You've learned Hangul. You can read the letters. You can build syllable blocks. Now comes the most rewarding moment — using real Korean words for the first time. This is Step 5 of the Gachi Studio Hangul learning sequence, and it's where everything finally clicks. The alphabet you practiced suddenly transforms into greetings, numbers, and phrases you'll actually use in daily life.
This lesson selects greetings, native Korean numbers and short everyday expressions that you can use in a small task. It is a practical starting set, not an official TOPIK list or a corpus frequency ranking.
💡 Rian's Tip
Don't try to memorize all of these at once. Pick 5 words today, use them out loud 10 times each, and come back tomorrow for the next 5. Return to the same expressions later and check what you remember.
🙏 Section 1: Essential Greetings (인사말)
Greetings are the single most important category for any beginner. They are used every day, in every social context, and they immediately signal respect and cultural awareness. Korean greetings are also deeply tied to the concept of nunchi (눈치) — reading the social situation — so learning them properly matters.
Click the 🔊 button to hear each word pronounced:
안녕하세요
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo
Hello (polite)
Use with anyone older or in formal situations. The most important word in Korean.
감사합니다
gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Thank you (formal)
The formal version. In everyday polite speech, Koreans also say 고마워요 (go-ma-wo-yo).
죄송합니다
joe-song-ham-ni-da
I'm sorry (formal)
Deeper apology. 미안해요 (mi-an-hae-yo) is also polite, while 미안해 is casual.
네 / 아니요
ne / a-ni-yo
Yes / No
The most essential pair. 응 (eung) is the casual "yes" used with close friends.
🔢 Section 2: Korean Numbers 1–10 (숫자)
Korean has two number systems: Native Korean numbers (순우리말 수사) and Sino-Korean numbers (한자어 수사). For absolute beginners, start with Native Korean 1–10 — these are used for counting objects, age, and hours. Sino-Korean numbers are used for dates, money, and minutes.
하나
ha-na
1 (one)
둘
dul
2 (two)
셋
set
3 (three)
넷
net
4 (four)
다섯
da-seot
5 (five)
여섯
yeo-seot
6 (six)
일곱
il-gop
7 (seven)
여덟
yeo-deol
8 (eight)
아홉
a-hop
9 (nine)
열
yeol
10 (ten)
💡 Rian's Tip — Two Number Systems
Native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋...) are used for counting objects and telling the hour (한 시 = 1 o'clock). Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼...) are used for dates, money, phone numbers, and minutes. You'll need both — but start with Native Korean first, depending on the task you want to do.
🗣️ Section 3: Everyday Words and Expressions (일상 어휘)
These expressions let you identify things, ask a simple question and express a preference. Learn an example situation with each one rather than treating every English gloss as interchangeable.
나 / 저
na / jeo
I / Me (casual / formal)
이거 / 저거
i-geo / jeo-geo
This (thing) / That (thing)
있어요 / 없어요
i-sseo-yo / eop-sseo-yo
There is / There isn't (also: I have / I don't have)
좋아요
jo-a-yo
I like it / It's good / OK
뭐예요?
mwo-ye-yo
What is this? / What is it?
Use a word in a small exchange
Point to a drink and ask 이거 뭐예요? — What is this? A partner can answer 물이에요 — It is water. Then switch objects. The task connects a phrase to something you can see.
For possession, compare 물 있어요 — I have water / There is water — with 물 없어요 — I do not have water / There is no water. The omitted subject comes from context.
Choose three entries and try them again later with the model covered. One successful attempt is a starting point, not proof of permanent mastery.
🔗 What's Next in Your Korean Journey?
After practising this list, check which expressions you can use without looking. If Hangul still takes time, revisit the letter guides. There is no fixed completion time for the foundation.
Your next step is to start encountering Korean in context. One optional tool for this is Language Reactor — it adds Korean subtitles with instant translation to Netflix and YouTube. Check out our full guide on how to use it: