Idioms & collocations
Body, food, exam metaphors.
Goals
High-frequency chunks.
Steps
- Collocation cards, not single words.
- Compare English image vs Korean.
Common mistakes
- Word-by-word mashups.
Study rhythm: Skim “Idioms & collocations” for structure, then re-read aloud. Fifteen-minute sessions usually beat one long cram when you are learning Korean from scratch.
Hands-on: Write three new sentences (do not copy the examples) using this pattern. When you learn Korean, forcing fresh sentences shows gaps early.
Listening: Pair this lesson with any short clip whose Korean subtitles reuse the same grammar. Notice endings in interviews versus narrators — the same rule may sound softer or stiffer.
Particles & patience: If vocabulary is easy but sentences feel wrong, slow down on markers. Revisit the core explanation above before adding more flashcards.
Examples & practice: mini conversation
Read across: English meaning → Korean sentence → romanization (Konglish-style pronunciation guide, not official MR).
| Speaker | English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 직장인 | Boss 눈치 봤어—should I leave? | 상사 눈치 봤어—갈까? | sangsa nunchi bwasseo—galkka? |
| 동료 | 마음에 들면 overtime free 삥. | ma-eum-e deullamyeon yageun ppae. | ma-eum-e deullamyeon yageun ppae. |
| 직장인 | 눈치 보다 = read the room. | 눈치가 생명. | nunchiga saengmyeong. |
| 동료 | 속 쓰려—figuratively heartburn from stress. | sok sseulyeo—직장병. | sok sseulyeo—jikjangbyeong. |
| 직장인 | Collocations beat isolated words in exams. | 연어가 시험 킬러. | yeon-eo-ga siheom kil-reo. |
| 동료 | Let's 분식 and forget. | bunsik meokgo itja. | bunsik meokgo itja. |