기본적인 한국어 어휘

Basic Korean Vocabulary

Thank you so much for checking out a copy of this PDF. I have worked hard
making this, and I hope you find it helpful on your Korean language journey.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to review, I hope this becomes a good
resource for you. This is in no way a comprehensive list. This is just a good
place to start. I have included example sentences and notes on any words that
might not be straightforward when translated into English. The words are in no
particular order, so don’t worry about what you study first!

Good luck and study hard.

화이팅 하시고 열공하세요!

Milkcocoah Korean
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Basic Korean Nouns (명사) ...........................3
Basic Korean Verbs (동사) ............................9
Basic Korean Adjectives (형용사) ..................20
Basic Korean Adverbs (부사) ........................22
Basic Korean Emotions (감정) ......................24

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BASIC KOREAN NOUNS (명사)
Let’s start with nouns. First, you should know basic question words.

Who(누구), What(무엇/뭐), When(언제), Where(어디), Why(왜), How(어떻게)

These are the six key words to asking most questions, so let’s look at a few basic examples.

누구세요? Who are you?

이 것은 뭐예요? What is this (thing)?

우리 언제 만날까요? When shall we meet?

어디에 있어요? Where are you?/Where is it?

한국에 왜 왔어요? Why did you come to Korea?

어떻게 알았어요? How did you know?

Here is a list of nouns organized by people, places, things, and time to help get you started.

People:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example Sentence(s) 예문

사람/분 Person 사람 is used mostly when 그 남자가 진짜 못된 사

talking in general or about
people of equal or lower
social status as yourself. 분
is used to show reverence
to the person you’re talking
about, normally a social
“superior.” It’s used with
높임말(honorifics).
여자/남자 Woman, girl/man, boy
람이야. That guy is really
mean.
그 사람은 진짜 취했어
요. That person is/was
really drunk.
너의 할머니가 진짜 좋은
분이셔. Your grandma is a
really good person.

나/저 I/me 나 is used in mostly in 반 나는 공부를 못 했어. I

말(casual/informal couldn’t study.
language). 저 is used to
humble yourself in front of 저는 공부를 열심히 했어
a social “superior” or 요. I studied really hard.
someone you aren’t close
with in 존댓말(formal
speech)

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가족 Family 가족을 보고 싶죠? You
miss, your family, don’t
you?
친구 Friend This word is only used for 이 사람은 내 친구야.
people who are born in the This person is my friend.
same year as you, also
known as 동갑. 94년생이에요? 우리 친
구네요! 동갑이에요!
It can mean someone you You’re a 1994 baby? I
are close to like the English guess we’re friends! We
concept of “friend,” but it were born the same year!
can also mean that you’re
the same age.
학생 student

반 친구 classmate
선생님 teacher This is used when calling a 김 선생님을 아세요? Do
teacher or referencing the you know Mrs. Kim?
person. But that actual job (Teacher Kim)
of teacher is also called “교
사.” 교사 is often found in 나는 선생님이 되고 싶
formal contexts like the 다./나는 교사가 되고 싶
news or written articles. 다. I want to become a
teacher.
가수/아이돌 Singer/Idol 저는 아이돌을 정말 좋아
해요. I really like idols.

저는 아이돌을 별로 안
좋아해요. I don’t really
like idols.
회사원 Office worker 저는 회사원이 되고 싶지
않아요. I don’t want to
become an office worker.
의사 doctor When addressing or talking 의사 선생님은 잘생겼어
about a doctor, people often 요. The doctor was really
attach or use the word 선생 handsome.
님.
Addressing a doctor ->
선생님, 저 괜찮아요?
Doctor, am I okay?

나는 의사가 되고 싶어. I
want to become a doctor.
약사 Pharmacist
경찰 Police officer

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Places:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example

Sentence(s) 예문

곳 Place 그곳은 어디예

요? Where is that
place?
집/댁 House/home 집 is the common 집에 있어요?
word for one’s Are you home?
house. 댁 is the
formal counterpart 오늘은 할머니
used to show 댁에 가요.
reverence for Today, I’m going
someone like a to grandma’s
grandmother or house.
boss.
학교 School

초등학교/중학교/고등학교 Elementary school/middle school/high

school

대학교/대학원 College, university/Graduate school

공원 Park
병원 Hospital/doctor’s office
약국 Pharmacy
은행 Bank
빵집 Bakery

슈퍼/시장/편의점 Supermarket/market/convenience store 시장 is often used

for outdoor
markets, or when
many stores are
lined up with open
doors and items
inside and outside
to sell.
식당 Restaurant
백화점 Department store
가게 Store
서점 Bookstore

화장실 Bathroom

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Things:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example Sentence(s) 예

문

거/것 Thing 것 is typically used in 이거 this thing

writing or more formal 이상한 것 a strange
situations. 거 is used thing
casually in speech.
노래/가사 Song/lyrics

