anon asked: what’s the difference between -는 동안 and -(으)면서? I’m so confused

This is a great question! I am assuming you’re asking because they can be translated as the same thing into English. I understand why there will be confusion because, under context, these grammar points aren’t really distinguishable in English as they are in Korean. 

-는 동안; while, during [goherefor more]

Use this when:

1. You’re not talking about the same doer of the action [엄마가 설거지를 하는 동안 아빠는 화장실을 청소했어요 - Mom cleaned the dishes while dad cleaned the bathroom]
2. You are talking about the same doer of the action [어제 공부하는 동안 문제가 생겼어요 - I found a problem while studying yesterday]
3. The doer of the action is inanimate [비가 많이 오는 동안 구름이 어두워졌어요 - the clouds darkened while it poured]

Try to remember that 동안 is used for a period of time; “-는 동안”은 일정 기간 동안 사용되다. Consider the example in the first rule. Think of the context of this sentence as: during the time it took for my mom to do the dishes, my dad cleaned the bathroom. Yes, you can switch it around because contextually it means the same thing, “아빠가 화장실을 청소하는 동안 엄마는 설거지를 했어요.”

NOTE:Because “-는” attaches to the dependent clause [엄마가 설거지를 하는 동안], the verb before it does not take tense and underlyingly takes the tense of the independent clause’s verb [아빠는 화장실을 청소했어요]. I used the past tense [과거] in my examples, but you can use the present tense [현재] or future tense [미래], obviously, depending on what you want to say. 

More Examples:

1. 한국에서 사는 동안 한국어를 빨리 배웠어요 - While I lived in Korea, I learned Korean quickly.
2. 대학교 디니는 동안 어디에서 살 거예요? - Where are you going to live while attending University?
3. 아빠가 저녁을 준비하는 동안 저는 보통 숙제를 해요 - I usually do my homework while my dad makes dinner.
4. 희주가 세수하는 동안 혜민은 이를 닦았어요 - While Heeju washed her face, Hyemin brushed her teeth.
5. 제가 자는 동안 고양이는 제 식물을 먹었어요 - While I slept, my cat ate my plants.

-(으)면서; while

Use this when:

1. The doer of the action is the same [희주는 먹으면서 유튜브를 봐요 - Heeju watches YouTube while eating]
2. The action is happening simultaneously [지하철을 기다리면서 친구하고 전화했어요 - I waited for the metro while I called my friend]
3. Contrasting two actions [대현은 한국에서 일하고 싶다고 하면서 한국어를 못해요 - Daehyun said they wanted to work in Korea, but they don’t speak Korean]

NOTE: You can only use -(으)면서 when talking about the same doer of the action or state. For example, 희주는 일하는 동안 음악을 들었어요 and 희주는 일하면서 음악을 들었어요. BOTH work and are grammatically correct. The working and listening to music is being done by 희주, whether at the same time, or during work. However, a sentence like “희주는 일하면서 혜민은 음악을 들었어요” is grammatically incorrect. Even if 희주 and 혜민 are doing this at the same time, you must use -는 동안. 

More Examples:

1. 샤워하면서 노래를 불렀어요 - While showering, I sang
2. 요리하면서 요리법을 봐요 - While cooking, I read a recipe
3. 수업을 들으면서 메모를 해요 - I take notes while in class
4. 운전하면서 문자를 보내지 마세요 - Don’t text while driving
5. 희주는 숙제를 하면서 음악을 들어요 - While Heeju does her homework, she listens to music

Differences between the two:

1. You can use 동안 with nouns [명사], you cannot use (으)면서 with nouns. However, you can use (이)면서 with nouns in conjunction with 이다 [저는 대학생이면서 선생님이에요 - I am a university student and a teacher]. This expresses two states of being that happen at the same time. 
2. You can not use -는 동안 to contrast actions
3. You MUST use the same doer of action with (으)면서
4. -는 동안 expresses an action that occurs during a period of time; -(으)면서 does not necessarily take place at a specific time

Similarities between the two:

1. You attach tense at the end of the sentence, you cannot attach tense to the dependent verb
2. They are, most of the time, interchangeable; just remember the rules above

BONUS! -(을/ㄹ) 때; when

The closest origin of “때” I could find in 한자 is “時”. “때” refers to an event/time/period of action (another translation of 時 can be 시). 

