Lower Intermediate Korean Vocabulary List (TOPIK 3)
All 1,642 Korean vocabulary words at the lower intermediate (TOPIK 3) level, grouped into 7 topic categories — numbers, food, family, travel and more. Work, relationships and real conversations. Every word has romanization and an English meaning, curated by a certified Korean language teacher. Pick a topic to see the full list.
By topic
🔡 Basics & Grammar 182 words → 👥 People & Relationships 88 words → 🏠 Daily Life 142 words → 🧭 Time, Place & Movement 101 words → ⚽ Activities & Leisure 86 words → 🌿 Nature 55 words → 💡 Society & Ideas 988 words →
Sample words
- 규칙적 gyuchikjeok regular, systematic; of a regular nature
- 꾸준히 kkujunhi steadily, consistently, persistently
- 조건 jogeon condition, requirement
- 콜록콜록 kollokkollok cough cough (sound)
- 진도 jindo progress, pace
- 붓다 butda to swell, to puff up
- 정신없다 jeongsineopda to be chaotic, to be overwhelmed
- 용서하다 yongseohada to forgive
- 약속하다 yaksokhada to promise, make a promise
- 겸손하다 gyeomsonhada to be humble, modest
- 계약 gyeyak contract, agreement
- 기념품 ginyeompum souvenir, commemorative gift
- 신입생 sinipsaeng new student, freshman
- 환불 hwanbul refund
- 옵션 opsyeon option, add-on
- 기사 gisa article, news story; driver, chauffeur
- 이력서 iryeokseo resume, CV
- 감동 gamdong impression, being moved emotionally
- 경복궁 gyeongbokgung Gyeongbokgung Palace
- 경찰관 gyeongchalgwan police officer
- 면접 myeonjeop job interview
- 근육 geunyuk muscle
- 기사 gisa driver, taxi driver
- 일정 iljeong fixed, constant, certain
- 화면 hwamyeon screen, display
- 들어주다 deureojuda to grant, to fulfill a request, to listen to
- 맞이하다 majihada to welcome, to greet, to receive
- 주룩주룩 jurukjuruk (rain) pouring down
- 펑펑 peongpeong heavily (snow/cry)
- 강물 gangmul river water
- 계좌 gyejwa bank account
- 깨지다 kkaejida to break, to be shattered
- 단점 danjeom weakness, disadvantage, shortcoming
- 동료 dongnyo colleague, coworker
- 동아리 dongari club, student club, circle
FAQ
- How many Korean words do you need for TOPIK 3?
- The lower intermediate level (TOPIK 3) covers about 1,642 core Korean words. This page lists every one, with romanization and an English meaning — free, by a certified Korean teacher (한국어교원 2급).
- Is this TOPIK 3 Korean vocabulary list free?
- Yes — free with no sign-up. Browse online, search, or study each topic, then open the matching lessons to see the words in real sentences.
- What is the best way to study a TOPIK 3 word list?
- Start with the topics you use most — numbers, greetings, food and family — and learn a small batch each day. Reviewing words by category makes them stick far better than memorising one long flat list.
A
Written by Alvin Lim Certified Korean Language Teacher (Level 2)