r/BeginnerKorean • • 1h ago

Looking for very beginner-friendly Korean resources for travel

• Upvotes

I've been slowly learning Hangeul over the last few months, and I'm looking for what to do next. I'm still very slow at sounding things out (and I'm definitely not always getting the pronunciation right), so I'm looking for resources aimed at absolute beginners.

My goal is to be able to communicate at a basic level if I ever visit Korea, so I'm mostly interested in practical phrases I'd actually use while traveling. Things like greetings, ordering food and drinks, asking about ingredients in food, shopping and paying (including numbers), transportation related phrases, asking for help if I'm lost or don't understand something, useful phrases like "where is the bathroom?" and "I'm sorry, I only understand a little Korean, can you speak slowly please?"...and anything else that would be helpful in common travel situations.

Since I'd mostly be interacting with strangers, I'm assuming I can focus on the polite forms rather than casual speech used with friends. I don't need a deep dive into grammar at this stage, though some basic explanations to help me understand the phrases I'm learning would be helpful. I also don't really need to learn to write as long as I can read well enough, though learning to write might be fun.

For now, I'm interested in seeing how much I can learn on my own for free or very low cost (such as a book), on my own self-paced schedule. Maybe someday I'll be ready to commit to a paid course or private tutor, but I'm not there yet.

I've tried watching some of the YouTubers that are often recommended, but everything I tried seemed way over my head. I've also looked at a few supposedly beginner-friendly books, but I wasn't impressed by the sample pages (come on, there is no context in which I'd ever need to say "by any chance, are you an alien?").

Does anyone have recommendations for resources that would be a good fit? I'm especially interested in things that include audio so I can practice repeating the phrases. I'm open to anything that covers useful travel vocabulary, food/ingredient vocabulary, basic phrases, pronunciation tips, or other things that would be a good next step after learning Hangeul.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 3h ago

What's "역대급(Yeok-dae-gub) | Korean Slang

7 Upvotes

"역대급" in Korean means that it's the best, massive, extreme ever that you've never seen before compared to the past 

It's used in both positive and negative situations and it's basically used when you want to emphasize something intense or extreme

역대 | All time / History 

급 | Level / Class 

Please let me know any questions🙌


r/BeginnerKorean • • 4h ago

Finding friends

3 Upvotes

Hey is anyone here who can talk to me in korean and help me improve it? I'm a beginner and know just basic korean but i really need practice so i get better at it. Please let me know if anyone is ready


r/BeginnerKorean • • 4h ago

3 Specialized Archives from 국립국어원: Exploring Korean Across Region, Time, and Learners

5 Upvotes

When studying or teaching Korean, a standard dictionary only takes you so far. Words carry the geography of the people who speak them, the centuries of shifts that shaped their spelling, and the cognitive footprints of those trying to learn them.

The National Institute of Korean Language (국립국어원) maintains three specialized public archives. While they serve as practical reference tools for expanding your vocabulary, they also offer a deeper look into how language actually lives and changes.


1. Language Across Space: 지역어 종합 정보 (Comprehensive Information on Regional Varieties)

  • Link: https://dialect.korean.go.kr/
  • Background & Content: Since 2005, researchers at 국립국어원 have traveled across the country to record regional speech (지역어 / 사투리) before it disappears, combining field surveys with the Folk Everyday Language Survey and literary records. It features interactive dialect maps (지역어 지도), unscripted voice recordings of native speakers with full transcripts (구술발화 조사 자료), regional expressions in novels like <혼불>, and photos of traditional household tools (사진으로 보는 생활어).
  • How to Use It & Linguistic Insight: Beyond looking up unfamiliar phrases from K-dramas, you can listen to how native speakers in different provinces naturally vary their first-syllable pitch and intonation. Compare a single concept across the map, and you quickly realize that "Standard Korean" (표준어) is one reference point among many living varieties shaped by local life.

