Upper Intermediate Korean People & Relationships Vocabulary (TOPIK 5)

A complete list of 446 upper intermediate-level Korean people & relationships vocabulary words (TOPIK 5). Every word includes romanization and its English meaning, curated by a certified Korean language teacher. Filter to search, or switch levels below.

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Korean Romanization Meaning
감격 gamgyeok deep emotion, being moved
감정적 gamjeongjeok emotional, temperamental
갑갑하다 gapgaphada to be stuffy, to feel suffocated, to be frustrated
걱정거리 geokjeonggeori source of worry, cause for concern
경쾌하다 gyeongkwaehada to be light, cheerful, brisk
관대하다 gwandaehada to be generous, lenient, broad-minded
관하다 gwanhada to concern, relate to, be about
궁금증 gunggeumjeung curiosity, question in mind
근사하다 geunsahada to be wonderful, splendid, good-looking
근황 geunhwang recent situation, current state
글쓴이 geulsseuni writer, author
gi energy, spirit, vigor
기관 gigwan agency, institution, organ
기대감 gidaegam sense of anticipation, feeling of expectation
기막히다 gimakhida to be breathtaking, astonishing, awful
기발하다 gibalhada to be brilliant, ingenious, novel
기성세대 giseongsedae established generation, older generation
기세 gise energy, momentum, force
기원 giwon origin, beginning
기증 gijeung donation, contribution
긴장감 ginjanggam sense of tension, nervous feeling
깜짝하다 kkamjjakhada to startle, be startled
꼬다 kkoda to twist, braid, plait
꼬르륵 kkoreureuk gurgling (stomach sound)
꼬마 kkoma small child, little kid, tot
kkol appearance, looks, shape (often negative)
꾸짖다 kkujitda to scold, rebuke
끈기 kkeungi perseverance, tenacity
끔찍하다 kkeumjjikhada to be horrible, dreadful, terrible
nak pleasure, joy, delight
낙관 nakgwan optimism
낙관적 nakgwanjeok optimistic
낙심 naksim discouragement, dejection
낙천적 nakcheonjeok easygoing, optimistic about life
난치병 nanchibyeong incurable disease
남녀노소 namnyeonoso men and women, young and old (all people)
남다르다 namdareuda to be unique, special, different from others
남아 nama boy, young male
납작하다 napjakhada to be flat, squished
낭만 nangman romance, romanticism
낭만적 nangmanjeok romantic
nat face, countenance
낯익다 nachikda to be familiar, recognizable
내면 naemyeon inner self, interior, inner world
내뱉다 naebaetda to spit out, blurt out
내쉬다 naeswida to breathe out, exhale
내지르다 naejireuda to shout out, to let out a yell
너무하다 neomuhada to be too much, to be unreasonable, to go too far
네모나다 nemonada to be square-shaped, to be rectangular
노숙자 nosukja homeless person
노처녀 nocheonyeo unmarried older woman, spinster
노총각 nochonggak unmarried older man, bachelor
노화 nohwa aging, senescence
nom guy, fellow, creature
누다 nuda to excrete, to defecate or urinate
누렇다 nureota to be yellowish, to be pale yellow
누리다 nurida to enjoy, to have the benefit of
눈살 nunsal brow furrowing, frown
눈치채다 nunchichaeda to sense, to catch on, to notice
뉘우치다 nwiuchida to repent, to feel remorse
늘어지다 neureojida to droop, to stretch out, to become limp
능숙하다 neungsukhada to be skillful, to be proficient
다급하다 dageuphada to be urgent, to be pressing
다시다 dasida to rub, to massage
단백질 danbaekjil protein
당뇨병 dangnyobyeong diabetes
dae generation, era, stand or rack
대가족 daegajok large family, extended family
대견하다 daegyeonhada to be proud of, to be impressive
대머리 daemeori bald head, baldness
대인 daein adults, interpersonal relations
대장 daejang leader, commander, large intestine
덧나다 deonnada to worsen (of a wound), to flare up
도깨비 dokkaebi goblin, dokkaebi (Korean spirit)
도우미 doumi helper, assistant
독신 doksin celibacy, being unmarried
돋보이다 dotboida to stand out, to be conspicuous
돋우다 doduda to raise, to stimulate, to provoke
동감 donggam empathy, agreement, same feeling
