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Fluent in 3 months - Language Hacking and Travel Tips

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by Joseph Gerocs

Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. ?

Want to learn Korean? Good call! Korean is hot property. Interest in the language has soared over the past few years.

"Gangnam Style" by Korean pop icon Psy was the first YouTube video to reach one billion views (and the first to hit two billion views).

K-Dramas - Korean television dramas - are a rising trend that's set to take the world by storm.

Korean novels such as Please Look after Mom are starting to enter the international bestsellers list too.

What's more, South Korea is a young, tech-savvy country that's home to popular tech brands including Samsung and LG.

Why not make Korean the next language you learn?

Is Learning Korean Difficult?

Learning Korean is actually a lot easier than you think. That's one of the reasons I created 90 Day Korean and the 90 Minute Korean Challenge. I wanted to show just how simple Korean can be if you take the right approach.

Although Korean might be ranked as one of the more difficult languages to learn by the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), it is by no means impossible. In fact, compared to Japanese and Chinese, Korean has some huge advantages that make it easy to learn. Let's find out more about these.

Why the Korean Alphabet is Easy to Learn

The first step in learning the Korean language is becoming familiar with the Korean alphabet, as it's likely considerably different from the other languages you're familiar with. When first seeing the Korean alphabet, many people assume that it is just a bunch of squiggles and that it is as impenetrable as learning the thousands of Chinese characters that students of Mandarin face. Believe it or not, this causes some learners to give up before they even start!

While there are ways of learning Chinese and Japanese characters quickly, the Korean alphabet is nothing like Chinese characters. It is far easier to learn than even the Japanese 'script' alphabets of Katakana or Hiragana, and maybe even Cyrillic. The reason for this goes back centuries and lies in its origin.

Unlike other alphabets that grew organically, Hangul, the Korean alphabet, was invented. Not only was it invented, but it was made with the specific purpose of being easy to learn and use. Basically, it's almost impossible to design a simpler writing system than Hangul that would still work with the Korean language.

It is said that "a wise man can acquaint himself with them [the alphabet] before morning is over; a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days." The truth is that using modern learning techniques, anybody can learn Hangul in just ninety minutes.

Think about that for a second - this language was constructed with language learners in mind! Hangul exists not to confuse and intimidate learners, but rather to give them the quickest access to Korean culture possible. The alphabet itself is not intimidating at all - the only intimidating part is the initial unfamiliarity you can get past in less than ninety minutes.

With only twenty-four letters in the Korean alphabet, it doesn't take long to learn. Equally, while some writing systems look impossible to scribe, Korean is easy. One of the letters is a circle, one is a square, and two are literally straight lines!

Hangul has another huge advantage over Chinese characters in that it is phonetic. Even if many Chinese characters may have phonetic elements to them, Korean is entirely phonetic. There aren't hidden sounds or pronunciations that new learners are expected to know right off the bat. In fact, it has this advantage over the Latin alphabet too. For example, if you are an American travelling to the U.K. and you come across a sign saying 'Leicester'. You may well assume that this is read 'Lie-kest-er' when it is in fact pronounced 'Lester'.

There are countless examples of this in English and in the Romance Languages. For example, there are many different ways to pronounce 'ough' in English. The differences in spelling and pronunciation can make it difficult to put two-and-two together. Yet, you are fluently reading English right now, despite the tricky spelling and pronunciation that comes with the territory.

If you can read Hangul, then it is very rare that you will have similar problems with pronunciation. When pronouncing a Korean place or name, there are only a handful of situations where the pronunciation isn't exactly the same as how the word is written. Luckily, you can easily learn these exceptions in no time!

That's why it's easy to connect written and spoken Korean. For example, if you hear somebody talking about going to an 'an-gwa' then you might remember that word when you are walking down the street and see a sign saying '안과' above a shop selling spectacles. The link between the sound and the written word makes it easier to remember these new words. After you become familiar with the characters in the language, acquiring new Korean words will happen in no time!

Hangul is so easy to learn, that an online comic can teach it to you in 15 minutes!

Word Families: How Korean Words Are Built

You might be thinking 'if the Korean alphabet is so logical, then why are all the letters jumbled up instead of just being in a straight line?' Well, this is the genius part of the Korean alphabet that makes learning new words and ideas very simple! However, it is most likely different from the letter orders in the alphabets you are most familiar with using.

