Is it hard to learn Korean? Let’s unveil the secrets

In the era of international integration, learning a foreign language like Korean is essential for communication, studying, and career development. That’s why the question “Is Korean hard to learn?” is still a common concern for many people.

Is Korean hard to learn? – Experts answer

Learning Korean cannot be simply labeled as easy or not, which largely depends on individual passion and motivation.

However, the journey of language learning can become more enjoyable and easier when you’re a lover of Korean culture or its entertainment industry.

Difficulties in learning Korean for beginners

Language is an indispensable part of cultute and daily life. Each one features a unique system and sentence structures.

As one of the most widely spoken languages in East Asia, Korean follows suit.

Writing system

Name: “Hangeul” or “Hangul” in South Korea.

Inventor: King Sejong the Great of the Joseon Dynasty.

While the alphabet was for boosting literacy, its unique features present many challenges for translators.

Modern Hangul orthography has:

1. ● 24 basic letters: consist of 14 consonants and 10 vowels.
2. ● Consonants: have curved or angular shapes to reflect their pronunciation.
3. ● Vowels: have straight or vertical shapes to convey the concept of Yin and Yang.

Korean has about 1,149,538 words (Woori Mal Saem, 2017), over 300,000 more than English (Oxford Dictionary).

As such, not all words have equivalents in English. In such cases, translators must find appropriate alternative expressions.

Sentence structures

Basic Korean sentences follow the order of “Subject – Object – Verb“.

Native speakers often omit the subject and even object in daily communication. This is a significant difference from English.

For example,

1. “I love you” in English:
   • “I” is the subject
   • “love” is the verb
   • “you” is the object

1. “나는 너를 사랑해” (Naneun neoreul saranghae) in Korean:
   • “나는” (naneun) is the subject
   • “너를” (neoreul) is the object
   • “사랑해” (saranghae) is the object

1. * In fact, Koreans mostly use the shortened form “사랑해” (saranghae).

In addition, conveying contextual meaning involves multiple subordinate clauses, leading to complex sentence structures.

This poses challenges for natural translations. Korean linguists need to master grammar and understand the context of a sentence.

Grammar

Is Korean grammar hard to learn? As one of the most complex grammatical systems in the world, the key challenges include:

1. ● Multiple aspects, tenses, moods, scopes
2. ● Different types of verbs
3. ● Intricate structure of sentences
4. ● Numerous supplementary components (e.g. sound linking, tensification, nasalization)

Expressions in the Korean language are logical and coherent with high precision, requiring translators to have extensive experience.

Honorific system in Korean

Honorifics are an essential part of daily communication.

3 types of horrifics

1. ● Subject Honorifics: to show politeness to the subject, the doer of the action. You need to determine the relationship between the subject and the listener.
2. ● Object Honorifics: to demonstrate respect for listeners or readers.
3. ● Addressee Honorifics: also known as honorifics for the listener.

Usage:

1. ● Use honorific suffixes and verbs.
2. ● Apply appropriate word forms.

Languages with honorific system include Japanese, Chinese and more.

Languages without honorific system include English, French and more.

Choosing the right expressions is crucial to conveying accurate meanings. Without careful consideration, a translation can lose the cultural nuances inherent in the source text. 

Pronouns

Factors that influence pronoun use in Korean include:

1. ● The intimacy of the relationship
2. ● Social status
3. ● Age
4. ● Experience

This reflects the tradition of respect for teachers public awareness in Korean culture. Learners may encounter challenges with pronouns.

For example,

In English, “I” can be used in all communication contexts.

In Korean, multiple pronouns can be translated as “I,” but each carries a different nuance.

1. “나는” (naeun) is used in casual speech, such as talking with friends and family.
2. “저는” (choneun) is used in formal contexts, especially with less familiar acquaintances or elders.

Key takeaways

Is Korean hard to learn? While not easy, it is certainly achievable.

To become a professional Korean translator or interpreter, you need to stay committed to your studies and deepen your understanding of Korean culture and society.

Thao & Co. offers customized services, paired with a deep appreciation for translation accuracy. Our team of seasoned translators is well-versed in the Korean language.

We offer a wide range of translation services:

1. ✅ Certified Korean translations, contract translations, game translations, etc.
2. ✅ Specialized fields: healthcare, law, technology, advertising & marketing, etc.
3. ✅ Complimentary translation certification from Thao & Co.
4. ✅ Transparent workflow with no hidden fees.
5. ✅ A proprietary platform for clients to track progress and receive results quickly.

For more details, please contact us through the Get a Quote page. Our specialists will get back to you within 24 hours.