Korean Lessons by Level: Free TOPIK 1–6 Course
A free, step-by-step Korean course following the TOPIK 1–6 grade system (NIKL standard) — 161 lessons by Alvin Lim, Certified Korean Language Teacher (Level 2). Each lesson has grammar, real examples and a quiz at the end to lock it in.
📚 Browse the full word bank — 10,890 Korean words by level & topic → Start here →1 Level 1 · TOPIK 1 Hangeul, greetings, survival basics · 26 lessons
1 Learn Hangul in One Sitting: Korean Vowels and Consonants Explained Hangul has 14 basic consonants and 10 vowels, built on logical shapes. Learn how Korean letters combine into syllable blocks — with sound guides and a quiz. 2 Batchim Explained: Korean Final Consonants and the 7 Sounds They Make Batchim (받침) is the consonant at the bottom of a Korean syllable. Learn the 7 final sounds every batchim reduces to, plus the linking rule (연음) — with a quiz. 3 Basic Korean Greetings: 안녕하세요 and the Formal Essentials Master formal Korean greetings: 안녕하세요, the 안녕히 가세요 vs 안녕히 계세요 leaving-staying rule, 감사합니다, plus N입니다/입니까 — with a first-meeting dialogue and quiz. 4 Introduce Yourself in Korean: 저는 ~입니다 and 이에요/예요 Introduce yourself in Korean with 저는 ~입니다/이에요 — topic marker 은/는, the vowel-consonant rule for 이에요/예요, key job words, and a language exchange dialogue. 5 This, That and What in Korean: 이거, 그거, 저거 and 뭐예요 Korean demonstratives explained: 이거 this, 그거 that near you, 저거 that over there, plus asking 뭐예요 and the subject marker 이/가 — with dialogue and quiz. 6 Korean Verb Conjugation: the 해요 Form Rule (-아요/-어요) Learn Korean 해요 verb conjugation: add -아요 after ㅏ/ㅗ stems, -어요 elsewhere, 하다 becomes 해요 — covering 가다, 오다, 먹다, 마시다 plus the object marker 을/를. 7 Sino-Korean Numbers: 일, 이, 삼 to 만 and Reading Prices Sino-Korean numbers from 일 to 만: count to 9,999, read phone numbers with 공 for zero, prices like 사천오백 원, floors and minutes — with café dialogue and quiz. 8 Native Korean Numbers and Counters: Count Like a Local Native Korean numbers 하나, 둘, 셋 pair with counters 개, 명, 잔 — and the first four change shape: 한 개, 두 잔. Learn the rule plus when to use native vs sino. 9 Telling Time in Korean: The Hour-Minute Number Rule Korean tells time with both number systems at once: native for hours (한 시, 두 시), sino for minutes (오 분, 삼십 분). Learn 몇 시예요?, 오전/오후, 반, weekdays, and 에. 10 Korean Dates and Months: 유월, 시월, and the Sino Rule Korean dates are all sino numbers — 년, 월, 일, big to small — with two exceptions: June is 유월, October is 시월. Learn months, 며칠, 부터/까지, and birthday phrases. 11 Korean Family Terms: Why 'Older Brother' Has Two Words Korean family terms depend on the speaker's gender: older brother is 형 for men but 오빠 for women; older sister is 누나 or 언니. Learn 가족 words and the 우리 habit. 12 Korean Location Words: 어디, 있어요, and Position Nouns Ask where anything is with 어디예요? and answer with 있어요/없어요 plus position nouns 위, 아래, 앞, 뒤, 옆, 안, 밖 — the place-에-있어요 pattern, with a phone-hunt dialogue. 13 Daily Routine in Korean: 에서 for Places and -고 있다 for Right Now Describe your daily routine in Korean: 에서 marks where actions happen, -고 있다 says what is happening right now — with a real morning-to-night dialogue. 14 Korean Negation: 안 vs 못, 이/가 아니에요, and -지 않다 Korean negation explained: 안 means won't, 못 means can't, nouns take 이/가 아니에요, and -지 않다 / -지 못하다 are the long forms — plus polite ways to say no. 15 Ordering Food in Korean: 주세요, -(으)세요, and 하고 (And) Order food in Korean: the [dish] 주세요 formula, polite requests with -(으)세요, three ways to say and — 하고, 이랑, 과/와 — plus banchan refills and table bells. 16 Shopping in Korean: 얼마예요?, 이것만 주세요, and 한테/에게 Shop in Korean: ask 얼마예요? (how much is it?), say 이것만 주세요 (just this one), give gifts with 한테/에게, and decode big Sino-Korean prices like 만 오천 원. 17 Hobbies in Korean: 좋아하다 vs 좋다, -고, and the 도 Particle Talk about hobbies in Korean: 취미가 뭐예요?, the verb 좋아하다 vs 좋다, listing actions with -고, and the particle 도 (too) — which replaces 을/를, never stacks. 18 Korean Weather Words: 보다 Comparisons, -아/어서 and -지만 Compare weather in Korean: 보다 says hotter than yesterday (어제보다 더워요), -아/어서 gives reasons, -지만 links contrasts — plus why 덥다 becomes 더워요 in the ㅂ pattern. 19 Korean Past Tense: -았/었어요 and Talking About Yesterday Korean past tense made simple: -았/었어요 follows the same vowel rule as 해요 (갔어요, 먹었어요, 했어요), time words like 어제 and 지난주, plus -고요 for afterthoughts. 20 Korean Future Tense: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 for Plans, -겠- for Now Talk about future plans in Korean: -(으)ㄹ 거예요 for plans (갈 거예요), -겠- for on-the-spot decisions like 잘 먹겠습니다, and -기 전에 / -은 후에 for before and after. 21 Korean Want, Can, Must: -고 싶다, -(으)ㄹ 수 있다, -아/어야 돼요 Say want, can, and must in Korean: -고 싶다 for wishes (가고 싶어요), -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 for ability (할 수 있어요), -아/어야 돼요 for obligation — bucket-list ready. 22 Making Plans in Korean: -(으)ㄹ까요? for Suggestions and -(으)니까 for Reasons Suggest plans in Korean: -(으)ㄹ까요? for shall we, -(으)ㅂ시다 for let's, and -(으)니까 to give your reason — with the -어서 contrast and a planning chat. 23 Getting Around in Korean: -(으)러 가다 for Purpose and (으)로 for How You Go Move with purpose in Korean: -(으)러 가다 (먹으러 가요), (으)로 for direction and means (지하철로), and -(으)려고 for intention — plus the -으십시오 of subway announcements. 24 Korean Grade 1 Complete: 45 Grammar Points + Mini TOPIK Test You finished Korean grade 1: all 45 grammar points across 24 lessons — chapter recaps, a 10-item self-check, a mini TOPIK I quiz, and the grade 2 path. 📦 Korean Greetings Beyond 안녕하세요: What People Actually Say Annyeonghaseyo is just the start. Learn the greetings Koreans actually use with friends, coworkers, and shop staff — with pronunciation tips. 📦 Korean Fruit Vocabulary: Market Words and Seasonal Favorites Learn Korean fruit names — from apples and pears to hallabong and persimmons. Includes taste words, market phrases, and Korea's gift-fruit culture.