In Korean:

'ㅅ' sounds like 's';

'ㅏ' sounds like 'a';

'ㄴ' sounds like 'n'.

When put together they look like '산' , which is pronounced as 'san'. Rather than being just three letters in a line, it makes a nice self-contained block!

Korean is essentially made up of three types of words:

1. Words that are 'pure' Korean;

2. Words that are based on English (we will come to these later);

3. Words that are based on Chinese characters.

When we see 山 in Chinese we know this means mountain. Equally, in the Korean words that are based on Chinese, each block in Korean has the same meaning as a Chinese character. 산, in this context usually means 'mountain'. This means that any time we see 산 at the end of a word, we can guess that it probably has something to do with a mountain. Easy enough, right?

In English, the spelling of the words 'volcano' and 'iceberg' are totally different from 'mountain'. In Korean, they are 화산 (fire-mountain) and 빙산 (ice-mountain). This can help you learn words very quickly and guess new words without ever seeing them before. When you learn one word, you will have access almost instantly to other words and phrases that build upon that first word.

For example, from our earlier word 안과, if we are walking around the streets and see words like 내과, 치과, 피부과, etc., then we can guess that they have something to do with medical care. Equally, if somebody asks if you wear 안경 then we can guess that they are talking about glasses.

Look at the following list to see how quick it can be to learn new words using a bit of logic.

1 (and sun) = il

2 = ee

3 = sam

4 = sa

5 = o

Moon = wol

January = il-wol

February = ee-wol

1st March = sam-wol il-il

2nd April = sa-wol ee-il

3rd May = o-wol sam-il

Country = guk

Korea = han

Middle = jung

Person = in

Language / fish = eo

Korea = Han-guk

China = Jung-guk

Korean language = han-guk-eo

Chinese person = Jung-guk-in

Mermaid = in-eo

How to Pronounce Korean Words: No Tones

When you begin learning Korean, you'll start with learning how to read words in the Korean alphabet, then move on to learning how to pronounce those words. While learning pronunciation can be intimidating at first, it's easier with Korean that with many other languages. Each Korean word, or letter-block, has several different meanings. However, they are all pronounced the same way. This is great news as you don't have to worry about tones,. Tones are an entire additional element to language that can make the learning process much more complicated.

Of course, the fact that one word can have many different meanings can be confusing. For example, 어 (pronounced like the 'o' in the word 'song') often means either 'fish' or 'language'. However, realistically, how many times are you going to be having a conversation that involves both fish and language? Context clues are everywhere in Korean and will greatly speed up the learning process for beginners.

Konglish: You Already Know Thousands of Korean Words

Every day new words are added to languages. The good news is that with Korean, these new words are often based on English. That means that every day you are getting better at Korean without even studying (unless you are North Korean)!

Some Korean words such as computer, taxi, and ice cream are almost exactly the same as English words in both their meaning and pronunciation. Other words are based on English, but have slight differences to standard English. However, because they are based on English words, they are easy to remember.

As a speaker of English beginning to learn Korean, you will find that you are already pretty familiar with some Korean language words and concepts - it's almost like the work was done for you! The parallel between Korean and English words isn't the only easy part about learning Korean - Korean tenses and grammar are also much more straightforward than languages like French and Spanish.

Korean Grammar Is Really Easy

If your average French class at school consisted of hour upon hour of 'I am', 'he is', 'they are' and so on, then try not to jump for joy when I tell you that you don't need to do this in Korean.

In fact, when you start out learning Korean, it's best not to bother with pronouns at all. When learning Korean, you can speed right through conjugation pretty quickly. Korean verbs change based on several factors, such as tense and politeness level. However, even when they do change, then they change in a predictable way based on the final consonant of the verb (or vowel if it ends in a vowel).

Since there are a limited number of consonants, and only about five types of irregular verbs, learning how those verbs change doesn't take long. Even better, the verbs stay the same when the pronouns in the sentence change. For example 'to do' (하다) will always be 해요 (do) regardless of whether 'I do', 'he does', or 'they do'.

Pronouns are rarely used in Korean, so you can often just say the verb. The other person can guess from context who you are referring to. As a result, here is a verb conjugation list for the verb 먹다 (to eat) in the present tense:

I eat - 먹어요

you eat - 먹어요

he eats- 먹어요

she eats - 먹어요

they eat - 먹어요

we eat - 먹어요 (in case you didn't notice, they are all the same).

