100 Basic Korean Words to Learn as a Beginner

안녕하세요 Korean learners! If you’ve been following our language exploration, you’re in for a treat. For those just joining, welcome! Today, we’re diving into some vocabulary, with a list of 100 Basic Korean Words.

This compilation aims to help you build your vocabulary foundation. These basic Korean words will definitely help you in many situations as you learn Korean.

A straightforward example sentence accompanies nearly every word. And I made sure the example sentences were not complicated so that most beginners could learn through them. If you have a problem with any of the sentences, don’t hesitate to leave a comment.

Let’s embark on this exciting journey and learn some basic Korean words. 📚

PS : There are a bit more than 100!

Section 1: Greetings

Let’s start with some greetings! Some of them are sentences, don’t worry, simple words are coming. I just thought these are as important as basic korean words. 🙂

1. 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo) – Hello
2. 만나서 반갑습니다 (Mannaseo bangapseumnida) – Nice to meet you
3. 어떻게 지내요? (Eotteohge jinaeyo?) – How are you?
4. 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) – Have you eaten?
5. 안녕히 가세요 (Annyeonghi gaseyo) – Goodbye (I stay, and you leave)
6. 안녕히 계세요 (Annyeonghi gyeseyo) – Goodbye (You stay, and I leave)
7. 네 (Ne) – Yes
8. 아니요 (Aniyo) – No

Section 2: Family

1. 가족 (Gajok) – Family
   • Example Sentence:
     가족이 함께 저녁을 먹어요. (gajogi hamkke jeonyeogeul meogeoyo)
     The family is having dinner together.
2. 엄마 (Eomma) – Mom
   • Example Sentence:
     엄마, 오늘 뭐 먹고 싶어요? (eomma, oneul mwo meokgo sipeoyo?)
     Mom, what do you want to eat today?
3. 아빠 (Appa) – Dad
   • Example Sentence:
     아빠, 어디에 가고 싶어요? (appa, eodie gago sipeoyo?)
     Dad, where do you want to go ?
4. 할머니 (Halmeoni) – Grandma
   • Example Sentence:
     할머니가 맛있는 간식을 만들어 주셨어요. (halmeoniga masissneun gansigeul mandeuleo jusyeoss-eoyo.)
     Grandma made me delicious snacks.
5. 할아버지 (Harabeoji) – Grandpa
   • Example Sentence:
     할아버지와 함께 공원에서 산책해요. (harabeojiwa hamkke gongwoneseo sanchaeghaeyo.)
     I take a walk in the park with grandpa.
6. 오빠 (Oppa) – Older male (for females)
   • Example Sentence:
     오빠가 도와줬어요. (oppa ga dowajwoss-eoyo.)
     My older brother helped.
7. 누나 (Nuna) – Older female (for males)
   • Example Sentence:
     누나가 예쁜 드레스를 선물해줬어요. (nuna ga yeppeun deuleseureul seonmulhaejwoss-eoyo.)
     My older sister gave me a beautiful dress.
8. 형 (Hyeong) – Older male (for males)
   • Example Sentence:
     동생이 형에게 도움을 청해요. (dongsaengi hyeongege doumeul cheonghaeyo.)
     The younger sibling asks for help from the older brother.
9. 언니 (Eonni) – Older female (for females)
   • Example Sentence:
     동생이 언니의 옷을 빌려 입었어요. (dongsaengi eonnie oseul billyeo ibeoss-eoyo.)
     The younger sibling borrowed clothes from the older sister.
10. 동생 (Dongsaeng) – Younger sibling
    • Example Sentence:
      동생이 학교에서 성적이 좋아졌어요. (dongsaengi hakgyoeseo seongjeogi johajyeosseoyo.)
      My younger sibling’s grades improved at school.

Note : 오빠, 누나, 형, 언니 can mean “brother”, “sister” respectively but it is not limited to this meaning. For example, as a female, you call your friend/partner who is older than you + a male 오빠. You would also call your older brother 오빠.

