MANNAM Korean class: Spelling system of Hangul(한글 맞춤법)2

MANNAM Korean class: Spelling system of Hangul(한글 맞춤법)2

 No matter which language you learn, leaning a language is difficult. You have to know the rules of grammar, vocabularies, and words that people use because of culture. Korean has a feature that people say. ‘아침에 글을 배우면 저녁에 쓸 수 있다(If you learn the character in the morning, you can write it in the afternoon).’ Do you agree this sentence? Well, this can be a little exaggerated, but actually I saw many of my friends learn Korean fast. This is possible when I learn and know the Hangul by the first step at a step. This is the other basics that we have to know about Hangul.

 Chapter 2 is about the alphabets. In Hangul the alphabets are twenty four totals, and the order and names are like this.

ㄱ(기역), ㄴ(니은), ㄷ(디귿), ㄹ(리을), ㅁ(미음), ㅂ(비읍), ㅅ(시옷), ㅇ(이응), ㅈ(지읒), ㅊ(치읓), ㅋ(키읔), ㅌ(티읕), ㅍ(피읖), ㅎ(히읗)

ㅏ(아), ㅑ(야), ㅓ(어), ㅕ(여), ㅗ(오), ㅛ(요), ㅜ(우), ㅠ(유), ㅡ(으), ㅣ(이)

Especially, when you pronounce ‘ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅅ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅎ’ make sure you pronounce it correctly. Even Koreans get confused when they pronounce this.

Addition 1, the sounds that we can’t pronounce with the alphabets above, we double the alphabets and the order and names are like this.

< Compound consonants >

ㄲ(쌍기역), ㄸ(쌍디귿), ㅃ(쌍비읍), ㅆ(쌍시옷), ㅉ(쌍지읒)

< Compound vowels >

ㅐ(애), ㅒ(얘), ㅔ(에), ㅖ(예), ㅘ(와), ㅙ(왜), ㅚ(외), ㅝ(워), ㅞ(웨), ㅟ(위), ㅢ(의)

Addition 2, the orders of the alphabet is like this in the dictionary.

< The orders of Hangul alphabets in the dictionary >

1.     Consonants

 ㄱ, ㄲ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄸ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅃ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅉ, ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ

2.     Vowels

ㅏ, ㅐ, ㅑ, ㅒ, ㅓ, ㅔ, ㅕ, ㅖ, ㅗ, ㅘ, ㅙ, ㅚ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅝ, ㅞ, ㅟ, ㅠ, ㅡ, ㅢ, ㅣ

 Once you learn the basics of Hangul, you can progress your study easily. The important things are in your mind. If you think that it is easy, and try hard for it, you can achieve it easily. If you think you can not, that brings the same conclusion. So let’s learn the basics in MANNAM Korean class! Here you can learn not only Korean but also love. Make yourself who IS the person that writes in the afternoon. In MANNAM it is possible!

MANNAM Korean class: Spelling system of Hangul(한글 맞춤법)1

MANNAM Korean class: Spelling system of Hangul(한글 맞춤법)1

 Foreigners who learn Hangul say that ‘Korean has a very difficult grammar and a way of spelling the words.’ That can be true, but once you get to know the spelling system it can be easier to write Korean. In MANNAM Korean class, we learned about the rules about this system. Hope other people who learn Korean as a foreign language can advance their Korean skills by reading this post.

 Systems are made because people need a rule to get organized. The rules of Korean orthography is made to speak, write, read clearly when we communicate. It was regulated by writing Korean in Korean. 1933, Korean language society established < Unified draft in Korean spelling system >. After correcting and supplementing < Spelling system of Hangul > was made and used starting from March 1^st 1989.

 The first chapter is general provisions. Starting from the first line, it says ‘In Korean spelling system we write standard language but the rule is to write it in the right grammar.’ Second line, every word from the sentence follows the rule of word spacing. Third, loanwords have to follow ‘loanword orthography’.

