던졌어요 = The baseball player threw the ball hard - 그는 축구선수만큼 달리기를 잘해요 = He runs as well as a soccer athlete/player - 선수는 숨을 못 쉬도록 뛰었어요 = The athlete ran to the extent that he couldn’t breathe - 선수가 공을 골대에 넣자마자 관중들은 환호하기 시작했어요 = As soon as the player put the ball into the net, the spectators/crowd started cheering - 제가 생각한 대로 태권도 올림픽 경기에서 대한민국 선수는 일본 선수를 이겼어요 = As I thought, the Korean athlete beat the Japanese athlete in the Taekwondo match
목숨 = life
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “목쑴” Notes: This word translates to “life” but is usually used when one ‘loses,’ ‘saves,’ or ‘dedicates’ a life. Common Usages: - 목숨을 잃었다 = to lose a life (to die) - 목숨을 걸다 = to risk one’s life - 목숨을 살리다 = to save one’s life - 목숨을 바치다 = to dedicate one’s life Examples: - 사람 네 명은 목숨을 잃었다 = Four people lost their lives - 그 사람은 사고로 인해 목숨을 잃었어요 = That person died from due to a car accident
모기 = mosquito
Common Usages: - 모기에 물리다 = to be bitten by a mosquito - 모기를 퇴치하다 = to get rid of “eradicate” mosquitos Example: - 숲에는 모기가 많아요 = There are a lot of mosquitos in the forest - 모기가 파리보다 잡아죽이는 것이 더 쉬워요 = It is easier to catch and kill mosquitos than flies
허리 = waist
Notes: Although this typically translates to “waist,” Korean people often say “허리(가) 아프다” when their lower-back is sore. For example, if somebody came home after a hard day of work with lots of standing around and/or physical labor, he/she would say “아우! 허리 아파!” In English, it would be unnatural to say “Ahh! My waist hurts!” It would be more natural to say “My back hurts.” Common Usages: - 허리가 아프다 = for one’s back to be sore - 허리를 구부리다/굽히다 = to bend over Examples: - 하루 종일 일을 해서 이제 허리가 아파요 = My back is sore after working all day
달 = moon
Notes: When talking about the moons of other planets, the word “위성” (which typically translates to “satellite”) is used. Common Usages: - 달력 = calendar - 초승달 = a crescent shaped moon - 보름달 = a full moon Examples: - 오늘 달이 왠지 아주 커 보여요 = For some reason the moon looks big tonight
인사 = greeting
Common Usages: - 인사말 = greeting words - 인사를 받다 = to receive a greeting - 인사를 드리다 = to give a greeting (to greet a person in a formal way - like to a boss or something) - 인사를 주고받다 = to exchange greetings Examples: - 할아버지께 인사를 드리고 싶어요 = I want to greet my grandfather - 저는 친구에게 반갑게 인사했어요 = I greeted my friend happily - 그 사람에게 인사하기 싫어서 다른 사람과 통화하고 있는 척했어요 = I didn’t want to say ‘hi’ to (greet) that person, so I pretended to be talking on the phone with somebody else
소금 = salt
Notes: When Korean people put “salt” on the road, they refer to it as “염화칼슘” (Calcium Chloride) Common Usages: - 소금을 뿌리다 = to sprinkle some salt Example: - 소금을 많이 먹는 것은 건강에 안 좋아요 = It is not healthy to eat a lot of salt
담배 = tobacco, cigarettes
Common Usages: - 담배를 피우다 = to smoke cigarettes - 담뱃값 = the price of cigarettes - 담배에 중독되다 = to be addicted to cigarettes - 담배를 끊다 = to quit smoking Examples: - 담배를 피우는 것은 건강에 나빠요 = It is unhealthy to smoke cigarettes - 옛날에 담배를 많이 피운 환자가 많아요 = There are a lot of patients who smoked a lot a long time ago - 이곳은 흡연 구역이라서 담배를 피워도 돼요 = You are allowed to smoke here because this is a smoking area
환자 = patients
Common Usages: - 응급환자 = emergency patient Examples: - 옛날에 담배를 많이 피운 환자가 많아요 = There are a lot of patients who smoked a lot a long time ago - 의사가 환자에게 열이 다 내렸냐고 물어봤어요 = the doctor asked the patient if his/her fever went down - 환자분이 느끼는 고통은 부작용 중 하나 일 뿐이에요 = The pain you (the patient) are feeling is just one of the side effects
옷걸이 = clothes hanger
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “옫꺼리” Common Usages: - 옷걸이에 옷을 걸다 = to hang clothes with a hanger Examples: - 옷을 말릴 때 옷걸이에 걸어서 말리는 것이 좋아요 = When you dry your clothes, it is good to put them on a hanger and dry them
국제 = international
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “국쩨” Common Usages: - 인천국제공항 = Incheon International Airport - 국제운전면허증 = international driver’s license - 국제학교 = international school - 국제무역 = international trade - 국제화 = internationalization - 국제경제 = international economics - 국제정치 = international politics - 국제사회 = international community Example: - 우리 학교의 목적은 국제고등학교가 되는 것이다 = Our school’s goal is becoming an international school
일반 = usual, normal, typical
Notes: This word is usually placed before a noun to describe it as something that is “normal” or “not special.” For example: - 일반 사람 = most people (typical people - the people who are typical) - 일반 국가 = most countries (typical countries - the countries that are typical) Common Usages: - 일반적으로 = typically Examples: - 고속도로가 막혀서 일반 길로 갈 거예요 = The highway is jammed, so I will take the normal road - 급행열차가 출발하자마자 일반 전철이 역에 들어왔어요 = As soon as the express train left, the regular train came into the station
사이 = space, gap
Notes: If you place 사이 after nouns, it represents the space between them. For example: - 저는 차 두 대 사이에서 서 있어요 = I am standing between two cars - 그 건물과 우리 학교 사이에 사거리가 있어요 = There is an intersection between our school and that building It is also used to indicate that the relationship “between” people: - 저와 학생들 사이는 좋아요 = The relationship between my students and me is good [This word appears in my Korean Sign Explanation Video 5.]
