Level 2 · Basic Conversation
Dream big and plan ahead! Learn to talk about your future goals, ambitions, and the determination to achieve them in Korean.
13 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
Everyone has dreams -- whether it's mastering Korean, traveling the world, or building a career. In Korean culture, the drive to achieve goals is deeply woven into daily life, from the intense dedication of students preparing for 수능 (the college entrance exam) to the "never give up" spirit of 파이팅.
In this unit, you'll learn 13 essential words for talking about your future -- from 꿈 (dream) to 열심히 (diligently) -- plus two powerful grammar patterns: -(으)려고 하다 (intend to / plan to) and -(으)ㄹ 수 있게 되다 (to become able to). You'll also explore Korea's unique achievement culture and what drives one of the world's most ambitious societies. 미래를 향해 출발할까요? Ready to head toward the future?
future
미래에 뭐가 되고 싶어요?What do you want to become in the future?
💡 Memory tip: 미 (not yet) + 래 (come) = what has not yet come. "Mi-rae" -- think "me, right ahead" -- your future self is waiting!
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [미래]. The ㄹ in 래 is a flap sound between vowels.
goal / target
올해 목표가 뭐예요?What is your goal for this year?
💡 Memory tip: 목 (eye/aim) + 표 (mark/sign) = the mark you aim for. "Mok-pyo" -- your "mock" target that you practice hitting until you nail it!
Pronunciation: 목표 is pronounced [목표]. The ㄱ batchim in 목 is unreleased before the aspirated ㅍ in 표.
dream
제 꿈은 한국에서 사는 거예요.My dream is to live in Korea.
💡 Memory tip: 꿈 sounds like "koom" -- imagine a "dream room" where all your wishes come true. The double ㄱ (ㄲ) gives it that firm, determined sound.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [꿈]. The initial ㄲ is a tense consonant -- press harder than regular ㄱ. Final ㅁ is nasal.
to plan
여름 방학에 뭐 할지 계획하고 있어요.I'm planning what to do during summer vacation.
💡 Memory tip: 계획 (plan) + 하다 (to do) = to make a plan. "Gye-hoek" -- you "get hooked" on your plan and follow through!
Pronunciation: 계획하다 is pronounced [계획카다] or [계훽카다] in fast speech. The ㅎ in 획 aspirates with 하다.
to make effort / to try hard
매일 한국어 공부를 하려고 노력하고 있어요.I'm trying hard to study Korean every day.
💡 Memory tip: 노력 (effort) + 하다 (to do) = to put in effort. "No-ryeok" -- "no luck" needed when you put in the "ryeok" (effort)!
Pronunciation: 노력하다 is pronounced [노려카다]. The ㄱ batchim in 력 aspirates with ㅎ in 하다, creating [카]. The ㄹ in 력 is a flap.
to succeed
열심히 하면 성공할 수 있어요.If you work hard, you can succeed.
💡 Memory tip: 성공 (success) + 하다 (to do) = to succeed. "Seong-gong" -- think of a "gong" ringing to celebrate your "success"!
Pronunciation: 성공하다 is pronounced [성공하다]. The ㅇ batchim in 성 and 공 are nasal [ng] sounds.
to fail
실패해도 다시 도전하세요.Even if you fail, try again.
💡 Memory tip: 실패 (failure) + 하다 (to do) = to fail. "Sil-pae" -- when you "spill" your plans, that's failure. But you can always clean up and try again!
Pronunciation: 실패하다 is pronounced [실패하다]. The ㄹ batchim in 실 is clearly articulated before ㅍ.
to challenge / to take on a challenge
새로운 것에 도전하는 걸 좋아해요.I like taking on new challenges.
💡 Memory tip: 도전 (challenge) + 하다 (to do) = to challenge. "Do-jeon" -- "do" something before "John" does -- it's a challenge!
Pronunciation: 도전하다 is pronounced [도전하다]. The ㄴ batchim in 전 connects smoothly to 하다.
to give up
절대 포기하지 마세요!Never give up!
