Able to dash by the Korean language?
Then prepare for this fast however intensive trip.
On this plan, I lay out an in depth 11-week Korean examine agenda, which incorporates specifics on what to be taught and how one can follow. That is focused for avid self-learners who’re desirous to get going and soar into the implausible realm that’s the Korean language.
11 weeks is roughly over half the size of 1 faculty semester, so inside that time-frame, you possibly can garner loads of data and abilities.
Granted, 11 weeks received’t be sufficient so that you can obtain absolute Korean fluency, however it could possibly actually provide the time and area to construct a strong basis within the language.
Contents
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Week 1: Pave Your Korean Studying Path
However maintain your horses! Earlier than you go operating off into the sundown, you must do a little bit of planning first.
Work out your targets
First issues first: why are you studying Korean?
Maybe you’re trying to conduct enterprise with Korean companions.
Possibly you’re knee-deep within the Okay-pop fandom and wish to perceive your favourite catchy tunes.
Or perhaps you simply suppose the language is cool (it’s!) and wish to add it to your lingual repertoire.
No matter your causes, understanding the “why” of your research will assist to offer motivation all through your research. Take into account your motives because the rock that can floor you even when studying can get a bit of robust.
Choose a schedule
Having a constant agenda is half the battle relating to self-studying. With out a concrete plan of motion, issues can collapse in a short time.
I used to make the error of pondering that longer examine occasions equaled extra studying. What really occurred was that I obtained burnt out and demotivated very early within the recreation.
It’s extra essential that the time is measured sufficient to be productive however tolerable.
It’s best to ideally have room for a each day Korean examine session. Make certain it’s affordable sufficient to do two issues: be lengthy sufficient with the intention to be taught sufficient new issues, and be comfy sufficient that it received’t add stress to your different on a regular basis duties.
Attempt to maintain the time constant for each when and the way lengthy you examine. This will make issues really feel extra official and also you’d be ready for the second in your day strictly devoted to your Korean research.
Collect your assets
There’s no finish to the obtainable Korean examine instruments that you would be able to simply entry. However navigating by all of them can show to be a difficult process, one which shouldn’t intervene in the course of the weeks you’re actively studying Korean.
Get forward of the sport and stockpile your studying assets. You don’t need to go nuts and collect every little thing you possibly can, however do acquire sufficient complete ones to maintain you occupied for the approaching weeks.
At this level, give attention to the sorts of assets you sometimes favor for finding out.
You might like the standard strategy and accept the reliable Korean textbooks and workbooks.
Should you’re into digital studying, you could go for nifty Korean studying web sites or handy Korean language-learning apps.
Week 2: Prepare Your Ear and Mouth to Korean Sounds
Earlier than something, it’s essential to turn out to be accustomed to Korean letters and phonetics.
Grasp the Korean alphabet
The Korean alphabet, often called Hangul, consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels.
Traditionally, it was made by the demand of a Korean king, King Sejong the Nice, who wished to create a writing system that was readily accessible to commoners. Previous to the conception of Hangul, only some privileged of us may write in Korean society, and that was with Chinese language characters!
The alphabet consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Korean syllables are made by totally different mixtures of consonants and vowels. A single syllable can due to this fact encompass a number of particular person letters, like constructing blocks.
So, for instance, Hangul in Korean is 한글. There are two syllables, thus two blocks. Each of those blocks encompass two consonants and one vowel, respectively.
Ensure you spend loads of time studying how these mixtures work!
Observe double consonant pronunciation
I’ve had many pals be taught Korean who had a specific quantity of bother figuring out Korean double consonants. I don’t blame them, as a result of announcing them can require a sure sort of mouth work unfamiliar to non-Koreans.
There are 5 in whole: ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, and ㅉ. To pronounce them accurately, you’ll need to take the sound of the one consonant, however put extra emphasis by tensing up your tongue.
Let’s take ㄸ for instance. Try and pronounce ㄷ however with extra power, nearly as in the event you’re flicking it between your enamel. The ensuing sound is usually transliterated as dd or tt, however in actuality, it’s considerably in between the 2.
