#MyDaehanStories | How I started learning Korean because of K-pop

The Korean language has been very popular among the foreigners since the K-wave hits the globe! I believe everyone has their own stories of how they started learning the language.

I wasn’t that into new languages when I was in middle school. As a typical Malaysian students, you have to master at least 2 languages at school, and to make sure you ‘excel’ in school results, I have been quite ‘language’-phobic with all the writing and memorizing. I was learning languages because I was told to do so in school, rather than just for ‘survival’ or ‘interest’.

Korean was the first language that I finally understood how someone can learn the language because of interest. Language is the door to one’s culture. Because of K-wave, I always wanted to feel a type of ‘intimacy’ with the K-pop idols and dramas. Many times we understand them through their music, but as a fan, we always wanted to know more about their personality, their speech, their culture and background. I think that’s the main reason why many K-pop fans started to learn Korean and understand the culture.

To be honest, the main motivation I started learning Korean was to able to read the Korean lyrics appeared at the bottom right during live music shows like Inkigayo and Music Bank. Not sure if it’s only me, I often refer to the lyrics down the screen and sing along with the idols. That’s a really good reason for K-pop fans to learn ‘Hangeul’ and practice it in every music shows!

Notice the Korean lines at the bottom left of the Inkigayo screen! Those are real time lyrics 😀

I started learning Korean around 2010s when I started following 2PM (during ‘I’ll be back’ era). There were not much learning material compared to now in YouTube and social media. The Korean learning website, Talk To Me In Korean (TTMIK) was the pioneer of online Korean learning! The website was already well published with different levels, and most importantly the lessons are all free with notes and recording from teachers!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Talk To Me In Korean (@ttmik)

Self-study can be quite slow in mastering a language because of discipline. But learning basic Korean through TTMIK was very fun, and the teachers Hyun-Woo and Kyung-Eun were very engaging in their lesson recording. I enjoyed all the lessons so much that I can finish 5 to 6 lesson in a day! It was that period I found myself learning and improving the language very fast.

Just some tips to learn Korean as a beginner, firstly you should practice Hangeul and familiarize with it. Practice your reading at first without knowing the meaning. As you’re fast in reading, you can start with basic sentence structure and tenses. I spent quite some time in familiarizing with the sequences in Korean sentences and I am always bad in tenses. Start to get input of vocabulary slowly as you are learning more advanced grammar in Korean.

I still have so many to learn in Korean, especially the grammar, vocabulary and speech! I believe these can’t be mastered without long time practices. Therefore, if you’re demotivated in learning the language, just hang in there and also input language knowledge every time you watching a drama, listening to songs and music shows!

---

Do you have any stories like Melvin in learning Korean? Submit to us through our email mydaehan2020@gmail.com!

More Stories:

K-pop Fan Story: How I became an BTS army ⟭⟬💜

In this post I’ll be talking about how I started my K-pop journey, became a BTS army & how it affected my life. Warning! It’s going to be a long post! Disclaimer: The author & the website do not own any photos attached to this post. Any copyright violated, please contact us at mydaehan2020@gmail.com! Before…

by Zk 30th Jul 202130th Jul 2021

Start learning Korean alphabets now! #JomKoreanwithMawen

Jom Korean with Mawen #1: Hangul 한글 Pt. 1 (-ㅣ, -ㅓ, -ㅏ, -ㅑ, -ㅕ)

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 25th Apr 2020

Jom Korean with Mawen #2: Hangul 한글 Pt. 2 (-ㅡ, -ㅜ, -ㅗ, -ㅠ, -ㅛ)

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 2nd May 2020

Jom Korean with Mawen #3: Hangul 한글 Pt. 3 (ㄱ-, ㄴ-, ㄷ-)

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 9th May 2020

Learn Korean Words with WEEEKLY “After School”

Weeekly had a fresh comeback on June 17 2021 with a vibrant & youthful song “After School” which gives off a perfect summer vibe!

This song is all about having fun hanging out with friends and making memories while you’re still young & free!

Being a trendy song of this season, After School keep up it’s position on different music platforms. The views on YouTube after its release have now exceeded to 83 million!

