Korean for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 2

The most sociable animal

Superlatives in Korean — 제일 / 가장 (the most) — 물개가 제일 유명해요 (seals are the most famous).

Conversation

  1. Muri Muri

    이 동물원은 물개가 제일 유명해요.

    I dongmurwoneun mulgaega jeil yumyeonghaeyo.

    The seals are the most famous in this zoo.

    Tip: <이 N> = this N (demonstrative) <동물원> = zoo <물개> = seal <제일> = the most <유명해요> = adjective "to be famous" (in present tense)

  2. Yaya Yaya

    아, 그래요? 몰랐어요. 왜요?

    A, geuraeyo? Mollasseoyo. Waeyo?

    Oh, yeah? I didn't know that. Why?

    Tip: <아, 그래요?> = "Ah, really?" <몰랐어요> = verb "not to know" (in past tense) <왜> = why

  3. Yaya Yaya

    물개들이 사람들을 잘 따라요. 친화력이 가장 좋아요.

    Mulgaedeuri saramdeureul jal ttarayo. Chinhwaryeogi gajang joayo.

    Seals follow people well. They are the most sociable.

    Tip: <N들> = suffix used after a noun to mark plurality <사람들> = people <잘> = well <따라요> = verb "to follow" <친화력이 좋아요> = adjective "to be sociable" (Literally, "to have good social skills") (in present tense) <가장> = the most

  4. Yaya Yaya

    그게 물개의 매력이에요.

    Geuge mulgaeui maeryeogieyo.

    That's the charm of seals.

    Tip: <그게 N예요/이에요> = that is N [Note] 그게 is the abbreviation of 그것이 (그것 that + subject particle 이) <A의 B> = B of A <매력> = charm, power, attraction

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What's the difference between 제일 and 가장?

Both mean 'the most'. 제일 is more casual; 가장 is more formal/written. Often interchangeable.

How do you form superlatives in Korean?

제일/가장 + adjective: 제일 큰 (biggest), 가장 작은 (smallest). Universal Korean superlative.

What is 물개?

'Seal' (the animal). Different from 바다표범 (also seal). Both exist in Korean zoos and aquariums.

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.

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