밖 = the outside of something
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “박” Notes: 밖 can be placed after a noun to mean “outside” of that noun. For example: - 건물 밖에 = outside the building - 학교 밖에 = outside the school It can also be used on its own to refer to “outside” in general. For example: - 밖이 너무 추워요 = It’s so cold outside! Common Usages: - 밖으로 나가다 = to go outside - 뜻밖에 = unexpectedly Examples: - 밖에 일찍 나가려고 숙제를 빨리 했어요 = I did my homework fast so that I could go out - 나는 밖에 별로 나가고 싶지 않아 = I don’t really want to go outside - 제가 밥을 먹은 후에 밖에 나갈 거예요 = After I eat, I will go outside - 저는 밖에 갈 수 없을 거라고 했어요 = I said I can’t go outside/won’t be able to go outside - 그는 잠옷 차림으로 밖에 나갔어요 = He went outside wearing his pajamas
### Verbs 깎다 = to peel, cut, trim, shave
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “깍따” Notes: As you can see, there are many possible translations for this word. It generally refers to the action of “cutting” something. In English, depending on what you cut, the word might change. Common Usages: - 값을 깎다 = to lower a price (cut the price) - 연필을 깎다 = to sharpen a pencil - 머리(카락)을 깎다 = to cut one’s hair, to get one’s hair cut (usually used for males) - 손톱을 깎다 = to trim one’s nails Examples: - 머리를 깎았어요? = Did you get a haircut? - 값을 좀 깎아 주세요! = Please lower the price for me a little bit
알아보다 = to recognize, to _try_ to know
Notes: This word can be used to indicate that one recognizes (or does not recognize) something, usually because of a change in appearance. When used like this, “알아보다” is formed by combining the meanings of the words “알다” (to know) and “보다” (to see). For example: - 머리를 깎아서 못 알아봤어요 = I couldn’t recognize you because you cut your hair - 친구가 수술을 받은 후에 알아보기 어려워요 = It is difficult to recognize my friend after she got surgery It can also be formed by combining “알다” (to know) with the grammatical principle \~아/어보다 (to try to), which is introduced in [Lesson 32](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-26-33/lesson-32/). When used like this, the translation is closer to “to try to know,” and is often used when somebody looks into something new. For example: - 저는 캐나다 숙소를 알아봐야 돼요 = I need to look into places to stay in Canada - 어제 비행기표를 알아봤는데 싼 게 없어요 = I looked into plane tickets last night, and there is nothing cheap
극복하다 = to overcome
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “극뽀카다” The noun form of this word (“극복”) translates to something like “conquest” Common Usages: - 문제를 극복하다 = to overcome a problem - 상황을 극복하다 = to overcome a situation - 시련을 극복하다 = to overcome some sort of difficult situation - 장애를 극복하다 = to overcome an obstacle Examples: - 이 문제를 극복하는 것이 힘들 거예요 = It will be difficult to overcome this problem - 우리는 이렇게 어려운 시련을 절대 극복하지 않을 거예요 = We will never overcome this difficult situation
맞추다 = to adjust, fix, set
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “맏추다” Common Usages: - 알람을 맞추다 = to set an alarm - 양복을 맞추다 = to get a suit tailored - 초점을 맞추다 = to bring something into focus - 정답을 맞추다 = to guess the correct answer Examples: - 이 셔츠를 바지에 맞춰 입기 위해 노력했어요 = I tried to match this shirt with the pants - 어젯밤에 알람을 맞추는 것을 깜빡해서 늦게 일어났어요 = I forgot to set my alarm last night, so I woke up late
합격하다 = to pass, to get accepted
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “합껴카다” The noun form of this word (“합격”) translates to something like “acceptance” Common Usages: - 시험에 합격하다 = to pass an exam - 간신히 합격하다 = to barely pass - 합격률 = the acceptance/success rate - 합격자 = a person who passed/successful candidate Examples: - 그 시험을 합격하기 위해 공부를 안 해도 되었다 = I didn’t need to study to pass that test - 내가 공부했더라면 시험을 합격했을 것이다 = If I studied, I would have passed the test - 어쩌다 시험을 합격하게 되었어요 = I ended up passing the exam
결정하다 = to decide
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “결쩡하다” The noun form of this word (“결정”) translates to “a decision.” Common Usages: - 결정력 = determination Examples: - 미국은 경제적인 결정을 했어요 = The US made an economical decision - 서울에 지하철로 가기로 결정했어요 = We decided that we would take the subway to Seoul
이혼하다 = to get a divorce
The noun form of this word (“이혼”) translates to “a divorce” Common Usages: - 이혼율 = divorce rate - 이혼소송 = a divorce suit Examples: - 소문에 의하면 그 남자는 아내랑 이혼했어요 = According to rumors, he divorced his wife - 우리가 서로를 사랑하지 않아서 이혼하기로 했어요 = We decided to get a divorce because we didn’t love each other
물어보다 = to ask
