---
vocabulary:
nouns:
- ko: 음식
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-1.mp3
en: food
examples:
- ko: 저는 **음식**을 많이 먹었어요
en: I ate a lot of **food**
- ko: "**음식**이 많아요"
en: There is a lot of **food**
- ko: 저는 항상 저녁에 **음식**을 먹어요
en: I always eat **food** in the evening
- ko: 요즘에 사람들이 매운 **음식**을 먹지 않아요
en: These days, people don't eat spicy **food**
- ko: 저는 한국 **음식**이 그리워요
en: I miss Korean **food**
- ko: 저는 **음식**이 만족스러웠어요
en: I was satisfied with the **food**
- ko: 저는 내일부터 건강한 **음식**만 먹을 거예요
en: From tomorrow, I am going to eat only healthy **food**
- ko: 대부분 사람들은 이런 **음식**을 좋아해요
en: Most people like this kind of **food**
- ko: 케이크
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-2.mp3
en: cake
notes: Literally the English pronunciation of "cake" spelled out in Korean
examples:
- ko: 저는 생일에 **케이크**를 먹고 싶어요
en: I want to eat **cake** on my birthday
- ko: 저는 저 **케이크**를 먹고 싶어요
en: I want to eat that **cake**
- ko: 이 **케이크**를 만든 사람은 진짜 잘 만들었어요
en: the person who made this **cake** made it really well
- ko: "**케이크**를 만들 때 쿠키도 만들 거예요"
en: When I make a **cake**, I will also make cookies
- ko: 공항
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-3.mp3
en: airport
examples:
- ko: 저는 인천**공항**에서 출발했어요
en: I departed from Incheon **airport**
- ko: 저는 어제 **공항**에 처음 갔어요
en: I went to the **airport** for the first time yesterday
- ko: 병원
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-4.mp3
en: hospital
notes: |
In English, I would only go to the "hospital" if I was really sick, and I would "go to the doctor" if I had some minor illness. In Korean, they go to the hospital for minor and major problems. This is because even small doctors' offices are referred to as a "병원." If you are really sick, you would probably need to go to a "대학병원."
examples:
- ko: 저는 아파서 **병원**에 갈 거예요
en: I'm going to the **hospital** because I am sick
- ko: 저는 저의 친구를 **병원**에서 봤어요
en: I saw my friend at the **hospital**
- ko: 저는 먼 **병원**에 갔어요
en: I went to a far away **hospital** (a hospital that is far away)
- ko: "엄마가 어디에 있어요? **병원**에 갔어요?"
en: Where is mom? Did she go to the **hospital**?
- ko: 공원
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-5.mp3
en: park
examples:
- ko: 친구들이랑 **공원**에서 놀았어요
en: I played in the **park** with friends
- ko: 저는 남편을 **공원**에서 만날 거예요
en: I will meet my husband at the **park**
- ko: 저는 아버지랑 **공원**에 갈 거예요
en: I will go to the **park** with my dad
- ko: 저는 내일 **공원**에 갈 거예요
en: I am going to the **park** tomorrow
- ko: 나는 **공원**에서 친구를 만났어
en: I met a friend at the **park**
- ko: 우리는 **공원**에서(/을) 산책했어요
en: We went for a walk in the **park**
- ko: 이 장소는 **공원**이 될 것이다
en: This place will become a **park**
- ko: 일요일이어서 저는 **공원**에 가고 싶어요
en: It is Sunday, so I want to go to the **park**
- ko: 한국어
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-6.mp3
en: Korean (language)
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "한구거"
"한국말" is a colloquial way to refer to the Korean language.
examples:
- ko: 저는 **한국어**로 말했어요
en: I spoke in **Korean**
- ko: 저는 내일 **한국어**를 공부하겠어요
en: I will study **Korean** tomorrow.
- ko: 저는 두 달 동안 **한국어** 수업을 들었어요
en: I took a **Korean** class for two months
- ko: 저는 10년 동안 **한국어**를 공부했어요
en: I studied **Korean** for 10 years
- ko: 저는 **한국어**를 한국에서 배웠어요
en: I learned **Korean** in Korea
- ko: 나는 학생들한테 **한국어**를 가르쳤어
en: I taught **Korean** to the students
- ko: "언제부터 **한국어**를 공부했어요?"
en: Since when have you been studying **Korean**?
- ko: "**한국어**를 얼마나 자주 공부해요?"
en: How often do you study **Korean**?
- ko: 머리
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-7.mp3
en: head
notes: |
This is used to refer to one's head or the hair on one's head. For example, if you get a haircut, you can say "머리를 잘랐어요." Note that this does not mean "I cut my head." To specifically refer to the hair on your head, you can use "머리카락"
examples:
- ko: "**머리**가 아파서 학교에 못 가요"
en: I can't go to school because my **head** hurts
- ko: 저는 **머리**를 긁었어요
en: I scratched my **head**
- ko: "**머리**를 감을 때마다 눈이 아파요"
en: Every time I wash my **hair**, my eyes hurt
- ko: 여자의 **머리** 색깔은 자연스러워요
en: That girl's **hair** color is natural
- ko: 친구가 **머리**를 깎은 것을 알아보지 못했어요
en: I couldn't recognize that my friend cut his **hair**
- ko: 저의 **머리**카락을 꼬지 말아 달라고 했어요
en: I told her to please stop twisting my **hair**
- ko: 다리
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-8.mp3
en: leg
examples:
- ko: "**다리**가 길었으면 좋겠어요"
en: I wish my **legs** were long
- ko: "**다리**에 있는 문신을 포함하면 저는 문신 네 개가 있어요"
en: If you include the tattoo on my **leg**, I have four tattoos
- ko: 제가 스트레칭을 안 하고 바로 운동을 하다가 갑자기 **다리**에 쥐가 났어요
en: I suddenly got a cramp in my **leg** while exercising because I didn't stretch and exercised right away
- ko: 손가락
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-9.mp3
en: finger
notes: The pronunciation of this word is closer to "손까락"
examples:
- ko: 저의 **손가락**은 길어요
en: My **finger** is long
- ko: "**손가락**으로 버튼을 눌렀어요"
en: I pressed the button with my **finger**
- ko: 제가 어렸을 때 자꾸 **손가락**을 빠는 버릇이 있어서 엄마에게 많이 혼났어요
en: When I was young, I had the habit of sucking my **fingers** so my mom was mad at me a lot
- ko: 귀
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-10.mp3
en: ear
examples:
- ko: 토끼는 큰 **귀**가 있어요
en: Rabbits have big **ears**
- ko: 저는 그녀의 **귀**에 속삭였어요
en: I whispered into her **ear**
- ko: 너무 시끄러워서 **귀**를 막았어요
en: It was so loud so I covered my **ears**
- ko: 팔
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-11.mp3
en: arm
examples:
- ko: "**팔**이 아파요"
en: My **arm** is sore
- ko: "**팔**에 문신이 있어요"
en: I have a tattoo on my **arm**
- ko: 저는 **팔**을 창문 너머로 내밀었어요
en: I stuck my **arm** through the window
- ko: 어제 운동을 해서 오늘 저의 **팔**이 아파요
en: My **arms** are sore because I exercised yesterday
- ko: 병원에서 넘어져서 **팔**을 다친 아줌마가 약을 무료로 받았어요
en: The older lady who fell in the hospital and hurt her **arm** received free medicine
- ko: 눈
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-12.mp3
en: eye
examples:
- ko: "**눈**을 뜰 수 없어요"
en: I can't open my **eyes**
- ko: 저 남자의 **눈**이 진짜 파래요
en: That man's **eyes** are really blue
- ko: 오늘 너무 피곤해서 **눈**이 자꾸 감겨요
en: My **eyes** keep shutting because I'm so tired
- ko: 너에 있어서 내가 가장 좋아하는 것은 너의 **눈**이야
en: My favorite part about you is your **eyes**
- ko: 입
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-13.mp3
en: mouth, lips
examples:
- ko: 저는 저의 여자 친구의 **입**에 키스했어요
en: I kissed my girlfriend on the **lips**
- ko: 고무를 **입**에 넣어서는 안 돼요
en: You shouldn't put rubber in your **mouth**
- ko: 음식을 **입**에 넣은 채 말해서는 안 돼요
en: You shouldn't talk with food in your **mouth**
- ko: 마취를 했지만 **입**에 아직 감각이 있어요
en: I received anesthetic, but there is still feeling in my **mouth**
- ko: 배
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-14.mp3
en: stomach
notes: This word is used for the general area of your abdomen. Medically, the stomach is referred to as "위."
