Some Korean that I have learned

     When I arrived in Korea, October, 2008, I didn't know any Korean language.  Now, four years later, I know just a little bit more.  I call it "survival Korean."

     Here is some of what I have learned just by listening and interacting courteously with people, co-teachers, students, and friends I've met along the way.  All I've included are the English expressions with my own pronunciation guide.  I have no doubt that you'll hear these expressions a lot.

hello ...... ahn-yong ahsayo

good bye ..... ahn-yong gahsaeyo

thank you ..... gahm sah ham nee dah

you're welcome ..... chunmon aye yo

I don't know ..... mollah

close your mouth ..... joe yong ee ahseyo

don't do that ..... hah chay mah saeyo

please ..... jae ball

hospital..... byong hwan

train station..... geechah yuk

bus terminal ..... bus ah tah meen ahl

do you understand ..... ee hay hath nee


Besides food items, that's about it, and I've gotten along just fine.

Here are some food items (non-Korean foods):

pizza ..... peejah

coffee ..... cahpee

fried ..... tweegum

boneless chicken nuggets crispy ..... soon sahl creespy

boneless chicken nuggets spicey ..... yongnyam soon sahl

spaghetti ..... suh pah getty

milk ..... oo yoo

hamburger ..... hahm buh guh

bread .... bahng

soft ice cream ..... sop ta isah creemah


     My whole point is to admit that I have not had to know much Korea to get along just fine.  What I've learned is what I've heard by simply listening to phrases I hear frequently throughout any day.  Also, my students have been delighted to teach me (and make fun of my mistakes).  However, it goes without saying that learning some Korean language can add positive experience to ones life while here.