Korean Vocabulary Review

Vocabulary Overview

Animals

  • 개 (gae) - Dog

  • 마리 (mari) - Counter for animals

Ways to Remember

  • "개 (gae)": "Gae" sounds a bit like "guy"; imagine a guy with a dog.

  • "마리 (mari)": Think of "marine" animals or "many" animals, both start with 'm'.

Family Members

  • 남동생 (namdongsaeng) - Younger brother

  • 여동생 (yeodongsaeng) - Younger sister

  • 오빠 (oppa) - Older brother (for females)

  • 형 (hyeong) - Older brother (for males)

  • 부모님 (bumonim) - Parents

  • 아버지 (abeoji) - Father

  • 어머니 (eomeoni) - Mother

Ways to Remember

  • For younger siblings: "남 (nam)" means male, "여 (yeo)" means female; "동생 (dongsaeng)" means younger sibling.

  • "오빠 (oppa)": A common K-pop term, remember it's used by females for an older brother.

  • "형 (hyeong)": Sounds like "hyung", used by males for an older brother.

  • "어머니 (eomeoni)": Sounds like "Oh, money!", something mothers often manage.

  • "아버지 (abeoji)": Sounds a bit like "Abbey Road", where the head of the family resides.

General Counters

  • 한 (han) - One (counter)

  • 두 (du) - Two (counter)

  • 세 (se) - Three (counter)

  • 스무 (seumu) - Twenty (counter)

  • 년 (nyeon) - Year (counter)

  • 달 (dal) - Month (counter)

  • 달러/불 (dallae/bul) - Dollar (counter)

  • 명 (myeong) - People (counter, animate)

  • 시간 (sigan) - Hour (duration)

  • 몇 (myeot) - How many

Ways to Remember

  • "달 (dal)": Also means "moon" in Korean; months relate to lunar cycles.

  • "년 (nyeon)": Sounds like "new year".

  • "명 (myeong)": Sounds like "men" or "many people".

  • "시간 (sigan)": Sounds like "see gone"; time is gone when an hour has passed.

Locations

  • 보스톤 (Boseuton) - Boston

  • 홍콩 (Hong Kong) - Hong Kong

Conjunctions and Particles

  • 하고 (hago) - And (for nouns)

Ways to Remember

  • "하고 (hago)": Sounds like "hug, oh!"; imagine nouns hugging together when "and" connects them.

Verbs

  • 계시다 (gyesida) - To be (existence), to stay (honorific form of 있다 - itda)

Ways to Remember

  • "계시다 (gyesida)": Associate it with "guest-sida"; when a guest (someone deserving respect) "is" present, you use this honorific verb.

Usage of Counters

  • Counter for Animals: Using "마리" (mari) is important when you want to quantify animals in Korean. For example, "두 마리" (two animals).

    • Ways to Remember: "마리" for "marine" animals, or "many animals" both start with 'm'.

  • Counter for People: When talking about people, the counter "명" (myeong) is used, such as "세 명" (three people).

    • Ways to Remember: "명" sounds like "men", referring to people.

Importance of Honorific Language

  • The verb "계시다" (gyesida) showcases the significance of honorifics in the Korean language. It is utilized to show respect, especially when referring to elders or in formal settings.

    • Ways to Remember: The honorific verb "계시다" (gyesida) is used when referring to someone who deserves respect, like a cherished guest who "is" present.

Numerical Expressions in Korean

  • When expressing numbers, Korean uses specific counters unique to categories like animals, people, and years. It is essential to know the counter associated with the noun being discussed to communicate accurately.

    • Ways to Remember: Think of counters as specific "units of measure" for different categories. Always ask, "What kind of thing am I counting?"