[MELON]

Weeekly's "After School" rises and re-enters Top 25 of Hot Track Chart (Dance Genre), charting at #25(+1), as at 4PM KST📈❤#Weeekly #위클리 @_Weeekly pic.twitter.com/QDcoYk8HOq

— #Stranger 👾 by Weeekly (@weeeklykcharts) July 13, 2021

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weeekly (위클리) (@_weeekly)

Weeekly will be releasing their new album on 4th of August! By looking at the bright & sunny teaser poster, it will sure be another hit song for this summer!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weeekly (위클리) (@_weeekly)

In this post we will be learning some Korean words from this song’s lyrics.

Disclaimer: this post is created by Korean learners who want to share and practice Korean together. If there is any mistakes in the post, please feel free to contact us for editing at mydaehan2020@gmail.com . Your help will be much appreciated!

---

스케이트보드 (seu-ke-i-teu-bo-deu) – Skateboard

• 

우린 스케이트보드 위로
We are on our skateboards!

---

하늘 (ha-neul) – Sky

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weeekly (위클리) (@_weeekly)

벌써 저기 오렌지빛 하늘이 짙어지는 걸 Sky is turning orange already

---

눈 (nun) – Eyes

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weeekly (위클리) (@_weeekly)

두 눈을 맞추고, 긴 머리 날리고 Our eyes meet our hair flutter

---

친구 (chin-gu) – Friend

• 

친구보단 또 다른 나인 거 같아 You feel like another me rather than a friend

---

반짝이는 (ban-jjak-i-neun) – Sparkling

• 

여기 눈부시게 반짝이는 걸
Everything here is sparkling

---

같이 춤춰요 (gat-chi chum-cheo-yo) – Let’s dance

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Weeekly (위클리) (@_weeekly)

지그재그 춤을 춰 Zig Zag Let’s Dance

---

That’s all for our Korean learning today with Weeekly! Hope you all have a nice weekend in the summer!

I’m Zeba

From India 🇮🇳

I like BTS and K-dramas. My favorite song is “We are bulletproof eternal”.

Learn Korean Words with TAEYEON “Weekend”

Our all time favorite female K-singer, TAEYEON from SNSD is coming back this summer with her upbeat disco single “Weekend”!

I believe the best days of the week are the weekdays! Weekdays in summer means you can get out from the office and enjoy the sunshine of the season. Personally, I really like TAEYEON concept in this music video, reminding me again the season of happiness is finally here!

https://twitter.com/ztsourly/status/1414137318890381320

TAEYEON’s ‘Weekend’ is a disco-pop track where the idol “raps and sings about hope to break away from everyday boredom and enjoy freedom during the weekend”.

SM Entertainment (Source: Yonhap News)

In this post, we are going to learn some basic Korean words from the lyrics of TAEYEON’s “Weekend”!

Disclaimer: this post is created by Korean learners who want to share and practice Korean together. If there is any mistakes in the post, please feel free to contact us for editing at mydaehan2020@gmail.com . Your help will be much appreciated!

---

바다 (ba-da) – sea

Taeyeon with 바다 in M/V of Party by Girls Generation

가장 가까운 바다 The sea which is closest to me

혼자만의 영화관 The cinema that has only me

Weekend (TAEYEON)

바다 (ba-da), the sea is the best place to get full sunshine during the summer. With your bikinis on, go to your closest beach to see the best view of limitless sea and receive the radiating positivity from the sun!

Eg. 우리 바다에 같이 가자!
woo-ri ba-da-e kat-chi ka-ja!

Let us go to the sea together! (informal)

---

여유롭다 (yeo-yu-rob-da) – to be relaxed

TAEYEON being relaxed on the cloud 9 in Weekend M/V

유리컵 한가득 A full glass of

내린 커피 한 잔 Brewed coffee

아이스로 할래 아주 여유롭게 Make it cold, so relaxing

Can we agree that iced coffee is always the best medicine to chill you down? You can imagine that glass full of ice, with freshly brewed Americano slowly dripping down the ice blocks. Even seeing it is already

여유롭게 (adj.) comes from the stem word 여유롭다, meaning relaxing without stress.

Eg. 주말에 집에서 여유롭게 보낼 거예요.
ju-mal-e jib-e-seo yeo-yu-rob-ge bo-nael geo-ye-yo.

I am going to spend my weekend relaxingly at home.

---

햇살 (haet-sal) – sunlight

TAEYEON enjoying the sunlight up on the purple clouds~

쏟아지는 햇살 내 맘을 두드려 The pouring sunlight that knocks my heart

내게 손짓하는 싱그러운 바람 타고서 Riding with the fresh breeze waving at me

Sunlight brings in energy and positivity to us when we are feeling down and gloomy! That’s also why some people really love summer as finally the cold and gloomy sky are back with full of brightness from the sunlight! Some sun bathing will do us a great favor to be cheered up.