2 Level 2 · TOPIK 2 Daily life — places, transport, favors · 29 lessons
1 Korean -네요 and -지요: React and Catch Up Naturally Korean -네요 marks something you just noticed (비가 오네요! — oh, it's raining!) and -지요/-죠 seeks agreement (오랜만이죠? — it's been ages, right?). The reaction toolkit for catching up. 2 Korean -을게요: Offer and Promise (설거지는 제가 할게요) Korean -을게요 makes a first-person promise reacting to the moment — 설거지는 제가 할게요 (I'll do the dishes). Split the housework politely, plus -은 다음에 (after V-ing) and ten chore words. 3 Korean Adnominal: Describing People (키가 큰 사람) The Korean present adnominal: put a description before the noun — 키가 큰 사람 (a tall person), 웃는 얼굴 (a smiling face). Adjectives take -(으)ㄴ, verbs take -는. 4 Korean Clothes Shopping: 입어 보세요 + Past Adnominal Shop for clothes in Korean: 한번 입어 보세요 (try it on), 어제 산 옷 (the clothes I bought). Learn the past adnominal -(으)ㄴ, -어 보다 (try doing), and the 으-irregular. 5 Asking Directions in Korean: -다가, ㄷ-Irregular, and (으)로 Asking directions in Korean: go straight (쭉 가다가), then turn right (오른쪽으로 가세요). Learn -다가 for mid-action switches, the ㄷ-irregular (걷다→걸어요), and the direction particle (으)로. 6 Korean Transport & Travel Time: 에서부터, -는 동안에, 걸리다 Talk about transport and travel time in Korean: from home it takes an hour (집에서부터 한 시간 걸려요). Learn 에서부터 (from a start point), -는 동안에 (during), and 이/가 걸리다 (time taken). 7 Korean at the Post Office: 에게/한테, 에게서, and -어 주다 At the Korean post office: please send this parcel to Busan (이 소포를 부산에 보내 주세요). Learn the person particles 에게/한테 (to) and 에게서/한테서 (from), plus -어 주다 for asking a favor. 8 Korean Public Places & Etiquette: -어도 되다, -으면 안 되다, 밖에 Korean public-place etiquette: may I take photos here? (여기에서 사진을 찍어도 돼요?). Learn -어도 되다 (may / it's okay to), -으면 안 되다 (must not), and 밖에 (only, always with a negative). 9 Korean at the Doctor's: -을 때 (When) + Symptom Words Korean -을 때 means “when / at the time of”: 아플 때 오세요 (come when you're sick). Learn it with the symptom and body words you need to describe a cold, fever, or cough at a Korean clinic. 10 Korean at the Pharmacy: -으면 (If) and -지 마세요 (Don't) Korean pharmacy basics: -으면 means “if” (아프면 = if you're sick) and -지 마세요 means “don't” (술은 마시지 마세요). Learn to read a dosage — 하루에 세 번, 식후 30분 — and follow a pharmacist. 11 Korean -는 것 같다: “I Think / It Seems” + Feeling Words Korean -는 것 같다 softens a guess — 기분이 안 좋은 것 같아요 (you seem down). Learn it with emotion words (슬프다, 기쁘다, 화나다) and -는데요 for mild surprise (잘하는데요!). 12 Korean -을까 봐: “Worried That…” + Comforting Words Korean -을까 봐 expresses worry: 시험을 못 볼까 봐 걱정이에요 (I'm worried I'll fail the exam). Learn it with comforting words (힘내다, 괜찮다, 잘될 거예요) and -는 게 어때요? for gentle advice. 13 Korean -은 지 and -은 적이 있다: Your Time and Tales in Korea Korean -은 지 counts how long it's been since something happened (온 지 1년 됐어요 — it's been a year), and -은 적이 있다 means you've done it before. 14 Korean -기로 하다 and -거나: Making Travel Plans Korean -기로 하다 means you've decided to do something (제주도에 가기로 했어요 — we decided on Jeju), and -거나 lists choices: hike or watch a movie. Plan a trip aloud. 15 Korean -을래요 and 에다가: Making a Reservation Korean -을래요 states what you'll have or asks what someone wants (뭐 먹을래요?), and 에다가 marks where to write or place something: 여기에다 쓰세요. Book a table in Korean. 16 Korean -어 있다 vs -고 있다: Describing a Room and Old Photos Korean -어 있다 marks a resulting STATE (사진이 걸려 있어요 — a photo is hanging), while -고 있다 marks action in progress. Plus -기 turns verbs into nouns. 17 Korean 께 and -군요: Inviting People and Saying 'Oh, I See!' Korean 께 is the polite way to say 'to' someone you respect (부모님께 — to one's parents), and -군(요) is how you react with 'ah, I see!' (그렇군요!). 18 Korean -는 것 and -으면서: Talk About Cooking Together Korean -는 것 turns a whole verb phrase into a noun (요리하는 것 — cooking), and -으면서 means doing two things at once (음악을 들으면서 — while listening to music). 19 Korean Phone Calls: 여보세요, -게, and 바꿔 주세요 Korean phone calls start with 여보세요 (hello?), use 바꿔 주세요 to ask for someone, and -게 to say “so that” — 잘 들리게 말해 주세요 (please speak so I can hear). 20 Declining Politely in Korean: -기 때문에, -는데, -을 수밖에 없다 To decline politely in Korean, use -기 때문에 (because), -는데 to soften (가고 싶은데… — I'd love to, but), and -을 수밖에 없다 (I have no choice but to). 21 Korean 합니다체: The Formal-Polite Register for Presentations Korean's formal register uses -습니다/-ㅂ니다 (먹습니다, 갑니다) for presentations and news, plus -을 것 for written rules and -음 for memos and notices. 22 Korean 반말: How to Speak Casually with Close Friends Korean 반말 drops 요 for casual speech among close friends — 밥 먹었어?, 같이 가자, 나야 — but only with people you're close to, and only after you both agree to switch. 23 Korean -게 되다 and 마다: Telling How You've Changed Korean -게 되다 says you came to or ended up in a state — 한국 음식을 좋아하게 됐어요 (I've come to like it) — and 마다 means every, as in 날마다 or 주말마다 (every weekend). 24 Korean Grade 2 Complete: 45 Grammar Points + Mini TOPIK Test You finished Korean grade 2: all 45 grammar points across 24 lessons — chapter recaps, a 10-item self-check, a mini TOPIK I quiz, and what comes next. 📦 Korean Place Vocabulary: Everyday Locations You Need to Know Learn Korean words for everyday places — school, office, hospital, convenience store and more. With location particles, example sentences, and culture notes. 📦 Korean Directions & Position Vocabulary: Never Get Lost Again Left, right, straight, across from — Korean direction and position words with the grammar to use them. Includes asking-for-directions phrases and a navigation dialogue. 📦 Transportation in Korea: Vocabulary for Getting Around Like a Local Master Korean transportation vocabulary — subway, buses, taxis, KTX and more. Includes T-money tips, real example sentences, and the phrases Koreans actually use. 📦 Korean Nature & Weather Vocabulary: Seasons, Sky, and Small Talk Korean weather and nature words — seasons, rain, fine dust, mountains and more. The vocabulary Koreans use daily for small talk, with example sentences. 📦 Home Appliances in Korea: The Vocabulary You Need for Daily Life Korean home appliance vocabulary explained — from 밥솥 (rice cooker) to 공기청정기 (air purifier). With usage tips, ondol culture notes, and real example sentences.
