Collins Korean: Essential Words, Phrases, and Grammar

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering core Korean grammar structures, honorifics, essential terms, and cultural customs from Collins Korean 3000 Words and Phrases.

Korean Word Order

The standard sentence structure in Korean, which follows Subject – Object – Verb (SOV). Subject or topic is often omitted when understood from context.

씨 (ssi)

A gender-neutral suffix similar to Mr/Miss/Ms in English, used as a polite way to address someone of a similar age or social position.

님 (nim)

A gender-neutral honorific suffix attached to a person's title or name and position (e.g., 김 부장님) when addressing senior or older colleagues.

이에요 / 예요 (ieyo / yeyo)

Polite verb endings meaning 'to be'. 이에요 attaches to nouns ending in a consonant, while 예요 attaches to nouns ending in a vowel.

(으)시 ((eu)si)

An honorific infix added to verbs to make the form more polite and respectful toward the subject.

는 / 은 (neun / eun)

Korean topic particles attached to nouns to identify the topic of a sentence (e.g., 저는 in '저는 점심을 먹었어요').

을 / 를 (eul / reul)

Korean object particles attached to nouns to mark the direct object of a verb (e.g., 점심을 in '저는 점심을 먹었어요').

Sino-Korean Numbers

The numerical system (일, 이, 삼…) used to count seconds and minutes, talk about dates and money, and give phone numbers.

Native Korean Numbers

The numerical system (하나, 둘, 셋…) used to count hours, talk about age, and count numbers of people or things up to 99.

안녕하세요! (annyeonghaseyo)

Hello! / Hi!

감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)

Thank you.

실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)

Excuse me.

형 / 오빠 (hyeong / oppa)

Older brother (형 is used by a male speaker; 오빠 is used by a female speaker).

누나 / 언니 (nuna / eonni)

Older sister (누나 is used by a male speaker; 언니 is used by a female speaker).

시어머니 / 장모님 (sieomeoni / jangmonim)

Mother-in-law (시어머니 refers to the husband's mother; 장모님 refers to the wife's mother).

시아버지 / 장인어른 (siabeoji / jangineoreun)

Father-in-law (시아버지 refers to the husband's father; 장인어른 refers to the wife's father).

대중교통 (daejunggyotong)

Public transport.

조종석 (jojongseok)

Cockpit (in a helicopter or aeroplane).

비빔밥 (bibimbap)

A classic Korean dish consisting of rice mixed with assorted vegetables and meat.

불고기 (bulgogi)

A classic Korean dish of marinated grilled beef.

김치찌개 (gimchijjigae)

A traditional Korean kimchi stew.

한의학 (hanuihak)

Traditional Korean medicine.

구급 상자 (gugeup sangja)

First-aid kit.

복주머니 (bokjumeoni)

A traditional Korean lucky pouch, commonly tied with a knot (매듭줄) and decorated with an ornament (노리개 장식).

한복 (hanbok)

Korean traditional clothing.

차례 (charye)

Ancestral rites performed during traditional Korean holidays.

성묘 (seongmyo)

A ceremonial visit to ancestral graves.

세배 (sebae)

A formal New Year's bow performed to show respect to elders.

추석 (chuseok)

The Korean Harvest Festival holiday.

설날 (seollal)

Korean Lunar New Year.