A Korean letter is Hangul.

ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅅ ㅇ ㅈ ㅊ ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅎ are
consonants and ㅏ ㅑ ㅓ ㅕ ㅗ ㅛ ㅜ ㅠ ㅡ ㅣ are vowels.

Consonants:

ㄱ sounds like g.

ㄴ sounds like n.

ㄷ sounds like d.

ㄹ sounds like l.

ㅁ sounds like m.

ㅂ sounds like b.

ㅅ sounds like s.

ㅇ doesn’t have any sound when it comes first and sounds like ~ng when it is at the
bottom.

ㅈ sounds like j.

ㅊ sounds like ch.

ㅋ sounds like k.

ㅌ sounds like t.

ㅍ sounds like p.
ㅎ sounds like h.

Vowels:

ㅏ sounds like a.

ㅑ sounds like ya.

ㅓ sounds like u.

ㅕ sounds like yu.

ㅗ sounds like o.

ㅛ sounds like yo.

ㅜ sounds like oo.

ㅠ sounds like yoo.

ㅡ sounds like eu

ㅣ sounds like i

There are some mixed consonants and vowels.

ㄲ sounds like gg.

ㄸ sounds like dd.

ㅃ sounds like bb
ㅆ sounds like ss.

ㅉ sounds like jj.

ㅐ sounds like ae

ㅒ sounds like yae

ㅔ sounds like ae

ㅖ sounds like yae

ㅚ sounds like oi

ㅙ sounds like oae

ㅟ sounds like we

ㅞ sounds like wae

ㅢ sounds like eui

ㅝ sounds like wu.

Now we are going to make a letter.

ㄱ + ㅏ = 가 (ga)

ㄴ + ㅏ = 나 (na)

ㄷ + ㅏ = 다 (da)
ㄹ + ㅏ = 라 (la)

ㅁ + ㅏ = 마 (ma)

ㅂ + ㅓ = 버 (bu)

ㅅ + ㅓ = 서 (su)

ㅇ + ㅓ = 어 (uh) (If ㅇ comes at the beginning of the letter it has no sound.)

ㅈ + ㅓ = 저 (ju)

ㅊ + ㅓ = 처 (chu)

ㅌ + ㅗ = 토 (to)

ㅍ + ㅗ = 포 (po)

ㅋ + ㅗ = 코 (ko)

ㅎ + ㅗ = 호 (ho)

ㄲ + ㅜ = 꾸 (ggoo)

ㄸ + ㅜ = 뚜 (ddoo)

ㅃ +ㅣ = 삐 (bbi)

ㅆ + ㅣ = 씨 (ssi)

ㅉ + ㅡ = 쯔 (jjeu)
Now we are going to make a word.

ㅇ+ㅏ+ㅂ+ㅓ+ㅈ+ㅣ= 아버지 (ah-bu-ji) It means father.

ㅇ+ㅓ+ㅁ+ㅓ+ㄴ+ㅣ= 어머니 (uh-mu-ni) It means mother.

Lots of the Korean letters have final consonants.

ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄴ+ㄱ+ㅜ+ㄱ= 한국 (han-gook) It means Korea.

ㅎ+ㅏ+ㄴ+ㄱ+ㅡ+ㄹ= 한글 (han-geul) It means Korean language

ㄱ+ㅏ+ㅇ+ㅇ+ㅏ+ㅈ+ㅣ= 강아지 (gang-ah-ji) It means puppy.

* In this case, the first ㅇ sounds ~ng and second one has no sound.

Let’s make a sentence.

Basic sentence formation is like this:

{Subject/Topic+particle} + {Object+particle} + {Verb/Adjective+conjugation}

Example: 나는 학교에 갑니다.

나 is subject
는 is particle
학교 is object
에 is particle
갑니다 is verb

Sentence Practice
1) A is B – A 는 B 입니다

You could switch A and B.

A can be I (나) You (당신 or 당신들) He (그남자) She (그여자) They (그들)
We (우리) this (이것) that(저것) these (이것들) those (저것들)

B can be student (학생) teacher (교사) boy (소년) girl (소녀) soldier (군인)
police (경찰) doctor (의사) desk (책상)

I am a student. – 나는 학생입니다. ( na-neun-hak-saeng-im-ni-da)

* If subject has final consonant, 는 has to changed to 은.

They are doctors. – 그들은 의사입니다 (geu-deul-eun-eui-sa-im-ni-da)

* 입니다 sounds like 임니다.

This is a desk. – 이것은 책상입니다. (yi-gu-seun-chaek-sang-im-ni-da)

2) A go to B – A 는 B 에 갑니다.

You could switch A and B.

A can be I (나) You (당신 or 당신들) He (그남자) She (그여자) They (그들)
We (우리)

B can be school (학교) park (공원) store (가게) restroom (화장실) hospital (병원)
police station (경찰서) church (교회)

I go to school. – 나는 학교에 갑니다.

(na-neun-hak-gyo-ae-gam-ni-da)
* basic meaning of “go” is 가다. In the sentence it changes to 갑니다.

We go to church. – 우리들은 교회에 갑니다.

(oo-li-deul-eun-gyo-hoi-ae-gam-ni-da)

Past Tense Practice

I go to school. – 나는 학교에 갑니다.
(na-neun-hak-gyo-eh-gam-ni-da)
If you want to change to past tense 갑니다 changes to 갔습니다
I went to school yesterday. – 나는 어제 학교에 갔습니다.
(na-neun-uh-je-hak-gyo-eh-gat-seum-ni-da.)

Here are some verbs with a changed form of past tense.

