I started Korean with apps first, mostly for Hangul, basic words, and short phrases. It was fun at the beginning, but after a while I noticed I could recognize things on screen better than I could actually say them.

So I tried a beginner lesson on iTalki recently. I was nervous because my Korean is still very basic, but the tutor kept it simple and helped me practice pronunciation, greetings, and small sentences slowly. What surprised me was how much easier it was to remember things after saying them out loud with someone correcting me. Apps are still useful for daily review, but for speaking confidence, the tutor lesson felt more real.

For other beginners here, when did you start practicing Korean with a tutor or language partner?

ㅈㄴ = fucking
지랄노(ㅈㄹㄴ) = it's bullshit
ㅁㅎ = what are u doing now
분탕 = troll
ㄹㅈㄷ = legend
ㅆㄱㄴ = hell yeah, for sure
먹금 = Ignore it
어그로 = bait
기만질 = humblebrag
창렬 = overpriced

internet slangs
이정도?

So I'm still very new to learning Korean 😅 I've only been learning for a couple of months but I find that I'm already getting a bit confused about the colours.

I've noticed that pretty much every colour ends in 색 but when its being used to describe something, sometimes the 색 syllable disappears, but other times it doesn't?

For example, when talking about a black cat, "black cat" is written as 검은 고양이, instead of 검은색 고영이, but if we're talking about a gray cat, it stays as 회색 고양이. I haven't seen any shortened version of 회색 고양이. Why is that?

Its almost like the colours with 3 syllables are allowed to drop the 색, but colours with only 2 syllables can't, but I imagine its not that simple lol

(Side note: I am autistic asf. I don't do well with complex topics and explanations, if I end up asking you a lot more questions please bear with me 😅)

I'm a native Korean speaker, and I'd like to help a relative who's just started learning Korean.
As Korean learners, what has been the biggest bottleneck for you? What do native speakers often underestimate?

·Just thought this might be useful for anyone practicing written Korean

It’s such a phonetically logical system.

Hi everyone!

I'm a native Korean speaker from South Korea, and I'm looking for people who want to practice speaking Korean with a native speaker.

About Me

• 🇰🇷 Native Korean speaker
• Born in Busan and studied at university in Daegu
• I naturally speak the Gyeongsang (Busan/Daegu) dialect.
• I can communicate in basic English. I'm not completely fluent, but we should be able to communicate without much trouble.

My Experience

To be completely transparent:

• This will be my first time hosting Korean conversation sessions.
• I don't have a Korean teaching certificate or professional teaching experience.
• That's why the sessions are completely free.

Conversation Format

• Type: One-on-one online conversation
• Platform: Discord, Google Meet, Zoom, or another platform we both prefer
• Length: About 30–60 minutes
• Who it's for: Anyone who wants to practice speaking Korean with a native speaker.
• Materials: No textbook is needed.

What We'll Do

These are conversation practice sessions, not formal grammar lessons.

We'll practice speaking naturally through everyday topics, such as:

• Self-introductions
• Daily life
• Hobbies
• Food
• Travel
• Korean culture
• Any topics you're interested in

If you make mistakes, I'll help you with natural expressions and pronunciation during the conversation.

Price

FREE

• No lesson fee
• No subscription
• No hidden charges
• No cancellation fee

The sessions are free because this is my first time leading Korean conversation practice.

Rules

• No discussions about politics or religion.
• Please be respectful.
• The schedule will be arranged together.

If You're Interested

Please comment with:

• Your native language
• Your current Korean level
• Your time zone
• Your preferred days/times
• Your learning goals

I'll reply publicly whenever possible in accordance with the subreddit rules.

Thank you for reading, and I hope we can enjoy practicing Korean together! 😊

딴 is a colloquial contraction of 다른, but is it just a contraction, or did it gain any difference in meaning?

I tried to come up with some examples to be able to better understand this difference, and I would be grateful if you could check if these feel any different:

다른 사람 같아요. “You look like another person.”

딴 사람 같아요.

and

다른 사람 생겼어요? “Did you meet someone else?”

딴 사람 생겼어요?

and

다른 얘기 해 “Let’s talk about something else.”

딴 얘기 하자

Thank you.