Eg. 방이 햇살로 가득 차서 기분이 너무 좋아요.
bang-i haet-sal-lo ka-deuk cha-seo gi-bun-i neo-mu cho-a-yo

I feel so good as the room was flooded with sunlight.

---

달빛 (dal-bit) – moonlight

TAEYEON ready for the summer night with full of moonlight

함께 걷는 태양과 발을 맞추고 Together with me walking along the pace of the sun

뒤이을 달빛을 따라 돌아오고 싶은 걸 Wanting to return again by following the next moonlight

Moonlight in the summer tends to be brighter because of the great weather in the season. Especially by looking at the full moon of the month, a quiet night with bright moonlight is the best atmosphere to relax ourselves in the weekend!

Eg. 호수는 반사된 달빛으로 밝게 빛나요
ho-su-neun ban-sa-dwuin dal-bit-cheu-ro bal-ge bit-na-yo

The lake shines brightly with the reflecting moonlight.

---

오늘 뭐 할까 (o-neul-bwo-hal-gga) – what to do today?

TAEYEON calling you and ask: “오늘 뭐 할까?”

I believe most of us will ask yourself this question every weekend, ‘what am I going to do today?’. Weekends are the days we can plan out activities that we like to do without going to the office!

The phrase ” 오늘 뭐 할까? ” means what (am I/are you) going to do today in an informal way. Depends on the context, if you are talking to yourself and express this phrase to yourself, it means “What am I going to do today?”. You can use this phrase to ask someone which will means “What are you going to do today”, or in full “너 오늘 뭐 할까?”

Eg. (informal situation)

아리: 형, 오늘 뭐할까? 같이 맞집 갈까 ?
hyung, o-neul bwo-hal-gga? woo-ri kat-chi mat-jib kal-kka?

Ali: Hyung (a friend who is senior than you), what are going to do today? Let’s go to a nice restaurant together, shall we?

아부: 별일 없어. 맞집 콜!
byeol-il oebso. mat-jib kol!

Abu: Nothing much today. Nice restaurant kol (meaning let’s do it)!

---

I hope you all enjoy this short sharing and learnt some basic Korean vocabularies! Let’s have a nice summer weekend like how TAEYEON enjoyed in the music video of ‘Weekend’!

For more Learn Korean with MyDaehan series:

#MyDaehanStories | How I started learning Korean because of K-pop

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 10th Aug 2021

Learn Korean Words with WEEEKLY “After School”

by Zk 16th Jul 2021

Learn Korean Words with TWICE “Alcohol-Free”

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 11th Jun 2021

Learn Korean Words with TWICE “Alcohol-Free”

TWICE has made a sunny comeback with their new groovy song ‘Alcohol-Free’. The catchy and joyful beats remind us that summer is finally here!

That summery concept of the MV is just killing (all the boys out there, stay calm!). Even the dance is just so groovy in the chorus, like the sea waves of the beach in summer! No wonder the MV can surpass their 27 million views just in 2 days!

.@JYPETWICE 'Alcohol-Free' M/V has surpassed 27,000,000 views on YouTube! 🍸💕 pic.twitter.com/vA19AlwnE0

— TWICE Charts (fan-accountt) (@TWICE_Charts) June 11, 2021

Talking about the song itself, it is composed by J.Y. Park, that illustrates the feeling of love is so strong that it feels like being drunk! This song definitely is made for all the ONCEs! The composer also relates love like drinking Margaritas and Champagne. Definitely a song to listen when you just fall in love ❤

Source: JYP Entertainment

In this post, we will learn a few Korean vocabulary from the lyrics so we can feel the song even better!

More learn Korean with K-pop songs series here: click

Disclaimer: this post is created by Korean learners who want to share and practice Korean together. If there is any mistakes in the post, please feel free to contact us for editing at mydaehan2020@gmail.com . Your help will be much appreciated!

---

미소 (mi-so) – smile

자꾸 미소 짓게 돼
I keep smiling for no reason

아무 일도 없는데
Though there is nothing goin on

Example:

당신은 미소는 예뻐요.
dang-sin-eul mi-so-neun ye-bbeo-yo
Your smile is pretty.

