Level 2 · Basic Conversation
Express your thoughts like a Korean! Learn to share opinions, agree, disagree politely, and use softening expressions that are essential for natural Korean conversation.
13 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Koreans rarely say "You're wrong" directly. Instead, they've developed an elegant system of hedging, softening, and indirectly expressing disagreement that keeps harmony intact while still getting the point across.
In this unit, you'll master 13 essential opinion vocabulary words -- from 의견 (opinion) to 동의하다 (to agree) -- plus two grammar patterns that are absolutely crucial for sharing thoughts naturally: -(으)ㄴ/는 것 같다 (I think / it seems like) and -잖아요 (as you know / obviously). You'll also discover the fascinating cultural dynamics of Korean discussion -- where 눈치 (reading the room) matters as much as your argument. 의견을 말해 볼까요? Shall we try sharing our opinions?
opinion
의견을 말씀해 주세요.Please share your opinion.
💡 Memory tip: 의 (righteousness/meaning) + 견 (view/see) = a view based on meaning. "Ui-gyeon" -- your "unique" way of "seeing" things.
Pronunciation: 의견 is pronounced [의견] or often [이견] in casual speech. The ㅢ vowel frequently simplifies to [이] except in the first syllable of a word, though even there it can reduce.
to think
저도 그렇게 생각해요.I think so too.
💡 Memory tip: 생각 (thought) + 하다 (to do) = to do thinking. "Saeng-gak" sounds like "saying something" -- because you think before you say!
Pronunciation: 생각하다 is pronounced [생가카다]. The ㄱ batchim of 각 combines with ㅎ in 하 to produce the aspirated [ㅋ] sound.
to agree / to support
저는 그 의견에 찬성해요.I agree with that opinion.
💡 Memory tip: 찬 (approve/praise) + 성 (accomplish/succeed) = approving and supporting success. Think "chan-song" -- you're singing the "chan" (praise) "song" of agreement!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [찬성하다]. The ㄴ batchim in 찬 flows naturally into ㅅ. Clean pronunciation with no sound changes.
to oppose / to disagree
그 계획에 반대해요.I oppose that plan.
💡 Memory tip: 반 (opposite/anti) + 대 (against/face) = facing the opposite direction. "Ban-dae" -- you "ban" and go the opposite "way"!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [반대하다]. The ㄴ batchim in 반 is nasal before ㄷ. Straightforward pronunciation.
reason
이유가 뭐예요?What is the reason?
💡 Memory tip: 이 (this/reason) + 유 (cause/origin) = the cause behind something. "I-yu" -- "I" ask "you" why, and the answer is the 이유!
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [이유]. Two simple syllables with no sound changes.
to give an example
예를 들어서 설명해 주세요.Please explain by giving an example.
💡 Memory tip: 예 (example) + 를 (object marker) + 들다 (to lift/give) = to lift up an example. Think of physically "holding up" an example for everyone to see.
Pronunciation: 예를 is pronounced [예를]. 들다 is pronounced [들다]. The ㄹ batchim in 를 links smoothly to ㄷ.
to be important
이 문제가 아주 중요해요.This issue is very important.
💡 Memory tip: 중 (heavy/middle) + 요 (essential) + 하다 (to be) = to be heavy and essential. "Jung-yo" -- it carries "heavy" (jung) weight and is "essential" (yo).
Pronunciation: 중요하다 is pronounced [중요하다]. The ㅇ batchim in 중 is nasal. Clean pronunciation.
to be certain / to be sure
그건 확실해요?Are you sure about that?
💡 Memory tip: 확 (certain/firm) + 실 (real/true) + 하다 (to be) = to be firmly real. "Hwak-sil" -- it's a "fact" that's "real" and certain.
Pronunciation: 확실하다 is pronounced [확씰하다]. The ㄱ batchim in 확 causes the ㅅ in 실 to become tensed [ㅆ].
maybe / probably
아마 내일 비가 올 거예요.It will probably rain tomorrow.