이불/베개/침대 Blanket/pillow/bed

책상/의자 Desk/chair

잔/접시/그릇 Cup/plate/bowl

젓가락/숟가락/포크/칼 Chopsticks/spoon/fork/
knife
물/우유/커피 Water/milk/coffee

술/맥주/와인 Alcohol/beer/wine

음료/음식 Drink/food

과일/야채/고기 Fruit/vegetable(s)/meat

한국어/한국말 Korean (language) 한국어 is the word we

all learn first, but actually
한국말 is used really
often. And some
Koreans, especially older
ones, use the phrase 우리
말(our language). It’s
also in textbook titles for
Korean classes that
Koreans take. Like a
literature or writing
course in college.

한국/일본/중국/미국/말레이시아 Korea, Japan, China,

USA, Malaysia
일본어/독일어/영어/중국어 Japanese, German, Often adding 어 (the
English, Chinese hanja for words) can turn
(Language) a country’s name into it’s
language.

중국 + 어 = 중국어
China + 어 = Chinese

역사/수학/과학 History/Math/Science

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영어영문학/국어국문학 (School subjects or *국어 is the study of
majors in college) Korean language and
English Language and literature. It’s not for the
lit./Korean Language purpose of learning a
and lit. new language.
*한국어학 is the study
of Korean as a second
language.
전공 Major (in college) 제 전공은 한국어학
이에요. My major is
Korean language.
1학년/2학년/3학년/4학년 First-year/second-year/ These can be used at any 올해 고등학교 3학년
third-year/fourth-year level of school. So, you 이에요. This year, I
(student) can have 대학교 1학년 am a third-year high
(first-year college school student. (a
student) and 초등학교 6 senior in high school)
학년(sixth-grade
elementary student)
교재 textbook
문제 Problem 문제 can be a problem 문제가 있어요? Is
with a device, a person, there a problem?
or the kind of questions
you find in text books or 이 교재에서 나온 문
on tests. 제를 풀기 어려워요.
The problems
(questions) in this book
are difficult to solve.
취미 Hobby
사진/카메라 Picture, photo/camera

공책/연필 Notebook/pencil

책/영화/음악 Book/movie/music

뮤지컬/연극 Musical/play

강아지/개/고양이/새/물고기 Puppy/dog/cat/bird/fish *People often call grown 강아지가 너무 귀여

dog’s 강아지 even 워요. The dog/puppy is
though it means puppy. so cute.
Mostly because the word
개 has some negative 물고기가 많네요.
nuances. There’s a lot of fish.
*물고기 is a live fish. 생 생선이 맛있어요. Fish
선 is the kind of fish you tastes good.
eat. Korean differentiates
them.

옷/신발/구두 Clothes/shoes/heels

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운동화/양말 Sneakers/socks

셔츠/바지/반바지/치마/원피스 Shirt/pants/shorts/skirt/
dress

몸/머리/목/팔/손/다리/발 Body/head/neck/arm These words are the

hand/leg/foot same in the plural form.
팔 means arms or arm.

눈/코/입/귀 Eye/nose/lip(mouth)/ These words are the

ear same in the plural. 눈
means eyes or eye.
경험 Experience

생활 Daily life 학교 생활이 어때요?

How is your school
life?
선물 Gift/present
약 Medicine

분위기 Atmosphere, mood This is a super common 이 카페는 분위기 좋

word, so you should 죠? This café’s
definitely know it. atmosphere is great,
right?
돈/가격 Money/price

사랑 Love
일 Work/task 오늘 할 일이 많아요.
I have a lot of work to
do today.

핸드폰/컴퓨터/노트북 Cell phone/

computer/laptop

Time:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example Sentence(s) 예문

어제/오늘/내일 Yesterday/today/tomorrow

봄/여름/가을/겨울 Spring/summer/fall/winter

방학 Vacation (from school) 여름 방학 summer

vacation
겨울 방학 winter
vacation

작년/올해/내년 Last year/this year/next year

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 시간/분 Hour(s)/minute(s) Hours use native 1(한) 시간 걸려요. It
Korean numbers. takes one hour.

Minutes use Sino- 10(십) 분 후에 도착할

Korean numbers. 거예요. I’ll arrive in 10
minutes.

전/후/뒤 Before/after/after 후 and 뒤 both mean 가기 전에 Before I go

after. 뒤 is also used for
behind, as in “He is 간 후에/간 뒤에 After I
behind me. 그 남자가 left
내 뒤에 있어.”