Don’t fear an excessive amount of about accent
It’s best to actually take a while to follow announcing Korean letters. However at this level, don’t fear about sounding 100% like a local speaker.
It’s a typical hang-up for learners, however at this level, it’s a bit of too early to fret about that.
It’s extra vital that you simply’re in a position to acknowledge and articulate (to affordable accuracy) the phonetics of Korean. That’s, while you’re listening to a Korean speaker, it is best to have the ability to parse out the sounds.
Loads goes into “sounding Korean.” For instance, Korean isn’t a tonal language, by which your tone of speech can change the that means of what’s mentioned. It’s syllable-timed and thus phrases can sound considerably flat and fast.
Data and expertise of Korean accent issues will come over time, so don’t stress about sounding utterly right.
Sensible immersion ideas
Steadily listening to Korean audio shall be among the best methods to coach your ears and mouth to the language. Korean music, podcasts, radio and even audiobooks are implausible and available selections.
Don’t fear about understanding every little thing you hear—that comes later!
For enjoyable, you must also attempt to transliterate English phrases into Korean letters. I personally did this usually when my pals would request I write their English names into Korean, comparable to Annie into 애니 or Brian into 브라이언. That is nice for training Hangul and getting grip on the alphabet and phonetics.
Week 3: Study Your Korean 1-2-3s
Now we’re shifting on to precise Korean phrases, and we’ll begin first with numbers.
The Korean language has two quantity methods: the Sino-Korean system (primarily based on Chinese language numerals) and the Native Korean system.
Begin with the Native Korean quantity system
I like to recommend you begin with these numbers first, since they’re fairly simple and used for common counting. You’d use them while you wish to be aware what number of there are of one thing.
For instance, to say issues comparable to “three apples,” “65 college students,” “32 absences” and so forth.
Different situations by which you’d use native Korean numbers could be with describing age and the hour (however not the minutes) of the time.
Essential to notice is that the native Korean numbers don’t embrace zero and don’t go above 99. On the 100 mark and past, you progress on to the Sino-Korean system.
Listed below are numbers one by 10:
- 하나 (ha-na) — one
- 둘 (dul) — two
- 셋 (set) — three
- 넷 (internet) — 4
- 다섯 (da-sut) — 5
- 여섯 (yuh-sut) — six
- 일곱 (il-gop) — seven
- 여덟 (yuh-dulp) — eight
- 아홉 (ah-hop) — 9
- 열 (yuhl) — ten
Native Korean numbers observe a sample that’s simple to be taught as soon as you realize numbers one by 10. After that, you’ll have some extra numbers to be taught.
Spend a bit extra time studying the Sino-Korean quantity system
Using Chinese language numerals stems from the prolonged historical past of Chinese language affect on the peninsula.
As talked about earlier, the Sino-Korean numbers are robotically used for zero and numbers 100 and up. Nevertheless, they’re additionally used for dates, cellphone numbers, cash, and the minutes of time.
Listed below are numbers zero by 10 in Sino-Korean:
- 영 (yung) / 공 (gohng) — zero
- 일 (il) — one
- 이 (ee) — two
- 삼 (sahm) — three
- 사 (sa) — 4
- 오 (o) — 5
- 육 (yook) — six
- 칠 (chil) — seven
- 팔 (pahl) — eight
- 구 (gu) — 9
- 십 (ship) — ten
Usually, Sino-Korean numbers are used extra incessantly than native Korean numbers. So in the event you have been to essentially give attention to both of the 2 quantity methods, I’d recommend you spend a bit extra time with the Sino-Korean one.
Sensible immersion ideas
Begin implementing Korean numbers in your each day actions that contain counting and the like. This will embrace grocery lists, cash counting, time scheduling, exercise reps, and so forth.
Keep in mind to make the most of the best quantity system for the best context!
For Sino-Korean quantity follow, you too can attempt to make your personal Korean math issues. Begin with simple and elementary stuff first.
