Reading children’s books is an excellent and enjoyable way to improve your Korean language skills, especially for beginners and intermediate learners. This guide introduces the core phrase for “Reading Korean Children’s Books” and provides related vocabulary, useful expressions, cultural insights, and practical conversation examples to help you discuss and engage with Korean children’s literature.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 한국 동화책 읽기
Pronunciation: han-guk dong-hwa-chaek il-gi
Meaning: Reading Korean children’s books (This phrase combines ‘Korean’, ‘children’s book’, and the noun form of ‘to read’)
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 책
Pronunciation: chaek
Meaning: Book -
Expression: 동화책
Pronunciation: dong-hwa-chaek
Meaning: Children’s book / Fairy tale book -
Expression: 읽다
Pronunciation: ik-tta
Meaning: To read -
Expression: 이야기
Pronunciation: i-ya-gi
Meaning: Story / Tale -
Expression: 그림
Pronunciation: geu-rim
Meaning: Picture / Illustration -
Expression: 주인공
Pronunciation: ju-in-gong
Meaning: Main character -
Expression: 작가
Pronunciation: jak-ga
Meaning: Author / Writer -
Expression: 제목
Pronunciation: je-mok
Meaning: Title -
Expression: 페이지
Pronunciation: pe-i-ji
Meaning: Page -
Expression: 도서관
Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan
Meaning: Library -
Expression: 서점
Pronunciation: seo-jeom
Meaning: Bookstore -
Expression: 배우다
Pronunciation: bae-u-da
Meaning: To learn
Phrases for Reading Activities
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Expression: 저는 한국 동화책 읽는 것을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun han-guk dong-hwa-chaek ing-neun geo-seul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like reading Korean children’s books. -
Expression: 이 동화책 재미있어요.
Pronunciation: i dong-hwa-chaek jae-mi-i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: This children’s book is fun/interesting. -
Expression: 같이 동화책 읽을래요?
Pronunciation: ga-chi dong-hwa-chaek il-geul-lae-yo?
Meaning: Shall we read a children’s book together? -
Expression: 소리 내서 읽어 주세요.
Pronunciation: so-ri nae-seo il-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please read it aloud. -
Expression: 다음 페이지로 넘겨주세요.
Pronunciation: da-eum pe-i-ji-ro neom-gyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please turn to the next page. -
Expression: 이 책을 사고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i chae-geul sa-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to buy this book. -
Expression: 한국 동화책은 어디서 찾을 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: han-guk dong-hwa-chae-geun eo-di-seo cha-jeul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find Korean children’s books? -
Expression: 쉬운 동화책부터 시작하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: swi-un dong-hwa-chaek-bu-teo si-jak-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to start with easy children’s books. -
Expression: 그림이 많은 책을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: geu-ri-mi ma-neun chae-geul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like books with many pictures. -
Expression: 매일 조금씩 읽어요.
Pronunciation: mae-il jo-geum-ssik il-geo-yo.
Meaning: I read a little bit every day. -
Expression: 모르는 단어는 사전에서 찾아요.
Pronunciation: mo-reu-neun da-neo-neun sa-jeon-e-seo cha-ja-yo.
Meaning: I look up words I don’t know in the dictionary.
Discussing Book Content
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Expression: 이 이야기의 주인공은 누구예요?
Pronunciation: i i-ya-gi-ui ju-in-gong-eun nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Who is the main character of this story? -
Expression: 무슨 내용이에요?
Pronunciation: mu-seun nae-yong-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What is it about? / What’s the content? -
Expression: 이 부분이 가장 좋았어요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bu-ni ga-jang jo-a-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I liked this part the most. -
Expression: 그림이 정말 예뻐요.
Pronunciation: geu-ri-mi jeong-mal ye-ppeo-yo.
Meaning: The illustrations are really pretty. -
Expression: 이 이야기의 교훈은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i i-ya-gi-ui gyo-hu-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the lesson/moral of this story? -
Expression: 결말이 놀라웠어요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-ma-ri nol-la-wo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The ending was surprising. -
Expression: 다른 동화책 추천해 줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun dong-hwa-chaek chu-cheon-hae jul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend another children’s book? -
Expression: 이 작가의 다른 책도 읽어보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i jak-ga-ui da-reun chaek-tto il-geo-bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to read other books by this author too. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 이야기를 좋아해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui i-ya-gi-reul jo-a-hae-yo?
Meaning: What kind of stories do you like? -
Expression: 슬픈 이야기였어요.
Pronunciation: seul-peun i-ya-gi-yeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was a sad story. -
Expression: 아주 감동적이었어요.
