6 Basic Korean Phrases for Surviving Most Any Situation

Modern Korean, the language we now know, is an honorific language that evolved around the 15th century, in order from Middle Korean, Old Korean, and finally the Original –  Proto-Koreanic language, believed to have its linguistic homeland somewhere in Manchuria. The study suggests that the proto-Koreans, already present in northern Korea, expanded into the southern part of the Korean Peninsula at around 300 BC and coexisted or merged with the descendants of the homogeneous Japonic Mumun cultivators (or assimilated them); both had an influence on each other and a later founder effect diminished the internal variety of both language families leading to the evolution of a  single language during the unification of the sixth to the fourteenth century.

• Hello. –  An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ( 안녕하세요 )

In order to start any conversation, you’re obviously going to need to learn how to greet in their language. ‘Hello’ is the simplest yet extremely effective greeting to either initiate or actively participate any in any conversation. 

• How are you? –  Bap meo-geo-seo-yo? ( 밥 먹었어요? )

Once you’ve greeted everyone, it is always courteous to ask about their well being. It is also a great way of continuing the conversation, before jumping into an actual topic. The most common way of inquiring about someone’s well being is by asking the how they are.

• Nice to meet you. –  Ban-gap-sum-ni-da.  ( 반갑습니다 )

Sometimes, it can be rather tough to talk to someone, or in some cases, a person might feel a little uncomfortable in a social gathering. The best way to break the ice in such a situation is generally by complimenting the person or their company. 

• I’m sorry. – Chway-seong-ham-ni-da./Mi-an-ham-ni-da.  ( 최성합니다/미안합니다 )

Well, we all make mistakes at some or the another point. There’s no need to dwell too much over it, but it’s always important to understand and never repeat the same. Similarly, if your mistake has caused someone else any sort of harm, it’s always important to apologize for the same.

• Thank you. – Kam-sa-ham-ni-da.  ( 감사합니다 )

Being polite is essential. Most Asian countries consider politeness as an extremely important part of their culture. This politeness tends to reflect in a lot of their daily practices as well. Similarly, if you happen to come across a situation, wherein someone has been of great help to you, be polite and show them your gratitude.

• Excuse me. – Jam-shi-man-yo. ( 잠시만요 )

The importance of politeness has already been emphasized previously. Therefore, if you need someone’s attention for anything, seek it as politely as possible. Generally, people use an ‘excuse me’ to do the same.

Due to the ambiguity of the relationship between Korean and other languages, it is believed to be a member of the Altaic family or language isolate. Together with Korean and the Jeju language (spoken in the Jeju Province and considered somewhat distinct) form the Koreanic language family. Grammatically Korean is very similar to Japanese and about 70% of its vocabulary comes from Chinese. It is the official and national language of both Koreas: North Korea and South Korea, with different standardized official forms used in each country, also recognised as a minority language in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture and Changbai Korean Autonomous County of Jilin Province, China. It is also spoken in parts of Sakhalin, Russia and Central Asia.

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