눈물겹다 (nun-mul-gyeop-da) means “to be tearful” or “deeply emotional to the point of tears.” It describes something that is so touching, sorrowful, or moving that it makes someone cry.

Example Sentences:

그 이야기가 너무 눈물겨워요. (geu i-ya-gi-ga neo-mu nun-mul-gyeo-wo-yo.) – That story is so touching that it brings tears to my eyes.
눈물겹도록 감동적인 순간이었어요. (nun-mul-gyeop-do-rok gam-dong-jeok-in sun-gan-i-eoss-eo-yo.) – It was such a deeply emotional moment that I almost cried.
그의 희생이 눈물겹게 느껴졌어요. (geu-ui hui-saeng-i nun-mul-gyeop-ge neu-kyeo-jyeoss-eo-yo.) – His sacrifice felt deeply moving to the point of tears.
눈물겹게 아름다운 장면이었다. (nun-mul-gyeop-ge a-reum-da-un jang-myeon-i-eoss-da.) – It was a beautifully tearful scene.
오랜만에 부모님을 만나서 눈물겨운 순간이었어요. (o-ren-man-e bu-mo-nim-eul man-na-seo nun-mul-gyeo-un sun-gan-i-eoss-eo-yo.) – Meeting my parents after a long time was a tearful moment.

The polite conjugation is 눈물겨워요 (nun-mul-gyeo-wo-yo). It’s often used to describe deeply touching, bittersweet, or sentimental experiences.

The Korean word 다 means “all” or “everything.” It is used to refer to the entirety of something—whether it’s people, objects, or actions.

Examples of 다 in sentences:

Referring to everything:
다 좋아요! → Everything is good!
다 먹었어요. → I ate everything.

Talking about all people or things:
학생들이 다 왔어요. → All the students came.
우리는 다 친구예요. → We are all friends.

Using 다 with verbs:
영화를 다 봤어요. → I watched the whole movie.
책을 다 읽었어요. → I finished reading the book.

Emphasizing completeness:
숙제를 다 했어요. → I finished all my homework.
그 이야기를 다 들었어요. → I heard the whole story.

“다시 한 번 말씀해주세요” (dasi han beon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo) means “Please say it again” or “Please repeat it once more.” It is a polite way to ask someone to repeat what they said.

Example Sentences:

잘 못 들었어요. 다시 한 번 말씀해주세요. (jal mot deu-reoss-eo-yo. dasi han beon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.) – I didn’t hear properly. Please say it again.

빠르게 말해서 이해하기 어려워요. 다시 한 번 말씀해주세요. (ppa-reu-ge mal-hae-seo i-hae-ha-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo. dasi han beon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.) – You spoke fast, so it was hard to understand. Please repeat it.

중요한 부분을 다시 한 번 말씀해주세요. (jung-yo-han bu-bun-eul dasi han beon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.) – Please repeat the important part once more.

This phrase is commonly used in conversations when you need clarification or missed some information.

달콤하다 (dal-kom-ha-da) means “to be sweet.” It is commonly used to describe the taste of food but can also refer to a pleasant or soothing experience.

Example Sentences:

이 케이크는 정말 달콤해요. (i ke-i-keu-neun jeong-mal dal-kom-hae-yo.) – This cake is really sweet.
달콤한 향기가 나요. (dal-kom-han hyang-gi-ga na-yo.) – There is a sweet scent.
그의 말은 너무 달콤했어요. (geu-ui mal-eun neo-mu dal-kom-haess-eo-yo.) – His words were very sweet.
달콤한 휴식이 필요해요. (dal-kom-han hyu-sik-i pi-ryo-hae-yo.) – I need a sweet (pleasant) break.
그녀의 미소가 달콤해 보여요. (geu-nyeo-ui mi-so-ga dal-kom-hae bo-yeo-yo.) – Her smile looks sweet.

The polite conjugation of 달콤하다 is 달콤해요 (dal-kom-hae-yo). It is often used metaphorically to describe soothing or delightful feelings, not just taste!

답답하다 (dap-dap-ha-da) means “to feel frustrated, suffocated, or stifled.” It describes a situation where someone feels constrained, anxious, or mentally overwhelmed. It can also refer to a physical feeling of stuffiness or a lack of air.

Example Sentences:

이해가 안 돼서 너무 답답해요. (i-hae-ga an dwae-seo neo-mu dap-dap-hae-yo.) – I’m so frustrated because I don’t understand.