- 더하기 (duh-ha-gi) — plus
- 빼기 (bbae-gi) — minus
- 곱하기 (go-pah-gi) — occasions
- 나누기 (na-nu-gi) — divided by
- 는 (neun) / 은 (eun) — equals, use 은 if final syllable is a consonant
An precise Korean math phrase is structured equally to at least one in English. So if you wish to say “two plus two” you’ll say “이 더하기 이는 사.”
Week 4: Stockpile Core Korean Vocabulary
Now that you simply’re comparatively comfy with numbers, it’s time to maneuver on to the meat of issues: precise Korean phrases!
Vocabulary, known as 어휘 (uh-hwee) in Korean, shall be the next step, and it’s advisable that you simply put in a great deal of effort and time this week.
If you end up struggling, don’t fear. You don’t need to be taught the entire Korean dictionary in a single go.
Hone in on the most typical Korean phrases
There may be, actually, a “proper order” to the phrases you be taught in a language.
Give attention to essentially the most important vocabulary, comparable to on a regular basis objects, fundamental verbs and adjectives. Consider the issues and themes that you simply’d doubtless talk about each day—these are what it is best to be taught the Korean phrases for.
In spite of everything, whereas it will be spectacular so that you can showcase your data of area terminology to a Korean native, you wouldn’t have the ability to strike up a lot informal discuss with simply that.
That can assist you with this, you possibly can make the most of Korean phrase lists that you would be able to simply discover on-line. Search for the phrase lists which can be named one thing like “high 100” or “most typical.” These are sure to offer each elementary and essential vocabulary that it is best to be taught immediately.
Keep in mind to talk phrases out loud whereas studying them
Don’t overlook that you simply shouldn’t simply let your eyes and fingers do all of the work when studying and writing Korean phrases. Try to be actively figuring out your jowls and training your pronunciation continuous.
It’s widespread to neglect this, particularly for self-learners. However bear in mind, you’re aiming to truly converse Korean. The occasional mutter underneath your breath and psychological verbalizing received’t be sufficient for pronunciation follow.
Sensible immersion ideas
An effective way to follow is by labeling gadgets round your home in Korean. Replenish on sticky notes and plaster them round. Maintaining them on and having the ability to see them on a regular basis will assist to bolster your reminiscence of the phrases.
Flashcards are additionally a nifty vocabulary examine instrument that you would be able to simply make and carry round. You possibly can select to craft them manually on paper or digitally with flashcard apps. Flip by decks throughout examine periods or every time you could have a couple of minutes to spare.
One tip I extremely advocate above all is to maintain a Korean dictionary helpful, ideally a digital one, with the intention to search for any phrase on the go. Everytime you really feel the urge to be taught a brand new phrase, simply whip out your dictionary and get a translation on the spot!
Week 5: Study Korean Greetings and Introductions
Weeks 5-7 will give attention to precise Korean phrases and sentences. Hopefully, you’ll be using the core vocabulary you’ve realized within the week prior.
Let’s begin with the important greetings.
That is the time to be taught your good day’s, how are you’s, goodbye’s and “My identify is.” Even in the event you don’t know a lot Korean, native audio system can nonetheless recognize a fast fundamental greeting while you first meet them.
Right here’s a fundamental checklist of just some Korean greetings to get you began:
- 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyung-ha-se-yo) — Howdy (can be utilized for many conditions)
- 제 이름은 ___ (jeh ee-reu-meun ___) — My identify is ___
- 여보세요 (yuh-bo-se-yo) — Howdy (on the cellphone)
- 좋은 아침이에요 (jo-eun ah-chi-mee-eh-yo) — Good morning (lit. It’s morning)
- 안녕히 주무세요 (ahn-nyung-hee ju-mu-se-yo) — Good evening (lit. Sleep effectively)
- 어떻게 지내세요? (uh-tteoh-keh jee-neh-se-yo) — How are you?
- 안녕히 계세요 (ahn-nyung-hee ge-se-yo) — Goodbye (while you’re leaving and your dialog companion is staying)
- 안녕히 가세요 (ahn-nyung-hee ga-se-yo) — Goodbye (when your dialog companion is leaving)
There are solely so many essential greetings to be taught, so this week shouldn’t be too troublesome. Should you discover that you simply’ve comfortably realized variety of them, be at liberty to construct up in your vocabulary stockpile.