💡 Memory tip: "Ama" sounds like "Hmm, ah, maybe..." -- the hesitation sound you make when you're not quite sure!
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [아마]. Two open syllables with no sound changes. Very simple pronunciation.
however / but
좋은 생각이에요. 그런데 시간이 없어요.That's a good idea. However, we don't have time.
💡 Memory tip: 그렇다 (to be so) + -ㄴ데 (but/however) = "it is so, but..." "Geureonde" is the Korean "BUT" that pivots the conversation. Often shortened to 근데 in casual speech.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [그런데]. Often shortened to 근데 [근데] in casual speech. Both forms are widely used.
so / therefore
비가 왔어요. 그래서 우산을 가져갔어요.It rained. So I brought an umbrella.
💡 Memory tip: 그렇다 (to be so) + -아서 (because/so) = "because it is so..." "Geu-rae-seo" connects cause and effect -- "it was SO, therefore..."
Pronunciation: Pronounced [그래서]. The ㅐ vowel in 래 is a simple open vowel. Clean pronunciation.
actually / in fact
사실 저는 그렇게 생각하지 않아요.Actually, I don't think so.
💡 Memory tip: 사 (matter/affair) + 실 (truth/reality) = the truth of the matter. "Sa-sil" -- the "essential" facts. When someone says 사실, they're about to drop the real truth!
Pronunciation: 사실 is pronounced [사실]. The final ㄹ batchim is a light lateral [l] sound. No sound changes.
to agree
저도 동의해요.I agree too.
💡 Memory tip: 동 (same/together) + 의 (meaning/thought) + 하다 (to do) = to have the same thought. "Dong-eui" -- you're "in sync" (dong) with the same "meaning" (eui).
Pronunciation: 동의하다 is pronounced [동의하다] or [동이하다]. The ㅢ in 의 often reduces to [이] when not in the first syllable.
Sharing opinions in Korean isn't just about what you say -- it's deeply intertwined with social dynamics, hierarchy, and the art of maintaining harmony.
-- 것 같다: The Art of Indirect Disagreement: Koreans rarely say "I disagree" or "You're wrong" directly. Instead, they use 것 같다 (it seems like) to soften everything. Even a boss might say 좀 다른 것 같은데요 (I think it might be a bit different) instead of "That's wrong." This isn't being dishonest -- it's showing respect for the other person's face (체면, chaemyeon). Learning to disagree indirectly is one of the most important social skills in Korean.
-- 눈치 (Nunchi): Reading the Room: 눈치 is the Korean concept of reading the atmosphere and understanding unspoken social cues. In discussions, having good 눈치 means knowing when to speak up, when to stay quiet, when someone is uncomfortable, and when the group has reached a consensus even if nobody explicitly said so. Koreans often say 눈치가 빠르다 (quick 눈치) as a compliment and 눈치가 없다 (no 눈치) as a criticism.
-- Hierarchy in Opinions: In Korean culture, age and seniority significantly affect how opinions are shared. Younger people and junior employees are expected to be more careful and indirect with their opinions, especially when disagreeing with someone older or senior. Using 것 같다, 아마, and 혹시 (by any chance) are common strategies. However, this is evolving -- younger Koreans, especially in startup culture, are embracing more direct communication styles.
-- Korean Debate Style vs Western Directness: Western-style debate (point-counterpoint, direct challenge) can feel aggressive in Korean contexts. Korean discussions tend to build consensus through gradual suggestion rather than confrontation. Phrases like 그것도 좋은데... (That's good too, but...) and 저는 조금 다르게 생각하는데요 (I think a little differently) are more natural than "I disagree because..."
-- 우리 (Uri) vs 나 (Na): Using "We" in Opinions: Koreans often use 우리 (we/our) instead of 나/저 (I/my) when expressing opinions, even personal ones. 우리 생각에는... (In our opinion...) feels less confrontational than 제 생각에는... (In my opinion...) because it distributes responsibility across the group. This reflects the collectivist nature of Korean society, where group harmony often takes priority over individual expression.
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