Section 3: Numbers

Sino-Korean Numbers (1-10):

1. 일 (Il) – One
2. 이 (I) – Two
3. 삼 (Sam) – Three
4. 사 (Sa) – Four
5. 오 (O) – Five
6. 육 (Yuk) – Six
7. 칠 (Chil) – Seven
8. 팔 (Pal) – Eight
9. 구 (Gu) – Nine
10. 십 (Ship) – Ten

Korean Native Numbers (1-10):

1. 하나 (Hana) – One
2. 둘 (Dul) – Two
3. 셋 (Set) – Three
4. 넷 (Net) – Four
5. 다섯 (Daseot) – Five
6. 여섯 (Yeoset) – Six
7. 일곱 (Ilgop) – Seven
8. 여덟 (Yeodeol) – Eight
9. 아홉 (Ahob) – Nine
10. 열 (Yul) – Ten

Section 4: Everyday Objects

1. 책 (Chaek) – Book
   • Example Sentence:
     도서관에서 책을 읽어요. (doseogwaneseo chaekeul ilgeoyo.) –
     I read books at the library.
2. 의자 (Uija) – Chair
   • Example Sentence:
     의자에 앉아서 공부해요. (uijae anjaseo gongbuhaeyo.)
     I study sitting on a chair.
3. 컴퓨터 (Keompyuteo) – Computer
   • Example Sentence:
     컴퓨터로 일을 해요. (keompyuteolo ileul haeyo.)
     I work on the computer.
4. 휴대폰 (Hyudaepon) – Mobile phone
   • Example Sentence:
     휴대폰을 가지고 다니면서 사진을 찍어요. (hyudaeponeul gajigo danimyeonseo sajineul jjigeoyo.)
     I carry my mobile phone and take pictures.
5. 창문 (Changmun) – Window
   • Example Sentence:
     방에 창문이 열려 있어요. (bange changmuni yeollyeo isseoyo.)
     The window is open in the room.
6. 침대 (Chimdae) – Bed
   • Example Sentence:
     침대에서 잠을 잤어요. (chimdaeeseo jameul pyeonhi jasseoyo.)
     I slept in the bed.
7. 텔레비전 (Tellebijeon) – Television
   • Example Sentence:
     텔레비전을 봐요. (tellebijeoneul bwayo.)
     I watch television.
8. 램프 (Raempeu) – Lamp
   • Example Sentence:
     방에 램프가 켜져 있어요. (bange laempeuga kyeojyeo isseoyo.)
     The lamp in the room is on.
9. 거울 (Geoul) – Mirror
   • Example Sentence:
     거울에서 얼굴을 봐요. (geouleseo eolguleul bwayo.)
     Look at your face in the mirror.
10. 컵 (Keop) – Cup
    • Example Sentence:
      컵에 물이 있어요. (keope muli isseoyo.)
      There is water in the cup.
11. 서랍 (Seorap) – Drawer
    1. Example Sentence:
       옷이 서랍에 있어요. (osi seorape isseoyo.)
       Clothes are in the drawer.

12. 문 (Mun) – Door
    • Example Sentence:
      문을 열어주세요. (muneul yeoleojuseyo.)
      Please open the door.
13. 식물 (Sikmul) – Plant
    • Example Sentence:
      창가에 예쁜 식물이 있어요. (changgae yeppeun sikmuli isseoyo.)
      There is a beautiful plant by the window.
14. 노트북 (Noteubug) – Notebook (Laptop)
    • Example Sentence:
      노트북으로 메일을 확인해요. (noteubugeulo meileul hwaginhaeyo.)
      I check emails on the laptop.

