Korean for English speakers Farm · Lesson 5
The world is so small
Express surprise in Korean — 세상이 참 좁아요 (The world is small) — and family relationships like 사촌 오빠 (cousin).
Conversation
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Meera
우와, 세상이 참 좁아요. 밥은 제 사촌 오빠예요.
Uwa, sesangi cham jobayo. Babeun je sachon oppayeyo.
Wow, the world is so small. Bob is my cousin.
Tip: <세상> = world <참> = very, so <좁아요> = adjective "to be narrow/small" <사촌 오빠> = elder male cousin
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Kyle
와, 정말요? 신기해요. 몰랐어요.
Wa, jeongmaryo? Singihaeyo. Mollasseoyo.
Wow, really? Amazing. I didn't know that.
Tip: <신기해요> = adjective "to be amazing" <몰랐어요> = verb "not to know" (in past tense) [Note] In Korean, to say "I don't know", the verb 모르다 (ignore) is more preferred than the negation of 알다 (know)
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Meera
저도요. 두 사람은 언제부터 친구였어요?
Jeodoyo. Du sarameun eonjebuteo chinguyeosseoyo?
Me, neither. Since when have you two been friends?
Tip: <저도요> = me too/neither <두> = "two" in adjective form (native korean number counting) <사람> = people [Note] In Korean, it is unusual to use third person pronouns (he, she, they) or second plural pronouns (you). <언제부터> = since when <N이었어요/였어요> = verb "to be" (in past tense)
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Kyle
사실 지난 주에 처음 만났어요. 그런데 벌써 잘 맞아요.
Sasil jinan jue cheoeum mannasseoyo. Geureonde beolsseo jal majayo.
Actually, we met for the first time last week. But we already have a good chemistry.
Tip: <사실> = actually <지난 주에> = last week <처음> = for the first time <만났어요> = verb "to meet" (in past tense) <벌써> = already <잘 맞아요> = verb "to have a good chemistry (for relationship)"