I have more good news: this applies to adjectives too! If you want to tell somebody that the gimbap, a popular Korean street food, was delicious, then you can just say 'delicious'. Likewise if you want to ask somebody else if that food was delicious then you just ask, 'delicious?'

Tenses in Korean are also regular, so you don't need to learn extra words like you do in English (teach-taught, is-was, etc.). There aren't any special past participles, either. Instead you just stick an extra word onto the end of the sentence to change it from 'ate' to 'have eaten'. Easy enough, right? Luckily, due to how straightforward grammar and tenses are in Korean, you can make a lot of progress in learning Korean before you have to tackle the more complex elements of the language.

Deal With the 'Difficult' Parts of Korean Down the Road

When learning Korean, you can put off the difficult parts of the language for later.

One difficult aspect of Korean is that it is a hierarchical language. This means that you use different words depending on who you speak to. While this sounds daunting, if you just use the regular form of the word (verbs that end with 'yo') then nobody will be offended. Stick to the "yo", and you'll be good to go!

Apart from that, if you use the wrong word with somebody who is older than you, the worst that will happen is that they will correct you (optimists could see this as 'the worst that will happen is that you will receive some free expert tuition from a native speaker').

As you get better at Korean, you can start using the different levels of language properly and fluidly. However, you don't have to get worked up about early on in your language study. There's no reason to be apprehensive about using your new Korean knowledge with native speaking strangers - if anything, it'll only stand to help you acquire more knowledge!

If you are wondering how honorifics and hierarchy work in Korean, basically there is a way of speaking for people who are close to you, and a way for speaking to people more distant. The more distant version (ending in 'imnida' or 'sumnida') often comes up in textbooks early on. However, you will only ever use it if you are doing a job interview, giving a presentation, or speaking on the news (things that are unlikely for beginner students to be doing). Therefore you should focus on the 'yo' system, which you will be using much more often.

If you are speaking to somebody who is younger than you and close to you, then you can drop the 'yo'. This will be handy when you begin making Korean friends and acquaintances. Honorifics are used for showing respect to people above you. This basically involves inserting a 시 somewhere into the verb (not too difficult in itself).

Some words have special versions that should be used when speaking using honorifics. For example 'to eat', 'to exist', 'birthday' and 'age' all have special words (there aren't too many special words, only about twenty or so, so don't worry). You should never use honorifics when talking about yourself, but unlike Japanese, you can use them when referring to your own family (especially your grandparents).

These different levels of Korean often scare people, but English and other languages also have these levels (For example, "to die" vs. "to pass away"). When you think about it, Korea's hierarchical system is easier to explain than trying to explain these levels in the English language, and you've already been using a hierarchical system for years whether or not you've realized it!

Once you've learned the more approachable parts of Korean like the alphabet, tenses, and words based on English, you'll feel comfortable enough to begin using Korean conversationally. It's through conversation and exposure that you'll become more comfortable with the more complex parts of the language like hierarchical changes and words that aren't based on English.

Breaking Apart Korean Words

Using Korean words is very simple. If you want to use them as a verb, then you can just stick the verb 'to do' (하다) at the end of the word. Once you learn how to change this verb into different tenses and how to attach modal verbs to it, then you can suddenly say a ridiculously large amount with very little effort.

Remember, you rarely need to use pronouns and you don't need to conjugate based on pronouns. You'll be surprised at how quickly you will learn how to communicate basic concepts in Korean with relative ease!

Another thing that makes picking up these new Korean words and concepts a breeze is how accessible Korean-learning resources are. After you begin your journey to learn Korean and start looking around for help, you'll be surprised about the abundance of resources available through books and the Internet.

Why It's Easy to Find Resources for Learning Korean

Of course people have been speaking Korean for thousands of years - it's not exactly a new language. However when learning Korean, you won't have to learn using the Korean version of Shakespeare or anything equally antiquated.

The rest of the world started caring about Korean culture much more at the start of this millennium so most of the cultural resources for learning Korean are very new and easily accessible. There are many great online resources for studying Korean, and often teachers will give modern examples or use recent video clips when explaining difficult concepts. When studying the Korean language, the last thing you will be doing is looking through a dusty old textbook. Korean resources are current and relevant, making the learning process that much more fun! Along with modern cultural resources, you'll also have the opportunity to learn by speaking Korean to native speakers as soon as you're even a little bit conversationally fluent.

