Tag: Beginner Korean

  • How to Say Hello in Korean

    How to Say Hello in Korean

    If you’ve ever watched a K-Drama, you’ve heard probably heard: “Annyeonghaseyo!”, but did you know there’s more than one way to say “hello” in Korean.

    And using the wrong one can sound rude or strange?

    In Korean, greetings are based on formality, age, and situation. In this post, we’ll break down the three most common greetings and when to use them correctly—even if you’re just starting out.

    How To Say Hello in Korean – Three Different Ways

    1. 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo)

    Use: The standard polite greeting.
    This is the safest and most common way to say hello in Korean. You’ll hear this between strangers, in stores, and in almost every K-Drama scene where characters meet politely.

    Use it when:

    • You meet someone for the first time
    • You’re greeting someone older than you
    • You want to sound respectful

    2. 안녕 (Annyeong)

    Use: Informal / casual greeting.
    This is the equivalent of saying “hi” or “hey.” It’s friendly, warm—but only appropriate with people close to you.

    Use it when:

    • Speaking to a friend or younger sibling
    • Messaging someone your age
    • Saying hello to kids

    ⚠️ Do not use this with strangers, teachers, or anyone older unless invited.

    3. 안녕하십니까 (Annyeonghasimnikka)

    Use: Very formal greeting.
    This version is used in formal presentations, on the news, or in official work environments.

    Use it when:

    • Giving a formal speech
    • Answering the phone in a business setting
    • Greeting someone much higher in rank

    How To Say Hello in Korean If You’re Not Sure

    If you’re not sure—go with 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo). It’s polite, friendly, and usually safe.

    Korean has deep respect built into the language. Using the correct greeting helps you make a good first impression and shows cultural understanding.

    🎯 Are You Over 50 or Struggling to Learn Korean?

    If you’re over 50 or just finding Korean harder than you expected, you’re not alone.

    Grab your free guide with our 100 KDrama words and phrases here:

    We also offer free 1-on-1 strategy sessions for learners who want a clear, personal plan that actually works. Especially useful if traditional apps and videos haven’t helped.

    👉 Book Your Free Strategy Session Today

  • Class In Korean Language – Best Time To Start

    Class In Korean Language – Best Time To Start

    If you’ve been wondering when is the best time to start a class in Korean language, here’s the truth:

    There’s no perfect time.
    But there is a smart time.

    And for most people—especially K-Drama fans or adult learners over 50—the smartest time is when you already enjoy listening to Korean and feel the urge to understand it properly.

    Listen First, Then Learn

    Before you dive into a class, ask yourself:

    • Have you watched more than one K-Drama in the past month?
    • Do you recognize words like “Oppa,” “Gaja,” or “Mianhae”?
    • Are you starting to “hear” patterns, even if you don’t know the meanings yet?

    If so, your brain is already doing the work. It’s identifying tone, rhythm, and repetition—just like a child learning a first language.

    That’s your window. That’s the moment to begin.

    When is the Best Time To Start Learning Korean Language and Why Starting Too Early Can Backfire

    Many people start with grammar charts, endless vowel tables, or entire alphabets.
    They get overwhelmed, lose motivation, and stop.

    But if you wait just long enough to build familiarity through exposure, you’ll be ready to:

    • Understand what your teacher is saying faster
    • Retain vocabulary better
    • Enjoy the class, not endure it

    That makes it sustainable.

    Build a “Word Bank” First

    Before joining any course, aim to learn 20–100 Korean words or phrases you already hear in your favorite shows.

    Examples:

    • Annyeong – Hello
    • Wae? – Why?
    • Jinjja? – Really?
    • Oppa – Older brother / boyfriend
    • Mianhae – Sorry

    These words build confidence.
    And confidence leads to consistency.

    Ready to Start a Class In Korean Language?

    If you’ve been thinking about joining a class in Korean language, the best time is when you’re already hearing the words and want to understand more.

    If you think you’re ready then book a free strategy session and we’ll help you plan your path.

    👉 Book Your Free Strategy Session Today

    Prefer to start on your own?

    If you’re over 50 or just finding Korean harder than you expected, you’re not alone.

    Grab your free guide with our 100 KDrama words and phrases here:

  • How to Write V in Korean Hangul (Even Though It Doesn’t Exist)

    How to Write V in Korean Hangul (Even Though It Doesn’t Exist)

    If you’re trying to write V in Korean Hangul, you’ll quickly hit a wall. Why? It’s because there’s no V sound in Hangul.

    But that doesn’t mean Koreans never say V-sounding words. They just adapt them using the closest sounds available in the Korean alphabet.

    Let’s break it down.

    Why You Can’t Write V in Korean Hangul

    Hangul, the Korean writing system, was created in the 15th century. It was designed to match the sounds of the Korean language—and Korean has no native “V” sound.

    That’s why even today, modern Korean learners have to work around the V using other sounds in the Hangul set.

    The Common Substitution: ㅂ (B Sound)

    When Korean speakers need to say a V word, they usually substitute it with the ㅂ sound, which is pronounced like a soft “B.”

    English Word Hangul Pronunciation

    Vanilla 바닐라 ba-nil-la
    Video 비디오 bi-di-o
    Voice 보이스 bo-i-seu

    As you can see, there’s no direct letter V. Instead, 바 (ba), 비 (bi), or 보 (bo) are used.

    It’s not a perfect match—but it’s close enough that Koreans understand the meaning instantly.

    If You’re Trying to Write V in Korean Hangul, How Can You Create a V Sound in Korean?