examples:
- ko: "**배**가 아파요"
en: My stomach is **sore**
- ko: "**배**가 너무 아파서 일할 수 없어요"
en: I can't work because my **stomach** hurts
- ko: 밥을 너무 많이 먹어서 **배**가 터질 것 같아요
en: My **stomach** might explode because I ate too much
- ko: 버스
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-15.mp3
en: bus
examples:
- ko: 저는 서울역에서 **버스**를 탔어요
en: I got on the **bus** at Seoul station
- ko: 다음 **버스**는 저 정류장에서 출발할 거예요
en: The next **bus** will depart from that stop
- ko: 택시는 **버스**보다 더 빨라요
en: The taxi is quicker than the **bus**
- ko: 이 **버스**는 10분마다 와요
en: This **bus** comes each/every 10 minutes
- ko: 우리는 이미 **버스**를 놓쳤을 것 같아요
en: We probably already missed the **bus**
- ko: "**버스**운전사는 승객들을 버스에 서울역에서 태웠어요"
en: The **bus** driver took on riders at Seoul Station
- ko: 배
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-14.mp3
en: boat
examples:
- ko: 저는 제주도에 **배**로 갔어요
en: I went to Jeju by **boat**
- ko: "**배**가 선착장에 아직 도착하지 않았어요"
en: The **boat** hasn't arrived at the wharf yet
- ko: "**배**가 많이 흔들거려서 멀미가 났어요"
en: The **boat** rocked a lot so I was seasick
- ko: 우리
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Lesson-3-v1.mp3
en: us/we
examples:
- ko: "**우리**는 어제 서울에 갔어요"
en: "**We** went to Seoul yesterday"
- ko: 저는 **우리** 집을 나무로 지었어요
en: I built **our** house out of wood
- ko: "**우리는** 야구를 1시에 할 거예요"
en: "**We** will play baseball at 1:00"
- ko: "**우리는** 7시 20분에 시작할 거예요"
en: "**We** will start at 7:20"
- ko: "**우리** 둘째 아들은 고등학생이에요"
en: "**Our** second son is a high school student"
- ko: "**우리** 셋째 아이는 야구를 좋아해요"
en: "**Our** third child likes baseball"
- ko: "**우리가** 지난 번에 계획이 없었어요"
en: "**We** didn't have plans last time"
- ko: "**우리는** 지난 번에 돼지고기를 먹었어요"
en: "**We** ate pork last time"
- ko: "**우리는** 6일 동안 만나지 않았어요"
en: "**We** didn't meet for 6 days"
verbs:
- ko: 먹다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-17.mp3
en: to eat
notes: |
The formal version of this word is 들다 (usually said as 드시다)
An even more formal version of this word is 잡수시다
~아/어: 먹어, ~ㄴ/은: 먹은, ~ㄴ/는다: 먹는다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 먹습니다, ~ㄹ/을: 먹을, ~니: 먹으니, ~ㅁ/음: 먹음, ~(으)려고: 먹으려고, ~(으)시: 먹으시, ~(으)면: 먹으면, ~(으)니: 먹으니
examples:
- ko: "밥을 **먹었어요**?"
en: Have you **eaten**?
- ko: 저는 아침식사로 밥을 **먹었어요**
en: I **ate** rice for breakfast
- ko: 저는 보통 점심식사로 과일만 **먹어요**
en: I usually only **eat** fruit for lunch
- ko: 저는 밥을 많이 **먹었어요**
en: I **ate** a lot of rice
- ko: 저는 햄버거 두 개를 **먹었어요**
en: I **ate** two hamburgers
- ko: 저는 어제 고기를 두 번 **먹었어요**
en: I **ate** meat twice yesterday
- ko: 나는 5시에 **먹을** **거야**
en: I will **eat** at 5:00
- ko: 저는 사흘 동안 밥을 안 **먹었어요**
en: I didn't **eat** rice for 3 days
- ko: 저는 2주일 동안 한식을 안 **먹었어요**
en: I didn't **eat** Korean food for two weeks
- ko: 가다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-18.mp3
en: to go
notes: |
~아/어: 가, ~ㄴ/은: 간, ~ㄴ/는다: 간다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 갑니다, ~ㄹ/을: 갈, ~니: 가니, ~ㅁ/음: 감, ~(으)려고: 가려고, ~(으)시: 가시, ~(으)면: 가면, ~(으)니: 가니
examples:
- ko: 저는 내일 학교에 **갈** **거예요**
en: Tomorrow I **will go** to school
- ko: 저의 친구는 저 쪽으로 **갔어요**
en: My friend **went** that way
- ko: 저는 학교에 **가**서 공부할 거예요
en: I will **go** to school and then study
- ko: 빨리 집에 **가**서 쉬세요!
en: "**Go** home quickly and rest!"
- ko: 저는 캐나다에 **가**고 싶어요
en: I want to **go** to Canada
- ko: 어디 **가**고 싶어요?
en: Where do you want to **go**?
- ko: 어디까지 **가**고 싶어요?
en: How far/until when do you want to **go**?
- ko: 친구는 학교에 **가**고 있어요
en: My friend is **going** to school
- ko: 공부하러 학교에 **가**고 있어요
en: I'm **going** to school to study
- ko: "엄마가 어디에 있어요? 병원에 **갔어요**?"
en: Where is mom? Did she **go** to the hospital?
- ko: 엄마가 **갔**을 때 저는 울었어요
en: When mom **left**, I cried
- ko: 선생님은 학생들과 박물관에 **갔다**
en: The teacher **went** to the museum with the students
- ko: 만나다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-19.mp3
en: to meet
notes: |
~아/어: 만나, ~ㄴ/은: 만난, ~ㄴ/는다: 만난다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 만납니다, ~ㄹ/을: 만날, ~니: 만나니, ~ㅁ/음: 만남, ~(으)려고: 만나려고, ~(으)시: 만나시, ~(으)면: 만나면, ~(으)니: 만나니
examples:
- ko: 저는 어제 친구를 **만났어요**
en: I **met** a friend yesterday
- ko: 저는 내일 사람 두 명을 **만날** **거예요**
en: I will **meet** two people tomorrow
- ko: 저는 내일 사람 두 명 더 **만날** **거예요**
en: I will **meet** two more people tomorrow
- ko: 그 사람을 **만나**고 싶습니까?
en: Do you want to **meet** that person?
- ko: 그 여자를 **만난** 적이 없어요
en: I have never **met** that girl/I haven't met that girl
- ko: 선생님은 내일 학생들을 **만날** 거예요
en: The teacher will **meet** the students tomorrow
- ko: 저는 남편을 공원에서 **만날** 거예요
en: I will **meet** my husband at the park
- ko: 우리는 며칠 전에 **만났어요**
en: We **met** a few days ago
- ko: "우리가 마지막으로 언제 **만났지**?"
en: When was the last time that we **met**?
- ko: 닫다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-20.mp3
en: to close
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "닫따"
~아/어: 닫아, ~ㄴ/은: 닫은, ~ㄴ/는다: 닫는다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 닫습니다, ~ㄹ/을: 닫을, ~니: 닫으니, ~ㅁ/음: 닫음, ~(으)려고: 닫으려고, ~(으)시: 닫으시, ~(으)면: 닫으면, ~(으)니: 닫으니
examples:
- ko: 저는 **문**을 닫았어요
en: I **closed** the door
- ko: 너무 추워서 문을 **닫았어요**
en: I **closed** the door because it is too cold
- ko: 문을 **닫아**야 돼요
en: You have to **close** the door
- ko: "이 가게는 몇 시에 **닫아요**?"
en: What time does this store **close**?
- ko: 밖이 갑자기 어두워지고 저는 겁이 나서 커튼을 **닫아** 놓았어요
en: Outside got dark all of a sudden, and I was scared so I **closed** the curtains
- ko: 열다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-21.mp3
en: to open
notes: |
열다 can be used to open up something that can also be closed – like a door or a window. For example:
- 저는 창문을 열었어요 = I opened the window
- 저는 아줌마를 위해 문을 열었어요 = I opened the door for an older lady
- 너무 더워서 창문을 열었어요 = I opened a window because it is too hot
It is also commonly used to indicate that one "holds" an event where many people will gather. For example:
- 그 친구가 미국에 가기 전에 송별회를 열 거예요 = We will hold a going away party for that friend before he goes to America
- 우리는 다음 주에 그 문제에 대한 회의를 열 거예요 = We are going to hold a meeting next week about that problem
~아/어: 열어, ~ㄴ/은: 연, ~ㄴ/는다: 연다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 엽니다, ~ㄹ/을: 열, ~니: 여니, ~ㅁ/음: 엶, ~(으)려고: 열려고, ~(으)시: 여시, ~(으)면: 열면, ~(으)니: 여니
examples:
- ko: 저는 창문을 **열었어요**
en: I **opened** the window
- ko: 저는 아줌마를 위해 문을 **열었어요**
en: I **opened** the door for an older lady
- ko: 너무 더워서 창문을 **열었어요**
en: I **opened** a window because it is too hot
- ko: 그 친구가 미국에 가기 전에 송별회를 **열** 거예요
en: We will **hold** a going away party for that friend before he goes to America
- ko: 우리는 다음 주에 그 문제에 대한 회의를 **열** 거예요
en: We are going to **hold** a meeting next week about that problem
- ko: 원하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-22.mp3
en: to want (an object)
notes: |
This word can only be used to say that you want a noun. You cannot say that you want to do a verb using 원하다. In order to say "I want to do…" see Lesson 17.
~해: 원해, ~ㄴ/은: 원한, ~ㄴ/는다: 원한다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 원합니다, ~ㄹ/을: 원할, ~니: 원하니, ~ㅁ/음: 원함, ~(으)려고: 원하려고, ~(으)시: 원하시, ~(으)면: 원하면, ~(으)니: 원하니
examples:
- ko: 저는 더 큰 집을 **원해요**
en: I **want** a bigger house
- ko: 저는 그 책을 **원해요**
en: I **want** that book
- ko: "어떤 종류의 차를 **원해요**?"
en: What type of car do you **want**?