 Let’s examine the first chapter more. The first line has three meanings. Standard language is the subject in spelling system. We write as same as we speak (Phoneticism). For example, we speak ‘상추(Sangcho: lettuce), 아름다워(Arumdawo: Beautiful)’ and write the same as we speak. ‘We write in a right way depending on the grammar (Write in meanings).’ Like, 꽃에(Koche: at a flower), 꽃잎(Konip: floral leaf), 먹는(mongnun: eating) / 꼬체, 꼰닙, 멍는[Pronunciation]. Phoneticism is a way to write words same as we read, but even though it is a same word, the pronunciation can be different by the environment. So it is hard to understand, and it is hard to read. On the other hand, writing by the meanings can make one word in one conception, but as we try to maintain the original form, it differs with the pronunciation. 지붕(집+웅/Gibung: roof), 무덤(묻+엄/Mudoum: grave) is the example.

 When you learn Korean, you can’t learn it just by remembering it. You have to know the rule that maintains the form of grammar. It is tricky to learn Korean but by knowing the system and the rules can be a big help. In MANNAM Korean class, we learn not only the words from Korean books we learn how to communicate well. Join and let’s learn more in MANNAM Korean class!

MANNAM: Where are you going? Did you eat?

MANNAM: Where are you going? Did you eat?

On the street, if you meet your friend or people you know, Korean usually say "Where are you going?" or "Did you eat lunch?" I heard from a friend that a Korean spoke this way to a foreigner, and the respond was "Hey! It's not your business. Why do you ask?" And the Korean was very surprised. I mean, they both were.

Korean says these words to greet people they know. To speak frankly, they don’t care and don’t mind if you really ate lunch or not. Also the place where you go is not a matter to them. They just ask you this because this is their way of saying hello.

Then, let’s find out where and when this saying began. This saying comes from Korean history. When Korea had war in 1950’s many people died. They died because of weapons and bombs but also by starvation. They didn’t have enough food for the people to eat. Since thousands of people died because the lack of food, eating was a big issue in the daily schedule. So “Did you eat food?” became an expression for caring each other. It was an important matter because it depends on life and death.

 What about ‘where are you going?‘? In the old times of Korea, we had many mountains and hills so, if we want to move and do something, I was a big thing for the people. Naturally if someone meets a person who he knows on the road, that became a saying for care and interest. Also when we use this word, we can continue the conversation.

 If your friend says this, we can of course answer to what they ask. Or just answer, ”Near here to do something.” They won’t ask until you answer it. Koreans mind what you do, where you go and about what you eat. It is the way to express that they care for you. They don’t want to bug you or make you feel bad.

Now do you understand why people say this? If we explain about our acts, we can understand each other. No one is right or wrong. Everyone is right and must be respected. Although these saying are from sad history, we can remember the past and try not to happen again. MANNAM is a place where we respect and understand your culture and language. In MANNAM Korean class you can learn about not only words or just language, love and peace. Plus! History! Think if we didn’t have war in the past, we might have not used these words. Or maybe it could have been another word. We can’t change the past, but we can change and make the future! Join MANNAM!

MANNAM: King Sejong was shocked! and made ‘훈민정음(Hun-min-jung-uem)’!

MANNAM: King Sejong was shocked! and made ‘훈민정음(Hun-min-jung-uem)’!

 In Joseon Dynasty period, there was a murder. A son killed his father by his own will. Even today, if we hear this kind of news on the media, people get shocked because we think, ‘how can a person kill his own father or mother?’ Especially, Korea is a country which has words and acts to respect the elders. So it must have been a big and shocking issue to all the people in Joseon.

 The king, who was Sejong at that time, was also shocked about this news. He couldn’t let the people commit a crime anymore. So he gathered his vassals to talk about this fact. After the meeting, King Sejong decides to make a book about how to act polite and have manners. So Sejong gathered all the information into one book. The book is [삼강행실도(Samgaghengsildo)]. It has many good examples of people who served their parents well.