The formal version of this word (when asking a question to somebody who deserves high respect) is 여쭈다 (often combined with \~아/어보다 to say “여쭤보다”) Notes: The original word for “to ask” is 묻다, but it is much more commonly used as “물어보다,” which puts a spin on the meaning of the word to “to try to ask about” (the grammar of adding \~아/어보다 to a verb is introduced in [Lesson 32](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-26-33/lesson-32/)). I asked a Korean person once why the word “묻다” isn’t commonly used. When 묻다 is used, most conjugations would change “묻” to “물” as per the ㄷ irregular. For example: - 묻다 + \~아/어요 = 물어요 - 묻다 + \~아/어 = 물어 - 묻다 + \~았/었어요 = 물었어요 The word for “bite” in Korean is 물다. When 물다 is conjugated, most of the results are similar to the conjugations of “묻다.” For example: - 물다 + \~아/어요 = 물어요 - 물다 + \~아/어 = 물어 - 물다 + \~았/었어요 = 물었어요 To prevent confusion between “묻다” (to ask) and “물다” (to bite), Korean people often use “물어보다” to mean “to ask.” Whether or not this is the actual reason why 물어보다 is used instead of 묻다, I can’t be sure - but I’ve always remembered this explanation. Common Usages: - 질문을 물어보다 = to ask a question Examples: - 저는 점원한테 질문을 물어봤어요 = I asked the clerk a question - 그것을 하려면 먼저 부장님께 물어봐야 돼요 = In order to do that, you need to ask the boss first - 저는 그들에게 결혼식에 갈 거냐고 물어봤어요 = I asked if they were going to the wedding - 우리 아빠는 나에게 어디 갔냐고 물어봤어 = My dad asked me where I went - 저는 그에게 수영을 할 수 있냐고 물어봤어요 = I asked him if he could swim - 선생님이 저에게 그 질문을 물어본 것이 기억 안 나요 = I don’t remember the teacher asking that question to me
피우다 = to smoke, to light a fire of some sort
Common Usages: - 담배를 피우다 = to smoke cigarettes - 불을 피우다 = to start a fire - 바람을 피우다 = to have an affair Examples: - 담배를 피우는 것은 건강에 나빠요 = It is unhealthy to smoke cigarettes - 옛날에 담배를 많이 피운 환자가 많아요 = There are a lot of patients who smoked a lot a long time ago - 이곳은 흡연 구역이라서 담배를 피워도 돼요 = You are allowed to smoke here because this is a smoking area
불다 = to blow
Common Usages: - 바람을 불다 = for wind to blow - 휘파람을 불다 = to whistle - 트럼펫/트롬본/플루트를 불다 = to play the trumpet, trombone, flute Examples: - 안산에서는 바람이 세게 불어요 = The wind (blows) is strong in Ansan - 저는 입으로 풍선을 불었어요 = I blew up a balloon with my mouth - 바다 근처에는 바람이 세게 불어요 = The wind is strong near the ocean
계속하다 = to continue
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “계소카다” Notes: “계속” is used as an adverb that means “always” or “continually/continuously” Examples: - 건물을 지나가서 오른 쪽으로 가지 말고 계속 직진하세요 = Go past the building, then don’t turn right, but keep going straight - 우리가 계속 얘기하다가 선생님의 말씀을 못 들었어요 = We were talking, and then (as a result) we didn’t hear what the teacher said - 제가 가자고 했지만 애기는 가고 싶지 않은 듯이 계속 자고 일어나지 않았어요 = I said “let’s go,” but the baby kept sleeping as if he didn’t want to go - 우리 집 옆에 살고 있는 사람이 계속 노래하는 것이 싫어요 = I hate that the person who lives in the house beside ours always sings - 제가 학생들에게 뛰지 말라고 했지만 학생들이 계속 했어요 = I told the students to stop running, but they continued to do it
다치다 = to injure, to hurt
Common Usages: - 다친 데가 있나요? = Are you injured? (Is there any injured place?) - 무릎을 다치다 = to injure one’s knee Examples: - 저는 저의 손목을 다쳤어요 = I hurt my wrist - 병원에서 넘어져서 팔을 다친 아줌마가 약을 무료로 받았어요 = The woman who fell in the hospital and hurt her arm received free medicine
답하다 = to answer, to respond
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “다파다” The noun form of this word (“답”) translates to “an answer” Notes: When answering a letter or e-mail, the word “답장하다” is more commonly used. Common Usages: - 질문에 답하다 = to answer a question - 정답 = the right/correct answer Examples: - 시험을 끝내기 전에 답을 확인하세요 = Check your answers before finishing the test - 선생님은 학생들이 물어본 질문에 답했어요 = The teacher answered the question that the student asked
### Adjectives 틀리다 = to be incorrect
Common Usages: - 정보가 틀리다 = for information to be incorrect - 계산이 틀리다 = for calculations to be incorrect - 답이 틀리다 = for an answer to be incorrect - 말이 틀리다 = for something that one says to be incorrect Examples: - 그 달력은 틀린 것 같아요 = It seems like this calendar is wrong - 네가 지금 말하는 것이 틀려 = (the thing that) What you are saying now is incorrect
깨끗하다 = to be clean
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “깨끄타다” The adverb form of this verb can be 깨끗하게 or 깨끗이, which both translate to “cleanly” Common Usages: - 깨끗한 물 = clean water - 깨끗한 공기 = clean air Examples: - 이 집은 아주 깨끗해요 = This house is very clean - 나는 엄마를 도와 정리를 했다. 거실을 깨끗하게 정리하고 엄마한테 진심으로 감사하다는 말을 전했다 = I helped mom clean-up/organize. We cleanly organized the living room, and then said ‘thank you’ to my mom from the bottom of my heart
남다 = to be remaining, to be left over
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “남따” Notes: This word is often used in the present tense, the past tense or with \~아/어 있다 attached. Each has a very similar meaning. For example: - 두 개 남아요 = Two are left - 두 개 남았어요 = Two are left (or “two were left”) - 두 개 남아 있어요 = Two are left Common Usages: - 5분 남아요 = There are 5 minutes left - 5분 남았어요 = There are 5 minutes left - 5분 남아 있어요 = There are 5 minutes left - 몇 개 남아요? = How many are left? - 몇 개 남았어요? = How many are left? - 몇 개 남아 있어요? = How many are left? Examples: - 남은 음식을 포장하고 싶어요 = I want to pack up the food that is left over
맑다 = to be clear, clean, pure
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “막따” Common Usages: - 맑은 날씨 = clear weather - 맑은 공기 = clear air Idiom: - 윗물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다 = Only if one’s master is honest, can the servants be honest Examples: - 오늘 하늘이 아주 맑아 보여요 = Today, the sky looks so clear