---

마법 (ma-beob) – magic

자꾸 마법에 걸려
The magic spell is always on me

밤을 새워도 안 졸려
Keeping me awake all night long

Example:

그는 마법을 할 수있어요.
keu-neun ma-beob-eul hal-su-i-sseo-yo
That person can do magic spells.

---

취하다 (chui-ha-da) – to be drunk

✨The Second Reels Challenge✨ "Alcohol-Free" Reels #CheersChallenge with TWICE#TWICE #트와이스 @JYPETWICE pic.twitter.com/EfCSUQoi8U

— misa •ᴗ• (rest) (@misayeon) June 11, 2021

나는 Alcohol free 근데 취해
I’m drunk even it’s alcohol free

마신 게 하나도 없는데
But I didn’t even drink any

Example:

그는 소주 많이 마시고 취했어요.
keu-neun so-ju man-i ma-si-go chui-hae-sseo-yo
He drank too much soju that he just got drunk.

---

도수 (do-su) – percentage

Alcohol 도수는 완전 0.0%
The alcohol percentage is completely 0.0%

근데 마실 때마다 자꾸 길을 잃어
But I’m just lost whenever I drink it

Example:

소주는 술의 도수가 아주 높아요.
so-ju-neun sul-ei do-su-ga a-ju nop-a-yo
The alcohol percentage in soju is very high.

---

기분 (gi-bun) – feeling

자고 일어나도 깨지가 않아
It doesn’t go off after I woke up from sleep

근데 이 기분 싫지가 않아
I’m not hating this feeling

Example

‘Alcohol-free’ 듣고 기분이 진짜 좋았어요.
‘Alcohol-free’ deut-go gi-bun-i jin-jja jo-a-sseo-yo.
My feeling was great as I listened to ‘Alcohol-free’.

---

Have you been remembering the 5 Korean words from the song? Comment down below with the words you learn!

---

More Korean related post, do stay tune in MyDaehan!

Learn Korean Words with TAEYEON “Weekend”

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 12th Jul 2021

Korean Books Recommendations: Feeling Low Today? Read These Korean Books!

by Rita Agustin 20th May 2021

Do You Know How to Sing the Hari Raya Classic ‘Balik Kampung’ in Korean?

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 12th May 2021

Korean Books Recommendations: Feeling Low Today? Read These Korean Books!

Do you ever feel stress or bored because of the routine you doing every single day?

If you are feeling bored, tired and confused during certain times, believe me that all these feelings are very natural for us! You don’t need to bother thinking about a way to solve the negative feeling, you just need time to incubate those feelings in mind to disappear itself!

There are times we want to express our feelings but don’t bother to find someone to listen to all your complaints. Try reading these Korean books might help! Some of these books written by Korean authors is as if you are being advised by a good friend!🥰

---

Let me suggest some Korean self-motivation books that might help us during the hard times.

1. Live As Is / I decided to live as myself / 나는 나로 살기 로 했다 by Kim Soo Hyun

“To survive as ‘me’ in such an unkind world, for ‘you’ who can just be yourself and not mind others. and for ‘us’, the most ordinary beings who are normal but beautiful!”

---

This book, written by Kim Suhyun, is the # 1 best-selling book in South Korea and has already sold over 1 million copies around the world. 

This book contains a collection of reasons why do we face bad thoughts on a daily basis and what actually makes our thoughts worse. The author devotes his views to different small things in life, which happen to cause hardships if we don’t pay attention to it. It consists of 6 parts, each contains a to-do-list to achieve the one thing in life.

Feeling anxiety? Go on to Section 3 (three)! You will find ways to not sink deeper into anxiety and make your days better 🙂

The author also explains how to deal with anxiety. One of them is by not assuming an early scenario about your future. For example, when you have a cough, you are worried that your cough will lead to TB disease. Such thoughts will only dissipate your present time with fear of the future.

Isn’t it a waste of time to spend time on things that don’t necessarily happen?

This book opens our minds that whatever judgments and opinions from others will no affect our happiness.

---

2. Just relax, his name is also alive! / 처음 살아 보니까 그럴 수 있어 / As You Live for the First Time (Flower Path Edition), Korean Essays by Yozuck

This book tells about sadness, curiosity, and answers to life that the author experienced. I’m sure you won’t get bored reading the book because it’s full of illustrations.

The main character of this story is Penguin. The penguin goes on a long journey and encounters other animal friends along the way, getting different new lessons about life.

