When learning another language, it is important to learn the grammar rules as well as the most commonly used words. However, learning new words by the dictionary definition is not always useful as they might be used slightly differently in another language. This blog post provides you with the most commonly used Korean words and some sample sentences of how each word can be used in a sentence.
| Korean | English | Present tense conjugation for verbs | Sample sentences |
| 하다 | To do | 하다 –> 하 + 여요 –> 하여요 –> 해요 | 공부 해요 – I study. 잘 해요 – I do well. 뭐 해요? – What are you doing? 지금 해요 – I am doing it now |
| 있다 | To be | 있다 –> 있 + 어요 –> 있어요 | 여기 있어요 – I am here 집에 있어요 – I am at home. 잘 있어요 – I am well |
| 있다 | To have | 있다 –> 있 + 어요 –> 있어요 | 시간 있어요 – I have time. 돈 있어요 – I have money. 친구 있어요 – I have friend |
| 없다 | To not be | 없다 –> 없 + 어요 –> 없어요 | 사람 없어요 – There are no people. 여기 없어요 – (It’s) not here. |
| 없다 | To not have | 없다 –> 없 + 어요 –> 없어요 | 지금 없어요 – I don’t have it now. 책 없어요 – I don’t have a book. 차 없어요 – I don’t have a car |
| 사람 | Person | 사람들 많아요 (from verb 많다) – There is a lot of people. 사람 있어요 – There is a person | |
| 여기 | Here | 여기요 – Here you go. 여기 괜찮아요? Is here Ok? | |
| 차 | Car | 차 많아요 (from the verb 많다) – There are a lot of cars. 차 사요 – I am buying a car | |
| 우리 | We | 우리 해요 – Let’s do it (we). 우리 가요 – Let’s go | |
| 우리 | Our | 우리 집 – Our house. 우리 나라 our country | |
| 그 | That | 그 사람 – That person. 그 친구 – that friend | |
| 그거 | That (thing) | 그거 해요 – Let’s do that. 그거 없어요 – I don’t have that | |
| 주다 | To give | 주다 –> 주 + 어요 –> 주어요 –> 줘요 | 그거 줘요 – Give me that. 물 줘요 – Give me water |
| 주다 | To do something for someone | 주다 –> 주 + 어요 –> 주어요 –> 줘요 | 요리 해줘요 – Please cook for me. 이거 열어 줘요. – Open this for me please. More polite form would be 주세요. 요리 해주세요/ 이거 열어 주세요. |
| 가다 | To go | 가다 –> 가 + 아요 –> 가아요 –> 가요 | 집에 가요 – I am going home. 학교 가요 – I am going to school |
| 말 | Words | 말 해요 – Tell me | |
| 일 | Work | 일 해요 – I am working. 일 없어요 – I don’t have work | |
| 말하다 | Speak | 말하다 –> 말하 + 여요 –> 말하여요 –> 말해요 | 지금 말해요 – Tell me now. 나중에 말해요 – Tell me later/Let’s talk later |
| 오다 | To come | 오다 –> 오 + 아요 –> 오아요 –> 와요 | 비 와요 – It’s raining (literally rain is coming). 내일 와요 – come tomorrow |
| 알다 | To know | 알다 –> 알 + 아요 –> 알아요 | 알아요 – I know. 그거 알아? – Do you know that? |
| 더 | More | 더 있어요 – I have more. 더 말해요 – Tell me more | |
| 받다 | Receive | 받다 –> 받 + 아요 –> 받아요 | 이거 받아요 – Accept this (more naturally translated this way). 내일 받아요 – Get it tomorrow |
| 집 | House | 집에 가요 – I am going home. 집에 있어요 – I am at home | |
| 나오다 | Come out | 나오다 –> 나오 –> 나오 + 아요 –> 나오아요 –> 나와요 | 빨리 나와요 – Come out quickly. 지금 나와요 – I’m coming out now |
| 그리고 | And | 밥 그리고 물 – food and water | |
