TOPIK I Beginner Vocabulary — Quick Notes

Overview

  • TOPIK I Beginner Vocabulary: basic Korean words (Hangul) with English translations, used for quick recall and review.
  • Includes common verbs, nouns (people, places, foods, objects), adjectives, and a few connectors/phrases.
  • Organized by index numbers in the source material; good for targeted memorization of high-frequency terms.

High-frequency Verbs

  • 가다 — to go
  • 오다 — to come
  • 있다 — to exist, have
  • 만들다 — to make
  • 먹다 — to eat
  • 마시다 — to drink
  • 주다 — to give
  • 받다 — to receive
  • 입다 — to wear
  • 쓰다 — to write; to wear (glasses, hat) depending on meaning
  • 듣다 — to listen
  • 보다 — to see
  • 말하다 — to say, talk
  • 하다 — to do

Core Nouns (People)

  • 사람 — person
  • 남자 — man
  • 여자 — woman
  • 가족 — family
  • 부모 — parents
  • 형제 — siblings; brothers/sisters
  • 친구 — friend
  • 선생님 — teacher
  • 의사 — doctor
  • 할아버지 — grandfather
  • 할머니 — grandmother

Core Nouns (Places)

  • 학교 — school
  • 도서관 — library
  • 병원 — hospital
  • 경찰서 — police station
  • 은행 — bank
  • 공원 — park
  • 도로 — road
  • 빌딩 — building
  • 도시/도시락? (noting in context: 도로, 도시 등) – use as contextually helpful; common place words include
  • 우체국 — post office
  • 공항 — airport
  • 집 — house

Core Nouns (Foods & Drinks)

  • 밥 — rice / meal
  • 김치 — kimchi
  • 계란 — egg
  • 빵 — bread
  • 물 — water
  • 과일 — fruit
  • 과자 — snack
  • 라면 — ramen
  • 김치찌개 — kimchi stew
  • 된장 — soybean paste
  • 커피 — coffee
  • 차 — tea
  • 우유 — milk

Core Nouns (Objects & Things)

  • 책 — book
  • 책상 — desk
  • 책장 — bookshelf
  • 노트 — notebook
  • 연필 — pencil
  • 컴퓨터 — computer
  • 카메라 — camera
  • 전화 — telephone
  • 의자 — chair
  • 옷 — clothes
  • 신발 — shoes
  • 가방 — bag
  • 냄비 — pot
  • 냉장고 — refrigerator
  • 다리/다리? (contextual: 다리 = leg) — use as needed

Colors & Descriptors

  • 빨간색 — red
  • 파란색 — blue
  • 노란색 — yellow
  • 초록색 — green
  • 흰색 — white
  • 까만색 / 검은색 — black
  • 크다 — big / large
  • 작다 — small
  • 많다 — many / much
  • 좋다 — good
  • 나쁘다 — bad
  • 비싸다 — expensive (note: not always in the subset, but common)
  • 맛있다 — delicious
  • 빠르다 — fast
  • 느리다 — slow
  • 예쁘다 — pretty

Common Adjectives & Adverbs

  • 아주/매우 — very
  • 그리고 — and
  • 그래서 — so / therefore
  • 그러나 / 하지만 — but
  • 그렇다 — yes / that is right
  • 그렇지? — isn’t it?
  • 그냥 — just, as it is

Basic Phrases & Particles (contextual usage)

  • 그리고 — and
  • 그래서 — so / therefore
  • 그러나 / 하지만 — but
  • 그것은/그거 — that thing
  • 이/가 — subject markers (use in basic sentences)
  • 에 — to, at (location/time)
  • 에서 — at, in, from (location-based action)

Quick Recall Aids

  • Start with 12–15 high-frequency verbs and 20–30 core nouns (people, places, foods, objects).
  • Group by theme (food, places, family, everyday actions) to improve retention.
  • Practice with simple sentences using 있는/있다 and 가다/오다 for movement and existence.
  • Use color words to describe objects (e.g., 빨간색 사과, blue jeans: 파란색 바지).
  • Review common greetings and polite expressions (감사합니다, 반갑습니다, 안녕하세요).

Exam-ready Tips

  • Prioritize memorizing high-frequency items first; the rest can be learned in context.
  • Know base forms (dictionary forms) and their basic meanings; many words have multiple senses depending on context.
  • Build mini flashcards for everyday items (grocery, classroom, transport, family) to simulate real conversation.
  • Remember that some words have multiple translations depending on usage (e.g., 입다 can mean to wear or put on depending on object).