2. Language Across Time: 우리말어휘역사사전 (Historical Dictionary of Korean Vocabulary - Pilot Service)

  • Link: https://kdict.korean.go.kr/history
  • Background & Content: Currently in pilot operation (시범 운영), this dictionary traces the origins and historical shifts of 15,000 Korean words based on Hangul texts from the 15th to the 20th century (with plans to expand to 40,000 entries by 2031). It provides century-by-century spelling timelines alongside verified historical citations.
  • How to Use It & Linguistic Insight: You can see how 15th-century 돗가비 became 도깨비 (goblin), or how 17th-century 곳어름 shifted to 고도름 and finally 고드름 (icicle). It even tracks modern vocabulary—showing how the native word 세겹살 (from the 1930s) and 삼겹살 (pork belly, first seen in 1950s newspapers) coexisted until the 1970s. Looking at these timelines changes how you view vocabulary. What seems like an arbitrary spelling or irregular form today often makes complete sense once you see the phonetic and social shifts behind it.

3. Language in the Learner's Mind: 한국어 학습자 말뭉치 나눔터 (Korean Learner Corpus Sharing Center)

  • Link: https://kcorpus.korean.go.kr/
  • Background & Content: A 말뭉치 (corpus) is a digitized collection of real-world language data. Unlike standard corpora that only record native speakers, this archive compiles massive amounts of actual writing and speaking samples produced by people learning Korean as a second or foreign language worldwide.
  • How to Use It & Linguistic Insight: You can search how learners at your proficiency level—or those who share your first language—use specific vocabulary, and see which particles (조사) or verb endings (어미) cause the most friction. Seeing common patterns in others' writing is often the clearest mirror for refining your own.. More importantly, it shows that learner errors are rarely random mistakes; they are systematic steps in how the human mind maps a new language onto an existing one.

Looking through these three archives together shows how much a single word holds: the time it traveled through, the region it belongs to, and the way speakers and learners make it their own.

Have you ever used historical dictionaries, dialect maps, or corpus data in your own language studies? Which Korean words or regional expressions have made you curious about their roots?


Constructive criticism is very welcome—I just kindly ask that we keep the comments polite and respectful. I look forward to continuing the discussion with you all.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 5h ago

What would be the best way for me to learn korean?

4 Upvotes

I would learn it on my own and would ask for recommendations for vocabulary, grammar, letters with websites, apps, instagram, youtube whatever sources there are. The thing is I need things that aren't overly loud because of my noise caused OCD.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 6h ago

How do you say "I can speak Korean" in Korean?

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14 Upvotes

Quick Korean challenge! 🍊

Can you translate "I can speak Korean" into Korean?

Drop your answer below before checking the slides! 👀

Bonus: Make your own sentence using -(으)ㄹ 수 있다!


r/BeginnerKorean • • 10h ago

I made a Korean app that goes from Hangul to real conversations — free, would love beginner feedback

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5 Upvotes

Hi r/BeginnerKorean!

I’ve been building a Korean learning app called TOPIK Korean — the name comes from how the vocabulary is organized by level, but you don’t need to be studying for the exam to use it. Most of it is just general beginner-friendly Korean.

What’s in it:

  • Hangul basics for absolute beginners
  • Vocabulary organized by level (1 through 6), so you always know what’s next
  • Grammar and conjugation drills
  • Real-life conversations with audio and translation
  • Full mock exams if you ever do want to test yourself TOPIK-style, with auto-grading and skip tracking
  • Translated into 15 languages, so you can study from your own

It’s free to use — all levels and every vocabulary card are unlocked, no paywall. An optional premium pass ($4/month or $11/year, not auto-renewing) removes ads and adds extras like unlimited session length and auto-repeat.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.redmoon.topikvocab
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/topik-korean-learn-korean/id6814852323

I’d really appreciate feedback from people actually starting out — what’s confusing, what’s missing, what would make the first week easier. That’s genuinely what shapes the next update.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 10h ago

How "보고 싶다 (Bogo sipda)" means "I miss you," "I want to see," and "I want to try"

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14 Upvotes

How "보고 싶다 (Bogo sipda)" means "I miss you," "I want to see," and "I want to try"

In Korean, 보고 싶다 literally translates to "I want to see (with my eyes)." It combines the verb stem 보~ (from 보다, to see or watch) with the ending ~고 싶다 (to want to do). Depending on how it is used, it carries three main meanings.

Missing someone (I miss you) In English, "miss" can mean failing to catch something (like missing a bus, which is 놓치다 in Korean) or longing for someone. For longing, Korean has the verb 그리워하다, but it sounds quite poetic and formal for daily conversation. Instead, in everyday speech, Koreans simply say they want to see the person or pet they miss.