동문 dongmun alumni, fellow graduate
동반 dongban accompaniment, going together
동지 dongji winter solstice, comrade
두근거리다 dugeungeorida to pound, to throb (of the heart)
두텁다 duteopda to be thick, to be deep (of friendship)
둔하다 dunhada to be dull, to be slow, to be blunt
뒤척이다 dwicheogida to toss and turn, to fidget
따돌림 ttadollim exclusion, ostracism, bullying
떠들썩하다 tteodeulsseokhada to be noisy, to be bustling
tteok suddenly, with a thud, plop
떳떳하다 tteottteothada to be upright, to have nothing to be ashamed of
또래 ttorae peer, person of the same age group
또렷하다 ttoryeothada to be clear, to be distinct
리포터 ripoteo reporter, correspondent
마비 mabi paralysis, numbness
막막하다 mangmakhada to be hopeless, to be at a loss
만병 manbyeong all ailments, every disease
맏이 maji eldest child, firstborn
말재주 maljaeju eloquence, talent for speaking
매끄럽다 maekkeureopda to be smooth, to be slippery
매력적 maeryeokjeok attractive, charming, appealing
매섭다 maeseopda to be fierce, to be harsh, to be biting
맨손 maenson bare hands, empty hands
맹세 maengse oath, vow, pledge
멍청하다 meongcheonghada to be stupid, to be foolish
멍하다 meonghada to be dazed, to be blank, to be in a stupor
메다 meda to carry on the shoulder, to shoulder
명성 myeongseong fame, reputation
모발 mobal hair (on the head)
모범생 mobeomsaeng model student, exemplary student
모친 mochin mother (formal)
목격자 mokgyeokja eyewitness
무뚝뚝하다 muttukttukhada to be blunt, to be curt, to be gruff
무시무시하다 musimusihada to be terrifying, to be dreadful
무식 musik ignorance, lack of knowledge
뭉클하다 mungkeulhada to be deeply moved, to feel a lump in throat
미녀 minyeo beautiful woman
미모 mimo beautiful appearance, good looks
미아 mia lost child
민감하다 mingamhada to be sensitive, to be susceptible
믿음직스럽다 mideumjikseureopda to be trustworthy, to be reliable
발명가 balmyeongga inventor
발표자 balpyoja presenter, speaker
방송인 bangsongin broadcaster, media personality
방황 banghwang wandering, going astray
백성 baekseong common people, subjects (of a ruler)
버럭 beoreok suddenly bursting out in anger
버릇없다 beoreuseopda to be rude, to be ill-mannered
벅차다 beokchada to be overwhelmingly full, to overflow with emotion
범죄자 beomjoeja criminal, offender
별나다 byeollada to be peculiar, to be eccentric
병명 byeongmyeong name of a disease, diagnosis name
보건소 bogeonso public health center, community clinic
보육 boyuk childcare, child-rearing
본명 bonmyeong real name, birth name
본받다 bonbatda to follow as a model, to emulate
봉사자 bongsaja volunteer worker
부담감 budamgam sense of burden, feeling of pressure
부릅뜨다 bureuptteuda to open eyes wide, to glare
부유층 buyucheung wealthy class, affluent stratum
부유하다 buyuhada to be wealthy, to be rich
부하 buha subordinate, underling; load
분주하다 bunjuhada to be busy, to be bustling
불길하다 bulgilhada to be ominous, to be foreboding
불량 bullyang defective quality, poor quality
불면증 bulmyeonjeung insomnia
불신 bulsin distrust, lack of trust
불안감 burangam sense of anxiety, feeling of unease
불우 buru misfortune, hardship, disadvantaged circumstance
불치병 bulchibyeong incurable disease, terminal illness
붉히다 bukhida to flush, to make red, to blush
비관 bigwan pessimism, despair
비관적 bigwanjeok pessimistic
비서 biseo secretary, personal assistant
빈소 binso funeral parlor, mourning room
뻘뻘 ppeolppeol profusely (sweating)
뿌듯하다 ppudeuthada to feel proud and fulfilled
사교 sagyo social interaction, socializing
사납다 sanapda to be fierce, to be savage, to be rough
사무적 samujeok businesslike, matter-of-fact
사원 sawon employee, staff member; temple
사지 saji four limbs; life-and-death situation
상갓집 sanggatjip house of the bereaved, funeral home
상견례 sanggyeollye formal meeting between families (engagement)
상냥하다 sangnyanghada to be gentle, to be kind, to be sweet