Learn Korean: How to Get Korean Speaking Practice

Most Koreans are very proud of their country and language, and would love it if more people could speak Korean. As a result, there are plenty of people who are willing to teach you Korean. Especially in Seoul, it is quite easy to find free Korean classes.
If you'd like to learn Korean fast, then I'd like to invite you to my 90 Day Korean Inner Circle. It delivers you hand-picked Korean lessons with only the essential parts of the language, all explained using psychology and stories so you can't forget them (even if you tried). You can join here.
Equally, Koreans rarely expect foreigners to speak Korean perfectly so they won't judge you as harshly as people from some other countries if you mispronounce a word. Learn the basics with some help, and then get out there and experiment with all the doors that you've opened by beginning the Korean learning process! Those Korean dramas aren't going to watch themselves.

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How to Speak Korean (it's Easier than You Think)

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by Joseph Gerocs Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. ? Want to learn Korean? Good call! Korean is hot property. Interest in the language has soared over the past few years. "Gangnam Style" by Korean pop icon Psy was the first YouTube video to reach one billion views (and the first to hit two billion views).

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I know the basics of speaking japanese. I know how to introduse myself and other greeting, simple things like that.

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Learn Japanese in 2 Hours - ALL You Need to Speak Japanese

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I want to know how to speak korean and how to fluently speak japanese.

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I need the instructions on how to make the food that we will bring to class but I know the basics on how to cook in general.

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I know very little about japan and korean culture so I have to do major research on that I know about the different ways of dressing in japan but thats about it.

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Questions:
Why did you go to japan?

What kind of music is popular there?

What popular sight did you see there?

Did you expirence culture shock?

What type of food did you eat there?

Why did you go to korea?

How is the public transport sytem at south korea?

What are some of the best sight seeing spots at south korea?

What is the attitude towards drinking?

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News about language and languages. Commentary and archival information about language and languages from The New York Times.

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pots, pans, measuring spoons and cups ext.

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Facts and information about Japanese food including tako-yaki and other favorites.

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Weeknight Meal Ideas: Easy Japanese recipes for a quick, reliable dinner you can make for the family at the end of a long day.
What do you make on those nights when you're tired but still just want something nourishing & healthy for the family? If you love a quick dinner like I do on most days, here are some family-friendly Japanese recipes that are tasty yet easy-to-follow.

These recipes are perfect for weeknight meals as they can be prepped in less than 1 hour! They are my go-to rotations, so I hope they will help you plan your meals as well.

Easy Japanese Recipes for Weeknight Meals

When comes to a weeknight meal, we can always count on fried rice for a fool-proof dinner. Bursting with flavor, this classic Fried Rice recipe with ham, egg, and green onion is a delicious one-pan meal that you can whip up under 20 minutes.

This easy homemade Teriyaki Salmon is cooked in soy sauce, sake, and mirin. If you buy salmon as a whole fish, you can fillet it the Japanese way. It helps to cook faster and absorb the flavors quickly. Not a seafood fan? Try Chicken Teriyaki or Beef Teriyaki.

Fat, chewy udon noodles stir fried with vegetables and your choice of protein, this Yaki Udon is a keeper for the noodle lovers. It's a great meal to use up your leftover too.

Pasta is always a good call for a weeknight meal. Seasoned with soy sauce and flavorful dashi broth, this Japanese-style wafu pasta with shrimp and asparagus is a delicious option than the usual tomato-based pasta.

Loaded with plenty of vegetables and your choice of protein, this Stir fry Vegetables (Yasai Itame) makes a well-rounded weeknight meal. Not only everything comes together in less than 30 minutes, it's also a great way to use up any leftovers.

A really popular Japanese Yoshoku (Japanese fusion) recipe, Omurice is one of my children's favorite meals. The rice is pan-fried with ketchup and chicken, then wrapped in a thin layer of egg. When there is leftover rice, it's a perfect single plate meal to prepare the next day.

This Salmon in Foil recipe is packed with Omega-3 Fatty Acids from the fish and healthy nutrients from the vegetables. A healthy yet flavorful dinner dish that we all need to power through a busy week. It's incredibly easy and versatile to make too.

Enjoyed chilled or at room temperature, this Soba Noodle Salad makes a healthy choice when you are looking for a quick, light meal.