친구들이 너무 보고 싶다. (I miss my friends so much.) 네가 보고 싶어서 빨리 주말이 왔으면 좋겠다. (I miss you, so I hope the weekend comes quickly.)

Wanting to watch or look at something (I want to see it) When the object is a thing or place, it keeps its literal meaning.

새로 나온 영화 보고 싶다. (I want to watch the new movie.) 이번 겨울에는 눈 내리는 걸 보고 싶어. (I want to see the snow fall this winter.)

Wanting to try or experience something (~해 보고 싶다) When 보고 싶다 comes right after another verb (in the ~아/어 보다 form), the verb 보다 changes its meaning from "to see" to "to try" or "to experience." So ~해 보고 싶다 means you want to try doing something.

한국에 가 보고 싶다. (I want to try going to Korea / I want to visit Korea.) 한복을 입어 보고 싶어. (I want to try wearing Hanbok.)

Beyond these, you can attach ~(하)고 싶다 directly to almost any action verb stem to express a basic desire. Drop ~다 from the dictionary form and add ~고 싶다.

먹다 (to eat) > 먹고 싶다 (I want to eat) 매운 떡볶이가 먹고 싶다. (I want to eat spicy tteokbokki.)

하다 (to do) > 하고 싶다 (I want to do) 주말에는 집에서 게임 하고 싶어. (I want to play games at home on the weekend.)

Who do you miss (보고 싶다) the most right now? What do you want to see (~보고 싶다) and try doing (~해 보고 싶다) with them?

— TYPOP에서 공유


r/BeginnerKorean • • 11h ago

I made slow Korean folktale narrations with Korean and English subtitles

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0 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I've been making illustrated videos of traditional Korean folktales, with slow, gentle narration. Each story is around 20–30 minutes long.

I originally started making them as something relaxing to listen to before bed, but I thought they might also interest learners looking for slower Korean listening material.

You could try a short section with Korean audio and Korean subtitles, then check the English subtitles for anything you didn't understand.

These are retellings of folktales, not structured language lessons or graded beginner stories, so some vocabulary and sentence patterns may still be challenging.

Most of the videos have Korean, English, and Spanish narration and subtitles. My more recent uploads also include Indonesian and Brazilian Portuguese.

For transparency, I use AI to create the narration and illustrations. This is my own project, and I'm still working on it.

Here's the channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@이야기덮는밤

I'd be interested to hear whether the pace is comfortable for learners, and whether any words or expressions are especially difficult to follow.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 13h ago

My Korean word puzzle game is finally on Android!

3 Upvotes

Hi! I'm an indie dev making small apps for people learning Korean.

Koobi is a word puzzle: you get 16 Hangul syllable tiles and spell 5 hidden words per pack (plus bonus words). Every word you find becomes a flashcard with its meaning, romanization, TOPIK level and an example sentence.

It launched on iOS a few months ago, and since then I've added:

- Android version (just went live!)
- 132 packs (up from 100), with new K-Culture and Nature & Animals themes
- Daily streaks and an optional daily reminder

Pricing, to be upfront: it's free and ad-supported, and a new pack unlocks every day. One optional one-time purchase (no subscription) unlocks everything and removes ads.

Can't read Hangul yet? I also made Gabi, a calm little app for learning the letters first (iOS only for now): https://koobi-f3d1e.web.app/

How many of the 5 words in the video did you already know? And if you can read Hangul, this board still has 34 hidden bonus words. Can you spot any? 👀


r/BeginnerKorean • • 14h ago

Sharing everyday life in Korea, one small story at a time

9 Upvotes

Hi everyone!

I’m Korean, and I recently started a small project called KORWAY where I share little pieces of everyday life in Korea.

I speak Korean slowly and clearly, so I thought it might be helpful for people who are learning Korean, as well as anyone who’s curious about what everyday life in Korea is really like.

So far, I’ve shared things like eating Korean fried chicken like you often see in K-dramas 😄, comparing convenience store items that are popular with Koreans and foreigners, and taking a short trip outside the city to show a different side of Korea beyond the usual tourist spots.

Next, I’m planning to make gimbap while sharing some useful Korean words, and I also want to talk about practical apps that can make traveling in Korea a little easier.

