[REVIEW] TTMIK Level 4 Book Review

If you are aiming for the Level 4 right now, Congratulations!! You are on your way to the Intermediate level of your Korean learning experience.

Lessons covered under Level 4
Lesson 1 – The more … the more … / -면 -을수록
Lesson 2 – Do you want to …? / -(으)ㄹ래요?
Lesson 3 – It can’t be … /-(으)ㄹ 리가 없어요, 할 리가 없어요
Lesson 4 – verb ending / -지요/-죠
Lesson 5 – “당신” and “you” / 당신
Lesson 6 – Word builder 3 / 동(動)
Lesson 7 – It’s okay. I’m okay. / 괜찮아요
Lesson 8 – it is okay to…, you don’t have to… / -아/어/여도 돼요, 해도 돼요
Lesson 9 – you shouldn’t…, you’re not supposed to… / -(으)면 안 돼요, 하면 안 돼요
Lesson 10 – among, between / 사이에, 사이에서, 중에, 중에서
Lesson 11 – anybody, anything, anywhere / 아무나, 아무도, 아무거나, 아무것도
Lesson 12 – to try doing something / -아/어/여 보다, 해 보다
Lesson 13 – Word builder 4 / 불(不)
Lesson 14 – sometimes, often, always, never, seldom / 가끔, 자주, 별로, 맨날, 항상
Lesson 15 – any / 아무 Part 2
Lesson 16 – Spacing in Korean / 띄어쓰기
Lesson 17 – Word Contractions – Part 1 / 주격 조사, 축약형
Lesson 18 – most,best (superlative) / 최상급, 최고
Lesson 19 – Less, Not completely / 덜
Lesson 20 – Sentence Building Drill #1
Lesson 21 – Spacing Part 2 / 띄어쓰기
Lesson 22 – Word builder 5 / 장(場)
Lesson 23 – “Word Contractions – Part 2
Lesson 24 – much more, much less / 훨씬
Lesson 25 – -(으)ㄹ + noun (future tense noun group) / -(으)ㄹ + 명사, 할 것
Lesson 26 – -(으)ㄴ + noun (past tense noun group) / -(으)ㄴ + 명사, 한 것
Lesson 27 – I think … (+ future tense) / -(으)ㄴ/(으)ㄹ/ㄴ 것 같다, 한 것 같다, 할 것 같다
Lesson 28 – to become + adjective / -아/어/여지다
Lesson 29 – to gradually/eventually get to do something / -게 되다, 하게 되다
Lesson 30 – Sentence Building Drill #2

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[REVIEW] TTMIK Level 2 Book Review

여러분 안녕하세요...
Ever wanting to learn a new Language - Korean Language in particular? It wouldn't be necessarily difficult to master a foreign language if you have interest in learning it. For me, in particular have only been officially learning the Language after my trip back from Korea (which is around April this year). Only after 5 months, I'm able to read Hangul by my own *well that's in slow pace right as I'm super busy with work, Only able to study 1-2 hours per week*. The best part of learning Korean is that I'm able to watch my fav Drama, Movies & variety shows with less English subs. Not to mention K-pop songs! You guys out there has no idea how torturing it would be for k-pop fans to listen to those songs & not understand a single word of it. ㅋㅋㅋ

Okay let's cut the crap & get down to the actual informative part. To learn Korean, you have to be able to read the Hangul characters first. Once you've the hang of it, that's where your journey starts. There are many ways you can engage either by taking classes, self-taught reference books/materials, online-buddy system/penpal..the list goes on. But, I've found TTMIK to be the best (refer as TalkToMeInKorean). TTMIK is an non-profitable organization that teaches Korean for absolutely FOC. All thanks to the passionate teachers from TTMIK. Their lessons are easy enough to grasp with a total of 9 Levels. (Materials & podcasts are available for downloads) The best part is that all the TTMIK 선생님은 are very interactive with the audience. With regular updates from their websites, FB pages & twitter. 

With their recent Level 1 & Level 2 book launch, the reviews for it has been encouraging. The TTMIK Level books are of the lessons from their online lessons as well. BUT why buy the book when you can download all the lessons for free??

