Intermediate Korean 2 중급 한국어 2
The written register — formal connectors, compressed constructions, and the grammar of news and reports.
By the end of this level: Function at work, follow news and social topics, and use idiomatic and written Korean.
- 4A·1 날씨와 계절 · weather and seasons
한국은 여름에 비가 많이 내려요
It rains a lot in Korea in the summer.
-는다면서 I hear that — repeating what you were told, often to check it 치고 for a — an exception, or the opposite, depending on what follows -고 and — the plain written connector- Listen & speak
- 한국의 봄 날씨 · 일기 예보처럼 말하기Talking like spring weather and weather forecast in Korea
- Read & write
- 한국의 여름 날씨 · 좋아하는 계절에 대해 쓰기Write about summer weather in Korea and your favorite season
- 4A·2 지역 · region
편의 시설이 잘 갖추어져 있어서 살기 편할 것 같아
I think it will be comfortable to live in because it is well-equipped with amenities.
-는지 whether — an embedded question inside a bigger sentence -는대 they say — the contracted quotation you hear constantly 이야 as for — casual emphasis, spoken- Listen & speak
- 새로 이사가는 지역 · 내가 사는 지역 소개하기Introducing the new area you are moving to and the area you live in
- Read & write
- 살기 좋은 지역 · 지역의 유명한 곳 소개하기Introducing good places to live and famous places in the area
Seen in: Dupe in Korean: 듀프, 듀페, and Counterfeit Differences , Shagal Meaning: A Korean Minced Oath for Frustration
- 4A·3 주거 · dwelling
월세가 비싸지 않은 빌라나 오피스텔을 찾고 있어요
I'm looking for a villa or officetel where monthly rent is not expensive.
에 비하여 compared to — the written comparison -듯이 as if — comparison in writing, where speech would use 처럼 -거니와 not only that, but also — formal and written- Listen & speak
- 부동산에서 집 구하기 · 집에 대해 평가하기Finding a house in real estate · Evaluating a house
- Read & write
- 집을 구할 때 필요한 정보 · 같이 살 사람 모집하는 글 쓰기Information needed when looking for a house · Write an article to recruit people to live with you
- 4A·4 인테리어 · interior
거실이 어두워서 조명을 밝은 것으로 바꿨어요
The living room was dark, so I changed the lighting to brighter ones.
-고 해서 partly because — one reason among several -는 김에 while you're at it — taking the chance to do something else -다니 I can't believe — surprise at what you just heard- Listen & speak
- 바뀐 인테리어 · 인테리어 관련 상담하기Consultation regarding changed interior design
- Read & write
- 인테리어 관련 질문과 답변 · 내 방 인테리어 소개하기Questions and answers related to interior design · Introducing the interior of my room
- 4A·5 동식물 · fauna and flora
반려동물을 기르면 심리적으로 편안해져서 좋다고 하던데
They say that having a pet is good because it makes you psychologically more comfortable.
-더니 I did, and then — and why the two halves must share a subject -었더니 I did it, and as a result — the past version, with a different rule -어야지 I really should — reminding yourself- Listen & speak
- 새로 입양한 동물 · 좋아하는 동물이나 식물에 대해 설명하기Describe your newly adopted animal or favorite animal or plant
- Read & write
- 유기 동물 보호소 · 동물이나 식물을 키우는 일기 쓰기Abandoned animal shelter · Write a diary about raising animals or plants
- 4A·6 지형과 기후 · Terrain and Climate
여기는 산이 가까워서인지 밤이 되니까 좀 서늘한 것 같아
Maybe it's because it's close to the mountains, but it feels a bit cool here at night.
-어서인지 maybe because — a cause you are not certain of -으며 and, while — the written 으면서 -고도 even though — doing one thing and still the other 이며 and — the written listing particle- Listen & speak
- 여행지의 지형 · 관광 안내원이 되어 여행할 곳의 지형과 기후 소개하기Topography of the travel destination Become a tour guide and introduce the topography and climate of the destination
- Read & write
- 제주도의 지형과 기후 · 자기 나라의 기후 특징에 대해 설명하기Explain the topography and climate of Jeju Island and the climate characteristics of your country
- 4A·7 취업과 면접 · Employment and Interviews
제 전공을 살릴 수 있는 직장에서 일하고 싶어요
I want to work in a job where I can utilize my major.