- ko: 저의 여자 친구는 제가 사과를 가져오는 것을 원해요
en: My girlfriend **wants** me to bring apples
- ko: 만들다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-23.mp3
en: to make
notes: |
~아/어: 만들어, ~ㄴ/은: 만든, ~ㄴ/는다: 만든다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 만듭니다, ~ㄹ/을: 만들, ~니: 만드니, ~ㅁ/음: 만듦, ~(으)려고: 만들려고, ~(으)시: 만드시, ~(으)면: 만들면, ~(으)니: 만드니
examples:
- ko: 그것을 어떻게 **만들었어요**?
en: How did you **make** that?
- ko: 저는 그것을 손으로 **만들었어요**
en: I **built** that with my hands
- ko: 저는 친구를 위해 빵을 **만들었어요**
en: I **made** bread for my friend
- ko: 누가 피자를 **만들었어**?
en: Who **made** the pizza?
- ko: 이것을 **만들어** 주세요
en: Please, **make** this for me
- ko: 케이크를 만들 때 쿠키도 **만들** 거예요
en: When I make a cake, I will also **make** cookies
- ko: 그 단어로 완벽한 문장을 **만들어** 주세요
en: "**Make** a perfect/complete sentence using that word, please"
- ko: 하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-24.mp3
en: to do
notes: |
Attaching 하다 to nouns (usually of Chinese origin) changes that noun into a verb. For example:
- 요리 = cooking → 요리하다 = to cook
- 결혼 = marriage → 결혼하다 = to marry
- 말 = speech/speaking/words → 말하다 = to speak
~해: 해, ~ㄴ/은: 한, ~ㄴ/는다: 한다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 합니다, ~ㄹ/을: 할, ~니: 하니, ~ㅁ/음: 함, ~(으)려고: 하려고, ~(으)시: 하시, ~(으)면: 하면, ~(으)니: 하니
examples:
- ko: 그것을 언제 **했어요**?
en: When did you **do** that?
- ko: 저는 그것을 지금 **하고** 있어요
en: I am **doing** that now
- ko: 저는 그것을 **하고** 싶어요
en: I want to **do** that
- ko: 말하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-25.mp3
en: to speak
notes: |
The noun form of this word "말," translates to speech, or "something that one says."
~해: 말해, ~ㄴ/은: 말한, ~ㄴ/는다: 말한다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 말합니다, ~ㄹ/을: 말할, ~니: 말하니, ~ㅁ/음: 말함, ~(으)려고: 말하려고, ~(으)시: 말하시, ~(으)면: 말하면, ~(으)니: 말하니
examples:
- ko: "뭐라고 **말했어요**?"
en: What did you **say**?
- ko: 그는 한국어를 자연스럽게 **말해요**
en: he **speaks** Korean naturally
- ko: 저는 한국어로 **말했어요**
en: I **spoke** in Korean
- ko: 저는 그 문장을 한국어로 **말했어요**
en: I **said** that sentence (using) in Korean
- ko: 저는 저의 아버지에 대해 **말했어요**
en: I **spoke** about my father
- ko: 아빠는 왜 저렇게 **말하고** 있어요?
en: Why is dad **talking** like that?
- ko: 제가 밥을 먹었을 때 **말하고** 싶지 않았어요
en: When I ate, I didn't want to **talk**
- ko: 그것은 제가 **말하고** 싶었던 것이었어요
en: That was what I had wanted to **say**
- ko: 제 **말**을 이해했어요?
en: Did you understand what I **said** (my **speaking**?)
- ko: 이해하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-26.mp3
en: to understand
notes: |
In order to say that you don't understand, it is common to use:
- 저는 이해가 안 돼요 = I don't understand
- 저는 이해하지 못 하겠어요 = I don't understand
~해: 이해해, ~ㄴ/은: 이해한, ~ㄴ/는다: 이해한다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 이해합니다, ~ㄹ/을: 이해할, ~니: 이해하니, ~ㅁ/음: 이해함, ~(으)려고: 이해하려고, ~(으)시: 이해하시, ~(으)면: 이해하면, ~(으)니: 이해하니
examples:
- ko: 제 말을 **이해했어요**?
en: Did you **understand** what I said (my speaking?)
- ko: 학생들은 그것을 **이해했어요**
en: The students understood that
- ko: 저는 완전히 **이해해요**
en: I completely **understand**
- ko: 그 뜻을 **이해하**려고 책을 두 번 읽었어요
en: In order to **understand** that meaning, I read the book twice
- ko: 그 학생은 물리의 기본도 **이해하**지 못해요
en: That student doesn't even **understand** basic physics
- ko: 좋아하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-27.mp3
en: to like
notes: |
좋다 is an adjective that means "good." 좋아하다 is a verb that means "like." For more information, see Lesson 15.
~해: 좋아해, ~ㄴ/은: 좋아한, ~ㄴ/는다: 좋아한다, ~ㅂ/습니다: 좋아합니다, ~ㄹ/을: 좋아할, ~니: 좋아하니, ~ㅁ/음: 좋아함, ~(으)려고: 좋아하려고, ~(으)시: 좋아하시, ~(으)면: 좋아하면, ~(으)니: 좋아하니
examples:
- ko: 저는 우리 학교를 **좋아해요**
en: I **like** our school
- ko: 저는 그 선생님을 **좋아해요**
en: I **like** that teacher
- ko: 저는 수학을 제일 좋아해요
en: I **like** math most (math is my favorite)
- ko: 아이들은 만화영화를 매우 **좋아해요**
en: Children really **like** animated movies
- ko: 몇몇 사람들은 밥을 **좋아하**지 않아요
en: Some people don't **like** rice
- ko: 학생들은 그 선생님을 특히 **좋아해요**
en: Students especially **like** that teacher
- ko: 제가 가장 **좋아하는** 색깔은 초록색이에요
en: My **favorite** color is green
- ko: 저는 저런 여자를 **좋아하**지 않아요
en: I don't **like** that kind of girl
adjectives:
- ko: 크다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-28.mp3
en: to be big
notes: |
For more information on how to conjugate adjectives, see Lesson 4 and Lesson 5.
크다 follows the ㅡ irregular. See Lesson 7 for more information.
~아/어: 커, ~ㄴ/은: 큰, ~ㅂ/습니다: 큽니다, ~ㄹ/을: 클, ~니: 크니, ~ㅁ/음: 큼, ~(으)려고: 크려고, ~(으)시: 크시, ~(으)면: 크면, ~(으)니: 크니
examples:
- ko: 그 집은 아주 **커요**
en: That house is very **big**
- ko: 저는 남동생보다 키가 더 **커요**
en: I am taller (my height is **bigger**) than my brother
- ko: 작다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-29.mp3
en: to be small
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "작따"
~아/어: 작아, ~ㄴ/은: 작은, ~ㅂ/습니다: 작습니다, ~ㄹ/을: 작을, ~니: 작으니, ~ㅁ/음: 작음, ~(으)려고: 작으려고, ~(으)시: 작으시, ~(으)면: 작으면, ~(으)니: 작으니
examples:
- ko: 저는 **작은** 집에서 살아요
en: I live in a **small** house
- ko: 이것은 너무 작은가요?
en: Is this too **small**?
- ko: 당근을 **작은** 조각으로 자르세요
en: Cut the carrots into **small** pieces, please
- ko: 이 셔츠가 너무 **작아**서 못 입어요
en: I can't put this shirt on because it is too **small**
- ko: 이 바지가 너무 **작아**서 다른 것으로 바꿀 거예요
en: I'm going to change these pants to another (a different) pair because they are too **small**
- ko: 새롭다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-30.mp3
en: to be new
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "새롭따"
새롭다 follows the ㅂ irregular. See Lesson 7 for more information.
~아/어: 새로워, ~ㄴ/은: 새로운, ~ㅂ/습니다: 새롭습니다, ~ㄹ/을: 새로울, ~니: 새로우니, ~ㅁ/음: 새로움, ~(으)려고: 새로우려고, ~(으)시: 새로우시, ~(으)면: 새로우면, ~(으)니: 새로우니
examples:
- ko: 저는 **새로운** 차를 샀어요
en: I bought a **new** car
- ko: 그 병원은 **새로워요**
en: That hospital is **new**
- ko: 저는 **새로운** 차를 사고 싶어요
en: I want to buy a **new** car
- ko: 저는 **새로운** 안경을 샀어요
en: I bought **new** glasses
- ko: 저는 **새로운** 바지를 사야 돼요
en: I need to buy **new** pants
- ko: 우리 회사는 **새로운** 회사원을 찾고 있어요
en: Our company is looking for **new** workers
- ko: "**새로운** 핸드폰을 사고 전화번호를 바꿨어요"
en: After buying a **new** phone, I changed my phone number
- ko: 낡다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-31.mp3
en: to be old (not age)
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "낙따"
This word is not used to describe a person, only an object. Instead, it describes that something is old/worn down. To describe a person you should use 늙다. To describe something that is old (but still nice, like a historical building), you should use 오래되다.