Things to remember:

• You can use -때 with nouns and -(을/ㄹ) 때 with verbs.
• Because it refers to a specific moment, you can attach tense to -(을/ㄹ) 때
• You can use this with adjectives!
• Can be used with -까지 and -부터! [때 + 부터 = since// 때 + 까지 = until]

Examples:

1. 비행기를 도착할 때 엄마하고 전화할게요 - When my plane lands, I’ll call my mom
2. 대학생[이였을] 때 돈이 없었잖아요 - When I was a uni student, I didn’t have money, as you know
3. 한국 친구에게 한국말로 하기 시작했을 때 마이클은 깜짝 놀랐어요 - When I started speaking Korean to my Korean friend, Michael was surprised!
4. 공부할 때 음악을 들어요 - When I study, I listen to music
5. 시간이 있을 때 알려주세요 - Let me know when you have time
6. 16살 때부터 한국어를 배웠어요 - I’ve been learning Korean since I was 16
7. 이렇게 될 때까지 더 씻어야 해요 - You have to wash it more until it’s like this
8. 한국에 갈 때 홍대하고 제주도 방문하고 싶어요 - When I go Korea, I want to visit Jeju and Hongdae
9. 혜민 언니는 한국에 들어갔을 때 제가 너무 슬펐어요 - I was so sad when Hyemin when back to Korea
10. 어렸을 때 그림을 그리기 시작했어요 - I started drawing when I was a kid

Hope this helps! If there’s any more confusion, please, don’t hesitate to send another message or ask! 

Happy Learning :) 

~ SK101

(으)시 vs Deferential [Korean Honorifics]

anon asked: what’s the difference between 먹다 and 드시겠습니다. You say they both mean eat but i am confused? Help!

@femaletype asked: next do (으)시 vs -세요 vs -ㅂ/습니다 Bc honorific vs deferential is the bane of my existence

First, I will give a list of honorific verbs and nouns, then explain the honorific ending! It’s important to note an “elevation” of formality; who is being elevated! In this case, there are three types:

1. verbs that elevate* the subject
2. verbs that elevate the object
3. verbs that elevate the recipient of the action (usually used with the honorific particle 께)

*elevate = who are talking about in an honorific way?

높임말 동사; Honorific Verbs

• (2) 만나다 / 보다; 뵙다 [to see, to meet]
• (1) 먹다; 드시다 / 식사하다 / 잡수시다 [to eat]
• (1) 마시다; 드시다 [to drink]
• (3) 주다;드리다 [to give]
• (1) 있다; 계시다 [to stay]
• (1) 죽다; 들어가시다 [to die]
• (1) 아프다; 편찮으시다 [to be hurt/in pain]
• (1) 말하다; 말씁하시다 [to speak]
• (1) 자다; 주무시다 [to sleep]
• (3) 묻다; 여쭈다 [to ask]
• (1) 배고프다; 시장하시다 [to be hungry]
• (2) 데리다; 모시다 [to accompany]^

^ the plain form 데리다 is more commonly used as a compound verb with 오다 or 가다, but that can be it’s own separate post if people are interested.

높임말 명사; Honorific Nouns

• 이름; 성함 [name]
• 나이; 연세 [age]
• 집; 댁 [house]
• 생일; 생신 [birthday]
• 밥; 진지 / 식사 [food, meal]
• 병; 병환 [disease, illness]
• 술; 약주 [alcohol]
• 아이; 자제분 [child]
• 이; 치아 [tooth]
• 말; 말씀 [word]

It’s important to note, that outside of these specific verbs, you can realistically elevate any verb in Korean using (으)시. 

-(으)시 vs. (스)ㅂ니다; Deferential Honorific

At this point, you should be familiar with plain style conjugation patterns (-어/아요). The deferential style is the infamous -(스)ㅂ니다 that gives the statements their formal ending. Of course, as we know, -(스)ㅂ니다 is more formal than -어/아요. If at any point, you are unsure as to which formality to use, always use the deferential style. 

Honorifics can attach to both the deferential and polite styles, but are used in different contexts illustrated below:

• [polite]집에 가요 - I’m going home
• [deferential]집에 갑니다 - I go home
• [polite + (으)시] 집에 가세요 - Go home, (hon. subject)
• [deferential + (으)시] 집에 가십니다 - (hon. subject) goes home

Remember, you cannot, ever, at any point, ever, use (으)시 for yourself.

-(으)세요

When (으)시 is attached to the polite style conjugation, there are two usages; (1) to show respect, (2) to create an imperative. 

The use of -(으)시 elevates the subject, object, or any recipient of the action who is older, in a higher position, or placed above you in respect. Of course, you will hear some Koreans complain about this politeness hierarchy, however, that is not an excuse to speak in an intimate way to a doctor, professor, or an elder–this is not about being close, this is about being respectful. 