### Adverbs and Other words 무료 = free
Notes: The word 공짜(로) is very similar to 무료(로). 무료 is quite easy to remember if you know the Hanja characters: - [無](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/hanja-unit-1-lessons-1-20/hanja-lesson-12/)(무): nothing, without - 料(요/료): money, fee When used as an adverb, \~로 is often attached to 무료. For example: - 캐나다 사람들은 병원에서 치료를 무료로 받을 수 있어요 = Canadian people can receive treatment at hospitals free of charge It is often placed before a noun, acting like an adjective that describes the upcoming noun. When used like this, \~로 is usually not used. For example: - 캐나다 사람들은 병원에서 무료 치료를 받을 수 있어요 = Canadian people can receive free treatment at hospitals
영업 시간 = business hours
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “영업 씨간” Notes: Although “영업” is a word by itself (which is one meaning of the word “business”), for a beginner of Korean the most common place you will see this word is as “영업 시간,” which refers to the time that a business is in operation during the day. You would most likely see this written on a sign outside of a store/restaurant or any type of business to indicate their hours. Examples: - 우리 영업시간은 오전 8시부터 오후 5시까지입니다 = Our business hours are from 8 am to 5 pm - 영업시간이 몇 시부터 몇 시까지예요? = From when to when are you open? (What are your business hours?)
For help memorizing these words, try using our [mobile app](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/app/). _There are 800 vocabulary entries in Unit 2. All entries are linked to an audio file. You can download all of these files in one package [here](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/audio/)._ ## Introduction Okay, it is time to kick it up a notch. Most of what you learned in Unit 1 was taught simply to be a foundation to what you will learn here in Unit 2 (and later in Units 3, 4, 5 etc…). Of course, the content you learned in Unit 1 was very important (foundations are important) but here in Unit 2 it will be slightly different. When learning Korean, you eventually reach a point where the only thing you are learning is other ways to end sentences. There are hundreds upon hundreds of different things that you can add to the end of sentences (to end them or to connect them to other sentences) to give a sentence a different meaning. I’m not going to lie: _most_ of what you will learn from here on out (aside from vocabulary) will be these sentence enders/connectors. Not today, though. Today you will learn _the_ most important aspect (in my mind) of Korean grammar. It took me months to fully grasp this concept - but not because it is terribly difficult, but rather because I did not have good enough explanations when learning it. That is why I am here. I am going to break down this concept for you like crazy - spanning four lessons. I am talking, of course, of \~는 것. Understanding this concept will literally make your ability to create sentences increase dramatically. Lets get started. This lesson is long. Very long. Please read the _entire_ lesson to fully understand everything. If something is confusing, it will more than likely be resolved later in the lesson. ## \~는 것: Modifying Nouns with Verbs Adjectives (in Korean and in English) get placed before nouns to describe them. You learned this a long time ago in [Lesson 4](../unit-1/04-adjectives.md). You learned that when you want to use an adjective to describe a noun, you must add \~ㄴ/은 to the stem of the adjective. For example: - 예쁘다 = 예쁜 - 똑똑하다 = 똑똑한 - 젊다 = 젊은 To describe nouns in the following way: - Pretty girl: 예쁜 여자 - Smart student: 똑똑한 학생 - Young teacher: 젊은 선생님 Simple enough. But, what you don’t know is that _verbs_ can also describe nouns in this same way. It is the exact same premise with adjectives, but it is very difficult for English speakers to understand. This same thing (verbs describing nouns) is also done in English, but is done differently than in Korean. As you know, In English and Korean, when an adjective describes a noun, the adjective comes _before_ the noun: However, In English, when a verb describes a noun, the verb comes _after_ the noun. For example: - The girl **who walks** - The student **who studies** - The teacher **who eats** The word “who” was added in all three examples, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be “who” in English. For example: - The girl **that walks** - The student **that studies** - The teacher **that eats** In those three examples, “that” was added, and each example essentially has the same meaning as when “who” was written instead. You don’t need to worry about if it should be “who/that” or whatever because you are not learning English - you are learning Korean. The point I am trying to get at here is that verbs can also describe nouns. In English, verbs are placed after the nouns to describe them. The next sentence is the most important sentence of the entire