• 

  “Do you think your life is meaningful?”

• 

• 

This book reminds us that failures and mistakes are not big issues, because we are humans. Instead of punishing ourselves, we should learn to embrace our weaknesses.

---

3. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim

In a world that is moving fast, have you ever felt being left behind? Seeing the success of other people on Instagram or other social media, it is as if we are nothing compared to them.

“Reality exists because our minds exist”

The world depends on our minds in order to exist, just as our minds depend on the world as the subject of our awareness. The two of them are related to each other. It is very important for us to keep our minds calm so that our conscious world remains peaceful.

This book presents serenity while you are reading it. Sometimes for a moment we need to get out of the hustle and bustle of the world, to get to know and love ourselves better.

When we experience difficulties, rather than always seeking comfort from others, you can offer your comfort and listen to others. Because in the process of helping, you will be healed.

– Haemin Sunim

---

These three Korean books can give us tranquility we are looking for in this busy world. Sometimes we need to escape from the hustle and bustle of the reality, and find time to know and love ourselves better.

Where to buy? Simply click this link below ⬇️

https://shopee.com.my/lifepatternkorea.my

https://shopee.co.id/lifepatternkorea.id

---

Check out me!
I’m Rita from 🇮🇩

Online Supporters | KOREAN EMBASSY IN KL 2021

Follow in IG: @ritagustn

Do You Know How to Sing the Hari Raya Classic ‘Balik Kampung’ in Korean?

The Muslims’ fasting month is coming to an end, and right after today, the Malays (and the Muslims all around the world) will celebrate Hari Raya Aldifitri as an appreciation after the puasa.

During this time in previous year, our Malay friends will pack their luggage together with their ‘happiness’ and travel along the PLUS highway back to their home village, or what we called ‘Kampung‘ to unite with their families. That’s how the Raya classic song ‘Balik Kampung‘ by the late Sudirman is so popular as it is so relatable during the festival.

But as the MCO was announced to all the states in Peninsular Malaysia, which prohibited any state or district crossing, many cannot unite with their families in the kampung during this festival. ‘Balik Kampung‘ is prohibited during the Raya festival.

Despite of this, the song ‘Balik Kampung‘ still means a lot to the Malays as it reminds them of the celebration back in Kampung during the normal days.

A Malaysian based Korean Class Instagram page, @talktalkheyo recently made a cover version of ‘Balik Kampung‘ in full Korean! The lyrics was translated using simple vocabulary which is catchy and easy to sing for most of the Korean beginners! Check out their video below!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kelas Bahasa Korea (@talktalkheyo)

Personally I think the chorus is the best, because every single Malaysian can sing it no matter what race you are! Have you get to learn the chorus lyrics?

고향에 가고싶어~ (go-hyang-e ka-go-si-peo)
I want to go back to ‘kampung’

In this verse, ‘고향 (go-hyang)’ literally means ‘hometown’, which can partially refer to ‘kampung’ in Malay. Kampung in Malay means a rural residential area, or a traditional Malay villages. In Korean conversation, you can use ‘고향’ to describe where are you from?

Eg. 저의 고향은 말레이시아예요. (jeo-ui go-hyang-eun mal-le-i-si-a-e-yo) – My hometown is in Malaysia.

A Typical Type of Malay ‘Kampung‘

Another very simple verse at the end of the chorus is

기쁩니다 ~ (ki-ppeum-mi-da)
I’m happy~

These four words sounds simple, but that’s my favorite verse of the whole song. There are many words that can describe happiness, but ‘기쁘다 (ki-bbeu-da)’ is the most suitable one to use in picturing the happiness before the festival, with excitement and the feeling of ‘cannot wait’! While the translator used in the form of formal language ‘-ㅂ니다’ making it rhymes more naturally and poetic in the end.

An example how to make sentence using 기쁘다 (ki-bbeu-da):

Eg. 내일 고향에 돌아갈 거에요. 기분이 아주 기뻐요!
(nae-il go-hyang-e dol-a-gal geo-e-yo. gi-bun-i a-ju gi-bbeo-yo)
– I will go back to my hometown tomorrow. I feel so happy!

---

In here, I will attach the Korean lyrics and it’s brief translation according to the video from @talktalkheyo!