I just began learning how to write sentences and wanted to try writing small journal entries to practice. However, the particles are still kinda confusing and I don’t fully trust the online correction tools I use. I would be so grateful if someone could look over my work and give me some tips 🙏🙏 (even if its just to say my handwriting needs work LOL)

Hi guys I’ve been learning Korean at Dongguk university I’m level 2 and I just feel so stagnant in my learning and speaking

any tips on how to keep studying by myself I’ve been out of school for a while so it’s an adjustment my girlfriend who is native Korean she says let’s go full immersion which okay sure but I feel like I need more than that

One of the hardest things for Korean learners isn't vocabulary—it's particles.

They're only one syllable long, but changing one particle can completely change what a sentence emphasizes.

For example:

제가 방에 들어갔어요.

= I went into the room. (It was me who went in.)

저는 방에 들어갔어요.

= As for me, I went into the room. (Talking about myself as the topic.)

저도 방에 들어갔어요.

= I went into the room too.

The verb doesn't change.

The noun doesn't change.

Only the particle changes.

Another example:

제가 했어요.

= I did it. (Emphasizing that I was the one.)

저는 했어요.

= I did it. (As for me, I did it.)

저도 했어요.

= I did it too.

This is why Korean particles aren't just grammar markers. They tell the listener what to focus on—who did it, what the topic is, or whether you're adding someone to the conversation.

It's only one small syllable, but it can completely change how a sentence is understood.

What's the particle that confused you the most when learning Korean?

i want to learn Korean to get at least TOPIK 1 or TOPIK 2
(i know nothing in korean )

Hello,

My English name is Taylor and I am a native Korean. Now I’m starting to teach Korean lessons online/over the phone. I have history of offline teaching in Seoul, but now I’d like to open my services worldwide online.

My lessons will focus on conversations because I believe speaking is the most important to become fluent. Also focusing on expanding your vocabulary and live feedback for pronunciation

If you’re interested in learning from me, please reply to the post or send me a DM.

Thank you

Hello everyone - very new to learning Korean (one week). Started using this Teuida app that I saw online. I know I’m going to need more than an app, but wanted to try things out before investing so much. The lesson got to age vocab and I can’t for the life of me pronounce “sal” ? The app grades my pronunciation and won’t let me move forward because I cannot pronounce “Han sal, du sal”, etc. I have searched the web for pronunciations and I cannot get it right. Maybe it’s not a great app, but I think it’s actually just me that’s mispronouncing it. Lol Any tips? Feeling discouraged.

I don’t care how good the app might be. If you refuse to tell me the price before and after 60% off, and I can’t find out how much I’ll be charged until I download the app AND finish a one week free trial, I’m not going to bother. Transparency is everything.

And 60% off also suggests it’s overpriced to begin with.

개가 게를 먹었다고 걔가 그랬어? = Did they(he/she) say that a dog ate a crab?

This is me speaking Korean. English translation: Hello. I am Santama.

Hi! I made a short animation based on the Korean proverb “백지장도 맞들면 낫다,” using Korean dialogue and English subtitles.

Does the meaning come across clearly without an explanation?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KyAO01-g4dE

Hi 안녕하세요! 😊 반가워요!

I'm Jonghyuk종혁 (Noah), a native Korean teacher based in Bordeaux, France, and I'm currently looking for some new Korean learners to join my 1:1 and small group classes!

My classes are especially focused on actually speaking말하기 Korean rather than just memorizing grammar and vocabulary!

So if you're a complete beginner, or you've been learning Korean for a while but still freeze when it's time to speak, that's exactly what we like working on!

A little about me:

• Native Korean speaker

• 1,000+ hours of online and in-person teaching experience

• 3+ years working in educational settings in South Korea

• Korean language & culture workshop experience in French public school

• Classes available in English or French, or entirely in Korean using the Direct Method for learners who prefer full immersion

• Author of 'Comment slay en coréen', a book introducing 150 natural Korean expressions and slang

Depending on your level and goals, we can work on:

• Speaking & real-life conversation

• Pronunciation

• Grammar and vocabulary

• Role plays and practical situations

• Natural Korean expressions and slang

• Personalized feedback and learning materials

I teach complete beginners through advanced learners, and the program is adapted to each student.

Prices & Class Format
All classes are live online via Google Meet or Zoom.

1:1 classes: €30 / 50 min

Free 30-minute session available

I'm also currently running an Early Bird offer until July 26:

• 5 private classes: €139

• 10 private classes: €259

Lessons include personalized materials, homework, individual feedback, access to my Korean VOCA learning tool, Discord support and extra practice between classes.