💡 Memory tip: 포기 (abandonment) + 하다 (to do) = to give up. "Po-gi" -- when you "poke" a hole in your goal and let the air out, you've given up. Don't poke it!
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [포기하다]. All syllables are straightforward.
hope
희망을 잃지 마세요.Don't lose hope.
💡 Memory tip: 희 (bright/rare) + 망 (wish/desire) = a bright wish. "Hui-mang" -- "he's among" those who never lose hope!
Pronunciation: 희망 is pronounced [히망]. The ㅢ vowel in 희 is often simplified to [이] in modern speech. The ㅇ batchim in 망 is nasal.
to decide / to resolve / to make up one's mind
한국어를 매일 공부하기로 결심했어요.I resolved to study Korean every day.
💡 Memory tip: 결심 (determination) + 하다 (to do) = to make a resolution. "Gyeol-sim" -- your "core" (결) "heart" (심) decides -- a heartfelt decision!
Pronunciation: 결심하다 is pronounced [결씸하다]. The ㄹ batchim in 결 causes the ㅅ in 심 to become tensed [ㅆ].
to achieve / to accomplish
꿈을 이루기 위해 열심히 공부해요.I study hard in order to achieve my dream.
💡 Memory tip: "I-ru-da" -- "I rule the day!" When you achieve your goals, you rule! The verb itself is short and powerful, just like a winning moment.
Pronunciation: Pronounced as written [이루다]. The ㄹ in 루 is a flap sound between vowels.
diligently / hard (with effort)
열심히 일하면 성공할 거예요.If you work hard, you will succeed.
💡 Memory tip: 열심 (passion/enthusiasm) + 히 (adverb suffix) = with passion. "Yeol-sim-hi" -- with a "zealous" (열) "heart" (심). Koreans use this word constantly!
Pronunciation: 열심히 is pronounced [열씨미]. The ㅁ batchim in 심 nasalizes, and ㅎ in 히 weakens between voiced sounds, merging into [미].
Korea's achievement culture runs deep -- understanding it helps you understand why words like 노력하다, 목표, and 열심히 are among the most frequently used in daily life.
-- 수능 (CSAT -- College Scholastic Ability Test): The 수능 is Korea's national college entrance exam, taken by hundreds of thousands of students every November. It is a single day that can determine a student's university and, in many ways, their career trajectory. The entire country adjusts -- flights are rerouted to reduce noise, work hours shift so students can get to test sites, and police escort latecomers. The pressure is immense, and studying for 수능 (수능 준비) often begins years in advance with grueling hours at 학원 (private academies).
-- 스펙 쌓기 (Building Your "Spec"): "Spec" (스펙) is short for "specification" -- the collection of qualifications, certifications, test scores, and experiences that Korean job seekers build to compete in the job market. A typical 스펙 includes TOEIC scores, internships, volunteer work, and certifications. Young Koreans often talk about "쌓다" (to stack/build) their specs. While the culture is slowly evolving, the pressure to accumulate impressive credentials remains strong.
-- 파이팅/화이팅 (Fighting! Spirit): Perhaps Korea's most iconic motivational word, 파이팅 (or 화이팅) comes from English "fighting" but means "You can do it!" or "Let's go!" Koreans shout it before exams, at sports games, during tough work projects, and anytime encouragement is needed. It perfectly captures the Korean spirit of perseverance and collective support.
-- 빨리빨리 문화 (Ppalli-ppalli Culture): Korea is famous for its "hurry hurry" (빨리빨리) culture -- things move fast, from internet speeds to construction to food delivery. This urgency extends to achievement: there's an expectation of rapid progress and quick results. Korea rebuilt itself from the ruins of war to become a global economic power in a single generation, and that drive persists.
-- 한강의 기적 (The Miracle on the Han River): This phrase describes Korea's extraordinary economic transformation from one of the world's poorest nations in the 1950s to a global technological and cultural powerhouse. This national narrative of overcoming adversity through collective effort deeply influences how Koreans view goals and achievement. The idea that hard work (노력) and determination (결심) can overcome any obstacle is a core Korean value, passed from generation to generation.
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