Oyakodon is one of the easy dishes I learned at the home-making class in middle school. If you have older children at home, this would be a fun dish to teach them. It's a classic Donbori dish, where beaten egg and chicken pieces are simmered in sweet soy dashi sauce, and served over white rice.

Gyudon (Beef Bowl) is a comfort food for Japanese. Simple ingredients such as onion, sliced beef, and eggs, are tossed into a hot frying pan for a quick cook. In 15 minutes, you'd get to serve some delicious rice bowl for dinner.

When you feel like you're stuck in the usual dinner rut, this Baked Tonkatsu (Japanese pork cutlet) will shake things up a little. The best part is you don't need to deep fry the meat to achieve the crispy crust and tender, juicy texture. You can also try Crispy Baked Chicken or Crispy Salmon in replace of pork.

Craving for some spicy food on the weeknight? This Japanese-version of Mapo Tofu is a lot milder than the Sichuan-style mapo tofu, yet it is flavorful enough that even both adults & children can enjoy.

Marinated in sake, soy sauce, and honey, these Honey Soy Sauce Chicken can be prepped the night before. When you're ready to cook, pop them into the oven while you prepare a simple salad or miso soup to serve along.

Although you can find Ginger Pork (Shogayaki) at most of the Japanese restaurants in the US, it is a simple dish to make at home. You want to use thinly sliced pork loin or sukiyaki meat to cook. The sweet garlic ginger sauce makes it a delicious savory dish to go with shredded cabbage.

A classic Japanese stir fried noodles - Yakisoba. You can literally add any ingredients to make your own version of Yakisoba.

MORE EASY JAPANESE RECIPES?

I hope you enjoy making these delicious easy Japanese recipes at home. If you are looking for more easy recipes, click here to get inspiration! Thank you so much for reading and till next time!

Editor's Note: The post was originally published on October 5, 2014. The content has been updated in February 2019.

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Weeknight Meal Ideas: 15 Easy Japanese Recipes * Just One Cookbook

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Weeknight Meal Ideas: Easy Japanese recipes for a quick, reliable dinner you can make for the family at the end of a long day. What do you make on those nights when you're tired but still just want something nourishing & healthy for the family?

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50 Daily Japanese Conversations - Learn Basic Japanese Phrases

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I learnt how to say simple phrases in japanese like greetings.

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we have to make it and see if it is good enough to take to class.

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figure out what we will say and do in the presentation with the help of our notes.

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see if we can talk to him this week and ask him the questions.

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I want to make masks and some examples of things that japan culture uses for there festivals and korea too.

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practice the speech and everything that we will need to say, basically make sure we are ready for everything.

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In a country where almost half the population share the same last name, you may be forgiven for becoming a little confused about who is who and what is what!

What Will you Learn in this Guide?
You will gain a solid understanding of a number of key areas about Korean culture and society including:
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An introduction to the country, its history, politics, people and culture

Insights into the country's values, customs and etiquette

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Guidelines and tools on adapting and dealing with cultural differences

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STEREOTYPING

Whether visiting South Korea on business, for tourism or even hosting Korean colleagues or clients in your own country, this guide will help you understand your South Korean counterparts, improve communication and get the relationship off to the right start.

However, remember this is only a very basic level introduction to Korean culture and the people; it can not account for the diversity within South Korean society and is not meant in any way to stereotype all Korean people you may meet!

FACTS AND STATISTICS

Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the East Sea and the Yellow Sea

Capital: Seoul

National anthem: Aegukga

Nationality: Korean

Ethnic Make-up: Homogenous (except for small percentage of the population who are from elsewhere but reside in the country permanently). It is one of the most racially pure countries in the world.

Population: 51 million (2019 Est.)

Population growth rate: 0.53% (2019 Est.)

Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Time Zone: Korea Standard Time UTC (UTC+09:00)

Currency: South Korean 'won'

Government: Republic

Internet penetration: 92.1% (2016)

Business Culture: Ranked 30th in The Business Culture Complexity Index™

LANGUAGE IN SOUTH KOREA

Koreans share one language, with approximately seventy million people around the globe speaking Korean.

The language grammar and vocabulary are in some ways similar to Japanese; the structure differs. Dialects are regional; differing mainly in accent, but are so similar that comprehension for speakers, or listeners, is not an issue. Key difference in dialect are also attributed to social status.

