How to use this list
- Learn one topic a day. About 20 words is enough for a session.
- Say each word aloud, then cover the English column and test yourself.
- Romanization follows the Revised Romanization of Korean. It only helps you get started; learn to read 한글 as soon as you can.
- Verbs and adjectives are shown in the dictionary form ending in -다.
- Family and people (21)
- Food and drink (22)
- Places (21)
- Time and dates (22)
- Weather and seasons (21)
- Shopping and money (21)
- Transport and directions (22)
- School and study (21)
- Work and jobs (21)
- Body and health (22)
- Hobbies and leisure (22)
- Feelings and states (22)
- Everyday verbs (20)
- Numbers, colors and amounts (22)
Words that sound or look alike can have more than one meaning (for example 눈 is both “eye” and “snow”, and 배 is “ship” and “stomach”). The meaning shown is the common one for that topic.
1. Family and people
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 가족 | gajok | family |
| 부모님 | bumonim | parents |
| 아버지 | abeoji | father |
| 어머니 | eomeoni | mother |
| 할아버지 | harabeoji | grandfather |
| 할머니 | halmeoni | grandmother |
| 형 | hyeong | older brother (said by a man) |
| 누나 | nuna | older sister (said by a man) |
| 오빠 | oppa | older brother (said by a woman) |
| 언니 | eonni | older sister (said by a woman) |
| 동생 | dongsaeng | younger brother or sister |
| 아들 | adeul | son |
| 딸 | ttal | daughter |
| 남편 | nampyeon | husband |
| 아내 | anae | wife |
| 아기 | agi | baby |
| 아이 | ai | child |
| 삼촌 | samchon | uncle (father's brother) |
| 이모 | imo | aunt (mother's sister) |
| 친구 | chingu | friend |
| 사람 | saram | person |
Example: 우리 가족은 모두 네 명입니다.
There are four people in my family.
2. Food and drink
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 밥 | bap | cooked rice, meal |
| 물 | mul | water |
| 빵 | ppang | bread |
| 고기 | gogi | meat |
| 생선 | saengseon | fish (as food) |
| 김치 | gimchi | kimchi |
| 국 | guk | soup |
| 과일 | gwail | fruit |
| 사과 | sagwa | apple |
| 바나나 | banana | banana |
| 우유 | uyu | milk |
| 커피 | keopi | coffee |
| 차 | cha | tea |
| 계란 | gyeran | egg |
| 야채 | yachae | vegetable |
| 라면 | ramyeon | instant noodles |
| 과자 | gwaja | snack, cookie |
| 음식 | eumsik | food |
| 식당 | sikdang | restaurant |
| 맛있다 | masitda | to be delicious |
| 먹다 | meokda | to eat |
| 마시다 | masida | to drink |
Example: 저는 아침에 빵과 우유를 먹습니다.
I eat bread and milk in the morning.
3. Places
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 집 | jip | house, home |
| 학교 | hakgyo | school |
| 회사 | hoesa | company |
| 병원 | byeongwon | hospital |
| 약국 | yakguk | pharmacy |
| 은행 | eunhaeng | bank |
| 우체국 | ucheguk | post office |
| 도서관 | doseogwan | library |
| 공원 | gongwon | park |
| 시장 | sijang | market |
| 가게 | gage | shop |
| 편의점 | pyeonuijeom | convenience store |
| 백화점 | baekhwajeom | department store |
| 극장 | geukjang | movie theater |
| 공항 | gonghang | airport |
| 역 | yeok | station |
| 호텔 | hotel | hotel |
| 화장실 | hwajangsil | restroom |
| 방 | bang | room |
| 부엌 | bueok | kitchen |
| 나라 | nara | country |
Example: 은행은 우체국 옆에 있습니다.
The bank is next to the post office.
4. Time and dates
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 시간 | sigan | time, hour (duration) |
| 시 | si | o'clock |
| 분 | bun | minute |
| 오늘 | oneul | today |
| 어제 | eoje | yesterday |
| 내일 | naeil | tomorrow |
| 아침 | achim | morning, breakfast |
| 점심 | jeomsim | noon, lunch |
| 저녁 | jeonyeok | evening, dinner |
| 밤 | bam | night |
| 주말 | jumal | weekend |
| 주 | ju | week |
| 달 | dal | month |
| 년 | nyeon | year |
| 올해 | olhae | this year |
| 작년 | jangnyeon | last year |
| 내년 | naenyeon | next year |
| 지금 | jigeum | now |
| 나중에 | najunge | later |
| 항상 | hangsang | always |
| 가끔 | gakkeum | sometimes |
| 요일 | yoil | day of the week |
Example: 내일 저녁에 친구를 만납니다.
I am meeting a friend tomorrow evening.