English verb in present tense – Basic Korean verb – present tense – past tense

Go -가다 (ga-da) – 갑니다 (gam-ni-da) – 갔습니다 (gat-seum-ni-da)

Come -오다(oh-da) – 옵니다 (ohm-ni-da) – 왔습니다 (wat-seum-ni-da)
Buy – 사다 (sa-da) – 삽니다 (sam-ni-da) – 샀습니다 (sat-seum-ni-da)
Wear – 입다 (ib-da) – 입습니다 (ib-seum-ni-da) – 입었습니다 (ib-ut-seum-ni-da)
Open – 열다 (yul-da) – 엽니다 (yum-ni-da) – 열었습니다 (yul-ut-seum-ni-da)
Close – 닫다 (dat-da) – 닫습니다 (dat-seum-ni-da) – 닫았습니다 (dat-at-seum-ni-da)
Walk – 걷다 (gut-da) – 걷습니다 (gut-seum-ni-da) – 걸었습니다 (gul-ut-seum-ni-da)
Run – 뛰다 (ddui-da) – 뜁니다 (dduim-ni-da) – 뛰었습니다 (ddui-ut-seum-ni-da)
Talk-말하다(mal-ha-da)-말합니다(mal-ham-ni-da)-말했습니다(mal-haet-seum-ni-da)
Fight-싸우다(ssa-oo-da)-싸웁니다(ssa-oom-ni-da)-싸웠습니다(ssa- wuat-seum-ni-da)

Future Tense Practice

I go to school. – 나는 학교에 갑니다.

(na-neun-hak-gyo-eh-gam-ni-da)
If you want to change to future tense 갑니다 changes to 갈겁니다
I am going to school tomorrow.-나는 내일 학교에 갈겁니다.
(na-neun-nae-il-hak-gyo-eh-gal-gum-ni-da)

Here are some verbs with a changed form of future tense.

English verb in present tense – Basic Korean verb – present tense-future tense

Play – 놀다 (nol-da) – 놉니다 (nom-ni-da) – 놀겁니다 (nol-gum-ni-da)

Eat – 먹다 (muk-da) -먹습니다 (muk-seum-ni-da) – 먹을겁니다 (muk-eul-gum-ni-da)
Drink – 마시다 (ma-shi-da) – 마십니다 (ma-shim-ni-da) – 마실겁니다 (ma-shil-gum-ni-da)
Dance – 춤추다 (choom-choo-da) – 춤춥니다 (choom-choomni-da) – 춤출겁니다
(choom-chool-gum-ni-da)
Write – 쓰다 (sseu-da) – 씁니다 (sseum-ni-da) – 쓸겁니다 (sseul-gum-ni-da)
Sleep – 자다 (ja-da) – 잡니다 (jam-ni-da) – 잘겁니다 (jal-gum-ni-da)
Drive – 운전하다 (oon-jun-ha-da) – 운전합니다 (oon-un-ham-ni-da) – 운전할겁니다 (oon-jun
hal-gum-ni-da)
Meet – 만나다 (man-na-da) – 만납니다 (man-nam-ni-da) – 만날겁니다 (man-nal-gum-ni-da)
Listen – 듣다 (deut-da) – 듣습니다 (deut-seum-ni-da) – 들을겁니다 (deul-eul-gum-ni-da)
Sing – 노래하다 (no-lae-ha-da) – 노래합니다 (no-lae-ham-ni-da) – 노래할겁니다
(no-lae-hal-gum-ni-da)

Interrogative Sentences in Korean

Basic Sentence: A is B——–A 는 B 입니다.
Questioning Sentence: Is A B? —— A 는 B 입니까?
다 changes into 까

Practice 1

I am a student. – 나는 학생입니다. ( na-neun-hak-saeng-im-ni-da)

Am I a student? – 나는 학생입니까? (na-neun-hak-saeng-im-ni-gga?)

This is a desk. – 이것은 책상입니다. (yi-gu-seun-chaek-sang-im-ni-da)

Is this a desk? – 이것은 책상입니까? (yi-gu-seun-chaek-sang-im-ni-gga?)

Basic Sentence : A go to B – A 는 B 에 갑니다.

Questioning Sentence : Does A go to B – A 는 B 에 갑니까?
다 changes into 까

Practice 2
We go to church. – 우리들은 교회에 갑니다.
(woo-li-deul-eun-gyo-hoi-e-gam-ni-da)
Do we go to church? – 우리들은 교회에 갑니까?
(woo-li-deul-eun-gyo-hoi-e-gam-ni-gga?)

They went to the park.-그들은 공원에 갔습니다.

(geu-deul-eun-gong-won-e-gat-seum-ni-da)
Do they go to the park? –그들은 공원에 갔습니까?
(geu-deul-eun-gong-won-e-gat-seum-ni-gga?)

Basic Sentence
What is this? – 이것은 무엇입니까? (yi-gu-seun moo-ut-im-ni-gga?)
Who are you? – 당신은 누구입니까? (dang-shin-eun-noo-goo-im-ni-gga?)
How much is this?- 이것은 얼마입니까? (yi-gu-seun-ul-ma-im-ni-gga?)

What are you doing?-당신은 무엇을 하고 있습니까?

(dang-shin-eun-moo-ut-seul-ha-go-it-seum-ni-gga?)
Where are you going? – 당신은 어디에 가고 있습니까?
(dang-shin-eun-u-di-e-ga-go-it-seum-ni-gga?)

INFORMAL

Is it true? – Jung mal?

What is it – Mo ya?
Who is it – Noo goo ya?