Korea has one of the highest literacy rates in the world due to the phonetic nature of the written language which was invented in the mid-fifteenth century to give one language to Koreans.

Photo of watch tower in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, South Korea by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash
SOUTH KOREAN CULTURE & SOCIETY

Religion & Beliefs

South Korea supports religious freedom

Confucianism, and Christianity are the main formal religions

Many Koreans believe in the ancestral spirit and observe Confucian rituals

Confucianism is a political and social philosophy that pervades Korean culture

Major Celebrations/Secular Celebrations

There are two main national holidays

New Year's Day (second full moon after winter solstice)

Chuseok (the eighth full moon)

Celebrations for these festivals are based around ancestors, family, games, harvest festivals and food.

The Family

Did you know that a series of plane crashes in the 80s, 90s and 00s led some experts to believe Korean culture was to blame?
Click here to discover more!
Social Stratification

Since the Kabo Reforms of 1894 there has been no traditional gentry

60% of Koreans considered themselves to be middle class

Class position is often linked to educational attainment

Industrialisation and urbanisation contribute to class difference

Family, upbringing, wealth, education and occupation contribute to social standing

Symbols of status include; large homes, chauffeur driven cars, dress, membership to certain clubs, and higher educational degrees

Urbanisation is 82.5% of total population (2015)

Language is hierarchical and one must address social superiors in a fitting manner

Gender Roles

Equality of the sexes is constitutional

Daily life is dominated by male guidance within a primarily patriarchal society

Social organisation is influenced by gender and age

47.7% of adult females worked outside the home (1998)

Women occupied 2.3% of provincial and local seats in (1999)

Women dominate Shamanism as priestesses but have limited roles within Christian and Buddhist religions

Women are expected to be submissive in public situations and at informal gatherings

Women are considered more independent than their male counterparts

Socialisation

Daily care of infants is primarily parent based for at least the first two years with little, or no, separation from the mother

Patriarchal obedience, cooperation, respect for elders, and familial piety are imbued into early childhood

Gender specific roles are encouraged within the family and education system

Sons generally receive the best education and remain more dependent upon their family, even into marriage

The Economy

South Korea changed from an underdeveloped country, to the 11th largest economy globally, within one generation

South Korea is heavily dependent upon exports for its GDP; almost half of its business is exported through products or services

48% of all exports are electronic

31% of exports are transport related (cars, boats, etc)

Food

Korean cuisine is based on rice, vegetables and meat

'Kimchi' is the national dish and is eaten with most meals

Kimchi is made from a variety of vegetables which are then fermented and can be stored for long periods of time

Banchan are side dishes - these are often made in large numbers and are served along with the main dish

Food is used in ceremonies, especially at weddings, birthdays and to honour ancestors

Arts, Humanities & Popular Culture

Historically, Chinese and Japanese influences were seen in South Korean art; aesthetic concepts and motifs were shared

Korean music and arts were linked to natural cycles and religion, giving rise to a folk culture in rural areas that are still considered popular

'Gangnam Style' by Psy, a South Korean musician, achieved worldwide fame in 2012. The song refers to the Gangnam District of Seoul, a trendy, classy area, equated with London, Paris or Hollywood

Foreign influences have produced a fast food and coffee culture in recent years, especially within Seoul

Language has altered with the introduction of some Western phrases such as 'eye shopping' (window shopping)

Koreans are very proud of their Kimchi making traditions. Competitions and frequently held and people love to teach others their 'secret' family recipes!
SOCIAL CUSTOMS & ETIQUETTE IN SOUTH KOREA
Photo by Republic of Korea on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Concept of Kibun

Kibun is a word with no literal English translation; the closest terms are pride, face, mood, feelings, or state of mind.

If you hurt someone's kibun you hurt their pride, cause them to lose dignity, and lose face. Korean interpersonal relationships operate on the principle of harmony.

It is important to maintain a peaceful, comfortable atmosphere at all times, even if it means telling a "white lie".

It is important to know how to judge the state of someone else's kibun, how to avoid hurting it, and how to keep your own kibun at the same time.

In business, a manager's kibun is damaged if his subordinates do not show proper respect. A subordinate's kibun is damaged if his manager criticizes him in public.

Nunchi is the ability to determine another person's kibun by using the eye.