5. Weather and seasons
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 날씨 | nalssi | weather |
| 비 | bi | rain |
| 눈 | nun | snow |
| 바람 | baram | wind |
| 구름 | gureum | cloud |
| 해 | hae | sun |
| 하늘 | haneul | sky |
| 덥다 | deopda | to be hot (weather) |
| 춥다 | chupda | to be cold |
| 따뜻하다 | ttatteuthada | to be warm |
| 시원하다 | siwonhada | to be cool, refreshing |
| 맑다 | makda | to be clear, sunny |
| 흐리다 | heurida | to be cloudy |
| 봄 | bom | spring |
| 여름 | yeoreum | summer |
| 가을 | gaeul | autumn |
| 겨울 | gyeoul | winter |
| 계절 | gyejeol | season |
| 우산 | usan | umbrella |
| 태풍 | taepung | typhoon |
| 온도 | ondo | temperature |
Example: 오늘은 비가 오고 바람이 붑니다.
It is raining and the wind is blowing today.
6. Shopping and money
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 가격 | gagyeok | price |
| 돈 | don | money |
| 싸다 | ssada | to be cheap |
| 비싸다 | bissada | to be expensive |
| 사다 | sada | to buy |
| 팔다 | palda | to sell |
| 물건 | mulgeon | goods, item |
| 옷 | ot | clothes |
| 신발 | sinbal | shoes |
| 가방 | gabang | bag |
| 모자 | moja | hat |
| 바지 | baji | trousers |
| 치마 | chima | skirt |
| 시계 | sigye | watch, clock |
| 선물 | seonmul | gift |
| 손님 | sonnim | customer, guest |
| 점원 | jeomwon | shop clerk |
| 카드 | kadeu | card |
| 현금 | hyeongeum | cash |
| 할인 | harin | discount |
| 영수증 | yeongsujeung | receipt |
Example: 이 가방은 너무 비쌉니다.
This bag is too expensive.
7. Transport and directions
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 버스 | beoseu | bus |
| 지하철 | jihacheol | subway |
| 택시 | taeksi | taxi |
| 기차 | gicha | train |
| 비행기 | bihaengi | airplane |
| 배 | bae | ship, boat |
| 자전거 | jajeongeo | bicycle |
| 자동차 | jadongcha | car |
| 길 | gil | road, way |
| 신호등 | sinhodeung | traffic light |
| 정류장 | jeongnyujang | bus stop |
| 표 | pyo | ticket |
| 출발하다 | chulbalhada | to depart |
| 도착하다 | dochakhada | to arrive |
| 타다 | tada | to ride, get on |
| 내리다 | naerida | to get off |
| 갈아타다 | garatada | to transfer |
| 걷다 | geotda | to walk |
| 왼쪽 | oenjjok | left side |
| 오른쪽 | oreunjjok | right side |
| 멀다 | meolda | to be far |
| 가깝다 | gakkapda | to be near |
Example: 지하철을 타고 학교에 갑니다.
I take the subway to school.
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Start practice test8. School and study
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 학생 | haksaeng | student |
| 선생님 | seonsaengnim | teacher |
| 교실 | gyosil | classroom |
| 수업 | sueop | class, lesson |
| 숙제 | sukje | homework |
| 시험 | siheom | exam |
| 공부하다 | gongbuhada | to study |
| 책 | chaek | book |
| 공책 | gongchaek | notebook |
| 연필 | yeonpil | pencil |
| 펜 | pen | pen |
| 지우개 | jiugae | eraser |
| 교과서 | gyogwaseo | textbook |
| 질문 | jilmun | question |
| 읽다 | ikda | to read |
| 쓰다 | sseuda | to write |
| 듣다 | deutda | to listen, hear |
| 말하다 | malhada | to speak |
| 가르치다 | gareuchida | to teach |
| 배우다 | baeuda | to learn |
| 한국어 | hangugeo | Korean language |
Example: 숙제를 하고 책을 읽습니다.
I do my homework and read a book.
9. Work and jobs
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 일 | il | work, job, task |
| 직업 | jigeop | occupation |
| 회사원 | hoesawon | office worker |
| 의사 | uisa | doctor |
| 간호사 | ganhosa | nurse |
| 경찰 | gyeongchal | police |
| 요리사 | yorisa | cook, chef |
| 가수 | gasu | singer |
| 사장님 | sajangnim | boss, company president |
| 직원 | jigwon | employee |
| 동료 | dongnyo | coworker |
| 월급 | wolgeup | monthly salary |
| 회의 | hoeui | meeting |
| 출근하다 | chulgeunhada | to go to work |
| 퇴근하다 | toegeunhada | to leave work |
| 바쁘다 | bappeuda | to be busy |
| 쉬다 | swida | to rest |
| 휴가 | hyuga | vacation, leave |
| 전화 | jeonhwa | phone, phone call |
| 이메일 | imeil | |
| 일하다 | ilhada | to work |
Example: 저는 아홉 시에 출근합니다.
I go to work at nine o’clock.