3 Level 3 · TOPIK 3 Work, devices, real conversations · 30 lessons
1 Korean -는 중이다 and -었었-: Catching Up at the 어학당 Korean -는 중이다 means you're in the middle of doing something (공부하는 중이에요), and -었었- marks a past that's no longer true. Plus the friendly 요 particle. 2 Korean -이고, -은 편이다 and -고 싶어 하다: Talking About Campus Life Korean -이고 links noun facts (경영학과이고 1학년이에요), -은 편이다 softens to 'rather/on the ~ side' (조용한 편이에요), and -고 싶어 하다 reports someone ELSE's wish at university. 3 Korean -거든요 vs -잖아요: Explaining Yourself to a Friend Korean -거든요 gives a reason your friend doesn't know yet (피곤하거든요), while -잖아요 reminds them of something you BOTH already know (약속했잖아요), remember? 4 Korean -느라고, -고 말다 and -어야겠다: How to Apologize Korean -느라고 says X took your time so Y failed (공부하느라고 연락 못 했어요), -고 말다 means you ended up doing it (늦고 말았어요), and -어야겠다 = I'd better, for a full apology. 5 Korean -나 보다 and -은가 보다: Guessing From What You See Korean -나 보다 guesses from evidence with verbs (비가 오나 봐요), -은가 보다 pairs with adjectives (추운가 봐요), and -는 모양이다 says it appears so — guessing how others feel. 6 Korean -어지다, -어 오다, -어 가다: A Fitness Journey Korean -어지다 means become (건강해졌어요), -어 오다 covers what you've done up to now (운동해 왔어요), and -어 가다 covers what keeps going from here, plus the ㅅ-irregular 낫다. 7 Korean -을 텐데 and -을 테니까: Asking Favors Politely Korean -을 텐데 softens a request (바쁘실 텐데…), -을 테니까 gives your reason (제가 할 테니까…), -기는요 downplays praise, and 만 아니면 means if it weren't for. 8 Korean -어 보이다, 같이, 만큼: Giving Compliments Korean -어 보이다 means look or seem (어려 보여요), the particle 같이 means like (얼음같이 차갑다), and 만큼 means as much as (형만큼 키가 커요) — for compliments and humble replies. 9 Korean -으려면, -는 대신에, -는 반면(에): House-Hunting at the 부동산 Korean -으려면 means in order to (집을 구하려면), -는 대신에 is instead/in exchange, and -는 반면에 is whereas — the trade-off grammar you need to rent a place. 10 Korean -어야, -어야지(요), 대로: Opening a Bank Account Korean -어야 means only if/you must (신분증이 있어야 계좌를 만들어요), -어야지요 is one really ought to, and 대로 means just as / according to (설명서대로) — admin Korean for the bank. 11 Korean -었더니, -다가, -으려다(가): Getting a Device Repaired Korean -었더니 means I did X (past) and then found Y (껐다 켰더니 잘돼요), -다가 switches mid-action (쓰다가 멈췄어요), and -으려다가 is tried to but… — narrate a device breakdown. 12 Korean -어 가지고, -으면 안 되다, 뿐 (+ㅎ-irregular): Exchanges & Refunds Korean -어 가지고 is a casual 'and so' (작아 가지고 교환하러 왔어요), -으면 안 되다 means must not (영수증이 없으면 안 돼요), and 뿐 means only — plus ㅎ-irregular colors. 13 Korean -기 위해(서), 에 대해(서), 으로부터: Job Hunting Korean -기 위해(서) means 'in order to' (취직하기 위해서 — to get a job), 에 대해(서) means 'about/regarding', and 으로부터 marks a formal 'from' (회사로부터 — from the company). 14 Korean -도록, -고 나다, -은 결과: The Job Interview Korean -도록 means 'so that / to the extent that' (늦지 않도록 일찍 출발했어요), -고 나다 means 'after finishing' (면접을 보고 나니 후련해요), and -은 결과 means 'as a result of' (열심히 준비한 결과 합격했어요). 15 Korean Written Style -ㄴ다/-다 and -(으)나: Keeping a Diary Korean written style uses plain -ㄴ다/-는다/-다 (오늘은 비가 온다, 날씨가 춥다, 나는 학생이다) instead of 해요, with past -았/었다 and -(으)ㄹ 것이다; -(으)나 is a formal 'but'. 16 Korean -게 하다, -어/아 드리다, -자마자: Your First Week at Work Korean -게 하다 means 'make/let someone do' (야근하게 하다 — make someone work overtime), -어/아 드리다 is the humble 'do for someone honored' (복사해 드리다), and -자마자 means 'as soon as' (출근하자마자 — as soon as I get to work). 17 Korean -어도/아도 and -으면 좋겠다: Traditional Holidays Korean -어도/아도 means 'even if / even though' (길이 막혀도 — even if the roads are jammed), and -으면 좋겠다 means 'I wish / I hope' (건강하시면 좋겠어요 — I hope you stay healthy). 18 Korean -어/아 놓다, -어/아 두다, -은 다음에: Holiday Preparations Korean -어/아 놓다 means to do something in advance and leave it that way (만들어 놓다), -어/아 두다 means to do and keep it for later (사 두다), and -은/ㄴ 다음에 means 'after (doing)' (청소한 다음에). 19 Korean -던, -던데(요), -어/아다가: Telling Travel Stories Korean -던 recalls an unfinished or habitual past (자주 가던 카페 — the cafe I used to go to), -던데(요) adds a recollection plus reaction, and -어/아다가 carries one action over into the next. 20 Korean Casual Speech Deepened: -자, -니?, -구나, and 아/야 Korean casual speech (반말): -자 means 'let's' (영화 보자), -니? asks a casual question (어디 가니?), -는구나/-구나 shows realization (벌써 끝났구나), and 아/야 calls a name (민수야, 지은아). 21 Korean Direct Quotation: "…"(이)라고 하다 and 보고 Korean direct quotation repeats someone's exact words with "…"(이)라고 하다 (친구가 "고마워"라고 했어요), and 보고 casually marks the listener you spoke or relayed a quote to (동생보고 빨리 오라고 했어요). 22 Korean Indirect Quotation: -다고 하다 and -(느)냐고 하다 Korean indirect quotation relays statements with -다고 하다 (내일 온다고 했어요) and questions with -(느)냐고 하다 (어디 가냐고 물었어요), reshaping the verb instead of quoting word for word. 23 Korean Quoting Commands & Requests: -(으)라고 하다 and -자고 하다 Korean relays commands with -(으)라고 하다 (빨리 오라고 했어요 — told me to come quickly), suggestions with -자고 하다 (같이 가자고 했어요), and requests with -어/아 달라고 하다 (for the speaker) vs -어/아 주라고 하다 (for a third party). 24 Korean Passing Messages: -거든 and -(으)니 Korean relays instructions with conditional -거든 (사장님이 오시거든 전해 주세요 — when the boss comes, pass this on) and reports a discovery with -(으)니 (집에 가니 아무도 없었어요 — when I got home, no one was there). 