BASIC KOREAN VERBS (동사)

I have written example sentences for all of the verbs and a lot of their correct particles. In instances where the
particle isn’t often used, I left it out. Always pay attention to the particles. Which one does the verb use? How does
the verb use them? In speech, particles are often dropped, but I have written many of them so that you can study
them. You can also check places like Naver Dictionary to see what particles are used (i.e. 을/를, 이/가, 한테 등)

Verbs:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example Sentence(s) 예문

가다 To go 어제 제가 병원에 갔어
요. I went to the hospital
yesterday.
오다 To come 여기 언제 왔어요? When
did you come here?
가르치다 To teach 저는 학생 12명에게 영어
를 가르쳐요. I teach
English to 12 students.
가지다 To have, possess 가방 안에 뭘 가지고 다
녀요? What do you carry
around in your bad?
가져가다/가져오다 To take/to bring 가지다 means to have to 내 가방을 좀 가져와 줄
possess. So 가지다 + 가 래? Will you bring my bag
다 (가져가다) literally to me, please?
means to have and go. To
take. 가지다 + 오다 (가 엄마에게 이 걸 좀 가져
져오다) literally means to 가. Bring this to mom
have and come. To bring. please.

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갈아입다 To change (clothes) 옷을 갈아입고 나와요.
Change your clothes and
come out.
갈아타다 To transfer (public transportation) 지하철로 갈아타야 해요.
I have to transfer to the
subway.
거짓말하다 To lie 나한테 거짓말했어? Did
you lie to me?
걷다 To walk ㄷ irregular verb. 잔디에서 걷지 마세요.
Please don’t walk on the
grass.
걸어가다/걸어오다 To go by foot/to come by 걸어가자~! Let’s go by
foot foot. (Let’s walk there.)

오늘 집까지 걸어왔어요.
I walked home today.
견디다 To endure 더 이상 남편이 코고는
것을 견딜 수가 없어요. I
can’t endure my husband’s
snoring any more.
겪다 To experience Typically used with 작년에 회사를 그만둔 후
negative or bad 에 여러가지 어려움을 겪
experiences 었어요. I experienced
various difficulties after I
quit my job last year.

고르다/선택하다 To choose/to select These two confuse a lot of 좋아하는 것을 골라 보세

people. But simply put, 고
르다 is used more often
and more generally. 선택
하다 is used in formal
situations where there is a
set or limited number of
choices.
요. Choose the one you
like.
다음을 듣고 알맞은 답을
선택하십시오. Please
listen (to the following
recording) and select the
correct answer.

좋은 선택이야! Good
choice!
결정하다 To decide 네가 결정해. You decide.

대학원에 지원하기로 결
정했어요? Did you decide
to apply to graduate
school?

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결혼하다 To marry 4살 연하의 여자랑 결혼
했어요. I married a
woman four years younger
than I am.
이혼하다 To divorce 둘이 싸우기만 해요. 이
혼했으면 좋겠어요.
Those two just fight. I
wish they’d get a divorce.
계산하다 To calculate So this word means to 저기요. 계산할게요.
calculate, but it’s actually Excuse me, I’d like to pay
commonly used to express now.
paying the bill at a
restaurant or sometimes a 카드로 계산할게요. I’ll
store. pay by card.

계산하고 가자. Let’s pay

the bill and go.
고생하다 To have a hard time, to This word is used often to 오늘 고생했어. 좀 쉬어.
work hard people who are working or You worked hard today.
studying, as a way to Rest a bit.
sympathize or recognize
their hard work.
고치다 To fix 그 나쁜 술버릇을 고쳐야
돼요. You have to fix that
bad drinking habit of
yours.
공부하다 To study 열심히 공부했는데도 이
해가 안 되네요. Even
though I studied hard, I
still don’t understand.
구경하다 To watch, look around This word is used when 옷을 좀 구경하자! Let’s
you are kind of looking look at some clothes.
around a store or
observing people or 사람을 구경하는 게 재밌
something. 어요. People watching is
fun.
포기하다 To give up 포기하지 말아요. 잘 될
거예요. Don’t give up. It
will all work out.
기다리다 To wait 친구를 기다리고 있어요.
I’m waiting for my friend.

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기대하다/기대되다 To expect/to look forward This word is normally BTS의 새로운 앨범이 진
to translate as “to expect,” 짜 기대돼요. I’m really
but it’s often used to looking forward to BTS’s
express looking forward to new album.
something or being
excited for something. 올해 여자 친구가 나를
위해 준비한 생일 파티가
기대 이상이었어. This
year, the birthday party my
girlfriend prepared for me
went beyond my
expectations.

나한테 뭘 기대하지 마.
안해. Don’t expect
anything from me. I won’t
do it.

나를 도와줄 걸 기대하지
않아요 I don’t expect you
to help me.
기억나다/기억하다 To remember 기억나다 is used when 우리 약속을 꼭 기억해
you don’t intentionally 주세요. Please remember
remember something. our promise.
When something pops into
your head. 앗 작년에 봤던 드라마가
갑자기 기억났어요. 혹시
기억하다 is active and 알아요? Oh, I just
means you’re trying to remembered this drama
remember. that I watched last year.
Do you know it?

