Delving into a culture often involves exploring its traditional stories and myths. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for discussing and listening to Korean myths, helping you connect more deeply with Korea’s rich narrative heritage. You’ll learn how to ask someone to tell you a myth, discuss its characters and themes, and understand related cultural contexts.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 한국 신화 이야기 듣기
Pronunciation: han-guk sin-hwa i-ya-gi deut-gi
Meaning: Listening to Korean myth stories
Basic Phrases for Storytelling
-
Expression: 한국 신화 이야기 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: han-guk sin-hwa i-ya-gi hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me a Korean myth story. -
Expression: 재미있는 신화 알아요?
Pronunciation: jae-mi-it-neun sin-hwa al-a-yo?
Meaning: Do you know any interesting myths? -
Expression: 어떤 신화 이야기를 듣고 싶어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon sin-hwa i-ya-gi-reul deut-go sip-eo-yo?
Meaning: What kind of myth story do you want to hear? -
Expression: 옛날 이야기 듣는 것을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: yet-nal i-ya-gi deut-neun geo-seul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like listening to old stories. -
Expression: 이 신화는 어떻게 시작해요?
Pronunciation: i sin-hwa-neun eo-tteo-ke si-jak-hae-yo?
Meaning: How does this myth begin? -
Expression: 그 다음엔 어떻게 됐어요?
Pronunciation: geu da-eum-en eo-tteo-ke dwaet-seo-yo?
Meaning: What happened next? -
Expression: 천천히 이야기해 주세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi i-ya-gi-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell the story slowly. -
Expression: 이 이야기는 유명해요?
Pronunciation: i i-ya-gi-neun yu-myeong-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is this story famous? -
Expression: 신화에 대해 더 배우고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sin-hwa-e dae-hae deo bae-u-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to learn more about myths. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 신화가 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui sin-hwa-ga it-seo-yo?
Meaning: What kinds of myths are there?
Discussing Myths
-
Expression: 이 신화의 주인공은 누구예요?
Pronunciation: i sin-hwa-ui ju-in-gong-eun nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Who is the main character of this myth? -
Expression: 이 신화의 교훈은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i sin-hwa-ui gyo-hun-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the moral of this myth? -
Expression: 신화에 나오는 신의 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: sin-hwa-e na-o-neun sin-ui i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of the god in the myth? -
Expression: 이 이야기는 실화 바탕인가요?
Pronunciation: i i-ya-gi-neun sil-hwa ba-tang-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this story based on a true story? -
Expression: 신화 속 장소는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: sin-hwa sok jang-so-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the place in the myth? -
Expression: 한국 문화에서 이 신화는 어떤 의미가 있어요?
Pronunciation: han-guk mun-hwa-e-seo i sin-hwa-neun eo-tteon ui-mi-ga it-seo-yo?
Meaning: What meaning does this myth have in Korean culture? -
Expression: 가장 좋아하는 한국 신화는 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang jo-a-ha-neun han-guk sin-hwa-neun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is your favorite Korean myth? -
Expression: 이 신화는 해피엔딩인가요?
Pronunciation: i sin-hwa-neun hae-pi-en-ding-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Does this myth have a happy ending? -
Expression: 신화와 전설의 차이가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: sin-hwa-wa jeon-seol-ui cha-i-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the difference between a myth and a legend? -
Expression: 이 신화에 대해 어떻게 생각해요?
Pronunciation: i sin-hwa-e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-hae-yo?
Meaning: What do you think about this myth?