Well it's a way to support your favourite 선생님 for all their hard work!

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Korean SMSes / Emotions and it's meaning

Pic credits: http://easytolearnkorean.com/

네! 맞아요.. You read it right, Korean SMSes!! Bet most of us - "Non-Koreans"; would have the same thoughts on these...How Koreans send their SMSes or to be precise what does a certain abbreviation stands for. Bet most of the times our SMSes will look like these: LOL, LMAO, hehe, haha, BRB, TTYL, etc....
Recently, I got to learn more on this topic & had a rapid test though TTMIK. Thanks Guys! ^^

Let's go guys..가자! Learn some EMOTIONS! =)

We often find laughter the most in our SMSes (haha, hehe, keke, etc..), it's no different here as well. Notice this ㅋㅋㅋ before?! 

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Super easy way to add a Korean vocab with Direct English translation

여러분 안녕하세요! Hello Everyone!

Just have the sudden urge to practice on my Hangul again. Well I may not be perfect as I've just started learning to read the language earlier this year around April. And being a full time staff I don't really have the time to really focus on studying as I'm self-taught. ^^

So just a few hours (maybe 1-2 hours or so) per week for me to learn Hangul is all it takes for me. But for those who wanted to learn the language but don't have the time..don't fret about it. As a person's "Interest" can be a very important weapon for learning.

Ohya, being of Chinese descendant does gives you an added advantage to grasp the Korean language better as most of the Korean words have similar pronunciation as the Chinese Characters.Well, being a Native English speaker it's not bad as well as we also has its ups as some of the Korean words are direct translation of the English words itself!!

Would love to share a few Vocab I've learned throughout these months....Well I may not be of the best out there but some simple ones are still pretty fresh in my mind. Here are some Direct-English translation words for the readers out there. ^^

Korean Vocab of the day
아이스크림 (a-ee-su-k'e-rim) = Ice-Cream
오토바이 (o-tto-ba-ee) = Motorbike
바나나 (ba-na-na) = Banana
치킨 (chi-k'in) = Chicken (Well this is not the right word thou.. as Koreans usually refer 치킨 to fried chicken or something that's already "eatable" *my bad for the Manglish used here* ^^) Life chicken is called 닭 (dalg)
카메라 (k'a-me-ra) = Camera
립스틱 (lip-su-tik) = Lipstick
히터 (hi-tto) = Heater
핸드폰 (haen-du-pun) = Handphone is what Koreans called a Mobile phone (same goes for Malaysians as well)
축구 (chu-gu) = Soccer
차 (cha) = Car [To be precise 차 is car & 자동차 (cha-dong-cha) is Auto-mobile] so both can be used
팀 (tim) = Team

Happy Learning Guys!~♥  =)

Words that your Korean textbook will never teach you [Dae-bak & Dap-mun]

Pics credits to SMU (Singapore Management University)

For non-native Koreans speakers like me, the only way for us to learn a whole new Language is thru textbooks maybe also thru lyrics if you are an avid k-pop fan! hehe... But, other than that you won't be able to really learn deep into their language & how their slang works! Like take this word  Daebak for example; for sure again k-pop lovers will know this as when we watch the MVs, we will go like "Wooo..Daebak!..Daebak this..Daebak that..haha" just simply means AMAZING! =)
Saw this topic share by TTMIK today & thought of sharing it with all! Coz sharing is caring~~♥ haha..how lame..but true! So lets learn together! =)

Words that your Korean textbook will never teach you

All languages evolve with time, and Korean is no exception. There are always new words being made, and expressions go in and out of fashion. If you hear an unfamiliar word or expression and you can’t find it in the dictionary, chances are you heard a slang expression.

Here, we have two words that are very commonly used among young Koreans that your textbook will never teach you – 대박 [dae-bak] and 답문 [dap-mun].

대박 [dae-bak]

대박 means “awesome”, “great”, “killer”, or “amazing”. It is often used when you’re dumbfounded by a situation, but it can also be used to say, “대박나세요 [dae-bak-na-se-yo],” which means, “I wish you great success!”

