Exploring life in Korea means understanding the essentials of daily routines, transportation, and cultural norms. In this lesson, you'll learn key vocabulary and phrases about living in Korea, focusing on common activities, public services, and how to describe your experiences.
We'll also practice grammar patterns like Verb/Adjective + 지요? and Verb/Adjective + 는데 (contrast) for more natural conversations.
Essential Vocabulary
Life in Korea (한국 생활)
|
Korean |
Meaning |
|
교통 |
Transportation |
|
대중교통 |
Public transportation |
|
수단 |
Means |
|
이용하다 |
To use |
|
대중교통 수단을 이용하다 |
To use public transportation |
|
편하다 |
Comfortable |
|
택시 잡다 |
To hail a taxi |
|
교통 카드 |
Transportation card |
Education (교육)
|
Korean |
Meaning |
|
고등학교 |
High school |
|
졸업하다 |
To graduate |
|
입학하다 |
To enroll |
|
여름방학 |
Summer vacation |
|
겨울방학 |
Winter vacation |
|
방학이 있다 |
To have a vacation |
Health and Public Services
|
Korean |
Meaning |
|
외국인 등록증 |
Alien registration card |
|
필요하다 |
To need |
|
외국인 등록증이 필요하다 |
To need an alien registration card |
|
건강 보험 |
Health insurance |
|
점심시간 |
Lunchtime |
|
의식주 |
Food, clothing, and shelter |
|
진료하다 |
To provide medical treatment |
Neighborhood and Local Services (동네)
|
Korean |
Meaning |
|
배달 |
Delivery |
|
24시간 배달 |
24-hour delivery |
|
24시간 배달이 되다 |
To have 24-hour delivery |
|
팔다 |
To sell |
|
쓰레기봉투를 팔다 |
To sell garbage bags |
|
문을 닫다 |
To close (a store or building) |
|
문을 열다 |
To open (a store or building) |
|
약을 팔다 |
To sell medicine |
|
도로 |
Road |
|
자전거 도로 |
Bicycle road |
|
전용 |
Exclusive use |
|
차로 |
Lane |
|
버스 전용 차로 |
Bus-only lane |
|
팥빙수 |
Patbingsu (Korean shaved ice dessert) |
|
특징 |
Characteristic |
Other Terms
|
Korean |
Meaning |
|
결혼하다 |
To get married |
|
중국어 |
Chinese language |
|
평일 |
Weekday |
|
익숙하다 |
To be accustomed |
Grammar Notes
1. Verb/Adjective + 지요?
This pattern is used to
confirm or seek agreement about something the speaker assumes the listener
knows.
Examples:
·
오늘 날씨가 많이 덥지요? (The weather is very hot today, isn’t it?)
·
우리 토요일에 만나지요? (We’re meeting on Saturday, right?)
2. Verb/Adjective + 는데
This is used to contrast two
ideas or add more details.
Examples:
· 한국어 생활이 어때요? (How is your Korean life?)
o 조금 힘든데 재미있어요. (It’s a bit tough, but it’s fun.)
·
한국에는 산이 많은데 제 고향에는 산이 적어요.
(Korea has many mountains, but my hometown has few.)
Key Phrases
Confirmation with 지요?
·
오늘 날씨가 많이 덥지요? – 네, 정말 더워요. (The weather is very hot today, isn’t it? - Yes, it’s really hot.)
·
여보세요. 거기 대한병원이지요? – 네, 맞습니다. (Hello, is this Daehan Hospital? - Yes, it is.)
Describing and Contrasting with 는데
·
한국어 생활이 어때요? – 조금 힘든데 재미있어요. (How’s life in Korea? - It’s a bit tough, but fun.)
·
밤 12시에 지하철은 다니는데 버스는 안 다녀요.
(The subway runs at midnight, but buses don’t.)
·
한국에는 산이 많은데 제 고향에는 산이 적어요.
(Korea has many mountains, but my hometown has few.)
Neighborhood and Services
·
우리 동네 은행은 주말에 문을 열어요. (The bank in our neighborhood is open on weekends.)
·
쓰레기봉투를 어디에서 살 수 있어요? (Where can I buy garbage bags?)
·
24시간 배달이 돼요? (Is 24-hour delivery available?)
Quiz
1.
Fill in the blanks:
o ______ 수단을 이용하다. (Use public transportation.)
o 우리 _______ 문을 닫아요. (Our restaurant closes at 10:00PM.)
o 밤 12시에 지하철은 다니는데 ______은 안 다녀요. (The subway runs at midnight, but the bus doesn’t.)
2.
Translate into Korean:
o Is this the Daehan Hospital?
o Korea has many mountains, but my hometown has few.
o Don’t enter the bus-only lane.
By mastering this vocabulary and grammar, you'll be ready to navigate daily life in Korea, from using public transportation to describing your experiences. Keep practicing and exploring more about Korean culture and life! 🌟