Korean (한국어, 조선말, Hangugeo, Chosŏnmal) is the official language of South Korea, North Korea, and the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in China, and is the primary language of the Korean Diaspora community, ranging from Uzbekistan, Japan, Canada. It is a complex and fascinating language, still of disputed origins, rich in history, culture and beauty. If you are planning a vacation in the Korean world, are looking to reconnect with your origins, or just enjoy learning new languages, follow these simple steps to learn Korean and you will be fluent in no time!
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Start Studying
Step 1. Learn Hangeul, the Korean alphabet
The alphabet is a good foundation for learning to speak Korean, especially if you are hoping to improve your reading and writing later on. Korean has a rather simple alphabet, although at first it may seem strange to most Italians because it is completely different from the Latin alphabet.
- Hangeul was created during the Joseon dynasty in 1443. It has 24 letters, including 14 consonants and 10 vowels. However, if you include the 16 diphthongs and double consonants, there are 40 letters in total.
- Korean also uses about 3,000 Chinese characters, or Hanja, to represent words of Chinese origin. Unlike Japanese Kanji, Korean Hanja is used in more limited contexts, such as academic publications, religious (Buddhist) texts, dictionaries, front page titles, classical and pre-WWII Korean literature, surnames. In North Korea, the use of the Hanja alphabet is almost non-existent.
Step 2. Learn to count
Knowing how to count is a fundamental skill in any language. Counting in Korean can be difficult because it uses two different numerical sets for cardinal numbers, depending on the situation: the Korean one and the Sino-Korean one which, coming from China, has some Chinese characters.
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The Korean system is used to indicate numbers of objects and people (between 1 and 99) and for age; for example: 2 children, 5 bottles of beer, 27 years of age. Here's how to count to 10 in the Korean system:
- One = 하나 pronounced "hana"
- Two = 둘 pronounced "dool"
- Three = 셋 pronounced "set"
- Four = 넷 pronounced "net"
- Five = 다섯 pronounced "da-sut"
- Six = 여섯 pronounced "yuh-sut"
- Seven = 일곱 pronounced "il-gop"
- Eight = 여덟 pronounced "yuh-duhl"
- Nine = 아홉 pronounced "ahop"
- Ten = 열 pronounced "yuhl"
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We use the Sino-Korean system for dates, money, addresses, telephone numbers, and numbers greater than 100. Here's how to count to 10 in Sino-Korean:
- One = 일 pronounced "the"
- Two = 이 pronounced "ee"
- Three = 삼 pronounced "sam"
- Four = 사 pronounced "sa"
- Five = 오 pronounced "oh"
- Six = 육 pronounced "yuk"
- Seven = 칠 pronounced "chil"
- Eight = 팔 pronounced "pal"
- Nine = 구 pronounced "goo"
- Ten = 십 pronounced "ship"
Speak Korean Step 3 Step 3. Memorize simple words
The more vocabulary you have, the easier it is to speak a language fluently. Familiarize yourself with as many simple, everyday Korean words as possible; you will be surprised how fast they will increase!
- When you hear a word in Italian, think about how you would say it in Korean. If you don't know, write it down and look for it later. It will be useful to always carry a small notebook with you for this purpose.
- Apply Korean labels to objects around the house, such as the mirror, the coffee table, the sugar bowl. You will see those words so often that you will learn them without realizing it!
- It is important to learn every word or phrase by translating it from both Korean to Italian and from Italian to Korean. This way you will remember what they say, you won't just recognize it when you hear it.
Speak Korean Step 4 Step 4. Learn some basic conversation phrases
By learning the basics of polite conversation, you'll soon be able to interact with Korean native speakers on an easy level. Try learning the words / phrases to say:
- Hello = 안녕 pronounced "an-nyoung"
- Yes = 네 pronounced "ne"
- No = 아니요 pronounced "aniyo"
- Thanks = 감사 합니다 pronounced "gam-sa-ham-nee-da"
- My name is… = 저는 _ 입니다 pronounced "chonun _ imnida"
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How are you?
= 어떠 십니까? pronounced "otto-shim-nikka"
- Pleased to meet you = 만나서 반가워요 pronounced "Manna-seo banga-woyo"
- Until we meet again (when you leave and the others stay) = 안녕히 계세요 pronounced "an-nyounghi kye-sayo"
- Until we meet again (when you all go away) = 안녕히 가세요 pronounced "an-nyounghi ga-seyo"
Speak Korean Step 5 Step 5. Try to learn the forms of polite speech
It is important to learn the difference between the levels of formality in spoken Korean. Unlike Italian, in Korean the ending of verbs changes according to the age and status of the interlocutor, as well as the social context. It is important to understand how the formality of speech works, in order to have a polite conversation.
- Informal - used to address people of your own age or younger, especially among close friends.
- Polite - used for talking to older people, and in formal social settings.
- Honorific - used in very formal settings such as the news or in the military. Rarely used in normal conversation.
