Starting your Korean journey? Great! But where should you begin? 🤔 With thousands of Korean words to learn, it can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve narrowed it down to the 100 most essential Korean words for absolute beginners. These words will help you build a strong foundation and make daily conversations a breeze. 💬
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In this guide, you'll discover core vocabulary sorted by category—numbers, dates, family terms, adjectives, and more. Whether you're learning Korean for travel, K-dramas, or just because you love the culture, these words will take you from confused 😵 to confident 💪.
🔢 Learn Korean Numbers – Native vs. Sino
In Korean, there are *two* number systems: Native Korean and Sino-Korean. Native numbers are used for counting things like age, people, and hours, while Sino-Korean numbers are used for minutes, dates, phone numbers, and money. Sounds confusing? It’s simpler than you think when you break it down.
For example, when saying your age, you’d say “스물다섯 살” (25 years old) using Native Korean numbers. But for telling time, like 3:25, you'd use both systems: “세 시 이십오 분.” 🕒 Understanding when and how to use each system is essential if you want to sound natural and be understood clearly in Korea.
Click here for the full guide: Learn Korean Numbers – Native vs. Sino Explained Simply
Native Korean numbers typically go from 1 to 99, and beyond that, you’ll mainly use Sino-Korean. Practice makes perfect—try saying your phone number or birth year out loud using Sino-Korean numbers. 📞🎂
If I had to give one tip, I’d say start by memorizing 1 to 10 in both systems. From there, you'll quickly pick up patterns and get used to switching between the two systems depending on context.
📆 How to Say Days, Months, and Dates in Korean
Understanding how to say the days of the week, months, and dates in Korean is crucial for everything from setting appointments to understanding your favorite K-pop comeback date. 🎤
Korean uses Sino-Korean numbers for dates. For example, September 24th is “구월 이십사일.” Days of the week are based on Chinese characters, such as “월요일” for Monday (Moon day) and “금요일” for Friday (Gold day). 📅
To form dates, the structure is simple: [Month] + [Day]. Korean doesn’t have separate words for months—just numbers + “월” (meaning "month"). So June = “유월,” July = “칠월,” and so on.
Click here for the full guide: How to Say Days, Months, and Dates in Korean
One tip: practice writing your birthday or today’s date in Korean. It’s a fun exercise that helps solidify how months and days work, and will definitely come in handy. 📝
👨👩👧 Korean Family Words – Immediate and Extended
Family words in Korean are more complex than in English due to the importance of hierarchy, gender, and politeness in Korean culture. There are different terms depending on whether it’s your maternal or paternal side, and your relative’s age. 👴👵
For example, “할아버지” means grandfather, and “할머니” means grandmother. But there’s a difference between “외할머니” (maternal grandma) and just “할머니” (paternal grandma). It’s the same with uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Click here for the full guide: Korean Family Words – Immediate and Extended
These words are important not only for family interactions but also when watching K-dramas, where characters constantly refer to each other by relationship titles rather than names. 📺
Make flashcards for each term and add photos of your own family members to help memorize who’s who!
🎨 Korean Colors & Basic Adjectives You Need to Know
Learning colors in Korean helps describe things around you, while basic adjectives make your sentences more expressive. Think of all the ways you can describe food, people, or clothes—it’s endless! 🍓👗
For instance, “빨간색” (red), “파란색” (blue), and “노란색” (yellow) are commonly used colors.
Click here for the full guide: Colors and Descriptions in Korean
Color words usually end with “-색,” but native speakers often drop that in casual speech. For example, instead of “검은색 바지,” they’ll just say “검정 바지” (black pants). 👖
Start pointing out the colors of items around you in Korean—it’s a quick and effective way to reinforce your vocabulary. 🌈
🧠 Numbers, Counters & Dates in Action
Now that you've learned the basic number systems and how to use counters in Korean, it's time to see how they combine in real-life scenarios. Numbers, counters, and dates are often used together in conversations, whether you're scheduling appointments, buying something, or planning events. 📆🛍️
For example, when saying, "I bought three books last Monday," you would say, "저는 지난 월요일에 책 세 권을 샀어요." You’re using: the day of the week (월요일), the counter (권), and Native Korean numbers (세). 🔄
Koreans also frequently use counters when ordering food or buying tickets. For instance, “두 장 주세요” means “Two tickets, please.” 장 is the counter for flat items like tickets or sheets of paper. 🎫
Here’s a breakdown of how numbers + counters + dates naturally appear in conversations:
📊 Common Everyday Phrases Using Numbers + Counters + Dates
| Korean Phrase | English Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 책 세 권을 샀어요 | I bought three books | Shopping |
| 6월 5일에 만나요 | Let’s meet on June 5th | Making plans |
| 김밥 두 줄 주세요 | Please give me two rolls of kimbap | Ordering food |
These phrases show how integrated these categories are in daily Korean communication. The better you get at combining numbers, counters, and dates, the more fluent you'll sound—and feel! Try practicing by writing your weekly schedule or grocery list in Korean with the correct counters and numbers. 📒
Also, remember that Native Korean numbers are typically used with counters up to 99, but Sino-Korean takes over in formal settings or larger numbers (like apartment floors or phone numbers). With consistent practice, it becomes second nature!
🧠 Describing People: Family + Adjectives + Colors
Describing family members or friends in Korean is not just about knowing the right word—it’s about combining it with adjectives and color expressions to make your communication more vivid and natural. 🎨👨👩👧👦
For example, instead of just saying “할머니” (grandmother), you could say “예쁜 할머니” (pretty grandmother) or “하얀 머리의 할머니” (grandmother with white hair). It paints a fuller picture and adds emotional depth. 🖼️
Color adjectives are also useful in describing clothing or features. If your brother wears a red shirt, you'd say “내 동생은 빨간 셔츠를 입었어요.” This combines family vocabulary with color and verb usage.
Here’s a table to show how you can combine family terms with descriptive words:
👨👩👧 Describing Family Members with Adjectives
| Korean Phrase | English Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 예쁜 여동생 | Pretty younger sister | Appearance |
| 키가 큰 아버지 | Tall father | Physical trait |
| 검은 머리의 오빠 | Older brother with black hair | Detail description |
These combinations make your Korean more colorful—both literally and figuratively. As you watch K-dramas or read Korean dialogues, you'll notice how often people describe others in this way. Start practicing by describing your own family and friends using simple adjectives and colors. 📸
From my experience, I found this practice incredibly helpful in remembering new words and speaking naturally. Don't just memorize—describe!
❓ FAQ
Q1. What’s the best way to remember Korean numbers?
A1. Practice daily with real-life examples like dates, prices, and your phone number. Repetition and association work best!
Q2. Should I focus on Native or Sino-Korean numbers first?
A2. Start with Native numbers (1–10) for counting, then learn Sino-Korean for dates and money. Knowing when to use each is key.
Q3. Why are there so many family words in Korean?
A3. Korean culture emphasizes age, gender, and hierarchy. That’s why family terms are detailed and specific.
Q4. How do I say my birthday in Korean?
A4. Use Sino-Korean numbers: e.g., May 12th = 오월 십이일. Add "제 생일은..." at the beginning for “My birthday is…”
Q5. Can I skip learning counters?
A5. It's not recommended. Counters are essential in natural Korean speech. They clarify what you're counting and how.
Q6. How many colors should I learn first?
A6. Start with 8 basic colors: red, blue, yellow, green, black, white, brown, and pink. They appear often in daily conversation.
Q7. What are the most useful adjectives to know early?
A7. Words like 예뻐요 (pretty), 커요 (big), 작아요 (small), 맛있어요 (delicious), and 좋아요 (good) are used all the time.
Q8. Are these words useful for TOPIK test preparation?
A8. Absolutely. Many of these basic words are covered in beginner levels of the TOPIK test and real-life Korean situations.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. It does not guarantee language fluency or replace professional instruction. Please consult certified language educators or institutions for structured learning plans.
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