The word “대박” is used a lot between friends and can also often be seen in advertisements. It is a noun and can be used with several verbs. “대박 + 이다 (to be) [dae-bak-i-da]” means “to be awesome” and “대박 + 나다 (to come out) [dae-bak-na-da]” means “to become successful” or “to be a hit (product)”. Sometimes, however, 대박 can be used as an adverb, as in “대박 멋있다 (really cool) [dae-bak meo-si-da]”.

How to use it in a sentence

(formal)

1. 대박이에요. [dae-bak-i-e-yo.] = It’s awesome! That’s amazing.

2. 대박이었어요. [dae-bak-i-eo-sseo-yo.] = It was amazing!

(casual)

3. 대박! [dae-bak!] = Amazing! Crazy!

4. 대박인데? [dae-bak-in-de?] = (exclamation) That’s crazy!

5. 완전 대박이야. [wan-jeon dae-bak-i-ya.] = It’s totally awesome!

6. 대박 멋있어! [dae-bak meo-si-sseo] = It’s so cool!

Sample conversation

A: 너 그 얘기 들었어? 오늘 수업 취소됐대.

B: 아 진짜? 대박. 완전 좋다.

A: 근데 토요일 아침에 대신 할 거래.

B: 헐. 대박. 어떻게 토요일에 수업을 하냐?

A: Have you heard? I heard that today’s class has been cancelled.

B: Oh, really? Sweet! Fantastic!

A: But I heard that the class will be held Saturday morning instead.

B: What… That’s crazy. How can we have class on a Saturday?

답문 [dap-mun]

답문 denotes the response text message. 답문 is the combination of “답장 [dap-jang]” (reply), or “답 [dap]” (answer), and “문자 메시지 [mun-ja me-si-ji]” (text message), or “문자 [mun-ja]” (text message).

How to use it in a sentence

(formal)

답문 좀 빨리 보내 주세요. [dap-mun jom ppa-li bo-nae ju-se-yo] = Please send me your reply quickly.

제 답문 받으셨어요? [je dap-mun ba-deu-syeo-sseo-yo?] = Have you received my reply message?

답문이 아직도 안 왔어요. [dap-mun-i a-jik-do an wa-sseo-yo.] = The reply hasn’t come yet.

Sample conversation

A: 야, 답문 아직 안 왔어?

B: 문자 다시 보내 볼까?

A: 아니야, 그냥 전화를 해 봐.

A: Hey, have you received a reply yet?

B: Shall I send her another text message?

A: No, just call her.

Source: BRIDGE Webzine @ http://bridgezine.com

Handy Expression when in Korea part 2

Other common expressions that you will come to know when watching K-dramas are agreeing & dis-agreeing in daily conversation. ^^ (Basically this is as far as what I currently know thou~~keke)


Saying Yes or Agreeing
It is almost a given/ must for you to know these expressions. As it is used in almost 90% of your daily conversation. So, it wouldn't hurt to learn right?! Hehe..


Yes – 네 (Ne) or 예 (Ye)  **Note that 네/ 예 is also used to denote that you agree or understand what the other party is saying or just applying that you are there.** Eg. When someone calls out your name, usually Koreans will answer 네/ 예 to state their presence.
Yes, I am – 네 그렇습니다  (Ne, kurosumnida)
Correct! or Right! – 맞아요 (Majayo)
It’s true – 정말이야 (Chongmariya)
Okay – 좋아 or 좋아요 (Joh-a or Joh-ayo) It also means good (I am okay with it)
I am okay -  괜찮아요 (Gwaenchanayo)
Certainly or I know/understand – 알겠어요 (Algesseoyo) or 알겠습니다 (Algesseumnida)
I think so – 그렇게 생각해요 (Kureoke saengakhaeyo)
Yes please (do so) – 그렇세요 (Kureoseyo)
Of course or Absolutely yes – 당연하지 (Dangyeonhaji)


Saying No or Disagreeing
Saying no is as important to saying yes too!