Negative Sentences
Basic negative word is 아니다 (not).

Basic Sentence: A is B——–A 는 B 입니다

Negative Sentence : A is not B. —- A 는 B 가(이) 아닙니다.
If Word B has a bottom consonant, we use 이.
If Word B has no bottom consonant, we use 가.
Practice

1) I am a student. – 나는 학생입니다.
( na-neun-hak-saeng-im-ni-da)
I am not a student. – 나는 학생이 아닙니다
(na-neun-hak-saeng-ee-ah-nim-ni-da)

2) That is a school- 저것은 학교입니다.

(ju-gu-seun-hak-gyo-im-ni-da)
That is not a school – 저것은 학교가 아닙니다
(ju-gu-seun-hak-gyokga-ah-nim-ni-da)

Basic Sentence: A go to B – A 는 B 에 갑니다.

Negative Sentence A don’t (doesn’t) go to B —– A 는 B 에 가지않습니다.
——A 는 B 에 안갑니다.

Note that word 않습니다 has mixed bottom consonant ㄶ

(ㅎ doesn’t make any sound.)

Practice

1) I go to school.- 나는 학교에 갑니다

(na-neun-hak-gyo-eh-gam-ni-da)
I don’t go to school- 나는 학교에 가지않습니다.
(na-neun-hak-gyo-eh-ga-ji-an-seum-ni-da)
– 나는 학교에 안갑니다
(na-neun-hak-gyo-eh-an-gam-ni-da)

2) They went to the park.-그들은 공원에 갔습니다.

(geu-deul-eun-gong-won-eh-gat-seum-ni-da)
They didn’t go to the park – 그들은 공원에 가지않았습니다.
(geu deul-eun-gong-won-eh-ga-ji-an-gat-seum-ni-da)
– 그들은 공원에 안갔습니다.
(geu-deul-eun-gong-won-eh-an-gat-seum-ni-da)

3) Are you a student? – 당신은 학생입니까?

(dang-shin-eun-hak-saeng-im-ni gga?)
Aren’t you a student? – 당신은 학생이 아닙니까?
(dang-shin-eun-hak-saeng-ee-ah-nim-ni-gga?)

Korean is probably the only language that has an honorific grammatically.

1. In honorific sentence 시 (shi) added to the verb.

Go – 가다 (ga-da) – 가시다 (ga-shi-da)
Come -오다 (oh-da) – 오시다 (oh-shi-da)
Wear – 입다 (ib-da) – 입으시다 (ib-eu-shi-da)
Shoot – 쏘다 (sso-da) – 쏘시다 (sso-shi-da)
Do – 하다 (ha-da) – 하시다 (ha-shi-da)

Example:
I go to school. – 나는 학교에 갑니다
(na-neun-hak-gyo-eh-gam-ni-da)
My Mother goes to the market. – 나의 어머니는 시장에 가십니다.
(na-eui-uh-mu-ni-neun shi-jang-eh-ga-shim-ni-da)

In this sentence, note that present tense verb 갑니다(gam-ni-da) changes to

가십니다 (ga-shim-ni-da)

2. My friend came. – 내 친구가 왔습니다.

(nae-chin-goo-ga-wat-seum-ni-da)
My Father came. – 내 아버지께서 오셨습니다.
(nae-ah-bu-ji-gge-su-oh-shut-sem-ni-da)
In this sentence, note that subject-particle 가(ga) changes to
께서 (gge-su) and past tense verb 왔습니다 (wat seum-ni-da) changes to
오셨습니다.(oh-shut-sem-ni-da)

3. Some of the pronouns change to an honorific too.

When you speak to older people,
I –나는 (na-neun) has to change to 저는(ju-neun)
We-우리들은(woo-li-deul-eun) has to change to 저희들은(ju-hee-deul-eun)

4. Some verbs changes irregular way.

Eat-먹다 (muk-da) -드시다 (deu-shi-da)
Talk-말하다(mal-ha-da)-말씀하시다(mal-sseum-ha-shi-da)

Example:
I talked to my father. – 나는 나의 아버지께 말했습니다.
(na-neun-na-eui-ah-bu-ji-gge-mal-haet-seum-ni-da)
My father talked to me. – 나의 아버지께서 내게 말씀하셨습니다.
(na-eui-ah-bu-ji-gge-su-nae-ge-mal-sseum-ha-shut-sem-ni-da)

Korean imperatives have three types. They are informal, formal, honorific imperatives.

IMPERATIVE POSITIVE

Informal Do – 해 (hae)

Formal Do – 해요 (hae-yo)

Honorific Do – 하세요 (ha-se-yo)

The informal form is used among very close friends or when talking to a younger person
who is very close to you in informal situations.

The formal form and the honorific form are used in formal situations. It is safe to use the
honorific form if you are unsure which one to use.

Informal Imperatives
Example: Wear – 입다 (ib-da) – 입어 (ib-uh)
Eat – 먹다 (muk-da) – 먹어 (muk-uh)
Play – 놀다 (nol-da) – 놀아 (nol-ah)
Go – 가다 (ga-da) – 가 (ga)
Drink – 마시다 (mashi-da) – 마셔 (ma-shu)
Read – 읽다 (ik-da) – 읽어 (il-gu)

Formal Imperatives

Rule: Informal Imperative + 요 (yo)

Example: Wear – 입어 (ib-uh) + 요 (yo) – 입어요 (ib-uh-yo)
Eat – 먹어 (muk-uh) + 요 (yo) – 먹어요 (muk-uh-yo)
Play – 놀아 (nol-ah) + 요 (yo) – 놀아요 (nol-ah-yo)
Go – 가 (ga) + 요 (yo) – 가요 (ga-yo)
Drink – 마셔 (ma-shu) + 요 (yo) – 마셔요 (ma-shu-yo)
Read – 읽어 (il-gu) + 요 (yo) – 읽어요 (il-gu-yo)

Honorific Imperatives

Rule: 1. Take 다 (da) off from basic verbs and then attach 세요 (se-yo) to verbs if it
doesn’t have a final consonant.
2. Attach 으세요 (eu-se-yo) to verbs if it has a final consonant.
3. For verbs with a final consonant of ㄹ, take it off and attach 세요 (se-yo) to it.

