Real Korean

This short e-book contains a number of real Korean expressions I personally use as a
native Korean speaker (as well as 40 millions of other Koreans) in my daily life in Seoul,
Korea.

You can use these expressions right away and you will become a native Korean
overnight!

A special section explains the subtle arts of Korean speaking, which do not necessarily
exist in other languages. (except for Japanese)

You need to be able to read Korean first, if this e-book is to be of any use for you. Good
thing that Korean is the easiest in the world to learn how to read. It takes as little as 30
minutes!

Please let me know if you would like more of similar series or tell me how I could
improve: kilhany@gmail.com

Enjoy!

-Gil Yun
Public transportation
subway
ride subway / get on the train
got on the wrong train
opposite direction
crowded/stuffed with people
there are no seats (=seats)
should get off
recharge transportation card ( tap on/off card used in
Seoul to ride subway/bus)
next station
exit
walk up the stairs (=stairs)
use the escalator
tap on/off with your transportation card
() / change/coins
reserved seats (for elderly/pregnant)
() where are we getting off
() how long does it take (to get to the destination)
1 line 1
loop line
two please (asking the bus driver to charge for two people)
three please
XXX ()? Does this go to XXX?

.
. .
. . 1
9 . 2 .
. .
, .

If you dont have enough on your transportation card, you need to recharge it. You can
charge your transportation card at subway stations and other convenient stores. You can
also do it at other small vendors on the streets. You should tap on when getting on, and
tap off when getting off. Otherwise you will be over-charged. In Seoul, there are 9
subway lines. Line 2 is the loop line. You should offer your seat when you see an elderly.
Every subway stations have escalators you can use. If you find yourself on the wrong
train and headed to opposite direction, get off and go to the other side.

restaurant / food joints

. how many(of you)? (usually asked when entering a restaurant)

. two
. three
. one
/ ? Can we(I) have an empty bowl / empty
plate? (we usually ask this while eating, when we need more plates to put the
side dishes, etc)
help yourself with side dishes
help yourself with water
. Excuse me. Could you take our orders
? Could you box up the left-overs? / Id like to take this
home.
left-overs
for two (food portion enough for two people)
credit card
. / . Could we get a check, please?
receipt
? Do you need a receipt?
? Wheres the bathroom?
? Do you know where the trash bin is?
? Could you give me a receipt? (When you need one
and they didnt give you when paying)
. excuse me (When calling the waiters, getting their attention)
XXX ? could we get some more XXX, please?
? how much is this?
? how much is that one?
? When does it close?
? when does it open?
cup (for water)
sign (for credit card, one need to give a signature)
. pay with cash
water dispenser
refill
 scissors (to cut into smaller pieces)
cushion (You might have to seat on the floor in more traditional Korean
restaurants, and they have cushions for you to sit on should the floor is too
cold)

* you use when you are not sure whether what you asked for is
possible. For example, you want to take leftovers home but unsure whether
they will let you, you ask ?. Also makes it
sound more polite. = Would it be possible.

. .
.
.
. .
. .
9 .

We three went to a Chinese restaurant. The waitress asked how many, so I answered
three. Two of my friends ordered Jjam-bbong (spicy seafood noodle) and I Jjajang-
myeon (sweet black noodle) king size. Jjam-bbong was too spicy and my friends asked
for water. The waitress politely told them they can help themselves and pointed at the
water dispenser. To put some of the Danmuji(yellow radish), we asked for an empty
plate. After finishing eating, we asked for a check. We payed with a credit card and
signed the receipt. The waitress forgot to give us the receipt so I asked for it. When I
asked when it closes, she said at 9pm.
food
hungry
chicken wing
drumstick/ chicken leg
/ fried chicken
fried chicken covered in sauce
chicken breast is hard to chew / tough to chew
soup (The liquid in any food)
too salty
this chicken is too salty
this chicken feet are way too spicy
ramen noodle
snack/chips/biscuits
the soup is rich
the soup is watery (too diluted)
not tasty
tasty/delicious
the soup has no taste (may need to add some salt/pepper)
. . Its hot. Careful.
. Cool it before eating.
. cool it.
. This bread is way too sweet.
. They put way too much additives(artificial flavors)
the rice is under-cooked.
the meat is well cooked.
/ its not fully cooked yet.
the waters not boiling yet.
boil
sprinkle some salt on top
sprinkle
put aside a portion of your food (because theres too much)
. Wrap it and put inside the fridge.
/ aluminum foil
Zip-lock
cut the leek
organic
imported
 lowest price
discounted price
. Its all frozen now because I put it in the freezer.
. should thaw the meat since its frozen.
thaw
. freeze
. the food is spoiled.
Food waste (must discard it separately in a special bag you buy
at supermarkets/malls)
. should make base for soup. (giving the soup some umami taste)
scoop soup
scoop
pick up with chopsticks
thong
ladle
scoop with a ladle
knife
cutting board
microwave
stovetop
did you close the gas valve?
oven
grill
grill the fish
raw
raw meat
dont eat raw
this fish is fresh
hasnt taken up the sauce yet / not marinated yet (when
cooking meat or making kimchi, you want the taste to smear into the meat or
the cabbage as you cook. Use this expression when it hasnt happened yet)
kimchi is ripe / fermented well
unfermented kimchi (Korean term for kimchi thats just made and not
has gone through the fermentation process, therefore tastes a bit more raw)
Special

- Two forms of Korean speaking (respectful and normal)

As you might have noticed, there are two ways of speaking Korean. One way is for
someone whos older than you (or strangers you dont know well). The other is for
normal/friendly use, as in between friends or families. Since there are two modes of
speaking, the first thing Koreans will (always) notice is which mode you are speaking in.
Koreans are very sensitive to whos younger and whos older. This is very important to
them. Basically, Koreans have to know someones age first and choose which mode to
use, if they were to proceed with conversation at all. Because if you meet a stranger but
start using friendly mode, they will feel offended (they really do although they might
understand it if you are a foreigner), as it is expected of strangers to use respectful
mode. The flip side of this is if you use respectful mode when talking to your old buddy,
they will feel weirded out and wonder why you are being formal or putting some
psychological distance between the two of you. Very similar to Tu and Vous in French.

respectful mode: safe bet is to add - at the end of a sentence.

Example
? (to an old buddy) -> ? (to a stranger you
just met or a friend you dont know THAT well)

Specially for older people, add - ( for present tense, for past,
for future)

? (to a stranger but of similar age/status) ->

? (to someone whos clearly older than you or of a higher status, such as
the president)
 - Korean variations

Example)

Its too expensive.

.
.
.
.
.
.

They are the same sentences with a different but deliberate twist at the end. These
twists encode certain information.

. Simple statement. (Its too expensive)

. Simple statement, respectful mode.(Yes, sir. Its too
expensive)
. Assuming some kind of audience. Presenting the
information to an audience. Not used in everyday speech. Only in formal
settings with audience, such as on TV, news, radio, etc.
(Ladies and gentleman, its too expensive)
. Concerning the other persons opinion. More like you think
that way also, dont you (Its too expensive, isnt it. / Its too expensive,
dont you think?) is the same thing. sounds like .
. demanding the other person to acknowledge/understand
(Its too expensive, please understand)
. Having told already but having to repeat, with a hint of
annoyance (I told you already. How many time do I have to tell you. Its too
expensive) *This is showing a little bit of attitude, as you are showing your
annoyance. Sounds slightly negative or aggressive. Used all the time
between friends, almost like bantering.
Thank you.