 He wanted to make the people to follow the good examples. But there was a big problem. Although the book was published, the people couldn’t read it because they didn’t know how to read at all. To improve this problem, this time, Sejong made another book with pictures followed by words. So the people who can’t read can guess the content by the pictures. First this looked liked it was going on well rather it brought misunderstanding and confused the people.

 This is why King Sejong made ‘훈민정음(Hun-min-jung-uem). This is the background of the story. The people who learn Korean made by King Sejong! Come to MANNAM Korean class! Let’s share our information about Korean, and also Korean history. The small knowledge that we have can grow by informing each other! We can do that in MANNAM!

[MANNAM] Would you like to be 귀요미(gui-yo-me)?

[MANNAM] Would you like to be 귀요미(gui-yo-me)?

Being a cutie become a sensation in Korea.

The word 귀요미(gui-yo-me) is from 귀엽다(gui-yeop-da) which means cute in Korean.

So, 귀요미(gui-yo-me) represents a person who does cute things or looks like cute.

Have you ever heard 귀요미(gui-yo-me) song?

It goes like this. 1+1= 귀요미(gui-yo-me), 2+2= 귀요미(gui-yo-me), and so on till 5.

The lyrics doesn't mean anything but it has its own cutie action in each number.

It might looks like very childish, but is in famous in all ages.

One of Korean culture, Koreans like to be seen younger than they are.

To be younger, they try to eat healthy, exercise, and also they dress younger.

Because of this trend, there are lots of cute words to be cutie.

When you are asking for a favor to someone, how about saying 뿌잉뿌잉(bbu-ing bbu-ing)?

It's a charming action of earnest request. When you say this word, there is an action that you should do with.

First, clench your two fist and then, put it on your cheek. this is not it. There is one more step.

At the same time you say the word 뿌잉뿌잉(bbu-ing bbu-ing), bob up and down your two fist.

Also the main point in here is your shining, twinkling eyes that looks like diamonds in it.

If you do that when you do something, there will be no one to refuse your request.

Second word that we will learn is 부끄부끄(bu-ggeu-bu-ggeu).

This word is from the word 부끄럽다(bu-ggeu-rup-da) which means shy.

When people are shy, they don't know what to do but being ruddy cheeks.

In this situation, you can say 부끄부끄(bu-ggeu-bu-ggeu).

There is also an action, but it is just same as 뿌잉뿌잉(bbu-ing bbu-ing).

This will make you look cute and also to escape from that situation.

Lastly, if see this situation that someone is doing this and if it's too cringe, you can say 오글오글(o-geul o-geul).

The word 오글오글(o-geul o-geul) is kind of mimetic word that describe your body shrinking because of cringe situation. It is mostly used when people are going way over than how they are.

For this word, spread your two hand and fold it one by one like your body is shrinking.

Isn't this words cute?

It is also good to use within friends, coworker, families, but! how about using this with kids?

What kids? Many branches in MANNAM International Volunteer association goes to kids center or orphanage to volunteer.

When we go there to volunteer, we share our culture and love, but sometimes, it's hard to communicate with kids.

However, how about using these cute words with them?

I'm sure they will smile and open their heart.

It's not just because you are saying famous Korean words, but it's because they will know that you are trying to get close to them.

This might be a very little thing, but there is nothing bigger than to open someone's mind.

So, will you join us to share your light, your culture and love to kids?

Write some reply if this has worked:)

# Korean Vocabulary

- 귀엽다(gui-yeop-da) : Cute

- 귀요미(gui-yo-mi) : Cutie

- 뿌잉뿌잉(bbu-ing bbu-ing) : charming action

- 부끄럽다(bu-ggeu-rup-da) : Shy

- 부끄부끄(bu-ggeu-bu-ggeu) : Shy, bashful

- 오글오글(o-geul o-geul) : Sappy, cheesy, cringe

MANNAM: Korean is now famous!!!

MANNAM: Korean is now famous!!!