Section 5: Rooms

1. 방 (Bang) – Room
   • Example Sentence:
     나는 방에서 책을 읽어요. (naneun bangeseo chaekeul ilgeoyo.)
     I read books in my room.
2. 침실 (Chimsil) – Bedroom
   • Example Sentence:
     침실에서 푹 쉬었어요. (chimsil-eseo pug swieosseoyo.)
     I rested well in the bedroom.
3. 거실 (Geosil) – Living room
   • Example Sentence:
     거실에서 가족과 함께 TV를 봐요. (geosileseo gajokgwa hamkke TV-reul bwayo.)
     I watch TV with my family in the living room.
4. 부엌 (Bueok) – Kitchen
   • Example Sentence:
     부엌에서 요리를 해요. (bueokeseo yolireul haeyo.)
     I cook in the kitchen.
5. 화장실 (Hwajangsil) – Bathroom
   • Example Sentence:
     화장실에 들어가서 손을 씻어요. (hwajangsile deuleogaseo soneul ssiseoyo.)
     I go to the bathroom and wash my hands.
6. 서재 (Seojae) – Study room
   • Example Sentence:
     서재에서 공부하는 게 제일 좋아요. (seojaeeseo gongbuhaneun ge jeil johayo.)
     I like studying in the study room the most.
7. 욕실 (Yoksil) – Bathroom
   • Example Sentence:
     욕실에 큰 거울이 있어요. (yoksile keun geouli isseoyo.)
     There is a big mirror in the bathroom.
8. 교실 (Gyosil) – Classroom
   • Example Sentence:
     교실에서 수업을 듣고 있어요. (gyosileseo sueobeul deudgo isseoyo.)
     I am listening to a lecture in the classroom.
9. 탈의실 (Taluisil) – Changing room
   • Example Sentence:
     쇼핑몰에서 탈의실에서 옷을 바꿔봐요. (syopingmoleseo taluisileseo oseul bakkwobwayo.) –
     Try changing clothes in the changing room at the mall.
10. 세탁실 (Setagsil) – Laundry room
    • Example Sentence:
      세탁실에서 옷을 세탁해요. (setagsileseo oseul setaghaeyo.)
      I wash clothes in the laundry room.

Section 6: Places

1. 식당 (sikdang) – Restaurant
   • Example Sentence:
     식당에서 밥을 먹어요. (sikdangeseo babeul meogeoyo.)
     I eat at the restaurant.
2. 집 (Jip) – House
   • Example Sentence:
     집에 가고 싶어요. (jibe gago sipeoyo.)
     I want to go home.
3. 학교 (Hakgyo) – School
   • Example Sentence:
     학교에 가요. (hakgyoe gayo.)
     I go to school.
4. 공원 (Gongwon) – Park
   • Example Sentence:
     공원에서 산책해요. (gongwoneseo sanchaekaeyo.)
     I take a walk in the park.
5. 병원 (Byeongwon) – Hospital
   • Example Sentence:
     병원에 가야 해요. (byeongwone gaya haeyo.)
     I have to go to the hospital.
6. 가게 (Gage) – Shop
   • Example Sentence:
     가게에서 쇼핑해요. (gageeseo syopinghaeyo.)
     I shop at the store.
7. 바다 (Bada) – Sea
   • Example Sentence:
     바다에 가서 휴식해요. (badae gaseo hyusikaeyo.)
     I go to the sea to relax.
8. 서점 (Seojom) – Bookstore
   • Example Sentence:
     서점에서 책을 사요. (seojomeseo chaegeul sayo.)
     I buy books at the bookstore.
9. 도서관 (Doseogwan) – Library
   • Example Sentence:
     도서관에서책을 읽어요. (doseogwaneseo chaekeul ilgeoyo.)
     I read books at the library.
10. 영화관 (Yeonghwagwan) – Movie theater
    • Example Sentence:
      영화관에 영화 보러 가요. (yeonghwagwane yeonghwa boleo gayo.)
      I go to the movie theater to watch a movie..
11. 아파트 (Apateu) – Apartment
    • Example Sentence:
      아파트에서 살아요. (apateueseo salayo.)
      I live in an apartment.
12. 고시원 (Goshiwon) – Small one-room living space
    • Example Sentence:
      고시원에서 공부하면서 생활해요. (goshiwoneseo gongbuhamyeonseo saenghwalhaeyo.)
      I live and study in a small one-room space.
13. 역 (Yeok) – Station
    • Example Sentence:
      역에서 기차를 타요. (yogeseo gichaleul tayo.)
      I take the train at the station.
14. 거리 (Geori) – Street
    • Example Sentence:
      거리를 걷기 좋아해요. (geolireul geotgi johahaeyo.)
      I like to walk on the street.