Pronunciation: a-ju gam-dong-jeo-gi-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was very touching.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding Korean children’s literature involves more than just language. Many popular Korean children’s books are based on traditional folktales (전래 동화, jeol-lae dong-hwa), featuring characters like tigers, goblins (도깨비, do-kkae-bi), and filial sons/daughters. Reading these can offer insights into traditional values.
Education is highly valued in Korea, and this is often reflected in children’s books. Many stories emphasize morals, diligence, respect for elders, and the importance of learning. You’ll find numerous educational books designed to teach Hangul, numbers, or basic concepts in engaging ways.
Contemporary Korean children’s literature is vibrant and diverse, with many award-winning authors and illustrators. Exploring modern stories can give you a sense of current social themes, family life, and childhood experiences in Korea.
Libraries and bookstores in Korea often have large, welcoming sections for children’s books, reflecting a strong reading culture. Visiting these spaces can be a great way to discover new books and observe how families interact with literature.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, one a Korean learner (A) and one a native speaker (B), are browsing books in a bookstore’s children’s section.
Roles:
A: Korean Learner
B: Native Korean Speaker
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Expression: A: 와, 여기 동화책 정말 많네요! 저는 한국어 공부하려고 동화책을 좀 읽어보려고 해요.
Pronunciation: wa, yeo-gi dong-hwa-chaek jeong-mal man-ne-yo! jeo-neun han-gu-geo gong-bu-ha-ryeo-go dong-hwa-chae-geul jom il-geo-bo-ryeo-go hae-yo.
Meaning: Wow, there are so many children’s books here! I’m thinking of reading some children’s books to study Korean. -
Expression: B: 좋은 생각이에요! 한국 동화책 읽기는 어휘랑 표현 배우는 데 도움이 많이 돼요. 어떤 책 찾아요?
Pronunciation: jo-eun saeng-ga-gi-e-yo! han-guk dong-hwa-chaek il-gi-neun eo-hwi-rang pyo-hyeon bae-u-neun de do-u-mi ma-ni dwae-yo. eo-tteon chaek cha-ja-yo?
Meaning: That’s a great idea! Reading Korean children’s books is very helpful for learning vocabulary and expressions. What kind of book are you looking for? -
Expression: A: 아직 잘 몰라서요. 쉬우면서 그림이 많은 책이면 좋겠어요. 추천해 줄 만한 책 있어요?
Pronunciation: a-jik jal mol-la-seo-yo. swi-u-myeon-seo geu-ri-mi ma-neun chae-gi-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo. chu-cheon-hae jul man-han chaek i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: I’m not sure yet. A book that’s easy and has lots of pictures would be good. Is there a book you can recommend? -
Expression: B: 그럼 이 책 어때요? ‘구름빵’이라고 아주 유명한 동화책이에요. 그림도 예쁘고 내용도 따뜻해요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i chaek eo-ttae-yo? ‘gu-reum-ppang’-i-ra-go a-ju yu-myeong-han dong-hwa-chae-gi-e-yo. geu-rim-do ye-ppeu-go nae-yong-do tta-tteu-tae-yo.
Meaning: Then how about this book? It’s a very famous children’s book called ‘Cloud Bread’. The pictures are pretty and the story is heartwarming too. -
Expression: A: 아, 들어본 것 같아요! 한번 볼게요. 고마워요!
Pronunciation: a, deu-reo-bon geot ga-ta-yo! han-beon bol-ge-yo. go-ma-wo-yo!
Meaning: Ah, I think I’ve heard of it! I’ll take a look. Thank you! -
Expression: B: 네. 읽어보고 모르는 거 있으면 언제든지 물어보세요. 같이 읽어도 좋고요!
Pronunciation: ne. il-geo-bo-go mo-reu-neun geo i-sseu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mu-reo-bo-se-yo. ga-chi il-geo-do jo-ko-yo!
Meaning: Sure. Read it, and if there’s anything you don’t know, feel free to ask anytime. We could also read it together!
Practice Tips
Reading Korean children’s books (한국 동화책 읽기, han-guk dong-hwa-chaek il-gi) is a fantastic way to learn! Start with books that have simple sentences and lots of pictures~ Look for books aimed at very young children first. Don’t worry about understanding every single word initially!
Try reading aloud (소리 내서 읽기, so-ri nae-seo il-gi) to practice pronunciation and rhythm. You can even record yourself and listen back. Use online resources or apps that might have audio versions of Korean children’s stories. Most importantly, choose books that genuinely interest you – this makes learning much more enjoyable! Happy reading! 화이팅!