~아/어: 낡아, ~ㄴ/은: 낡은, ~ㅂ/습니다: 낡습니다, ~ㄹ/을: 낡을, ~니: 낡으니, ~ㅁ/음: 낡음, ~(으)려고: 낡으려고, ~(으)시: 낡으시, ~(으)면: 낡으면, ~(으)니: 낡으니
examples:
- ko: 이 학교 건물은 매우 **낡아요**
en: This school's building is very **old**
- ko: 이 집은 너무 **낡아요**
en: This house is very **old**
- ko: 비싸다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-32.mp3
en: to be expensive
notes: |
~아/어: 비싸, ~ㄴ/은: 비싼, ~ㅂ/습니다: 비쌉니다, ~ㄹ/을: 비쌀, ~니: 비싸니, ~ㅁ/음: 비쌈, ~(으)려고: 비싸려고, ~(으)시: 비싸시, ~(으)면: 비싸면, ~(으)니: 비싸니
examples:
- ko: 이것은 너무 **비싸요**
en: This (thing) is too **expensive**
- ko: 집 값은 **비싸지고** 있어
en: House prices are getting **expensive**
- ko: 싸다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-33.mp3
en: to not be expensive, to be cheap
notes: |
~아/어: 싸, ~ㄴ/은: 싼, ~ㅂ/습니다: 쌉니다, ~ㄹ/을: 쌀, ~니: 싸니, ~ㅁ/음: 쌈, ~(으)려고: 싸려고, ~(으)시: 싸시, ~(으)면: 싸면, ~(으)니: 싸니
examples:
- ko: 이 가게는 **싼** 음식을 팔아요
en: this store sells **cheap/inexpensive** food
- ko: 아름답다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-34.mp3
en: to be beautiful
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "아름답따"
아름답다 follows the ㅂ irregular. See Lesson 7 for more information.
~아/어: 아름다워, ~ㄴ/은: 아름다운, ~ㅂ/습니다: 아름답습니다, ~ㄹ/을: 아름다울, ~니: 아름다우니, ~ㅁ/음: 아름다움, ~(으)려고: 아름다우려고, ~(으)시: 아름다우시, ~(으)면: 아름다우면, ~(으)니: 아름다우니
examples:
- ko: 그 여자가 너무 **아름다워요**
en: That girl is very **beautiful**
- ko: 그 선생님은 **아름다워요**
en: That teacher is **beautiful**
- ko: 저의 아내는 **아름답다**
en: My wife is **beautiful**
- ko: 뚱뚱하다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-35.mp3
en: to be fat, to be chubby
notes: |
~해: 뚱뚱해, ~ㄴ/은: 뚱뚱한, ~ㅂ/습니다: 뚱뚱합니다, ~ㄹ/을: 뚱뚱할, ~니: 뚱뚱하니, ~ㅁ/음: 뚱뚱함, ~(으)려고: 뚱뚱하려고, ~(으)시: 뚱뚱하시, ~(으)면: 뚱뚱하면, ~(으)니: 뚱뚱하니
examples:
- ko: 그 사람은 너무 **뚱뚱해요**
en: That person is very **fat**
- ko: 형은 아버지보다 더 **뚱뚱해요**
en: My older brother is **fatter** than my dad
- ko: 길다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-36.mp3
en: to be long
notes: |
길다 follows the ㄹ irregular. See Lesson 7 for more information.
~아/어: 길어, ~ㄴ/은: 긴, ~ㅂ/습니다: 깁니다, ~ㄹ/을: 길, ~니: 기니, ~ㅁ/음: 김, ~(으)려고: 길려고, ~(으)시: 기시, ~(으)면: 길면, ~(으)니: 기니
examples:
- ko: 저 여자의 머리는 **길어요**
en: That girl's hair is **long**
- ko: 저의 손가락은 **길어요**
en: My finger is **long**
- ko: "줄이 왜 이렇게 **길어요**?"
en: Why is the line so **big/long**?
- ko: 한국에서는 겨울 방학이 여름 방학보다 더 **길어요**
en: In Korea, winter vacation is **longer** than summer vacation
- ko: 좋다
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-37.mp3
en: to be good
notes: |
The pronunciation of this word is closer to "조타"
Although this translates to "good," it is often used to say that one "likes" something. The grammar for this is taught in Lesson 15.
~아/어: 좋아, ~ㄴ/은: 좋은, ~ㅂ/습니다: 좋습니다, ~ㄹ/을: 좋을, ~니: 좋으니, ~ㅁ/음: 좋음, ~(으)려고: 좋으려고, ~(으)시: 좋으시, ~(으)면: 좋으면, ~(으)니: 좋으니
examples:
- ko: 우리 학교는 매우 **좋아요**
en: Our school is very **good**
- ko: 저는 우리 학교가 **좋아요**
en: I **like** our school
- ko: 그 선생님은 **좋아요**
en: that teacher is **good**
- ko: 아무 때나 **좋아요**
en: Anytime is **good**
- ko: 날씨가 **좋아서** 산책하는 것은 즐거워요
en: It is pleasant to go to for a walk because the weather is so **good**
adverbs:
- ko: 아주
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-38.mp3
en: very
examples:
- ko: 날씨는 **아주** 더워요
en: The weather is **very** hot
- ko: 매우
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-39.mp3
en: very
examples:
- ko: 이 음식은 **매우** 맛있어요
en: This food is **very** delicious
- ko: 저는 **매우** 빨리 달렸어요
en: I ran **really** quickly
- ko: 우리 집은 지금 **매우** 더러워요
en: Our house is **really** dirty right now
- ko: 화학은 **매우** 흥미로워요
en: Chemistry is **very** interesting
- ko: 그 가수는 한국에서 **매우** 유명해요
en: That singer is **very** famous in Korea
- ko: 그 그림은 **매우** 드물어요
en: That painting is **really** rare
- ko: 너무
audio: https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/wLesson-3-40.mp3
en: too (often used to mean 'very')
notes: |
Though 너무 means "too," it has gotten to the point in society where Korean people use "너무" to mean "very" as well (especially with the younger generation). Whereas "too" should indicate a negative meaning, 너무 can indicate both a positive and negative meaning.
For example, saying "이것은 너무 맛있어요" would not translate to "this is too delicious" but instead "this is very/so delicious."
examples:
- ko: 저는 가끔 **너무** 많이 먹어요
en: I eat too much sometimes
- ko: 저는 어제 **너무** 아팠어요
en: I was really sick yesterday
- ko: 한식은 너무 맛있어요
en: Korean food is **very** delicious
- ko: 그 남자가 키가 **너무** 커요
en: That man is **very** tall
- ko: 이 길이 **너무** 좁아서 저는 못 들어가요
en: I can't go onto this road because it is **too** narrow
- ko: 제가 **너무** 부끄러워서 발표를 못해요
en: I can't do presentations (well) because I am **too** shy
- ko: 선생님은 우리를 **너무** 잘 가르치셨어요
en: Our teacher taught us **really** well
- ko: "왜 **너무** 빨리 먹었어요?"
en: Why did you eat **so** fast?
- ko: 이 셔츠가 **너무** 작아서 못 입어요
en: I can't put this shirt on because it is **too** small
---
# Lesson 3: Korean Verbs/Adjectives
## Vocabulary
### Nouns
음식 = food
Common Usages:
- 맛있는 음식 = delicious food
- 음식을 먹다 = to eat food
- 음식점 = restaurant, literally “food place”
Examples:
- 저는 **음식**을 많이 먹었어요 = I ate a lot of **food**
- **음식**이 많아요 = There is a lot of **food**
- 저는 항상 저녁에 **음식**을 먹어요 = I always eat **food** in the evening
- 요즘에 사람들이 매운 **음식**을 먹지 않아요 = These days, people don’t eat spicy **food**
- 저는 한국 **음식**이 그리워요 = I miss Korean **food**
- 저는 **음식**이 만족스러웠어요 = I was satisfied with the **food**
- 저는 내일부터 건강한 **음식**만 먹을 거예요 = From tomorrow, I am going to eat only healthy **food**
- 대부분 사람들은 이런 **음식**을 좋아해요 = Most people like this kind of **food**
케이크 = cake
Notes:
Literally the English pronunciation of “cake” spelled out in Korean
Example:
- 저는 생일에 **케이크**를 먹고 싶어요 = I want to eat **cake** on my birthday
- 저는 저 **케이크**를 먹고 싶어요 = I want to eat that **cake**
- 이 **케이크**를 만든 사람은 진짜 잘 만들었어요 = the person who made this **cake** made it really well
- **케이크**를 만들 때 쿠키도 만들 거예요 = When I make a **cake**, I will also make cookies
공항 = airport
Common Usages:
- 인천국제공항 = Incheon International Airport
- 공항버스 = Airport bus
- 공항철도 = Airport railroad
Examples:
- 저는 인천**공항**에서 출발했어요 = I departed from Incheon **airport**
- 저는 어제 **공항**에 처음 갔어요 = I went to the **airport** for the first time yesterday
병원 = hospital
Notes:
In English, I would only go to the “hospital” if I was really sick, and I would “go to the doctor” if I had some minor illness. In Korean, they go to the hospital for minor and major problems. This is because even small doctors’ offices are referred to as a “병원.” If you are really sick, you would probably need to go to a “대학병원.”
Common Usages:
- 병원비 = hospital bills
- 대학병원 = university hospital
- 동물병원 = animal hospital (vet)
- 병원에 입원하다 = to be admitted to a hospital
- 병원에서 퇴원하다 = to finish treatment and leave a hospital
Examples:
- 저는 아파서 **병원**에 갈 거예요 = I’m going to the **hospital** because I am sick
- 저는 저의 친구를 **병원**에서 봤어요 = I saw my friend at the **hospital**
- 저는 먼 **병원**에 갔어요 = I went to a far away **hospital** (a hospital that is far away)
- 엄마가 어디에 있어요? **병원**에 갔어요? = Where is mom? Did she go to the **hospital**?