lesson: In Korean, verbs are placed _before_ nouns to describe them - very similar to how it is done with adjectives. How is this done? Like this:? - ~~걷다 여자~~ - ~~공부하다 학생~~ - ~~먹다 선생님~~ Are those correct? Haha. No. Not by a long shot. When you adjust adjectives to describe nouns, you know that you should add \~ㄴ/은 to the stem of the word. When you adjust verbs to describe nouns, you must add \~는 to the stem of a verb: - 걷다 = 걷는 - 공부하다 = 공부하는 - 먹다 = 먹는 These are all verbs that can now be placed before a noun to describe it: - 걷는 여자 = the girl who walks - 공부하는 학생 = the student who studies - 먹는 선생님 = the teacher who eats Now, I know what you are thinking. You are thinking “Okay, that is great, but when would I ever say ‘the girl who walks’ in a sentence?” That is a good question. Really, you would never (or very rarely) say something like that in a sentence - but understanding that sentence is the foundation for understanding everything else about \~는 것. Remember, in regular sentences (in English and Korean), it is very rare to just use the present tense conjugation. For example, are these natural?: - 여자는 걷는다 = The girl walks - 학생은 공부한다 = The student studies - 선생님은 먹는다 = The teacher eats Are those natural? Yes, they are natural, but who would ever just say “the girl walks.” Usually in every day sentences, you would add more information or conjugate the sentence in other tense: - 여자는 학교에 걸었어요 = The girl walked to school - 여자는 학교에 걸을 거예요 = The girl will walk to school - 여자는 빨리 걷는다 = The girl walks fast - etc… You can use the same information to describe the noun (the girl): - The girl who walked to school - The girl who will walk to school - The girl who walks fast Lets stick to the one in the present tense for now: - The girl walks: 여자는 걷는다 - The girl who walks: 걷는 여자 --- - The girl walks fast: 여자는 빨리 걷는다 - The girl who walks fast: 빨리 걷는 여자 Okay, so what’s the point? When would I ever want to say “The girl who walks fast”? The thing is, now that you have made the noun “the girl who walks fast” (“빨리 걷는 여자”) you can now place that noun in sentences that: - end in an adjective - end in a verb - end in 이다 You have been doing the exact same things with adjectives since [Lesson 4](../unit-1/04-adjectives.md). 예쁜 여자 = Pretty girl - 예쁜 여자는 어려요 = The pretty girl is young - 저는 예쁜 여자를 만났어요 = I met a pretty girl - 저는 예쁜 여자예요 = I am a pretty girl The three sentences above include a noun that is being described by an adjective. - 빨리 걷는 여자 = The girl who walks fast - 빨리 걷는 여자는 어려요 = The girl who walks fast is young - 저는 빨리 걷는 여자를 만났어요 = I met a girl who walks fast - 저는 빨리 걷는 여자예요 = I am a girl who walks fast The three sentences above include a noun that is being described by a verb. Those sentences may not be that common in either English or Korean, but that is the basis of this entire lesson. It is important to realize that entire clauses (including clauses that include complex grammatical principles within them) can be put before this \~는 것 form. These clauses can also include subjects within them. Typically, the subject within a clause that is used to describe an upcoming noun has the simple subject marker “\~이/가” attached to it. Just like when a noun is being described by an adjective, once you have a noun that is being described by a verb (or by an entire clause), you can put it wherever you want in the sentence. Below are many more examples: - 제가 만나고 있는 사람은 예뻐요 = The person I am meeting is pretty - 제가 보고 있는 영화는 재미있어요 = The movie I am watching is funny - 제가 먹고 있는 음식은 맛있어요 = The food I am eating is delicious - 저는 제가 자주 가는 곳에 가고 있어요 = I am going to the place I often go to - 친구는 제가 자주 가는 곳에 가고 있어요 = My friend is going to the place I often go Actually, I feel like this is getting a little bit too complicated. I want to break this down one more time. This sentence should be simple to you: - 친구는 학교에 가고 있어요 = My friend is going to school Simple enough. Subject - place - verb. If you want to describe that school, you could do so with adjectives: - 큰 학교 = big school - 작은 학교 = small school - 나쁜 학교 = bad school … or verbs: - 제가 자주 가는 학교 = The school I go to often Then, it is simply a matter of putting those nouns into sentences: - 친구는 큰 학교에 가고 있어요 = My friend is going to the big school - 친구는 작은 학교에 가고 있어요 = My friend is going to the small school - 친구는 나쁜 학교에 가고 있어요 = My friend is going to the bad school --- - 친구는 제가 자주 가는 학교에 가고 있어요 = My friend is going to the school that I go to often Incredibly complicated at first, incredibly simple once you get the hang of it. The only problem is that it is difficult for English speakers to get used to because we describe a noun with a verb after the noun. Many more examples: - 과학을 좋아하는 여자 = the/a girl that likes science - 저는 과학을 좋아하는 여자들을 좋아해요 = I like girls that like science --- - 제가 보고 있는 시험 = The exam I am writing - 제가 보고 있는 시험은 어려워요 = The exam I am writing is difficult --- - 제가 사귀고 있는 여자 = The girl who I am going out with - 제가 사귀고 있는 여자는 미국에 갔어요 = The girl who I am going out with went to the US --- - 엄마가 요리하는 음식 = The food that my mother cooks - 엄마가 요리하는 음식은 항상 맛있어요 = The food that my mother cooks is always delicious --- - 공부하지 않는 학생들 = students who do not study - 공부하지 않는 학생들은 똑똑하지 않아요 = Students who do not study are not smart --- - 제가 공원에 가는 날 = the day(s) I go to the park - 저는 공원에 가는 날에 항상 행복해요 = I am always happy on the days I go to the park --- - 이 동네에서 축구를 잘 하는 청소년들 = kids who are good at playing soccer in this neighborhood - 이 동네에서 축구를 잘 하는 청소년들이 많아요 = There are a lot of kids who are good at playing soccer in this neighborhood Actually, Korean people have the same problem with this concept when translating to English. If you meet a Korean person who can’t speak English well, they will always say sentences like this in their ‘Korean style.’ Instead of saying: “girls that like science,” they say: - “like science girls’ Instead of saying “the exam I am writing,” they say: - “I write exam” Instead of saying “the girl I am going out with,” they say: - “I go out with girl” Instead of saying “the food my mother cooks,” they say: - “my mother cooks food” Anyways, enough of what Korean people say. It is hard to translate the definition of this concept directly in English, but it sometimes translates to ‘who,’ ‘when,’ or ‘that.’ These words however don’t need to be in the sentence in English, as you will see in the following examples. Each of the following pairs of sentences have the same meaning in English: - My friend is going to the school I go to often - My friend is going to the school **that** I go to often --- - The exam I am writing is difficult - The exam **that** I am writing is difficult --- - The girl I am going out with went to the US - The girl **who** I am going out with went to the US - The girl **that** I am going out with went to the US --- - The food my mother cooks is always delicious - The food **that** my mother cooks is always delicious --- - Students **that** do not study are not smart - Students **who** do not study are not smart --- - I am always happy on the days I go to the park - I am always happy on the days **that** I go to the park - I am always happy on the days **when** I go to the park “That” can be used in most situations. If the noun you are using is a person, “who” can be exchanged for “that.” If the noun you are using is a time, “when” can be exchanged for “that.” I’m going to say this one more time. Read it a few times to make sure you understand it completely (it is complicated). The noun that you create by describing it with a verb can be placed anywhere that other nouns can be placed! Lets describe one more noun and see where it can be placed: - 내가 가르치는 학생들 = the students that I teach Placed as the subject of a sentence: - 내가 가르치는 학생들은 수업을 듣고 싶지 않아 = The students that I teach don’t want to come to class Before 이다: - 그 사람은 내가 가르치는 학생이다 = That person is a student that I teach (I teach that student) Placed in any clause within a sentence: - 내가 가르치는 학생들이 수업에 오기 전에 나는 교실을 청소했어 = Before the students that I teach came to class, I cleaned the classroom .. okay, I think you get it. I’ve made a bunch of YouTube videos that break down the grammar and vocabulary in various Korean street signs. \~는 것 comes up in the following videos: [Video 1: Recycling Day Information] [Video 19: Bus Etiquette] So far in this lesson you have learned how to describe nouns using verbs in the present tense: - The place I go - The food I eat - The student I teach But what about the past tense? - The place I went - The food I ate - The student I taught Or the future tense? - The place I will go - The food I will eat - The student I will teach Lets talk about those now. ## \~는 것 Past Tense (\~ㄴ/은 것) You can also describe nouns with verbs in the past tense to make nouns like: - The place I went - The food I ate - The student I taught To do this, instead of adding \~는 to the stem of a verb, you must add \~ㄴ/은. You must add \~은 to stems ending in a consonant (먹다 = 먹은), and \~ㄴ should be added directly to stems ending in a vowel (가다 = 간): - 제가 간 곳 = The place I went - 제가 먹은 음식 = The food I ate - 제가 가르친 학생 = The student I taught The general idea is the same as the present tense; the verb is simply conjugated into the past. More examples: - 엄마가 요리한 음식은 너무 맛있어요 = The food my mom cooked is delicious - 저는 엄마가 요리한 음식을 다 먹었어요 = I ate all the food my mom cooked - 제가 어제 만난 사람은 저를 다시 만나고 싶어요 = The person I met yesterday wants to meet me again - 남은 음식을 포장하고 싶어요 = I want to pack up the food that is left over - 내가 회사에 가지 않은 날에 병원에 갔어 = On the day I didn’t go to work, I went to the hospital - 선생님은 학생들이 물어본 질문에 답했어요 = The teacher answered the questions that the students asked - 옛날에 담배를 많이 피운 환자가 많아요 = There are a lot of patients who smoked a lot a long time ago - 내가 작년에 가르친 학생 한 명은 벌써 의사가 되었어 = One of the students I taught last year has already become a doctor I talk about how \~ㄴ/은 is used to describe an upcoming noun in [this