25 Korean Onomatopoeia & Mimetic Words: 반짝반짝, 두근두근, and -은/는/을 만큼 Korean 의성어 (sound words like 주룩주룩) and 의태어 (manner words like 반짝반짝) make stories vivid, and -은/는/을 만큼 means 'to the extent that' (노력한 만큼 결과가 나와요). 26 Korean Passive Verbs (피동): 이/히/리/기, -어지다, and -어 있다 Korean passive verbs use the infixes 이/히/리/기 (문이 닫혀요 — the door closes), -어/아지다 builds passives for other verbs (만들어지다 — be made), and -어 있다 marks the resulting state (문이 닫혀 있어요 — the door is closed). 27 Reading Korean News (보도체): Decoding Report Style Korean news uses 보도체 (report style): written endings -ㄴ다/-었다/-ㄹ 전망이다, attributed speech ~에 따르면 …-다고 한다 / -라고 밝혔다, and passive headlines. A capstone reading lesson that ties Level 3 together. 28 Korean Grade 3 Complete: 67 Grammar Points + Mini TOPIK II Test You finished Korean grade 3 — all 67 grammar points across 28 lessons: indirect quotation, passive verbs, written style, and reading the news. Chapter recaps, a 10-item self-check, and a mini TOPIK II quiz. 📦 Korean Job Vocabulary: Occupations, Workplace Words, and How to Say What You Do Korean job and occupation vocabulary — common professions, workplace terms, and natural patterns for talking about your career. With honorific tips and examples. 📦 Korean Electronics Vocabulary: Devices, Chargers, and Tech Talk Talk about phones, laptops and gadgets in Korean — devices, accessories, and the verbs that go with them. Includes Yongsan market culture note and tech phrases.
4 Level 4 · TOPIK 4 Workplace Korean, media, idioms · 28 lessons
1 Korean Workplace Reporting: -는 대로, -더라도, -고서 Korean reports work with -는 대로 (도착하는 대로 보고하겠습니다 — I'll report as soon as I arrive), concedes with -더라도 (시간이 걸리더라도 — even if it takes time), and sequences steps with -고서 (확인하고서 결재를 올려요 — I check and then submit for approval). 2 Korean Business Email: -고자 and -기에 Korean business email states intent with -고자 (회의 일정을 안내해 드리고자 합니다 — I would like to inform you of the meeting schedule) and gives a formal reason with -기에 (자료가 준비되었기에 보내 드립니다 — as the materials are ready, I'm sending them; 답장이 늦었기에 사과드립니다 — since my reply was late, I apologize). 3 Korean Meeting Phrases: -다시피, -는지, -나(요) Korean meetings anchor shared facts with -다시피 (아시다시피 일정이 빠듯합니다 — as you know, the schedule is tight), embed questions with -는지 (예산이 충분한지 모르겠어요 — I'm not sure whether the budget is enough), and soften questions with -나(요) (동의하시나요? — do you agree?; 가능한가요? — is it possible?). 4 Korean Causative Verbs: 사동 (-이/히/리/기/우-, -게 하다, 시키다) Korean makes someone do something three ways: morphological causatives (먹다→먹이다 feed, 자다→재우다 put to sleep), -게 하다 (학생들에게 발표하게 했어요 — I had the students present), and 시키다 (부장님이 발표를 시키셨어요 — the boss made me present). 5 Korean Rumor Quotes: -대요, -래요, -재요, -냬요 Korean contracts indirect quotes for gossip: -ㄴ/는대요 (둘이 사귄대요 — I hear they're dating), -(으)래요 (빨리 오래요 — they say come quick), -재요 (만나재요 — they suggest we meet), -냬요 (언제 오냬요 — they ask when you're coming), plus -다면서요? to confirm a rumor. 6 Korean Retrospective: -던데, -더라, -더군 Korean relays what you witnessed with -던데 (분위기가 좋던데요 — the vibe was good, I saw), reports casually with -더라 (그 영화 재미있더라 — that movie was fun, let me tell you), and notes a realization with -더군 (시간이 빠르더군요 — time really flew, I noticed). 7 Korean Surprise Reactions: -다니, 까지 Korean reacts with shock using -다니 (그게 정말이라니요! — you mean it's actually true?!), and piles on the unexpected with 까지 (너까지 몰랐다니! — even you didn't know?!), backed by 설마 (no way) and 어쩐지 (no wonder). 8 Korean -더니, -어서인지: Noticing Change Korean marks change you witnessed with -더니 (전에는 조용하더니 많이 변했네요 — he used to be quiet, but he's changed a lot), gives a tentative cause with -어서인지 (피곤해서인지 집중이 안 돼요 — maybe because I'm tired, I can't focus), and wishes with 만 같아도 (마음만 같아도 — if only intention were enough). 9 Korean Drama Reviews: -거니와, -고요 Korean stacks praise with -거니와 (연기도 좋거니와 음악도 최고예요 — not only is the acting good, the music is the best too) and tacks on afterthoughts with sentence-final -고(요) (배우들 연기도 훌륭하고요 — and the actors' performances are great too). 10 K-pop & Fandom Korean: 이야, (이)나마 K-pop fan talk leans on (이)야 for 'as for … (of course)' (팬이야 당연히 콘서트에 가지요 — as for a fan, of course they go to concerts) and (이)나마 for 'even if just / at least' (멀리서나마 응원해요 — I cheer them on, even if from afar). 11 Korean Slang & Abbreviations: 이란, -는다거나 Korean defines a term with (이)란 ('갑분싸'란 무슨 뜻이에요? — what does '갑분싸' mean?) and lists example cases with -(느)ㄴ다거나 (글자를 딴다거나 단어를 줄인다거나 해요 — things like taking initials or shortening words). 12 Korean Event Reviews: -고 보니, -는 듯, -을 모양이다 Korean event reviews use -고 보니 for 'once I actually did it, I found…' (막상 가고 보니 기대 이상이었어요 — when I actually went, it was beyond expectations), -는 듯 for 'seeming like' (다들 만족한 듯 보였어요 — everyone seemed satisfied), and -을 모양이다 for 'it looks likely to' (행사가 취소될 모양이에요 — it looks like the event will be cancelled). 