Korean For Dummies

Korean For Dummies

Korean For Dummies

Korean For Dummies

Multimedia Set(Bilingual)

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Overview

Studying Korean for business or travel? Learn the fun and easy way with this practical guide that teaches the basics of the Korean language and culture

Korean For Dummies is a no-nonsense guide to Korean culture and the basics of Korean language. Pick up basic phrases and commonly used words so that you can converse with Koreans in both business and personal situations. You'll learn Korean for everyday life and task-specific expressions for Korean on the go. In addition, you’ll discover important and fascinating aspects of Korean culture.

This handy guide won't burden you with lists of grammar rules; just look up the phrases and cultural phrases you need or read through the whole book for a general overview. You'll be able to place material in a daily context with cultural tidbits, phonetic spelling of Korean words, and the recorded Korean dialogues on the accompanying CD.

Chapter-based exercises will jog your memory and reinforce everything you learn (answers are provided in an appendix). Find out how to:

  • Use basic phrases and words correctly
  • Converse intelligently about Korean culture
  • Do business with a Korean company
  • Say task-specific expressions
  • Pronounce Korean words
  • Put material in a real-world context
  • Make a good first impression with Koreans

This book has four top ten lists to help you learn even more about Korean culture and language:

  • Tips for learning Korean quickly
  • Phrases that will help make you sound Korean
  • Expressions that Koreans like to use
  • Things to avoid doing in Korea or around a Korean

This practical guide includes an appendix on Korean verbs, a Korean-English mini-dictionary, and a list of what’s on the CD. Get your copy of Korean For Dummies to begin speaking basic Korean and understanding the fundamentals of Korean culture.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780470037188
Publisher: Wiley
Publication date: 08/04/2008
Series: For Dummies Books
Edition description: Bilingual
Pages: 384
Sales rank: 433,103
Product dimensions: 7.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jungwook Hong created a Korean language program and founded the Korean Studies Organization at the University of Virginia.

Wang Lee has worked as a Korean translator, tutor, and interpreter.

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Table of Contents

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Conventions Used in This Book 2