 Where is Korea? If you are a foreigner who lives in Korea or in another country, did you know where Korea is like 10 years ago? Well, generally people will say “No.” When I was in elementary school I lived abroad in America. If someone asks me “Where are you from?” I always had to explain where Korea is. Well, first people thought I was Chinese or Japanese. Because they didn’t know there is a country named Korea ever in their life before. Every time someone asks me, I told them, “Korea is a country between China and Japan. Look at the map and you can find it. It is a small country. Maybe that is why you never heard about it before.”

 But how is it now? Koreans are everywhere and many people love Korea now. Korea had many sad histories that made them hard to grow, but Koreans beat their own sorrows. I think that is the way Korea became famous now. Especially K-pop(Korean pop) did a big job to announce Korea through all around the world.

 Now more and more people are learning Korean. My friends from other countries who comes to Korea for the exchange student program tells me many things about Korea. First of all, in many universities Korean major comes into being now. And many people learn Korean in their countries and want to come to Korea. What do you think? Do you agree with this?

 Because Korea has been a trend these days, I thought it is important to learn Korean and also know how to explain about it exactly. MANNAM Korean class is always opened to you. Did you learn Korean before? One year? One month? Never before? It doesn’t matter how long you learned it or not. Just come to MANNAM and let’s learn and enjoy. You can be a fancy 외국인(wae-guk-in) who can sing ‘Gangnam style’ in Korean! In MANNAM there is love and peace. We can be one with volunteering or learning. Let’s learn and share our language! 

[MANNAM] North & South Korea, different language, same hope

[MANNAM] North & South Korea, different language, same hope

You know North and South Korea have same nationality.

Even now there is a line between us, we have same language, culture and ancestors.

However, since the Korean war, it has been already more than 60 years.

During that time, because of our different political system, we had different life styles.

As you experience in South Korea, it's more opened to other countries so that, here, there are not only pure Korean culture but also there are other various cultures coexisting.

On the other hand, because North Korea was not very opened to other countries, they still keep their own Korean culture.

With this different life styles, now, there are differences in North and South Korea.

Especially, today, I will introduce difference in languages.

In South Korea, people just use English word doughnut when we see a bread that has a hole in the meddle.

However, in North Korea, they call it 가락지빵(ga-rak-ji-bbang) which means ring bread.

가락지(ga-rak-ji) is a old word for ring and 빵(bbang) means bread.

The Korean famous noodle 라면(ra-myeon) is also in North Korea too.

However, they call it 꼬부랑 국수(ggo-bu-rang guk-su).

꼬부랑(ggo-bu-rang) is usually used to describe grandmothers who has bent back.

But as 라면(ra-myeon) has curl, they also call 라면(ra-myeon), 꼬부랑 국수(ggo-bu-rang guk-su)

Last, let's see how North Korean people call the Konglish word hand phone, 핸드폰(hand phone) in pure Korean.

They call it 손전화(son-jeon-hwa). 손(son) is hand and 전화(jeon-hwa) is phone.

A telephone that you can carry with your hand.

Like this, if South Korea use lots of word that has Chinese meanings and English word, North Korea use pure Korean words.

However, even we have difference in our language and cultures, our hope is not different.

Our hope is reunification and live peacefully with our separated family.

But it takes long time to do this if only Korea tries it.

We need your help to make peace in us.

It's not only Korean's problem, when Korea reunificate, the world is one step forward to peace.

So let's work together in MANNAM to get close to world peace.

Help us that there are no more differences in North and south Korea so that we can still communicate we families meet together.

