Korean for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 1

Peacock & Ostrich

Describe animals in Korean — 새 종류가 참 다양해요 (There are many kinds of birds) — using 다양해요 (diverse).

Conversation

  1. Muri Muri

    우와, 새 종류가 참 다양해요.

    Uwa, sae jongnyuga cham dayanghaeyo.

    Wow, there are so many different kinds of birds.

    Tip: <새> = bird <종류> = kind, sort, type <참> = very <다양해요> = adjective "to be various"

  2. Yaya Yaya

    네, 저기 공작새가 있어요! 날개가 엄청 화려해요.

    Ne, jeogi gongjaksaega isseoyo! Nalgaega eomcheong hwaryeohaeyo.

    Yes, there are peacocks over there! The wings are so gorgeous.

    Tip: <저기> = there, over there <공작새> = peacock <날개> = wing <엄청> = very, really <화려해요> = adjective "to be colorful/splendid/gorgeous/flashy" (in present tense)

  3. Muri Muri

    정말 멋있어요. 어? 저기 타조도 있어요!

    Jeongmal meosisseoyo. Eo? Jeogi tajodo isseoyo!

    It's really cool. Oh, there's an ostrich over there too!

    Tip: <정말> = really <멋있어요> = verb "to look great" (in present tense) <타조> = ostrich

  4. Yaya Yaya

    타조들이 뛰어가요. 엄청 빨라요.

    Tajodeuri ttwieogayo. Eomcheong ppallayo.

    They are running. It's so fast.

    Tip: <N들> = suffix used after a noun to mark plurality <뛰어가요> = verb "to run" (in present tense) <엄청> = very, really <빨라요> = adjective "to be fast" (in present tense)

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 다양해요 mean?

'Various / diverse'. 다양하다 → 다양해요. Used to describe variety: 종류가 다양해요 = 'there are many kinds'.

What is 공작새?

'Peacock' — 공작 (peacock) + 새 (bird). Famous for their colorful feathers (날개).

Korean for 'gorgeous'?

화려해요 (gorgeous/splendid), 아름다워요 (beautiful), 멋있어요 (cool/handsome), 예뻐요 (pretty).

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 Zoo The most sociable animal →