Foolish Assumptions 3

How This Book Is Organized 3

Part I: Getting Started 4

Part II: Korean in Action 4

Part III: Korean on the Go 4

Part IV: The Part of Tens 4

Part V: Appendixes 4

Icons Used in This Book 5

Where to Go From Here 5

Part I: Getting Started 7

Chapter 1: Getting Down the Basics 9

Getting the Basic Sounds 10

The Basic Vowel Sounds 10

Distinguishing among vowel sounds 12

Pronouncing eu and ui 12

The Basic Consonant Sounds 13

Pronouncing jj, kk, pp, and tt 14

Telling the difference between s and ss 15

Pronouncing the Korean r,l sound 16

Muting consonants at the end of a syllable 16

Sounding Fluent 17

Don’t stress 17

Pronounce each syllable 17

Speak in a steady rhythm 18

Basic phrases 18

Saying It with Body Language 21

Beckoning 21

Bowing 21

Nodding 22

Shaking hands 22

Chapter 2: The Nitty-Gritty: Basic Korean Grammar and Numbers 25

Speaking Politely 25

Knowing the Basic Parts of Speech 27

Nouns 28

Pronouns 29

Verbs 31

Adjectives 36

Suffixes 37

Adverbs 37

Particles 38

Asking Questions 40

Counting Korean Style 41

Native Korean numbers 42

Sino-Korean numbers 43

Counters 44

Chapter 3: Introductions and Greetings 49

Making Introductions 49

Greetings and salutations 50

Bowing and shaking hands 51

Getting formal or informal 51

Introducing yourself 55

Introducing a friend or a peer 57

Introducing a senior or your parents 58

Asking for Names 61

Giving Thanks and Saying Sorry 64

Saying Goodbye 65

Part II: Korean in Action 69

Chapter 4: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk 71

Asking Questions with Essential Words and Formal Usages 71

“Where Are You From?” 73

Describing your home community 74

Talking about where someone lives 76

Discussing ethnicity and citizenship 77

The Weather, the Seasons, and Everything In Between 80

Talking About Jobs and Occupations 83

Describing the Members of Your Family 87

Exchanging Contact Information 90

Chapter 5: Eating and Drinking 93

Dig In! Let’s Eat! 93

Understanding meal time 94

Satisfying your hunger 95

Sitting down to eat 95

Practicing good table manners 98

Getting to Know Korean Cuisine 98

Popular dishes 99

Setting time for a meal 100

Liking and disliking with adjectives 100

Dining Out 101

Understanding what’s on the menu 101

Ordering at a restaurant 102

Ordering at a roadside shop 103

Chatting with the waitstaff 106

Finding restrooms 106

Paying for your meal 106

Drinking, Korean style 107

Chapter 6: Shopping Made Easy 111

Navigating Stores 111

Visiting department stores, markets, and small shops 112

Browsing around 114

Asking for help 115

Comparing Merchandise 116

Comparing several items 117

Pointing out the best item 117

Shopping for Clothes 117

Checking for sizes 118

Asking about colors 119

Trying on clothes 120

Shopping for Specific Items 121

Groceries 122

Electronics 122

Antiques and souvenirs 122

All About Buying: Pricing, Bargaining, Purchasing, Refunding 123

Chapter 7: Exploring the Town 125

Knowing the Time and Day 125

Days, weeks, months 126

Telling time 126

Telling time relative to now 127

Exploring Fun Places 129

Visiting museums and galleries 130

Going to concerts, theatres, and performances 130

Korean films 130

Korean noraebang 132

Bar- and club-hopping 134

Giving and Receiving Invitations 135

Getting something started 135

Inviting your friends to your house 136

Chapter 8: Enjoying Yourself: Recreation and Sports 139

Naming Your Hobbies 139

Exploring Nature 142

Admiring and discovering the landscape 144

Korean seasons 145

Talking about the Arts 147

Playing Sports and Gaming 148

Playing games 148

Gaming at a Korean PC bang 148

Chapter 9: Making Connections: Phone, Mail, Fax, and Internet 151

Phoning Made Easy 151

Finding a phone 152

Making the call 152

Asking for someone 155

Leaving a message 157

Buying stamps 160

Asking for special services 160

Sending a Fax 161

Looking for an Internet Connection 161

Chapter 10: At the Office and Around the House 165

Getting Down to Work 166

Finding things at the office 166

Using computers 169

Finding people at the office 170

Asking for directions 171

Attending Meetings 173

Making introductions 173

Speaking up in a meeting 173

Making the Rounds: Business Dinners 174

Drinking politely 175

Declining drinks 176

Making Yourself at Home 176

The place where you live 176

The smallest room 177

Visting Koreans at Home 178

Taking the tour 178

Chilling out 179

Eating and drinking 181

Staying over 184

Cleaning up 186

Part III: Korean on the Go 189

Chapter 11: Money, Money, Money 191

Knowing Korean Currency 191

Changing Currency 192

Working the ATM 196

Paying for Your Purchases 197

Using cash 197

Using plastic 199

Using personal checks 201

Chapter 12: Asking Directions 203

Asking for Directions 203

Finding your way with “where?” 204

Specifying which direction 207

Specifying distance 209

Giving Directions 210

Referring to locations on the street 210

Providing actions with directions 210

Making directions flow 211

Chapter 13: Staying at a Hotel 215

Sorting Out the Accommodation Options 215

Traditional hotels 216

Motels 216

Korean motels and B&Bs 217

Hostels 217

Saunas and public baths 217

Finding Accommodations 218

Making Reservations 220

Asking for details 223

Checking out the room 224

Complaining 101 226

Broken machinery 226

Noisy neighbors 227

Other problems 228

Checking Out 228

Chapter 14: Transportation 233

Getting Around at the Airport 233

Making it past the check-in counter 234

Getting past Immigration and Customs 238

Leaving the airport 238

Getting Around Town 239

Hailing a cab 239

Taking a bus 240

Riding the subway 240

Getting on the train 244

Chapter 15: Planning a Trip 247

Picking a Good Time for Travel 247

Checking out the seasons 247

Naming months and counting days 248

Korean holidays 252

Naming off the years 254

Specifying dates and times 255

Choosing Your Destination 256

Packing for Your Trip 259

Getting the Help of a Travel Agency 259

Chapter 16: Handling an Emergency 263

Shouting for Help 263

Calling the Police 264

Reporting an accident to the police 264

Finding the lost and found 266

Getting Medical Help 267

Finding a doctor 267

Describing what ails you 269

Discussing your medical history 272

Making a diagnosis 272

Following the prescription 273

Getting Legal Help 274

Part IV: The Part of Tens 277

Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Get a Quick Handle on Korean 279

Find Koreans (or Other Korean Speakers) Near You 279

Use Korean Language Tapes, CDs, and Other Multimedia Resources 280

Visit Korean Restaurants and Bars 280

Sing Korean Songs 280

Watch Korean Movies 280

Watch Korean Drama 281

Surf the Net for Korean Web Sites 281

Look Up Words in a Korean Dictionary 281

Make Korean Word and Phrase Lists 282

Go to Korea! 282

Chapter 18: Ten Things to Avoid Doing in Korea 283

Bragging or Accepting Compliments 283

Making Someone Lose Face in Public 284

Sitting or Eating Before the Seniors in the Group 284

Calling Your Boss or Teachers by Their First Names 285

Saying “Ssi” After Your Own Name 285

Walking into a House with Your Shoes on 285

Crossing Your Legs When You Sit 286

Kissing in Public 287

Taking the First “No, Thank You” Literally 287

Picking Up Your Rice Bowl and Using Your Spoon to Eat 287

Chapter 19: Ten Favorite Korean Expressions 289

ppalli 289

gwaenchanayo 289

jeongmal, jinjja, cham 290

a, geuraeyo 290

jamkkanmanyo 291

mwo haeyo 291

mollayo 291

joayo 291

jal doetneyo 292

jeoreon, ireon 292

Chapter 20: Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Korean 293

akkapda 293

eojjeol su eopgun 294

geureonde itjanayo 294

jom 295

jjajeungnanda 295

jukgetda 296

kkeunnaejunda 297

neukkihada 297

siwonhada 298

sugohaeyo 299

Part V: Appendixes 301

Appendix A: Korean Verbs 303

Appendix B: Mini-Dictionary 307

Appendix C: Answer Key 331

Appendix D: On the CD 337

Tracks on the CD 337

System Requirements 340

Customer Care 340

Index 341

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