Summary: The goal of this article is to help Korean language learners improve on their pronunciation and tones. To do this, it’s important to take advantage of the most commonly spoken particles.

 

Imagine yourself talking to a friend at a local cafe in your mother tongue. You’re comfortable and you let your words flow naturally — and that’s when your “natural language” comes alive.

 

I know some of you are reading this because you're interested in starting to learn Korean or have already taken some lessons. Since, I myself, am a business owner working alongside native or locals, I am exposed to various levels of conversational Korean, from talking in a formal manner to clients or more casually with students.

 

I have determined the seven most repetitive and unnatural particles used to sound more natural when speaking Korean — most of these particles are in conjunctions and postpositions.

 

I am going to explain to you seven conversational alternatives that you can quite simply apply to your conversation in Korean. I will compare both the written and spoken forms in my examples, and which examples sound more natural to a native's ear.

 

Just to be clear, these examples are meant to spark casual conversations, but when it comes to business-level conversations or presentations, that's a different story.

 

So, here are seven simple changes you can make when speaking Korean to sound more natural.

​​
*Key:

  • V: Verb
  • A: Adjective

 

 

1. “With” (someone): Use -(이)랑 instead of -와 / 과

 

Note: Only use this when you mention a person or people.

 

When the noun ends with a consonant, be sure to put another vowel '이' at the end of the noun. For example:

 

  • A: 오늘 민지랑 치킨 먹었어. 넌? 
  • A: I had chicken with Min-ji today. And you?

 

  • B: 나는 오늘 현진이랑 술 한 잔 했어.
  • B: I drank a bit with Hyun-jin today.

 

Using -하고 would be a good alternative. For example:

 

  • A: 너 언제 현준이하고 결혼할 거야? 
  • A: When are you going to marry Hyun-joon?

 

  • B: 몰라. 너는 희재하고 아직도 만나?
  • B: No idea, are you still seeing Hee-jae?

 

 

2. For “But”: Use '근데' instead of '하지만'

 

  • ‘근데’ equals “By the way, anyway”
  • ‘하지만’ equals “However, but”

 

I know, these words have different meanings if you were to translate it. But for some reason in a daily context, we tend to just use ‘근데’ more to convey ‘but’, which seems to be a cultural habit.

 

‘근데’ is a shortened form of ‘그런데’, and it’s used more in casual conversations. In more formal context, I would recommend saying ‘그런데’. For example:

 

  • A: 내일 시험이래... 우린 망했다, 이미.
  • A: Tomorrow is the exam...we’re already screwed.

 

  • B: 근데 야, 내일이 아니라 모레야.
  • B: But hey, it's the day after tomorrow, not tomorrow.

 

 

3. “To” (someone): Use '-한테' instead of '-에게'

 

Note: Only use this when you mention a person or people. For example:

 

  • A: 지수한테 이거 좀 전해 줘. 
  • A: Please deliver this to Ji-soo.

 

  • B: 그래, 언제? 지금은 명진이한테 가 봐야 되서.
  • B: Yeah, but when? I should get going to Myung-jin now.

 

Wondering why I put '이' next to the name? Refer back to tip 1.

 

 

4. For “can't” + V: Use '못 V-다' instead of 'V-지 못하다' or 'V-(으)ㄹ 수 없다'

 

Words “can or can't” relates to your ability in doing something. For example:

 

Incorrect

  • 이건 하지 못 해요. 
  • I can't do this.

Correct

  • 이건 못 해요. 
  • I can't do this.

 

 

Incorrect

  • 클럽 가지 못할 거예요.
  • You won't be able to go to the club.

Correct

  • 클럽 못 갈 거예요.
  • You won't be able to go to the club.

 

As you can see, Koreans like to omit the subjects and nouns —​ it's all about the context!

 

 

5. For “don't” + V: Use '안 V-다' instead of 'V-지 않다'

 

Both “do” and “don’t” relates to your own choices. For example:

 

Incorrect

  • 저는 그 영화 보지 않았어요.
  • I didn't watch that movie.

Correct

  • 저는 그 영화 안 봤어요.
    I didn't watch that movie.

 

Incorrect

  • 수연이는 공부하지 않아요.
  • Su-yeon doesn't study.

Correct

  • 수연이는 공부 안 해요.
  • Su-yeon doesn't study.

 

 

6. Giving a reason: Use 'A or V -아서/아서' instead of 'A or V -(으)니까'

 

Use '~(어)서' when you want to state the reason for an outcome. For example:

 

Incorrect

  • 밥을 이미 먹으니까 배불러요.
  • I already had a meal, so I'm full.

Correct

  • 밥을 이미 먹어서 배불러요.
  • I already had a meal, so I'm full.

 

However, it's okay to use '-(으)니까' when you are solely stating the reason. For example

 

  • A: 왜 밥 안 먹었어? 
  • A: Why haven't you eaten?

 

  • B: 배 안 고프니까.
  • B: Because I'm not hungry.

 

 

7. For “V + -ing”: Use ‘건 / 게’ instead of ‘것은 / 것이’

 

‘-는것’ means you’re transferring the verb into the form of the noun. Whereas ‘건 / 게’ are the shortened forms of ‘것은 / 것이’. For example:

 

Incorrect

  • 학교 가는 것이 귀찮아.
  • Going to school is a hassle.

Correct

  • 학교 가는 게 귀찮아.
  • Going to school is a hassle.

 

Incorrect

  • 여행 가는 것은 좋은데 짐 싸는 것은 싫어.
  • I love traveling, but I hate packing.

Correct

  • 여행 가는 건 좋은데 짐 싸는 건 싫어.
  • I love traveling, but I hate packing.

 

 

Now that wasn't too hard…and this is how most Koreans express themselves in daily conversation. Try to use some of these tips next time you speak Korean and you’ll notice a difference in reaction from native Korean speakers.

 

Once again, these suggestions are not ‘rules’, but more of a ‘know-how’ in a spoken context. When it comes to conversation, get rid of your textbook words, and immerse yourself in the real spoken language. That’s what proficiency is about.

 

Keep it up with your Korean-isms!

 

Hero image by Hon Kim (CC0 1.0)