기억이 안 나요. I don’t

remember.
꺼내다 To take (something) out 친구가 주머니에서 5만
(of somewhere) 원짜리를 꺼냈다. My
friend pulled a 5 thousand
won bill from his pocket.
나가다/나오다 To go out/to come out 집에서 나가자 마자 비가
오기 시작했어요. It
started to rain as soon as I
left my house.

집에서 얼른 나와~ 나 기
다리는 중이야! Come out
(of your house) quick~ I’m
waiting!

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들어가다/들어오다 To go in/to come in 집에 조심히 들어가요!
Go home safely.

들어와요~ Come on in.

내려가다/내려오다 To go down/to come down 계단을 천천히 내려가요.

Go down the stairs slowly.

계단을 천천히 내려와요!

Come down the stairs
slowly!
올라가다/올라오다 To go up/to come up 사다리를 조심히 올라가
요. Go up the ladder
carefully.

사다리에 천천히 올라와

요. Come up the ladder
carefully.

노래하다/부르다 To sing 노래를 잘 하네요./노래

를 잘 부르네요. You sing
well!
노력하다 To try, to make an effort 열심히 노력해서 잘 됐어
요. It turned out well
because you worked hard.
일어나다 To get up, wake up, stand 빨리 일어나! 학교 가야
up 돼! Hurry and wake up/get
up! You have to go to
school!
앉다 To sit 여기 앉으세요. Please sit
here.
만들다 To make 오늘 저녁은 뭘 만들 거
예요? What are you going
to make for dinner today?
먹다 To eat 초밥을 먹었어요. I ate
sushi.
마시다 To drink 물 마실래. I’ll drink
water.

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말하다 To talk, to say, to tell 말하다 and 이야기하다
can be a bit confusing, so
I’ll explain 말하다 here.
말하다 is normally used
when you have an object
or when you say
something to someone. 말
means words. It explains
the action of conveying a
piece of information.
이야기하다/얘기하다 To talk, tell (a story) 이야기하다 is used when
there is a conversation
going. You use it when
you’re telling a story or
when you’re having a
conversation. It’s not
usually used to say “I told
mom ‘I can’t go.’” 이야기
literally means story.
받다 To receive, get
주다 To give
살다 To live ㄹ irregular verb.
죽다/죽이다 To die/to kill
보다 To see
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엄마에게 말하지 않았어.
I didn’t tell mom.
모르는 사람이랑 말하기
싫어요. I hate talking with
some I don’t know.
말을 잘하네? You’re
pretty good with words.
늦게까지 친구랑 이야기
했어요. I talked with my
friends until it was late.
그 사람은 이야기를 재밌
게 해요. That person tells
stories really well.
난 언니랑 이야기를 나누
다가 싸우는 편이야. I
tend to end up fighting
with my sister while
chatting.
*이야기 나누다(lit. to
share stories) is another
way to say you had a
conversation with
someone.
올해 남자 친구한테 크리
스마스 선물을 안 받았어
요. I didn’t get a
Christmas gift from my
boyfriend this year.
나한테 물 좀 줄래? Will
you give me some water?
서울에서 살아요. I live in
Seoul.
그 사람은 차사고로 죽었
어요. That person died in
a car accident.
내가 모기를 죽였어. I
killed a mosquito.
드라마를 보고 있어요.
I’m watching a drama.
부르다 To call (out) This verb is used with a 누가 내 이름을 불렀나?
variety of nouns to mean Did someone call my
different things as well. name?
노래를 부르다 to sing
출석을 부르다 to do 오늘 친구가 나를 귀요미
(call) attendance 라고 불렀어. Today, my
휘파람을 부르다 to friend called me “귀요
whistle (like a tune or 미.”
song) *귀요미 means something
like cutie.
쓰다 To write, to use 저는 책을 쓰고 싶어요. I
want to write a book.
읽다 To read 요즘 책을 많이 읽어요. I
read books a lot lately.
사용하다 To use 맥북이 없는데 사용할 줄
알아요. I don’t have a
macbook, but I know how
to use one.
사랑하다 To love 너를 사랑해. I love you.
생각하다 To think 그렇게 생각하지 말아요.
Don’t think like that.
설명하다 To explain 네가 왜 그랬는지 설명해
줘! Please explain why
you were like that!
세수하다 To wash (one’s) face 세수하고 잤다. I washed
my face and went to sleep.
이빨을 닦다 To brush (one’s) teeth Many books teach 양치하 이빨을 닦고 잤다. I
다 as to brush your teeth, brushed my teeth and went
and it is correct. But this to sleep.
word is used a lot. Maybe
more.
약속하다 To promise 약속했잖아! You
promised me!
열다 To open ㄹ irregular verb. 문을 좀 열어 주세요.
Please open the door.
닫다 To close 창문을 좀 닫아 주세요.
Please close the door.
운동하다 To exercise 오늘 운동했다! I
exercised today!
울다 To cry ㄹ irregular verb. 울어? 울지 마! Are you
crying? Don’t cry!

