Korean Grammar
In Korean, the order of a sentence is subject, object, verb (as opposed to the English, subject, verb, object). In English we say “I read a book.” In Korean one says “I book read.” There are no articles (a, an, the) in Korean, and no plural forms of words. These references are understood from the context.
Like Chinese, Japanese and some other languages, Korean also generally dispenses with the subject when it is obvious from the context. This form is typically illustrated in language books with ka (kah) , the Korean word for “go,” plus the stem suffix for the present tense, mnida (mm-nee-dah) meaning “to go.” (The mnida suffix provides the verb action: “is going, are going.”)
Kamnida (kahm-nee-dah) may mean: “I am going. He/She is going. They/We are going.”
The interrogative form of these expressions is kamnikka? (kahm-neek-kah?), which can mean: “Are you going? Is he/she going? Are we/they going?”
To make the past tense of “go” (ka) you add the stem suffix ssumnida (sume-nee-dah) to get ka-ssumnida (kah-sume-nee-dah) : “I/He/She/They went.”
Another conspicuous difference between English and Korean is the formation of negative sentences. Rather than use the Korean word for “no” (anio / ah-nyoh) in formulating negative responses, the Korean system is to put a negative indicator, an (ahn) , or mot (maht) , before the verb. An (ahn) means “no” or “not.” Mot (maht) means “can’t” or “unable.” Again, using kamnida (kahm-nee-dah) or “is/are going” as examples:
► An kamnida. (Ahn kahm-nee-dah)
I’m not going; he/she is not going; they are not going.
► Mot kamnida. (Maht kahm-nee-dah)
I/he/she/they can’t go.
There are a variety of other rules applying to the grammar and use of Korean, but they are not essential for the purposes of this book, which is to provide the user with words and sentences needed to communicate on a basic level, in common everyday situations.
PART ONE
Common Expressions & Key Words
| Korea | Hanguk (Hahn-guuk) 한국 |
| Republic of Korea | Taehanmin Guk (Tay-hahn-meen Guuk) 대한민국 |
| South Korea | Nam Han (Nahm Hahn) 남한 |
| North Korea | Pukan (Puu-kahn) 북한 |
| Korean language | Hangugo (Hahn-guu-goh) 한 국어; also, Hanguk-o (Hahn-guuk aw) 한국어; Hangu mal (Hahn-guuk mahl) 한국말 |
| Korean writing | Hangul (Hahn-guhl) 한글 |
| Korean person | Hangukin (Hahn-guuk-een) 한국인 |
| Korean-American | Hanguk-kye-Miguk-in (Hahn-guuk-kay Me-guuk-een) 한국계미국인 |
The following greetings are expressed in one Korean phrase, which literally means “Are you at peace?” Please keep in mind that the hyphenated English phonetics should be pronounced in a smooth, even flow. The hyphens are added to distinguish the syllables making up the words and make it easier to pronounce them.
► Hello/Good morning/Good afternoon/
Good evening/How are you?/How do you do?
Annyong haseyo. 안녕하세요.
(Ahn-n'yohng hah-say-yoh)
The reply to these greetings is a repetition of the above phrase preceded by (naay), which means “yes.”
Ne, annyong haseyo.네，안녕하세요.
(Naay, ahn-n'yohng hah-say-yoh)
(Ahn-n'yohng hah-sheem-nee-kah?)
(Yay, ahn-n'yohng hah-sheem-nee-kah)
► Nice to meet you.
Mannasu bangapsumnida. 만나서 반갑습니다.
(Mahn-nah-su ban-gahp-sume-nee-dah)
► How are you doing?
Ottoke chinaeseyo? 어떻게 지내세요?
(Aht-tah-kay chee-nay-say-yoh?)
► How have you been?
Chal chinae shossoyo? 잘 지내셨어요?
(Chahl chee-nay shuh-suh-yoh?)
► Good morning!
Choeun achimiyeyo! 좋은아침이에요!
(Choh-eun
