Korean Vocabulary Intermediate

[Allison Sturgis]

Yesterdaymorning, when I was kind of half asleep, I took this test which asks a number of questions in Korean, ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced levels, and makes an assessment based on your answers about the size of your vocabulary and the age of your vocabulary. As always - interpret quizzes like this with caution - they are not always a true reflection of skill and ability.

Access the quiz through this URL: -vocabulary-size-test/en/

This is my score:

Jess. Langblr. Long-term Korean student.

Follows and comments back from @imleavingonatrain ?

I failed the TOPIK II exam in 2019 so I need accountability for my studying to get Level 4 in 2021.

Before I dive into the tips on how to learn Korean vocabulary effectively, we should ask ourselves at which stage of my Korean learning should we be focusing on vocabulary, which type of vocabulary and why.

I started keeping a study notebook when I was a beginner. One section of the notebook was dedicated to vocabulary where I jotted down the words that I come across. The benefits are two-fold: (1) It helped with the practice of writing the Korean alphabet and (2) I can refer back to my notes when I come across the same word again. However as time goes on, when I reached intermediate level, there are just too many new words and I was too lazy to keep track of all of them. This is because I knew that the next time I see the same word, I can easily check it up in the dictionary to refresh my memory, which is actually quicker than if I had to refer to my unorganised notes. I also found it much easier to remember Korean vocabulary when I became more advance in my Korean studies. Maybe that was because I had got used to the Hangul and the sound of Korean words. Therefore it is really not necessary to be in a rush to cram vocabulary at the beginner stage.

To be effective in expanding your vocabulary, you would want to prioritise vocabulary commonly used in day to day conversations. Using just flash cards or rote memorisation alone, you never know if you are wasting time and effort on obsolete word that no one really use. In contrast, with this approach, it basically guarantees that the words you have the strongest memory of are the words that are used the most often. If you come across a word and never come across it a second time, that is good evidence that the word is not in common usage, so why do you care?

When I come across a new word and check it in the dictionary, usually I also listen to the dictionary pronunciation and read it out loud after it. This is important too as it combined visual with audio memory. The sound of the word is another layer of context that you wrap around the word you are learning. This is why usually it is much easier to remember lyrics than a standalone passage.

I do not recommend flash cards or flash card types of app such as Memrise. Also I do not suggest creating artificial context just to remember the words e.g. I saw a website teaching you to remember 집 (home) by picturing a jeep parked outside your house. First I find remembering the artificial context even more difficult than remembering the word itself. Second it depends on romanisation of the Korean word which is a very bad habit.

I hope you will find these tips in learning and remembering Korean vocabulary useful. If you have any other suggestions please feel free to leave a comment below. Subscribe to get more helpful Korean learning tips and advice!

These are some of our most popular books among intermediate learners and upper-beginner students who want to improve their Korean further by learning a wider range of essential Korean vocabulary as well as useful expressions used daily by native speakers.

I love my book, always take it to everywhere I go to study whenever I have time. Love the fact that explain the different ways thing can be say in Korean, I practice with my Korean friends and they are surprised of how fluent sounds my conversation now, so Thanks a lot!

KOREAN 1A Elementary Korean 5 Units

This course is designed for students who have little or no prior knowledge of the Korean language. Students will learn the Korean alphabet and basic grammar.

KOREAN 1AX Elementary Korean for Heritage Speakers 5 Units

This course is designed for students who already have elementary comprehension and speaking skills in Korean and have minimum exposure to reading and/or writing in Korean.

KOREAN 1B Elementary Korean 5 Units

With an emphasis on speaking, listening, reading and writing, students will learn daily life expressions, common colloquialisms, and speech acts. The course is also intended to introduce certain cultural aspects through media sources and various activities.

KOREAN 1BX Elementary Korean for Heritage Speakers 5 Units

With special emphasis on reading and writing, students will expand common colloquialisms and appropriate speech acts.

KOREAN 10A Intermediate Korean 5 Units

With equal attention given to speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural aspects of the language, students will further develop their language skills for handling various everyday situations.