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웃다 To laugh 울 정도로 웃었어! I
laughed hard enough to
cry.
웃기다 To make someone laugh It can be used as “I made 그 사람은 진짜 웃겨!
person A laugh.” Or it can That person is really
be used to say “that’s so funny! (makes me laugh)
funny!”
아 너무 웃겨! ㅋㅋㅋ ah
that’s so funny! Hahaha
운전하다 To drive 택시 기사가 운전을 잘
못 했어요. The taxi driver
couldn’t drive well.
알다 To know ㄹ irregular verb. 알아~ I know~

내가 널 사랑하는 걸 알
지? You know that I love
you, right?
모르다 To not know 모르겠어요 is used just 잘 모르겠어요. I don’t
as often as 몰라요, if not really know.
more. It’s a bit softer and
slightly less direct. 몰랐어요. I didn’t know.

일하다 To work 요즘 늦게까지 일해요.

These days, I work (until)
late.
잃다 To lose (something, an This verb is often seen 핸드폰을 잃어버렸어요.
item) with 버리다 attached to it. I lost my phone.
So, it’s often seen as 잃어
버리다. 이 것을 잃어버리지 마!
Don’t lose this.
있다/계시다 To be, to have/to be, exist 있다 is used for people 친구가 어디 있어요?
and things. It can also Where is your friend?
mean to have. It literally
means exist. So, you’re 부모님이 어디 계세요?
saying “A watch exists.” = Where are your parents.
“I have a watch.”
계시다 is used for people 노트북이 있어요. I have
you should show a laptop.
reverence to like elders,
parents or superiors/
colleagues at work.

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잊다 To forget Like 잃다, 잊다 is also 잊지 말아요. Don’t
commonly found coupled forget.
with 버리다 to become 잊
어버리다. 그 사람의 이름을 잊어버
렸어요. I forgot that
person’s name.
적다 To write down 내 번호 좀 적어 주라.
Please write my number
down.
준비하다 To prepare 발표를 준비하고 있어요.
I’m preparing a
presentation.

(사진을) 찍다 To take (a photo) 사진을 예쁘게 찍어 주세

찾다 To look for, to find This is an interesting verb
because English
distinguishes between
look and find, but Korean
uses the same verb for
both situations.
요! Please take the picture
nicely!
핸드폰을 찾아봤는데 못
찾았어요. I looked for my
phone, but I couldn’t find
it.

타다 To ride (transportation) 버스를 탔어요. I rode the

bus. (Could also mean, I
got on the bus.)
취하다 To be drunk 어제 취했어? Were you
drunk last night?
태어나다 To be born 겨울에 태어났어요. I
was born in winter.
듣다 To listen ㄷ irregular verb. 음악을 자주 들어요. I
listen to music often.
듣다 is also used with 수
업(class) to say “take a 오늘 수업을 2개 들어요.
class.” Literally, “listen to I have two classes today.
a class.”
해결하다 To solve (a problem) *not a test problem 이 문제를 해결하기 어려
워요. It’s hard to solve
this problem.
피하다 To avoid 나를 피하는 거야? Are
you avoiding me?

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물어보다 To ask 묻다 means to ask, and 물 나한테 물어보지 마.
어보다 means “to try to Don’t ask me.
ask,” but 물어보다 is
really common because
it’s a bit less direct, so I
used it instead.
좋아하다 To like (someone or 초콜릿을 좋아해요. I
something), to love (an like/love chocolate.
item)
잘생긴 남자를 좋아해요.
I like attractive men.
싫어하다 To dislike, hate 추운 날씨를 싫어해요. I
hate cold weather.
인사하다 To greet This “인사” or greeting 인사 못했어요! I couldn’t
could be “hello” or greet him! ( I couldn’t say
“goodbye.” “hello” to him.)
연습하다 To practice 매일 연습하면 좋아요.
It’s good to practice every
day.
씻다 To wash This can be used for your 씻고 자~ Wash up and go
hands, vegetables, or to to bed.
say you washed
up(showered). 손을 안 씻었어요. I
didn’t wash my hands.
샤워하다 To shower 샤워했어요. I took a
shower.

머리(를) 감다 To wash one’s hair 오늘 머리를 못 감았어

요. I couldn’t wash my
hair today.
싸우다 To fight 둘이 매일 싸워요. Those
two fight every day.
실수하다 To make a mistake *말실수 would be like a 실수해서 죄송해요. I’m
slip of the tongue. Lit: sorry that I made a
word mistake mistake.
실패하다 To fail 실패해도 괜찮아요. 포기
하지 말아요. It’s okay
even if you fail. Don’t give
up.
잘하다 To do well 잘했어! You did well!/
Good job!
배우다 To learn 한국말을 배워요. I’m
learning Korean.