Example
Do – 하다 (ha-da) – 하세요 (ha-se-yo)
Go – 가다 (ga-da) – 가세요 (ga-se-yo)
Wear – 입다 (ib-da) – 입으세요 (ib-eu-se-yo)
Wash – 씻다 (ssit-da) – 씻으세요 (ssit-eu-se-yo)
Smile – 웃다 (oot-da) – 웃으세요 (oot-eu-se-yo)
Play – 놀다 (nol-da) – 노세요 (no-se-yo)
Note: As you learned in Lesson 7 there are special honorific forms like
Eat – 먹다 (muk-da) – 드시다 (deu-shi-da)
Sleep – 자다 (ja-da) – 주무시다 (joo-moo-shi-da)
You could make these imperative with rule 1,2, 3.
드시다 (deu-shi-da) – 드세요 (deu-se-yo)
주무시다 (joo-moo-shi-da) – 주무세요 (joo-moo-se-yo)

POSITIV IMPERATIVE NEGATIVE IMPERATIVE

E

Informal Do – 해 (hae) Don’t – 하지마 (ha-ji-ma)

Formal Do – 해요(hae-yo) Don’t – 하지마요 (ha-ji-ma-yo)

Honorific Do – Don’t – 하지마세요 (ha-ji-ma-se-yo)

하세요(ha-se-yo)

Informal negative
Rule : Take 다 (da) off from basic form of verbs and attach 지마 (ji-ma) to it.
Example : Do – 하다 (ha-da) – 하지마 (ha-ji-ma)
Eat – 먹다 (muk-da) – 먹지마 (muk-ji-ma)
Go – 가다 (ga-da) – 가지마(ga-ji-ma)
Write – 쓰다 (sseu-da) – 쓰지마(sseu-ji-ma)

Formal negative
Rule : Attach 요 (yo) to informal form.
Example : Do – 하다 (ha-da) – 하지마 (ha-ji-ma) – 하지마요 (ha-ji-ma-yo)
Eat – 먹다 (muk-da) – 먹지마 (muk-ji-ma) – 먹지마요 (muk-ji-ma-yo)
Go – 가다 (ga-da) – 가지마 (ga-ji-ma) – 가지마요 (ga-ji-ma-yo)
Write – 쓰다 (sseu-da) – 쓰지마 (sseu-ji-ma) – 쓰지마요 (sseu-ji-ma-yo)

Honorific negative
Rule : Take 다(da) off a plain form of verbs and attach 지마세요(ji-ma-se-yo)
Example : Do – 하다 (ha-da) – 하지마세요 (ha-ji-ma-se-yo)
Go – 가다 (ga-da) – 가지마세요 (ga-ji-ma-se-yo)
Wear – 입다 (ib-da) – 입지마세요 (ib-ji-ma-se-yo)
Wash – 씻다 (ssit-da) – 씻지마세요 (ssit-ji-ma-se-yo)
Smile – 웃다 (oot-da) – 웃지마세요 (oot-ji-ma-se-yo)
Play – 놀다 (nol-da) – 놀지마세요 (nol-ji-ma-se-yo)

In Korean, particles go after subject and object unlike in English.

We could classify them into several groups
They are Subject Particle, Object Particle, Possessive Particle, Side by Side Particle, Place
Particle and Toward Particle. I name them by the way we use each.

Subject Particle: 는 (neun), 은 (eun). 이 (yi), 가 (ga)

If subject has bottom consonant 은 (eun) or 이 (yi) comes after subject.
If subject has no bottom consonant 는 (neun) or 가 (ga) comes after subject.

Example

My Brother is a 16 years old. – 내 동생은 열 여섯살입니다.

(nae-dong-saeng-eun-yul-yu-sut-sal-im-ni-da)
My girlfriend is attending Seoul University. – 내 여자 친구는 서울대학에 다닙니다
(nae-yu-ja-chin-goo-neun-Seoul-dae-hak-eh-da-nim-ni-da)

My cousin visited us from Korea. – 내 사촌이 한국에서 우리를 방문했습니다.

(nae-sa-chon-yi-woo-li-leul-bang-moon-haet-seum-ni-da)

My friend sent me a letter. – 내 친구가 편지를 보냈습니다

(nae-chin-goo-ga-pyun-ji-leul-bo-naet-seum-ni-da)

*** There is honorific particle.

If subject is an elder like mother, father, teacher, grandparents…
You should use 께서는 (gge-su-neun) or 께서 (gge-su) instead of 는(neun) or 은(eun).

Example
My mother told me to pick up garbage.-나의 어머니께서는 쓰레기를 주으라고 말씀하셨습니다
(na-eui-uh-mu-ni-gge-su-neun-sseu-le-gi-leul-joo-eu-la-go-mal-sseum-ha-shut-sem-ni-da
)

Our teacher gave us homework. – 선생님께서 숙제를 내주셨습니다

(sun-saeng-nim-gge-su-sook-je-leul-nae-joo-shut-seum-ni-da)

Object Particle: 를 (leul), 을 (eul)

If object has bottom consonant, 을 (eul) comes after object.