13 Korean Accident Stories: -는 바람에, -을 뻔하다 Korean accident stories lean on -는 바람에 for an unexpected cause (넘어지는 바람에 폰이 깨졌어요 — I tripped, and as a result my phone broke), -을 뻔하다 for a near-miss (부딪힐 뻔했어요 — I almost crashed into it), and passive verbs like 깨지다·찢어지다 to say what got damaged. 14 Korean Excuses & Causes: -는 사이에, -는 탓에, -는 통에 Korean pins down what went wrong with -는 사이에 (잠깐 한눈판 사이에 일이 벌어졌어요 — it all happened while I looked away for a second), blames a bad cause with -는 탓에 (비가 온 탓에 길이 미끄러웠어요 — the road was slippery because it rained), and points to chaos with -는 통에 (아이가 우는 통에 정신이 없었어요 — the kid was crying and I couldn't think straight). 15 Korean Incident News: (으)로 인해, 마저 Reading Korean disaster news means handling formal cause with (으)로 인해 (폭우로 인해 도로가 통제되었습니다 — due to heavy rain, the road was closed), 마저 for 'even the last one too' (비상구마저 막혀 있었습니다 — even the emergency exit was blocked), and the written passive register: 통제되다, 발생하다, 확인되었음. 16 Korean Expressing Regret: -(으)ㄹ걸, -아/어 버리다, -나 싶다 Korean voices regret with -(으)ㄹ걸 그랬다 (그때 살걸 그랬어요 — I should have bought it then), marks finality with -아/어 버리다 (다 먹어 버렸어요 — I went and ate it all), and second-guesses with -나 싶다 (괜히 샀나 싶어요 — I wonder if I shouldn't have bought it). 17 Korean Graphs & Statistics: 에 따르면, 에 비해, -(으)ㄹ수록 Korean describes data with 에 따르면 to cite a source (조사 결과에 따르면 절반이 넘습니다 — according to the survey, it's over half), 에 비해 to compare (작년에 비해 두 배 늘었습니다 — it doubled compared to last year), and -(으)ㄹ수록 for trends (소득이 높을수록 소비도 늘어납니다 — the higher the income, the more spending rises). 18 Korean Environment Talk: -는 한, (이)든 -든지 Korean talks about the environment with -는 한 to set a condition (포기하지 않는 한 늦지 않았어요 — as long as we don't give up, it's not too late) and (이)든 -든지 for free choice (플라스틱이든 유리든 분리수거하세요 — whether it's plastic or glass, sort your recycling), built on theme words like 분리수거, 재활용, and 일회용품. 19 Korean Education Debate: 은/는커녕, 치고, -다면 Korean opinions on education lean on 은/는커녕 to flip an expectation (쉬기는커녕 밤까지 공부해요 — far from resting, kids study till night), 치고 to qualify a judgment (초보치고 잘해요 — good for a beginner), and -다면 to suppose (제가 부모라면 다르게 하겠어요 — if I were a parent, I'd do it differently). 20 Korean Social Change: -는 줄 알다, (이)면, -(으)려야 Korean talks about social change with -는 줄 알다/모르다 for what you (didn't) realize (이렇게 변할 줄 몰랐어요 — I never thought it'd change like this), (이)면 for 'given / whenever' (주말이면 사람이 많아요 — whenever it's the weekend, it's crowded), and -(으)려야 -(으)ㄹ 수 없다 for 'try as you might, you can't' (막으려야 막을 수 없어요 — can't stop it however you try). 21 Korean Proverbs & Body Idioms ①: -듯이, -아라/어라 Korean idioms lean on -듯이 to say 'just like' (물 쓰듯이 돈을 써요 — spends money like water), the plain imperative -아라/어라 for proverbs and sayings (돌다리도 두들겨 보고 건너라 — even a stone bridge, tap it before you cross), plus body idioms like 손이 크다 (generous) and 발이 넓다 (well-connected). 22 Korean Favors & Soft Refusals: -는 김에, -고 해서, (이)라도 Korean piggybacks a favor with -는 김에 (나온 김에 부탁 하나만 할게요 — while I'm out, let me ask one favor), stacks soft reasons with -고 해서 (비도 오고 해서 그냥 집에 있었어요 — partly because it was raining, I just stayed in), and offers a fallback with (이)라도 (다음에 차라도 한잔해요 — let's at least grab a coffee sometime). 23 Korean Complaints & Conflict: -고 들다, -고도, -아/어 대다 Korean conflict talk leans on three loaded auxiliaries: -고 들다 for coming at someone aggressively (왜 자꾸 따지고 들어요? — why do you keep nitpicking?), -고도 for a contradiction (잘못하고도 사과를 안 해요 — does wrong and still won't apologize), and -아/어 대다 for annoying repetition (계속 불평을 해 대요 — keeps grumbling on and on). 24 Korean Banmal ②: -아/어야지, -게 (Resolutions & Chiding) Banmal resolutions and chiding run on two endings: -아/어야지 for a self-directed resolution or a mild scolding (내일부터 진짜 운동해야지! — I'm really gonna work out from tomorrow!; 약속은 지켜야지 — you've gotta keep your promises), and -게? for a casual 'what for?' question (어디 가게? — where you off to?). 25 Korean Job Interview Language: -으로서, -을 따름이다, -이며 Korean interviews lean on formal grammar: -으로서 states your role (지원자로서 최선을 다하겠습니다 — as an applicant I'll do my best), -을 따름이다 sounds humble (감사할 따름입니다 — I'm simply grateful), and -이며 lists qualities in writing (성실하며 책임감이 강합니다 — I'm diligent and have a strong sense of responsibility). 26 Korean Presentation Language: -(으)며, -(으)로써, signposting Korean presentations run on formal signposting: -(으)며 does two things at once (자료를 보시며 들어 주십시오 — please listen while looking at the handout), and -(으)로써 marks the means or the wrap-up (노력으로써 목표를 이뤘습니다 — we reached the goal through effort; 이로써 발표를 마치겠습니다 — with this, I’ll conclude). 27 Korean Formal Written Register: -(으)므로, 에 의하여, -는다 Formal Korean writing uses -는다, not 해요: 규정을 위반했으므로 책임을 진다 (because they broke the rule, they take responsibility), 법에 의하여 정해진다 (is determined by law), 통계에 의하면 인구가 줄고 있다 (according to statistics, the population is shrinking) — the register of TOPIK II essays and reports. 28 Korean Grade 4 Complete: 67 Grammar Points + Mini TOPIK II You finished Korean grade 4 — all 67 grammar points across 28 lessons: causative verbs, quotation contractions, statistics for TOPIK II writing, idioms, and formal written register. Chapter recaps, a 10-item self-check, and a mini TOPIK II quiz.