| 살다 | To live | 살다 –> 살 –> 살 + 아요 –> 살아요 | 저 여기 살아요 – I live here. 서울에 살아요 – I live in Seoul |
| 생각하다 | To think | 생각하다 –> 생각하 –> 생각하 + 여요 –> 생각하여요 –> 생각해요 | 그렇게 생각해요 – I think so/ I think like that. 자주 생각해요 – I think often |
| 모르다 | To not know | 모르다 –> 몰라요 (Irregular verb) | 잘 몰라요 – I am not sure (literally I don’t know well). 몰라요 – I don’t know |
| 만들다 | To make | 만들다 –> 만들 –> 만들 + 어요 –> 만들어요 | 저녁 만들어요 – I am making dinner. 그냥 만들어요 – I am making (it) just because. |
| 잘 | well | 잘 해요 – I am good at it/I do (it) well. 잘 자요 – Sleep well | |
| 먹다 | eat | 먹다 –> 먹 –> 먹 + 어요 –> 먹어요 | 밥 먹어요 – I am eating food. 고기 먹어요 – I am eating meat |
| 생각 | thought | 생각 많아요 – I have many thoughs. 생각 잘 해요 – Think about it well | |
| 다시 | again | 다시 만나요 – Let’s meet again. 다시 해요 – Do it again. | |
| 다른 | different | 다른 생각 해요 – I am thinking about something else(different). 다른 얘기 해요 – Let’s talk about something different | |
| 여자 | woman | 여자예요 – I am a woman. 여자 와요 – A woman is coming | |
| 다 | All, everything | 다 먹어요 – Eat everything/Eat it all. 다 줘요 – Give it to me all/Give me everything | |
| 보이다 | see, catch sight of | 보이다 –> 보이 –> 보이 + 어요 –> 보이어요 –> 보여요 | 안 보여요 – I cannot see. 다 보여요 – I can see everything |
| 시간 | Time | 시간 있어요? – Do you have time? 시간 빨리 가요 – Time is going fast | |
| 뭐 | What | 뭐 해요? -What are you doing? 뭐 먹었어요? What did you eat? | |
| 다음 | Next | 다음 버스 타요 – Let’s take the next bus. 다음 책 줘요 – Give me the next book | |
| 누구 | Who | 누구 만나요? – Who are you meeting? 누구 봤어요? – Who did you see? | |
| 운동 | Exercise | 운동 좋아해요 – I like exercise. 운동 자주 해요 – I exercise often | |
| 학교 | School | 학교 가요 – I am going to school. 학교 안 좋아해요 – I don’t like school | |
| 시작하다 | To start, begin | 시작하다 –> 시작하 –> 시작하 + 여요 –> 시작하여요 –> 시작해요 | 지금 시작해요 – I am starting now. 빨리 시작해요 – Start quickly |
| 바로 | Straight away | 바로 시작해요 – I am starting right away. 바로 할게요 – I’ll do it straight away | |
| 돈 | Money | 돈 없어요 – I don’t have money. 돈 많아요 – I have a lot of money | |
| 친구 | A friend | 친구 만나요 – I am meeting a friend. 친구 자주 와요 – (My) friend comes often | |
| 남자 | Boy | 남자 만나요 – I am meeting a boy. 남자 갔어요 – Guy left | |
| 왜 | Why? | 왜 가요? – Why are you going? 왜 안 먹어요? – Why are you not eating? | |
| 다르다 | Be different | 다르다 –> 다르 –> 달라요 (Irregular verb) | 저 달라요 – I am different. 그 사람 달라요 – That person is different |
| 물 | Water | 물 주세요 – Please give me some water. 물 있어요? – Do you have water? | |
| 만나다 | Meet | 만나다 –> 만나 –> 만나 + 아요 –> 만나아요 –> 만나요 | 친구 만나요 – I am meeting friend. 지금 만나요 – I am meeting (them) now |
| 앉다 | To sit down | 앉다 –> 앉 –> 앉 + 아요 –> 앉아요 | 앉아요 – Sit down. 거기 앉아요. – Sit down there |
| 처음 | First | 처음이에요 – It’s my first time. 처음 해요 – I am doing it for the first time. | |