Greetings are gestures of courtesy
Keep in mind that, like in most cultures, greetings are a gesture of courtesy for Koreans. Forgetting to say them, particularly to these older than you, might be instantly seen.
I bear in mind my very own experiences by which my dad and mom would make sure that I’d be dragged out of my cozy quarters, irrespective of if I have been busy, sleeping or simply unwilling to make social contact, to supply a fast bow and “안녕히 가세요” to a departing visitor.
Yup, it’s actually that huge a deal.
Greetings are additionally commonplace (and anticipated) while you’re a newcomer to an institution, whether or not it’s a brand new office or an residence constructing with next-door neighbors.
Sensible immersion ideas
Greetings are one of many best issues to follow, and I extremely recommend that you simply follow them with any Korean of us round you.
They don’t even need to be your pals. They are often retailer homeowners or your neighbors.
Merely give them a fast greeting whilst you’re passing by. The great factor about greetings is that they are often left at simply that—there’s no want to interact in a protracted dialog after you simply supply a fast “Howdy.”
It’s additionally probability so that you can work on constructing your confidence in really talking Korean to others. Don’t be shy and provides it a go! In my expertise, many native audio system (particularly older of us) are likely to take pleasure in listening to non-natives attempting out their language!
Week 6: Transfer On to Fundamental Dialog Expressions
With greetings out of the way in which, transfer up a step and begin studying some important Korean conversational phrases. Mainly, what would you say after you greet somebody?
- __주세요 (__ ju-se-yo) — Please give me ___
- 얼마예요? (uhl-ma-eh-yo) — How a lot is it?
- 괜찮아요 (gwaen-cha-nah-yo) — It’s okay
- 만나서 반갑습니다 (mahn-na-suh bahn-gap-seum-ni-da) — Good to satisfy you
- 오늘 날씨가 좋네요 (o-neul nahl-ssi-ga jon-ne-yo) — It’s good climate in the present day
- 해야 할 일이 있어요 (heh-ya hal ih-ree ee-ssuh-yo) — I’ve to do one thing
By studying phrases comparable to these, you’re progressively enhancing your potential to handle a chat in Korean. That is the final word goalpost you’re in all probability in search of, so do spend as a lot effort as wanted to be taught a good variety of phrases!
Study what every phrase means in a phrase
Everytime you be taught a brand new phrase, parse every phrase out so that you simply perceive every component. Separate the phrase into nouns, adjectives, verbs and so forth.
As fundamental because it sounds, it’s really one thing that language learners can overlook to do.
I’ve seen language learners (together with myself) be taught whole sentences and their meanings as some consummate inseparable entire, with out doing the work of really dissecting them into comprehensible chunks.
This behavior can result in some pitfalls down the highway, and studying longer and extra difficult phrases can’t be achieved in such a style.
The Korean language is sort of simple, so this process shouldn’t be too laborious. With this, you’re reinforcing your data and storing away particular person phrases that you would be able to level out in numerous phrases and sentences.
Have a restrict to what number of phrases you be taught per session
I can think about that at this step, you’ll be trying to gobble down and memorize as many Korean phrases as you possibly can abdomen . The extra the merrier, proper?
Properly, not likely.
In reality, attempting to abdomen a lot data without delay could make you extra prone to forgetting materials. Even scientific research recommend that there could be a “proper time” to be taught and that spacing your studying materials out will result in higher recall.
So don’t attempt to be taught 100 phrases in a day!
Begin simple with a quantity you realize you possibly can deal with, and make sure that you simply’re fairly assured with them earlier than you progress ahead. The Korean language received’t go anyplace, so there’s no must push your self so laborious.
Sensible immersion ideas
In your private life, attempt to swap out any on a regular basis phrases you utilize with Korean alternate options. Ideally, you’d have a Korean-speaking pal with whom you possibly can follow, however in the event you don’t, then act out a dialog with your self.
Sure, it would look a bit foolish, however once more, it’s actually vital that the fabric you be taught is being manifested into one thing extra tangible.
