HangulEduCasual
사sa랑rang해hae
I love you
saranghae
Confession scene, couples
Word by word
- 사랑love
- 해do (casual)
Literally: love do
30 Korean phrases from K-dramas
The lines you hear in every episode, from 괜찮아 to 가지 마. Play each one and open How it sounds: most are said differently from how they are written.
Casual
보bo고go싶si어peo
I miss you
bogo sipeo
Long-distance call, reunion
Said 보고 시퍼
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1싶어 → 시퍼Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 보고seeing
- 싶어want (casual)
Literally: want to see (you)
Casual
괜gwaen찮cha아na
Are you okay? / I'm okay
gwaenchana
Comforting a friend; question or answer by intonation
Said 괜차나
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1찮아 → 차나Silent ㅎ · Linking
ㅎ goes silent. A final ㅎ before a vowel isn't pronounced. 좋아요 is said 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 괜찮be okay
- 아casual ending
Literally: (it) is okay
Polite
괜gwaen찮cha아na요yo
It's okay / Are you okay?
gwaenchanayo
Polite version for strangers and elders
Said 괜차나요
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1찮아 → 차나Silent ㅎ · Linking
ㅎ goes silent. A final ㅎ before a vowel isn't pronounced. 좋아요 is said 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 괜찮be okay
- 아요polite ending
Literally: (it) is okay
Casual
어eo떡tteo해kae
What do I do?! / Oh no!
eotteokhae
Panic moment, bad news
Said 어떠캐
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1떡해 → 떠캐+ㅎ
ㅎ adds a puff of air. ㅎ merges with a neighboring ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅈ into ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅊ. 축하해 is said 추카해 (chu-ka-hae), 좋다 is said 조타.
NoteSounds the same as 어떻게 [어떠케] in fast speech
- 어떡how (short for 어떻게)
- 해do (casual)
Literally: how do
Casual
대dae박bak
Awesome! / No way!
daebak
Surprise, amazement
Word by word
- 대박jackpot, huge hit
Literally: jackpot
Casual
미mi안an해hae
I'm sorry
mianhae
Apology to a friend or partner
Word by word
- 미안sorry
- 해do (casual)
Literally: sorry do
Casual
고go마ma워wo
Thanks
gomawo
Thanking a friend
Word by word
- 고마워thankful (casual)
Literally: (I'm) thankful
Casual
무mu슨seun일i이ri야ya
What's going on?
museun iriya
Something is clearly wrong
Said 무슨 이리야
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1일이 → 이리Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
NoteIn fast speech often [무슨 니리야] — an extra ㄴ sound slips in
- 무슨what kind of
- 일matter, thing
- 이야is it (casual)
Literally: what matter is it
Casual
같ga이chi가ga자ja
Let's go together
gachi gaja
Walking home, invitation
Said 가치 가자
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1같이 → 가치이 softens
ㄷ ㅌ + 이 → ㅈ ㅊ. A final ㄷ or ㅌ followed by 이 turns into ㅈ or ㅊ. 같이 is said 가치 (ga-chi).
- 같이together
- 가go
- 자let's
Literally: together go let's
Casual
많ma이ni먹meo어geo
Eat a lot! / Enjoy your meal
mani meogeo
Mom or friend serving food
Said 마니 머거
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1많이 → 마니Silent ㅎ · Linking
ㅎ goes silent. A final ㅎ before a vowel isn't pronounced. 좋아요 is said 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
2먹어 → 머거Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 많이a lot
- 먹어eat (casual)
Literally: a lot eat
Casual
좋jo아a해hae
I like you
joahae
First confession
Said 조아해
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1좋 → 조Silent ㅎ
ㅎ goes silent. A final ㅎ before a vowel isn't pronounced. 좋아요 is said 조아요 (jo-a-yo).
- 좋아like
- 해do (casual)
Literally: like do
Casual
잘jal생saeng겼gyeot다tta
So handsome!
jalsaenggyeotda
Male lead appears
Said 잘생겯따
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1겼 → 겯7 final sounds
Only seven final sounds. At the end of a syllable Korean has only seven sounds: ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅇ. ㅅ ㅆ ㅈ ㅊ ㅌ ㅎ sound like ㄷ, ㅋ ㄲ like ㄱ, ㅍ like ㅂ. 옷 is said 옫 (ot).
2다 → 따Tense
Tense, doubled sounds. After a final ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ sound, the next ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅈ becomes tense: ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ. 학교 is said 학꾜 (hak-kkyo).
- 잘well
- 생겼다was formed
Literally: well formed
Casual
알al겠ge어sseo
Got it / Okay
algesseo
Agreeing, ending an argument
Said 알게써
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1겠어 → 게써Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 알know
- 겠어will (casual)
Literally: (I) will know
Casual
걱geok정jjeong하ha지ji마ma
Don't worry
geokjeonghaji ma
Reassuring someone
Said 걱쩡하지 마
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1정 → 쩡Tense
Tense, doubled sounds. After a final ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ sound, the next ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅈ becomes tense: ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ. 학교 is said 학꾜 (hak-kkyo).
- 걱정worry
- 하지do
- 마don't
Literally: worry do don't
Casual
축chu하ka해hae
Congratulations
chukhahae
Birthday, promotion, good news
Said 추카해
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1축하 → 추카+ㅎ
ㅎ adds a puff of air. ㅎ merges with a neighboring ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅈ into ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅊ. 축하해 is said 추카해 (chu-ka-hae), 좋다 is said 조타.