공원 = park
Common Usages:
- 놀이공원 = amusement park
- 국립공원 = national park
Examples:
- 친구들이랑 **공원**에서 놀았어요 = I played in the **park** with friends
- 저는 남편을 **공원**에서 만날 거예요 = I will meet my husband at the **park**
- 저는 아버지랑 **공원**에 갈 거예요 = I will go to the **park** with my dad
- 저는 내일 **공원**에 갈 거예요 = I am going to the **park** tomorrow
- 나는 **공원**에서 친구를 만났어 = I met a friend at the **park**
- 우리는 **공원**에서(/을) 산책했어요 = We went for a walk in the **park**
- 이 장소는 **공원**이 될 것이다 = This place will become a **park**
- 일요일이어서 저는 **공원**에 가고 싶어요 = It is Sunday, so I want to go to the **park**
한국어 = Korean (language)
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “한구거”
Common Usages:
- 한국어로 말하다 = to speak in Korean
- 한국어를 배우다 = to learn Korean
- 한국어를 공부하다 = to study Korean
Notes:
“한국말” is a colloquial way to refer to the Korean language.
Examples:
- 저는 **한국어**로 말했어요 = I spoke in **Korean**
- 저는 내일 **한국어**를 공부하겠어요 = I will study **Korean** tomorrow.
- 저는 두 달 동안 **한국어** 수업을 들었어요 = I took a **Korean** class for two months
- 저는 10년 동안 **한국어**를 공부했어요 = I studied **Korean** for 10 years
- 저는 **한국어**를 한국에서 배웠어요 = I learned **Korean** in Korea
- 나는 학생들한테 **한국어**를 가르쳤어 = I taught **Korean** to the students
- 언제부터 **한국어**를 공부했어요? = Since when have you been studying **Korean**?
- **한국어**를 얼마나 자주 공부해요? = How often do you study **Korean**?
머리 = head
Common Usages:
- 머리카락 = hair
- 머리띠 = hairband
- 머리핀 = hairpin
- 머리뼈 = skull
- 머리가 아프다 = to have a headache
- 머리를 감다 = to wash one’s hair
- 머리를 묶다 = to tie up one’s hair
Notes:
This is used to refer to one’s head or the hair on one’s head. For example, if you get a haircut, you can say “머리를 잘랐어요.” Note that this does _not_ mean “I cut my head.” To specifically refer to the hair on your head, you can use “머리카락”
Examples:
- **머리**가 아파서 학교에 못 가요 = I can’t go to school because my **head** hurts
- 저는 **머리**를 긁었어요 = I scratched my **head**
- **머리**를 감을 때마다 눈이 아파요 = Every time I wash my **hair**, my eyes hurt
- 여자의 **머리** 색깔은 자연스러워요 = That girl’s **hair** color is natural
- 친구가 **머리**를 깎은 것을 알아보지 못했어요 = I couldn’t recognize that my friend cut his **hair**
- 저의 **머리**카락을 꼬지 말아 달라고 했어요 = I told her to please stop twisting my **hair**
다리 = leg
Common Usages:
- 앞다리 = an animal’s front legs
- 뒷다리 = an animal’s back (hind) legs
- 양다리 = a way to refer to a person who has two girlfriends or boyfriends
- 양반다리를 하다 = to cross one’s legs
- 다리가 후들거리다 = for one’s legs to shake
Example:
- **다리**가 길었으면 좋겠어요 = I wish my **legs** were long
- **다리**에 있는 문신을 포함하면 저는 문신 네 개가 있어요
- If you include the tattoo on my **leg**, I have four tattoos
- 제가 스트레칭을 안 하고 바로 운동을 하다가 갑자기 **다리**에 쥐가 났어요
- I suddenly got a cramp in my **leg** while exercising because I didn’t stretch and exercised right away
손가락 = finger
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “손까락”
Common Usages:
- 엄지손가락 = thumb
- 새끼손가락 = pinky finger
- 손가락을 베다 = to cut one’s finger
Examples:
- 저의 **손가락**은 길어요 = My **finger** is long
- **손가락**으로 버튼을 눌렀어요 = I pressed the button with my **finger**
- 제가 어렸을 때 자꾸 **손가락**을 빠는 버릇이 있어서 엄마에게 많이 혼났어요
- When I was young, I had the habit of sucking my **fingers** so my mom was mad at me a lot
귀 = ear
Common Usages:
- 귓밥 = slang for “earwax”
- 귀걸이 = earring
- 귀를 막다 = to cover/block one’s ears
Example:
- 토끼는 큰 **귀**가 있어요 = Rabbits have big **ears**
- 저는 그녀의 **귀**에 속삭였어요 = I whispered into her **ear**
- 너무 시끄러워서 **귀**를 막았어요 = It was so loud so I covered my **ears**
팔 = arm
Common Usages:
- 반팔 = short sleeve shirt
- 긴팔 = long sleeve shirt
- 팔꿈치 = elbow
Examples:
- **팔**이 아파요 = My **arm** is sore
- **팔**에 문신이 있어요 = I have a tattoo on my **arm**
- 저는 **팔**을 창문 너머로 내밀었어요 = I stuck my **arm** through the window
- 어제 운동을 해서 오늘 저의 **팔**이 아파요 = My **arms** are sore because I exercised yesterday
- 병원에서 넘어져서 **팔**을 다친 아줌마가 약을 무료로 받았어요 = The older lady who fell in the hospital and hurt her **arm** received free medicine
눈 = eye
Common Usages:
- 눈물 = tear (literally “eye water”)
- 눈동자 = pupil
- 눈썹 = eyebrow
- 속눈썹 = eyelashes
- 눈병 = some sort of eye disease
- 눈이 맵다 = the feeling of one’s eyes burning (usually when cutting onions)
- 인공눈물 = artificial tears (eye drops)
Examples:
- **눈**을 뜰 수 없어요 = I can’t open my **eyes**
- 저 남자의 **눈**이 진짜 파래요 = That man’s **eyes** are really blue
- 오늘 너무 피곤해서 **눈**이 자꾸 감겨요 = My **eyes** keep shutting because I’m so tired
- 너에 있어서 내가 가장 좋아하는 것은 너의 **눈**이야 = My favorite part about you is your **eyes**
입 = mouth, lips
Common Usages:
- 입술 = lips
- 입냄새 = bad breath
- 입가심으로 먹다 = to eat something to freshen your mouth/breath
Example:
- 저는 저의 여자 친구의 **입**에 키스했어요 = I kissed my girlfriend on the **lips**
- 고무를 **입**에 넣어서는 안 돼요 = You shouldn’t put rubber in your **mouth**
- 음식을 **입**에 넣은 채 말해서는 안 돼요 = You shouldn’t talk with food in your **mouth**
- 마취를 했지만 입에 아직 감각이 있어요 = I received anesthetic, but there is still feeling in my **mouth**
배 = stomach
Common Usages:
- 배가 아프다 = for one’s stomach to be sore
- 배가 고프다 = to be hungry
- 배가 부르다 = to be full
Notes:
This word is used for the general area of your abdomen. Medically, the stomach is referred to as “위.”
Examples:
- **배**가 아파요 = My stomach is **sore**
- **배**가 너무 아파서 일할 수 없어요 = I can’t work because my **stomach** hurts
- 밥을 너무 많이 먹어서 **배**가 터질 것 같아요 = My **stomach** might explode because I ate too much
버스 = bus
Common Usages:
- 마을버스 = village bus
- 좌석 버스 = a bus with more seats
- 시외버스 = inter-city bus
- 우등버스 = first class bus
- 버스운전사 / 버스기사 = bus driver
- 버스를 타다 = to ride a bus
- 버스에서 내리다 = to get off a bus
Examples:
- 저는 서울역에서 **버스**를 탔어요 = I got on the **bus** at Seoul station
- 다음 **버스**는 저 정류장에서 출발할 거예요 = The next **bus** will depart from that stop
- 택시는 **버스**보다 더 빨라요 = The taxi is quicker than the **bus**
- 이 **버스**는 10분마다 와요 = This **bus** comes each/every 10 minutes
- 우리는 이미 **버스**를 놓쳤을 것 같아요 = We probably already missed the **bus**
- **버스**운전사는 승객들을 버스에 서울역에서 태웠어요 = The **bus** driver took on riders at Seoul Station
배 = boat
Common Usages:
- 배를 타다 = to take/ride a boat
Example:
- 저는 제주도에 **배**로 갔어요 = I went to Jeju by **boat**
- **배**가 선착장에 아직 도착하지 않았어요 = The **boat** hasn’t arrived at the wharf yet
- **배**가 많이 흔들거려서 멀미가 났어요 = The **boat** rocked a lot so I was seasick
우리 = us/we
Common Usages:
- 우리의 = our (the 의 is often omitted)
- 우리말 = “our language” (Korean people often use this to refer to the Korean language)
- 우리 팀 = our team
- 우리 집 = our house
Examples:
- **우리**는 어제 서울에 갔어요 = **We** went to Seoul yesterday
- 저는 **우리** 집을 나무로 지었어요 = I built **our** house out of wood
- **우리는** 야구를 1시에 할 거예요 = **We** will play baseball at 1:00
- **우리는** 7시 20분에 시작할 거예요 = **We** will start at 7:20
- **우리** 둘째 아들은 고등학생이에요 = **Our** second son is a high school student
- **우리** 셋째 아이는 야구를 좋아해요 = **Our** third child likes baseball
- **우리가** 지난 번에 계획이 없었어요 = **We** didn’t have plans last time
- **우리는** 지난 번에 돼지고기를 먹었어요 = **We** ate pork last time
- **우리는** 6일 동안 만나지 않았어요 = **We** didn’t meet for 6 days
### Verbs
먹다 = to eat
Notes:
- The formal version of this word is 들다 (usually said as 드시다)
- An even more formal version of this word is 잡수시다
Common Usages:
- 밥을 먹다 = to eat rice/food
- 먹기 싫다 = to not want to eat
Examples:
- 밥을 **먹었어요**? = Have you **eaten**?