Take it a step additional and document your self whilst you’re talking. The extra you vocalize and hearken to your self, the extra assured you’ll be while you use these phrases in real-life situations.
Week 7: Choose Up Informal Korean Lingo
Whereas it’s inspired that you simply attempt to be taught customary Korean, it will be impractical to not be taught the widespread slang and expressions utilized by modern-day Koreans.
That is particularly the case if the majority of your Korean publicity comes from media sources. It’s just about inevitable that you simply’d hear a number of idioms and informal jargon.
Listed below are a number of examples of one of these language class:
- 대박 (dae-bak) — That’s nuts / Whoa
- 당근 (dang-geun) — In fact (actually means “carrot”)
- 헐 (huhl) — What (expression of disbelief)
- 너 잘났다 (nuh jal-na-tta) — actually means “You have been born effectively” however can be utilized sarcastically
- 잼 /노잼 (jem / no-jem) — Enjoyable / No enjoyable, 잼 is the condensed type of 재미있다 (It’s enjoyable)
General, it’s fairly a enjoyable expertise to be taught Korean slang!
However apart from serving to you keep hip and updated, I personally discover the informal nature of slang to make for good icebreakers while you’re round these with whom you possibly can calm down and hang around.
Be happy to check out the phrases you be taught, ideally along with your buddies or with those that are round your age.
Work out the “correct” Korean phrases behind slang phrases
Though it’s enjoyable and may offer you a cool edge, I don’t suppose it is best to spend an excessive amount of time choosing up on all the stylish language, since your major focus ought to nonetheless be on extra correct Korean.
When studying slang phrases and phrases, additionally be taught the place they’re derived from. Many occasions, Korean slang are condensed types of phrases that function “shortcuts.”
For instance, the time period 웃프다 (oot-peu-dah) is a mash of the person phrases 웃기다 (oot-ggi-da, “It’s humorous”) and 슬프다 (seul-peu-da, “It’s unhappy”). The ensuing 웃프다 can basically be used to explain one thing that’s each laughable but pitiful.
Slang is prolific in on-line conversations
It’s fairly important to know slang in the event you ever wish to converse Korean on-line, whether or not in textual content or speech.
Koreans are very into the social media area and on-line communications. In keeping with statistics, round 90% of the inhabitants use the Web.
Certainly one of their largest social media and messaging instruments, KakaoTalk, has been not too long ago measured to host a whopping 47 million energetic South Korean customers.
Should you’re utilizing on-line native Korean assets in any respect to your research, it’s extremely doubtless that you simply’ll encounter slang in some kind. As a way to keep away from confusion whilst you’re navigating web sites, it’s not a nasty thought to choose up a number of bits of slang.
You might also wish to be taught a number of Korean textual content slang whilst you’re at it, with the intention to get some studying and writing follow.
Sensible immersion ideas
If you wish to turn out to be accustomed to informal Korean converse, I extremely advocate you watch Korean vlogs and browse Korean blogs.
These assets are crafted by actual native audio system and are sometimes meant to be informal, much less “formatted” content material.
Vloggers and bloggers wish to connect with their viewers, in order that they’d usually undertake extra sensible and real speech. That features on a regular basis slang and idioms.
Plus, vlogs and blogs may give you little peeks into the on a regular basis lifetime of Koreans and train you bits of Korean tradition as effectively!
Week 8: Examine Up on Korean Grammar
I’ll offer you time to groan about it, however sadly, you possibly can’t actually keep away from grammar when studying any language. And at this level, you’ve already spent some time loads of Korean sentences, so that you’ve in all probability seen a number of patterns at work.
Fortunately, the foundations of Korean sentence construction aren’t overly difficult. I’d say Korean grammar is much more constant and easy than English grammar.
Korean sentences sometimes observe a Topic-Object-Verb format
In English, our sentences sometimes make the most of a subject-verb-object order: “I eat cheese.”
Nevertheless, Korean sentences swap up the format a bit, to say one thing extra like “I cheese eat.” The Korean sentence for that, by the way in which, could be 나는 치즈를 먹는다 (na-neun chi-jeu-reul mung-neun-da).