먼 길을 내가 느끼지 않아
I don’t feel how far the way is (to hometown)

내 마음이 너무 기쁘니까
Because I feel so excited

가족들을 진짜 만나고 싶어
I really want to meet all the families

다 내 눈앞에 있는 것 같아
All just gonna be in front of my eyes

아름다운 경치 하고 산들이
Beautiful view with the mountains

위에 하늘도 더 파랗게 나와
The sky above us turns out more blue

슬슬한 바람 노래 처럼 분다
The soft breeze sings like a song

다들 너무 행복하게 넘니다
Everyone is just so happy

고향에 가고싶어 (x3)
I want to go back hometown

기쁩니다~
So happy~

---

I hope you enjoy this version of ‘Balik Kampung‘ by @talktalkheyo! Do check out their Instagram for interesting Korean lessons and classes! In here I wish every Muslims ‘Happy Eid‘!

The original version of Balik Kampung by Sudirman!

Disclaimer: this post is created by Korean learners who want to share and practice Korean together. If there is any mistakes in the post, please feel free to contact us for editing at mydaehan2020@gmail.com . Your help will be much appreciated!

Korean Words About Korean Parent’s Day

Today, May 8th marks as the Parents’ Day in Korean culture.

Few days ago, they celebrated Children’s Day on the 5th May which was one of the public holidays in South Korea. It is a definitely a week of holidays that can bond the relationship between parents and children in the family!

https://www.instagram.com/p/COmLwzKFXuQ/

For any Korean language learners, let’s see what are some Korean words that we can learn related to the Parent’s Day!

Parent’s day is not the public holiday in Korea but during this day, the kids will give Carnation flower to the parents as symbol of love.

Carnation (카네이션) | Ka-ne-i-syeon

---

Before this day, students at school will make red paper carnations in art classes. They also write letters to give it along with the DIY carnation flowers.

Letter (편지) | pyeon-ji

---

Some adults might give their parents special Parents’ Day gifts such as shirts, vouchers or a dinner with their family to express gratitude.

Parents’ Day Gift (어버이날 선물) | Eo-beo-i-nal seon-mul

Let’s look more words that you can learn during this special day;

가족 (Ka-jok) – Family

효자 (Hyo-ja) – Devoted Son

효녀 (Hyo-nyeo) – Devoted Daughter

부모님 (bu-mo-nim) – Parents

아이 (ai) – Child

---

It’s common for us to spend lesser time with our parents as we’re getting older. Despite of the pandemic, some of us even cannot go back hometown to visit their parent.

During this special day, I hope you can send a love message to your parents, either ‘I Love You’ or ‘Thank you for being my parents’ !

I’m pretty sure they will be happy for the small efforts. It is not a big gift from us but for sure its a big ‘gift’ to them as their parents to hear those words from their sons and daughters.

Happy Parents Day to all parents in the world.

---

Written by

Written by

ALISYA

---

알리샤 이 | 양은수

Online Supporter of Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur 2021

Korea.net Honorary Reporter 2021

Follow me in: @alisyanasir

Korean Words About Ramadhan 🕌

I know we have almost came halfway in the month of Ramadhan, but its not too late to get you some words that relate to Ramadhan. Here we go, few words that you can learn during Ramadhan;

Just in case you don’t know what is Ramadhan.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar which observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast in the day from dawn until sunset as an act of cleansing one’s soul from sinful acts.

Wikipedia

---

Let us learn some interesting Korean words now!

1. 라마단 (Ra-ma-dan)

There’s no other word to define ‘Ramadan’. It’s still 라마단 (RA-MA-DAN) in Korean. ㅋㅋㅋㅋ And definitely the first thing you should know. Looking back on how Korean idols know about Ramadhan just made me feel happy. At least they made an effort to understand what Ramadhan meant to Muslim fans.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Imam Abd.Rahman Lee (@abdrahmanlee)

2. 단식 (Dan-sik) / 금식 (Geum-sik) = Fasting

If you’re in Korea and currently fasting, you must have encountered this. If someone asked you to drink or eat, you reply to them;

‘저는 금식중이에요’ (Jeo-neun geum-sik-jung-i-e-yo)
I’m in the middle of fasting

3. 기도 (Ki-do) = Pray

Most of us know what it means but sometime it can make people confused too as Muslim have two different of action for this, one literally means “Du’a” like we asked something to God by saying it and one is “Solat” (prayer) which is action that we have to make as Muslim to the God.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Halal or Not 🇰🇷 (@halalkoreamall)

4. 단식을 깨어요 (Dan-sik-eul kke-eo-yo) = Break the fast

Of course, when you are fasting, you need to break the fast. After the whole day without eat and drink so that is the time to break the fast.  

