Day 30: Reviewing and Summarizing What You've Learned in Korean

 Day 30: Reviewing and Summarizing What You've Learned in Korean


Congratulations on reaching Day 30 of your Korean language journey! You’ve made incredible progress, and today, we’ll review and summarize everything you’ve learned so far.

This lesson will help you reinforce the material, ensure that you understand the key concepts, and prepare you to start using your Korean in real-life situations. Let’s go over all the important topics and structures we’ve covered in this program!

1. Review of Key Grammar Topics

Throughout the 30-day program, we’ve covered essential grammar topics that form the foundation of your Korean learning journey. Let’s quickly recap the key grammar structures:

  1. Basic Sentence Structure:

    • [Subject] + [Object] + [Verb]
      This is the core sentence structure in Korean, used to form simple sentences like 저는 사과를 먹어요. (Jeoneun sagwareul meogeoyo.) – I eat an apple.

  2. Polite and Informal Speech:

    • We learned the difference between formal speech (존댓말, jondaetmal) and informal speech (반말, banmal). For example, 가요 (gayo) – I go (polite) vs. 가 (ga) – Go (informal).

  3. Present Tense:

    • We learned how to conjugate verbs in the present tense using -아요 (-ayo) and -어요 (-eoyo), depending on the final vowel in the verb stem.

    • Example: 가다 (gada) – to go → 가요 (gayo) – I go.

  4. Past Tense:

    • We reviewed how to form the past tense with -았어요 (-asseoyo) and -었어요 (-eosseoyo).

    • Example: 먹다 (meokda) – to eat → 먹었어요 (meogeosseoyo) – I ate.

  5. Future Tense:

    • We learned how to express the future tense using -ㄹ 거예요 (-l geoyeyo) and -을 거예요 (-eul geoyeyo).

    • Example: 가다 (gada) – to go → 갈 거예요 (gal geoyeyo) – I will go.

  6. Making Suggestions and Giving Opinions:

    • We covered how to make suggestions using -자 (-ja) and how to ask for opinions using 어떻게 생각해요? (Eotteoke saenggakaeyo?) – What do you think?

  7. Honorifics and Formal Speech:

    • We learned about 존댓말 (jondaetmal) and how to use honorifics when speaking politely, as well as how to address people respectfully using -세요 (-seyo) and -시다 (-sida) for the most formal situations.

  8. Asking for and Giving Directions:

    • We practiced how to ask for directions and give directions using 왼쪽 (oenjjok) – left, 오른쪽 (oreunjjok) – right, 직진 (jikjin) – straight, and other useful phrases like 가세요 (gaseyo) – Go.

  9. Comparing Things:

    • We learned how to make comparisons using 보다 (boda) – than, and 제일 (jeil) – the best, 가장 (gajang) – the most, to express which one is bigger, better, or more interesting.

  10. Expressing Wants and Desires:

    • We explored how to express what you want using -고 싶다 (go sipda) and 원하다 (wonhada) – to want, as well as how to make wishes and hopes using -면 좋겠다 (myeon joketda) – I hope.

2. Key Vocabulary Recap

Over the past 30 days, you’ve learned key vocabulary that will be helpful in everyday conversations. Here’s a summary of some important vocabulary categories:

  • Greetings:

    • 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) – Hello

    • 감사합니다 (Gamsahamnida) – Thank you

    • 미안합니다 (Mianhamnida) – Sorry

  • Common Verbs:

    • 가다 (gada) – to go

    • 먹다 (meokda) – to eat

    • 보다 (boda) – to see, to watch

    • 하다 (hada) – to do

  • Adjectives:

    • 좋다 (jota) – good

    • 크다 (keuda) – big

    • 작다 (jakda) – small

    • 예쁘다 (yeppeuda) – pretty

  • Numbers and Time:

    • 일 (il) – one

    • 이 (i) – two

    • 삼 (sam) – three

    • 어제 (eoje) – yesterday

    • 오늘 (oneul) – today

    • 내일 (naeil) – tomorrow

  • Common Phrases for Asking Questions:

    • 어디에 있어요? (Eodie isseoyo?) – Where is it?

    • 무엇을 하고 싶어요? (Mueoseul hago sipeoyo?) – What do you want to do?

    • 얼마에요? (Eolmaeyo?) – How much is it?

3. Practice Using What You've Learned

Now that we’ve reviewed key grammar points and vocabulary, it’s time to practice! Try creating some sentences to check your understanding and apply what you’ve learned:

  1. I will go to the park tomorrow.
    저는 내일 공원에 갈 거예요. (Jeoneun naeil gongwon-e gal geoyeyo.)

  2. What do you want to do today?
    오늘 뭐 하고 싶어요? (Oneul mwo hago sipeoyo?)

  3. This movie is better than that one.
    이 영화가 그 영화보다 더 좋아요. (I yeonghwa-ga geu yeonghwaboda deo joayo.)

  4. I like coffee more than tea.
    저는 차보다 커피를 더 좋아해요. (Jeoneun chaboda keopireul deo joahaeyo.)

  5. Please give me that book.
    그 책을 주세요. (Geu chaegeul juseyo.)

4. Practical Tips for Continued Learning

As you finish this 30-day program, here are some tips for continuing your Korean learning journey:

  1. Practice Speaking:
    Keep practicing your speaking skills by having conversations with native speakers, language partners, or tutors. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – practice makes perfect!

  2. Expand Your Vocabulary:
    Continue learning new words and expressions every day. Focus on specific topics that interest you, like food, travel, or hobbies.

  3. Watch Korean Movies and Shows:
    Watching Korean content is a great way to improve your listening skills and get more familiar with natural Korean conversation.

  4. Read in Korean:
    Read books, websites, or articles in Korean. Start with children’s books or simple texts and work your way up.

  5. Keep Reviewing:
    Regularly review the grammar and vocabulary you’ve learned so far. Repetition is key to retaining what you’ve studied.

5. What’s Next? (다음은 무엇인가요?)

Now that you’ve completed the 30-Day Beginner Program, the next step is to build on the foundation you’ve established. If you feel ready, try enrolling in intermediate-level courses or continue practicing with advanced materials.

Remember, language learning is a continuous journey. Keep practicing, speaking, and interacting in Korean, and you’ll see steady improvement!