-더라도 even if — granting the worst case and going anyway 으로서 as — in the role or capacity of 이나마 even if only — settling for something small- Listen & speak
- 취업 · 면접에 도움이 되는 조언 구하기Get helpful advice for employment and interviews
- Read & write
- 회사 지원 관련 정보 · 간단한 자기소개서 쓰기Company application-related information · Write a simple self-introduction
- 4A·8 직장 생활 · work life
우리 부서는 직원을 뽑고 교육시키는 일을 하고 있어요
Our department is responsible for recruiting and training employees.
-는 대로 as, exactly the way — following something faithfully -을수록 the more, the more -게 so that — the result you want 대로 as it is — following what already exists- Listen & speak
- 회사 업무 · 직장 동료에 대한 불만 말하기Complaints about company work and coworkers
- Read & write
- 성공적인 직장생활을 위한 조언 · 직장 생활 경험 쓰기Advice for a successful work life · Write about your work life experience
Seen in: Korean Workplace Email Guide: Structure, Key Phrases, and Etiquette
- 4A·9 교통 · traffic
자동차에 탈 때에는 먼저 안전띠를 매세요
When getting into a car, fasten your seat belt first.
-는 바람에 because of — an unexpected cause with an unwanted result -을 뻔하다 almost happened, but didn't -는다니 hearing that — surprise or disbelief at news- Listen & speak
- 교통사고가 날 뻔한 상황 · 대중교통 이용 경험 이야기하기Situation where a car accident almost occurred · Talk about your experience using public transportation
- Read & write
- 대중교통 · 교통 규칙을 지키지 않은 것에 대한 반성하기Reflecting on not following public transportation/traffic rules
- 4A·10 지리와 경제 · Geography and Economy
이 지역에서 생산되는 딸기는 특히 달고 맛이 좋아요
Strawberries produced in this area are especially sweet and tasty.
마저 even — the last one you would expect 까지② even — reaching further than expected, with less surprise than 마저 -어 놓다/두다 doing it and leaving it done, on purpose -는 사이에 while, in the gap when — something happened unnoticed- Listen & speak
- 지역 특산물을 파는 시장 · 고향에 대해 발표하기Market selling local specialties / Presentation about your hometown
- Read & write
- 도시의 특징 · 특산물 설명하기Explaining the city's characteristics and special products
- 4B·11 은행 · bank
은행에서 통장을 만들 때 신분증을 가져가야 해요
You must bring your ID when opening a bank account at the bank.
에 따라 according to, depending on -는 줄 thinking that — usually a belief that turned out wrong 만 같아도 if only it were like — wishful comparison- Listen & speak
- 은행 직원과 상담 · 은행 업무에 대해 말하기Consult with bank staff and talk about banking
- Read & write
- 은행 서비스 · 송금 실수 경험에 대해 쓰기Write about your experience with banking services/remittance mistakes
- 4B·12 우편과 배송 · Postal and Delivery
고향에 있는 친구에게 소포를 보냈어요
I sent a package to my friend back home.
-나요 a softer question — polite and a little gentler than 어요 -든지 whichever, whether — leaving the choice open -으므로 therefore — the reason of reports and formal writing- Listen & speak
- 소포 배송 · 우체국 택배 접수하기Parcel delivery / Post office delivery application
- Read & write
- 택배 이용 안내문 · 우편 서비스 이용 후기 쓰기Instructions for use of courier service · Write a review of postal service
Seen in: TOPIK II Writing 51 and 52: Two Questions You Can Prepare
- 4B·13 재난과 구조 · disaster and rescue
물에 빠진 사람을 발견한다면 주위에 알리세요
If you see someone drowning, let people know
-어 버리다 did it completely — and the feeling that comes with finishing -는다면 if — a hypothetical you are not assuming is true 이든 whether it's — listing options in the written register- Listen & speak
- 재난 관련 뉴스 · 재난과 구조에 대해 말하기Disaster-related news · Talking about disasters and rescues
- Read & write
- 물놀이 안전 교육 · 재난과 구조에 대한 경험 쓰기Water play safety education · Write about experiences about disasters and rescues
- 4B·14 신체와 운동 · body and exercise
운동을 하면 체력이 좋아질걸요
If you exercise, your physical strength will improve.
