3 · 40 words
Reactions and exclamations
Surprise, relief, sympathy and disbelief: the small words that make Korean sound alive.
Many Korean reactions have no exact English match. 아이고 covers pain, tiredness and sympathy; 어머 is surprise and is used mostly by women; 세상에, literally “in the world”, is “good heavens”. Others are whole sentences frozen into one reaction: 큰일 났다, “a big thing has happened”, means “oh no”. A few belong among friends only, and the notes say so; their example sentences are in the casual style that goes with them.
The words
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Adverb (2)
설마surely not, it cannot be thatAdverb3
설마 벌써 다 먹은 건 아니죠?Surely you haven't eaten it all already?
어쩐지no wonder; somehowAdverb3
어쩐지 사람이 많다 했더니 오늘이 세일이었네요.No wonder it was so crowded — the sale is today.
This list belongs to Greetings, politeness and conversation — seven lists and 279 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.