Mistakes during Korean classes can be made by beginners or intermediate learners. Many are even not aware that they are making errors. If the errors go on uncorrected, it will be harder to polish those mistakes. So if you are in the middle of learning Korean or consider taking a class, here are common mistakes you should pay attention to. Read on and avoid making the same fallacy.
First Phrase
The first Korean sentences that most people know or beginners will learn in Korean classes is the greeting phrases which say “안녕하세요” (annyeonghaseyo). However, when pronouncing this greeting, most learners make mistakes. Instead of finishing the words with a “여” (yeo), most of you probably end it with a “요” (yo) sound. So, if you want to sound like a native Korean, start voicing it correctly. This gets better when you are able to read Hangeul, the Korean alphabet.
Mispronounce Hamnida and Gachi
Besides mispronouncing “안녕하세요” (annyeonghaseyo), the words 합니다 (hamnida) are also mostly spoken mistakenly. Most learners will say “hap-ni-da” but the correct one is pronouncing “ham-ni-da”. Besides, saying “hamnida” is easier and faster compared to when you pronounce it “hap-ni-da”. Next is 같이 (gachi). This word, which means “together”, is also mispronounced as “gat-ee” while the correct way to say it is “ga-chi.”
Understand Subject Markers and Topic Markers
Most learners struggle to understand when to use the topic markers 은 (eun) and 는 (neun) and the subject markers 이 (i) and 가 (ga). If you wish to avoid these common mistakes, remember the topic markers (eun/neun) which mean “when it comes to” or “as far.” Use the topic markers if the sentence is understandable. If not, then apply the subject marker.
Pairing – ㅂ Nida
Through the Korean language, you will learn that this country highly values politeness to the elderly and social rank. To formally speak, you need to add the “-ㅂ니다 (- ㅂ nida)” to the verb form. The nida is always in the bottom or “받침” (batchim), position. What you should underline is whether you pronounce it with a “b” or “p” sound depending on the form position in a word.
Common Phrases
You must be aware that Korean love everything in good and precise order. This is also applied to language phrases. You may directly translate English into Korean without considering if it’s a common thing to say in Korean or not.
Let’s take an example. When you are ordering coffee to go, you’d say 테이크 아웃이에요” (teikeu ausieyo). However, when you buy food and coffee to go, you use “포장해 주세요” (pojanghae juseyo). The word “포장” (pojang) is quite common for Korean to describe taking food to go.
Be like Korean native speakers by avoiding those common mistakes when you are in your Korean classes. Making mistakes is part of the learning process but making fewer errors will make you sound like a pro.
Comments are closed.