Making Korean Friends

Making friends in a new cultural setting involves understanding both the language and social nuances. This guide provides essential Korean expressions and cultural insights to help you connect with Koreans and build meaningful friendships. Learn how to initiate conversations, get to know people, and navigate the specifics of friendship in Korea.

Core Expression

• Expression: 한국 친구 사귀기
  Pronunciation: han-guk chin-gu sa-gwi-gi
  Meaning: Making Korean friends (lit. Korean friend making)

Basic Phrases for Meeting People

These phrases are useful when you first meet someone and want to initiate a connection.

• Expression: 안녕하세요, 만나서 반갑습니다.
  Pronunciation: ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo, man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Hello, it’s nice to meet you.

• Expression: 제 이름은 [Your Name]입니다.
  Pronunciation: je i-reum-eun [Your Name]-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: My name is [Your Name].

• Expression: 이름이 어떻게 되세요?
  Pronunciation: i-reum-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
  Meaning: What is your name? (Polite)

• Expression: 어디에서 오셨어요?
  Pronunciation: eo-di-e-seo o-syeoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Where are you from?

• Expression: 저는 [Country]에서 왔어요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun [Country]-e-seo wass-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I am from [Country].

• Expression: 한국말 잘 못해요.
  Pronunciation: han-guk-mal jal mot-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I don’t speak Korean well.

• Expression: 한국어 배우고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: han-gug-eo bae-u-go iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I am learning Korean.

• Expression: 친구가 되고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: chin-gu-ga doe-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to be friends.

• Expression: 연락처 좀 알려주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: yeol-lak-cheo jom al-lyeo-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Could you please give me your contact information?

• Expression: 나중에 또 만나요.
  Pronunciation: na-jung-e tto man-na-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s meet again later.

• Expression: 오늘 즐거웠어요.
  Pronunciation: o-neul jeul-geo-woss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I had fun today.

• Expression: 다음에 또 봐요.
  Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto bwa-yo.
  Meaning: See you next time.

Getting to Know Each Other

Use these questions and statements to learn more about potential friends.

• Expression: 취미가 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: chwi-mi-ga mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What are your hobbies?

• Expression: 주말에 보통 뭐 하세요?
  Pronunciation: ju-mal-e bo-tong mwo ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: What do you usually do on weekends?

• Expression: 무슨 일을 하세요?
  Pronunciation: mu-seun il-eul ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of work do you do? / What is your job?

• Expression: 학생이세요?
  Pronunciation: hak-saeng-i-se-yo?
  Meaning: Are you a student?

• Expression: 한국 생활은 어때요?
  Pronunciation: han-guk saeng-hwal-eun eo-ttae-yo?
  Meaning: How is life in Korea?

• Expression: 한국에 온 지 얼마나 됐어요?
  Pronunciation: han-gug-e on ji eol-ma-na dwaess-eo-yo?
  Meaning: How long have you been in Korea?

• Expression: 어떤 음식을 좋아하세요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon eum-sig-eul jo-a-ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of food do you like?

• Expression: 저는 [Hobby]를 좋아해요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun [Hobby]-reul jo-a-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I like [Hobby].

• Expression: 같이 [Activity] 할래요?
  Pronunciation: ga-chi [Activity] hal-lae-yo?
  Meaning: Shall we do [Activity] together?

• Expression: 시간 괜찮으시면 연락 주세요.
  Pronunciation: si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-si-myeon yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please contact me when you have time.

• Expression: 더 친해지고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: deo chin-hae-ji-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to get closer (become better friends).

• Expression: 혹시 SNS 하세요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si SNS ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you happen to use social media?

Deepening Friendships

These expressions help build rapport and suggest shared activities.

• Expression: 다음에 같이 밥 먹어요.
  Pronunciation: da-eum-e ga-chi bap meog-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s eat together next time.

• Expression: 시간 될 때 커피 한잔해요.
  Pronunciation: si-gan doel ttae keo-pi han-jan-hae-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s have a cup of coffee when you have time.

• Expression: 주말에 같이 영화 볼래요?
  Pronunciation: ju-mal-e ga-chi yeong-hwa bol-lae-yo?
  Meaning: Do you want to watch a movie together this weekend?

• Expression: 도움이 필요하면 언제든지 말해요.
  Pronunciation: do-um-i pil-yo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mal-hae-yo.
  Meaning: If you need help, just let me know anytime.

• Expression: 오늘 힘든 일 있었어요?
  Pronunciation: o-neul him-deun il iss-eoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Did you have a hard time today?

• Expression: 무슨 고민 있어요?
  Pronunciation: mu-seun go-min iss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Do you have any worries? / Is something bothering you?

• Expression: 저는 항상 당신 편이에요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun hang-sang dang-sin pyeon-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: I’m always on your side.