I’m not a Korean teacher. I’m just a Korean person sharing the language, food, places, and everyday things I actually experience here.

If you’re interested in Korea, Korean daily life, or learning Korean by listening to slow, natural Korean, feel free to look up KORWAY if you’re curious.

And more than anything, I’d love to know:

What are you curious about when it comes to Korea?

It could be food, travel, everyday life, Korean culture, or even something small that you’ve always wondered about.

Your question might become something I explore and share next. :)

https://youtu.be/XEOqp6j0ydI?si=whvYIy6AUjzmgV_P


r/BeginnerKorean • • 1d ago

english subtitles sometimes make me question what they actually said lol

7 Upvotes

i watch korean dramas with english subs and sometimes wonder if that's really what they meant 😭 translations can't capture everything, right?
a friend from italy told me about discord and gametalk. we actually met on ometv and moved to discord to play games lol
now i'm kinda curious about trying gametalk too, maybe it'll help me understand korean outside dramas
do u guys ever compare the original dialogue with the subtitles? does it help u learn?


r/BeginnerKorean • • 1d ago

I made a free page that writes your name in Hangul, including 7 old letters (ㆆ ㅿ ㆁ ㆍ ㅸ ㆄ ᄛ)

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14 Upvotes

Hi! I'm a native Korean speaker. I once taught Hangul to kids, and these days I'm building a small Hangul course on my own.

One thing I love about Hangul: when it was created in 1443, it had 28 letters. Today we use 24. Those four letters are no longer in use, but their sounds are still around, like the z in "zoo" or the ng in "sing".

So I made a little page that writes your first name in Hangul, including 7 old letters: those four, plus three "light" letters from 15th-century writing (ㅸ for v, ㆄ for f, and ᄛ, a light ㄹ, for r). The three weren't among the 28, but Sejong's rules let you make them by writing ㅇ under a letter.

- Ariel → ᅙᅡᄛᅵᄋᆞᆯ (the card in the picture: ㆆ, light ㄹ and ㆍ in one name)

- Emma → ᅙᅦᆷᄆᆞ (ㆆ for a name that starts with a vowel)

- Rose → ᄛᅩᅀᅳ (light ㄹ for r, ㅿ for the z sound)

- King → 키ᇰ (ㆁ for ng)

- Justin → ᄌᆞ스틴 (ㆍ for the soft "uh")

- Sophia → 소ᅗᅵ아 (ㆄ for f)

It's a playful approximation, not an exact transcription, and the card also shows the modern 24-letter spelling so you can compare. If your name comes out strange, tell me in the comments and I'll explain why each letter was chosen.

hanalkorean.com/name?from=rd

Transparency (rule 5)

- I made this. The page is on the site of my paid course, Hangul Reading & Writing.

- The name page is free. No sign-up and no email: you can see your card and save the image right away.

- The course: 14 days of Hangul reading and writing lessons in a web app. Day 1 and 2 are free, then a one-time $19 launch price (regular $24; local tax may be added) for 1 year of access. Full refund within 7 days of purchase if you haven't finished Day 7.

- The Korean sounds are my own recordings. The English explanations use an AI voice.

- Any questions, ask here and I'll answer in the comments.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 1d ago

If you struggle to memorize vocabulary, try this method

5 Upvotes

Based on my experience, simply cramming massive amounts of vocabulary didn't really work for me.

The most effective way to memorize vocabulary is to visualize the situation in your mind and describe the picture or scenario you are in

For example, let's say you want to learn words related to "going to school"

  • First, learn the core vocabulary and sample sentences.
  • Then, visualize yourself going to school in your mind (this visualization step is key!)

r/BeginnerKorean • • 1d ago

In Korean, 확 (hwak) is a mimetic word (의태어) that describes something happening suddenly and intensely all at once.

29 Upvotes

In Korean, 확 (hwak) is a mimetic word (의태어) that describes something happening suddenly and intensely all at once. You will hear it constantly in daily conversation when someone wants to emphasize a quick change or a sharp action.

맛있는 냄새가 확 났어. (A delicious smell hit me all of a sudden.)

확 소름이 끼쳤어. (I suddenly got goosebumps.)