Since this is a culture where social harmony is crucial, being able to judge another person's state of mind is critical to maintain the person's kibun. Nunchi is accomplished by watching body language and listening to the tone of voice as well as what is said.

Naming Conventions

In South Korea names operate in the reverse of Western cultures; Family name (surname), a second family name shared by all of that generation, and finally their given name.

It is considered very impolite to address a Korean with his or her given name. They should be addressed using their professional titles, or Mr, Mrs Etc, until permission is given otherwise.

Meeting & Greeting

Bowing is the traditional way to greet in South Korea

Handshakes often accompany the bow among men

Your left hand should support your right forearm when shaking hands

Korean women do not always shake hands and may slightly nod instead of a full bow

Always bow to individuals when departing

Communication style

Personal Space

It is insulting for Koreans to be touched by someone with whom they are unfamiliar; don't pat them on the back or hug them

Prolonged, direct eye contact can be inferred as a challenge and is seen as impolite, especially when dealing with others of a higher social standing

Keep your body within its own personal space; avoid extended or crossed legs and limit arm movements when explaining something so as to evade others' personal space

If calling someone over to you do not point with your index finger, instead use your hand palm down in a claw movement

In cities (especially Seoul) pushing, shoving and touching are regular occurrences - don't be offended by the lack of apologies

Friends, of both sexes, will often walk arm in arm together, especially teenagers and the younger generations

A Korean soldier in front of the royal palace, Seoul. Photo by Juan Montano on Unsplash
Gift Giving Etiquette

Koreans are generous people and enjoy giving gifts

Accept the gift with both hands - but never open the gift immediately, wait until the giver is absent

Return the favour and offer something of a similar value. Koreans enjoy Western gifts and items so be prepared before leaving home

If giving gifts be sure to wrap and present them in an attractive way. Avoid using dark wrapping paper, especially red, instead choose bright yellow/green

If invited to a Korean home always take the hostess a gift; chocolates, sweets, cakes or flowers but preferably not alcohol

Gifts are often given at the first business meeting and the host should present his first. To reciprocate, give good quality alcohol such as scotch, or desk accessories

Do not give overly expensive gifts as Koreans feel indebted to give as they receive

Avoid gifts such as knives, scissors, sets of four, and red writing (these are seen as 'cutting ties' and signifying death respectively)

Dining & Food

Always wait to be seated by your host. If given the seat of honour (looking at the front door) it is polite to demonstrate a slight objection

Elders are served first and begin the dining process

Food and dining are important parts of Korean culture and are used to build relationships. Be sociable and work at shaping good associations for pleasure and business as they are interlinked

Don't pour your own drink, although it is considered good manners to pour another's. Women often pour for men but not for other women. Rather than refuse more drink (remember, Koreans don't like outright refusal) simply leave your glass part full, as opposed to empty

Do not tip if you see a 'no tipping' sign

There are often prolonged periods of silence during Korean meals - socialising can happen once everyone has feasted

Don't forget to pass and receive food with two hands or with just your right if it is supported by your left

When it comes to settling the bill, the invitee may offer to pay but the host will generally pay for everyone.

If you are invited to continue after dinner with drinks or a party, don't refuse this invitation.

On occasion you may be asked to sing a solo after dinner. Try not to refuse this request, instead sing with enthusiasm and spirit

Do not point with your chopsticks, or leave them sticking out of your bowl

The national drink of Korea is 'Soju', a clear vodka-like drink that is generally 18-25% alcohol

Visiting a home

Always remove your shoes before entering a Korean home (in recent years there has been an increase in Western culture and this may not always be the case - follow the lead of your host if unsure)

It is possible to arrive up to thirty minutes late without causing offence but punctuality is highly respected

Remember, never pour your own drink. The host will do this in your presence

Being invited into a Korean's home is considered an honour (especially if it is for a meal) so it is essential to treat it as such. Be polite, respectful and observe their customs

Bring a gift to reciprocate your host's kindness

Once the party is over you will usually be escorted to your car or the gate by the host. This is a sign of respect

Taboos in South Korean Culture

Do not wear your shoes in places of worship or peoples' homes

Do not put your feet on furniture

Do not eat or drink in public places while walking

Do not place your thumb between your middle and index finger while making a fist as this an obscene gesture

Do not use red ink. This is a symbol of death and is reserved only for writing the names of the deceased.