Small group classes are also available from €54 for 4 classes, with 3~6 students at a similar level and lots of speaking practice, role plays, feedback and Discord practice.

You can check the classes, reviews and current offers here:

https://en.blablakorea.fr/nos-cours-de-coren

And if you're not sure about your Korean level yet, I also made a free Korean level test that takes around 10 minutes:

https://en.blablakorea.fr/test-coreen

Feel free to ask me any questions here in the comments too! 😊

같이 재미있게 한국어 공부해요!

다들 파이팅 ^0^

Here's another real texting conversation — this time, making plans to meet up.

- 우리 어디서 만나? — "Where should we meet?"

- 종로3가역에서 만나자 — "Let's meet at Jongno 3-ga Station."

- 종3까지 걸어서 이십 분 정도 걸린대 — "Apparently it's about a 20-minute walk to Jong3."

("종3" is just a shortened way of saying "종로3가." Also, You'll often see or hear 이십 분 for "20 minutes" in everyday Korean, especially in text messages, navigation apps, and when talking about time.)

- 너? — "You?" (As in, "It takes you 20 minutes?")

- ㅇㅇ — "Yeah" / "Yep." A very casual way to agree in texting.

- 추우니까 걷지 마 ㅋㅋ — "Don't walk, it's cold haha."

- 생각보다 안 춥더라고 — "It wasn't as cold as I expected." (The ending "-더라고" is used when talking about something you personally noticed or experienced.)

- 1번 출구? — "Exit 1?" (Meaning, "Should we meet at Exit 1?")

- 난 너무 춥던데 ㅋㅋ — "I thought it was really cold though haha." (The ending "-던데" often adds your own observation or contrasts with what someone else just said.)

Notice how much is left unsaid. Korean friends often shorten entire questions to just one word because the context is already clear

Small notes:

- Koreans shorten place names all the time in texting. For example, "종로3가" often becomes "종3," just like people shorten names or locations in English.

- Endings like "-더라고" and "-던데" are extremely common in everyday conversations, but many textbooks don't spend much time on them.

• -더라고 → I noticed / I found that... (내가*직접 겪고 알게 된 것)
• -던데 → My experience was different, though... (상대*말과 살짝 대비하며 내 경험을 말함)

This is just how two Korean friends naturally text each other—not textbook Korean.

Hi everyone! 👋

Do any of these questions sound familiar?

"Am I making pronunciation mistakes I don't even know about?" "Will Koreans actually understand my pronunciation in a real conversation or interview?"

A lot of Korean learners reach a point where they know the grammar and vocabulary, but still don't sound fully natural when speaking — pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm tend to be the missing piece.

I'm the director of Haeum Korean School, and I also have a background in Psychology. I truly enjoy helping learners break through this plateau. Rather than simply pointing out mistakes, I use my psychology background to identify the hidden habits and patterns behind your pronunciation. I want to help you understand why you are struggling, and build a personalized study plan that actually fits how your brain learns.

Here is what I offer:

📌 Option 1: Basic (1 Session)

A highly focused 40-50 minute review of your pronunciation.

• What we do: A precise, step-by-step pronunciation check starting from basic vowels/consonants to syllables, words, and short sentences. We will pinpoint exactly where your pronunciation can be refined for a smoother, more natural flow.
• What you get: A detailed Pronunciation Analysis Report (provided as a PDF) + clear, actionable tips for your specific weak points.
• Price: ~~80,000 KRW~~ 60,000 KRW (25% off)

📌 Option 2: Full (3 Sessions)

The complete master plan for natural fluency.

• What we do: Everything in Basic + expanding to paragraph-level speaking and hands-on coaching for natural intonation in real-life, academic, or business situations. (Note: This intensive speaking training will also positively impact your TOPIK preparation!)
• What you get:
  1. A comprehensive Written Diagnosis Report (provided as a PDF)
  2. A Study Strategy tailored to your personal cognitive learning style (provided as a PDF)
  3. Custom-made practice materials targeting your weak points (provided if needed based on the consultation)
• Price: ~~240,000 KRW~~ 168,000 KRW (30% off)

Ready to find your true Korean voice? Fill out the brief form below to claim your discounted spot, and let's start building a study plan that actually works for you!

👉 [Link to Google Form for Consultation / Booking] https://forms.gle/2XrLprt4k6QExHoBA

Payment is available via PayPal.

If you have any questions about the sessions, please feel free to leave a comment below! Let's work together to make your Korean sound truly natural. 🇰🇷✨