상류층 sangnyucheung upper class, high social stratum
상반신 sangbansin upper body
상실 sangsil loss, deprivation
새댁 saedaek newlywed woman, bride
새하얗다 saehayata to be pure white, to be bright white
서글프다 seogeulpeuda to be sad and forlorn, to be melancholy
서먹하다 seomeokhada to be awkward, to feel distant or uncomfortable
서민 seomin common people, ordinary folk
seon line, stripe
선두 seondu front, lead position
선행 seonhaeng good deed, virtuous act
선후배 seonhubae senior and junior, upperclassmen and underclassmen
섬기다 seomgida to serve, to attend to respectfully
성급하다 seonggeuphada to be hasty, to be rash, to be impatient
성대하다 seongdaehada to be grand, to be magnificent
성실성 seongsilseong sincerity, diligence
성실히 seongsilhi diligently, sincerely
성의 seongui sincerity, goodwill, earnestness
성인 seongin adult, grown-up
성인병 seonginbyeong adult disease, lifestyle disease
성직자 seongjikja clergy, religious minister
세다 seda to count, to enumerate
소름 soreum goosebumps, chills
소심하다 sosimhada to be timid, to be small-minded
소외감 sooegam sense of alienation, feeling of exclusion
소유자 soyuja owner, possessor
소인 soin minor, small person, child ticket
소질 sojil talent, aptitude, natural ability
소화기 sohwagi fire extinguisher, digestive organ
수수하다 susuhada to be plain, to be modest in appearance
수염 suyeom beard, mustache, whiskers
수줍음 sujubeum shyness, bashfulness
수험생 suheomsaeng examinee, exam candidate
순환 sunhwan circulation, cycle
스승 seuseung teacher, mentor (respectful)
슬기롭다 seulgiropda to be wise, to be clever, to be shrewd
시끌벅적하다 sikkeulbeokjeokhada to be noisy and bustling, to be rowdy
시리다 sirida to be achingly cold, to sting with cold
시체 siche corpse, dead body
시치미 sichimi pretending not to know (idiom 시치미 떼다)
시커멓다 sikeomeota to be pitch black, to be very dark
식상하다 siksanghada to be bored by, to be fed up with, to feel stale
신경질 singyeongjil irritability, bad temper
신경통 singyeongtong neuralgia, nerve pain
신물 sinmul sour taste, feeling fed up
신바람 sinbaram exciting energy, high spirits
신임 sinim new appointment, trust, confidence
신장 sinjang height, stature, kidney, growth
신장 sinjang height, stature, kidney, growth
실망스럽다 silmangseureopda to be disappointing, to be disheartening
실명 silmyeong real name, loss of sight
실업자 sireopja unemployed person
심술궂다 simsulgutda to be mean, to be ill-natured, to be perverse
심신 simsin mind and body, mental and physical
쌍꺼풀 ssangkkeopul double eyelid
쏘아보다 ssoaboda to glare at, to stare hard at
쑤시다 ssusida to ache, to throb, to drill
쓰리다 sseurida to be stinging, to be smarting
씩씩거리다 ssikssikgeorida to snort, to breathe heavily in anger
악의 agui malice, ill will
안도 ando relief, reassurance
안정감 anjeonggam sense of stability, feeling of security
알뜰 altteul frugality, thriftiness
알몸 almom naked body, bare body
애교 aegyo cuteness, aegyo, charm
애타다 aetada to be anxious, to long for, to yearn
야단치다 yadanchida to scold, to reprimand harshly
야무지다 yamujida to be capable, to be competent, to be resolute
약자 yakja weak person, the weak
얄밉다 yalmipda to be annoying, to be hateful in a petty way
yang quantity, amount (dependent noun after number)
양가 yangga both families, families of both sides
양반 yangban yangban (traditional Korean aristocracy), gentleman
양손 yangson both hands
양육 yangyuk child-rearing, upbringing
어루만지다 eorumanjida to stroke, to caress, to soothe
어미 eomi mother animal, suffix ending
어이없다 eoieopda to be absurd, to be dumbfounding
억누르다 eongnureuda to suppress, to hold down, to repress
언론인 eollonin journalist, member of the press
언짢다 eonjjanta to be displeased, to be unhappy
엄살 eomsal exaggerated complaint, fuss over minor pain
엄지손가락 eomjisongarak thumb
엉엉 eongeong sobbing loudly, bawling
여사 yeosa madam, Mrs. (honorific for women)