It is considered unlucky and suggests you wish death to the recipient

Do not use the number four if at all possible - if giving gifts, do not give four of something.

It is considered unlucky due to the similarity between the Korean word for death and the pronunciation of the word 'four'

Do not stand too close to people you are meeting for the first time - keep an arms length between you

BUSINESS CULTURE, ETIQUETTE AND PRACTICES IN SOUTH KOREA

If you are considering doing business in South Korea, or with a South Korean, it is essential to understand their culture and business etiquette to maximise your potential and avoid any unnecessary awkwardness.
Offerings to the ancestors prior to the opening of a new complex. South Korea blends business with spirituality seemlessly.

Korean culture is profoundly influenced by Confucian principles and this pervades not only personal lives, but also business.

Confucianism supports group harmony, respect for elders and authority, the importance of family, friendship and ancestors, and also, tradition.

Kibun (equivalent to face, or honour) is highly significant to Koreans and they will always attempt to maintain their Kibun, or personal dignity. Confrontation is to be avoided at all cost as once Kibun is lost it cannot be regained.

In South Korea, good relationships are crucial to success both in personal and business circles, and these are assimilated within the business world. Korean's make friends first, and clients second. To make the most of your business acumen you must also appear trustworthy, honourable and respectable in a social and business setting.

Korean business is founded upon relationships; even large corporations are often family managed with members still acting in executive positions. The Confucian principles regarding respect for age, family, rank and tradition have ensured the continuance of this system. There have been recent calls for reforms, due to economic downturns, in Korea but this will take time due to the entrenched systems in place.

Alongside the formal power structures in place within a company one must learn to recognise, and assess, the informal structures which may be based on long-standing family ties, personal relationships and allegiances. Insight into these practises will ensure a greater comprehension of Korean business etiquette.

Photo by USAG-Humphreys on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
What to wear?

Using Titles

As discussed previously, Koreans have three names; they are used in order of surname, generation name, and then given name.

If unsure address people as Mr_____ (surname) or surname ______ and then their title (teacher, professor, etc)

Generally, Koreans will offer you their name, which may be a westernised version of their Korean name

Business cards
South Korea is futuristic and modern yet highly traditional. Photo by Harry Cunningham on Unsplash

Business cards are considered important and ritualistic in Korea

It is advisable to have one side printed in English and the other in Korean

Give and receive cards with both hands, with the Korean side uppermost for ease of reading

Take time to read and examine the cards you are given - it is respectful

Place cards in a holder to keep them safe and show you are treating them well

Never write on or mark the cards you are given

Business Meetings

Organise your meeting ahead of time, giving plenty of notice

Arrive punctually and be prepared

The most senior Korean will enter and be seated first

As Koreans live and conduct business within a Confucian framework, initial meetings are often used in an introductory fashion and business may be instigated later

Do not show impatience at this stage as these pleasantries are a way of getting to know you

Only remove your jacket once the senior Korean does

Choose delegates who are on par with their Korean counterparts - this shows respect and knowledge

Exchange business cards in a respectful manner after the initial introductions

Ask open ended questions that do not require a yes or no answer as Koreans dislike refusals

Negotiating

Korean Management

Korean business and personal lives are based upon strict hierarchical structures

Confucianism supports this structure within the family and workplace

Older and senior delegates should be deferred to at all times

'Sonsaengnim' means "respected person" and is frequently used when addressing someone of a higher position

In South Korea managers take a paternalistic role with employees and may be familiar with staff in a personal manner

This allows for a mutual respect and understanding so don't be put off if asked questions of a personal nature

For more management specific information visit Being a Manager in South Korea

Thank you for reading our guide to South Korea.

We hope you found it useful.

If you have anything to add to our country profile please contact us using the form below as we are keen to ensure accuracy.

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of South Korean Culture!

Take the Culture Vulture's Quiz on South Korea and see how much you have learnt about the country, its people and culture.

Great Blogs on South Korea

Below are some of our blogs which look at South Korea:
If you can score above 80% then you know your stuff!
1. How different are North and South Korean Cultures? 2. Killing Your Family: Why Kim Jung-'s Cultural Taboo Might Spell the End of North Korea 3. 10 Very Cool Facts About South Korean Culture 4. 4 Aspects of Korean Business Etiquette You Really Need to Know

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Guide to South Korea and Korean culture, society, language, etiquette, manners, customs and protocol.

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