소매치기가 지갑을 확 낚아챘어. (A pickpocket snatched my wallet in a flash.)

날씨가 하루아침에 확 추워졌어. (The weather suddenly got cold overnight.)

매운 음식이 확 땡긴다. (I suddenly have a strong craving for spicy food.)

창문을 열었더니 찬 바람이 확 들어왔어. (Cold wind rushed in as soon as I opened the window.)

The position of 확 in a sentence is flexible. It usually goes right before the verb, like in "소름이 확 끼쳤어." If you want to put more emphasis on the suddenness itself, you can move it earlier in the sentence and say "확 소름이 끼쳤어." Both sound natural.

There is another common way to use this word, and it comes with a specific gesture.

When a close friend says something annoying or teases you, Koreans often raise a fist or the back of their hand as if they are about to hit the person, and say "확! 그냥" (Hwak! Geunyang) or "확! 마!" (Hwak! Ma!).

Literally, "그냥" means "just" or "right now," and "마" is Gyeongsang-do dialect (경상도 사투리) for "인마" (inma, meaning "hey, dude" or "you brat"). Together, both expressions carry the unspoken meaning of "I swear, I'm just gonna hit you right now!" or "Why, you little...!"

Nobody actually hits anyone in this situation. It is a playful, empty threat used between friends or family. Because the raised hand already shows what you mean, you drop the actual verb at the end (like "때려버릴까 보다" / "I might just hit you") and stop right after saying "확! 그냥" or "확! 마!"

You can also use it without the hitting gesture when talking about making an impulsive decision out of frustration. For example, saying "오늘 회사 확 쉬어버릴까?" means "Should I just impulsively skip work today?" or "머리나 확 잘라버릴까?" meaning "Should I just chop my hair off?"

— typop.app에서 공유


r/BeginnerKorean • • 1d ago

🦌 LingoDeer: Structured Korean lessons for beginners, with Hangul, grammar, and native-speaker audio

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36 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m part of the LingoDeer team. If you’re starting Korean and looking for a little more structure, I wanted to share how our course works.

The course includes vocabulary, sentence structures, grammar tips, and everyday conversations. You can learn or review Hangul in a separate Alphabet tab whenever you need it. If you already know some Korean, you can test out of units covering familiar material.

A few features you might find helpful:
❤️ Lessons created by humans, with clear grammar explanations and native-speaker audio, so you can hear how the language sounds and polish your pronunciation as you learn.
🖊️ Listening, speaking, and spelling practice, with options to hide translations or turn off audio autoplay when you want more of a challenge.
🔁 Flashcards with spaced repetition system (SRS) and customizable review modes, so you can choose what to practice and how.
📚 Extra comprehension drills to reinforce what you’ve learned.

You can explore the course here:

Web Access: https://www.lingodeer.com/language/korean

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lingodeer-learn-languages/id1261193709

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lingodeer&hl=en_US

[Membership Pricing as of Oct, 2026] LingoDeer membership on the US App Store costs US$14.99/month or US$95.99/year; prices may vary by platform, region, and promotions. For more details: https://www.lingodeer.com/pricing

Happy to answer questions about the Korean course here in the comments:)


r/BeginnerKorean • • 1d ago

What’s a word (or phrase) you think you had a low chance of encountering or using and then suddenly there it was?

8 Upvotes

Just yesterday in my lesson 고무장갑 - Rubber glove came up and I thought, Well that’s a word I won’t be needing anytime soon. And today in the drama I’m watching they have said a bunch of times. I honestly never say this and I thought it was a word that I wouldn’t remember after the lesson but now it’s solidified. I usually use just gloves for all types.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 1d ago

아직 vs 여전히: both mean “still”, but they’re not the same

42 Upvotes

A lot of learners mix these two up, so I made a short video about it.
Which one would you use in 저는 ___ 그 영화를 좋아해요?


r/BeginnerKorean • • 2d ago

Need 말하기 practice

5 Upvotes

Hello dear people, I’m learning Korean for four years and by papers I reached level 4A but I don’t feel very confident about it especially my speaking level so maybe someone wants to practice their speaking. You can reach me out on Instagram @abrikozzzzz and I’m gonna wait for you, 고마워 🥹

If you have any advice or tips, just go ahead and tell me 🙃


r/BeginnerKorean • • 2d ago

TTMIK made a youtube short about using 뭐랄까 and encouraged people to leave their example sentences. COuld you please check out mine?

5 Upvotes

Talk to Me in Korean made a youtube short about the usage of 뭐랄까 (뭐라고 할까) = "How should I put it?"

explanation is pretty straightforward but as soon as I tried to make my own sentence I ran into million questions. as one does.

my first attempt:

이 집은... 뭐랄까... 깨끗하지 않아요.

I am trying to soften calling someone's house dirty here. but I am wondering, is long negation supposed to be used mostly in writing, and if so, does it clash with 뭐랄까's colloquial feel? does 뭐랄까 even have a colloquial feel?

이 집은... 뭐랄까... 깨끗한 집이 아니에요.

does turning 깨끗하다 from descriptive verb into noun modifier make a more natural sentence? or are they both fine just with different nuance?

thanks!


r/BeginnerKorean • • 2d ago

Need help finding a teacher that was previously posted here.

4 Upvotes

About 6 months ago I found a thread on Reddit recommending teachers. Someone posted a link to a teacher's personal website. The prices were very affordable and the times matched with my schedule. Unfortunately I didn't bookmark the website and now cannot find the original thread anywhere. Maybe the original post got deleted. All I can remember is that the teacher's website was in primarily in blue and the teacher was based in Korea accepting payment by bank transfer. Sorry if it's not very helpful but if anyone knows who I'm talking about I would be very interested in booking classes with them. Thank you.


r/BeginnerKorean • • 2d ago

Free English–Korean Bilingual Romance Novel for Korean Beginners

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15 Upvotes

Free English–Korean Bilingual Romance Novel for Korean Beginners

Hi everyone!

I'm a Korean author, and I'd like to share the first book in my bilingual romance series, The Soldier’s Muse — English-Korean Bilingual Edition, for free.

When I studied English, I hated memorizing vocabulary lists and analyzing every sentence line by line.

If a passage went beyond three lines, I was practically going crazy. An English novel? No way I could read one!

So I designed my books with one line in English followed by one line in Korean, and I kept the sentences short.

I also paid special attention to the Korean text because Korean has different speech levels, homonyms, and trendy abbreviations and expressions. I wanted the Korean to feel natural while still being easy to understand through the English text.

All you have to do is enjoy the romance story and sneak a peek at the Korean as you read!

📚 What you’ll find:

  • English and Korean sentences presented side by side, line by line
  • Natural dialogue and expressions
  • A romance story for readers who enjoy fiction
  • Book 1 available for free on Google Play Books

This is my own published work, and I'm sharing a free promotional code so interested readers can try it without paying.

***********Read the book here:
https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Se_Jin_Shin_Conquering_Korean_Through_Romance_Nove?id=ooQREgAAQBAJ&hl=en&gl=us

🎁 Free promotional code:
https://play.google.com/redeem?code=YKX0OUUKB7752

This code is for the US Google Play Store.

I tried redeeming it from South Korea, but it didn't work.

If you're outside the US, please check whether the code is available for your account.

I hope this gives you another enjoyable way to spend time with Korean. Happy reading! 😊


r/BeginnerKorean • • 2d ago

How far does 1yr of college Korean courses get you?

6 Upvotes

Background: I've been slowly self-studying Korean for about 8 months now, but my end goal is to get to a conversational level within the next few years. There's an overseas Korean language intensive course I'd like to apply to, but it requires 1+ years of Korean for eligibility.

My primary learning resource is Duolingo (not the best, but it works). By the time the program starts, I will have been self-studying Korean for over a year, but I'm pretty certain that my pace is slower than that of a college class. What topics are typically covered during the first year of a Korean college course, and what should I make sure I know before applying to the program?

I'm open to any thoughts or advice :)

(I'm a native English speaker, but I do also speak Japanese and a few other languages, so I'm quick to learn new languages. I've been told that I have a small advantage in learning Korean in particular, since Korean and Japanese share some loan words.)


r/BeginnerKorean • • 2d ago

I built a Korean reader for the sentences I couldn’t get through

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2 Upvotes

I’ve been studying Korean for two years. Once I started reading posts and short articles, I kept falling into the same routine: look up a word in Naver, go back to the sentence, get stuck on a conjugated verb, and lose my place again.