The biggest difference between the deferential -(스)ㅂ니다 and the honorific  -(으)시 is that one acknowledges the elevation of the subject/object/recipient of action [-(으)시] while the other acknowledges the formality of the environment around them [-(스)ㅂ니다].

When talking to someone closer to your age (seemingly), you are able to use [polite + (으)시] to express politeness without being overtly formal. This is why, in restaurants, you will use phrases like:

• 순두부찌개 하나 좀* 주세요 - please give me tofu stew
• 물 좀 주세요 - please give me water
• 아아 한잔 좀 주세요 - please give me an iced americano

*좀 softens the request

Where the server will use an honorific term:

• [드시다] 뭐 드시겠습니까? - what will you eat/drink?
• [드리다] 영수증을 드릴까요? - do you want me to give you a receipt?

Note that the -까 creates an interrogative phrase.

All that said…

You can add (으)시 to any verb in order to create it’s honorific counterpart. This goes for literally any verb. If you are truly lost and cannot remember how to use the honorific form of 먹다 then you can use some form of 먹으시다. Examples:

• [to answer/reply] 대답하다 + (으)시 = 대답하시다
• [to sing] 노래부르다 + (으)시 = 노래부르시다
• [to listen] 듣다 + (으)시 = 들으시다

Hope this helps! Honorifics are honestly difficult. So difficult, that even switching formality without honorifics is still considered rude (from intimate to plain to deferential). You’ll hear people say it’s okay to not use the proper formality because you’re a foreigner, but I think that’s a lazy solution to learning. If you want to learn properly, do it properly. 

Example Sentences:

1. 무슨 책을 읽으세요? - what book are you reading?
2. 한국 분이세요? - are you Korean?
3. 한국어를 가르칠 사람은 김 선생님이세요 - Mx. Kim will teach Korean
4. 엄마가 전화하셨어요 - My mom called
5. 부모님께서 은행에 가셨어요 - My parents went to the bank

That being said, it’s okay to mess up formalities so long as you catch the mistake and correct yourself. The listener (older Korean or friend) will greatly appreciate the self-assessment. 

If there’s still some confusion, let me know!! Happy Learning :)

~ SK101

p.s. for more conjugations, you can go here!!

anon asked: I just finished reading your most recent blog and im just confused about something. you give us the translation for boda and bo-eda but why do I sometimes see a different verb beside boda? like meokeoboda? Sorry about the romanization, i dont have a korean keyboard on my phone

Hey! It’s not a problem! If you need help figuring out how to add a keyboard to your phone, it’s simpler than you think! Just go the “keyboard” function in your settings then press “add new keyboard” you should see “Korean” or 한국어. 

As for your question, I’m going to assume you’re talking about 어/아/여 보다! If I’m not assuming correctly, then please send me another pm or comment on this blog! Hopefully my assumption is correct though!

V ~ 어/아 /여 보다; try, suggest/order (imperative / attempt; 시도)

Conjugate the stem, then add 보다. Not much else to it!

If we attach ~(으)시다 to the grammar point, then we make it a more formal imperative. But if you use intimate style (반말) with your friends, then conjugating 보다 regularly is fine. Here are some formal examples:

• 치마를 입어 보세요 - Try the skirt on
• 잘 생각해 보세요 - think about it well
• 식혜를 마셔 보세요 - try sikhye (Korean rice drink)

Intimate Style:

Sometimes my Korean friends have a hard time saying something in English, and I have a hard time understanding. Usually when this happens, I say, “한국말로 해 봐” which literally just means, “say it in Korean”. If you’re someone who finds it a bit easier to speak informally (like most learners, lol), then here are some other sentences you can use:

When NCT drops another bop and you’re desperate to share it with your friend, say: 잘 들어 봐 - listen well

When your friend is talking too fast in Korean and you can’t keep up, say: 야. 천천히 말해 봐 - yo, speak slower

When your friend has a big test coming up and you wanna support them, say: 공부 열심히 해 봐! 파이팅 - study hard! fighting

V ~ 어/아/여 보다 + 과거 = 어/아/여 봤어요; have tried (experience; 경험)

Here’s where it get’s interesting! If you conjugate 보다 in the past tense when attached to a verb, it talks about past experience. However, this is a very specific example that has happened in the past (usually a distant past, not one that happened recently). Here are some examples:

• 한국에 가 봤어요 - I’ve been to Korea
• 감자탕 먹어 봤어요 - I’ve tried gamjatang (Pork Bone Stew)
• 어렸을 때 미국에 살아 봤어요 - I lived in the US when I was young

If you want to ask someone if they’ve ever done something, or tried something, then just add a question mark!