Useful Vocabulary for Myths
-
Expression: 신화
Pronunciation: sin-hwa
Meaning: Myth -
Expression: 전설
Pronunciation: jeon-seol
Meaning: Legend -
Expression: 옛날 이야기
Pronunciation: yet-nal i-ya-gi
Meaning: Old story, folktale -
Expression: 신
Pronunciation: sin
Meaning: God -
Expression: 여신
Pronunciation: yeo-sin
Meaning: Goddess -
Expression: 영웅
Pronunciation: yeong-ung
Meaning: Hero -
Expression: 괴물
Pronunciation: goe-mul
Meaning: Monster -
Expression: 주인공
Pronunciation: ju-in-gong
Meaning: Main character -
Expression: 교훈
Pronunciation: gyo-hun
Meaning: Moral, lesson -
Expression: 창조 신화
Pronunciation: chang-jo sin-hwa
Meaning: Creation myth -
Expression: 건국 신화
Pronunciation: geon-guk sin-hwa
Meaning: Founding myth (of a nation) -
Expression: 전통
Pronunciation: jeon-tong
Meaning: Tradition
Korean Culture Notes
Korean myths (신화, sin-hwa) and legends (전설, jeon-seol) are deeply ingrained in the cultural identity and history of Korea. They often explain origins, natural phenomena, or convey moral values passed down through generations.
One of the most famous Korean myths is the story of Dangun (단군), the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom. This myth involves a bear and a tiger, celestial beings, and establishes the mythical origins of the Korean people.
Many myths are tied to specific locations in Korea, such as mountains, rivers, or islands. Visiting these places can add another layer of understanding and appreciation when hearing the stories associated with them.
Storytelling, including the recounting of myths and folktales, remains an important part of Korean culture, often shared within families or during traditional holidays. Understanding these stories offers valuable insights into Korean values, beliefs, and historical consciousness.
Besides creation and founding myths, there are numerous stories about gods, spirits, heroes, and fantastical creatures that populate the Korean mythological landscape, reflecting shamanistic, Buddhist, and Confucian influences over time.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Friend A (Learner) asks Friend B (Native Speaker) to tell them a Korean myth.
-
Expression: A: 지수 씨, 혹시 한국 신화 이야기 알아요? 듣고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: A: ji-su ssi, hok-si han-guk sin-hwa i-ya-gi al-a-yo? deut-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Jisoo, do you happen to know any Korean myth stories? I want to listen. -
Expression: B: 네, 알아요. 어떤 종류의 신화가 궁금해요? 건국 신화는 어때요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-a-yo. eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui sin-hwa-ga gung-geum-hae-yo? geon-guk sin-hwa-neun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, I do. What kind of myth are you curious about? How about a founding myth? -
Expression: A: 좋아요! 단군 신화 이야기 해 주세요. 주인공이 누구예요?
Pronunciation: A: jo-a-yo! dan-gun sin-hwa i-ya-gi hae ju-se-yo. ju-in-gong-i nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Sounds good! Please tell me the Dangun myth story. Who is the main character? -
Expression: B: 주인공은 단군왕검이에요. 하늘 신의 아들과 곰이 변한 여인 사이에서 태어났다고 전해져요.
Pronunciation: B: ju-in-gong-eun dan-gun-wang-geom-i-e-yo. ha-neul sin-ui a-deul-gwa gom-i byeon-han yeo-in sa-i-e-seo tae-eo-nat-da-go jeon-hae-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: B: The main character is Dangun Wanggeom. It’s said he was born between the son of the sky god and a woman who transformed from a bear. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 재미있네요! 천천히 이야기해 주세요. 더 배우고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal jae-mi-in-ne-yo! cheon-cheon-hi i-ya-gi-hae ju-se-yo. deo bae-u-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Wow, that’s really interesting! Please tell the story slowly. I want to learn more. -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 옛날 옛날에…
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom-yo. yet-nal yet-nal-e…
Meaning: B: Of course. Once upon a time…
Practice Tips
Listening to stories is a fantastic way to improve your Korean listening skills and cultural understanding! Try finding children’s books or webtoons based on Korean myths~ Many resources are available online if you search for 한국 신화 (han-guk sin-hwa) or 전래 동화 (jeon-lae dong-hwa – traditional fairy tales).
Practice asking your Korean friends or language partners: “재미있는 신화 이야기 해 주세요” (jae-mi-it-neun sin-hwa i-ya-gi hae ju-se-yo – Please tell me an interesting myth). Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything at first! The goal is exposure and gradual learning.
You can also try retelling a simple myth you’ve learned in Korean. Start with key vocabulary and simple sentences. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be comfortably discussing the fascinating world of Korean mythology! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