| 찾다 | seek, look for | 찾다 –> 찾 –> 찾 + 아요 –> 찾아요 | 뭐 찾아요? – What are you looking for? 왜 찾아요? – Why are you looking for (it)? |
| 지금 | Now | 지금 만나요 – Let’s meet now. 지금 가요 – Let’s go now | |
| 나가다 | To go out | 나가다 –> 나가 –> 나가 + 아요 –> 나가아요 –> 나가요 | 집 나가요 – I am leaving the house. 내일 나가요 – I am going out tomorrow. |
| 사다 | To buy, purchase | 사다 –> 사 –> 사 + 아요 –> 사아요 –> 사요 | 이거 사요 – I am buying this. 컴퓨터 사요 – I am buying computer |
| 아직 | Yet | 아직 안 먹었어요 – I haven’t eaten yet. 아직 없어요 – I don’t have it yet | |
| 같이 | Together | 같이 가요 -Let’s go together. 같이 있어요 – Let’s stay together | |
| 선생님 | Teacher | 선생님 만나요 – I am meeting a teacher. 선생님 와요 – Teacher is coming. | |
| 읽다 | To read | 읽다 –> 읽 –> 읽 + 어요 –> 읽어요 | 책 읽어요 – I am reading a book. 이거 읽어요 – I am reading this. |
| 책 | A book | 책 읽어요 – I am reading a book. 책 사요 – I am buying a book | |
| 일어나다 | To rise, get up | 일어나다 –> 일어나 –> 일어나 + 아요 –> 일어나아요 –> 일어나요 | 8시 일어났어요 – I got up at 8. 늦게 일어났어요 – I woke up late |
| 중요하다 | To be important | 중요하다 –> 중요하 –> 중요하 + 여요 –> 중요하여요 –> 중요해요 | 너무 중요해요 – It’s very important. 그거 중요해요? – Is that important? |
| 무슨 | What, what kind of | 무슨 책 읽어요? Which book are you reading? 무슨 영화 좋아해요? – What movie do you like? | |
| 어렵다 | To be hard, difficult | 어렵다 — > 어려 –> 어려 + 워요 –> 어려워요 | 한국어 어려워요 – Korean is difficult. 이거 어려워요 – This is difficult. |
| 너무 | Too much | 너무 어려워요 – It’s very difficult. 너무 맛있어요 – It’s very delicious | |
| 이미 | Already | 이미 알아요 – I know already. 이미 늦어요 – It’s already too late. | |
| 얘기 | Story | 얘기 해요 – Tell me. 내 얘기 들어요 – Listen to my story (Listen to what I have to say) | |
| 학생 | Student | 학생이에요 – I am a student. 학생 만나요 – I am meeting a student. | |
| 엄마 | Mum | 엄마 자요 – Mum is sleeping. 엄마 와요 – Mom is coming. | |
| 이름 | Name | 이름 뭐예요? – What is (your) name? 이름 하나예요 – (My) name is Hana. | |
| 필요하다 | To need | 필요하다 –> 필요하 –> 필요하 + 여요 –> 필요하여요 –> 필요해요 | 이거 필요해요 – I need this. 물 필요해요 – I need water. |
| 작다 | Small | 작다 –> 작 –> 작 + 아요 –> 작아요 | 너무 작아요 – It’s too small. 이거 작아요 – This is small. |
| 타다 | Ride (bus) | 타다 –>타 –> 타 + 아요 –> 타아요 –> 타요 | 버스 타요 – I am taking the bus/I am riding (in) the bus./ I am getting on the bus |
| 보내다 | Send | 보내다 –> 보내 –> 보내 + 요 –> 보내요 | 좋은 하루 보내요 – Have a nice day. 지금 보내요 – I send now. |
| 아주 | Extremely | 아주 재미있어요 – It’s extremely fun. 아주 잘 해요 – You are doing extremely well. | |
| 밤 | Night | 밤에 자요 – I sleep at night. 밤에 추워요 – It’s cold at night. | |
| 컴퓨터 | Computer | 컴퓨터 사요 – I buy computer. 컴퓨터 자주 써요 – I use computer often. | |
| 먼저 | First | 먼저 자요 – Sleep first. 먼저 가요 – Go first | |
| 얼마나 | How many, how much | 얼마나 있어요? – How much do you have? 얼마나 필요해요? – How much do you need? | |
| 열다 | Open | 열다 –> 열 –> 열 + 어요 –> 열어요 | 문 열어요 – Open the door. |
| 머리 | Head | 머리 아파요 – My head hurts. | |