You’ve in all probability already realized this in your personal encounters with Korean sentences within the weeks prior, however reviewing the sentence construction at this level shall be useful. You probably would’ve seen some patterns in the event you adopted my earlier suggestion to parse and dissect phrases.
Korean grammar doesn’t make the most of circumstances
In English, we have now three circumstances: subjective, goal and possessive. They describe a noun or pronoun as it really works with the remainder of the phrases in a sentence; altering circumstances often means a change within the type of the noun itself.
Korean grammar doesn’t concern itself with this enterprise. That already cuts down on a great deal of grammatical stress. As an alternative, they use one thing known as particles.
Particles are key for Korean grammar
Don’t be fooled by their identify as a result of particles play an enormous function in Korean sentences. Realizing essentially the most fundamental of Korean particles will show you how to perceive most phrases.
Functionally, particles are suffixes or attachments that observe nouns. They clarify what precisely the noun is doing throughout the framework of the sentence. With them, you don’t even have to fret about distinctive noun kinds such as you do in English.
Listed below are a number of examples of widespread Korean particles:
- 은 (eun) / 는 (neun) — describe nouns which can be the first subject of the sentence
- 이 (ee) / 가 (ga) — describe nouns which can be the themes of the sentence
- 을 (eul) / 를 (reul) — describe nouns which can be the objects of the sentence
However there are various extra particles, together with those who work as conjunctions, possessives, plural objects and so forth.
Realizing particles shall be essential to your understanding of Korean sentences, so all the time control them!
Sensible immersion ideas
General, I counsel you to not fear an excessive amount of about studying all of the ins and outs of Korean grammar. It’s simply a type of issues that can come naturally to you with extended publicity to the language.
However for the sake of follow, you possibly can learn simple Korean texts, comparable to brief tales and the like. They need to be easy sufficient so that you simply’re in a position to learn them at an affordable degree of understanding. They’re additionally good instruments so that you can follow your vocabulary and develop your phrase financial institution as wanted.
Week 9: Begin Crafting Your Personal Korean Sentences
By this week, you’ve been uncovered to variety of Korean phrases. The earlier week additionally would have set you up in understanding how sentences work and what parts are wanted to make them.
Now it’s time to start out making your personal!
Take into account this week to be one among follow reasonably than studying new content material. It’s time to place every little thing you’ve realized to date to make use of.
On the identical time, you ought to be increasing your publicity to Korean sentences usually. Learn extra Korean texts so that you simply’re nonetheless working to bulk up your phrase financial institution and language data.
Give attention to acquainted vocabulary when making sentences
Once more, begin simple and work with the phrases you already know. And after I say simple, I imply very simple, like these:
- 나는 케이크를 좋아한다 (na-neun keh-ee-keu-reul joh-ah-hahn-da) — I like cake
- 나는 학교에 갔다 (na-neun hak-gyo-eh gah-dda) — I went to high school
- 오늘은 좋은 날이다 (o-neu-reun joh-eun nal-ee-da) — At this time is an efficient day (or that the climate is okay)
Make your sentences brief and concise. Don’t fear about any fancy particulars. Try to be focusing nearly solely on utility and performance primarily based on the Korean you already know.
Sensible immersion ideas
Maintaining a Korean journal is a neat technique to follow writing Korean sentences. Doc your each day actions or ideas, or simply write random issues that zip by your mind.
Intention for at least three to 5 sentences per day. Improve to a couple paragraphs in the event you really feel extra assured. For memorization functions, I additionally recommend that you simply write down the identical sentence a number of occasions.
Week 10: Study How Etiquette Impacts Korean Speech
So now you’re gaining momentum in formulating your personal Korean sentences. It’s time to be taught one other vital facet of the language: speech ranges.
I timed this subject to be close to the top of the 11-week dash, primarily as a result of for a lot of learners, the main target ought to typically be on just one formality degree.
Why is it a giant deal? Properly, all of it comes right down to etiquette.
Acknowledge the tiers of Korean formality
Politeness and respect are essential to Korean tradition. Failing to precise the correct courtesy to the best people, whether or not forgetting to bow or neglecting to arrange a present, could be a main no-no.