Speak Korean Step 6 Step 6. Study basic grammar
To speak a language correctly, it is necessary to study its grammar. There are many notable differences between Italian and Korean grammar, for example:
- Korean almost always uses the order subject - object complement - verb, and the verb is always placed at the end of the sentence.
- In Korean it is quite common to omit the subject of a sentence when the subject being referred to is known by both the sender and the receiver. The subject of a sentence can be inferred from the context or be in a previous sentence.
- In Korean, adjectives work like verbs, so they can be modified and take a different form to indicate the tense of a sentence.
Speak Korean Step 7 Step 7. Practice your pronunciation
Korean pronunciation is very different from Italian and it takes a long time to be able to pronounce words correctly.
- One of the most common mistakes of Italians is to assume that the pronunciation of the Romanized Korean letters is identical to those of the same letters in the Italian language. Unfortunately for language learners, this is not the case. Beginners will have to learn the correct pronunciation of the Romanized Korean alphabet from scratch.
- In Italian, when a word ends with a consonant, in saying it a light sound is always emitted after having pronounced the last letter. For example, when in Italian we say "stop" there is always a small sound of the breath following the "p" when we open our mouth. In Korean this sound is absent, as if they were holding their mouths shut at the end of the word.
Speak Korean Step 8 Step 8. Don't be discouraged
If you are serious about learning to speak Korean, persevere in your study: the satisfaction you will feel in mastering a second language will diminish the difficulties you will encounter along the way. Learning a new language takes time and practice, it doesn't happen overnight.
Part 2 of 2: Immerse yourself in the Language
Speak Korean Step 9 Step 1. Find a native speaker
One of the best ways to improve your new language skills is to practice speaking with a native speaker. He / she will be able to correct any grammar or pronunciation errors you have and familiarize you with more informal or conversational forms of conversation not found in books.
- If you have a Korean native speaking friend willing to help you, that's perfect! If not, you can post an ad in your local newspaper or on the internet or do a search to find out if any Korean conversation groups already exist in your area.
- If you can't find any Korean native speakers nearby, try searching for them on Skype. You may find someone willing to exchange 15 minutes of conversation in Korean with 15 minutes in Italian.
- The most popular Korean messaging apps can be very useful for practicing; allows you to learn more slang and read Hangul quickly.
Speak Korean Step 10 Step 2. Consider enrolling in a language course
If you need extra motivation or think you could learn better in a more formal setting, try enrolling in a Korean language course.
- Look for language course announcements at universities, schools or community centers in your area.
- If you're nervous about signing up for a language course on your own, convince a friend. It'll be more fun and you'll even have someone to practice with in between lessons!
Speak Korean Step 11 Step 3. Watch Korean movies and cartoons
Get some DVDs in Korean (with subtitles) or watch Korean cartoons online. It's an easy and enjoyable way to get a feel for the sound and structure of the Korean language.
- If you are feeling particularly active, try pausing the video after a simple sentence and repeat what was just said. By doing so, you will give your Korean sound a more authentic air!
- If you don't find Korean films for sale, try renting them from a video store, which usually has a foreign language film department. Or see if the local library has Korean movies or ask if they can get you some.
Speak Korean Step 12 Step 4. Get apps designed for Korean children
Translate "learning the alphabet" or "children's games" into Korean, then copy and paste the two phrases into the search bar of the Korean app store. The apps are simple enough for a child to use, so you don't need to read or speak Korean to use them. Plus, it's less expensive than buying DVDs. Apps teach the right way to write the letters of the Korean alphabet, and many have songs and dance routines. There are also puzzles and games that allow you to learn the most common words of everyday language. Make sure you don't buy a Korean kids app designed for learning English.
Speak Korean Step 13 Step 5. Listen to Korean music and radio
Listening to Korean music and / or radio is another way to immerse yourself in the language. Even if you can't understand everything, try to grasp the keywords that will help you understand the meaning of what is being said.
- Korean pop music is mainly sung in the language, but you may notice some English words as well. There are fans who usually transcribe the translation so you can understand the message of the song.
- Download a Korean radio app to your mobile so you can listen to it on the go.
- Download some podcasts to listen to while exercising or doing housework.
Speak Korean Step 14 Step 6. Consider traveling to Korea
When you are comfortable with the basics of the Korean language, consider traveling to Korea. To immerse yourself in the Korean language there is nothing better than a trip to his homeland!
Advice
- Practice. Study a little a day, even alone.
- Review older material from time to time. So you won't forget it.
- Don't be shy about making friends with a Korean native speaker if the opportunity arises. Some Koreans are shy, but many of them are extremely excited about the possibility of learning Italian with a native speaker. It would be a great opportunity for a language exchange and to learn something about the rich Korean culture first-hand. However, be cautious. Many people who do not speak Italian as a native speaker are more interested in learning it than you are interested in Korean. Discuss the language exchange well before this happens.
- Make sure you pronounce the words well; if you are not sure, look up the pronunciation on the internet.
- The real pathways to long-term memory are high-frequency words of use and a strong emotional bond. You can learn about 500 words with the high frequency method, because that's enough words for it to work. Above this word limit, an emotional connection with the topic you are studying is necessary.