5 Level 5 · TOPIK 5 News, business, nuance · 24 lessons
1 Korean Experience Storytelling: -더라고요, -데요, -었던 Korean shares lived experience with -더라고요 (직접 살아 보니까 다르더라고요 — living there myself, I found it really is different), reports what you saw firsthand with -데요 (그 집 진짜 맛있데요 — I tried it, it really was good), and recalls the past with -었던/-던 (예전에 살았던 동네 — the neighborhood I used to live in). 2 Korean Advanced Reactions: -다니, -네, -는걸 Korean reacts with feeling using -다니 for disbelief (벌써 10년이라니 — I can't believe it's already been 10 years), -네 for fresh realization (비가 오네 — oh, it's raining), and -는걸 for a surprised impression that gently counters (생각보다 쉬운걸요 — it's easier than I thought, actually). 3 Korean Shades of Guessing: -는 듯하다, -으려나 보다 Korean softens a guess with -는 듯하다 (모두 떠난 듯해요 — everyone seems to have left) and wonders aloud about what's coming with -으려나 보다 (비가 오려나 봐요 — looks like it might rain), letting you place each conjecture on a ladder of confidence from hunch to evidence. 4 Sageuk Korean Drama Speech: -거라, -을 테다, -을 테면 Korean historical dramas (사극) speak with archaic forms you only need to recognize: -거라 for old-fashioned commands (잘 가거라 — go well), -을 테다 for defiant resolve (끝까지 가 볼 테다 — I'll see it through to the end), and -을 테면 for a dare (올 테면 와 봐라 — come if you dare), alongside courtly address like 전하 and 자네. 5 Korean News Headlines: -다, 에 관하여, -는 가운데 Korean writes headlines with the clipped declarative -다 (정부, 새 정책 발표하다 — Government announces new policy), frames a topic with 에 관하여 (환경 문제에 관하여 논의했다 — discussed regarding the environment), and sets the backdrop with -는 가운데 (우려가 커지는 가운데 — amid growing concern). 6 Korean Economy News: 에도 불구하고, -는데도, -는데도 불구하고 Korean concedes against the facts with 에도 불구하고 (노력에도 불구하고 물가가 안 잡힌다 — despite the effort, prices won't come down), with -는데도 (금리를 올리는데도 물가가 안 잡혀요 — even though they raise rates, prices won't settle), and with the emphatic -는데도 불구하고 (열심히 하는데도 불구하고 — even though they try hard, in spite of it all). 7 Korean Media Literacy: 조차, -기만 하다, -을 법하다 Korean fact-checks with 조차 ((not) even — 제목조차 안 읽고 공유해요, people share without even reading the headline), -기만 하다 (only/just do — 믿기만 하면 안 돼요, you can't just believe it), and -을 법하다 (plausible-sounding — 있을 법한 이야기지만 사실은 아니에요, it sounds plausible but it isn't fact). 8 Korean Word-of-Mouth Shopping: -는다기에, -자기에, -길래 Korean buys on hype with -는다기에 (좋다기에 샀어요 — since they said it's good, I bought it), -자기에 (같이 사자기에 또 샀어요 — since they suggested buying together, I bought again), and -길래 (다들 좋다길래 — because everyone was raving about it). 9 Korean Work-Life Balance: 따라, -게 생겼다, -고는 하다 Korean gripes about work with 따라 (오늘따라 일이 많아요 — for some reason there's so much work today), forecasts a bad outcome with -게 생겼다 (또 야근하게 생겼어요 — looks like I'll be stuck working late again), and recalls habits with -고는 하다 (가끔 주말에도 나오고는 해요 — I do sometimes end up coming in on weekends too). 10 Advanced Korean Honorifics: 압존법, 간접높임, -기에 앞서 Advanced Korean honorifics open a meeting with -기에 앞서 (회의를 시작하기에 앞서 한 말씀 드리겠습니다 — before we begin the meeting, let me say a word), honor a superior's attribute indirectly with 간접높임 (사장님은 따님이 있으세요 — the president has a daughter), and fix over-honorific service errors (커피 나오셨습니다 ✗ → 커피 나왔습니다 ○). 11 Korean Negotiation: -는 이상, -을지라도, -으면 몰라도 Korean negotiates with -는 이상 (계약한 이상 지켜야죠 — now that we've signed, we have to keep it), holds the line with -을지라도 (무슨 일이 있을지라도 — no matter what happens), and floats conditions with -으면 몰라도 (돈을 더 주시면 몰라도 — if you paid more, maybe, but otherwise no). 12 Korean Business Emails: -을 테지만, 를 가지고 Korean writes business emails with -을 테지만 (바쁘실 테지만 부탁드립니다 — you must be busy, but I'd like to ask), and frames a topic or material with 를 가지고 (이 자료를 가지고 발표하겠습니다 — I'll present using this material), softened by cushion phrases like 죄송하지만 (sorry to bother you) and 번거로우시겠지만 (I know it's a hassle). 13 Korean Academic Writing: Posing the Question with -는가, 이라든가 Korean essays open by posing the problem in written register: -는가 frames a formal question (왜 교육이 중요한가 — why does education matter?), 이라든가 lists examples (교육이라든가 복지라든가 — things like education or welfare), and -음 jots the outline. The launchpad for TOPIK II writing question 54. 14 Korean Essay Generalization: -기 마련이다, -는 법이다, -기가 쉽다 Korean argumentative essays generalize a claim with -기 마련이다 (경쟁이 붙으면 가격은 내려가기 마련이다 — prices are bound to fall when competition kicks in), state a rule with -는 법이다 (노력하면 성공하는 법이다 — effort is the way to success), and flag a tendency with -기가 쉽다 (오해하기가 쉽다 — it's easy to misunderstand). The TOPIK II writing-54 generalization toolkit. 15 Korean Cause & Effect Writing: -은 나머지, -는다는 것이, -어 내다 Korean essays chain cause to effect with -은 나머지 (너무 긴장한 나머지 말을 잊었다 — so nervous that I forgot my words), flag intention-result mismatch with -는다는 것이 (줄인다는 것이 오히려 늘었다 — I meant to cut it but it grew instead), and narrate hard-won achievement with -어 내다 (마침내 원인을 밝혀 냈다 — they finally managed to uncover the cause). The body-paragraph engine for TOPIK II question 54. 16 Korean Essay Counterargument: -느니, 는 말할 것도 없고, -지 Korean argumentative essays rebut the other side with -느니 (금지하느니 차라리 가르치는 게 낫다 — rather than ban it, better to teach it), pile on with 는 말할 것도 없고 (어른은 말할 것도 없고 아이도 안다 — not to mention adults, even kids know), and sharpen a claim with -지 (실력이지 운이 아니다 — it's skill, not luck). The rebuttal stage of TOPIK II writing question 54. 17 Korean Demographic Trends: -을뿐더러, -는 데다가, -는 동시에 Korean stacks cumulative trends with -을뿐더러 (출산율이 낮을뿐더러 고령화까지 심하다 — not only is the birth rate low, but aging is severe too), piles on with -는 데다가 (일이 많은 데다가 사람도 부족하다 — on top of having a lot of work, there's a staff shortage), and links simultaneous developments with -는 동시에 (성장하는 동시에 격차도 커졌다 — it grew while the gap widened at the same time). 