Common Expressions

🗣️ Express Yourself in Korean!

Imagine you have a magical toolbox of Korean words. Each tool helps you say exactly what you feel!

🎭 The Story of Your Korean Voice

Think of learning Korean expressions like learning different dance moves. Each move tells a story. When you put them together, you create a beautiful dance of words!

Today, we’ll learn 8 magical expression tools:

1. How to ask nicely (Polite Requests)
2. How to ask “Can I?” (Permission)
3. How to say “No, thank you” (Refusal)
4. How to share your thoughts (Opinions)
5. How to say “I love it!” or “Yuck!” (Likes & Dislikes)
6. How to say “Yes, me too!” or “Hmm, not sure” (Agreement & Disagreement)
7. How to say “I want…” (Wants & Desires)
8. How to say “I can do it!” (Ability)

1️⃣ Polite Request Expressions

🎀 The Magic Word: Please!

In Korean, asking politely is like adding a bow to your words. You show respect!

The Pattern:

Verb + 주세요 (juseyo) = “Please do [verb] for me”

Simple Examples:

Real Life Story:

You’re at a Korean restaurant. The waiter comes. You say: “물 주세요!” (mul juseyo) = “Water, please!” The waiter smiles and brings you water. Magic! ✨

Extra Polite (for teachers, bosses, grandparents):

Add 부탁합니다 (butakhamnida) = “I humbly request” Example: 도와 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (I would be grateful if you helped me)

2️⃣ Permission Expressions

🚪 Asking “May I?”

Imagine you’re in front of a door. You want to open it, but it’s polite to ask first!

The Pattern:

Verb + -아/어도 돼요? (ado/eodo dwaeyo?) = “May I…?”

Simple Examples:

The Answer Pattern:

✅ Yes, you may = 네, 괜찮아요 (ne, gwaenchanayo) or 네, 돼요 (ne, dwaeyo) ❌ No, you may not = 안 돼요 (an dwaeyo)

Real Life Story:

You see an empty seat next to a kind grandma on the bus. You ask: “여기 앉아도 돼요?” She smiles: “네, 앉으세요!” (Yes, please sit!) You made a friend! 🌟

3️⃣ Refusal Expressions

🙅 Saying “No” Nicely

Sometimes we need to say no. In Korean, we do it gently, like a soft pillow!

The Patterns:

Real Life Story:

Your friend offers you spicy food. You don’t like spicy things. You say kindly: “괜찮아요, 매운 거 못 먹어요” (I’m okay, I can’t eat spicy food) Friend understands! No hurt feelings! 💜

Pro Tip: Adding 죄송해요 (sorry) or 감사해요 (thank you) makes your refusal super gentle!

4️⃣ Opinion Expressions

💭 Sharing Your Thoughts

Your opinion is like a special present you give to the conversation!

The Pattern:

제 생각에는… (je saeng-ga-ge-neun) = “In my opinion…”

More Ways to Share Opinions:

Example Sentences:

🌸 제 생각에는 한국어가 재미있어요

“In my opinion, Korean is fun!”

🌸 맛있는 것 같아요

“I think it’s delicious!”

🌸 어려운 것 같아요

“It seems difficult.”

Real Life Story:

Teacher asks: “What do you think about this song?” You say: “제 생각에는 이 노래가 아주 좋아요!” (In my opinion, this song is very good!) Teacher is impressed by your Korean! 🎵

5️⃣ Likes and Dislikes

❤️ Love It or Leave It!

Express your feelings like painting with colors—bright for love, grey for dislike!

Like Expressions:

Dislike Expressions:

Real Life Story:

At a Korean BBQ, someone offers you pork belly. You LOVE it: “와, 삼겹살 너무 좋아해요!” 🥓 They offer intestines. You’re not sure… You say gently: “아, 저는 별로예요…” Everyone respects your taste! 🙌

6️⃣ Agreement and Disagreement

🤝 Team Yes or Team Hmm?

Agreement is like a high-five with words!

Agreement Expressions:

Disagreement Expressions:

Real Life Story:

Friend: “Korean dramas are the best!” You agree: “맞아요! 저도요!” (That’s right! Me too!)

Friend: “Studying is boring” You disagree gently: “글쎄요… 저는 생각이 달라요” (Well… I think differently) Conversation stays friendly! 💬

7️⃣ Wants and Desires

⭐ Wishing Upon a Korean Star

Expressing what you want is like making a wish—but out loud!

The Pattern:

Verb + -고 싶어요 (go sipeoyo) = “I want to…” Noun + 원해요 (wonhaeyo) = “I want [noun]”

Common Want Expressions:

Extra Expressions:

🌟 …이/가 필요해요 = “I need…”

물이 필요해요 = I need water

🌟 …하고 싶지 않아요 = “I don’t want to…”

가고 싶지 않아요 = I don’t want to go

Real Life Story:

You’re in Seoul. You’re hungry! You tell your friend: “비빔밥 먹고 싶어요!” (I want to eat bibimbap!) Friend: “나도!” (Me too!) Off to find delicious food! 🍚

8️⃣ Ability Expressions

💪 “I Can Do It!”

Talking about abilities is like showing your superpowers!

The Patterns:

Ability Examples:

Real Life Story:

Job interview in Korea. Interviewer: “Can you speak Korean?” You, confidently: “네! 한국어 할 수 있어요!” (Yes! I can speak Korean!)

Interviewer: “Can you use Excel?” You: “네, 엑셀 할 줄 알아요!” (Yes, I know how to use Excel!) You got the job! 🎉

🎯 Quick Expression Flow Chart

graph TD
    A["What do you want to say?"] --> B{Request something?}
    B -->|Yes| C["주세요 / 부탁합니다"]
    A --> D{Ask permission?}
    D -->|Yes| E["-아/어도 돼요?"]
    A --> F{Say no?}
    F -->|Yes| G["괜찮아요 / 못해요"]
    A --> H{Share opinion?}
    H -->|Yes| I["제 생각에는... / ...것 같아요"]
    A --> J{Express feeling?}
    J -->|Like| K["좋아해요"]
    J -->|Dislike| L["싫어해요 / 별로예요"]
    A --> M{Agree/Disagree?}
    M -->|Agree| N["맞아요 / 저도요"]
    M -->|Disagree| O["글쎄요 / 생각이 달라요"]
    A --> P{Want something?}
    P -->|Yes| Q["-고 싶어요"]
    A --> R{Talk about ability?}
    R -->|Yes| S["-ㄹ 수 있어요 / 못해요"]

🌈 Your Expression Toolkit Summary

🚀 You Did It!

You now have 8 superpowers to express yourself in Korean!

Remember:

• 🎀 Be polite = Use 주세요 and 요 endings
• 💜 Be gentle = Add sorry/thank you when refusing
• 💪 Be confident = Say what you can do!
• 🌟 Be yourself = Share your real opinions!

Practice makes perfect! Try using one new expression every day.

Soon, you’ll be dancing through Korean conversations like a pro! 💃🕺

“Every Korean word you learn is a new friend you make!” 🇰🇷✨