- 저는 아침식사로 밥을 **먹었어요** = I **ate** rice for breakfast
- 저는 보통 점심식사로 과일만 **먹어요** = I usually only **eat** fruit for lunch
- 저는 밥을 많이 **먹었어요** = I **ate** a lot of rice
- 저는 햄버거 두 개를 **먹었어요** = I **ate** two hamburgers
- 저는 어제 고기를 두 번 **먹었어요** = I **ate** meat twice yesterday
- 나는 5시에 **먹을** **거야** = I will **eat** at 5:00
- 저는 사흘 동안 밥을 안 **먹었어요** = I didn’t **eat** rice for 3 days
- 저는 2주일 동안 한식을 안 **먹었어요** = I didn’t **eat** Korean food for two weeks
가다 = to go
Common Usages:
- 집에 가다 = to go home
- 가야 되다 = to have to go
- 가지 마세요 = don’t go
Examples:
- 저는 내일 학교에 **갈** **거예요** = Tomorrow I **will go** to school
- 저의 친구는 저 쪽으로 **갔어요** = My friend **went** that way
- 저는 학교에 **가**서 공부할 거예요 = I will **go** to school and then study
- 빨리 집에 **가**서 쉬세요! = **Go** home quickly and rest!
- 저는 캐나다에 **가**고 싶어요 = I want to **go** to Canada
- 어디 **가**고 싶어요? = Where do you want to **go**?
- 어디까지 **가**고 싶어요? = How far/until when do you want to **go**?
- 친구는 학교에 **가**고 있어요 = My friend is **going** to school
- 공부하러 학교에 **가**고 있어요 = I’m **going** to school to study
- 엄마가 어디에 있어요? 병원에 **갔어요**? = Where is mom? Did she **go** to the hospital?
- 엄마가 **갔**을 때 저는 울었어요 = When mom **left**, I cried
- 선생님은 학생들과 박물관에 **갔다** = The teacher **went** to the museum with the students
만나다 = to meet
Common Usages:
- 만남 = a meeting
- 친구를 만나다 = to meet a friend
- 만나서 반갑습니다 = nice to meet you
Example:
- 저는 어제 친구를 **만났어요** = I **met** a friend yesterday
- 저는 내일 사람 두 명을 **만날** **거예요** = I will **meet** two people tomorrow
- 저는 내일 사람 두 명 더 **만날** **거예요** = I will **meet** two more people tomorrow
- 그 사람을 **만나**고 싶습니까? = Do you want to **meet** that person?
- 그 여자를 **만난** 적이 없어요 = I have never **met** that girl/I haven’t met that girl
- 선생님은 내일 학생들을 **만날** 거예요 = The teacher will **meet** the students tomorrow
- 저는 남편을 공원에서 **만날** 거예요 = I will **meet** my husband at the park
- 우리는 며칠 전에 **만났어요** = We **met** a few days ago
- 우리가 마지막으로 언제 **만났지**? = When was the last time that we **met**?
닫다 = to close
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “닫따”
Common Usages:
- 문을 닫다 = to close a door
- 창문을 닫다 = to close a window
Examples:
- 저는 **문**을 닫았어요 = I **closed** the door
- 너무 추워서 문을 **닫았어요** = I **closed** the door because it is too cold
- 문을 **닫아**야 돼요 = You have to **close** the door
- 이 가게는 몇 시에 **닫아요**? = What time does this store **close**?
- 밖이 갑자기 어두워지고 저는 겁이 나서 커튼을 **닫아** 놓았어요 = Outside got dark all of a sudden, and I was scared so I **closed** the curtains
열다 = to open
Notes:
열다 can be used to open up something that can also be closed – like a door or a window. For example:
- 저는 창문을 **열었어요** = I **opened** the window
- 저는 아줌마를 위해 문을 **열었어요** = I **opened** the door for an older lady
- 너무 더워서 창문을 **열었어요** = I **opened** a window because it is too hot
It is also commonly used to indicate that one “holds” an event where many people will gather. For example:
- 그 친구가 미국에 가기 전에 송별회를 **열** **거예요** = We will **hold** a going away party for that friend before he goes to America
- 우리는 다음 주에 그 문제에 대한 회의를 **열** **거예요** = We are going to **hold** a meeting next week about that problem
원하다 = to want (an object)
Notes:
This word can only be used to say that you want a noun. You cannot say that you want to do a verb using 원하다. In order to say “I want to do…” see [Lesson 17](./17-connecting-want.md).
Examples:
- 저는 더 큰 집을 **원해요** = I **want** a bigger house
- 저는 그 책을 **원해요** = I **want** that book
- 어떤 종류의 차를 **원해요**? = What type of car do you **want**?
- 저의 여자 친구는 제가 사과를 가져오는 것을 원해요 = My girlfriend **wants** me to bring apples
만들다 = to make
Examples:
- 그것을 어떻게 **만들었어요**? = How did you **make** that?
- 저는 그것을 손으로 **만들었어요** = I **built** that with my hands
- 저는 친구를 위해 빵을 **만들었어요** = I **made** bread for my friend
- 누가 피자를 **만들었어**? = Who **made** the pizza?
- 이것을 **만들어** 주세요 = Please, **make** this for me
- 케이크를 만들 때 쿠키도 **만들** 거예요 = When I make a cake, I will also **make** cookies
- 그 단어로 완벽한 문장을 **만들어** 주세요 = **Make** a perfect/complete sentence using that word, please
하다 = to do
Notes:
Attaching 하다 to nouns (usually of Chinese origin) changes that noun into a verb. For example:
- 요리 = cooking
- 요리하다 = to cook
- 결혼 = marriage
- 결혼하다 = to marry
- 말 = speech/speaking/words
- 말하다 = to speak
Example:
- 그것을 언제 **했어요**? = When did you **do** that?
- 저는 그것을 지금 **하고** 있어요 = I am **doing** that now
- 저는 그것을 **하고** 싶어요 = I want to **do** that
말하다 = to speak
The noun form of this word “말,” translates to speech, or “something that one says.”
Common Usages:
- 할 말이 있다 = to have something to say
Examples:
- 뭐라고 **말했어요**? = What did you **say**?
- 그는 한국어를 자연스럽게 **말해요** = he **speaks** Korean naturally
- 저는 한국어로 **말했어요** = I **spoke** in Korean
- 저는 그 문장을 한국어로 **말했어요** = I **said** that sentence (using) in Korean
- 저는 저의 아버지에 대해 **말했어요** = I **spoke** about my father
- 아빠는 왜 저렇게 **말하고** 있어요? = Why is dad **talking** like that?
- 제가 밥을 먹었을 때 **말하고** 싶지 않았어요 = When I ate, I didn’t want to **talk**
- 그것은 제가 **말하고** 싶었던 것이었어요 = That was what I had wanted to **say**
- 제 **말**을 이해했어요? = Did you understand what I **said** (my **speaking**?)
이해하다 = to understand
Notes:
In order to say that you don’t understand, it is common to use:
- 저는 이해가 안 돼요 = I don’t understand, or
- 저는 이해하지 못 하겠어요 = I don’t understand
Example:
- 제 말을 **이해했어요**? = Did you **understand** what I said (my speaking?)
- 학생들은 그것을 **이해했어요** = The students understood that
- 저는 완전히 **이해해요** = I completely **understand**
- 그 뜻을 **이해하**려고 책을 두 번 읽었어요 = In order to **understand** that meaning, I read the book twice
- 그 학생은 물리의 기본도 **이해하**지 못해요 = That student doesn’t even **understand** basic physics
좋아하다 = to like
Notes:
좋다 is an adjective that means “good.” 좋아하다 is a verb that means “like.” For more information, see [Lesson 15](./15-good-carry-similar.md).
Examples:
- 저는 우리 학교를 **좋아해요** = I **like** our school
- 저는 그 선생님을 **좋아해요** = I **like** that teacher
- 저는 수학을 제일 좋아해요 = I **like** math most (math is my favorite)
- 아이들은 만화영화를 매우 **좋아해요** = Children really **like** animated movies
- 몇몇 사람들은 밥을 **좋아하**지 않아요 = Some people don’t **like** rice
- 학생들은 그 선생님을 특히 **좋아해요** = Students especially **like** that teacher
- 제가 가장 **좋아하는** 색깔은 초록색이에요 = My **favorite** color is green
- 저는 저런 여자를 **좋아하**지 않아요 = I don’t **like** that kind of girl
### Adjectives
크다 = to be big
Notes:
For more information on how to conjugate adjectives, see [Lesson 4](./04-adjectives.md) and [Lesson 5](./05-tenses.md).
크다 follows the ㅡ irregular. See [Lesson 7](./07-irregulars.md) for more information.
Common Usages:
- 키가 크다 = to be tall
- 키가 몇 센티예요? = How tall are you?
- 키가 얼마나 돼요? = How tall are you?