If object has no bottom consonant, 를 (leul) comes after object.

Example
I met a friend. – 나는 친구를 만났습니다.
(na neun chin goo leul man nat seum ni da)
I ate dinner with my friend. – 나는 친구와 저녁을 먹었습니다.
(na neun chin goo wa ju nyuk eul muk ut seum ni da)

Possessive Particle: 의 (eui)

Possesive Particle is like My, Your, Our, ‘s etc.

Example
My friend came to America. – 나의 친구가 미국에 왔습니다.
(na eui chin goo ga mi gook eh wat seum ni da)

My Brother’s bag is red. – 나의 동생의 가방은 빨간색입니다.

(na eui dong saeng eui ga bang eun bbal gan saek im ni da)

Side by Side Particle : 와 (wa), 과 (gwa)

와(wa) comes if the word in front of it has no bottom consonant.

과(gwa) comes it the word in front on it has bottom consonant.
Example
Steve and I go to same school. – 스티브와 나는 같은 학교에 다닙니다
(Steve wa na neun ga teun hak gyo eh da nim ni da)
I went to baseball park with my friends.- 나는 친구들과 야구장에 갔습니다.
(na neun chin goo deul gwa ya goo jang eh gat seum ni da)

Lesson 12 Other Particle 2

Place Particle: 에 (eh), 에서 (eh su), 로 (lo), 으로 (eu lo)

에서부터 (eh su boo tu) 까지 (gga ji) 에까지 (eh gga ji)

Example
I went to school yesterday. – 나는 어제 학교에 갔습니다.
(na neun uh je hak gyo eh gat seum ni da)

I met my friend at church. – 나는 교회에서 친구를 만났습니다.

(na neun gyo hoi eh su chin goo leul man nat seum ni da)

I came to Korea from United States. – 나는 미국에서 한국으로 왔습니다.

(na neun mi gook eh su han gook eu lo wat seum ni da)

In this sentence to is 으로 and from is 에서.

I went to the library to study. – 나는 공부하려고 도서실로 갔습니다.
(na neun gong boo ha lyu go do su shil lo gat seum ni da)

I ran from school to home. – 나는 학교에서부터 집에까지 뛰어 왔습니다.

(na neun hak gyo eh su boo tu jip eh gga ji ddwi uh wat seum ni da)

In this sentence from is 에서부터 (eh su boo tu) and to is 에까지(eh gga ji)
Let’s run to home. – 집까지 뛰어가자.
(jip gga ji ddwi uh ga ja)

Toward Particle: 에게 (eh ge) 께 (gge)

Example
I gave that book to my sister. – 나는 그 책을 내 동생에게 주었습니다.
(na neun geu chaek eul nae dong saeng eh ge joo ut seum ni da)
I gave that book to my father. – 나는 그 책을 아버지께 드렸습니다.
(na neun geu chaek eul ah bu ji gge deu lyut seum ni da)

In an honorific sentence, we have to use 께 (gge) instead of 에게 (eh ge).

There are two numeral systems in Korean: Sino-Numeral System and Native Numeral
System.

We are going to review Sino-Numeral System in Lesson 13.

Sino-Numeral System can be used for time of the day (minutes), place of rank, counting
money, etc.

1 일 (il)
2 이 (ee)
3 삼 (sam)
4 사 (sa)
5 오 (oh)
6 육 (yook)
7 칠 (chil)
8 팔 (pal)
9 구 (goo)
10 십 (shib)
11 십일 (shib il)
.
.
.
.
19 십구 (shib goo)
20 이십 (ee shib)
.
.
.
.
30 삼십 (sam shib)
.
.
.
.
99 구십구 (goo shib goo)
100 백 (baek)
101 백일(baek il)
.
.
.
110 백십 (baek shib)
111 백십일 (baek shib il)
.
.
.
.
999 구백구십구 (goo baek goo shib goo)
1000 천 (chun)
10000 만 (man)
100000 십만 (shib man)
1000000 백만 (baek man)
10000000 천만 (chun man)
100000000 억 (uk)

We will discuss about how to use Sino Numeral System in a later lesson.

There are two numeral systems in Korean: Sino-Numeral System and Native Numeral
System. We are going to review Native Numeral System in Lesson 14.
Native System can be used for Time of the day (Hour), counting products, etc.
1 하나 (hana)
2 둘 (dool)
3 셋 (set)
4 넷 (net)
5 다섯 (dasut)
6 여섯 (yusut)
7 일곱 (ilgob)
8 여덟 (yudul)
9 아홉 (ahob)
10 열 (yul)
11 열하나 (yulhana)
.
.
.
.
19 열아홉 (yulahob)
20 스물 (seumool)
.
.
.
.
30 서른 (suleun)
.
.
40 마흔 (maheun)
50 쉰 (Shwen)
60 예순 (yesoon)
70 일흔 (ilheun)
80 여든 (yudeun)
90 아흔 (aheun)
99 아흔아홉 (aheunahob)
100 백 (baek)
101 백하나 (baekhana)
.
.
.
110 백열 (baekyul)
111 백열하나 (baekyulhana)

There are some changes in the word when you use the Native numeral System.
We will discuss that in a later lesson.