# North & South Korean Vocabulary

* To help : 도와주다(do-wa-ju-da) - 방조하다(bang-jo-ha-da)

* To provide : 예방하다(yea-bang-ha-da) - 미리막이하다(mi-ri-mak-i-ha-da)

* cell phone : 핸드폰(haen-deu-pon) - 손전화(son-jeon-hwa)

* Ra-men : 라면(ra-myeon) - 꼬부랑 국수(ggo-bu-rang guk-soo)

* Doughnut : 도넛(do-neut) - 가락지빵(ga-rak-ji bbang)

- 전쟁이 없도록 방조해주세요

- jeon-jaeng-i eop-do-rok bang-jo-hae ju-sae-yo

- Help us not to have a war

- 전쟁을 미리막이하기 위해 함께 노력합시다

- jeon-jaeng-eul mi-ri-mak-yi-ha-gi wi-hae ham-ggae no-ryeok-hap-si-da

- Let's work together to prevent war

MANNAM can make PEACE in North Korea 북한(buk-han) and South Korea 남한(anm-han)

MANNAM can make PEACE in North Korea 북한(buk-han) and South Korea 남한(anm-han)

 

When you turn on the TV, the news about North Korea is the most thing you can see these days.

Also, not only on TV, people’s topic on lots of social media is about war between two Koreas.

When people talk about this, I feel sad more than fear. As you know, North Korea and South Korea is a family.

We speak same language, we share same culture, we have same history and so on.

What do you need more to prove? There are many people who’s family is in North Korea.

Even they are family, because of the 38th parallel, they can’t meet each other.

Separating family is the most cruel thing to do. What if it was you, who are on that situation?

The whole life will be spent missing them and hoping to meet them.

There used to be a meeting for long-lost families.

However, as the relation between North and South Korea got unsteady, the meeting for them has canceled.

Even though they can’t live together, their last hope to seeing each other in their life has gone.

Because it has been about 63 years since the war has broken out, most of the members of separated members are old.

They can’t wait 5 or 10 years to see them.

But the problem is, now, if the war breaks out, we should face each other to fight.

Please help us not to fight as a family.

I know it is not a proud thing to be on the news as this problem, but we need your help.

It’s not all of us who wants to fight. It’s some of the men’s bad ambition.

When the war breaks out, not only Korea will got harmed but also, the soldiers who are sent to Korea to help us will also get harmed.

I don’t, neither you don’t want this tragic to be happened in this world, right?

Through MANNAM, please shout WORLD PEACE with us and let’s stop this bad situation.

Will you help us? Only few of us can’t stop this, but if we gather our hope, I know we will achieve it.

All the people who are living on the world want WORLD PEACE, right?

Weather you are living in North, South, East, and West, we are all living in the same planet and we are one of the biggest family.

Let’s do not make loud voice between families.

 

In Korean, Korea is called ‘한국(han-guk)’.

But as we are separated in North and South Korea, we are called 북한(buk-han) North Korea and 남한(nam-han) South Korea.

Korea have three side of seas on each side.

One is East sea 동해(dong-hae), and another is West sea 서해(seo-hae), the other is South sea 남해(nam-hae).

(해(hae) is a word which has Chinese meaning of sea)

 

# Korean Vocabulary

 

쪽(jjok) : Direction

동(dong) : East

서(seo) : West

남(nam) : South

북(buk) : North

When you use 동(dong), 서(seo), 남(nam), 북(buk), because it’s a direction, the word 쪽(jjjok) have to be attached. Like 남쪽(nam-jjok).

[MANNAM] Learning history of Hangeul(Korean)

“History of Hangeul”

 

Hangul is the name of the Korea language.

 

It was created by king Sejong, the 4th ruler of the Chosun dynasty in1443. It is considered to be one of the most scientific and creative alphabets in the world by language experts. It was listed on the Memory of the World International Register of UNESCO on October in 1997.

 

Many people tried to make their own alphabet symbolizing their language. But there is no case as new and unique as Hangul created by a specific person for a given period.

 

The English Alphabet had been formed and transmitted by thousands of people for a long period of time and it was not invented. But Hangul was created by King Sejong with and obvious purpose and its system is so scientific and systematic that it is admired by language experts all over the world.

 

Well, why did he invent Hangul? Let’s find out!

