Korean expressions
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How I improved my Korean writing
누가 도와준 거예요?! “Who helped you write this?!” Those were the words greeting me as I picked up the phone when my LP called to give me feedback on an essay I had sent to him. 제가 알아서 썼거든요!!”No one, I wrote this alone!!” I exclaimed, not knowing whether I should feel offended at his accusation that I would “cheat”…
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The story of my Korean notebook
I always carry a notebook with me. Always! As a language learner it is probably one of my most important tools. I used to write several pages in my notebook every single day, meticulously filling the blank pages with new words, sentences, or grammar patterns. However, as I took out my notebook yesterday to prepare a…
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Korean “sign” language
My two weeks in Korea have obviously given me a lot of exposure to the kind of Korean you don’t necessarily see in textbooks. Back home again I’ve had the time to look over the many pictures I’ve been taking during my trip. I’ve taken quite a few pictures of signs I’ve seen around Seoul…
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When bad things happen, good things are bound to follow
A few weeks ago, I helped my LP apply for a scholarship at his home university. This was my first time writing an official recommendation letter in Korean, which was an extremely educational experience. In fact is was my first time writing a letter in Korean! Although I thought it was an awesome letter of recommendation,…
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A useful little Korean word
Today I’ll introduce you to a neat little Korean word, which recently came up in conversation with my LP. Drumroll….. 체질! 체질 means something along the lines of “physical composition”, and you can use this versatile word for providing reasons for personal behavior in a variety of situations: For not drinking: 나는 술을 잘 안 먹는 체질이다 (I’m…
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Korean, not so foreign after all?
Despite Korean and English being very different indeed, I’m often surprised by phrases or idioms that are stunningly similar. This past week I’ve collected a few of these in conversations with my language partner. I actually rather enjoy how such expressions may help me to see my other languages in a different light. The first one…
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Korean building blocks
In my quest to improve my conversational skills in general and my narrative skills in particular, I have laid off all the grammar and vocab cramming for the time being. Instead I have been listening, reading, and speaking like crazy. For listening I’ve found the most amazing resource on youtube. If you type in 세바시 you will be…
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Meeting my LP and finishing my drama
Yesterday, I met my language partner for a very interesting session about political systems. In three weeks we’ll have an election to the parliament, so the topic was motivated by all the political campaigns in the Danish media and all the mug shots of politicians and their slogans currently hanging from every lamp post in…
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Four-syllable words in Korean
Not to be confused with four-letter words, these are words of Chinese origin used idiomatically for linguistic efficiency. A few examples: 십중팔구(十中八九) lit. meaning: 8 or 9 out of 10; use: “most likely” 세면도구 (洗面道具) lit. meaning: syllables of various personal hygiene activities; use: “toiletries” 유구무언 (有口無言) lit. meaning: to have nothing to say; use: “offer no…
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My hanja hunt
I’ve really come to enjoy the game of building my Korean vocabulary through hanjas. This morning when I was reviewing the new words from my most recent TTMIK news delivery I came across the word 획득하다 meaning “to acquire or obtain”. I definitely recognized the 득, and wondered if it was the same 득 as in 설득 (persuasion). Indeed…
Sofie to Korea 