Native Numeral System

When we count book in Korean, we count like one book, two books…… twenty books
That means 한권 (han kwon), 두권 (doo kwon), 세권 (se kwon), 네권 (ne kwon),
다섯권 (da sut kwon), 여섯권 (yu sut kwon)……. 스무권 (seu moo kwon)
From one book to four book, Native Numeral System changes from 하나 (ha na) to 한
(han), 둘 (dool) to 두 (doo), 셋 (set) to 세 (se), 넷 (net) to 네 (ne), 스물 (seu mool) to
스무 (seu moo).

When we count hour of the time, we use 한시 (han shi), 두시 (doo Shi), 세시 (se shi), 네시
(ne shi), 다섯시 (da sut shi), 여섯시 (yu sut shi)……….

When we count people, we count like one person, two person…….

한명 (han myung), 두명 (doo myung), 세명 (se myung), 네명 (ne myung), 다섯명 (da sut
myung), 여섯명 (yu sut myung)…… 스무명 (seu moo myung)

Eleven Book – 열한권 (yul han kwon)

Twelve O’ Clock- 열두시 (yul doo shi)

Sino Numeral System

For the months of the year we use Sino Numeral System
January – 일월 (il wol)
February – 이월 (ee wol)
March – 삼월 (sam wol)
April – 사월 (sa wol)
May – 오월 (oh wol)
June – 유월 (yoo wol) 육 changes to 유
July – 칠월 (chil wol)
August – 팔월 (pal wol)
September – 구월 (goo wol)
October – 시월 (shi wol) 십 changes to 시
November – 십일월 (shib il wol)
December – 십이월 (shib ee wol)

We are going to discuss about a short conversation at the market in this lesson.

Salesclerk : Hi there. May I help you with anything?

어서 오세요. 무엇을 도와 드릴까요?

(uh suh o seyo. moo ut eul do wa deu lil gga yo?)

Customer : How much is this shirt?

이 셔츠는 얼마입니까?
(ee shyu cheu neun eol ma im ni gga?)

Salesclerk : It is 10,000 won. What size do you wear?

만 원입니다. 어떤 사이즈를 입으시나요?

(Man won im ni da. uh ddun ssa i jeu leul ib eu shi na yo??)

Customer : Could I have the largest size you have?

제일 큰 사이즈로 주세요.
(Je il keun ssa i jeu lo joo se yo.)

Salesclerk : Here you go.

여기 있습니다.
(Yu gi it sseum ni da.)

Customer : May I try it on?

입어봐도 되나요?
(Ib uh boa do doe na yo?]

Salesclerk : Sure. The fitting room is over there.

그럼요. 저쪽에 탈의실이 있어요.

(geu lum yo. Ju jjok eh tal eui shil i it ssuh yo.)

Customer : Do you have this in other colors?

다른 색깔은 없습니까?
(Da leun saek ggal eun ub seum ni gga?]

Salesclerk : They also come in blue and black

파란색과 검정색이 있어요.

(Pa lan saek gwa gum jung saek i it ssuh yo.]
.
Customer : I’ll try on both of them.

두개 다 입어 볼께요 .
(doo gae da ib uh bol gge yo)

Salesclerk : How are they? Do you like it?

어떠세요? 맘에 드시나요?
(uh ddu se yo? ma eum eh deu shi na yo?)

Customer : Yes, I like it. I’ll take blue.

네, 마음에 들어요 파랑색을 살께요.
(ne, ma eum eh deul uh yo. pa lang saek eul sal gge yo.

Salesclerk : OK, follow me.

네, 이리로 오세요
(ne, ee li lo oh se yo)

Customer : Could you give me a receipt?

영수증을 주세요.
(young soo jeung eul joo se yo)

Salesclerk : Yes, here it is.

네, 여기 있습니다.
(ne, yu gi it seum ni da)

Customer : Thank you

감사합니다
(gam sa ham ni da)

Salesclerk : Thank you. Good bye.

감사합니다. 안녕히 가세요

(gam sa ham ni da. ahn nyung hee ga se yo)

We are going to discuss about a short conversation for a hotel reservation.

Information : Hello. May I help you?

안녕하세요 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
(an nyumg ha se yo moo ut eul do wa deu lil gga yo?)
Customer : I’d like to make a hotel reservation in Seoul.
서울의 호텔을 예약하고 싶습니다
(su wool eui hotel eul ye yak ha go ship seum ni da)

Information : What part of Seoul do you want to stay?

서울의 어느지역을 원하시나요?
(su wool eui uh neu ji yuk eul won ha shin a yo?)

Customer : I’d like to stay in downtown in Seoul near Insadong.

서울의 인사동 근처에 묵고 싶습니다
(su wool eui in sa dong geun chu eh mook go sip seum ni da)

Information : Is there any price range?

어느 정도의 가격대를 원하시나요?
(uh neu jung do eui gag yuk dae leul won ha shi na yo?)

Customer : About 200 dollars per night is good for me.

하루밤에 이백불 정도면 좋겠습니다
(ha loo bam eh ee baek bool jung do myun jot ket seum ni da)

Information : How many days do you want to make a reservation for?

며칠을 예약해드릴까요?
(myu chil eul ye yak hae deu lil gga yo?)

Customer : Three Nights from today.

오늘부터 세밤입니다.
(oh neul boo tu se bam im ni da)

Information : Seoul Hotel and Namsan Hotel are available.

서울 호텔과 남산 호텔이 예약 가능합니다
(su wool ho tel gwa nam san ho tel ee ye yak ga neung ham ni da)

Customer : Which one is in more quiet area?

