Korean: Self Introduction

Introducing Yourself

• The method of introducing yourself in Korean changes based on the desired level of formality.

Informal Introduction

• "Annyeong. Amy-ya. Bangawo." translates to "Hi. I'm Amy. Nice to meet you."
• "Annyeong" translates to "Peace" and functions as a greeting.
• The sentence particle "-ya" should be added after your name.
• "Bangawo" translates to "Nice to meet you."

Formal Introduction

• "Annyeonghaseyo. Amy-eyo. Bangawoyo." also translates to "Hi! I'm Amy. Nice to meet you."
• For a more formal greeting, "Annyeong" becomes "Annyeonghaseyo". Haseyo is a verb that means "to do."
• Replace the particle "-ya" with "-eyo" after your name, indicating formality.
• Add the particle "-yo" to the end of bangawo to make it formal, resulting in "bangawoyo."
• "-yo" is a particle that makes a sentence polite.

Amy's Insights on Bowing

• When introducing yourself in Korea, it is polite to make a small bow.
• Men should bow with their hands at their sides.
• Women should bow with their hands in front of them.
• When bowing, bend from the waist, but avoid bowing too deeply.

Thanking People

• In Korean, there are several ways to express gratitude.
• The most common phrase for "thank you" is "Gamsahamnida," or "I do thanks."
• Add "daedanhee" (very much or greatly) before "gamsahamnida" to say "thank you very much": "Daedanhee gamsahamnida."

Formal vs. Informal Thank You

• "Gamsahamnida" is considered formal.
• "Gomawo" is a shorter, more casual way to thank someone.
• "Gamsa" translates to thank you.
• "Hamnida" means "to do" in a formal way.
• "Gomawo" functions as a friendly verb with the same meaning of thank you, but without the formality.

Responding to Thanks

• A direct translation of "You're welcome" does not exist in Korean.
• A common informal response is "Anieyo," which literally means "no (problem)."
• "Chonmaneyo" is another phrase but is not used as often as "anieyo".
• "Anieyo" is typically preferred in most situations.

Amy's Insights on Formal/Friendly

• To sound kind of formal but still friendly, upgrade gomawo to gomawayo by adding -yo at the end.
• "Gomawoyo" is suitable when thanking a waiter.

Common Greetings

• "Annyeong" is the most common informal greeting, translating to peace.
• Use "annyeong" when meeting or leaving a friend or someone younger.
• "Annyeong haseyo" is a standard greeting meaning "Are you at peace?"
• Because it is technically a question, answering with "ye" (yes) before replying with "annyeong haseyo" is acceptable.

Saying Goodbye

• If you are leaving and the other person is staying, say "Annyeonghi-gyeseyo," which means "please stay peacefully."
• The casual version of "annyeonghi-gyeseyo" is "Jal-it-sso", translating to "stay well."
• If the other person is leaving, say "Annyeonghi-gaseyo," which means "please go peacefully."
• The casual version of "annyeonghi-gaseyo" is "Jal-ga," which means "go well."

Asking if Someone Speaks English

• "Yeongeo haseyo?" means "Do you do English?"
• "Yeongeo hal-su-isseoyo?" means "Can you do English?"
• Adding "sillyehajiman" (excuse me but) makes the question super polite: "Sillyehajiman, yeongeo haseyo?"

Possible Responses

• Ye (yes)
• Jogeumiyo (just a little)
• Ani mothaeyo (no, I don't), where mot is an adverb meaning can't.

Amy's Insights

• Substitute "yeongo" with another language needed.
  • "ilboneo" (Japanese)
  • "jungugeo" (Chinese)
  • "seupeino" (Spanish)
  • "dogilo" (German)
  • "puranseu-eo" (French)
• For example, "Dogileo haseyo?" means "Do you speak German?"

Ways to Apologize

• "Silyehamnida" means "excuse me."
• Adding hajiman (but) at the end turns it into "excuse me but."
• "Joesonghamnida" means "I am sorry."

Using Phrases Appropriately

• Use "Silyehamnida" when posing a question or asking a favor that may require trouble.
• Use "Joesonghamnida" if you commit something rude or make a mistake.
• To get a waiter's or bartender's attention:
  • "Yeogiyo!" means "Over here, please!"
  • "Jeogiyo!" means "Excuse me, you there!"
• "Mianhae" is an informal way to apologize to someone when having hurt someone's feelings not cause an inconvenience.

Amy's Insights

• Adding "jungmal" (truly) makes you sound more sincere.
  • "Jungmal mianhamnida" means "I'm truly sorry."
• Use "jungmal" with "mianhamnida" and "joesong hamnida," but not with "silyehamnida."

Numbers

• Korean has two systems of counting; this lesson covers the Chinese-based numbers 1 to 10.
• il (one)
• i (two)
• sam (three)
• sa (four)
• o (five)
• yuk (six)
• chil (seven)
• pal (eight)
• gu (nine)
• sip (ten)
• Zero is "yeong", but it is often "gong" when saying phone numbers.