350+ Essential Korean Vocabulary Words for Beginners

Essential Korean Vocabulary

Learning the most common Korean words first will help you:

• Understand basic conversations
• Read simple texts
• Start speaking quickly
• Build confidence

Greetings and Basic Phrases

Common Greetings

안녕하세요 - Hello
안녕히 계세요 - Goodbye (to person staying)
안녕히 가세요 - Goodbye (to person leaving)
감사합니다 - Thank you
죄송합니다 - Sorry
실례합니다 - Excuse me

Basic Phrases

네 - Yes
아니요 - No
괜찮아요 - It's okay
알겠어요 - I understand
모르겠어요 - I don't know
천천히 말씀해 주세요 - Please speak slowly

Greetings Practice

1. What's the difference between 안녕히 계세요 and 안녕히 가세요?

One is more politeOne is for staying, one for leavingThey mean the same thing

2. How do you say 'thank you'?

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3. Match the meaning: '괜찮아요'

HelloThank youIt's okay

Essential Nouns

People and Relations

사람 - person
친구 - friend
가족 - family
어머니/엄마 - mother
아버지/아빠 - father
선생님 - teacher
학생 - student

Places

집 - house/home
학교 - school
회사 - company
식당 - restaurant
공원 - park
도서관 - library
병원 - hospital

Objects

책 - book
전화 - phone
컴퓨터 - computer
의자 - chair
책상 - desk
가방 - bag
열쇠 - key

Noun Practice

1. What does '가족' mean?

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2. Match these places: 학교, 병원, 공원

school, hospital, parkhospital, park, schoolpark, school, hospital

3. What's the difference between 어머니 and 엄마?

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Essential Verbs

Action Verbs

하다 - to do
가다 - to go
오다 - to come
먹다 - to eat
마시다 - to drink
보다 - to see/watch
듣다 - to listen/hear

State Verbs

있다 - to exist/have
없다 - to not exist/not have
좋다 - to be good
나쁘다 - to be bad
크다 - to be big
작다 - to be small

Verb Practice

1. What's the opposite of 있다?

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2. Which verb means 'to eat'?

먹다마시다보다

3. Match the meaning: '하다'

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Time and Numbers

Time Words

오늘 - today
내일 - tomorrow
어제 - yesterday
지금 - now
나중 - later
아침 - morning
저녁 - evening

Basic Numbers

하나 - one
둘 - two
셋 - three
넷 - four
다섯 - five
여섯 - six
일곱 - seven

Common Adjectives

Descriptions

좋다 - good
나쁘다 - bad
크다 - big
작다 - small
예쁘다 - pretty
멋있다 - cool/handsome
맛있다 - delicious

Feelings

행복하다 - happy
슬프다 - sad
피곤하다 - tired
바쁘다 - busy
심심하다 - bored
화나다 - angry

Comprehensive Vocabulary Practice

1. Create a basic sentence using '좋다'

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2. What's the opposite of '크다'?

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3. Match these emotions: 행복하다, 슬프다, 화나다

happy, sad, angryangry, happy, sadsad, angry, happy

Topic-Based Vocabulary

Food and Drink

밥 - rice/meal
물 - water
커피 - coffee
차 - tea
과일 - fruit
야채 - vegetables
고기 - meat

Weather

날씨 - weather
비 - rain
눈 - snow
바람 - wind
더워요 - hot
추워요 - cold
흐려요 - cloudy

Memory Tips

1. Group Related Words

   • Learn words in categories
   • Connect with similar meanings
   • Study opposites together

2. Use in Context

   • Make simple sentences
   • Practice with common phrases
   • Learn word combinations

3. Visual Associations

   • Create mental images
   • Use flashcards
   • Draw connections

Next Steps

To expand your vocabulary:

1. Learn words in context
2. Practice with example sentences
3. Focus on high-frequency words
4. Review regularly

Remember: Start with the most common words and gradually expand your vocabulary. Regular practice and review are key to remembering new words.