• Expression: 같이 있으면 즐거워요.
  Pronunciation: ga-chi iss-eu-myeon jeul-geo-wo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s fun being with you.

• Expression: 우리 정말 좋은 친구가 된 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: u-ri jeong-mal jo-eun chin-gu-ga doen geot gat-a-yo.
  Meaning: I think we’ve become really good friends.

• Expression: 앞으로도 친하게 지내요.
  Pronunciation: ap-eu-ro-do chin-ha-ge ji-nae-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s continue to be close friends.

• Expression: 생일 축하해요!
  Pronunciation: saeng-il chuk-ha-hae-yo!
  Meaning: Happy birthday!

• Expression: 좋은 일이 있을 때 같이 기뻐해 줄게요.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun il-i iss-eul ttae ga-chi gi-ppeo-hae jul-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll celebrate with you when good things happen.

Cultural Tips

Understanding these cultural points can help foster stronger friendships with Koreans.

• Group Harmony (정 – Jeong): Korean friendships often emphasize group harmony and a sense of shared feeling or emotional connection (정 – jeong). Being considerate of the group’s feelings is important.
• Age and Hierarchy: While less strict among close friends, age still plays a role. People often use different levels of politeness (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal vs. 반말 – ban-mal) depending on age and closeness. It’s usually best to start with formal language.
• Reciprocity: Friendships often involve a degree of reciprocity. If a friend treats you, it’s common to treat them next time. Small gifts on special occasions are also appreciated.
• Communication Style: Koreans may sometimes communicate indirectly, especially regarding sensitive topics, to maintain harmony. Pay attention to non-verbal cues and context.
• Shared Activities: Doing things together, like eating, drinking, studying, or pursuing hobbies, is a key way friendships are built and maintained in Korea.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two people, Alex (a foreigner learning Korean) and Minjun (a Korean native), meet at a language exchange cafe.

Roles:
* A: Alex
* B: Minjun

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 여기 앉아도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo, yeo-gi an-ja-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Hello, may I sit here?

• Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 앉으세요. 저는 김민준이라고 해요.
  Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. an-jeu-se-yo. jeo-neun gim-min-jun-i-ra-go hae-yo.
  Meaning: Yes, of course. Please sit. My name is Kim Minjun.

• Expression: A: 만나서 반갑습니다. 저는 알렉스예요. 한국어 배우러 왔어요.
  Pronunciation: man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun al-lek-seu-ye-yo. han-gug-eo bae-u-reo wass-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Nice to meet you. I’m Alex. I came here to learn Korean.

• Expression: B: 아, 그러시군요! 한국어 공부는 재미있으세요?
  Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo! han-gug-eo gong-bu-neun jae-mi-iss-eu-se-yo?
  Meaning: Oh, I see! Is studying Korean fun?

• Expression: A: 네, 어렵지만 재미있어요. 민준 씨는 영어 공부하세요?
  Pronunciation: ne, eo-ryeop-ji-man jae-mi-iss-eo-yo. min-jun ssi-neun yeong-eo gong-bu-ha-se-yo?
  Meaning: Yes, it’s difficult but fun. Minjun, are you studying English?

• Expression: B: 네, 저도 영어 회화를 연습하고 싶어서 왔어요. 우리 서로 도와주면 좋겠네요.
  Pronunciation: ne, jeo-do yeong-eo hoe-hwa-reul yeon-seup-ha-go sip-eo-seo wass-eo-yo. u-ri seo-ro do-wa-ju-myeon jo-ken-ne-yo.
  Meaning: Yes, I also came here because I want to practice English conversation. It would be great if we could help each other.

• Expression: A: 좋아요! 혹시 괜찮으시면 연락처 교환할 수 있을까요? 다음에 또 같이 공부해요.
  Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! hok-si gwaen-chan-eu-si-myeon yeol-lak-cheo gyo-hwan-hal su iss-eul-kka-yo? da-eum-e tto ga-chi gong-bu-hae-yo.
  Meaning: Sounds good! If it’s okay, could we exchange contact information? Let’s study together again next time.

• Expression: B: 네, 좋아요. 여기 제 카카오톡 아이디예요. 편하게 연락 주세요!
  Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. yeo-gi je ka-ka-o-tok a-i-di-ye-yo. pyeon-ha-ge yeol-lak ju-se-yo!
  Meaning: Yes, okay. Here’s my KakaoTalk ID. Feel free to contact me!

Practice Tips

Making Korean friends takes practice and putting yourself out there~! Try using these phrases when you meet new people at language exchanges, hobby clubs, or social gatherings in Korea. Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations! Joining online communities or using language exchange apps can also provide great opportunities to practice and connect with potential friends. Remember to be open, respectful, and genuinely interested in getting to know others. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!