18 Korean Education & Society: -기 나름이다, -기에 따라 Korean says outcomes hinge on the doer with -기 나름이다 (결과는 생각하기 나름이에요 — the result depends on how you think about it), and frames a variable that decides everything with -기에 따라 (마음먹기에 따라 달라져요 — it changes depending on how you set your mind), the two patterns Koreans reach for when debating exams and private education. 19 Korean Nunchi & Saving Face: -는 척하다, -은 채로, -다가는 Korean talks about face and social radar with -는 척하다 (아무렇지 않은 척했어요 — I pretended it was nothing), describes leaving something as-is with -은 채로 (구두를 신은 채로 들어갔어요 — I went in with my shoes still on), and warns of a bad result with -다가는 (이러다가는 늦겠어요 — if we keep this up, we'll be late). 20 Korean Four-Character Idioms (사자성어): 설상가상, 고진감래 & 10 More Korean sprinkles four-character idioms (사자성어) into speech and news columns to compress a whole situation into four syllables: 설상가상 (one misfortune on another), 고진감래 (no pain no gain), 새옹지마 (a blessing in disguise). This lesson teaches a working set of ten plus the timing grammar -기가 바쁘게/무섭게 (the instant you do X). 21 Softening Korean Speech: -을 만하다 (Understandable / Worth It) and -지 않을까 싶다 Korean softens and empathizes with -을 만하다, which carries two senses — 'understandable that' (화가 날 만해요 — no wonder you're angry) and 'worth doing' (가 볼 만해요 — it's worth a visit) — and hedges an opinion with -지 않을까 싶다 (비가 오지 않을까 싶어요 — I wonder if it might not rain). Together with cushion language, this is how Koreans disagree gently and recommend tactfully. 22 Korean Pushback & Emphasis: -는다니, -고말고 (and recognizing -으려고) Korean pushes back on a statement with the echo question -는다니 (포기하라니요? — you're telling me to give up?!), agrees emphatically with -고말고 (되고말고요! — of course it'll work!), and you'll learn to recognize the suspicious rhetorical -으려고 (설마 속이려고? — surely not trying to trick me?). 23 Korean Register Switching: Spoken, Written, and Formal Korean says the same thing three ways depending on register: spoken (구어 '기름값 올라서 너무 힘들어' — gas prices went up, it's so rough), written/article (문어 '유가 상승으로 가계 부담이 커지고 있다' — household burdens are growing due to rising oil prices), and formal report (격식 '유가 상승에 따라 가계 부담이 가중되고 있는 것으로 분석된다' — it is analyzed that the burden is intensifying as oil prices rise). 24 Korean Grade 5 Complete: 56 Grammar Points + Mini TOPIK II You finished Korean grade 5 — all 56 grammar points across 24 lessons: retrospective nuance, news and written register, advanced honorifics, the TOPIK II essay thread, and hedging. Chapter recaps, a 10-item self-check, and a mini TOPIK II quiz.
6 Level 6 · TOPIK 6 Near-native — debate, literature · 24 lessons
1 Korean Science Discourse: -되 (do X, but) and -이라야 (only if it is) Read and discuss science in Korean with two formal connectors: -되 grants something while attaching a caveat (실험은 하되, 안전 수칙은 지켜야 한다 — experiment, but follow the safety rules), and -이라야/-라야 marks the one condition that will do (검증된 결과라야 믿는다 — only verified results are believed), plus the academic suffixes -성, -화, -론. 2 Korean Psychology Discourse: -을라치면 (whenever you try to), -노라면, -기 일쑤이다 Talk about the mind in formal Korean with three written-register forms: -을라치면 means the moment one tries to do X something interferes (쉴라치면 일이 생긴다 — the moment I try to rest, something comes up), -노라면 means as one keeps doing X a realization follows (일하노라면 시간 가는 줄 모른다 — when I keep working I lose track of time), and -기 일쑤이다 means one tends to do X (미루기 일쑤다 — tends to procrastinate). 3 Korean Economics Discourse: 마는 (it did, but), 이라면 (as for), -느니만큼 Read economic news in Korean with three formal forms: 마는 is a literary 'but' attached after a finished clause (성장은 했다마는 — it did grow, but), 이라면 is the topic conditional 'when it comes to' (물가라면 얘기가 다르다 — as for prices, it is another story), and -느니만큼 means 'inasmuch as / since' (수출이 줄었느니만큼 — since exports fell). 4 Legal Korean: -은들 (even if, it’s futile), 는 마당에 (now that), and contract-style -되 Read contracts and everyday law in Korean with three formal forms: -은들 concedes that even doing X is useless (후회한들 소용없다 — even if you regret it, it’s no use), 는 마당에 means now that things have come to this (이렇게 된 마당에 — now that it’s come to this), and -되 lays down a term, do X but on these conditions (계약은 체결하되 — conclude the contract, but). 5 Opening a Korean Debate: -건대 (I ask/declare that) and -는가 (the essay question) Pose a thesis like a Korean debater. The performative preface -건대 announces your speech act (묻건대, 무엇이 공정인가 — I ask: what is fairness?), and the essayistic -는가 turns a statement into a rhetorical written question (정의란 무엇인가 — what is justice?), with the family 묻건대 / 바라건대 / 단언컨대. 6 The Art of the Korean Rebuttal: -건만, -기로서니, -으련마는 Concede, then counter. -건만 grants a point yet pushes back (노력했건만, 결과는 달랐다 — I tried hard, yet the result differed), -기로서니 says even granting X that is no excuse (아무리 급하기로서니 거짓말을 하다니 — however urgent it was, lying is no excuse), and -으련마는 voices the wistful would-be (있으련마는 — there surely would be, but…). 7 Korean Dilemma Logic: -자니 (if I try to), -을 바에(는) (rather than), -을망정 (even though) Argue both horns of a dilemma in formal Korean: -자니 sets up a problem on each side (올리자니 물가, 내리자니 경기 — raise it and prices worry me, cut it and the economy does), -을 바에(는) rejects one option for another (포기할 바에 차라리 싸우겠다 — rather than give up I will fight), and -을망정 concedes a point while standing firm (가난할망정 떳떳하다 — poor though I may be, I am upright). 8 Korean Persuasion & Intent: -는다고 (in order to / claiming) and -자면 (if we are to) Read the motive behind an act and close an argument in formal Korean: -는다고 marks the intent driving a deed (표를 얻겠다고 내놓은 공약 — a pledge put out to win votes), and -자면 sets the condition for a goal (성공하자면 원칙을 지켜야 한다 — if we are to succeed, we must keep our principles), the two tools for analyzing intent and landing a conclusion. 