연령층 yeollyeongcheung age group, age bracket
연주자 yeonjuja performer, musician
연하 yeonha younger person, lower rank
열등감 yeoldeunggam inferiority complex
열렬하다 yeollyeolhada to be ardent, to be passionate
열성 yeolseong devotion, zeal
열의 yeorui enthusiasm, zeal, eagerness
옆구리 yeopguri side, flank, ribs area
예민하다 yeminhada to be sensitive, to be sharp
오누이 onui brother and sister
오만 oman arrogance, insolence
오줌 ojum urine, pee
완치 wanchi complete cure, full recovery
완쾌 wankwae complete recovery from illness
왕자 wangja prince
외동딸 oedongttal only daughter
외동아들 oedongadeul only son
외양 oeyang appearance, outward look
외향적 oehyangjeok extroverted, extroversion
요원 yowon agent, staff member
욕구 yokgu desire, craving, urge
우울증 uuljeung depression (mental health condition)
운전자 unjeonja driver
원망 wonmang resentment, grudge, blame
원수 wonsu mortal enemy, sworn enemy
원장 wonjang director, head, superintendent
위염 wiyeom gastritis
유아 yua infant, toddler
유연하다 yuyeonhada to be flexible, to be supple
육아 yuga childcare, infant care
으르다 eureuda to threaten, to intimidate
은퇴 euntoe retirement
응급 eunggeup emergency
응급조치 eunggeupjochi first aid, emergency measure
응답자 eungdapja respondent, person who answers
의료 uiryo medical care, healthcare
이름나다 ireumnada to become famous, to be well-known
이상형 isanghyeong ideal type, ideal partner
인내심 innaesim patience, perseverance
인상착의 insangchagui physical description, features
인색 insaek stinginess, miserliness
인종 injong race, ethnicity
인턴 inteon intern, trainee
인파 inpa crowd of people
일그러지다 ilgeureojida to become distorted, to be twisted
임산부 imsanbu pregnant woman
입가 ipga corner of the mouth
잇몸 inmom gum (in the mouth)
자국 jaguk trace, mark, scar
자상하다 jasanghada to be caring, to be attentive
자손 jason descendants, offspring
자영업자 jayeongeopja self-employed person
자원봉사자 jawonbongsaja volunteer, volunteer worker
작성자 jakseongja author, writer, person who created
잔인하다 janinhada to be cruel, to be brutal
장군 janggun general (military rank)
장기 janggi Korean chess (janggi)
장년 jangnyeon middle age, prime of life
장례 jangnye funeral, burial rites
재빠르다 jaeppareuda to be quick, nimble, agile
재혼 jaehon remarriage
저리다 jeorida to be numb, tingly, aching
저혈압 jeohyeorap low blood pressure, hypotension
전염 jeonyeom infection, contagion
전염병 jeonyeombyeong infectious disease, epidemic
절다 jeolda to limp; to be pickled/fermented
jeong really, truly, indeed
정겹다 jeonggyeopda to be warm and friendly, cozy
정답다 jeongdapda to be friendly, warm, affectionate
정서 jeongseo sentiment, emotion, feeling
정성스럽다 jeongseongseureopda to be sincere, wholehearted
정신과 jeongsingwa psychiatry department
정중하다 jeongjunghada to be polite, courteous, respectful
정치가 jeongchiga politician, statesman
제멋대로 jemeotdaero as one pleases, selfishly
제작자 jejakja producer, creator
조그마하다 jogeumahada to be small, tiny, little
조리사 jorisa cook, chef
조의금 jouigeum condolence money, funeral gift
조종사 jojongsa pilot, aviator
좌절 jwajeol frustration, despair, setback
죄책감 joechaekgam sense of guilt, guilty conscience
주례 jurye officiant, wedding ceremony officiant
주름살 jureumsal wrinkle (on skin)
주무르다 jumureuda to knead, to massage
주방장 jubangjang head chef, executive chef
준수하다 junsuhada to be handsome, good-looking
중개인 junggaein broker, middleman, intermediary
중년 jungnyeon middle age
중매 jungmae matchmaking, arranged meeting
중상 jungsang serious injury, grave wound
증오 jeungo hatred, loathing
지원자 jiwonja applicant, candidate
직선적 jikseonjeok straightforward, direct, blunt
진땀 jinttam cold sweat
진료 jillyo medical treatment, clinical care
질환 jilhwan disease, illness, ailment
집중력 jipjungnyeok concentration, power of focus
집착 jipchak obsession, attachment, fixation