| 묻다 | to Ask | 묻다 –> 묻 –> 물 –> 물 + 어요 –> 물어요 (irregular) | 물어요 – Ask. 지금 물어요 – I am asking now. |
| 남다 | Remain, be left over | 남다 –> 남 –> 남 + 아요 –> 남아요 | 저 남아요 – I am staying/I am remaining. 아직 남았어요 – There is still some left. |
| 그냥 | Just because or in that condition | 그냥 물어요 – I am just asking. 그냥 해요 – I am just doing | |
| 거의 | Almost or nearly | 거의 다 왔어요 – I am nearly there. 거의 다 했어요 – I almost done it all | |
| 곧 | Soon | 곧 도착해요 – I am arriving soon. 곧 가요 – I am going soon | |
| 오늘 | Today | 오늘 가요 – I am going today. 오늘 왜 안 와요? – Why are you not coming today? | |
| 방 | A room | 방에 있어요 – It’s in the room | |
| 아침 | Morning/breakfast | 아침 먹었어요 – I ate breakfast. 아침에 가요 – I am going in the morning | |
| 웃다 | To laugh, smile | 웃다 –> 웃 –> 웃 + 어요 –> 웃어요 | 웃어요 – I am smiling. 그 사람 웃었어요 – That person was smiling |
| 영화 | A movie | 영화 봐요 – I am watching a movie. 영화 좋아해요 – I like movies. | |
| 정말 | Really | 정말 재미있어요 – It’s really fun. 정말 괜찮아요 – It’s really ok | |
| 밥 | Rice, a meal, food | 밥 먹어요 – I am eating a meal. 밥 샀어요 – I bought food | |
| 입다 | To wear | 옷 입어요 – I am wearing clothes. 옷 샀어요 – I bought clothes | |
| 네 | Yes | 네 맞아요 – Yes that’s right. 네 괜찮아요 – Yes it’s ok | |
| 아니요 | No | 아니요 – No | |
| 혼자 | Alone | 혼자 살아요 – I live alone. 혼자 가요 – I am going alone | |
| 이제 | Now | 이제 괜찮아요 – I’m ok now. 이제 가요 – I am going now | |
| 맞다 | Be right, correct; to match, be fitting for | 맞다 –> 맞 –> 맞 + 아요 –> 맞아요 | 네 맞아요 – Yes that’s correct. |
| 아빠 | Dad | 아빠 왔어요 – Dad came. 아빠 샀어요 – Dad bought (it) | |
| 커피 | Coffee | 커피 좋아해요 – I like coffee. 커피 샀어요 – I bought coffee | |
| 요즘 | Recently, nowadays | 요즘 많이 바빠요 – I am very busy nowadays. 요즘 자주 가요 – I go often nowadays | |
| 놀다 | Play, amuse oneself | 친구랑 놀아요 – I am hanging out with my friend. 같이 놀아요 – Let’s hang out together | |
| 나이 | Age | 나이 어떻게 돼요? – How old are you? | |
| 좋아하다 | To like, be fond of | 한국 음식 좋아해요 – I like Korean food. 영화 좋아해요 – I like movie | |
| 배우다 | To learn | 배우다 –> 배우 + ㅓ요 –> 배워요 | 한국어 배워요 – I learn Korean. |
| 하지만 | But, nevertheless | 하지만 괜찮아요 – But it’s ok. 하지만 다 했어요 – But I did it all. | |
| 문 | Door | 문 열어요 – Open the door. | |
| 꽃 | Flower | 꽃 샀어요 – I bought flowers. 꽃 예뻐요 – Flowers are pretty | |
| 갑자기 | Suddenly | 갑자기 비 와요 – It’s raining suddenly. 갑자기 배고파요 – Suddenly I’m hungry | |
| 잘하다 | To do well | 잘하다 –> 잘하 –> 잘하+여요 –> 잘해요 | 요리 잘해요 – I cook well. 한국어 잘해요 – I speak Korean well |
| 노래 | Song | 노래 들어요 – I listen to music. | |
| 힘들다 | To be hard, difficult | 힘들다 –> 힘들 –> 힘들 + 어요 –> 힘들어요 | 너무 힘들어요 – It’s very difficult. 오늘 너무 힘들어요 – I’m struggling a lot today |
| 이해하다 | To understand | 이해하다 –> 이해하 -> 이해하 + 여요 —> 이해해요 | 다 이해해요 – I understand it all. |
| 옷 | Clothes | 옷 입어요 – I am wearing clothes. 옷 샀어요 – I bought clothes | |
