Korean Writing Basics Vocabulary쓰기 기초

writing

쓰기 영역은 TOPIK II에만 있습니다.The writing section is only in TOPIK II.

💡 Memory tip: 쓰다 (to write) + -기 (noun form) = the act of writing. The third pillar of TOPIK, and the one that requires the most active production of Korean.

Pronunciation: 쓰기 is pronounced [쓰기]. The initial ㅆ is a tense consonant, giving it a sharp, forceful sound.

composition / essay writing

작문 실력을 늘리려면 매일 써야 합니다.To improve your composition skills, you must write every day.

💡 Memory tip: 작 (create/make) + 문 (writing/text) = creating a text. 작문 is the formal term for essay writing or composition, used in academic and test contexts.

manuscript / draft

원고를 쓴 후에 반드시 검토하세요.After writing the manuscript, be sure to review it.

💡 Memory tip: 원 (original) + 고 (text/draft) = the original text or draft. The raw version of your writing before final editing and revision.

introduction

서론에서 주제를 명확하게 제시해야 합니다.You must present the topic clearly in the introduction.

💡 Memory tip: 서 (beginning/preface) + 론 (theory/discussion) = the opening discussion. The first part of a formal essay that sets up the topic and thesis.

body / main argument

본론에서 근거를 들어 주장을 뒷받침하세요.In the body, support your argument with evidence.

💡 Memory tip: 본 (main/original) + 론 (theory/discussion) = the main discussion. The central part of an essay where you develop your arguments with supporting evidence.

conclusion

결론에서 자신의 의견을 다시 정리하세요.Organize your opinion again in the conclusion.

💡 Memory tip: 결 (decide/conclude) + 론 (theory/discussion) = the concluding discussion. The final section that wraps up your arguments and restates your position.

Pronunciation: 결론 is pronounced [결론]. The ㄹ batchim in 결 flows into the ㄹ in 론.

argument / point (of debate)

논점을 명확하게 밝혀야 좋은 글이 됩니다.You must clearly state your argument for it to be a good essay.

💡 Memory tip: 논 (argue/discuss) + 점 (point/spot) = the point of argument. Each 논점 is a specific claim or stance you defend in your essay.

evidence / basis / grounds

주장에는 반드시 근거가 있어야 합니다.Arguments must always have evidence to support them.

💡 Memory tip: 근 (root/foundation) + 거 (basis/ground) = the root basis for something. Strong 근거 is the difference between a persuasive essay and a weak one.

expression

다양한 표현을 사용하면 글이 풍부해집니다.Using various expressions makes your writing richer.

💡 Memory tip: 표 (express/show) + 현 (appear/manifest) = to show and manifest meaning. 표현 encompasses vocabulary, phrases, and grammatical structures used to convey ideas.

spelling / orthography

맞춤법을 틀리면 감점될 수 있습니다.If you make spelling mistakes, you may lose points.

💡 Memory tip: 맞추다 (to match/align) + ㅁ + 법 (law/rule) = the rules for matching sounds to letters. Korean spelling rules are strict, and 맞춤법 errors are penalized on TOPIK.

Pronunciation: 맞춤법 is pronounced [마춤뻡]. The ㅈ batchim in 맞 is unreleased before ㅊ, and the ㅂ in 법 becomes tensed [ㅃ] after the ㅁ batchim.

word spacing

띄어쓰기를 잘 지켜야 읽기 쉬운 글이 됩니다.You must follow word spacing rules for your writing to be easy to read.

💡 Memory tip: 띄다 (to space/separate) + 어 + 쓰다 (to write) + 기 = spacing while writing. Korean word spacing is notoriously tricky -- even native speakers struggle with it sometimes.

punctuation

구두점을 올바르게 사용하는 것이 중요합니다.It is important to use punctuation correctly.

💡 Memory tip: 구두 (spoken words/oral) + 점 (dot/mark) = marks that indicate spoken pauses in writing. Korean uses periods (.), commas (,), and question marks (?) similarly to English.

paragraph (essay structure)

각 문단의 첫 문장에서 핵심 내용을 밝히세요.State the key point in the first sentence of each paragraph.

💡 Memory tip: 문 (writing/text) + 단 (section/stage) = a section of writing. Similar to 단락, but 문단 is more commonly used when discussing essay structure and paragraph organization.

editing / correction / revision

선생님께 첨삭을 부탁드렸습니다.I asked the teacher for editing and correction.

💡 Memory tip: 첨 (add) + 삭 (remove/cut) = adding and removing -- the essence of editing. Good writing is really good editing: adding what is missing and cutting what is unnecessary.

Pronunciation: 첨삭 is pronounced [첨싹]. The ㅁ batchim in 첨 causes the ㅅ in 삭 to become tensed [ㅆ].