 

There weren’t unique Korean letters at the time and Chinese characters known as ‘Hanja(한자)’ were used by the intellectuals of the country. But many common people had a lot of difficulties expressing their thoughts and feelings using Chinese characters.

 

King Sejong always deeply regretted the fact that they were not able to read and write in Chinese letters. Therefore he decided to create his own letters to learn easily for all people. He was a great king who loved his people. He also had a scientific mind and the spirit of an investigator.

 

Well, which characteristics make Hangul one of the most creative alphabets in the world?

 

First of all, let’s find out the principle of creation.

 

The vowels of Hangul are based on three letters; the dot(.) representing heaven, the horizontal line(-) signifying Earth, and the vertical line(l) representing man. All vowels are created by combining these words.

The consonants are based upon the position and shape of the vocal organs, like the mouth, tongue, and lip when they are pronounced. 28 letters of Hangul is not made separately, but made of basic letters first and then followed by the rest. Moreover the letters represent themselves as the characteristics of the sound value. For example, the letters such as ‘t’ and ‘n’ of English have their own sound values but they aren’t related to the shape of the vocal organs.

 

But ‘ㄴ’ (similar to ‘n’ of English) is modeled after the shape of the tongue touching the gums and ‘ㄷ’ (similar to ‘t’ of English) added a stroke on ‘ㄴ’ represents the sound in the same position of the mouth. Each of the letters of Hangul is based on the shape of the vocal organs in this way. No other language in the world has the most scientific principle as perfect as Hangul.

 

And it’s great that a Korean syllable is divided into three parts; Chosong(initial consonant), jungsong(peak vowel), and jonsong(final consonant). That’s the main reason why it is one of the most creative alphabets in the world.

 

King Sejong stated the Hangul can express any human sound and it also can be easily learned.

 

In fact Hangul has sound values and it can express all sounds of nature and humans. Besides it’s so scientific, systematic, and easy to be learned that we can use it without any difficulty in this age of society. Therefore, it is recognized as one of the most scientific and creative alphabets in the world.

http://mannamkorean.wordpress.com/category/learn-korean-with-mannam/

[MANNAM] Table manner in Korea

[MANNAM] Table manner in Korea.

How many times we do eat meals in a day?

Do you usually miss your breakfast or lunch? It would be different among people, but usually people eat 3 times a day.
Then we have 21 meals in a week, and around 90 meals in a month!
WOW. It seems like a big number,
Then how about learning phrase that we can use when we eat meal? Then you can practice and use that phrase at least 3 times a day!

Then let’s learn the phrase that Korean people use when they eat meal.

잘 먹겠습니다. (jal-meok-get-seub-ni-da)

This is very common phrase that Korean uses before meal.
Then what does it mean?
If it is translated it literally, then it means “I will eat it well.”
잘(jal) refers to ‘well’
먹겠습니다 is future tense of ‘먹다(to eat, meok-da)’ in polite way.

잘 먹었습니다. (jal-aot-get-seub-ni-da)

This is the common phrase that we use after we finished meals
Doesn’t this spelling look similar to one above?
Actually the spelling is exactly same except the second third word.
Again, 잘(jal) refers to ‘well’
먹었습니다 means ‘had eaten’ in polite way.
It is also past tense while 먹겠습니다 is the future tense.
 
Now, when you eat meal with Koreans or when you visit Korean restaurant, you can practice these phrase 잘 먹었습니다 and 잘 먹겠습니다.
This is one of Korean table manner to say these phrases, in a way to show gratitude to one who cooked the food, and also for elders that you share the food with.
By saying these phrases, you would become a person who respects the one you are sharing meal with.
Also, don’t forget that you are allowed to eat any food after eldest eat start eating.
This is very important table manner in Korea.

In this way, you can understand Korean culture of respecting adults even in an occasion of eating meal.

If we learn each other’s culture one by one, this is a small step forward for better world; starting from table manner to understanding spirit of one’s culture.
Understand culture from small thing, than it will lead to the peaceful world that MANNAM always desire to make.