Tag: Korean traditions
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Korean 사잇소리 현상 and 사이시옷
Introduction In Korean compound nouns, the sound at the boundary often changes. This is called 사잇소리 현상. The important point is that the ㅅ (사이시옷) in spelling does not create the sound; it is only a way to represent part of this phenomenon in writing. The sound change itself happens naturally to make words easier…
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Everyday Household Necessities in Korean
When studying Korean, it is very helpful to know the words for everyday necessities—items you actually buy, use up, and replace.Note: Fixtures (sinks, toilets), large appliances, and furniture are not included here. Those are explained in a separate post on household facilities and furniture. 1) Bathroom & Personal Care (Core) 2) Personal Care (Sanitary &…
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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…
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Korean punctuation and symbols
Traditional Korean writing—both Classical Chinese used in Korea and early Hangul texts—did not use modern spacing or punctuation. Instead, sentences flowed continuously, and readers had to rely on grammar particles and context to interpret meaning. Later on, modern punctuation and spacing were gradually introduced in the 20th century through printing and education reforms. As a…
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Honorifics in Korean (존댓말 vs 반말, 압존법)
Korean politeness isn’t only about –요 / –습니다 or age. It’s a layered system that combines: A. Three ways Koreans show politeness 1) Raising the other person’s actions Use honorific predicates (often with –시–) when the respected person is the subject. 2) Raising things related to the other person Honorific nouns/titles for their family, belongings,…
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Korean with my language exchange friend EP.7
Ep.7: Talking About the Weather The weather is one of the easiest and most natural topics when chatting with friends. In this episode, Emily and 지훈 talk about today’s weather, rain, hot and cold seasons, wind, and even the seasons in Korea. 🗨 1. Dialogue by Topic 1. Asking about the weather Emily: 지훈 씨,…
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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…
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Yes and No in Korean: How to Affirm and Negate Naturally
Learning how to say yes and no in Korean is essential because it goes beyond just saying “네” or “아니요.” Depending on the situation, you need to use verbs like 이다, 아니다, 있다, 없다, and particles like 안 / -지 않다 / 못 to properly affirm or negate. 1. Basic Yes and No • 네,…
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Korean Spacing Rules (띄어쓰기)
1. Introduction Spacing in Korean is essential for correct meaning and readability. Unlike English, where spacing is consistent, Korean rules depend on particles (조사), dependent nouns, and whether expressions are established words or not. Wrong spacing can completely change interpretation. 2. Basic Rules 2-1. Particles (조사) Particles always attach to the preceding word. 2-2. Main…
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Basic Korean Sentence Structure
Korean usually follows a Subject–Object–Verb (SOV) order (English is SVO). The predicate (verb/adjective) normally comes at the end. Because Korean uses particles (이/가, 을/를, 은/는), word order can shift for nuance, and subjects/objects are often omitted when clear from context.(Particles themselves will be explained in a separate post.) 1) Sentence Components (문장의 구성 요소) A.…