Korean Sign Explanation video] ## \~는 것 Future Tense (\~ㄹ/을 것) You can also describe nouns with verbs in the future tense to make nouns like: - The place I will go - The food I will eat - The student I will teach To do this, instead of adding \~는 to the stem of a verb, you must add \~ㄹ/을. You must add \~을 to stems ending in a consonant (먹다 = 먹을) and \~ㄹ should be added directly to stems ending in a vowel (가다 = 갈): - 내가 갈 곳 = The place I will go - 내가 먹을 음식 = The food I will eat - 내가 가르칠 학생 = The student I will teach Many more examples: - 제가 갈 곳은 제주도예요 = The place I will go is Jeju-do - 저는 할 일이 있어요 = I have something/work to do - 저는 그 사람이 저에게 줄 선물을 받고 싶지 않아요 = I don’t want to accept the gift that that person will give me - 제가 받을 점수는 중요해요 = The score I will receive is important In [Lesson 9](../unit-1/09-conjugate-이다.md), you learned how to create a future tense conjugation by attaching \~ㄹ/을 것이다 to words. For example, in Lesson 9, you saw this sentence: - 저는 밥을 먹을 것이에요 = I will eat rice If you look closely, the grammar being used in this type of sentence is the same as the grammar that I am presenting in this lesson. If you look at the two examples below: - 저는 밥을 먹을 것이에요 = I will eat rice - 제가 받을 점수는 중요해요 = The score I will receive is important In both of the sentences above, the \~을 attached to the verb is performing the same function - in that it is describing the upcoming noun. Remember, “것” is a noun, and in the first sentence above, “것” is being described by the word before it (먹다). For example, look how “것” is being described in the first example:: - 밥을 먹을 것 = A thing that will eat rice In theory, the full sentence (저는 밥을 먹을 것이에요 ) could translate to “I am a thing that will eat rice.” However, it would never be translated like that because when \~ㄹ/을 것이다 is used at the end of a sentence, it is usually done to create the future tense conjugation that would translate to “one will do…” This isn’t imperative to your understanding, but it is good to recognize that \~ㄹ/을 has the same function in both of these types of sentences - which is describing the noun in-front of it. There are many instances of a Korean grammatical principle having different English translations depending on the type of sentence it is used in. There might be one thing in Korean that represents many meanings in English, and there might be one thing in English that represents many meanings in Korean. Try to step out of the “English box” and understand that two vastly different languages will have very little similarities. …Anyways… …. All of this brings me to the last point of this lesson: ## So What’s the Point?: \~는 것 The name for everything you learned in this lesson is “\~는 것” (or \~ㄴ 것 for past tense and \~ㄹ 것 for future tense). So far, I have shown you many examples of other nouns in place of “것”: - 제가 먹는 음식 = The food I eat - 제가 먹은 음식 = The food I ate - 제가 먹을 음식 = The food I will eat --- - 제가 가르치는 학생 = the student I teach - 제가 가르친 학생 = the student I taught - 제가 가르칠 학생 = the student I will teach --- - 제가 가는 날에 = the day I go - 제가 간 날에 = the day I went - 제가 갈 날에 = the day I will go Question: - So why is the grammar concept called “\~는 것”? Answer: (This answer is ridiculously important) - If you ever want to change a sentence (or any part of a sentence) into a noun, you must do so by adding \~는 것 to the clause. … which leads to the next question: Question: - Why on earth would I want to change a sentence into a noun? Answer: - Look at the following example: You know this already: - 저는 사과를 원해요 = I want apples Very simple sentence. Subject - object - verb, But what if you wanted to say the following: - I want my friend to bring apples. The structure is actually identical in the two sentences: - I want apples - I want my friend to bring apples In both cases, I will put the thing that you want in brackets: - I want (apples) - I want (my friend to bring apples) In Korean: - 저는 (apples)를 원해요 - 저는 (my friend to bring apples)를 원해요 The first one is easy, you already know: - 저는 사과를 원해요 But the second one? How would I say this in Korean?: - 저는 (my friend to bring apples)를 원하다 How can you say “my friend brings apples” in Korean? - 친구는 사과를 가져와요 = My friend brings apples But! You need to change that sentence to a noun. THIS is the situation when you will need to change clauses/sentences to nouns. Lets change that sentence into a noun: - 친구가 사과를 가져오는 것 This is very hard to translate into English. 것 means “thing.” The rest of it is an adjective describing that “thing.” If I had to translate it, I would say “the thing of my friend bringing apples.”