Section 7: Food and Beverages

1. 음식 (Eumsik) – Food
   • Example Sentence:
     다양한 음식을 먹어 보세요. (dayanghan eumsik-eul mogeo boseyo.)
     Try various kinds of food.
2. 물 (Mul) – Water
   • Example Sentence:
     매일 물을 충분히 마셔야 해요. (maeil muleul chungbunhi masyeoya haeyo.)
     You should drink enough water every day.
3. 과일 (Gwail) – Fruit
   • Example Sentence:
     매일 아침에 과일을 먹어요. (maeil achime gwaileul meogeoyo.)
     I eat fruit every morning.
4. 식사 (Siksa) – Meal
   • Example Sentence:
     매일 세 번 식사해요. (maeil se beon siksa haeyo.)
     I have three meals every day.
5. 밥 (Bap) – Rice (Cooked)
   • Example Sentence:
     한국에서 밥은 중요해요. (hangukeseo bapeun jungyohaeyo.)
     Rice is important in Korea.
6. 쌀 (Ssal) – Rice (Uncooked)
   • Example Sentence:
     쌀로 밥을 지어 먹어요. (ssallo bapeul jieo meogeoyo.)
     I cook rice and eat it.
7. 주스 (Jyuseu) – Juice
   • Example Sentence:
     주스를 마셔봐요. (juseureul masyeobwayo.)
     Try drinking juice.
8. 커피 (Keopi) – Coffee
   • Example Sentence:
     커피를 좋아해요. (keopileul johahaeyo.)
     I like coffee.
9. 소다 (Soda) – Soda
   • Example Sentence:
     소다로 상쾌해져요. (sodalo sangkwaehaejyeoyo.)
     I feel refreshed with soda.
10. 음료수 (Eumryosu) – Beverage
    • Example Sentence:
      음료수를 선택해요. (eumryosureul seontaekaeyo.)
      Choose a beverage.
11. 맛있다 (Masitda) – Delicious
    • Example Sentence:
      음식이 맛있어요. (eumsiki masisseoyo.)
      The food is delicious.
12. 맛없다 (Mat-eopda) – Not tasty
    • Example Sentence:
      이 음식은 맛이 없어요. (I eumsikeun masi eobseoyo.)
      This food is not tasty.

Section 8: Verbs Related to Emotions and Feelings

1. 행복하다 (Haengbokhada) – To be happy
   • Example Sentence:
     가족과 함께 있는 순간이 제일 행복해. (gajok-gwa hamkke issneun sungani jeil haengbokhae)
     Being with family is the happiest moment.
2. 슬프다 (Seulppeuda) – To be sad
   • Example Sentence:
     영화가 슬퍼요. (yeonghwaga seulpeoyo.)
     The movie is sad.
3. 사랑하다 (Salanghada) – To love
   • Example Sentence:
     사랑해요 (saranghaeyo.)
     I love you.
4. 미안하다 (Mianhada) – To be sorry
   • Example Sentence:
     미안해요, 실수했어요. (mianhaeyo, silsuhaesseoyo.)
     I’m sorry, I made a mistake.
5. 화나다 (Hwanada) – To be angry
   • Example Sentence:
     그 일에 화났어요. (geu ile hwanasseoyo.)
     I got angry about that matter.
6. 놀라다 (Nollada) – To be surprised
   • Example Sentence:
     놀랐어요. (nollasseoyo.)
     I got surprised.
7. 기뻐하다 (Gippeohada) – To be joyful
   • Example Sentence:
     선물을 받아서 기뻐해요. (seonmuleul badaseo gippeohaeyo.)
     I’m happy to receive a gift.
8. 우울하다 (Uulhada) – To be depressed
   • Example Sentence:
     날씨가 흐려서 우울해요. (nalssiga heulyeoseo uulhaeyo.)
     I feel depressed because the weather is gloomy.
9. 두렵다 (Dulyeobda) – To be afraid
   • Example Sentence:
     어둡고 무서워서 두려워요. (eodupgo museowoseo duryeowoyo.)
     It’s dark and scary, so I’m scared.
10. 짜증나다 (Jjajeungnada) – To be annoyed
    • Example Sentence:
      매일 같은 일에 짜증나요. (maeil gateun ile jjajeungnayo.)
      I get annoyed by the same thing every day.
11. 귀찮다 (Gwichanhda) – To be bothered / annoyed
    • Example Sentence:
      이 일이 귀찮아요. (I ili gwichanayo.)
      This task is annoying / I can’t be bother to do this task
12. 심심하다 (Simsimhada) – To be bored
    • Example Sentence:
      심심할 때는 새로운 취미를 찾아봐. (simsimhal ttaeneun saeloun chwimireul chajabwa.)
      When bored, try finding a new hobby.
13. 실망하다 (Silmanghada) – To be disappointed
    • Example Sentence:
      기대했는데 실망했어요. (gidaehaessneunde silmanghaesseoyo.)
      I expected, but I’m disappointed.
14. 신나다 (Sinnada) – To be excited
    • Example Sentence:
      축제가 있어서 신나요. (chugjega isseoseo sinnayo.)
      I’m excited because there is a festival.
15. 즐겁다 (Jeulgeopda) – To have fun / To be joyful
    • Example Sentence:
      함께 있으면 즐거워요. (hamkke isseumyeon jeulgeowoyo.)
      It’s joyful/fun to be together.

