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Korean Language Essentials Cheatsheet

A quick reference guide covering essential Korean vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and useful phrases for beginners. Useful for learners in navigating the basics of the Korean language and culture.

Basic Vocabulary

Core Words

안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo)

Hello/Hi (Formal)

감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida)

Thank you (Formal)

죄송합니다 (Joesonghamnida)

I’m sorry (Formal)

네 (Ne)

Yes

아니요 (Aniyo)

No

이름 (Ireum)

Name

물 (Mul)

Water

밥 (Bap)

Rice / Meal

Numbers

하나 (Hana)

One

둘 (Dul)

Two

셋 (Set)

Three

넷 (Net)

Four

다섯 (Daseot)

Five

여섯 (Yeoseot)

Six

일곱 (Ilgop)

Seven

Essential Grammar Points

Sentence Structure

Korean follows an Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure.
Example: 나는 사과를 먹는다. (Naneun sagwaleul meogneunda) - I eat an apple. (I apple eat.)

Particles are crucial as they indicate the role of nouns in a sentence.

  • 은/는 (eun/neun) - Topic marker
  • 이/가 (i/ga) - Subject marker
  • 을/를 (eul/reul) - Object marker

Verb Conjugation

Korean verb conjugation changes based on politeness levels and tense.

The most common polite form ends in -아요/어요 (-ayo/eoyo).

Example:

  • 먹다 (Meokda) - To eat
  • 먹어요 (Meogeoyo) - Eat (polite form)

Politeness Levels

Korean has different levels of politeness, impacting verb endings and word choice.

  • Formal/Polite (하십시오체) - Used in presentations, news, and formal settings.
  • Polite (해요체) - Commonly used in everyday conversation.
  • Informal (해체) - Used with close friends and family.

Pronunciation Guide

Basic Vowels

ㅏ (a)

Pronounced like the ‘a’ in ‘father’

ㅓ (eo)

Pronounced like the ‘u’ in ‘but’

ㅗ (o)

Pronounced like the ‘o’ in ‘go’

ㅜ (u)

Pronounced like the ‘oo’ in ‘moon’

ㅣ (i)

Pronounced like the ‘ee’ in ‘see’

Basic Consonants

ㄱ (g/k)

Similar to ‘g’ at the beginning and ‘k’ at the end of a word

ㄴ (n)

Similar to ‘n’ in ‘no’

ㄷ (d/t)

Similar to ‘d’ at the beginning and ‘t’ at the end of a word

ㄹ (r/l)

A sound between ‘r’ and ‘l’

ㅁ (m)

Similar to ‘m’ in ‘me’

Important Notes

Aspiration: Some consonants have aspirated versions (stronger puff of air), affecting pronunciation.

Tense Consonants: Double consonants are tense and require more force.

Useful Phrases

Greetings & Introductions

처음 뵙겠습니다 (Cheoeum boepgetseumnida) - Nice to meet you (Formal)

만나서 반갑습니다 (Mannaseo bangapseumnida) - Pleased to meet you

제 이름은 [이름]입니다 (Je ireumeun [ireum]imnida) - My name is [name]

Basic Interactions

얼마예요? (Eolmayeyo?)

How much is it?

[장소] 어디예요? ([Jangso] eodiyeyo?)

Where is [place]?

화장실은 어디예요? (Hwajangsireun eodiyeyo?)

Where is the bathroom?

도와주세요 (Dowajuseyo)

Help me

Expressing Needs

[무엇] 주세요 ([Mueot] juseyo) - Please give me [item].

이해 못 해요 (Ihae mot haeyo) - I don’t understand.

한국말을 잘 못 해요 (Hangungmareul jal mot haeyo) - I don’t speak Korean well.
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