-을걸 I bet — a guess you are fairly confident about -던데② I saw that it was — recalling and telling 이라도 at least, or something — offering the lesser option- Listen & speak
- 바른 자세 · 일상생활에서 할 수 있는 운동 방법에 대해 말하기Talking about correct posture and exercise methods that can be done in daily life
- Read & write
- 준비 운동과 마무리 운동 · 스트레칭 동작 묘사하기Describe warm-up and cool-down exercises and stretching movements
- 4B·15 건강과 식생활 · health and diet
올바른 식습관으로 건강을 챙기세요
Take care of your health with proper eating habits
-는 모양이다 it appears — a guess from what you observed -는 듯 as if, seemingly — the compact written guess -다시피 as you know, as you saw- Listen & speak
- 건강식품에 관한 인터뷰 · 약국에서 몸 상태에 대해 말하기Interview about health foods · Talking about your physical condition at the pharmacy
- Read & write
- 올바른 식습관 · 잘못된 식습관에 대해 반성하기Reflecting on good eating habits and bad eating habits
- 4B·16 위생과 감염 · Hygiene and Infection
외출 후에는 손을 깨끗이 닦아야 해요
You must wash your hands thoroughly after going out.
-어 대다 keeps doing it — repetition, and the speaker's irritation 으로 인하여 due to — the cause of news and reports -는다거나② saying things like — quoting loose examples- Listen & speak
- 독감과 예방 · 위생 관리 방법에 대해 말하기Talk about flu and prevention and hygiene management methods
- Read & write
- 기침 예절 · 감염 예방에 대한 안내문 쓰기Write a notice on cough etiquette and infection prevention
- 4B·17 질병과 치료 · disease and treatment
새벽에 자주 깨는 통에 잠을 못 자요
I can't sleep because I wake up often in the early morning.
-나 싶다 I wonder if — a thought you are half entertaining -으려야 no matter how you try — and why it ends in a negative -는 통에 because of the commotion — chaos as the cause- Listen & speak
- 스트레스로 인한 건강 문제 · 질병 원인에 대해 말하기Talking about the causes of health problems and diseases caused by stress
- Read & write
- 병의 특징과 예방법 · 특별한 치료 경험 쓰기Characteristics of the disease, prevention methods, and special treatment experiences
- 4B·18 학교생활과 교육 · School life and education
학교를 졸업하고 보니 아쉬움이 많이 남아요
After graduating from school, I feel a lot of regret.
-고 보다 doing it, I found — the realisation comes after -기에 because, so — the written reason, often with a judgment 에 의하여 by, according to — the agent in formal and academic writing- Listen & speak
- 대학 진학 상담 · 학교생활 중에서 중요한 점에 대해 말하기Counseling on college entrance / Talking about important aspects of school life
- Read & write
- 학생이 바라는 교육 수준 · 학교 교육 이후의 배움에 대해 설명하기The level of education desired by the student and explanation of learning after school education
- 4B·19 한국의 교육 · Education in Korea
실력을 늘리고자 배우는 거지
I'm learning to improve my skills.
-고자 in order to — the purpose of speeches and documents 커녕(은커녕, 는커녕) let alone — not even the smaller thing, never mind the bigger -고 들다 insisting on doing it — pushing, usually annoyingly- Listen & speak
- 온라인 학습에 대한 뉴스 보도 · 학원과 개인 교습의 특징에 대해 말하기News reports about online learning · Talking about the characteristics of academies and private tutoring
- Read & write
- 한국 학생의 특징 · 다양한 교육에 대해 쓰기Characteristics of Korean students · Write about various education
Seen in: Korean Workplace Email Guide: Structure, Key Phrases, and Etiquette
- 4B·20 산업과 직업 · industries and occupations
저는 컴퓨터 프로그램을 개발하는 일을 하고 있어요
I am working on developing computer programs.
-을 따름이다 nothing more than — limiting what you claim -는 한 as long as — the condition that has to keep holding 으로써 by means of — the written instrument- Listen & speak
- 새로운 기술로 개발된 자동차 · 진로 고민에 대해 말하기Talk about cars developed with new technology and career concerns
- Read & write
- 산업 발달에 따른 직업의 변화 · 장래에 바라는 직업에 대해 쓰기Changes in occupation due to industrial development · Write about your desired job in the future
Reference: 바로 배워 바로 쓰는 세종학당 한국어 4A·4B, published by the King Sejong Institute Foundation (original book). jabi’s explanations and learning guidance are independently written.