Section 9: Clothes

1. 치마 (Chima) – Skirt
   • Example Sentence:
     이 치마 예쁘다. (i chima yeppeuda.)
     This skirt is pretty..
2. 원피스 (Wonpiseu) – Dress
   • Example Sentence:
     원피스 입었어요. (wonpiseu ibeosseoyo.)
     I wore a dress.
3. 바지 (Baji) – Pants
   • Example Sentence:
     바지가 편해요. (bajiga pyeonhaeyo.)
     Pants are comfortable.
4. 반바지 (Banbaji) – Shorts
   • Example Sentence:
     여름에 반바지 입어요. (yeoleume banbaji ibeoyo.)
     I wear shorts in summer.
5. 셔츠 (Syeocheu) – Shirt
   • Example Sentence:
     셔츠가 멋있어요. (syeocheuga meosisseoyo.)
     The shirt looks stylish.
6. 티셔츠 (Tisyeocheu) – T-shirt
   • Example Sentence:
     티셔츠가 편해요. (tisyeocheuga pyeonhaeyo.)
     T-shirts are comfortable.
7. 니트 (Niteu) – Knitwear
   • Example Sentence:
     겨울에 니트를 입어요. (gyeoul-e niteu-leul ib-eoyo.)
     I wear knitwear in winter.
8. 코트 (Koteu) – Coat
   • Example Sentence:
     추운 날에 코트를 입어요. (chuun nale koteuleul ibeoyo.)
     I wear a coat on cold days.
9. 패딩 (Paeding) – Padding
   • Example Sentence:
     겨울에는 따뜻한 패딩이 최고에요. (gyeouleneun ttatteuthan paedingi choegoeoyo.)
     In winter, a warm padding is the best.
10. 파자마 (Pajama) – Pyjama
    • Example Sentence:
      파자마로 편안히 자요. (pajamalo pyeonanhi jayo.)
      Sleep comfortably in pajamas.
11. 가디건 (Gadigeon) – Cardigan
    • Example Sentence:
      가디건이 따뜻해요. (gadigeoni ttatteushaeyo.)
      The cardigan is warm.
12. 스카프 (Seukapeu) – Scarf
    • Example Sentence:
      추우면 스카프 쓰세요. (chuumyeon seukapeu sseuseyo.)
      Wear a scarf when it’s cold.
13. 비니 (Bini) – Beanie
    • Example Sentence:
      겨울에 비니를 쓰세요. (gyeoule binileul sseuseyo.)
      Wear a beanie in winter.
14. 모자 (Moja) – Cap
    • Example Sentence:
      모자가 시원해요. (mojaga siwonhaeyo.)
      The hat feels cool.
15. 신발 (Sinbal) – Shoes
    • Example Sentence:
      신발이 편해요. (sinbali pyeonhaeyo.)
      The shoes are comfortable.