- 축하congratulation
- 해do (casual)
Literally: congratulation do
Casual
내nae가ga지ji켜kyeo줄jul게kke
I'll protect you
naega jikyeo julkke
Hero moment
Said 내가 지켜 줄께
Word by word
NoteThe ending -ㄹ게 is always pronounced tense [께], but written 게
- 내가I
- 지켜protect
- 줄게will (do it for you)
Literally: I protect (for you) will
Casual
믿mi어deo줘jwo
Trust me / Believe me
mideo jwo
Misunderstanding, pleading
Said 미더 줘
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1믿어 → 미더Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 믿어believe
- 줘(do it) for me
Literally: believe for me
Casual
행haeng복bo해kae
I'm happy
haengbokhae
Happy ending
Said 행보캐
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1복해 → 보캐+ㅎ
ㅎ adds a puff of air. ㅎ merges with a neighboring ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅈ into ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅊ. 축하해 is said 추카해 (chu-ka-hae), 좋다 is said 조타.
- 행복happiness
- 해be (casual)
Literally: happiness is
Casual
늦neu었jeo어sseo
You're late / It's too late
neujeosseo
Waiting at a date; dramatic farewell
Said 느저써
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1늦었어 → 느저써Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 늦late
- 었어past (casual)
Literally: was late
Casual
연yeol락la해kae
Call me / Keep in touch
yeollakhae
Saying goodbye
Said 열라캐
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1연 → 열ㄹㄹ
ㄴ next to ㄹ becomes ㄹ. When ㄴ and ㄹ meet, in either order, both are said as ㄹ — a long L sound. 연락 is said 열락 (yeol-lak).
2락해 → 라캐+ㅎ
ㅎ adds a puff of air. ㅎ merges with a neighboring ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅈ into ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅊ. 축하해 is said 추카해 (chu-ka-hae), 좋다 is said 조타.
- 연락contact
- 해do (casual)
Literally: contact do
Casual
끝kkeun났na어sseo
It's over
kkeunnasseo
Breakup scene
Said 끈나써
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1끝 → 끈7 final sounds · Nasal
Only seven final sounds. At the end of a syllable Korean has only seven sounds: ㄱ ㄴ ㄷ ㄹ ㅁ ㅂ ㅇ. ㅅ ㅆ ㅈ ㅊ ㅌ ㅎ sound like ㄷ, ㅋ ㄲ like ㄱ, ㅍ like ㅂ. 옷 is said 옫 (ot).
Sounds turn nasal. Before ㄴ or ㅁ, final ㄱ becomes ㅇ, ㄷ becomes ㄴ and ㅂ becomes ㅁ: 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다. ㄹ after these sounds is said like ㄴ: 정류장 → 정뉴장.
2났어 → 나써Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 끝end
- 났어came (casual, past)
Literally: the end came
Casual
진jin심si이mi야ya
I mean it
jinsimiya
Serious confession
Said 진시미야
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1심이 → 시미Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 진심sincerity, true heart
- 이야it is (casual)
Literally: it is true heart
Casual
대dae답da해pae
Answer me!
daedaphae
Confrontation
Said 대다패
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1답해 → 다패+ㅎ
ㅎ adds a puff of air. ㅎ merges with a neighboring ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅈ into ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅊ. 축하해 is said 추카해 (chu-ka-hae), 좋다 is said 조타.
- 대답answer
- 해do (casual)
Literally: answer do
Casual
나na믿mit지jji
You trust me, right?
na mitji
Before a risky plan
Said 나 믿찌
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1지 → 찌Tense
Tense, doubled sounds. After a final ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ sound, the next ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅈ becomes tense: ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ. 학교 is said 학꾜 (hak-kkyo).
- 나me
- 믿지trust, right? (casual)
Literally: me (you) trust, right
Casual
밥bam먹meo었geo어sseo
Have you eaten?
bam meogeosseo
Everyday way to show care
Said 밤 머거써
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1밥 → 밤Nasal
Sounds turn nasal. Before ㄴ or ㅁ, final ㄱ becomes ㅇ, ㄷ becomes ㄴ and ㅂ becomes ㅁ: 감사합니다 is said 감사함니다. ㄹ after these sounds is said like ㄴ: 정류장 → 정뉴장.
2먹었어 → 머거써Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
NoteSaid slowly, word by word: [밥 머거써]
- 밥meal, rice
- 먹었어ate (casual)
Literally: meal ate
Casual
화hwa났na어sseo
Are you angry?
hwanasseo
Partner goes silent
Said 화나써
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1났어 → 나써Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 화anger
- 났어came out (casual, past)
Literally: anger came out
Casual
가ga지ji마ma
Don't go
gaji ma
Airport scene
Word by word
- 가지go
- 마don't
Literally: go don't
Casual
정jeong말ma이ri야ya
Really? / It's true
jeongmariya
Shock or reassurance
Said 정마리야
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1말이 → 마리Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 정말truth, really
- 이야it is (casual)
Literally: it is truth
Casual
잘jal지ji냈nae어sseo
How have you been?
jal jinaesseo
Meeting again after years
Said 잘 지내써
Why it sounds like that · word by word
1냈어 → 내써Linking
The consonant moves forward. When a syllable ends in a consonant and the next one starts with a silent ㅇ, the consonant slides over and starts the next syllable. 먹어 is said 머거 (meo-geo).
- 잘well
- 지냈어got along (casual, past)
Literally: well got along
Questions
Why do K-drama characters speak casually?
Most drama lines are between friends, couples and family, so they use banmal (casual speech). Say the same line to a stranger and add 요: 괜찮아 becomes 괜찮아요.
Why does 괜찮아 sound like 괜차나?
The ㅎ in 찮 goes quiet before a vowel and the ㄴ slides into the next block. Open the X-Ray on any card to see each change.
What does daebak mean?
대박 means "jackpot". People shout it at good news and at shocking news alike: awesome, or no way.
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