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버리다 To throw away 길거리에 쓰레기를 버리
면 안 돼요. You can’t
throw trash away on the
street.
입다/벗다 To put on/to take off (clothes including shirts, 무슨 옷을 입을 거예요?
pants, and underwear) What are you going to
wear?

집에 가자 마자 바지를
벗어요. I take my pants
off as soon as I go home.
신다/벗다 To put on/to take off Shoes and socks 신발을 신었어요. I put on
my shoes.

신발을 벗고 들어가세요.
Take your shoes off and go
in.
믿다 To believe 제 말을 믿어요? Do you
believe me? (my words?)
만나다 To meet 내일 만나자! Let’s meet
tomorrow.
만지다 To touch 내 컴퓨터를 만지지 마!
Don’t touch my computer!
도와주다 To help (someone) 저를 좀 도와주세요.
Please help me.
다치다 To get hurt, injured 어제 팔을 다쳤어요. I
hurt my arm yesterday.
(그림을) 그리다 To draw (a drawing) 그림을 그리는 것을 좋아
해요. I like drawing
pictures.
전화하다 To make a phone call, to 전화해도 돼요? Can we
have a phone call call?
카톡보내다 To send a KakaoTalk 이따가 카톡 보낼게요.
message I’ll send you a Kakao Talk
message later.
궁금하다 To be curious, to wonder This word is used all the 왜 그게 궁금해요. Why
time. It’s also used to say are you curious about that?
“I want to know,” so, it’s
used a lot.
자다 To sleep 어제 잘 못 잤어요. I
couldn’t sleep well last
night.

Milkcocoah Korean’s Basic Korean Vocabulary - 19 | P a g e

 감기에 걸리다 To catch a cold 감기에 걸렸어요. I
caught a cold.

BASIC KOREAN ADJECTIVES (형용사)

Adjectives almost always use the particles 은/는 or 이/가 and don’t use 을/를, so I didn’t write many examples.
Most sentences will be: Noun이/가 or Noun은/는 + adjective. 저는 괜찮아요. I am okay.

Adjectives:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example Sentence(s) 예문

맛있다/맛없다 To taste good/to taste bad

가볍다/무겁다 To be light/to be heavy

괜찮다 To be okay

좋다/나쁘다 To be good/to be bad

높다/낮다 To be high/to be low

다르다/같다 To be different/to be the

same
따뜻하다 To be warm
덥다/춥다 To be hot/to be cold This refers to the weather
or temperature of a room.

뜨겁다/차갑다 To be hot/to be cold This refers to the

temperature of an object
like coffee or ice or
someones cold feet.
깨끗하다/더럽다 To be clean/to be dirty

무섭다 To be scary

배가 고프다/배가 부르다 To be hungry/to be full

편하다/불편하다 To be comfortable or
convenient/to be
uncomfortable or
inconvenient
싸다/비싸다 To be cheap/to be
expensive

간단하다/복잡하다 To be simple/to be
complicated
쉽다/어렵다 To be easy/to be difficult

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부지런하다/게으르다 To be diligent/to be lazy 부지런하다 is used really
often. It typically
describes someone who
does something that most
people are too lazy to do
like exercise, wake up
early, or clean the whole
apartment.
아프다 To be sick or to hurt 그 땐 내가 진짜 아팠어. I
was really sick back then.
다리가 아파요. My leg
hurts.
어리다/늙다 To be young/to be old

예쁘다/못 생겼다 To be pretty/to be ugly

위험하다/안전하다 To be dangerous/to be safe

크다/작다 To be big/to be small

짧다/길다 To be short/to be long

착하다/못되다 To be kind/to be mean

피곤하다 To be tired

필요하다/필요 없다 To need/to not need

재미있다/재미없다 To be fun or interesting/to 재미있다 is often seen

not be fun or uninteresting shortened to 재밌다.

맞다/틀리다 To be right/to be wrong

중요하다 To be important
많다 To be many/to be a lot 사람이 많아요. There are
a lot of people.
이상하다 To be strange/weird 저 아저씨가 이상해요.
That man (over there) is
weird.