I’d used Japanese dictionary apps that let me work through a whole passage by tapping on words. I wanted something like that for Korean, in an app that felt native on my iPhone and Mac, so I built Sajeon.

You can paste Korean text into the Reader, tap words for definitions, and find the dictionary forms behind conjugated words. You can also listen to the passage. The dictionary has over 50,000 entries, including example sentences you can open in the Reader, and you can save words to your own lists. If you already know Hangul and are starting to read real Korean, that’s the part I hope will be useful.

I’m a Korean learner, not a teacher, and Sajeon isn’t a course. The app is free to download and use. Premium adds full conjugation tables, spaced repetition flashcards, camera text scanning on iPhone and iPad, and sentence breakdowns. It costs US$2.99/month, US$14.99/year, or US$29.99 once; prices vary by country. Eligible users can try Premium free. The app shows the trial length and renewal price before you subscribe.

I’d love for you to give it a try and tell me what you think!


r/BeginnerKorean • • 2d ago

[Hello, Wanderer] I'm back after a month! I finally finished writing all your letters. 💌

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39 Upvotes

Hello again, everyone!

It's been about a month since my last post here.

I've been writing letters whenever I could find some free time, but I honestly didn't expect it to take this long.

There were more letters to write than I anticipated, and some days I managed to write two letters, while on other days I couldn't write even one.

But finally, I've finished writing and sending all the letters I received requests for!

Well, the last few are still traveling across the world, so it may take another 20 days or so before I know whether they've arrived safely.

I really hope they all make it.

Some people have replied to my emails with kind words and encouragement, while others haven't responded. And that's completely fine!

But if you're one of the people who requested a letter, I'd really appreciate it if you could send me a quick email when it arrives. Just knowing that it reached you safely would mean a lot to me.

A few things I learned about international mail

I offered two ways to receive a letter.

The first was a completely free handwritten letter sent in a regular envelope through standard international mail.

These usually take around 20 days to arrive, based on what I've seen so far. However, I've only received confirmation for three or four of them, and some are still unaccounted for.

Because regular envelopes have limitations on weight and contents, I sometimes wished I could include a little more.

The second option was for people who kindly offered to cover the shipping costs.

Thanks to their support, I was able to use a faster shipping method. Most of those letters arrived within about 7–10 days.

I could also use larger envelopes and include a few little gifts from Korea.

I'm truly grateful to everyone who helped with shipping.

I also started making things myself.

I designed my own Korean-inspired stationery, made small paper keepsakes with people's names written in Hangul, and experimented with different ways of packaging everything.

I'm slowly figuring out a better system through trial and error.

And I learned something important.

Writing handwritten letters is harder than I thought. Haha.

Each letter takes me around one or two hours to write. When I add preparing everything, packaging, and visiting the post office, it takes quite a bit longer.

I have a family and work to take care of, so there are days when I simply can't find the time.

After writing dozens of letters, I think it's time to organize things a little better.

I've also been thinking about whether I should turn this into a small paid project.

If I could spend more time and care on each individual letter, perhaps that would be a good thing.

On the other hand, I worry that charging money might change the original spirit of what I wanted to do.

And if I make every letter too elaborate, I might end up not being able to write many letters at all. Haha.

I'm still thinking about it and trying to find the right balance.

But one thing is certain.

This community is where Hello, Wanderer began.

Even if I eventually expand this project elsewhere, I want to keep coming back here and writing free letters whenever I can.

I just need to find a better way to accept requests instead of taking on too many at once, like I did last time.

And one more thing I've realized while writing all these letters...

Even though I'm Korean, I've discovered that I still have a lot to learn about writing in my own language. 😅

And I've seen people here with much more beautiful handwriting than mine!

So I guess I need to work on both my writing and my handwriting.

Thank you so much to everyone who showed interest in a stranger from Korea.

Because of you, I've had a wonderful experience connecting with people in places I've never been.

I'll keep writing.

And hopefully, I'll be back soon to accept another small round of letter requests.

Thank you, everyone.

Sending lots of love from Korea. ❤️

오늘도, 내일도 행복하세요.

  • From a Wanderer in Korea -

P.S. This post was translated from Korean using a translation tool.