Examples:
- 그 집은 아주 **커요** = That house is very **big**
- 저는 남동생보다 키가 더 **커요** = I am taller (my height is **bigger**) than my brother
작다 = to be small
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “작따”
Common Usages:
- 키가 작다 = to be short
Example:
- 저는 **작은** 집에서 살아요 = I live in a **small** house
- 이것은 너무 작은가요? = Is this too **small**?
- 당근을 **작은** 조각으로 자르세요 = Cut the carrots into **small** pieces, please
- 이 셔츠가 너무 **작아**서 못 입어요 = I can’t put this shirt on because it is too **small**
- 이 바지가 너무 **작아**서 다른 것으로 바꿀 거예요
- I’m going to change these pants to another (a different) pair because they are too **small**
새롭다 = to be new
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “새롭따”
새롭다 follows the ㅂ irregular. See [Lesson 7](./07-irregulars.md) for more information.
Examples:
- 저는 **새로운** 차를 샀어요 = I bought a **new** car
- 그 병원은 **새로워요** = That hospital is **new**
- 저는 **새로운** 차를 사고 싶어요 = I want to buy a **new** car
- 저는 **새로운** 안경을 샀어요 = I bought **new** glasses
- 저는 **새로운** 바지를 사야 돼요 = I need to buy **new** pants
- 우리 회사는 **새로운** 회사원을 찾고 있어요 = Our company is looking for **new** workers
- **새로운** 핸드폰을 사고 전화번호를 바꿨어요 = After buying a **new** phone, I changed my phone number
낡다 = to be old (not age)
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “낙따”
Notes: This word is not used to describe a person, only an object. Instead, it describes that something is old/worn down. To describe a person you should use 늙다. To describe something that is old (but still nice, like a historical building), you should use 오래되다.
Example:
- 이 학교 건물은 매우 **낡아요** = This school’s building is very **old**
- 이 집은 너무 **낡아요** = This house is very **old**
비싸다 = to be expensive
Example:
- 이것은 너무 **비싸요** = This (thing) is too **expensive**
- 집 값은 **비싸지고** 있어 = House prices are getting **expensive**
싸다 = to not be expensive, to be cheap
Example:
- 이 가게는 **싼** 음식을 팔아요 = this store sells **cheap/inexpensive** food
아름답다 = to be beautiful
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “아름답따”
아름답다 follows the ㅂ irregular. See [Lesson 7](./07-irregulars.md) for more information.
Common Usages:
- 아름다운 여자 = beautiful girl
Examples:
- - 그 여자가 너무 **아름다워요** = That girl is very **beautiful**
- 그 선생님은 **아름다워요** = That teacher is **beautiful**
- 저의 아내는 **아름답다** = My wife is **beautiful**
- Lyrics from ‘강남스타일’: “**아름다워** 사랑스러워 그래 너 hey 그래 바로 너 hey”
뚱뚱하다 = to be fat, to be chubby
Example:
- 그 사람은 너무 **뚱뚱해요** = That person is very **fat**
- 형은 아버지보다 더 **뚱뚱해요** = My older brother is **fatter** than my dad
길다 = to be long
길다 follows the ㄹ irregular. See [Lesson 7](./07-irregulars.md) for more information.
Example:
- 저 여자의 머리는 **길어요** = That girl’s hair is **long**
- 저의 손가락은 **길어요** = My finger is **long**
- 줄이 왜 이렇게 **길어요**? = Why is the line so **big/long**?
- 한국에서는 겨울 방학이 여름 방학보다 더 **길어요** = In Korea, winter vacation is **longer** than summer vacation
좋다 = to be good
The pronunciation of this word is closer to “조타”
Notes: Although this translates to “good,” it is often used to say that one “likes” something. The grammar for this is taught in [Lesson 15](./15-good-carry-similar.md).
Examples:
- 우리 학교는 매우 **좋아요** = Our school is very **good**
- 저는 우리 학교가 **좋아요** = I **like** our school
- 그 선생님은 **좋아요** = that teacher is **good**
- 아무 때나 **좋아요** = Anytime is **good**
- 날씨가 **좋아서** 산책하는 것은 즐거워요 = It is pleasant to go to for a walk because the weather is so **good**
### Adverbs
아주 = very
Example:
- 날씨는 **아주** 더워요 = The weather is **very** hot
매우 = very
Example:
- 이 음식은 **매우** 맛있어요 = This food is **very** delicious
- 저는 **매우** 빨리 달렸어요 = I ran **really** quickly
- 우리 집은 지금 **매우** 더러워요 = Our house is **really** dirty right now
- 화학은 **매우** 흥미로워요 = Chemistry is **very** interesting
- 그 가수는 한국에서 **매우** 유명해요 = That singer is **very** famous in Korea
- 그 그림은 **매우** 드물어요 = That painting is **really** rare
너무 = too (often used to mean ‘very’)
Notes:
Though 너무 means “too,” it has gotten to the point in society where Korean people use “너무” to mean “very” as well (especially with the younger generation). Whereas “too” should indicate a negative meaning, 너무 can indicate both a positive and negative meaning.
For example, saying “이것은 너무 맛있어요” would not translate to “this is _too_ delicious” but instead “this is _very/so_ delicious.”
Examples:
- 저는 가끔 **너무** 많이 먹어요 = I eat too much sometimes
- 저는 어제 **너무** 아팠어요 = I was really sick yesterday
- 한식은 너무 맛있어요 = Korean food is **very** delicious
- 그 남자가 키가 **너무** 커요 = That man is **very** tall
- 이 길이 **너무** 좁아서 저는 못 들어가요 = I can’t go onto this road because it is **too** narrow
- 제가 **너무** 부끄러워서 발표를 못해요 = I can’t do presentations (well) because I am **too** shy
- 선생님은 우리를 **너무** 잘 가르치셨어요 = Our teacher taught us **really** well
- 왜 **너무** 빨리 먹었어요? = Why did you eat **so** fast?
- 이 셔츠가 **너무** 작아서 못 입어요 = I can’t put this shirt on because it is **too** small
There are 1050 vocabulary entries in Unit 1. All entries are linked to an audio file.
You can download all of these files in one package [here](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/audio/).
For help memorizing these words, try using our [mobile app](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/app/).
You might also want to try listening to all of the words on loop with this [Vocabulary Practice video]
## Some Quick Notes about Korean Verbs and Adjectives
Okay, now it is time to get serious. Now it is time to start learning things that you can apply to _any_ verb or _any_ adjective. There are a few things you need to know about Korean verbs and adjectives:
1. I said this before (twice) but I’m going to say it again.
- Every Korean sentence must end in either a verb or an adjective (this includes 이다 and 있다).
- Every sentence absolutely must have a verb or adjective at the end of the sentence.
2. You should notice (it took me months to notice) that _every_ Korean verb and adjective ends with the syllable ‘다.’ 100% of the time, the last syllable in a verb or adjective must be ‘다.’
3. In addition to ending in ‘다’ many verbs and adjectives end with the two syllables ‘하다.’ ‘하다’ means ‘do.’ Verbs ending in 하다 are amazing, because you can simply eliminate the ‘하다’ to make the noun form of that verb/adjective.
Confused? I was at first too. In fact, I don’t think I knew this until 3 months after I started studying Korean – but it is something so essential to learning the language. It is confusing to English speakers because we don’t realize that words can have a verb/adjective form AND a noun form.
For example:
- 행복하다 = happy
- 행복 = happiness
- 성공하다 = succeed
- 성공 = success
- 말하다 = speak
- 말 = speech/words
- 성취하다 = achieve
- 성취 = achievement
- 취득하다 = acquire
- 취득 = acquisition
You don’t need to memorize those words yet (they are difficult), but it is important for you to realize that ‘하다’ can be removed from words in order to create nouns.
Verbs/adjectives that end in “~하다” are typically of Chinese origin and have an equivalent Hanja (한자) form. Verbs that do not end in “~하다” are of Korean origin and do not have a Hanja form. If you can speak Chinese, you will probably have an advantage at learning more difficult Korean vocabulary, as a lot of difficult Korean words have a Chinese origin.
## Korean Verbs
We have already talked about verbs a little bit in previous lessons, but nothing has been formally taught. You learned the basic verb sentence structure in Lesson 1. Let’s look at this again. If you want to say “I eat food” you should know how to use the particles 는/은 and 를/을:
I eat food
- I는 food를 eat
To make a sentence, you simply need to substitute the English words with Korean words:
저는 + 음식을 + 먹다
- 저는 음식을 먹다 = I eat food
---
\*Note – Although the structure of the sentences presented in this lesson is perfect, the verbs are not conjugated, and thus, not perfect. You will learn about conjugating in [Lesson 5](./05-tenses.md) and [Lesson 6](./06-honorifics.md). Before learning how to conjugate, however, it is essential that you understand the word-order of these sentences. However, because of some strange Korean grammatical rules, the sentences provided in the “Adjectives” section are technically perfect but are presented in an uncommon (but simplest) conjugation pattern.
As with the previous lessons, we have attached audio recordings only to sentences that are grammatically correct. Incorrect sentences (due to not being conjugated) do not have audio recordings. Again, you will learn about these conjugations in [Lesson 5](./05-tenses.md) and [Lesson 6](./06-honorifics.md). For now, try to understand the word order of the sentences and how the verbs/adjectives are being used.
As with previous lessons, conjugated examples (one formal and one informal) are provided beneath the un-conjugated examples. Use these only for reference at this point.
