Korean for English speakers School · Lesson 1

Cheer up! Fighting!

Cheer up in Korean — 화이팅! (Fighting!) — and respond with 피곤해요 for tiredness.

Conversation

  1. Rose Rose

    린도 씨, 요즘 많이 바빠요?

    Rindo ssi, yojeum mani bappayo?

    Mr. Lindo, are you pretty busy these days?

    Tip: <요즘> = these days <많이> = a lot, so much, pretty <바빠요> = adjective "to be busy"

  2. Lindo Lindo

    네, 그래서 좀 피곤해요.

    Ne, geuraeseo jom pigonhaeyo.

    Yeah, so I'm a bit tired.

    Tip: <그래서> = so, therefore (conjunction of cause and effect) <좀> = a little bit (abbreviation of 조금) <피곤해요> = adjective "to be tired"

  3. Rose Rose

    힘내요, 린도 씨! 곧 주말이에요!

    Himnaeyo, rindo ssi! Got jumarieyo!

    Cheer up, Mr. Lindo! It's the weekend soon!

    Tip: <힘내요> = formal way to say "Cheer up!" (Literally, "Be strong") <곧> = soon <주말> = weekend

  4. Lindo Lindo

    로즈 씨도요. 파이팅!

    Rojeu ssidoyo. Paiting!

    You too, Ms. Rose. Stay strong!

    Tip: <파이팅> = casual way to say "Cheer up!"/"Stay strong!"/"Go for it!" [Note] This Konglish expression is literally translated "Fighting." It can be pronounced in two way : '파이팅' and '화이팅'

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 화이팅 mean?

'Fighting!' — Korean encouragement, like 'you can do it / go for it!'. From English but distinctly Korean usage.

What is 바빠요?

'Busy'. 많이 바빠요 = 'very busy'. 안 바빠요 = 'not busy'.

How do you say 'a bit'?

조금 or 좀. 조금 피곤해요 / 좀 피곤해요 = 'a little tired'. 좀 is more colloquial.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Korean lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

Next lesson in School Casual conversation without politeness suffix -요 →