Lessons in Hangeul

So it's really no secret. I don't speak Korean. A lot of people, myself included, come to Korea with the assumption that simply living abroad for a year would result in learning the local language. If only cultural immersion were that easy. If there's one thing I have learned in my 10+ plus months spent here in Korea, it's that the expat life is not for the casual adventurer. Tackling the land of SK demands a confident, open-minded, patient person. And learning Korean is no different... plus, so many people in this country speak English that unless you are seriously committed to it, it's really difficult to learn. However, I have noticed that in our warped ways of communicating with each other (read as: scathing insults, fantastical references to all forms of universal pop culture and dry sarcasm) my friends and I have picked up many Hangeul (Korean for 'Korean') terms and mannerisms. We often like to chat about which ones have fixed themselves permanently into our vocabulary and which ones we'll lose after leaving in a few months. I thought I might make a list for you all, so you won't be confused by all of my awesome Korean-ness (right Mullen?) when I get back to America, or wherever the next place you encounter me is. I suppose you can consider this an urban dictionary of sorts for my mad Konglish skills.



1. The mini-head bow: When in doubt ... bow. Okay so this is really the only mannerism I have picked up - the rest of the list is words.... but really, this one is basically permanent. There's no hope for any ESL teacher in Korea. Whether you're bidding "annyong" to your local Family Mart clerk, thanking a cab driver, or apologizing for being bumped into on the subway (yes, you read that right) the mini-head bow is an enduring outward symbol of politeness. It doesn't take long for expats to learn the mini-head bow; simply hunch your shoulders and quickly (it's got to be quick, or else it gets awkward) bow your head -similar to a chicken, or pigeon- and try to hide your face. If you get a crick in your neck, you're on your way!

2. Wheygook/Migook/Youngook/____gook (way-gook/me-gook): n. (or sometimes an adj., hey, why not?!) a white foreigner, or more specifically, an American or Enlishman, or *insert nationality here* ... Completely non-p.c. to say anywhere but Korea, the ____-gooks have a good time. As in, I thought I saw you out in Kangnam last night! But, it was just another person of wheygook persuasion.

3. Ne (naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay): interj. yes. As far as I know Korean is the only language where the word 'Yes' sound like 'no' ... it also covers 'You're welcome' and you have to elongate the e-sound for close to 18 minutes to really sound Korean. As in, Did you hear what Tina just said to Cindy? / Ne! It was nearly a Korean teacher catfight.

4. Aniyo (on-knee-o): interj. no. If your Konglish isn't up to par and the Korean you're talking to doesn't get it... holding your arms in a big X in front of you never fails. (Actually, I lied before! This is a mannerism I don't think I will EVER be able to break! lol) Anni works for no, too (No, not Darth Vadar's boyhood name). As in, Oooh. Preettty lady, come to my home/ ANIYO! ... also, Do you like my new Korean sunglasses? / Uhm, sorry, that one gets the big aniyo.

5. Kamsamnida (kgam-sahm-knee-da): .. ?.. thank you. It's an important one to learn. Koreans thank each other a lot. And since their politeness is reflected in their speech, about every other word you'll hear in public ends in some sort of "mnida" sound. It's imperative you learn to catch the thank yous, but if you can't hear the difference just watch for the mini-head bow you've already mastered, since they're usually paired together. Also, bonus points if you can say it with the same sing-song voice as a Korean and not sound like a cartoon character. As in, Hey I brought you a 6,000 won a watered down drink from Coffee Bean. / Ooooh. Kamsamnida. :)

6. Annyonghi Kaseyo (on-yong-khe-caw-say-o): interj. Goodbye. While there are five full syllables in an/nyong/ha/se/yo you'll be lucky if you catch 3... but if you listen for "a-ajksd;hfaehfakdsjf;adsh;fas-yo!" you should be just fine! As in, Annyonghi kaseyo, thanks for coming. No, seriously, please leave.

7. Annyonghi Kyeseyo (on-yong-khe-key-ay-say-o): interj. Goodbye. Ooooooh... tricky. This is the one you say if you're leaving. #3 is what you say if your being left.... As in, Annyonghi kyesayo, thanks for the ride.

8. Annyong Hasseyo (on-yong-hah-say-o): interj. Hello, Good Morning, Good Evening, etc etc. Yes it sounds almost exactly the same. But luckily just saying 'Annyong' covers them all! But only with friends - otherwise it's rude. (Wouldn't want to offend the ajjushi passed out drunk in your neighborhood park!) As in, are you kidding? You're still reading this? Go to the next one!!

9. Jusseyo (juice-say-o): n./v./adj./the million dollar word!!! err... billion won word? Either way - this one basically means 'please' ... but it can also mean "Bring me _____ please" or "Take me to ______ please" More or less, this is the Konglish-speaker's way to order food or get around in a cab. As in, Yogiyo! Mul juseyo! (Hey! Water please!) ... which sounds rude, but not in Korea!

10. Chingu (cheen-goo): n. friend. As in, Hey chingus! What's happening!?
Essential to most general weygook gatherings ... We'd all be lost in Korea without our chingu-chingus!