• 감자탕 먹어 봤어요? - have you ever tried gamjatang?
• 노래방에 가 봤어요? - have you ever been to karaoke?
• 스키 타 봤어요? - have you ever been skiing?

If you want to say that you haven’t done the thing that they’re asking, then add 안 before the main verb. EX. 아니요. 감자탕 “안” 먹어 봤어요 - No. I haven’t tried gamjatang. You can also use “못” instead of “안”. I have used both in the same context and it means the same thing!

V ~ (보다) + (으)ㄴ 적(이) 있다/없다 = have done V / haven’t done V (experience; 경험)

Another way to express experience in the past with / without 보다 is (으)ㄴ 적(이) 있다/없다. 적 is a dependent noun related to time! Here are some examples:

• 떡볶이 먹은 적이 있어요 - I’ve eaten tteokbokki (Korean spicy rice cake)
• 서울에 산* 적이 없어요 - I have never lived in Seoul!

With 보다: 

• 소주 마셔 본 적이 있어요 - I’ve tried soju
• 한복 입어 본 적이 없어요 - I haven’t tried wearing a Hanbok!

*살다 (to live) is an irregular ㄹ verb, therefore ㄹ acts as a vowel/is omitted in most grammatical instances. Other irregular ㄹ verbs you may know: 만들다 (to make), 알다 (to know), 울다 (to cry), 열다 (to open), 팔다 (to sell), many more!

When saying that you’ve watched something, or haven’t while using 보다 in the sense of “to see”, you wouldn’t say 봐 봤어요 or 봐 본 적–, it’s just grammatically incorrect and honestly, unnatural sounding. You would just say 본 적 or 봤어요. The Korean person you’re talking to will understand the context instantly. Here are some examples to illustrate this:

• 영화 기생충 봤어요(?) - Have you seen/I have seen “Parasite”(?)
• 드라마 알랑말랑 본 적이 있어요 - I’ve watched the drama “알랑말랑”

Hope that answers your question! I would say this grammar point is maybe A2-B1! Pretty easy and once you get it, you’ll start to understand some more intermediate sentences a lot better! If you’re still confused, or, again, I assumed wrong, then don’t hesitate to send me another message/pm! I’ll help you right away!

Happy Learning :)

~ SK101

anon asked: I was studying and came across the sentence 별이 보여요. I looked on Papago and I’m confused. anything helps at this point. Thanks!

Hey, no worries! I got you!

The sentence 별이 보여요 actually means “the stars are seen”. 보이다 is a passive verb (수동태), whereas, 보다 is an active verb (능동태). What this means is that the subject either is doing the action or receives action from the verb.

보다 - to see
보이다 - to be seen

Passive and active verbs are super common in English (if used sparingly). For example, you can say, I threw the ball (I did the action to the ball) or, the ball was thrown by me. This shows that the action is done (passive) by the objective me, to the subjective ball.

Here are some more examples in Korean:

• 별을 봐요 - I see the stars
• 별이 보여요 - The stars are seen
• 사자가 토끼를 봤어요 - The lion sees the rabbit
• 토끼가 사자에게 보였어요 - The rabbit is seen by the lion
• 많은 사람들은 영화 기생충을 봤어요 - Many people watched the movie Parasite
• 영화 기생충은 많은 사람들에게 보여졌어요 - The movie Parasite was seen by many people

Hope this answers your question! If there’s any more confusion, please don’t hesitate to pm or send another ask! Happy Learning :)

~ SK101

anon asked: what’s the difference between 끊다 and 자르다?

Great question! Hopefully my answer helps! Both can mean “to cut” but here’s a better explanation:

One is used abstractly, while the other is used for more concrete situations. When you want to cut something for a recipe, or cut a piece of paper, you use 자르다. When you want to hang up the phone, or quit smoking, you use 끊다.

끊다 - cut (something abstract); not a literal cutting of something

1. 이만 끊을게요 - I’ll hang up (on the phone)
2. 앞으로 담배를 끊을 거예요 - From now on, I’m going to quit smoking.