방이 너무 답답해요. 창문을 열어 주세요. (bang-i neo-mu dap-dap-hae-yo. chang-mun-eul yeo-reo ju-se-yo.) – This room feels stuffy. Please open the window.

문제가 해결되지 않아서 답답해요. (mun-je-ga hae-gyeol-doe-ji an-a-seo dap-dap-hae-yo.) – I feel frustrated because the problem isn’t getting solved.

갑자기 답답한 기분이 들어요. (gap-ja-gi dap-dap-han gi-bun-i deu-reo-yo.) – Suddenly, I feel emotionally suffocated.

답답할 때는 산책을 하면 기분이 좋아져요. (dap-dap-hal ttae-neun san-chaek-eul ha-myeon gi-bun-i jo-a-jyeo-yo.) – When I feel frustrated, taking a walk makes me feel better.

The polite conjugation is 답답해요 (dap-dap-hae-yo).

In Korean, “reading” as a hobby is expressed as 독서 (dokseo). It refers to the act of reading books for enjoyment or personal growth.

Example Sentences:

내 취미는 독서야. → “My hobby is reading.” (Informal)
제 취미는 독서예요. → “My hobby is reading.” (Polite)
저의 취미는 독서입니다. → “My hobby is reading.” (Formal)

You can also say 책 읽기 (chaek ilgi), which literally means “book reading”, but 독서 is the more common term for reading as a hobby.

Don’t confuse this with 독사 which is a venomous snake 🙂

“동료” (donglyo) is a Korean word that means colleague, companion, or fellow worker. It refers to someone who works or associates with you in a shared environment, such as a workplace or a team.

Workplace 👔

직장 동료 (jigjang donglyo) = Work colleague

“나는 동료들과 회의를 했다.” (I had a meeting with my colleagues.)
“좋은 동료와 함께 일하면 즐겁다.” (Working with great colleagues makes it enjoyable.)

Team or group setting 🏆

팀 동료 (tim donglyo) = Teammate

“팀 동료들과 함께 프로젝트를 진행하고 있다.” (I am working on a project with my teammates.)
“우리는 동료로서 서로 도와야 한다.” (As teammates, we must help each other.)

General companionship 🤝

동료 관계 (donglyo gwangye) = Comradeship or peer relationship

“오랜 동료와 다시 만나서 반가웠다.” (I was happy to reunite with an old companion.)
“그는 내 가장 믿을 수 있는 동료다.” (He is my most trustworthy companion.)

The -다 ending is often used in dictionary forms of verbs and adjectives, but in this case, it is part of a sentence structure.

• 그는 나의 동료다. → “He is my colleague.” (동료 + 이다).

동료 is a great word to use when talking about teamwork and cooperation!

둘 means “two” . It is the native Korean number for 2 and is used for counting objects, people, and actions.

Examples of 둘 in sentences:

Counting objects or people:
사과 둘 주세요. → Please give me two apples.
친구 둘이 함께 왔어요. → Two friends came together.

Talking about choices:
둘 중에 하나 선택하세요. → Choose one of the two.
둘 다 좋아요. → Both are good.

Using 둘 in daily expressions:
우리는 둘이에요. → There are two of us.
둘이서 여행을 갔어요. → The two of us went on a trip.

둘다 means “both” or “both of them.” It refers to two things or people together.

Usage Examples:

Referring to two items:
사과와 바나나 중에 뭐 먹을래? (Which do you want, an apple or a banana?)
둘다 먹고 싶어요! (I want to eat both!)

Talking about two people or options:
형과 동생 중에 누가 더 똑똑해? (Who’s smarter, your older or younger sibling?)
둘다 똑똑해요. (Both are smart.)

Confirming two choices:
커피랑 차 중에 뭐 마실래? (Do you want coffee or tea?)
둘다 괜찮아요. (Both are fine.)

듣다 means “to listen” or “to hear.” It is used when talking about listening to sounds, music, conversations, or hearing information.

Examples of 듣다 in sentences:

Listening to something:
음악을 듣고 있어요. → I am listening to music.
라디오를 들어요. → I listen to the radio.

Hearing information or news:
좋은 소식을 들었어요! → I heard good news!
그 이야기를 들었어요. → I heard that story.

Taking advice or suggestions:
선생님의 말을 잘 들어야 돼요. → You must listen carefully to the teacher.
조언을 듣는 것이 중요해요. → Listening to advice is important.