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BASIC KOREAN ADVERBS (부사)
Adverbs:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example Sentence 예문

가끔 Sometimes

항상/늘 Always
절대 Never 절대 actually means 그 사람이랑 절대 사귀지
“absolute,” but it is mostly 않을 거야. I will never
used in the negative date that person.
form(안/지 않다). So, it
ends up meaning “never.”
많이 A lot, many
매일 Every day This word is also seen in
repetitions of two. So, 매
일매일 피곤하다. I’m
tired every single day.
제일 The most/best 제일 좋은 이유 the best
reason

제일 좋아하는 가수 the
singer I like the most = my
favorite singer
너무 Too much/so much *This word was originally 너무 늦게 자지 마. Don’t
used in negative sleep too late.
situations, like “그는 술
너무 많이 마셔요.” He 엄마가 잔소리를 너무 많
drinks too much alcohol. 이 하셔 ㅠㅠ My mom
But, these days it’s usage nags me too much.
has changed. It can be
used in positive situations 그 가수를 너무나 좋아
as well. Like 이거 너무 해!! I like that singer so so
좋아요! I like this so much!/I love that singer so
much!/I love this! much!
*These days you also see
너무나 or a shortened 넘
나 used by younger
people. It’s a bit cuter and
more exaggerated. Or
even 너무 —> 넘 is a
common shortened form.

Milkcocoah Korean’s Basic Korean Vocabulary - 22 | P a g e

같이 Together 같이 공부하자. Let’s
study together.

친구랑 같이 먹었어요. I
ate together with a friend.
갑자기 Suddenly 우리 옆에 있는 사람이
갑자기 소리를 질렀어요.
The person next to us
suddenly yelled.
늦게 Late 늦게 일어났어요. I woke
up late.

늦게 자지 말아요. Don’t
sleep late.
다 All 나는 음악 장르를 다 좋
아해요. I like all music
genres.
더 More 불고기를 좀 더 주세요.
Please give me a little
more bulgogi.
아직 Yet *normally used with 아직 안 먹었어? You
negative stences. (안/않 didn’t eat yet?
다)

자주 Often
나중에 Later 나중에 이 책을 좀 읽어
봐! Try reading this book
later!
정말 Really 그 책은 정말 좋아요!
That’s a really good book.
진짜 Truly, really 진짜? Really?

천천히 Slowly 천천히 와요~ Come

slowly. (Take your time.)
빨리 Quickly/ fast 빨리 와! Come quickly!
조금 A little 조금 is also seen shorten 조금만 먹었어요. I only
to 좀 often. ate a little.

좀 is also found added 물 좀 줄래? Will you give

into sentences when you me some water?
make requests. It makes
the request more polite 나를 좀 도와줄래? Will
and a bit softer. you help me a bit?

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BASIC KOREAN EMOTIONS (감정)
Emotions:

Korean 한국어 English 영어 Notes 참고 Example Sentence 예문

행복하다 To be happy 덕분에 오늘 정말 행복했

어. 고마워. Thanks to
you, I was really happy
today. Thank you.
슬프다 To be sad 슬픈 영화를 좋아해요. I
like sad movies.
신나다 To be excited Used when you’re excited 신나는 노래가 좋아요. I
about something like like exciting songs.
going on vacation or
something that makes you 내일 방학이라서 너무 신
heart race. 나! I’m so excited that
tomorrow is vacation!
기쁘다 To be happy, pleased, glad 내가 준 선물을 좋아해서
나도 기뻐. I’m so glad
that you like the present I
gave you.
외롭다 To be lonely 혼자서 살아서 외로워요.
I’m lonely because I live
alone.
공감하다 To sympathize 너도 오빠 2명 있어? 힘
들지? 진짜 공감할 수 있
어. You have two older
brothers too? It’s really
tough, right? I can totally
relate/sympathize with
that.
화나다/화내다 To get angry 화나다 is used just to 그 때 진짜 화났어. I was
express anger that is so mad then.
currently being felt.
화나? Are you mad?
화내다 is used to describe
an outward expression of 화내지 마. Don’t get mad
anger. So, when you show at me.
your anger.
화내면 안 돼요. I can’t
show them I’m mad.

Milkcocoah Korean’s Basic Korean Vocabulary - 24 | P a g e

억울하다 To “be unfair” Unlike in English, where 아빠가 매번 나만 혼내서
we say “X is unfair,” 억울해. It’s so unfair that
Korean uses “I” as the dad only scolds me.
subject. So, 내가 억울하
다 “I felt unfair,” but that
doesn’t make sense in
English. This actually
describes the emotion you
feel when something
unfair happens.
미치다 To be crazy This word has a bit of a 진짜 미쳤어! 얘들이 우
different connotation in 리 친구를 때린 거야! It
Korean. In English, people was really crazy! They hit
say crazy in a light tone my friend!
all the time. But, in
Korean it can taken very
seriously if you’re not
careful with your tone of
voice. It’s also used to
curse a lot. So, just be
careful.
짜증나다 To be annoyed or irritated 짜증 means annoyance/ 사람들이 길거리에 쓰레
irritation and 나다 means 기를 버릴 때 너무 짜증
to appear. So, this word 나요. It’s so annoying
expresses the appearance when people throw
of irritation. garbage on the street.
답답하다 To be stuffy, suffocating This word is described in 아무리 많이 설명하더라
To be “frustrating/ Korean as “being stuffy to 도 남자 친구가 내 마음
frustrated” the point it’s hard to 을 이해 못해. 아아 너무
breathe,” but it can often 답답해. No matter how
be compared with the much I explain myself, my
English word frustration boyfriend can’t understand
when used as an emotion. me. It’s so frustrating. (I
It’s like an emotional feel so frustrated.)
blockage where you can’t
get relief for your
frustration and your chest
feels tight.
부럽다 To be envious This word translates to 우와아 부모님이 용돈을
envious but is used that 주셔서 너무 부럽다!
way “jealous” is used. It Woah, I’m so jealous your
can be used lightly or parents give you
seriously. allowance.