| 자다 | To sleep | 자다 –> 자 –> 자 + 아요 –> 자아요 –> 자요 | 일찍 자요 – I sleep early. 잘 자요 – Sleep well |
| 근데 | But or however | 근데 안 갔어요 – But I didn’t go. 근데 괜찮아요 – But it’s ok | |
| 빨리 | Quickly | 빨리 와요 – Come quickly. 빨리 나와요 – Come out quickly | |
| 설명하다 | To explain | 설명하다 –> 설명하 –> 설명하 + 여요 –> 설명해요 | 다시 설명해요 – Explain again. 이미 설명했어요 – I already explained. |
| 살 | Years old | 몇 살이에요? – How old are you 수무 살이에요 – I am twenty years old. | |
| 아프다 | To hurt | 아프다 –> 아파요 | 머리 아파요 – My head hurts. 많이 아파요 – It hurts a lot |
| 비 | Rain | 비 와요 – It’s raining. 비 많이 와요 – It’s raining a lot | |
| 울다 | To cry, weep | 울다 –> 울 –> 울 + 어요–> 울어요 | 아기 울어요 – The baby is crying |
| 빠르다 | Be fast, quick | 빠르다 –> 빨라 (irregular) | 너무 빨라요 – It’s very fast |
| 저녁 | Evening, dinner | 저녁 먹었어요? – Did you eat dinner? 저녁에 봐요 – See you at dinner | |
| 열심히 | Diligently | 열심히 해요 – I am doing it diligently. 열심히 했어요? Did you do it diligently? Did you work hard at it? | |
| 일하다 | To work, labour | 오늘 일했어요 – I was working today. 내일 일 해요? – Are you working tomorrow? | |
| 자주 | Always, constantly | 친구들 자주 만나요 – I meet friends often. 자주 가요 – I go often | |
| 벌써 | Already | 벌써 왔어요 – I came already. 저녁 벌써 먹었어요 – I ate dinner already | |
| 그래도 | Even though, though, however | 그래도 괜찮아요 – Even though, it’s ok. 그래도 밥 먹어요 – Even though, eat food | |
| 멀다 | To be far | 멀다 –> 멀 –> 멀 + 어요 –> 멀어요 | 너무 멀어요 – It’s too far. 거기 너무 멀어요 – That’s too far |
| 버스 | Bus | 버스 타요 – I am taking the bus/I am riding (in) the bus./ I am getting on the bus. 버스 와요 – Bus is coming | |
| 조금 | A little | 조금 늦어요 – I am a little late. 조금 아파요 – I am hurting a little | |
| 싫다 | To not like, to hate | 이 노래 싫어요 – I don’t like this song. 이거 너무 싫어요 – I really hate this | |
| 별로 | Not really | 별로 재미없어요 – It’s not really interesting. 벌로 안 피곤해요 – I’m not really that tired | |
| 공부하다 | To study | 공부하다 –> 공부하 –> 공부하 + 여요 –> 공부해요 | 열심히 공부해요 – I study diligently. 자주 공부해요 – I study often |
| 괜찮다 | To be okay | 괜찮아요 – It’s ok | |
| 가끔 | Sometimes | 가끔 무서워요 – I am scared sometimes. 가끔 안 괜찮아요 – Sometimes, I’m not ok. | |
| 바쁘다 | Busy | 바쁘다 — > 바빠요 | 요즘 많이 바빠요 – I am very busy nowadays. 많이 바빠요? – Are you very busy? |
| 언제 | when, at what time | 언제 와요? – When are you coming? 언제 갔어요? – When did you go? | |
| 예쁘다 | Pretty, lovely | 예쁘다 –> 예뻐요 | 오늘 너무 예뻐요 – You are very pretty today. 그 가방 예뻐요 – That bag is pretty |
| 맛있다 | Delicious | 맛있다 –> 맛있 — > 맛있 + 어요 –> 맛있어요 | 오늘 저녁 너무 맛있어요 – Dinner today is very delicious. |
| 무섭다 | fearful, dreadful | 무섭다 –> 무서워요 | 여기 너무 무서워요 – It’s scary here. 그 영화 무서워요 – That movie is scary |
| 영어 | The English language | 영어 잘 해요 – I am good at English. 영어 못 해요 – I am not good at English | |
| 고맙다 | To thank | 고마워요 – Thank you. 내 팔로우해서 고마워요 – Thank you for following me | |
| 사랑하다 | To love | 사랑해요 – I love you 🙂 |