9 Reading Korean Poetry: -으리라, -으리오, -디 (Sowol and Dong-ju) Read Korean poems with three literary forms: -으리라 is the poetic 'I shall' of resolve (나는 잊으리라 — I shall forget), -으리오 is the rhetorical 'how could…?' (어찌 잊으리오 — how could I ever forget?), and -디 doubles an adjective for intensity (깊디깊은 — deep, so deep). We meet them in Kim Sowol and Yun Dong-ju. 10 The 하게체 Speech Level in Fiction: -게, -네, -나 (recognition) Meet 하게체, the old semi-formal speech level you read in classic fiction but do not produce: 어디 가나 (where are you off to?), 그렇네 (so it is), 어서 오게 (do come in), 잘 가게 (take care now). An older speaker uses it warmly down to a younger adult, or two old friends use it together — you only need to recognize it. Set against Hyeon Jin-geon's era. 11 Haoche in Fiction: -으오, -소, -구려, -는구려 (recognition only) Recognize the 하오체 speech level you meet in older Korean fiction — Yi Sang and Kim Yu-jeong. -으오 (어디 가시오 — where are you going), -소 (좋소 — it is good), -구려 (그렇구려 — ah, so it is), and -는구려 mark a formal-old register spoken to an equal or someone below; learners only need to recognize it, not produce it. 12 Folk Songs & Old Tales: 을랑, -거들랑, -으려도 Read Korea's folk register through Arirang and old tales. 을랑 is an old topic-or-object marker (걱정을랑 마세요 — as for worries, don't), -거들랑 is a colloquial 'if/when you do' (오거들랑 — when you come), and -으려도 means 'even trying to' (가려도 못 간다 — even trying to go, can't), all flavored with the oral, storytelling voice of 민요 and 전래동화. 13 Advanced Korean Idioms II: -기 짝이 없다, -어 치우다, and 이라고는 Three emphatic idiom patterns for near-native Korean: -기 짝이 없다 maxes out an adjective (부끄럽기 짝이 없다 — utterly shameful), -아/어 치우다 dispatches an action and clears it away (남은 일을 해치웠다 — I knocked out the rest), and N이라고는 stresses that something is missing to the last scrap (인정이라고는 없다 — not a shred of compassion). 14 Satirical Korean Proverbs: 깨나 and 이라고2 Two sardonic forms for the satirical edge of Korean: 깨나 marks 'quite a bit of' with a mocking tone (심술깨나 부리겠다 — looks like quite the troublemaker), and 이라고2 belittles a label as merely so-called (친구라고 믿었더니 배신했다 — I trusted him because he's a 'friend,' and he betrayed me). Both carry irony, the texture of Korean satirical wit. 15 Four-Character Idioms II — Stories Behind the Sayings: -라2 The literary declarative -라2 rounds off a maxim by attaching straight to a noun: 인생은 새옹지마라 = life is a blessing in disguise; 이것이 바로 인지상정이라 = this is precisely human nature. Pair it with the origin tales of 사자성어 and you can close a thought like a classical proverb. 16 Four-Character Idioms in the News: -으래서야 The rhetorical -으래서야 protests an unreasonable demand: 이대로 가래서야 되겠는가 = if we're told to just carry on like this, how can that do? Paired with news-commentary idioms like 설상가상 and 갑론을박, it lets you voice the outrage of an editorial. 17 Korean News Headline Grammar: -으리라는, -는다는 How Korean news compresses grammar. -으리라는 packs a forecast into a noun phrase (금리가 오르리라는 전망 — the forecast that rates will rise), -는다는 packs a report into one (사퇴한다는 발표 — the announcement that he will resign), and headlines drop particles, end on nouns, and ask -나/-는가 questions (또 올리나? — raising it again?). 18 Korean Editorial Style: -는다던가, -으리라고, -자면 The register of Korean op-eds. -는다던가1 echoes a claim with a critical edge (당국은 기다리라던가 — the authorities said to wait, was it?), -으리라고 reports a belief about what would happen (성공하리라고 믿었다 — they believed it would succeed), and -자면2 sets up a point to make (결론을 말하자면 — if I am to state the conclusion). 19 Korean Retrospective Questions: -던, -던가 Three retrospective forms for reflective Korean: -던 marks something you used to do or that was ongoing (내가 자주 가던 카페 — the café I used to frequent), -던가1 asks a wistful self-question (그날이 언제였던가 — when was that day, again?), and -던가2 voices a rhetorical reminiscence (그 시절이 얼마나 좋았던가 — how good those days were). 20 The Korean Formality Spectrum: One Sentence, Seven Outfits Korean dresses the same idea in many speech levels: 하십시오체 (그 사람도 갑니다) is formal-polite, 해요체 (그 사람도 가요) is everyday-polite, 해체·반말 (그 사람도 가) is casual, 한다체·문어체 (그 사람도 간다) is written-plain, and the colloquial endpoint -거들랑2 confides a reason (사실 나도 잘 모르거들랑 — the thing is, I don't really know either). 21 The Miracle on the Han: 를 막론하고 (regardless of, without exception) Read about Korea's compressed industrialization in real Korean while you learn 를 막론하고 — a formal connector meaning 'regardless of, without exception': 지위 고하를 막론하고 = regardless of high or low rank, 남녀노소를 막론하고 = young and old alike. Its near-twin 를 불문하고 works the same way. 22 Korea's Road to Democracy: -는 한이 있어도 (even at the cost of) Read about Korea's democratization movement in real Korean while you learn -는 한이 있어도 — a resolve pattern meaning 'even at the cost of, even if it should come to': 감옥에 가는 한이 있어도 뜻을 굽히지 않겠다 = even if it means going to prison, I won't bend; 굶는 한이 있어도 = even if it means going hungry. It marks extreme resolve. 23 Sageuk & Drama Korean: -는구먼, -는구만, -그려, -으니 Recognition forms from historical drama and elder speech — never produced, only understood: -는구먼 marks folksy exclamation (좋구먼 — well, it's good), -는구만 is its spelling variant, -그려 stacks on as a homespun emphatic (좋구먼그려), and -으니4 carries a chiding, old-fashioned scold (늦었으니 어쩌자는 게냐 — you're late, so what now). These belong to kings, elders, and sageuk, not to your own sentences. 24 Korean Grade 6 Complete: 56 Grammar Points + Mini TOPIK II — and the Whole Course Done You finished Korean grade 6 — all 56 advanced grammar points across 24 lessons: expert discourse, debate, literature you can now read in the original, advanced idioms, news and register, and Korea studies. This page also closes the entire 1–6 curriculum. Chapter recaps, a 10-item self-check, and a mini TOPIK II quiz.