1. What is an “어미”? In Korean, “어미” refers to the grammatical element attached to the end of a verb or adjective stem. At first glance, it may resemble English tense changes, but in reality, Korean endings serve a much broader range of functions. For example, the speaker’s intention (declarative, interrogative, imperative, etc.), tense (past, present, future), […]
Korean Verb Endings Explained: Essential Guide for Fluency Read More »
✒️ 김소월 “개여울” 당신은 무슨 일로 그리합니까? 홀로 이 개여울에 주저앉아서 파릇한 풀포기가 돋아 나오고 잔물이 봄바람에 헤적일 때에 가도 아주 가지는 않노라시던 그런 약속이 있었겠지요 날마다 개여울에 나와 앉아서 하염없이 무엇을 생각합니다 가도 아주 가지는 않노라심은 굳이 잊지 말라는 부탁인지요 Depending on who is set as the “speaker” of this poem,
Why “Gaeyeoul” Hurts: Analyzing Kim Sowol’s Streamside Promise Read More »
One of the most certain ways to identify a Korean person is to ask them to sing the children’s song “Mom and Sister (엄마야 누나야)”. Every Korean can sing it—because we all learn it from a young age. There isn’t a single person who doesn’t know it. However, if you ask who wrote the
Understand Korean Emotions Through Poetry: Kim Sowol’s “Mom and Sister” Read More »
Reading this poem, I was struck by the sorrowful truth that longing and love for someone can sometimes remain only as a memory—or just a name. Do you have a name you would call until your last breath? If you do, then you are, perhaps, one of the luckiest people alive. Someone I quietly envy.I,
Kim Sowol’s “Calling the Spirit”: The Name I’ll Call Until I Die Read More »
김소월의 “진달래꽃” 나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 말없이 고이 보내 드리우리다 영변에 약산 진달래꽃, 아름 따다 가실 길에 뿌리우리다 가시는 걸음걸음 놓인 그 꽃을 사뿐히 즈려밟고 가시옵소서 나 보기가 역겨워 가실 때에는 죽어도 아니 눈물 흘리우리다 This poem was published in 1922 and included in “진달래꽃” (Azaleas), Kim So-wol’s only poetry collection, in 1925. It captures the
“Azaleas (진달래꽃)” by Kim Sowol – Full Poem and Introduction Read More »
1. What are mimetic words? They are magical expressions that vividly bring out the senses of the Korean language. Have you ever watched a Korean drama or movie, or talked with a Korean friend, and thought, “It’s hard to put this feeling into words”? For example, when someone carefully opens a door and comes in,
A Complete Guide to Korean Mimetic Words for Foreigners (with 60+ Examples) Read More »
1. What Are Sound Words (Onomatopoeia) in Korean? Onomatopoeia (의성어) refers to words that mimic real-life sounds, whether from animals, nature, people, or objects. 📌 For example: – “멍멍” mimics a dog barking – “꼬르륵” imitates a growling stomach – “펑” echoes the sound of an explosion Korean is full of these sound-based expressions, and they
Why are Korean Sound Words Essential for Fluency? Read More »