Milkcocoah Korean’s Basic Korean Vocabulary - 25 | P a g e

질투나다 To be jealous This is the word for
jealousy in a negative or
serious sense.
우울하다 To be depressed
후회되다/후회하다 To regret 후회하다 and 후회되다
can be differentiated by
the extent of how regretful
you are. 후회되다 is a bit
more passive. You just
kind of feel a bit regretful.
But 후회하다 would be
actively regretting
something.
걱정되다/걱정하다 To be worried/to worry Similarly, 걱정하다 is
used to refer to something
that you are actively
worrying about, normally
at the time you’re talking
about it or in the past.
걱정되다 typically refers
to more passive worries or
something that is
worrisome, but not
necessarily keeping you
up at night.
Milkcocoah Korean’s Basic Korean Vocabulary - 26 | P a g e
남자 친구가 다른 여자를
만나면 질투가 너무 많이
나는 거야. 싫어. I get so
jealous when my
boyfriend meets other
women. I hate it.
요즘 무슨 일이 있어? 우
울해 보여. Is there
something wrong lately?
You look so depressed.
요즘 저는 대학교에 가지
않은 것을 후회해요. I
really regret not going to
college these days.
어제 공부하지 않은 것이
후회되네요. 오늘 할 게
너무 많아요. I regret not
studying yesterday, I have
so much to do today.
오늘도 많이 안 먹었어?
걱정되네. 무슨 일 있어?
You didn’t eat a lot today
either? That’s not good./
That’s worrisome. Is
anything going on?
어제 연락이 없어 가지고
걱정했거든! 무슨 일 생
긴 줄 알았어. I didn’t
hear from you yesterday,
so I worried, you know! I
thought something
happened.
걱정하지 마. 괜찮을 거
야. Don’t worry. It will be
okay. 
고민되다/고민하다 To be worried, be 고민 is a worry or trouble. 뭐 먹을까? 고민되네.
concerned about/to worry This a bit of a lighter form What should we eat? Gotta
of worry(걱정). So, if you think about it...
are worried about not
being accepted into 고민하지 말고 결정해!
college, that’s a 걱정. If Don’t think/worry about it
you’re trying to decide and just decide.
which college to go to,
that’s a 고민.
They have the same
difference as 걱정되다
and 걱정하다. 고민되다
is more passive and a bit
less serious. 고민하다 is
active and something
you’re currently thinking
about.
심심하다 To be bored This is to be bored 할 게 없어서 심심해요.
because you have nothing I’m bored because I don’t
to do. It’s not to be bored have anything to do.
because something is
uninteresting.
부끄럽다 To be embarrassed It’s also translated to 그쪽의 이름을 깜빡해서
ashamed, but it’s normally 부끄럽네요. I’m
not nearly as strong as the embarrassed that I forgot
English word. It’s often your name.
used to mean “ashamed”
when someone is making
a rather formal apology
창피하다 To be embarrassed, This is a bit different than 사람들이 내가 방귀를 뀐
ashamed, humiliated 부끄럽다. It means that 걸 들어서 창피해.
you feel embarrassed in I was embarrassed,
front of others specifically. because people heard me
fart.
어색하다 To be awkward 분위기가 너무 어색해서
불편했어요. The
atmosphere was so
awkward that I felt
uncomfortable.

기분 좋다/나쁘다 To feel good/bad 기분 좋다 is used quite 요즘 기분이 좋네. I’m in

often to say you feel good a good mood these days.
or are in a good mood. 기
분 나쁘다 is actually used 그 사람이 왜 그런 말했
to express how you feel 어? 난 기분이 너무 나빴
when someone did 어. Why did he say that? I
something to make your felt so upset.
mood bad.

Milkcocoah Korean’s Basic Korean Vocabulary - 27 | P a g e

Thank you so much for taking the time to check this out. I hope it
was helpful to you in some way. And I wish you luck and
motivation on your Korean language journey.

Best,
Milkcocoah Korean

Milkcocoah Korean’s Basic Korean Vocabulary - 28 | P a g e