Etiquette in speech is most evident within the idea of speech ranges. Not utilizing the best speech degree can earn you a number of raised eyebrows or a stink-eye, or it could possibly result in some verbal reciprocation from significantly ticked-off people.
Usually, you be taught and use the “customary” speech degree that’s applicable for many on a regular basis conditions. This degree is called 해요체 (hae-yo-chae) and is taken into account “informal formal.” It additionally works while you wish to converse to acquaintances and people round your age.
You might even be taught a little bit of 해라체 (hae-ra-chae), which is taken into account formal however not essentially respectful. In essence, it’s a “impartial” degree that you simply’d see in Korean texts.
Right here’s a fast overview of some widespread Korean speech ranges:
- 해체 (hae-chae) — casual, for pals
- 해라체 (hae-ra-chae) — impartial, generally utilized in Korean written texts
- 해요체 (hae-yo-chae) — informal formal, for common use, acquaintances and people round your age
- 하십시오체 (ha-ship-shi-o-chae) — formal well mannered, for elders, information broadcasts, customer support
There are additionally, in fact, “rude” speech ranges, however you in all probability don’t wish to be studying that.
Speech ranges make the most of totally different verb endings
So you could be pondering, “Properly, I do know I needs to be a sure degree of well mannered, however how can I verbally specific it?”
Your politeness will come by along with your utilization of verb endings. Relying on what speech degree you’re utilizing, the verbs in your phrases may even make the most of particular suffixes.
Extra particularly, you’ll need to take the stem of the verb and fasten it with an ending.
I’ll present you a comparability between two speech ranges.
For 해요체, you’ll make the most of “verb stem + -요” for many sentences. Should you’re making a request or demand, then you definitely’d make the most of “verb stem + -세요.” For instance:
괜찮으세요? (gwaen-chah-neu-se-yo) — Are you okay?
말해 주세요 (mahl-heh ju-se-yo) — Inform me
For 하십시오체, which is formal well mannered, it’s a must to perform a little extra. You embrace ㅂ on the finish of the verb stem plus 니다. For requests or calls for, you utilize 니까.
실례합니다 (shil-reh-ham-ni-da) — Excuse me
바쁘십니까? (ba-bbeu-shim-ni-kka) — Are you busy?
Different speech ranges will make the most of their very own particular verb endings. It feels like lots to memorize, however you’re prone to catch on to this idea shortly in the event you’re avidly exposing your self to the language.
Know the Korean honorifics
In essence, speech ranges contain using Korean honorifics and adjustments in verb endings. Honorifics are the titles that handle your understanding of others’ social positions.
Listed below are a number of examples of Korean honorifics:
- 씨 (shi) — Mr., Miss, Mrs., a comparatively generic “protected” honorific
- 님 (nim) — much like 씨 in that means, however a bit extra respectful
- 선배 (sun-bae) — to your seniors, whether or not in work expertise or age
- 오빠 (op-pa) — older brother, utilized by females
- 형 (hyung) — older brother, utilized by males
- 누나 (nu-na) — older sister, utilized by males
- 언니 (un-ni) — older sister, utilized by females
Honorifics are apparent verbal markers of respect, and so forgetting to say them could be a huge fake pas to sure people. Their absences are very simply seen since they need to immediately observe the identify of the individual you’re referring to.
As a facet be aware, talking particularly for the generic honorific 씨, you’ll wish to connect it after the total identify or first identify of somebody. Including 씨 to simply the final identify might be seen as disrespectful. So in the event you’re talking with mister 김주원, you’ll say 김주원 씨 or 주원 씨, however not 김 씨.
Sensible immersion ideas
Function-playing could be a enjoyable technique to follow Korean formality and speech ranges. It’s finest to do that with a companion, however even when it’s simply you, you possibly can tackle the roles of various people and monologue.
Have enjoyable with it! Fake to be a stern Korean businessman speaking with a consumer, a highschool scholar chatting along with his or her junior, a restaurant waiter serving a buyer, and so forth. The chances are infinite!