.. but, again, it cannot really be translated. So, if we look at our sentences again: - I want (apples) - I want (my friend to bring apples) --- - Apples = 사과 - My friend brings apples (noun form) = 친구가 사과를 가져오는 것 --- - 저는 (apples)를 원해요 - 저는 (my friend to bring apples)를 원해요 --- - 저는 (사과)를 원해요 - 저는 (친구가 사과를 가져오는 것)을 원해요 --- - 저는 사과를 원해요 = I want apples - 저는 친구가 사과를 가져오는 것을 원해요 = I want my friend to bring apples Wow, complicated. Lets look at another example. - I like movies. - 저는 영화를 좋아해요 Simple sentence. Subject - object - verb But what if you wanted to say - “I like making movies,” or - “I like watching movies” Again, I will put the things that you like in brackets: - I like (movies) - I like (making movies) - I like (watching movies) --- - Movies: 영화 - I make movies: 영화를 만들어요 - I watch movies: 영화를 봐요 Into noun form?: - 영화 - 영화를 만드는 것 - 영화를 보는 것 --- - 저는 (movies)를 좋아해요 - 저는 (making movies)를 좋아해요 - 저는 (watching movies)를 좋아해요 --- - 저는 (영화)를 좋아해요 - 저는 (영화를 만드는 것)을 좋아해요 - 저는 (영화를 보는 것)을 좋아해요 --- - 저는 영화를 좋아해요 = I like movies - 저는 영화를 만드는 것을 좋아해요 = I like making movies - 저는 영화를 보는 것을 좋아해요 = I like watching movies I didn’t realize this when I first learned this grammar concept. In almost every sentence you will ever say, you need to put this concept into use - whether you realize it or not. Think about it, how often do you simply say “I want to eat food”? You usually make it more complex by saying: - 나는 그 사람이 먹고 있는 것을 먹고 싶어 = I want to eat what that person is eating - 나는 우리가 지난 번에 같이 먹은 것을 먹고 싶어 = I want to eat what we ate (together) last time - 나는 엄마가 요리하는 것을 먹고 싶어 = I want to eat my mom’s cooking Etc… Or, if you wanted to talk about what your dream is. Before this lesson, you could have said this: - 나의 꿈은 선생님이다 … … but that translates to “My dream is teacher”…. Is that natural? My dream is teacher? Instead, it would sound more natural if you said: - 나의 꿈은 선생님이 되는 것이다 = My dream is becoming a teacher Below are many more examples of a verb (with a clause before it) describing a noun being used in sentences. The following sentences specifically use the vocabulary that is introduced at the beginning of this lesson. In addition, these sentences are slightly more complex than the simple sentences I have used to describe the \~는 것 concept up until this point. - 우리 학교의 목적은 국제고등학교가 되는 것이다 = Our school’s goal is becoming an international school - 소금을 많이 먹는 것은 건강에 안 좋아요 = It is not healthy to eat a lot of salt - 담배를 피우는 것은 건강에 나빠요 = It is unhealthy to smoke cigarettes - 저의 목적은 그 시험을 합격하는 것이에요 = My goal is to pass that exam - 이 문제를 극복하는 것이 힘들 거예요 = It will be difficult to overcome this problem - 모자를 쓴 학생을 알아보는 것이 어려워요 = It is difficult to recognize students wearing hats - 네가 지금 말하는 것이 틀려 = (the thing that) What you are saying now is incorrect - 친구가 머리를 깎은 것을 알아보지 못했어요 = I couldn’t recognize that my friend cut his hair - 복도에서 달리는 것은 위험해요 = It is dangerous to run in the hallway - 병원에서 넘어져서 팔을 다친 아줌마가 약을 무료로 받았어요 = The woman who fell in the hospital and broke her arm received free medicine ————————- Just one more quick note specifically about translating from English to Korean or vice-versa. Translations are often ambiguous from English to Korean, so you don’t need to worry about this too much. When you use \~는 것 to describe an upcoming noun, the translation is often “who,” “that,” or “where.” For example: - 걷는 여자 - The girl **who** walks - The girl **that** walks - 내가 간 곳 - The place **where** I went - The place **that** I went This type of translation is also appropriate when describing a “thing.” For example: - 내가 먹는 것은 밥이야 - The thing **that** I (am) eat(ing) is rice - 내가 가장 원하는 것은 차야 - The thing **that** I want most is a car However, when using \~는 것 to change a clause into a noun so that you can do something with that noun in a sentence, the translation of “to” or “\~ing” is usually more appropriate. For example: - 저는 친구가 사과를 가져오는 것을 원해요 - I want my friend **to** bring apples - 나의 꿈은 선생님이 되는 것이다 - My dream is becom**ing** a teacher - My dream is **to** become a teacher - 저는 영화를 보는 것을 좋아해요 - I like watch**ing** movies - I like **to** watch movies In terms of Korean grammar, the purpose of \~는 것 in all of these types of sentences (i.e. whether it is being used to describe a noun or used to turn a clause into a noun) is the same. However, in English these look like entirely different sentences. Again, translations are often confusing and ambiguous. You don’t necessarily need to worry about the different types of English translations. What is more important is that you understand the Korean grammar presented here. ————————- That’s it for this lesson, but in the next 3 - 4 lessons I will be going deeper and deeper into the \~는 것 grammar concept. This first lesson should give you a good first step. _There are 1200 example sentences in Unit 2. All entries are linked to an audio file. You can download all of these files in one package [here](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/audio/)._ [Okay, I got it! Take me to the next lesson!](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit-2-lower-intermediate-korean-grammar/unit-2-lessons-26-33/lesson-27/ "Lesson 27: Using 던/었던 to Describe Past Tense") Or, [Click here for a Workbook to go along with this lesson.](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/workbooks/#Unit22633)