Tag: Korean culture

Korean Holidays and Festivals

Korea has many holidays that reflect both traditional culture and modern history. Some follow the lunar calendar and have been observed for centuries. Others are modern national holidays that commemorate historical events or cultural achievements. Traditional Holidays (전통 명절) Major Family Holidays Cultural and Seasonal Festivals Modern National Holidays (현대 법정 공휴일) Historical Commemorations Cultural…
경조사 in Korean Culture: Celebrations and Condolences

The Korean word 경조사(慶弔事) refers to major life events that people experience — both joyful and sorrowful. In Korean society, attending such events is considered an important way of showing respect and maintaining relationships. 1. Meaning of 경조사 경조사 means significant personal events.Traditionally, these were described through 관혼상제 (gwanhonsangje) — the four major rites of…
Guide to Korean Expressions for Taste, Smell, and Texture

Introduction Korean has a remarkably rich set of words to describe flavor, aroma, and texture. These expressions go far beyond “sweet” or “salty.” They can capture subtle differences in food, especially meat, and are even extended metaphorically to describe emotions and experiences. By learning these expressions, Korean learners can vividly talk about food and also…
Korean Family Titles Explained

I will explain Korean family titles divided into four levels: basic everyday terms, in-law terms, extended relatives, and rare complicated ones. 1. Basic Family Titles (Everyday Use) 2. In-Law Titles (Marriage Related) 3. Extended Family (Common but Less Basic) 👉 These terms are often used in family gatherings and are good to know for real-life…
Understanding Korean Number Systems: Native vs. Sino-Korean

Learning Korean numbers can be confusing because the language uses two number systems: Sino-Korean (한자어 수) and Native Korean (고유어 수). Each has its own usage rules, and sometimes they overlap. 1. Sino-Korean Numbers (한자어 수) 1 – 일 (一)2 – 이 (二)3 – 삼 (三)4 – 사 (四)5 – 오 (五)6 – 육 (六)7…
Korean Weather Expressions

In Korean, weather expressions go beyond just sun and rain—they capture subtle emotional tones and natural details. This comprehensive guide covers the most commonly used weather expressions, grouped by topic. You’ll find both casual and forecast-style terms, along with English explanations and example sentences. 1. Sky and General Weather Conditions 2. Rain-Related Expressions 3. Snow-Related…
How Koreans Talk About Age – Expressions, Titles, and Cultural Norms

In Korean culture, age isn’t just a number — it determines how people address each other, what language form they use, and the hierarchy in social settings. From the first introduction to close friendships, age influences it all. 1. Asking and Telling Age In casual speech, you can drop “살”:스물이에요. — I’m 20. 2. Talking…
손이 크다, 발이 넓다, 마당발. Korean Idioms Explained with Examples

Korean is full of fun idiomatic expressions that use body parts to describe personality or social behavior. Three popular ones you’ll hear often are: Let’s break down what each one means, how it’s used, and some natural example sentences to help you understand these expressions in real life! What Does 손이 크다 (son-i keuda) Mean?…
What Does “Aigo (아이고)” Mean? Context, Usage & Audio Examples 🎧

What is the meaning of aigo? – “아이고” (Aigo) is a commonly used Korean exclamation that expresses a wide range of emotions, including surprise, concern, fatigue, joy, frustration, and sympathy. It’s often heard in everyday Korean conversations, from young people to elders. Why did I choose “Aigo” as my blog’s name? Well, because it’s one…