짓누르다 jinnureuda to press down, to oppress, to weigh on
징그럽다 jinggeureopda to be creepy, disgusting, gross
짜릿하다 jjarithada to be thrilling, tingling, electrifying
짝사랑 jjaksarang unrequited love, one-sided love
쯧쯧 jjeutjjeut tsk-tsk, tutting sound
찡하다 jjinghada to be touched, moved; to feel sharp pain
차분하다 chabunhada to be calm, composed, composed
참가자 chamgaja participant, attendee
참을성 chameulseong patience, endurance
천생연분 cheonsaengyeonbun destined match, perfect couple
철학자 cheolhakja philosopher
청각 cheonggak sense of hearing, auditory sense
청자 cheongja listener, audience; celadon ware
체격 chegyeok physique, build, body frame
체념 chenyeom resignation, giving up
체질 chejil constitution, body type
체형 chehyeong body shape, physique
초라하다 chorahada to be shabby, to be humble-looking
초면 chomyeon first meeting, first acquaintance
초상 chosang portrait, death portrait
총각 chonggak bachelor, unmarried young man
총장 chongjang university president, chancellor
축복 chukbok blessing
출출하다 chulchulhada to be slightly hungry, to be peckish
충동 chungdong impulse, urge
충족 chungjok satisfaction, fulfillment
충치 chungchi tooth decay, cavity
충혈 chunghyeol congestion, bloodshot
치아 chia tooth, teeth
치통 chitong toothache
친근감 chingeungam sense of closeness, familiarity
친근하다 chingeunhada to be close, to be friendly
친밀 chinmil intimacy, closeness
친밀감 chinmilgam sense of intimacy
친분 chinbun acquaintance, personal connection
친족 chinjok relatives, kin
친지 chinji relatives and friends
커플 keopeul couple
콜레스테롤 kolleseuterol cholesterol
콤플렉스 kompeullekseu complex, inferiority complex
콧등 kotdeung bridge of the nose
쾌활하다 kwaehwalhada to be cheerful, to be lively
큼직하다 keumjikhada to be fairly large, to be sizeable
tal trouble, problem
탈모 talmo hair loss
태몽 taemong dream about a baby-to-be
태아 taea fetus, unborn baby
털털하다 teolteolhada to be easygoing, to be carefree
투덜거리다 tudeolgeorida to grumble, to mutter complaints
퉁퉁 tungtung puffy, swollen (of body/cheeks)
팀원 timwon team member
팀장 timjang team leader
판매원 panmaewon salesperson, sales clerk
팔짱 paljjang folded arms, arm-linking
편두통 pyeondutong migraine
pye lung(s)
포옹 poong hug, embrace
표출 pyochul expression, manifestation
피부과 pibugwa dermatology clinic
하객 hagaek wedding guest
하체 hache lower body
핥다 halda to lick
함께하다 hamkkehada to be together, to share
핵가족 haekgajok nuclear family
행인 haengin passerby, pedestrian
향수 hyangsu perfume, nostalgia
허옇다 heoyeota to be whitish, to be pale white
허전하다 heojeonhada to feel empty, to feel a void
헌혈 heonhyeol blood donation
현명하다 hyeonmyeonghada to be wise, to be sensible
혈관 hyeolgwan blood vessel
혈압 hyeorap blood pressure
혈액 hyeoraek blood
혈액형 hyeoraekhyeong blood type
형부 hyeongbu elder sister's husband (term used by women)
호소 hoso appeal, plea
호흡기 hoheupgi respiratory organ, respiratory tract
혼인 honin marriage, matrimony
화상 hwasang burn (injury), video call
화장 hwajang makeup, cosmetics
환갑 hwangap 60th birthday
환희 hwanhui great joy, elation
활기차다 hwalgichada to be lively, to be full of energy
회갑 hoegap 60th birthday
회갑연 hoegabyeon 60th birthday party
회의 hoeui skepticism, doubt
효녀 hyonyeo filial daughter
후손 huson descendant, posterity
후하다 huhada to be generous, to be bountiful
흐릿하다 heurithada to be blurry, to be hazy
흐뭇하다 heumuthada to be content, to be gratified
흐트러지다 heuteureojida to become disheveled, to scatter
heung excitement, cheerful feeling
흥겹다 heunggyeopda to be joyful, to be festive
흥미진진하다 heungmijinjinhada to be thrilling, to be fascinating
희로애락 huiroaerak joy and sorrow, all emotions
힘없다 himeopda to be weak, to have no energy
힘주다 himjuda to put emphasis, to exert force
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Written by Alvin Lim Certified Korean Language Teacher (Level 2)