자르다 - cut (something concrete); a literal cutting of something

1. 종이를 반으로 자르세요 - cut the paper in half
2. 이렇게 잘라야 해요 - you should cut it like this
3. 머리 잘라서 머리가 짧아졌어요 - my hair got shorter because I cut it

Hope that helps! Happy learning :) 

~ SK101

anon asked: what’s the difference between 부터&까지 and 에서&까지? Please let me know

안녕하세요! Hello! The difference is quite simple :)

부터 ~ 까지: (시간)

• specific to time in general

♡ Example Sentences:

1. 1시부터 2시까지 친구를 만났어요
   I met my friend from 1:00 to 2:00
2. 월요일부터 금요일까지 일해요
   I work from Monday to Friday

에서 ~ 까지: (장소)

• specific to distance, destination, and place

♡ Example Sentences:

1. 캐나다에서 한국까지 어떻게 가요?
   How do I get from Canada to Korea?
2. 학교에서 대학로까지 버스로 갔어요
   I went from school to Daehangno by bus

Hope this helped! If you need any more examples, let me know! These are pretty good grammatical points to know. 

Happy Learning :) 

~ SK101

anon asked: 안녕하습니다 for the request thing can you do a more indepth blog on the body? 고맙습니다

Yes! I very much can! To piggyback off this ask, I’m going to include certain systems of the body as well. This will be PART ONE of the in depth body posts! Please refer to my first body post to get the basics!

*pictured above is a plain face with closed eyes, highlighting the ears (vocabulary pointing to the necessary region)

• 머리 / 고개 - head
• major difference between 머리 and 고개: 머리 is used for the general region of the head (plus the brain and everything inside) whereas 고개 is used primarily for any movement of the head. 
• 머리카락 / 머리칼 - hair
• 얼굴 / 낯 - face
• major difference between 얼굴 and 낯: 얼굴 refers to a physical face whereas 낯 refers to a mental/abstract face (see examples below).
• 이마 - forehead
• 눈 - eye
• 코 - nose
• 입 - mouth
• 턱 - chin
• 볼 / 빰 - cheek
• major difference between 볼 and 빰: 볼 refers to the centre of the cheek whereas 빰 refers to the general area. For example, you would pinch 볼 but slap 빰.
• 귀 - ear
• 귓속 - inner ear
• 코클레어 / 달팽어관 - cochlea 
• 청각 신경 - auditory nerve
• 안면 신경 - facial nerve
• 중이 - middle ear
• 고막 - eardrum
• 외이 - outer ear
• 연골 - cartilage 

Example Sentences:

1. 태호는 낙담해서 고개를 저었어요 - Tae-Ho shook his headin despair.
2. 음식에머리칼이 있습니다! - There’s a hairin my food!
3. 낯/얼굴이 뜨거워요:
      낯 = I’m embarrassed > the faceis hot (more abstract)
      얼굴 = the faceis hot > I’m embarrassed (more concrete)
4. 괜찮아요? 네 이마에 열이 있잖아요.. - Are you ok? Your foreheadfeels hot. 
5. 눈을 감고 소원을 빌어 봐요! - Close your eyesand make a wish!

*picture is of a plain face with open eyes; to the top right, the left eye is opened (vocabulary pointing to the necessary region), to the bottom right, an open mouth with a tongue sticking out (vocabulary pointing to the necessary region).

• 눈썹 - eyebrow
• 속눈썹 - eyelash
• 눈가 - eye rim (general eye area)
• 눈꺼풀 - eyelid
• 눈동자 - pupil
• 홍채 - iris
• 콧구멍 - nostril
• 코털 - nose hair
• 입술 - lips
• 혀 - tongue
• 잇몸 - gums
• 이 / 치아 - tooth
• major difference between 이 and 치아: 이 is a more casual, newer version of “tooth”, whereas 치아 is more formal and comes from 齒牙 in 한자 (sometimes, reference is related to ‘dental/dentistry’)
• not to be confused with 이빨 - tooth (usually for non-human animals)
• 어금니 - molar
• 사랑니 - wisdom tooth

Not Mentioned: 

• 뇌 - brain
• 두개골 - skull

Example Sentences:

1. 입술이 계속 트고 갈라져요 - My lipsare still cracked and chapped
2. 혀를 내밀어 보세요 - Please stick out your tongue.
3. 식사 후에 이를 꼭 닦으세요 - Make sure you brush your teethafter eating.
4. 입을 크게 벌리세요 - Open your mouthwide!

Verbs to Remember:

듣다 - to listen
들리다- to hear
귀기울이다- to listen carefully
엿듣다- to eavesdrop
먹다- to eat
깜박거리다- to blink

Reminder: this is PART ONE of the in depth body posts! I got a fair amount of requests but my inbox is still open! I look forward to everyone’s ideas!

If there’s anything you’d like to add, feel free! Pictures drawn by me as all things are on this blog; please do not repost without my permission. 

Happy Learning :) 

~ SK101