No – 아니오  (Anio)
No, I am not  – 아니오 틀립니다 (Anio, teurimnida)
Wrong – 틀립니다 (Teurimnida) or 틀려요 (Teuryeoyo)
Never – 절대 아니야 (Cheoldae aniya)
No way! – 말도 안 돼 (Maldo an dwe)
That is not right – 그렇지 않아요 (Kureoji anayo) or  그렇지 않습니다 (Kureoji ansumnida)
I don’t know – 몰라요 (Mollayo)
Of course not – 물론 아니지 (Mullon aniji)


Looks tough to master the language right??! It does seems so when comes to learning languages; it applies for all. But, practice does make perfect! So why wait~~ Aja Aja Hwating! You can do it...hehe

Practice!Practice!Practice!

The most important table to gives you a good kick start! =D

I can understand most meaning of the words here when its spoken out loud or by reading the romanized words...not the Hangul characters thou~~sad sad....*Coz I'm too lazy to learn??!* Ahakz~~

Hangul is a true alphabet of 24 consonant & vowel letters. I know this much...& that's about it.. Hmmmmm...maybe should start to learn up....

This apparently is my level in the language~~ =="

Handy Expression when in Korea part 1

When travelling to Korea or speaking to a Korean, it would be easier if you know some of these handy expression. It would help a lot, especially if you are travelling alone or in a small group without a local tour guide.

To greet someone

Hi, Hello or Good Day – 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) --> Well this is usually how Koreans greet people (polite/formal way)
Goodbye (to someone leaving) – 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi kaseyo)
Goodbye (to someone staying) – 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi kyeseyo)
How are you? – 잘 지내요?  (jal jinaeyo)
I’m fine, thank you – 잘 지내, 고마워요 (Jal jinae, komawoyo)

Thank you – 감사합니다 (Kamsahamnida), 고마워요 (Komawoyo), 고맙습니다 (Komabseubnida)

**안녕 (annyeong) comes in handy  as a expression; can mean, hi, hello or bye [further detail can refer to my previous post].  It’s casual expression though so you can’t say it to someone older or someone you don’t know personally, it may be impolite to do so.

Meeting someone

After saying hi and hello, its just right to say something like it’s nice to meet you.  Here are also some expressions you can use along with hi and hello.

It’s nice to meet you – 만마서 반갑습니다 (Mannaseo pangapsumnida) or 만나서 반가워요 (Mannaseo pangawoyo).
I am glad to meet you -  만나서 기쁜니다 (Mannaseo gippeunida) or 만나서 기뻐요 (Mannaseo gippeoyo)
I am Carrie  or  My name is Carrie – 내 이름은 캐리입니다 (Nae ileum-eun Kaeli (Carrie) ibnida)
See you later – 나중에 봐요 (Najunge bwayo, you can also hear this said as bayo instead of bwayo)
Have a nice day – 좋은 하루 보내요 (Cheoun haru bonaeyo)

A lil dose of Korean

Hi guys!! Hows your day?? hehe.. So as my earlier post regarding what actually does "Annyeong" means?


안녕 (Annyeong) - It does has alot of meaning depending on how it is phrase..


Annyeong means:-
1) Hi! / Hello
2) How are you?
3) Good Morning/ Good afternoon/ Good evening/ Good day! (Basically a form of greeting)
4) Goodbye


*Annyeong (adult saying to kids/young person or how we greet our besties/ friends)




*Annyeong Hasseyo (same age/level of profession - Formal & polite way)


*Annyeong Hashimnika (young person to higher authority as a sign of respect say this to the parents, old folks, employer, teacher, Royal family, police, person in higher rank)


But Annyeong basically has TWO different meaning:- Hi & Bye!


It can mean Hi!
*Annyeong unni, you look pretty today! ^^*


It can also mean Bye!
*Annyeong, Hope to see you soon in Korea!*




So, how do we differentiate all these apart??! Hehehe...simply..practice makes perfect! You have to practice either by watching K-dramas, get yourselves a korean pen-pal, have a conversation with a korean, etc... ^^


Happy practising guys!