어느호텔이 좀 더 조용한 지역에 있습니까?
(uh neu ho tel ee jom du jo yong han ji yuk eh it seum ni gga?)
Information : Namsan Hotel is a smaller hotel and in the quieter area.
남산호텔이 좀 더 작고 조용한 지역에 있습니다
(nam san ho tel ee jom du jak go jo yong han ji yuk eh it seum ni da)

Customer : Then.. I’ll take Namsan Hotel

그럼 남산호텔로 하겠습니다
(geu lum nam san ho tel lo ha get seum ni da)

Customer : How could I get Namsan Hotel?

남산호텔까지 어떻게 가나요?
(nam san ho tel gga ji uh dduk ke ga na yo?)

Information : You can take taxi or airport limousine.

택시를 타거나 공항버스를 이용하세요
(taek shi leul ta gu na gong hang bu seu leul yi yong ha se yo)

Customer : Thank you

감사합니다
(gam sa ham ni da)

We are going to learn a short conversation in the taxi.

Driver : Hello. Where do you want to go?

안녕하세요 어디로 모실까요?

(an nyung ha se yo. Uh dee lo mo shil gga yo?)

Customer : To Silla Hotel, please

신라호텔로 가주세요

(sil la ho tel lo ga joo se yo)

Customer : How long does it take to there?

거기까지 가는데 얼마나 걸리나요?

(gu gi gga ji ga neun de ul ma na gul li na yo?)

Driver : Usually it takes only thirty minutes.

보통은 삼십 분 정도 걸립니다.

(bo tong eun sam shib boon jung do gul lim ni da)

But it will take about one hour now because of the traffic.

그렇지만 지금은 교통체증 때문에 약 한 시간 정도 걸리겠네요..

(geu lut chi man ji geum eun gyo tong che jeung ddae moon eh han shi gan jung do gul li
get ne yo)

Customer I see.

그렇군요.

(geu lut koon yo)

Driver : Here we are. This is Silla Hotel.

도착했습니다 여기가 신라호텔입니다.

(do chak haet seum ni da. Yu gig a sil la ho tel im ni da)

Customer : How much is it?

얼마인가요?

(ul ma in ga yo?)

Driver : Thirty five thousand Won.

삼만 오천 원입니다

(sam man oh chul won im ni da)

Customer : Ok Here is Forty thousand won.

네. 여기 사만 원입니다.

(ne. yu gi sa man won im ni da)

Diver : Here is your change. Five thousand Won.

거스름돈 오천 원 여기 있습니다.

(gu seu leum don oh chun won yu gi it seum ni da)

Customer : Thank you.

감사합니다

(gam sa ham ni da)

Driver : Thank you. Good Bye

감사합니다. 안녕히 가세요

(gam sa ham ni da. An nyung hee ga se yo)

We are going to learn a short conversation at the restaurant.

Waiter : Good Evening. How many people?

안녕하세요 몇 분이신가요?
( an nyung ha se yo. myut boon ee shin ga yo? )
Customer : two
두 명입니다.
( doo myung im ni da )
Waiter : Smoking or non-smoking?
흡연석, 금연석 중 어느 것을 원하시나요?
( heub yun suk gwa geum yun suk joong uh neu gu seul won ha shi na yo? )
Customer : Non-smoking, please
금연석으로 해 주세요
( geum yun suk eu lo hae joo se yo )
Waiter : This way, please
이쪽으로 오세요
( ee jjok eu lo oh se yo )
Here is the menu.
여기 메뉴가 있습니다
( yu gi me nyoo ga it seum ni da )
Customer : What do you recommend?
어느 것을 추천하시나요?
( uh neu gu seul choo chun ha shi na yo? )
Waiter : Boogogi and Galbi are very tasty for barbeque.
불고기나 갈비가 바베큐로 좋습니다
( bool go gi na gal bi ga ba be kyoo lo jot seum ni da )
I also like to recommend Bibimbab.
그리고 비빔밥도 추천드립니다.
( geu li go bi bim bab do choo chun deu lim ni da )
Customer : We will try Bibimbab.
비빔밥으로 할께요.
( bi bim bab eu lo hal gge yo )
Could you make it less spicy?
덜 맵게 해 주실 수 있나요?
( dul maeb ge hae joo shil soo it na yo? )
Waiter : Yes. I will bring spicy paste separately.
네, 고추장을 따로 가져 오겠습니다.
( ne, go choo jang eul dda lo ga ju oh get seum ni da )
Waiter : How is everything?
어떠신가요?
( uh ddu shin ga yo? )
Customer : It taste very good.. Could I have more cold water please?
매우 맛있습니다. 냉수 좀 더 주세요
( mae oo mat it seum ni da. naeng soo jom du joo se yo ).
Waiter : Sure. Here it is.
네, 여기 있습니다.
( ne, yu gi it seum ni a )
Waiter : What would you like to have for dessert?
디저트로 무엇을 드시겠습니까?
( dee ju teu lo moo ut seul deu shi get seum ni gga? )
Customer : What do you have?
어떤 게 있나요?
( uh ddun ge it na yo? )
Waiter : Ice cream and Tea.
아이스크림과 차가 있습니다.
( ah ee seu keu lim gwa cha ga it seum ni da )
Customer We will take Ice cream. What flavor do you have?
아이스크림으로 하겠습니다. 어떤 맛이 있나요?
( ah ee seu keu lim eu lo ha get seum ni da. uh ddun mat shi it na yo? )
Waiter : We have green tea or vanilla.
녹차와 바닐라가 있습니다
( nok cha wa ba nil la ga it seum ni da )
Customer : Green tea ice cream, please.
녹차 아이스크림으로 주세요.
( nok cha ah ee seu keu lime u lo joo se yo )
Waiter : Here is your ice cream.
여기 있습니다
( yu gi it seum ni da )
Customer : Can we have a bill?
계산서를 주시겠어요?
( gye san su leul joo shi get ssu yo? )
Waiter : Here it is. Thank you.
여기 있습니다 감사합니다
( yu gi it seum ni da. gam sa ham ni da )

We are going to learn a short conversation for an airline ticket reservation.