10. Body and health
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 몸 | mom | body |
| 머리 | meori | head, hair |
| 얼굴 | eolgul | face |
| 눈 | nun | eye |
| 코 | ko | nose |
| 입 | ip | mouth |
| 귀 | gwi | ear |
| 목 | mok | neck, throat |
| 어깨 | eokkae | shoulder |
| 팔 | pal | arm |
| 손 | son | hand |
| 손가락 | songarak | finger |
| 배 | bae | stomach, belly |
| 다리 | dari | leg |
| 발 | bal | foot |
| 등 | deung | back |
| 이 | i | tooth |
| 아프다 | apeuda | to be sick, to hurt |
| 감기 | gamgi | cold (illness) |
| 열 | yeol | fever |
| 약 | yak | medicine |
| 건강 | geongang | health |
Example: 머리가 아파서 약을 먹었습니다.
My head hurt, so I took medicine.
11. Hobbies and leisure
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 취미 | chwimi | hobby |
| 운동 | undong | exercise, sport |
| 축구 | chukgu | soccer |
| 야구 | yagu | baseball |
| 농구 | nonggu | basketball |
| 수영 | suyeong | swimming |
| 등산 | deungsan | hiking |
| 여행 | yeohaeng | travel |
| 영화 | yeonghwa | movie |
| 음악 | eumak | music |
| 노래 | norae | song |
| 춤 | chum | dance |
| 그림 | geurim | picture, drawing |
| 사진 | sajin | photo |
| 게임 | geim | game |
| 독서 | dokseo | reading (as a hobby) |
| 요리 | yori | cooking |
| 산책 | sanchaek | walk, stroll |
| 피아노 | piano | piano |
| 놀다 | nolda | to play, to hang out |
| 재미있다 | jaemiitda | to be fun, interesting |
| 즐겁다 | jeulgeopda | to be enjoyable |
Example: 주말에 친구와 영화를 봅니다.
On weekends I watch a movie with a friend.
12. Feelings and states
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 기분 | gibun | mood, feeling |
| 좋다 | jota | to be good |
| 나쁘다 | nappeuda | to be bad |
| 기쁘다 | gippeuda | to be glad |
| 슬프다 | seulpeuda | to be sad |
| 화나다 | hwanada | to get angry |
| 무섭다 | museopda | to be scary, afraid |
| 걱정하다 | geokjeonghada | to worry |
| 행복하다 | haengbokhada | to be happy |
| 피곤하다 | pigonhada | to be tired |
| 졸리다 | jollida | to be sleepy |
| 배고프다 | baegopeuda | to be hungry |
| 배부르다 | baebureuda | to be full |
| 목마르다 | mongmareuda | to be thirsty |
| 외롭다 | oeropda | to be lonely |
| 놀라다 | nollada | to be surprised |
| 사랑하다 | saranghada | to love |
| 좋아하다 | joahada | to like |
| 싫어하다 | sireohada | to dislike |
| 괜찮다 | gwaenchanta | to be okay |
| 미안하다 | mianhada | to be sorry |
| 고맙다 | gomapda | to be thankful |
Example: 오늘은 기분이 좋습니다.
I am in a good mood today.
13. Everyday verbs
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 하다 | hada | to do |
| 가다 | gada | to go |
| 오다 | oda | to come |
| 자다 | jada | to sleep |
| 일어나다 | ireonada | to get up |
| 씻다 | ssitda | to wash |
| 입다 | ipda | to wear (clothes) |
| 보다 | boda | to see, watch |
| 만나다 | mannada | to meet |
| 기다리다 | gidarida | to wait |
| 앉다 | anda | to sit |
| 서다 | seoda | to stand |
| 열다 | yeolda | to open |
| 닫다 | datda | to close |
| 주다 | juda | to give |
| 받다 | batda | to receive |
| 알다 | alda | to know |
| 모르다 | moreuda | not to know |
| 있다 | itda | to be, to have |
| 없다 | eopda | not to be, not to have |
Example: 저는 일곱 시에 일어납니다.
I get up at seven o’clock.
14. Numbers, colors and amounts
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 하나 | hana | one (native Korean) |
| 둘 | dul | two |
| 셋 | set | three |
| 넷 | net | four |
| 다섯 | daseot | five |
| 여섯 | yeoseot | six |
| 일곱 | ilgop | seven |
| 여덟 | yeodeol | eight |
| 아홉 | ahop | nine |
| 열 | yeol | ten |
| 백 | baek | hundred |
| 천 | cheon | thousand |
| 만 | man | ten thousand |
| 빨간색 | ppalgansaek | red |
| 파란색 | paransaek | blue |
| 노란색 | noransaek | yellow |
| 초록색 | choroksaek | green |
| 하얀색 | hayansaek | white |
| 검은색 | geomeunsaek | black |
| 많다 | manta | to be many, much |
| 적다 | jeokda | to be few, little |
| 길다 | gilda | to be long |
Example: 저는 파란색 가방이 있습니다.
I have a blue bag.
How to remember these words
- Learn words in sentences, like the examples above, not alone.
- Review after one day, three days and one week.
- Notice words that appear in test texts: times, prices, places and days come up often in notices and short messages.
Want to know what score you need? See How TOPIK I is scored: Level 1 vs Level 2.
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