---

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNsj70tHJMF/

Till here, I hope that you have a good Ramadhan to all the Muslims and may you have been blessed throughout this holy month.

Happy Ramadhan!

Written by

ALISYA

---

알리샤 이 | 양은수

Online Supporter of Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur 2021

Korea.net Honorary Reporter 2021

Follow me in: @alisyanasir

How to say ‘What is this?’ in Korean #basickorean #한국어 #뭐?

‘What?!’
‘What is this?’
‘What you talking about?’

I’m sure these have been our daily expression no matter in which language you are speaking! Humans are full of curiosity, many times we have to know ‘what is this’ before we make any decision, especially in shopping!

In this post, I will share how to say ‘what?’ in different situations using simple Korean!

---

There are different words that can express ‘what’ in Korean, depends on the context:

this material is taking ’90-day-korean’ online lesson post as reference, for original post please click here: How To Say ‘What’ In Korean

뭐 (mwo)

asking ‘what is this?’ (mostly in a casual way)

Example 1: 뭐? (mwo?) – what? (casual)

Example 2: 이거 뭐예요? (i-geo mwo-ye-yo) – what is this?

무엇 (mu-eot)

asking ‘what is this?’ but in a very formal way, especially to the elders

Example: 이것은 무엇입니까? (i-geo-seun mu-eot-sip-mi-gga?) – what is this? (formal way)

어떤 (eo-ddeon)

expressing ‘what kind of..’ or ‘how was..’

Example: Ali씨는 어떤 사람이에요? (ali-ssi-neun eo-ddeon sa-ram-i-e-yo) – What kind of person Ali is?

무슨 (mu-seun)

asking for clarification or explanation

Example: 이말이 무슨 듯이에요? (i-mal-i mu-seun deut-i-e-yo) – What did you mean with these words?

---

Let us practice what we learnt with some real life situations here, in the form of dialog.

Situation 1: When you want to ask what is delicious at a Korean street food stall…

You:
안녕 하세요, 사장님. 여기에서 뭐가 맛있어요?
an-nyeong ha-sae-yo, sa-jang-nim. yeo-gi-e-seo mwo-ga mat-si-sseo-yo?
Hi, ‘the owner’! What is delicious in here?

*most of the time, we can use ‘sa-jang-nim’ to address the owner of the stall/restaurant*

Owner:
여기에 있는 모든 게 다 맛있어요!
yeo-gi-e it-neun mo-deun ge da mat-si-sseo-yo
Everything in here is delicious!

Situation 2: When you are curious on something and expecting for a description…

You:
와, 이거 맛이겠어요! 사장님, 이거는 어떤 음식이에요?
wa, i-geo mat-si-get-sseo-yo! sa-jang-nim, i-geo-neun eo-ddeon em-sik-i-e-yo?
Wow, this food looks so tasty. Sa-jang-nim, what kind of food is this?

Owner:
이거는 떡뽁이예요. 좀 매워지만 외국인사이에서 인기가 너무 많아요.
i-geo-neun ddeok-bbok-i-ye-yo. jom mae-wo-ji-man wi-gug-in-sa-i-e-seo in-gi-ga neo-mu man-a-yo
This is Spicy Korean Rice Cake. It is quite spicy, but very popular among foreigners.

More exclusive Korean lessons in MyDaehan!

Korean Words About Korean Parent’s Day

by Alisya Lee 🇲🇾

Korean Words About Ramadhan 🕌

by Alisya Lee 🇲🇾

5 Korean Phrases/Words You Should Know While You Were Dating ❤️ #romantic #sarang #basickorean

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾

How to order foods in Korean? (Korean restaurant survival phrases) #JomKoreanwithMawen

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾

How to say ‘Happy Birthday’ in Korean? (+ Birthday words!)

by Alisya Lee 🇲🇾

Korean Expression – ‘How can I say Goodluck in Korean?’

by Alisya Lee 🇲🇾

Disclaimer: this post is created by Korean learners who want to share and practice Korean together. If there is any mistakes in the post, please feel free to contact us for editing at mydaehan2020@gmail.com . Your help will be much appreciated!

5 Korean Phrases/Words You Should Know While You Were Dating ❤️ #romantic #sarang #basickorean

Koreans are so romantic like how we see all the love moments in K-dramas. For many guys out there, I believe you girlfriend always compare you with Korean men as reference, in terms of ‘sweet words’ and ‘kind little actions’.

To get some cookie points from your girlfriend, let me teach you some romantic Korean words and phrases that can transform you from an ordinary ‘abang‘ to the handsome ‘oppa‘!

Disclaimer: In this post, I will introduce the expressions in casual Korean (ban-mal). So please be careful while using these, strictly for your girlfriend only. ❤️

You will learn! How to say I miss you in Korean | How to say I love you in Korean

---

1. “와, 귀엽다…” (Wow, you’re so cute)

Which girl does not like her man to compliment her ‘cute’? Followed by a soft pat on her tiny little head, her eyes will be full of just you!

귀엽다 (gwi-yeop-da)

Being cute and adorable

2. “보고싶어…” (I’m missing you)

Most used term among couples – ‘I MISS YOU!’. Well, I have not been in a relationship ever, but it’s understandable how sad your day can be without looking at your girl for at least a second. Expressing how much you miss her is an action of loving her ❤️

보고 싶다 (bwo-go sip-da)

To miss someone

There are different forms we can use to express how you miss her!

1. 보고 싶어 (bwo-go si-peo) : I’m missing you!
2. 보고 싶었어 (bwo-go si-peo-sseo) : I have missed you!
3. 보고 싶을 거야 (bwo-go si-peul-geo-ya) : I’m going to miss you!

3. “우리 영화 보자!” (Let’s go to the cinema!)

‘What should we do today, darling?’ … “Let’s go for a movie date!’.
I’m sure all couples in this universe did have this conversation at least once in their relationship! Well, as we know cinema is dark, and you can sit closely with your loved one. Cinema date is the best way to ‘enhance’ your intimacy with your girlfriend.

영화(를) 보다 (yeong-hwa (-reul) bo-da)

To watch a movie

If you want to ask for a cinema date, instead of saying ‘let’s go to the cinema’ (영화관에 가자), most Koreans will say ‘let’s watch a movie’ (영화 보자). You can use either the expression, by inviting or by asking.

1. by inviting: 우리 영화 보자 (woo-ri yeong-hwa bo-ja)
   ‘Let’s watch a movie!’
2. by asking: 우리 영화 볼까? (woo-ri yeong-hwa bol-gga?)
   ‘Should we watch a movie later?’

4. “전화할게~” (I’ll call you later)

What’s that sentence you say after ‘good-bye’ as you are parting with your girl. Yes, “I will call you later!”. Couples have to spend their 24 hours together because they are just so deeply in love. Not knowing one’s doing for a millisecond, they will start to say ‘bwo-go-si-peo‘. Don’t you call your girl and chat for awhile before you sleep?

전화 하다 (jeon-hwa ha-da)

To do a phone call

As we are expressing future tense, to call her later, we will apply another expression

전화 할게… (jeon-hwa hal-ge) = ‘I will call you later…’

5. “사랑해, 상큼아…”

I will get hate fans if I don’t include this phrase in this post, because these are the most important words in the love dictionary. I bet many of you have known how to say ‘I love you’ in Korean!

사랑 하다 (sa-rang ha-da)

To love

No girl can escape the trap if you gently whisper ‘사랑해~’ beside their ears. As you are ‘presently’ loving her, we change the verb stem to present tense.

사랑해 (sa-rang-ae) *ㅎ is silent*
‘I love you’

Just saying sarangae is very mainstream, I introduce some new words for you to add after sarangae to make your girl flatter more.

사랑해, 상큼아~ (sa-rang-ae, sang-keum-ma)
‘I love you, my sweetie’ (as 상큼, sang-keum can use to describe a girl which is sweet and cute)

or

사랑해, 내 여자~ (sa-rang-ae, nae yeo-ja)
‘I love you, my girl’

---

How’s your learning ‘to impress your girl with oppa charm’ so far? Try saying this with your gf, and who knows you might get her loving you even more deeply, just like in the K-drama ❤️

Catch up more Korean lessons in our website:

How to say ‘What is this?’ in Korean #basickorean #한국어 #뭐?

by Melvin Tan 🇲🇾 16th Apr 2021

Korean Expression – ‘How to say “You Did Well”?’

by Alisya Lee 🇲🇾 27th Nov 2020

Korean Expression – ‘How can I say something when I am about to eat?’

by Alisya Lee 🇲🇾 29th Oct 2020