#33. Top 30 Must-Know Korean Verbs for Beginners

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If nouns are the building blocks of a language, then verbs are the engine. In Korean, the verb is arguably the most important part of the sentence because it always comes at the very end and carries the most information—tense, politeness, and the action itself. Without verbs, you can't say what you did, what you’re doing, or what you plan to do. For beginners, trying to memorize a whole dictionary is overwhelming. That’s why we’ve curated the Top 30 Must-Know Korean Verbs . These are the words you will use every single day, whether you're ordering coffee, meeting friends, or just describing your routine. Let’s get your Korean engine started! 1. Real Usage: The "Stem" Secret When you look up a verb in a Korean dictionary, it always ends in -다 (-da) . This is called the "dictionary form." However, you never actually say "Mok-da" (to eat) when speaking to someone. You drop the -다 to find the "verb stem" and then add ...
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#08. Korean Greetings for Beginners: Formal vs Informal

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Korean Greetings for Beginners


If you are starting to learn Korean, one of the first things you need to understand is Korean greetings. They are not just simple words; they show respect, social level, and the relationship between speakers. Understanding the honorific system is essential for any beginner to avoid social mistakes.

1. Basic Korean Greeting: "Hello"

The most common way to say "Hello" in Korean depends on who you are talking to. Here is how to distinguish between the standard polite and informal forms.

Korean Phrase Type When to Use
안녕하세요
(Annyeonghaseyo)		 Standard Polite Strangers, teachers, older people, or coworkers. (Safest choice)
안녕
(Annyeong)		 Informal / Casual Close friends, younger people, or children.

2. Formal vs. Informal Greetings

Choosing the correct level of politeness is a core part of Korean culture. Use this table as a quick reference for daily social interactions.

Situation Formal / Polite Informal / Casual
Meeting / Hello 안녕하세요
안녕하십니까 (Very formal)		 안녕
Thank You 감사합니다 고마워
Sorry 죄송합니다 / 미안해요 미안해
Good Morning 좋은 아침입니다 좋은 아침!

3. Essential Daily Expressions

Goodbye: How to leave correctly
- 안녕히 가세요: Use this when the other person is leaving.
- 안녕히 계세요: Use this when you are leaving (and the other person is staying).

Well-being Check
- 잘 지냈어요? (How have you been?): A common polite way to start a conversation after some time.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using "안녕" with older people: This can sound very rude. Always default to "안녕하세요".
  • Mixing endings: Try to stick to one politeness level (formal or informal) during a single conversation.
  • Ignoring status: In Korea, age and social status matter. Observe how others speak and try to mirror their level.

Pro Tip When in Doubt, Stay Polite!

For beginners, it is always better to be overly polite than accidentally rude. Start all your conversations with "안녕하세요" until you are 100% sure the other person is comfortable with casual speech. Watching K-dramas can help you see these social nuances in action!

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💡 Useful Link
Learn Korean Consonants: Shapes and Sounds (14 Basic Consonants).
The Secret of Double Vowels in Korean: Easy Combination Rules
How to Read Korean: Combining Consonants and Vowels
What is Batchim? Easy Guide to Korean Final Consonants for Beginners

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