Week 11 and Past: Put Your Korean Abilities to Work
You lastly made it up to now. 10 weeks of laborious work and research can now carry you to the purpose by which you ought to be taking what you’ve realized and making use of it to actual life!
Speak with different Korean audio system
That is going to be essentially the most essential technique of really training your abilities. Whether or not in-person or on-line, written textual content or verbal speech, discover somebody with whom you possibly can converse Korean.
This can be a good time to attempt to impress any Korean pals you could have. What’s good about them is that they’re extra prone to present trustworthy critique. Along with your buddies, you’ll undoubtedly be extra comfy along with your successes and failures in Korean communication.
Nevertheless, don’t underestimate the facility of talking with strangers. You could find language trade companions or boards that can host Korean audio system who could be pleased to speak with you. The primary choice particularly is a good selection, as you possibly can supply your data in trade for theirs.
Errors are inevitable in your talking makes an attempt, so don’t draw back from them. Actively search suggestions out of your dialog companions and steadily construct each your confidence and abilities.
Devour Korean content material
Likelihood is, one purpose you’re drawn to the language is that you simply’re a minimum of barely fascinated with Korean media. I personally have misplaced rely of what number of of my pals determined to choose up Korean as a consequence of their avid love of Okay-pop music.
Whether or not it’s motion pictures, books, TV exhibits or music movies, Korean media is a wonderful useful resource so that you can take a look at your Korean data in a enjoyable, relaxed approach.
One other nice choice for that is FluentU. It’s a language studying program primarily based on genuine Korean content material and energetic studying instruments comparable to interactive subtitles, transcripts, personalised quizzes and extra.
Make certain to search content material that’s applicable to your degree. Which means you might have to work with content material designated for youthful audiences, comparable to Korean children’ cartoons. In fact, be open-minded along with your choices! You’d be shocked how informative even elementary-level materials might be.
Additionally, attempt your finest to not rely an excessive amount of on language aids, comparable to English subtitles. Whereas these might be useful to start with, you actually wish to rely by yourself data to grasp the content material. Make certain to make use of them solely when you actually need them!
Go to Korea! Or Korean-language institutions
Naturally, touring to Korea might be the final word alternative to follow your abilities. Throughout the nation, you’ll be utterly immersed within the language and basically be pressured to work together whereas utilizing your Korean.
In fact, there are additionally the massive optimistic facets that come from indulging within the intriguing tradition and way of life of Korea.
Nevertheless, journey isn’t all the time possible. So in the event you’re not in a position to hop on the following airplane to Seoul, then you possibly can nonetheless try your personal neighborhood for Korean-language institutions.
These embrace Korean eating places, supermarkets, procuring districts and even neighborhood facilities. You possibly can learn labels in Korean or chat with Korean store homeowners whereas exploring these areas.
Talking of Korean neighborhood facilities, it’s additionally potential that they might host particular Korean occasions and festivals in your locale. It’s best to actually examine them out and mingle with the group, soaking within the sights and sounds.
Develop your abilities additional with a Korean language course or instructor
I’m sure that at this level, you’re in all probability fairly eager on deepening your data of the Korean language.
In spite of everything, 11 weeks is a reasonably spectacular period of time, and with out constant follow, you’re susceptible to dropping all the dear abilities you’ve gained.
Taking part in a Korean language course or getting taught by a Korean instructor could be a implausible approach to enhance your Korean language capabilities. With a devoted teacher, you possibly can obtain extra personalised consideration and in-depth follow with the core ideas.
In fact, this feature will usually require a charge, often depending on how lengthy you want to be taught along with your teacher. However in the event you’re like me and luxuriate in having a curriculum, you possibly can reap nice profit and success with having a transparent course construction.
You may get lots achieved in 11 weeks, probably reaching a degree of Korean that you simply’ve by no means attained earlier than.
However bear in mind, the true enchancment comes while you actively make the most of the fabric you be taught. Be an avid scholar and consumer of the language, and also you’ll be prepared to speak with and impress native audio system very quickly.
And do you have to ever really feel worn out at any level, then take a break and refresh earlier than diving again into your research.
Better of luck in your Korean journey!