Kim : This is the travel agency, isn’t it?

거기 여행사인가요?
(gu gi yu haeng sa in ga yo?)

I would like to book a flight to London.

런던 가는 비행기를 예약하고 싶습니다.

(lun dun ga neun bi haeng gi leul ye yak ha go shib seum ni da.)

Clerk : When will you be leaving?

언제 떠나실 건가요?

( un je ddu na shil gun ga yo?)

Kim : Is there a plane on Wednesday or Thursday this week?

이번주 수요일이나 목요일에 비행기가 있나요?

( ee bun joo soo yo il ee na mok yo il eh bi haeng gi ga it na yo?

Clerk : Please wait a moment.

잠시만 기다려 주세요.

( jam shi man gi da lyu joo se yo. )

Yes, there is a plane to London on Wednesday .

네, 수요일에 런던행 비행기가 있습니다.

( ne, soo yo il eh lun dun haeng bi haeng gi ga it seum ni da.)

Kim : Is it a direct flight?

직행인가요?

( jik haeng in ga yo?)

Clerk : No, you have to transfer in Hong Kong.

아닙니다, 홍콩에서 갈아타셔야 합니다.

(ah nim ni da, hong kong eh su gal ah ta shyu ya ham ni da.)

Kim : What is the rate?

요금은 얼마입니까?

(yo geum eun ul ma im ni gga?)

Clerk : $ 1000.00 one way and $1600.00 for round trip.

편도는 1000 불이고 왕복은 1600 불입니다.

(pyun do neun chum bool ee go wang bok eun chun yook baek bool im ni da.)

Kim : Please make a reservation for a round trip ticket.

왕복으로 예약해주십시요.

(wang bok eu lo ye yak hae joo shib shi yo.)

Clerk : Please tell me your name and contact number.

이름과 연락처를 말씀해 주십시요.

( ee leum gwa yun lak chu leul mal sseum hae joo shib shi yo.)
Kim : My name is Kim Davis and my cell phone number is 123-4567.

제 이름은 Kim Davis 이고 제 셀폰 넘버는 일이삼에 사오육칠입니다.

(je ee leum eun Kim Davis ee go je ssel pon num bu neun il ee sam eh sa oh yook chil im ni
da.)

Clerk : All done. Please drop by our office to pick up your ticket tomorrow.

다 됐습니다. 내일 비행기표를 찾으러 저희 사무실에 오십시요.

(da doit seum ni da. nae il bi haeng gi pyo leul cha jeu lu ju hee sa moo shil eh oh shib shi
yo.)

Kim : Thank you.

감사합니다.

(gam sa ham ni da.)

Often times in our lives, there are things we can’t do or have no control over. We give
reasons when we talk with other people. This lesson describes how “because of” is used in
Korean.

In this dialogue, we’re going to learn how to say “because of…” something.

Dialogue

Teacher : Alright, shall we all be seated?

자, 모두 자리에 앉을까요?

(ja, mo doo ja li eh ah jeul gga yo?)

Who isn’t here yet?

누가 아직 안 왔나요?

(noo ga ah jik an wat na yo?)

Student : Joe is not here yet.

조가 아직 안왔어요.

(jo ga ah jik an wat ssu yo)

Teacher : Is Helen here?

헬렌은 왔나요?

(hel len eun wat na yo?)

Helen : I am here.

저 여기 있습니다.

(ju yu gi it seum ni da)

Teacher : Why were you absent yesterday, Helen?

헬렌, 어제는 왜 결석했나요?

(hel len, uh je neun wae gyul suk haet na yo?)

Helen : I couldn’t come because of cold.

감기때문에 못 왔어요.

(gam gi ddae moon eh mot wat ssu yo)

Teacher : Are you alright now?

지금은 괜찮나요?

(ji geum eun gwaen chan na yo?)

Helen : Yes, I am much better. Thank you.

네, 많이 좋아졌어요. 감사합니다.

(ne, man ee jo ah jyut ssu yo. gam sa ham ni da)

Joe : I am sorry I am late.

늦어서 죄송합니다.

(neu jyu su joi song ham ni da)

I am late because of the traffic.

교통체증때문에 늦었어요.

(gyo tong che jeung dda moon eh neu jyut ssu yo)

Teacher : Joe, I am glad you are here, but come little earlier next time.

조, 당신이 와서 기뻐요. 하지만 다음 시간엔 조금 일찍 오세요.

(jo, dang shin ee was u gi bbu yo. ha ji man da eum shi gan en jo geum il jjik oh se yo)

More Example Sentences.

I was late because of my friend.

친구때문에 늦었습니다
(chin goo ddae moon eh neu jut seum ni da)

I didn’t go to the mountains because of the math test.

수학 시험때문에 산에 가지 못했습니다

(soo hak shi hum ddae moon eh san eh ga ji mot haet seum ni da)

I couldn’t go on a trip because of a cold.

감기때문에 여행을 갈수 없었습니다

(gam gi ddae moon eh yu haeng eul gal soo ub ssut seum ni da)