    Some speakers might try to pronounce V more accurately by forcing their bottom lip and top teeth together. But this is not natural in Korean speech patterns—and there’s no letter for it.

    Even if you force the V sound, you’ll still write it using ㅂ, because that’s the standard phonetic workaround.

    What This Means for Learners

    If you’re learning Korean and your name, nickname, or brand uses a V—don’t try to invent a new sound. Use ㅂ.

    Examples:

    • “Victoria” → 빅토리아 (Bik-to-ri-a)
    • “Television” → 텔레비전 (Tel-le-bi-jeon)

    🎯 Are You Over 50 or Struggling to Learn Korean?

    If you’re over 50 or just finding Korean harder than you expected, you’re not alone.

    Grab your free guide with our 100 KDrama words and phrases here:

    We also offer free 1-on-1 strategy sessions for learners who want a clear, personal plan that actually works. Especially useful if traditional apps and videos haven’t helped.

    👉 Book Your Free Strategy Session Today

  • How to Write A in Korean Hangul — A Beginner’s Guide to the Korean Vowel ㅏ

    How to Write A in Korean Hangul — A Beginner’s Guide to the Korean Vowel ㅏ

    If you’re just starting your journey into the Korean language, you might wonder how to write letter “A” in Korean Hangul.

    That’s because the Korean alphabet — known as Hangul — doesn’t use Roman letters, so even simple sounds like “A” have their own unique characters. But don’t worry — it’s easier than you think.

    What Is A in Korean Hangul?

    In Korean, the closest equivalent to the English sound “A” as in “father” is the vowel: ㅏ
    It’s pronounced like “ah” — open and relaxed.

    This is one of the basic Korean vowels and a perfect place to start if you’re learning Hangul.

    How to Write A In Korean Hangul

    ㅏ is written in two strokes:

    1. Draw a vertical line from top to bottom.
    2. Then draw a short horizontal line to the right, starting from the middle of the vertical line.

    Here’s a visual tip:
    It almost looks like a simple flag post!

    Bonus: What Words Use ㅏ?

    Here are a few Korean words that include ㅏ:

    • 아빠 (appa) – dad
    • 사랑 (sarang) – love
    • 바나나 (banana) – banana

    You’ll find ㅏ all over Korean vocabulary!

    Learning Tip

    ㅏ is one of 10 basic Korean vowels, so learning how to write A in Korean Hangul will put you on the right path to learning Korean.

    If you learn just these, you’ll unlock a huge portion of written Korean. It’s the foundation of learning to read and write fluently.

    🎯 Are You Over 50 or Struggling to Learn Korean?

    If you’re over 50 or just finding Korean harder than you expected, you’re not alone.

    Grab your free guide with our 100 KDrama words and phrases here:

    We also offer free 1-on-1 strategy sessions for learners who want a clear, personal plan that actually works. Especially useful if traditional apps and videos haven’t helped.

    👉 Book Your Free Strategy Session Today

  • What Does Shiro Mean in Korean?

    What Does Shiro Mean in Korean?

    How to Write and Use 싫어 in Hangul

    If you’ve watched even a few K-Dramas, you’ve probably heard a character shout: “Shiro!” and wondered what does shiro mean in Korean?

    It sounds like an emotional “no,” but it’s not the same as the polite rejection you’d use in a formal setting. This word has heat. It has feeling. It means:

    “I don’t like it.”
    or
    “I hate it.”

    Let’s break down what shiro really means, how it’s written in Hangul, and why it’s one of the most important emotional phrases in Korean.

    What Does “Shiro” (싫어) In Korean Actually Mean?

    “Shiro” (written as 싫어 in Hangul) is used when you really dislike something. It can mean:

    • I don’t want to
    • I hate it
    • I dislike that

    It’s a strong emotional refusal—not just a calm “no.”

    In tone, it can sound:

    • Frustrated (“I don’t want to!”)
    • Playful (“Nooo, I don’t like that!”)
    • Defiant (“I hate that idea.”)

    How to Write “Shiro” in Hangul

    Here’s the breakdown of the word 싫어:

    • First syllable: 싫 (shir)
    • Second syllable: 어 (uh)

    The romanization shiro is a simplified pronunciation. In reality, the first syllable has a slightly blocked “r/l” sound combined with “shi.”

    If you’re learning Hangul stroke-by-stroke, focus on:

    • The ㅅ and ㄹ combo in 싫
    • The soft open vowel 어

    How It’s Used in K-Dramas (And Real Life)

    You’ll hear “shiro!” in situations like:

    • A character refusing to go on a blind date
    • Someone rejecting a gift or food they dislike
    • A child protesting doing homework
    • A love confession that’s denied with emotion

    What’s the Difference Between Shiro and Aniyo?

    Phrase Hangul Meaning Tone

    Shiro 싫어 I don’t like it Emotional, strong, informal
    Aniyo 아니요 No (polite) Neutral, respectful

    • Use “Aniyo” in polite conversation.
    • Use “Shiro” when your feelings are strong—or when acting like your favorite drama lead.

    🎯 Are You Over 50 or Struggling to Learn Korean?

    If you’re over 50 or just finding Korean harder than you expected, you’re not alone.

    Grab your free guide with our 100 KDrama words and phrases here:

    We offer free 1-on-1 strategy sessions for learners who want a clear, personal plan that actually works. Especially useful if traditional apps and videos haven’t helped.

    👉 Book Your Free Strategy Session Today