Let’s look at some examples:
- 나는 케이크를 만들다 = I make a cake
- (나는 케이크를 만들어 / 저는 케이크를 만들어요 )
- 나는 배를 원하다 = I want a boat
- (나는 배를 원해 / 저는 배를 원해요 )
- 나는 한국어를 말하다 = I speak Korean
- (나는 한국어를 말해 / 저는 한국어를 말해요 )
- 나는 공원에 가다 = I go to the park (notice the particle 에)
- (나는 공원에 가 / 저는 공원에 가요 )
- 나는 문을 닫다 = I close the door
- (나는 문을 닫아 / 저는 문을 닫아요 )
- 나는 창문을 열다 = I open the window
- (나는 창문을 열어 / 저는 창문을 열어요 )
Remember that sentences with verbs don’t necessarily need to have an object in them if the context allows for it.
- 나는 이해하다 = I understand
- (나는 이해해 / 저는 이해해요 )
Some verbs by default cannot act on an object. Words like: sleep, go, die, etc. You cannot say something like “I slept home”, or “I went restaurant”, or “I died her.” You can use nouns in sentences with those verbs, but only with the use of other particles – some of which you have learned already (~에) and some that you will learn in later lessons. With the use of other particles you can say things like:
- I slept _at_ home
- I went _to_ the restaurant
- I died _with_ her
We will get into more complicated particles in later lessons, but here I want to focus on the purpose of ~를/을 and its function as an object particle.
## Korean Adjectives
Korean adjectives, just like Korean verbs are placed at the end of a sentence. The main difference between verbs and adjectives is that an adjective can never act on an object. Notice, in the sentences below that there is no object being acted on.
Adjectives are very easy to use. Just put them into the sentence with your subject. (Remember that the examples in parentheses show sentences that have been conjugated which you have not learned yet.)
_Note that due to weird Korean grammatical rules regarding adjectives, the un-conjugated sentences below are actually grammatically correct as they are. Therefore, we provided audio examples for the un-conjugated sentences and not the conjugated sentences (although all are correct). You will learn about this weird rule and how to conjugate adjectives in [Lesson 5](./05-tenses.md)._
- 나는 아름답다 = I am beautiful
- (나는 아름다워 / 저는 아름다워요)
- 나는 작다 = I am small
- (나는 작아 / 저는 작아요)
- 이 버스는 크다 = This bus is big
- (이 버스는 커 / 이 버스는 커요)
- 그 병원은 새롭다 = That hospital is new
- (그 병원은 새로워 / 그 병원은 새로워요)
- 이 공원은 매우 작다 = This park is very small
- (이 공원은 매우 작아 / 이 공원은 매우 작아요)
- 그 사람은 뚱뚱하다 = That person is fat
- (그 사람은 뚱뚱해 / 그 사람은 뚱뚱해요)
There is one confusing thing about translating sentences with Korean adjectives to English. Notice that in all examples above, the words “am/is/are/etc…” are used. In English, these words need to be used when using an adjective:
- I **am** fat
- He **is** fat
- They **are** fat
Remember, the translation for “am/is/are” to Korean is “이다.” However, you do not use “이다” when writing a sentence like this in Korean. _Within_ the meaning of Korean adjective is “is/am/are.” Early learners are always confused by this. The confusion stems from the fact that it is done differently in English and Korean. Please, from here on, abandon what you know of grammar based on English – it will only hold you back.
## 의 Possessive Particle
*Note: The pronunciation of the letter “*ㅢ*” can change depending on how and when it is used. You might want to check out [the section where I discuss the pronunciation of ](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit0/197-2/#03)* [ㅢ](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit0/197-2/#03) _in the [Pronunciation Guide](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/unit0/197-2/)._
You already know that ‘I’ in Korean is 저/나. You also know the translation for various objects in Korean.
“의” is a particle that indicates that one is the owner/possessor of another object. It has the same role as putting an apostrophe followed by an “s” in English. For example:
_Note: ~’s is not added to pronouns like I, you, he, she and they. Instead, the words my, your, his, her and their are used. The change from “I” to “my” is also accomplished by_ 의 _in Korean._
- 저 = I
- 책 = book
- 저의 책 = my book
---
- 저의 차 = My car
- 그 사람의 차 = That person’s car
- 의사의 탁자 = The doctor’s table
- 선생님의 차 = the teacher’s car
- 저의 손가락 = my finger
You can use these words in sentences you are familiar with (with verbs and adjectives):
- 선생님의 차는 크다 = The teacher’s car is big
- (선생님의 차는 커 / 선생님의 차는 커요)
- 나는 선생님의 차를 원하다 = I want the teacher’s car
- (나는 선생님의 차를 원해 / 저는 선생님의 차를 원해요 )
- 나의 손가락은 길다 = My finger is long
- (나의 손가락은 길어 / 저의 손가락은 길어요)
- 그 여자의 눈은 아름답다 = That woman’s eyes are beautiful
- (그 여자의 눈은 아름다워 / 그 여자의 눈은 아름다워요)
You will find that words like “my/our/their/his/her” are often omitted from sentences. As you will learn continuously throughout your Korean studies, Korean people _love_ shortening their sentences wherever possible. Whenever something can be assumed by context, words are often omitted from sentences to make them more simple. For example:
- 나는 나의 친구를 만나다 = I meet my friend
- (나는 나의 친구를 만나 / 저는 저의 친구를 만나요 )
Can be written as the following:
- 나는 친구를 만나다 = I meet (my/a) friend
- (나는 친구를 만나 / 저는 친구를 만나요 )
In this case (and many others like it) you are clearly meeting “_your_” friend, so the word “my” can be omitted from the sentence.
Always try to stay away from translating sentences directly, and try to focus more on translating sentences based on context as done above.
## 좋다 and 좋아하다
The word 좋다 in Korean is an adjective that means “good.” Because 좋다 is an adjective we can use it just like any other adjective:
- 이 음식은 좋다 = this food is good
- (이 음식은 좋아 / 이 음식은 좋아요)
- 그 선생님은 좋다 = that teacher is good
- (그 선생님은 좋아 / 그 선생님은 좋아요)
- 이 학교는 좋다 = This school is good
- (이 학교는 좋아 / 이 학교는 좋아요)
There is also 좋아하다 which is a verb meaning ‘to like.’ Because 좋아하다 is a verb, can use it just like any other verb:
- 나는 이 음식을 좋아하다 = I like this food
- (나는 이 음식을 좋아해 / 저는 이 음식을 좋아해요 )
- 나는 그 선생님을 좋아하다 = I like that teacher
- (나는 그 선생님을 좋아해 / 저는 그 선생님을 좋아해요 )
좋아하다 gets formed by removing ‘다’ from 좋다 and adding 아 + 하다. There _is_ a reason for why this is done, and there _is_ an explanation for how it is done – but you do not need to know this yet. For now, just understand that:
- 좋다 is an adjective which cannot act on an object
- 좋아하다 is a verb which can act on an object
## We, Us, and Our (우리)
At this point I would also like to introduce you to the word “우리” which you can see from the vocabulary list of this lesson translates to “us” or “we.” In English, even though they are technically the same word, the usage of “us” or “we” depends on its location within the sentence it is used in. Just like “I” and “me”, if the word is the subject of a sentence, “we” is used. For example:
- I like you
- We like you
However, if the word is the object in a sentence, the word “us” is used. For example:
- He likes me
- He likes us
In Korean, they do not make this distinction, and “우리” is used in both situations. For example:
- 우리는 너를 좋아하다 = We like you
- (우리는 너를 좋아해 )
_I deliberately didn’t include a formal version of the conjugated sentence above because it is usually awkward to say the word “you” politely in Korean. We’ll get to this in a later lesson._
- 선생님은 우리를 좋아하다 = The teacher likes us
- (선생님은 우리를 좋아해 / 선생님은 우리를 좋아해요 )
By placing the possessive particle “의” after “우리” we can create the meaning of “our”. While this _can_ be done, I feel it is much more common to omit this particle when it is used with “우리.” In fact, the particle “의” is very commonly omitted from words other than “우리” as well. However, I don’t suggest thinking about doing this until you have a better grasp of the language. At this point, I only suggest that you do this with “우리.” For example:
- 우리 선생님은 남자이다 = Our teacher is a man
- (우리 선생님은 남자야 | 우리 선생님은 남자예요 )
- 우리 집은 크다 = Our house is big
- (우리 집은 커 | 우리 집은 커요)
A formal version of “우리” is “저희”. However, even in formal situations it is acceptable to use “우리”. At this point, you haven’t even begun to learn about the different levels of formality of Korean, so I don’t want you to get too worried about this word.
[Okay, I got it! Take me to the next lesson!](./04-adjectives.md) Or,
[Click here for a workbook to go along with this lesson.](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/workbooks#Unit118)
There are 1250 example sentences in Unit 1. All entries are linked to an audio file.
You can download all of these files in one package [here](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/audio/).
## Summary
Want to try to create some sentences using the vocabulary and grammar from this lesson?
This YouTube video will prompt you to translate English sentences into Korean using the concepts from this lesson.
Want to practice your listening skills?
This YouTube video will prompt you with Korean sentences to dictate using the concepts from this lesson.
Want to _apply_ what you learned in this lesson?
This YouTube video will prompt you with English sentences using the grammar from this lesson, but vocabulary you haven’t been exposed to yet!
[Click here for a free PDF of this lesson.](https://www.howtostudykorean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/HowtoStudyKorean-Unit-1-Lesson-3.pdf)
The following videos are available to reinforce the concepts taught in this lesson:
[Word Listening]
[Lesson Recap]