KOREAN 10AX Intermediate Korean for Heritage Speakers 5 Units

This is an intermediate course for students whose Korean proficiency level is higher in speaking than in reading or writing due to Korean-heritage background. Students will elaborate their language skills for handling various everyday situations.

KOREAN 10B Intermediate Korean 5 Units

With equal attention given to speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural aspects of the language, students will learn vocabulary, expressions, and varieties of speech styles beyond the basic level.

KOREAN 10BX Intermediate Korean for Heritage Speakers 5 Units

This intermediate course will emphasize reading and writing so that students can reach a comparable proficiency with their already high speaking and listening skills.

KOREAN 100A Advanced Korean 5 Units

This is a third-year course in modern Korean with emphasis on acquisition of advanced vocabulary and grammatical structure. Equal attention will be given to all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

KOREAN 100AX Advanced Korean for Heritage Speakers 4 Units

This is a third-year course in modern Korean with emphasis on acquisition of advanced vocabulary and grammatical structure.

KOREAN 100B Advanced Korean 5 Units

Students will learn more advanced expressions and use them in reading and writing. Small group discussions will enhance speaking and listening skills.

KOREAN 100BX Advanced Korean for Heritage Speakers 4 Units

Students will be introduced to advanced-level Korean by reading authentic texts and writing short compositions, summaries, essays, and critical reviews. Students will be encouraged to speak using advanced vocabulary and expressions.

KOREAN 101 Fourth-Year Readings: Korean Literature 4 Units

This is an advanced course of reading and textual literary analysis in Korean. Advanced reading and writing skills and practice in the use of standard reference tools will also be introduced.

KOREAN 102 Fourth-Year Korean: Korean Society through current issues 4 Units

This course aims to help students achieve a high-advanced level of proficiency in all aspects of Korean by deepening their knowledge of fast-changing modern Korean society through the lens of current issues. It covers various authentic media materials to facilitate class discussions and promote critical thinking skills. Special attention will be paid to the formal use of the Korean language through practices on advanced expressions and grammar.

KOREAN 105 Business Korean 4 Units

This course is for students wanting to acquire high-advanced and superior level Korean proficiency in Korean business settings through the nuances of job-related communication and cultural expectations. Students master appropriate workplace terminology, expressions, and professional style spoken and written form. They complete job a search, plan a new product, present and negotiate the product status, and finally present the product externally.

KOREAN 109 Korean Language in Popular Media 4 Units

This course is uniquely designed for students who are interested in enhancing their proficiency level up to high-advanced or superior level through the lens of Korean popular media. By analyzing various media such as movies, documentary, TV shows, K-Pop songs, and news articles, students will broaden their knowledge and understanding about Korean society and culture in a deeper level, which is vital in advancing proficiency.

KOREAN 111 Fifth-Year Korean: Korean Culture and History 4 Units

This course is designed to help advanced Korean students understand the influence of history and politics on contemporary Korean culture. Students will analyze contrastive views on historical events reflected in writings and media. Structured as a seminar format, students will take active roles in a class by sharing their inquiries and findings on course materials. A superior level of speaking and writing competence will be promoted based on advanced reading and listening competence. Prerequisites: Korean 101 or Korean 102; or consent of instructor.

KOREAN 112 Fifth-Year Readings: Korean for Research and Professional Use 4 Units

This course aims to prepare students for research or employment in a Korea-related field. Authentic materials will be used to discuss various issues in Korea and some may be selected by students to explore their specific interests/needs. Students will conduct research projects in their own fields of study.

KOREAN 160 Korean Linguistics

K160 is designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of the fundamental aspects of the Korean language. This course will serve as a gateway to understanding the intricate structures of Korean grammar and its application in discourse. Students will learn the basic features of Korean linguistics, including phonology, morphology and syntax, with emphasis on investigating how grammar influences meaning and discourse in diverse Korean communication contexts. Through a blend of theoretical study, practical examples, and language analysis, students will develop a solid foundation in Korean linguistics. Additionally, the course will investigate the interplay between grammar and ongoing communication dynamics within Korean society, providing students with insights into the evolving nature of language in cultural context.

3a8082e126