Korean Introduction to Korean Language Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Introduction to Korean Language deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. Which Hangul consonant represents both an 'r' and an 'l' sound depending on position?

   ㄹ — pronounced as a flap/'r' between vowels and as 'l' in the final (batchim) position or when doubled.

2. What sound does the consonant ㅇ (ieung) make when it appears as a final consonant (batchim)?

   It makes the 'ng' sound (as in 'sing'), unlike its silent role in the initial position.

3. How are the compound vowels like ㅐ (ae) and ㅔ (e) formed?

   By combining basic vowels — e.g., ㅏ + ㅣ → ㅐ, and ㅓ + ㅣ → ㅔ.

4. How are 'iotized' (y-glide) vowels such as ㅑ, ㅕ, ㅛ, ㅠ formed from basic vowels?

   By adding an extra short stroke (originally the 'heaven' dot) to the base vowel, adding a 'y' glide: ㅏ→ㅑ, ㅓ→ㅕ, ㅗ→ㅛ, ㅜ→ㅠ.

5. What is the name of South Korea's standard dialect and which city is it based on?

   The Seoul dialect (표준어, pyojuneo, the standard language), based on the speech of Seoul.

6. What is the standard dialect of North Korea called and which city is it based on?

   Munhwaŏ ('cultured language'), based on the speech of Pyongyang.

7. Name the major regional dialect zones of the Korean Peninsula.

   Seoul/Gyeonggi (central), Gyeongsang (southeast), Jeolla (southwest), Chungcheong (central-west), Gangwon, Hamgyong (northeast), Pyongan (northwest), and Jeju.

8. Which Korean variety is so distinct that many linguists classify it as a separate language rather than a dialect?

   Jejueo (the Jeju Island language/dialect), which is largely unintelligible to mainland Korean speakers.

9. What is a well-known prosodic feature of the Gyeongsang (e.g., Busan) dialect?

   It retains distinctive pitch accent (tonal contrasts), giving it a notably different intonation from standard Seoul Korean.

10. Despite regional dialects, how mutually intelligible is spoken Korean across the mainland?

    Most mainland dialects are largely mutually intelligible, differing mainly in accent, intonation, and some vocabulary; Jeju is the main exception.

11. Roughly what does the term 'satoori' (사투리) mean in Korean?

    It is the common Korean word for a regional dialect or non-standard regional speech.

12. What is the Korean system of speech levels/honorifics broadly called?

    Jondaenmal/honorific speech versus banmal (casual speech) — part of a broader system of speech levels reflecting social hierarchy.

13. What is the difference between jondaenmal (존댓말) and banmal (반말)?

    Jondaenmal is polite/formal speech showing respect (used with elders, strangers, superiors); banmal is casual/informal speech (used with close friends, younger people, or intimates).

14. Which verb ending marks the polite informal speech level, the most common everyday polite form?

    The -요 (-yo) ending (haeyo-che), used for polite but not overly formal everyday conversation.

15. Which verb ending marks the formal/deferential speech level used in news, presentations, and the military?

    The -(스)ㅂ니다 / -습니다 ending (hasipsio-che / hapsyo-che), the most formal polite level.

16. Give an example of the same verb 'to do' (하다) in formal polite, informal polite, and casual forms.

    Formal polite: 합니다 (hamnida); informal polite: 해요 (haeyo); casual/banmal: 해 (hae).

17. What is the honorific infix added to a verb stem to show respect toward the sentence's subject?

    The infix -시- (-si-), e.g., 가다 → 가시다 (to go, honorific), used to elevate the subject (usually an elder/superior).

18. What are honorific nouns and give an example pair (plain vs. honorific).

    Special respectful nouns used for elders/superiors — e.g., 밥 (bap, plain 'meal') vs. 진지 (jinji, honorific 'meal'), or 집 (jip) vs. 댁 (daek, honorific 'house').

19. Which social factors determine the choice of speech level in Korean?

    Relative age, social status/rank, degree of intimacy/familiarity, and the formality of the situation.

20. What is the honorific subject particle used in place of 이/가 to show respect for the subject?

    께서 (kkeseo), replacing 이/가 when the subject is an elder or superior.

21. When is banmal (casual speech) considered appropriate, and when is it rude?

    Appropriate with close friends, younger people, or family intimates; rude if used with elders, strangers, or superiors before an appropriate relationship is established.

22. What honorific title/suffix is commonly attached to a person's name or role to show respect (e.g., after 선생 'teacher')?

    -님 (-nim), e.g., 선생님 (seonsaengnim, 'respected teacher'), attached to titles/names to convey respect.

23. In Korean politeness, why might a speaker switch from banmal to jondaenmal mid-relationship?

    To signal increased social distance or respect — for example when the addressee turns out to be older or of higher status, or to keep a relationship formal/professional.

24. What is the practical rule of thumb for a learner unsure which speech level to use with a new acquaintance?

    Default to polite speech (the -요 form or formal -습니다), since using overly casual banmal with someone you don't know well is considered impolite.

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Introduction to Korean Language flashcards FAQ